2026-08-11: Interesting New People
- Log: 2026-08-11 Interesting New People
- Cast: Misato Fushihara, Jun Kashihara, Ririka Kawase
- Where: Time Castle
- OOC Date: August 11, 2026
- IC Date: December 23, 2012
- Summary: While on a trip to the Time Castle, Misato, Jun, and Ririka happen to run into each other--some of them known, some of them new, some of them new only to one side.
(|=============================== Time Castle ================================|)
-=============================================== Sumaru City/Rengedai Ward ====-
This eclectic store supposedly sells antiques, but has clocks almost exclusively
for sale. That "almost" is for the rare non-clock antique on display--and also
for the Skills Cards that its owner, known only as the Count, has available for
sale and registration for discerning customers.
One enters through a pair of wooden double doors. The interior is refined, with
brown-and-gold wallpaper and matching flooring cut with a long red carpet
through the center. A pair of glass displays filled with clocks line the carpet;
cupboards, drawers, curios, vases, boxes, and, yes, more clocks--including
massive grandfather clocks--press up against the walls. Several paintings
decorate the walls all through the store. The back is raised up a couple of
steps, and features a truly massive orrery, at the center of which is yet
another clock.
The Count stands before the orrery, over a white and gold mark on the red
carpet. He's recognizable by his long white hair, red coat... and the fact that
he has a clock for a left eye. He seems amiable enough, but if you actually
bother to talk to him, he has an unsettling fatalism to his words that implies
he knows far more about the nature of the world than a simple antique store
owner should.
************************************************************ </poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Lotus Plaza's Time Castle is not the sort of place students tend to frequent. ...Normal students, at any rate. It's an antique store that, at least by appearances, specializes primarily in clocks - it's as far from modern as you can get it. The refined atmosphere can be at times intimidating, and it's easy to feel out of step with the rest of the world here in this place surrounded by old things that look like new.
Misato Fushihara, as a result, stands out a little - though she usually tends to, due to the bright yellow track jacket with white accent lines that she commonly wears. Her black hair is tied back into a short ponytail with a similarly bright yellow ribbon.
At the moment, she browses the displays. She didn't used to understand the appeal of this kind of place, but once she gained an occasion to come here, she's started to gain an appreciation for the artistry...
...Even if, at times, being surrounded by so many clocks serves as an unnerving reminder to her. Being the competitive sort, though, that only redoubled her interest, not wanting to lose to something like that.
She stops as she comes upon a particular display. To the average person, the contents appear to be simply colorful pictures on weathered cardstock... but to those in the know they're Skill Cards, an indispensible tool to any who know they're worth.
Misato, though, seems by all appearances to be quite ordinary - if a little odd in her own way, to frequent a place like this.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Jun has been here a few times in the past, most recently to pick up a new Skill Card. He's here today to browse--in particular, to see if a particular other Skill Card he'd been eyeing is still here. He'd only had the money to buy one, and technically speaking he still doesn't have the money for the other, but he can at least stop by to see if it's still available.
He thus enters the Time Castle, wearing a pinstriped green button-up shirt, black slacks, and a beautiful flower-printed winter coat. The Time Count is in the back, and Jun nods to him politely, despite how he always finds him just slightly unnerving. His eyes travel to Misato next, but not knowing her (or rather, not realizing he knows her), he doesn't think anything of her. He simply approaches the display case she's also inspecting and looks it over. The card in question is still there, and he breathes a tiny breath of relief.
Of course, Misato does know him, so she could always strike up a conversation.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
As it happens, Ririka is also in need of some Skill Cards. And she's got enough connections in Sumaru now to have learned of this place, even if she doesn't live in the area. There are other reasons she's in Sumaru today, too, but it helps to run multiple errands at once.
Ririka stands out mainly for her height--she' 5'7". Her long deep brown hair is tied back in a low ponytail, and she's dressed in a black band tee, a purple flannel shirt, a winter jacket over that, and jeans.
And she blinks as she sees (one) person she recognizes. "Oh, Kashihara-san," she greets with a smile. "How are you?" Her hands are in her pockets, but her right hand is still tapping out a melody of some kind.
Of course, she doesn't know that she's met Misato, either.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Someone else is approaching. Misato looks toward Jun at the same time he looks toward her, and offers him a polite smile - bright and cheery as usual - when their eyes meet.
Jun Kashihara... She didn't expect to run into him, here. But he doesn't know her - at least, not this her. Him being here is pure coincidence... though judging by the way he looks at the case of Skill Cards, he didn't come here purely on a whim, either.
Still, this is a good opportunity. It'd be convenient to take his measure while he's unaware of who he's dealing with.
"You look like a man on a mission! Are you trying to complete a set?" Misato asks, curious. And that's when someone else approaches - a taller girl, this time. Misato recognizes her, too, though unlike with Jun, they haven't spoken outside of a combat situation. Ririka seems to know him, though...
"Oh, am I interrupting something~? I didn't expect this place to be so popular today!" Misato asks.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Misato gets a polite smile back, of course. Jun isn't rude without cause. When Ririka also enters and calls his name, though, he looks over at her with a smile.
"Oh, Kawase-san! What a pleasant coincidence. I'm well, thank you." He gestures towards the Skill Cards case. "Here for the same thing?"
That's when Misato addresses him. He blinks over at her, but shakes his head. "No, not a set, per se--but there was a card here I was interested in. I simply came to see if it was still here. Alas, I can't afford it right now, but it's reassuring to know it's still here." He gives her a curious look. "Are you... also here for these, then?"
The way he says it makes it clear he's delicately trying to suss out if she's in the know. She has no Resonance he can detect, after all.
He chuckles at the lilting question. "Not at all, don't worry. We didn't plan on meeting here," he reassures her. He does, however, step to one side so Ririka can have space to look over the Skill Cards too. "It is unusual to see so many people here at once, though."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka hadn't meant to ignore the other person here, of course, just say hi to the person that she recognized first. So there's a slightly embarrassed smile as she looks to Misato. "Oh, no-- I shold be the one asking that, you two were here first. I just happened to be in the area and wanted to stop by, that's all."
But she nods to Jun's question. "Yeah, I just heard about this place, sooo, since I was in the area, I wanted to check it out."
She does move to take a look, but she's not trying to crowd anyone else out. She does catch how Jun answered that question, and she's curious, too. She can't detect any Resonance, either, but... she knows at least one person who's seemingly Awakened that she can't, so it wouldn't surprise her.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Ririka sends an embarrassed smile her way and Misato shakes her head with a dismissive gesture, offering her a smile back.
"Hey, you're good, don't worry!" She assures, and moves aside to make room for her in front of the case. "Come on, cozy on in here, then."
She looks toward Jun, then. Ah, so he does have his eyes on a card - but he's just checking on it, rather than buying right away.
He asks her a question. It's only fair to turn it around on her, of course, but it is one she has to navigate carefully - especially since Ririka seems interested in her answer, too.
"Mm, I'm just browsing the store right now, myself. It's quiet, so it's a good place to get out of the way for a bit." Misato explains. "Still, the art is really something, isn't it? The linework really draws your eye. I wonder what it all means..."
He assures her that she isn't interrupting anything, either.
"Great!" She beams, and then hums thoughtfully. "It is, isn't it? Maybe it's a stroke of luck?"
She claps her hands together - lightly, so as to not be too disruptive.
"Today must be a good day~!"
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Ririka's a Navigator at that. The Will of Rebellion might mask one from supernatural detection, but does Misato know how far that goes? Taking care with her answer is the wise choice for someone who wants to stay hidden.
Fortunately for her, to Jun's ears, what she says does sound like a person who doesn't know the deeper meaning of Skill Cards. He nods thoughtfully and smiles again. "It is," he agrees. "I'm a fan of it, myself--as I'm sure you guessed."
Why else would he be buying them, after all? ...Well, why indeed, Magus?
To Ririka, he says, "The Time Count makes quality products. You won't be disappointed with anything you purchase, I'm sure. I made a recent purchase myself, and I've already made good use of it." He gestures at the Skill Card case with an air of resignation. "Alas, though, he commands quite a price tag."
Having confirmed it is still here, there's really no reason to stay. However, Misato seems like such a friendly, cheerful person, and Ririka is a friend, even if they aren't on a first-name basis yet. Alone, Jun would have already left; with this company, he sees no reason not to linger.
"It's always a good day to meet interesting new people--and perhaps make a new friend," he thus agrees. "Are you from around here, if I may ask?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"W-well--" Ririka doesn't have to cozy too much--she's tall, so she's got a good view. "We don't have to cozy too much, I'm not in a rush... I just... wanted to see what was here, that's all. Don't let me rush you.
She's just admiring... the artwork though, it seems. Ririka casts a glance in Jun's direction before looking ack to misato. "Yeah, the artwork is really something. Like it could just... leap off the page, right?" She hates lying, but she can try and play along, at least.
"Yeah, I've heard good things..." But she takes a look, at lets out a low whistle. "Youuuu weren't kidding, huh?" She scans the cards for a moment and then steps back. She's not in any rush either.
At the mention of potential new friends, Ririka smiles. "Ririka Kawase," she says by way of introduction. "I'm actually from Iwatodai, but I come over to Sumaru a lot."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Ririka's reaction gets a small laugh out of Misato. She shakes her head again.
"Don't worry, I'm just browsing, too. You're fine!" She assures.
Jun and Ririka both agree on the quality of the art. Misato nods toward Ririka.
"Mm-hm. It does, doesn't it? I'm impressed it's still so vibrant." She replies - and then to Jun, she grins and offers a wink. "I might have noticed!"
Jun comments on the quality of the Time Count's products... and also on the price tag. Misato laughs at Ririka's reaction. That was her first reaction, too...
...and probably why she's more a frequent visitor than she is a frequent customer.
Misato beams at Jun's comment on interesting new people. That's a sentiment she shares - it does bring some more excitement into her life. He asks if she's from around here, and Ririka introduces herself.
"Mm-hm. I'm a student at Seven Sisters, so I'm from around here." Misato confirms - then does a half-twirl into a V-sign, her pose constrained and made a little awkward both by proximity and the fact that she really doesn't want to knock anything over in a place like this. "Misato Fushihara! Nice to meet you both!"
She considers Ririka, then.
"Iwatodai, huh? You've come a long way, Kawase-san!" She comments. She's curious, but she doesn't ask directly.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
It's not precisely lying, in Jun's view. The artwork is impressive, and the Time Count really does make them himself, and certainly Jun's main interest in the Time Castle is to purchase them. (There is something about the clocks, though...) It's merely adhering to the reality that (he believes) Misato sees.
He chuckles ruefully when Ririka whistles at the prices, though. "They're worth it, but... it'll be a while yet before I can afford another.
"Ah, I see--my father teaches there. Akinari Kashihara, for World History, if you've ever had the pleasure of having him. As for me, my name is Jun Kashihara," he tells Misato. He smiles at her lively twirl-V and bows in return. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Fushihara-san."
He of course knows why Ririka comes to Sumaru from Iwatodai a lot, but he looks to her, waiting for her to explain it to Misato on her own terms.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Ehe heh, alright, alright."
Ririka will have to consider how frequently she comes here, too. "Oh, yeah, I know," Ririka says to Jun, of them being worth it. "Buuuut yeah, I might have to wait to get some more."
There's a happy laugh for the (constrained) twirl and V sign, and Ririka grins, flashing her own V sigh (sans twirl). "Nice to meet you!" She nods. "Yep. I'm a second year at Gekkoukan, but... my sister goes to school in Sumaru, and I have some friends out here, so I'm here quite a bit."
If Misato is up on last year's Sevens gossip, there was a student named Ichika Kawase who got kicked out of Sevens, but... the last names could just be a coincidence.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
It seems like they're all in the same boat, when it comes to being able to afford the Time Count's wares. They're all still just students, even if some of them are secretly masked vigilantes on the side...
Misato looks pleased as her pose is met with approval. That means it was worth the effort. Jun introduces himself. She isn't surprised when he mentions his father - but by this point, she's gotten good at acting like it.
"Akinari Kashihara... Oh, Kashihara-sensei! Yes, I'm lucky enough to have his class." Misato confirms. She laughs sheepishly. "I can get a little distracted sometimes, but he's always willing to help me get back on track..."
She nods, then.
"The pleasure's all mine, Kashihara-san!" She replies, then looks toward Ririka. She's a Gekkoukan student, that makes sense. But she has a sister who goes to school here...
She's never been much of a gossip herself, but it's important to stay on top of it just in case her own name comes up. She, politely, elects not to ask, just in case. She's not sure which outcome - being mistaken or being correct - would be worse.
"I see, I see..." She replies with a thoughtful nod. "Is that how you two met?"
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Even being able to earn money by fighting Shadows and Demons, it's still a lot. Really, short of already being rich, that's the only way students like them would be able to afford them.
"Ah, lovely to hear," Jun tells Misato, smiling with clear pride when she mentions she has his father for one of her teachers. "I'll have to tell him I ran into one of his students today. He'll be pleased to hear about it, I'm sure."
As for the other Kawase, though... "Her sister is one of my classmates, actually," Jun tells Misato. "So yes, more or less." He looks over at Ririka. "Which reminds me, how was the rest of your time at the Christmas Village? Ichika-san and I barely got to see you--though the maid cafe you and your grade put together really did have tasty offerings. You all must have worked very hard."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka's family is decently well-off, but Ririka still tries to be conscious with her money... it's not like her band is doing regular performances or anything. (Speaking of bands, Ririka, as a frontwoman for a band, will always appreciate an introduction with exuberant energy in it.)
She'll appreciate not being asked lots of questions about her sister, though. But as for her and Jun... "Yeah, pretty much. We met at the music store, in fact." Jun mentions being classmates with Ichika, too. "Also that!"
She smiles to Jun, and is suddenly blushing a little for... definitely no reason. "O-oh! Yeah, sorry, I wish I could've spent more time talking with you two, but we were busy. Annnd the rest of the Christmas Village was great. I got to spend some time with my friend, so... you know."
"And thanks, yeah... it was a looot of work, but... really everyone put in a lot of effort, you know? Especially with the amount of time we had..."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Jun smiles when he hears the praise she has for his father, and Misato can't help but smile genuinely too. It's... nice, to see someone so proud of their parent. Even if it's a little difficult, too.
"Hee hee. I'm glad! Tell him I said hi!" She beams back. He explains, then, that Ririka's sister is one of his classmates - and Ririka explains that they met at the music store.
"Oh, I see!" She replies brightly. "I've heard music brings people together, but I guess it's literal sometimes!"
Ririka's blushing... but Misato can't pick up why. Whatever it is, it's a secret between the two of them. The Christmas Village... She looks between the two of them thoughtfully.
"Oh, a maid cafe? That sounds like it would've been fun." Misato comments. "I was on fryer duty, so I didn't get a lot of free time to check out the other schools."
That was her own choice, of course - partially to giving her other classmates more free time, and partially due to having a limited number of students in her grade she'd actually trust with hot oil in a crowded space.
At the Christmas Village, her grade at Seven Sisters served fried chicken. It's possible they may have seen her!
...She was also in a giant reindeer costume, so whether or not either of them remember her is another thing entirely, especially considering who else was manning the fryers.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Jun's own smile broadens when Ririka mysteriously blushes. "I'm happy you had such a good time. Ichika-san and I enjoyed ourselves too--it seems to me as though the Village was a hit in general. It might have been a departure from the usual sort of school festival, but I can never disapprove of innovation." He nods to her reply on the hard work. "It certainly paid off."
To Misato, he says, "I will." He laughs a little at her remark on music. "Kawase-san and I are both musicians at that--though she's far more dedicated to it than I am. I just play a little keyboard, that's all." (He's being modest. He's not a professional like Ririka, but he's quite good.) "If you've ever heard of Polychord, that's her band. If not, I highly recommend you give them a listen."
Misato mentions she was on fryer duty. If she's from Sevens, then... "Ah, so you're a second year? I'm afraid I don't care for fried foods--they're too heavy for my tastes--so I didn't try the chicken you all were serving. Still, even I have to acknowledge it smelled delicious."
At least this means he's unlikely to realize that anyone in a giant reindeer costume was her?
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka laughs softly at Misato's observation, nodding. "Oh, definitely. Though--" But Jun beats her to the punch by admitting they're both musicians. "Eh heh. Yeah, I may be a bit biased." But Jun mentions she's more dedicated. "Hey, the important thing is that you enjoy it, right?"
Whoop, and there's the band mention. Ririka doesn't always lead with that. "Yep! That's me. I'm the leader of Polychord, we're indie, but we put a lot of work in. Actually, we appeared on Sumaru Sundays a few months ago, or... if you're curious, I can give you our website."
What Ririka isn't saying was that the friend is the girl she's dating. It's fine!
"Yeah, it was a hit, though... I feel like it kiiiinda got out of hand at one point" she admits. "Oh, that's too bad you got stuck on fryer duty though. Though-- Oh yeah, the fried chicken! Yeah, Okuyama-chan and I tried some, it was delicious! But I'm looking forward to doing the regular festivals next year..."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
It does seem like everyone had a good time. That's good!
Jun explains that he and Ririka are both musicians - though he downplays his own abilities, saying she's more dedicated. Ririka encourages him, and Misato nods.
"Mm-hm. It's good to have something you enjoy, even if you can't or don't commit to it seriously." She agrees with a nod.
She knows that feeling all too well.
Jun also adds that Ririka is in a band!
"Polychord? No, I don't think I'm familiar... That's impressive, though!" She comments. She's not actually a big music fan, but... it seems important to both of them. "Sure, I'll check out your website! I'll be sure to have a listen."
Ririka says it was a hit, but got kind out of hand...
"I guess that's the risk with that kind of thing... There's always someone who takes it too far." Misato comments.
Jun draws conclusions - and in response, Misato nods.
"That's right!" Misato confirms brightly. "I see, I see. That's fine! As long as you acknowledge it, that's good enough~."
Ririka sympathises, and says she tried the fried chicken and enjoyed it.
"Oh, is that another friend of yours? Still, I'm glad you enjoyed it!" She laughs a little sheepishly. "Yes, it was fun, but it was... a lot."
She looks around, then - and looks over to the Time Count. ...He hasn't done anything that indicates he's bothered by their loitering, but it probably wouldn't be good to test the limits of his patience, either... She'd still like to come back and buy things, eventually.
"...I think we should probably start moving on, but... it was nice meeting you two!" Misato says. "Maybe we'll see each other around?"
She imagines they will - even if they won't realise it's her.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"True enough," Jun says of enjoying music, smiling at Ririka. "It's been a good way for my mother and I to bond." Along with cooking, which she also taught him how to do.
"Poor Takeba-san really seemed to take the brunt of it, too," Jun says dryly to Ririka. "Unless you mean the fried chicken, which was also quite popular. No wonder, with MUSES to advertise it." He's not sorry he didn't pick any up, though. Battling the kind of crowds they were drawing would just have exhausted him.
He smiles in approval when Misato agrees to check out Polychord's website. Another fan in the making, he's sure.
When Misato looks around and specifically at the Time Count, though, it is a reminder that the three of them shouldn't just window-shop forever. "Likewise. I'm sure we will," he reassures Misato. "Have a wonderful holiday, both of you."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Oh, don't worry. We've mostly played school festivals, a few live houses here and there, so..." Ririka can rattle off the address, though. If Misato checks it out, she'll find a good number of covers, but also, more recently, more and more original songs. They're primarily rock, but they draw influences from a bunch of different musical styles. But Jun says he uses music to bond with his mother, and Ririka smiles. "Awww, that's so sweet. My mom doesn't play, but we talk about music a lot, too."
"No, no, Takeba-san was who I meant," Ririka says with a sigh. "And I can't really.. match her energy, you know?" But Misato comments on her friend. "Oh, yeah, that's the friend I hung out with after my shift at the maid cafe was done..." Is she blushing again? Maybe she's just warm from all the layers. That must be it.
Ririka follows Misato's glance and nods. "Yeaaah, probably for the best. But, it was nice meeting you, Fushihara-san. You take care, okay?"
(She's leaving too, but she'll catch Jun's elbow away from prying ears to spill some exciting news--she and Okuyama-chan are going out to Karaoke together... tomorrow. Ririka's pretty excited, but trying to keep it low-key.)