RL with Makoto

[sky_protector]

[Touma had memorized the address as soon as she'd given it to him. It was one of his other random skills. Perfect recall. So, it really didn't take him long to find Makoto's place and get to her apartment.

He really didn't have anything on him. He hadn't even dressed up for the occasion. Just jeans, sneakers, a t-shirt with his blue jacket, and a cap put on backwards. It was his usual attire so he decided it would be fine.

With that, he ran the bell.]

Comments

[thunder_empress]

[Touma finding his way was probably Makoto's biggest concern, the other being his safety considering how randomly dangerous her would could be at times, so she was very prompt when the doorbell rang. That loud thump that you didn't hear was absolutely not Makoto tripping over her own feet on the way to the door...though she looks suspiciously sheepish when she swings it open.]

H...hi, Hashiba-san! I'm glad you made it, come on in!

[And she'll step aside to let him in now. Much like Touma, Makoto is very casual, almost tom-boyish, wearing a sweater, a pair of jeans, socks, and an extra fluffy pair of slippers. Touma may notice, that apart from a few boxes stacked neatly in a corner, the apartment is remarkably organized...and the other thing he may notice are all of the potted plants.]

You can make yourself at home if you want to.

[Gestures to the dining/living area with the kotatsu, some corner chairs, and a television with a rather nice collection of video games.]

[sky_protector]

[Touma was blinking when he heard the thump inside but it looked like Makoto was alright. That was something. So he just stepped inside and took his shoes off so he could walk around in his socks. The place was nice and it was easy to find all the plants as he walked further in.]

You must like plants.

[And then he got distracted by the video games, eyes lighting up as he started to look through the titles.]

Hey! This is a great collection!

[thunder_empress]

[It wasn't a big apartment, pretty typical with a kitchen space, dining and living space with separate bathroom and bedroom, but it was more than enough for Makoto who used her small space well. Sometimes it even felt too big for her, though living alone had a tendency to do that which was why she was thrilled to have a visitor.]

I love them.

[She said, returning to the room with her ball and and a ballpoint pen, on her way back into the room she brushed past a peace lily plant that was thriving.]

They keep the air nice and filtered and brighten the place up.

[She lays the ball and pen casually on the kotatsu before glancing and smiling proudly at her collection of video games, and she did have a nice collection of fighting, puzzle, racing and other sports games, then there was the ever popular Sailor-V game.]

Oh yeah? You like video games? When Usagi-chan comes over I get to play them...sometimes I play them by myself, but it's fun with more than one person.

[sky_protector]

Sure. I play them all the time. On my computer too. I even changed the codes around a bit to make them more interesting when I play them.

[He went through the list of titles with interest until he stopped at the Sailor-V one. Blinking, he pulled it out to hold it up. She said to make himself at home. That meant touching was allowed, right?]

What's this one? I've never heard of it.

[Though come to think of it...]

There's posters around town for it though.

[thunder_empress]

Computer games? I just recently figured out how to play pong on the computer...and I'm getting pretty good at solitaire too...and Odell Lake.

[Because she wouldn't know how to configure video games on a computer if she tried, playing them on a console or at the arcade was complicated enough.

And, naturally she didn't mind Touma's curiosity, mi casa es su casa, and all that good stuff. Touching is allowed and it is nice to have someone around to share her things with.]

Ah, that is one of my favorites! It was a game that was originally installed in the Crown Game Center, but it became really popular...

[The reason for all of the posters.]

You remember me telling you about the Sailor Soldiers? That game was originally designed to help train Sailor V...Code Name for Sailor Venus, a fellow soldier and friend of mine. I thought it was a strange coincidence...

[sky_protector]

Your computers are probably more advanced than those in my time.

[Which fascinated him but he was busy reading the box for the game while he listened to Makoto. So this game was about an actual person? With a secret identity?]

I thought all of you were supposed to be hiding your identities. Wouldn't it be a little counterproductive to go flaunting who you are to the world?

[thunder_empress]

Probably a little bit...we're about five years apart, aren't we?

[Which is strange, because they are exactly the same age. Whatever the case she is part of the early 90s era in terms of computers and Super Nintendos and Sega Genisis.]

Mmmm...well...nobody knows who we really are, but keeping ourselves completely out of the public eye is difficult since our enemies like to involve civilians, so we've become...well...I guess it's like Steve said, we've become super heroes...or urban myth is probably more accurate. I guess the company that started making and mass producing the Sailor-V games thought the one at Crown Game Center had a nice concept...and maybe the urban myth caught on too.

[There were some things even Makoto couldn't explain, she didn't know everything about Minako yet, so her history was a mystery and so was the story of Sailor-V]

Also, Crown Game Center is like a secret base of operations, we actually use the Sailor-V game there as a communication and locator device...but Ami-chan would know more about it.

[sky_protector]

What year is it here? That could tell us everything we need to know, I think.

[Though five years seemed accurate. Still, he did like to check his facts.]

You use an arcade as a secret base? That's different. I guess our base was Nasuti's place. That was where we recovered after the first battle anyway. We still go there to visit when we can.

[thunder_empress]

It's 1992 here right now...

[And Makoto watched him curiously for a few seconds, she still wasn't sure how different worlds and timelines worked, but she was going on everything based on what he had told her.]

Oh yeah, though we don't meet there too often, it would be suspicious...we normally get together at Rei-chan's temple...

...Nasuti, she had the gathering there for the community right?

[Makoto isn't abandoning you, but she does go into the kitchen and she's still visible from where Touma is sitting. She's there for a second or two, just long enough to retrieve Touma's cake and return.

It's a cake in the shape of a baseball in a mitt. The baseball has the Hashin Tigers team logo on it and the mitt has their insignia.]

That was really kind of her.

[sky_protector]

So around three to four years. It's complicated keeping track of the various timelines.

[Looking over, he watched her to see what she was doing. He was a curious boy so it wasn't like he could help himself. Besides, that was the kitchen. That could only mean good things.]

Yeah. Nasuti enjoyed herself too.

[And then those eyes of his just lit up as he turned to face her completely.]

Hey! It the Tigers!

[thunder_empress]

So that would make us about the same age, huh? I guess keeping track would require some kind of system.

[The fact that she could see him watching from over the bar was pretty cute, those big eyes so expectant.]

I still have to get some of her recipes...

[And Makoto is not disappointed by the reaction, she put the Tigers there on purpose]

Yeah, I remembered, and since they are a team here too I was able to get their logo and everything...well I was hoping they were the same! I have some food I could heat up too if you're hungry.

[sky_protector]

Well I'm fourteen...

[And that was all he was going into. Because now he was studying the amazing cake and how great the logo was. That and how delicious it looked.]

Really? There's more food besides this?

[thunder_empress]

Yeah! I have some stuff already made, I just need to heat it up! I tend to make more than I need because Usagi has a pretty big appetite...

[And she'll set the cake down first before going back in the refrigerator to see what kind of food she can quickly prepare before she started heating some things up...and it wasn't long before the entire apartment was saturated with the delicious smell of food.

She's so efficient.]

...Most of it's finger food, a tip I picked up, I can eat while I study, so I hope that's okay.

Did you want to have some cake or did you want to wait?

[sky_protector]

[His eyes lit up even more at the smell of food and at the mention of being able to eat the cake now.]

I can have some?

[Hungry teenage boy on the loose. Look out world.}

[thunder_empress]

Ahahah of course you can!

[It's your cake, right? Have at thee~ but first some plates and forks are in order and a knife, all of which she presents to Touma so that he can have as much cake as he wants.

She'll have some too while they're waiting on the rest of the food.]

Mm...so, Hashiba-san, how long can you stay for? I forgot to ask.

[sky_protector]

[Now that he had the tools he needed, he cut into the cake in order to get a nice big piece of it on his plate. It looked delicious. But anything sweet did to a sweet tooth like himself.

So he made sure to take a bite of his food right then and there.]

I definitely have to be back by Monday because I'm going with Nasuti to an exhibit about ancient Japanese astronomy. So, how long do you want me to stay?

[He hadn't bothered to pay attention to how long was polite to stay somewhere. Mainly because he didn't know there were social graces that went with that.]

[thunder_empress]

[Like an artist, it's always nice when one's work is so appreciated...

...but now there was another unsettled matter that they hadn't bothered to figure out.]

Well, to be honest, I think it's fun having people visit, so you can stay for as long as you want to if you're not bored.

[Of course, there's plenty to do, what with Makoto's fabulous game collection, but she wouldn't dream of keeping Touma pinned up either. Outside was also nice, if noy a little chilly, so there was tons to do and if Touma got tired...well she could always carry him on her back.]

[sky_protector]

[He'd just taken a bite of the cake when she made that offer. Touma really wasn't against the idea. There was plenty to do here and he had the time to kill.

So he swallowed quickly.]

Really?

[He still wasn't used to having people that didn't mind him being around. Not to mention his lack of experience with having friends.]

[thunder_empress]

Really!

[Have an emphatic nod from Makoto, as if her sincerity wasn't obvious.

She wasn't used to having people around so it was refreshing when there was someone there. They didn't have to speak, Makoto had nothing against quiet, as long as there was presence.]

Yeah, as long as you feel comfortable here and you enjoy eating.

[And speaking of which, she hops off into the kitchen to check on the progress of the food.]

[sky_protector]

Usually I just have the snack foods you can pick up in stores unless I go somewhere with someone who can cook. That or takeout.

[So this was exciting to him. Real food that tasted good and smelled delicious. Plus Makoto was interesting to talk to as well.

He'd forgotten all about people and their thinking this was a date for some reason. Which meant he wasn't going to ask about that either.]

Well, I can stay anywhere really.

[thunder_empress]

R...really...? Well, if you want to take some of this back with you I'll fix it up...

[That's a bit of a shocker, a growing boy needs more than takeout and snack food, that's only a supplement! And so she starts plating the real food: flanken-cut Hawaiian ribs, onigiri, fruit and vegetable kebabs, cucumber rolls, potato salad, shrimp. She brought out the works and laid it on the table.]

...and if you ever want a cooked meal, just give me a holler!

[And super cooking Makoto will rustle something up!]

You're not fussy at all, huh? Well if you feel like camping out here, just let me know, that'd be great.

[If anyone asks, she's clearly treating Touma like a brand-new friend, not that he isn't attractive, he's pretty indeed, but she's just getting to know his personality. Though if she knew about the whole date thing fffffffff]

Oh, do you want something to drink?

[sky_protector]

[He stared at all the food. And there was no Shuu to fight over the food with. It all smelled so good and looked so good and...

He was going to be grabbing some for himself to pop into his mouth. Damn. It tasted good too.]

You're going to make a great wife someday!

[Oh the things that could come out of his mouth.]

Mm. Yes, please.

[thunder_empress]

[Not to mention if there was a shortage, Makoto was always too willing to make more, She had to pack as much nutritious, homemade food into Touma while he was here after all.

And then Touma just went and sideswiped her. His straightforwardness was always surprising, but it was nice too that he remembered her dreams.]

You think so, Hashiba-san? Thank you!

[You may not know it, but your bonus kudos have gone right through the roof. She'll just pack a little bit of everything to send him home with.]

Ah, we have iced tea, lemonade, and water?

[sky_protector]

[Touma nodded to make sure she knew that yes he really did think that. Of course when he had his mother to compare to, basically everyone would make a good housewife in his view.]

Lemonade.

[Not so secret sweet tooth crawling to the surface again. And between bites of cake, he was snacking on other things. Why not? It all looked so good and tasted just as good.]

What made you want to start cooking?

[thunder_empress]

[The only thing keeping her from tipping over on her side, like one of those fainting goats, was the fact that Touma wanted something to drink. Right, she could use a drink to and lemonade was sounding good so she hopped off to grab a couple of classes and the jug of lemonade on her way back]

Why? Well...part of the reason was because no one else was going to do it for me so I had to take care of myself, and part of it was to try and become more feminine. See...I was born with this strength, but I'm known for being "that Hercules girl"...and people avoided me because of it. I figure, if I have some delicate habits people won't see me as so imposing, maybe they'll approach me and they'll be friendly. But I discovered that I really like it, cooking!

[sky_protector]

[He listened to her talk and actually found himself a little confused. Why would anyone want to avoid Makoto? He liked her. She was easy to talk to and didn't automatically look at him like he was some kind of machine.]

You know, I didn't have any friends until just this year. People have always sat me with the adults or people at school have avoided me. I guess they think I'm not easy to talk to. But I've been called The Genius or The Living Computer by my classmates. Old man by my mother.

[He chewed on something thoughtfully for a moment.]

I don't see why people wouldn't like you. There's nothing wrong with a girl being strong.

[thunder_empress]

Hm...well it's probably more than just my strength...it's probably because I don't conform...not because I don't want to, but I can't...and I wouldn't want to anyway because I like who I am. But...I'm taller than most girls so...like with my new school I got called out by the teachers for wearing my old school uniform. The uniforms for my new school, they don't make them to fit my height so I have to wear my old one.

There's also the issue with my hair, on the first day too, because of the color and it's naturally wavy. I had these problems everywhere and because some of the students weren't so kind to me I also developed a reputation for fighting...but it's...because I don't like bullies much...

[She looks a little bit sheepish, but she's never started a single fight, not ever. She wasn't afraid of finishing a fight, however, especially since she has very little tolerance for people who bully others. It's how she was able to meet Usagi after all.

Even more surprising is why people would avoid making friends with Touma, you would think people would be clamoring for his attention or his help because of his intelligence.]

Ah...but people avoiding you, that's a little strange...but maybe it's not so much...I suppose I could understand how kids our age might be intimidated by your intelligence. Even if you're a gentle person at heart it still makes you different...and everyone wants to avoid you when you're a bit...different.

But, Hashiba-san, I don't think there's anything wrong with being intelligent!

[sky_protector]

I'm not bothered by being intelligent. Like you shouldn't be bothered by who you are. We're meant to be as we are and we bring something no one else can bring. Some people find it more difficult to accept and turn towards the instinct to flee since it's easier.

[He shrugged a bit then pulled out the orb with the character of Wisdom inside it.]

I don't care what other people think of me. There are those that need me now and they're the ones I will be there for. Even if those six and yourself end up being my only friends for the rest of my life, I've found somewhere I belong.

[Touma gave her a smile then.]

Right?

[thunder_empress]

[Wait, hold on, she's right in the middle of being awe struck, because those are some impressive words.

Smile. Smile. Smile]

Right!

And I know...that the wind carried me here to this place because there are more important things in life than what people think about you, or your sempai breaking your heart...[is that relevant...probably not, but she'll throw it in anyway]...the wind whispered it to me without me knowing, that...there were people waiting for me right here...

[And because it's sharing time again, she pulls out her transformation pen]

I know who I am...and there are people that I love and want to protect...so I'll do it without fail...

...You know, Hashiba-san, even if it's just a few...I think a few good friends are better than a pile of people who don't want to try and understand you.

[sky_protector]

You're right.

[He set the orb down on the table and it seemed to glow a soft blue light. Maybe sometime he would show her Tenku. Not to show off but just because he felt there was a connection through their other abilities.]

You know, about your height. You're not that much taller than me. I'm 165 cm. I'm guessing your about three to four centimeters taller.

[thunder_empress]

[And naturally, she was curious about his abilities, she'd only just learned about herself and when she came into contact with the community she learned that there were others with special talents trying to protect their worlds.

Laying her pen carefully in her lap Makoto felt herself smile again, it wasn't too often that someone made her height seem normal...at least for her age and nationality.]

Yeah, that's very close, 165cm...that would make me five centimeters taller, but two inches somehow makes the height seem even closer. I probably won't grow much more than this, but I'm sure you'll grow a lot more, Hashiba-san!

[sky_protector]

Boys do hit puberty later than girls so I think I'll have a growth spurt soon enough.

[Just look at how much of the food on the table he's actually eaten, Makoto. That boy didn't scarf it like Usagi but he could really pack it in.

Reaching over, he picked up the ball and got a good feel for it, tossing it up in the air before catching it with one hand.]

Want me to sign this now?

[thunder_empress]

Keep eating and you'll spring up like a weed! Though it's probably important to get a lot of exercise too so you'll grow vertically.

[Because, lets face it, too much of Makoto's good food and you'll end up fluffy...but she's definitely noticed that Touma can put food away. Makoto is still working on a fruit kebab and her cake. Though when she wants to she can put some food down too and she proved as much at the party.

And then she watched as Touma began tossing the ball, he really seemed to have an affinity for it.]

Oh yeah, sure, if you want to [and she hands him the pen, because, yes, she wants him to] ah, we'll play baseball sometime too, huh?

[sky_protector]

I swim and play baseball when I'm not doing archery or other workouts.

[So he had the working out part covered. Taking the pen, he quickly signed it with Hashiba Touma. A quick look and he smiled before tossing it across the table to her.]

Sure! We can play whenever you want. It's something I'm good at.

[thunder_empress]

You're pretty athletic overall then, huh? I enjoy swimming, Ami-chan insists on going surfing this summer so I'm looking forward to it.

[Which was pretty aweseome, because Makoto could relate to all kinds of sports as well...maybe not archery, because she's never done it, but she would definitely try it too.

When the ball is tossed to her she catches it easily enough, looking his signature over before turning the ball around in her hand. It felt authentic now.]

Alright...they even have batting cages at the golf and putting course, I haven't been there yet. So it's a promise!

[Though Touma might feel really sad about that promise soon]

[sky_protector]

I've never gone surfing before. Though, that sounds like something Shin would probably like.

[He smiled at how easily she caught the ball. That was nice to see. A girl who really could do sports. At least it looked that way.]

That sounds like fun.

[thunder_empress]

Normally I take retreats to a temple in the mountains so I can train and that's how I spend my summers...like camping in a way. A change is good though and I like surfing...I also like tubing and knee-boarding so I'm looking forward to this trip.

[And after admiring the ball, Makoto gripped it across the seams and tossed the ball back to Touma at a 12-6 rotation, keeping it as straight as possible. Since they were inside she didn't toss it as hard as she could have.]

Yeah, I'm thinking, since you're really good at baseball I should probably get some practice swings in so I don't embarrass myself when we play.

[sky_protector]

A temple sounds like something that Seiji would do. He does meditate a lot when he trains.

[Catching the ball easily, Touma flipped it up into the air and caught it with his other hand.]

I don't think you will. You seem good already.

[thunder_empress]

Yeah, it's perfect for martial arts training and I get to jog around the mountain undisturbed for as long as I want.

[It's good to know her straight pitch isn't that rusty, even if it was a slow, indoors, goofing off kind of pitch.]

I haven't quite gotten and handle on how to throw a curve ball, though to be honest I haven't had much time for playing. I'm starting to miss basketball too.

[sky_protector]

I taught myself how to play baseball after watching a couple of games. I didn't really have anyone around to actually teach me. But it was something fun to do.

[He tossed the ball up again and caught it with his other hand. He wasn't even looking when he did it this time.]

[thunder_empress]

[OMG Touma, that's so sad, must you talk about it so casually? But Makoto will cover up her sad face by drinking lemonade...mmm...good stuff.

Alright she's back to normal.]

So...you said you wanted to be a baseball player...are you going to go to a college first or bypass and go for the big leagues since it's your dream?

[sky_protector]

[He didn't even realize he was saying sad things unfortunately. He was just used to that being the way things were.]

I think I may do college while I play. I think I can manage to juggle both.

[thunder_empress]

[That's the sad part, but Makoto can't make a big deal out of it, because Touma doesn't seem all that sad about it or maybe he's just accepting it. Makoto having had two affectionate parents at one time, does find it a little difficult to comprehend absentee parents.

Touma does seem very together, but she'd do her best to fill some of the gaps...like in his diet. Yup.]

That's a big undertaking, but I think you'll do great! Have you figured out where you want to go as far as colleges or are you still thinking about high school...that's as far as I'm thinking right now anyway.

[sky_protector]

[He had to think about that for a moment. Maybe it was a big undertaking. Honestly he hadn't even thought about that. He'd just decided he would do it and that had been that.

Which was typically how Makoto's mind worked.]

I'm getting into high school first. College can come after that.