2026-08-17: Secret Interests
- Log: Secret Interests
- Cast: Ririka Kawase, Fuuka Yamagishi
- Where: Iwatodai Dormitory
- OOC Date: August 17, 2026
- IC Date: Wednesday, December 26, 2012
- Summary: Ririka stops off at the dorm to grab something, and runs into Fuuka. The two get to chatting, sharing more of their interests than they meant and discuss the difficulty of being open with particular intersts.
(|============================ Iwatodai Dormitory ============================|)
-================================================== Iwatodai City/Iwatodai ====-
A large four-story dormitory used by the Specialized Extracurricular Execution
Squad, only five minutes from Iwatodai Station. Upon entering, one passes a desk
with a sign-in book for guests to find a large carpeted common room that's well
appointed for co-ed gatherings.
A TV is usually on with the local news or a movie that's been loaded into the
DVD player for a student to enjoy. A table for shared dinners, or more often
study sessions, takes up the other half of the dorm, as well as a kitchen should
one dare to show off their skills to their fellow students.
There are two winding staircases on either side. The one on the left simply says
'Boys' while the other on the right states 'No Boys Except By Invitation.' The
implicit threat of execution need not be written down for those who violate
these rules. The second and third stories are living spaces divided by gender
with common spaces that have study areas and bookshelves available.
The fourth story is the command center with surveillance capabilities for not
just different parts of the city but each room within the dorms. The Chairman
has assured all who live here that this capability is strictly necessary.
BGM - Dormitory Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj-FrFI0qnM
AS: Ririka Kawase has readied for combat as Amphion! She is now fully healed! <Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka's been a bit down for--well, she's been openly a bit down for a couple of months, since she fainted. It's partly overwork, partly exhaustion, and a little bit some of the ongoing rigors of the supernatural.
Monday, though, was a great day. Though she hasn't really explained to anybody why, but she left for a while midday, nervous but excited, but came back quietly giddy.
She's not so giddy two days on, but she's still in a good mod. And today was a just a quick trip to Paulownia Mall to pick up a couple of new CDs.
"Whew." She steps into the front door of the room, undoing her coat to cool off. Underneath she's dressed in jeans, a band tee, and a black flannel shirt. And she's humming to herself as she slowly takes off gloves and scarf and so on.
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
Fuuka does her best to keep track of how everyone's doing. Part of her role is monitoring everyone's condition, so she knows who might be ready and in good health for a trip into Tartarus should it be asked of them.
...But even aside from that, she's the kind of person who tends to worry about the people around her. She's bound to notice the little things, and think about what she could maybe do to help.
Which means that she's noticed how Ririka has been down - it's something they talked about, in fact. It also means that she notices how her mood picks up following her trip out of town, and lingers even now as she returns from her trip out.
"Welcome back, Kawase-san." Fuuka offers with a nod as Ririka steps through the doors.
She's seated in her usual position on the couch close to the doors, her laptop open in front of her. Even on free days like this she likes being close enough to greet people as they return.
Fuuka considers her for a moment and wonders if it would be too nosy, but decides to ask anyway.
"You seem like you're in a good mood... Did everything go well?" She asks, curious.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Who monitors the monitors?
Ririka tries to keep tabs on those around her, though for a long while she's been a bit stuck in her own head--and struggling under a self-imposed load of work that she has finally started to dismantle.
But she appreciates Fuuka's diligence, all the same.
She was wrapped up in her thoughts for a moment, but blinks and looks up as she hears Fuuka. "Oh, hey, Yamagishi-san. What's up?"
And then Fuuka makes her observation. Ririka pauses, but nods. "Oh, yeah, I guess I just..." There's a warm smile she can't quite hide. "... just had a few really nice days, you know?" Especially Monday. "How've things been with you?"
Ririka moves to take a seat facing Fuuka, folding her coat in her lap and putting her shopping bag on top.
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
"Not a whole lot. I've just been doing a little research." Fuuka replies with a shake of her head.
Ririka pauses and Fuuka spots that warm smile. Those days must have been really nice, to get that reaction out of her. Fuuka offers her a smile.
"I'm glad to hear that. I've been a little worried... but I'm happy for you, Kawase-san." Fuuka replies. She asks how things have been with her, then, and she takes a moment to consider. As she does, she shuts the lid of her laptop to offer Ririka her full attention.
"They've been going okay. I've been taking care of a few last things so I can really relax over our break..." Fuuka replies.
She's elected to remain at the dorm rather than heading home over the break. Of course, her family lives in Iwatodai, too, so that decision might not mean much...
...but the fact that she made it at all does matter.
"How about you?" Fuuka asks.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"What kind of research?" Ririka hopes it's something more pelasant than 'Kirijo Group's dark terrible secrets that irrevocably altered the world.'
So Fuuka's been worried... "Ahhh... sorry if I worried you," Ririka says with a polit bow. "I've just been... well, a lot, but... I'm... trying to figure out how to move forward."
At least, with some things. There are certain things she can't let go of yet.
"Oh, that's good to hear, then. I hope our break is... uneventful."
Ririka's been trying to spend more time at home, especially with her mother pregnant, but, well... it's a little hard to think of herself as 'off-duty' when tartarus is still right there.
"Well, I picked up a new CD at the mall, but that reminded me that I had some here I wanted to grab to take back home, so... here I am. But... things have been good, I think."
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
"I'm just checking some dates and some locations." Fuuka explains - then pauses to add, "Oh, but it's nothing too serious."
Ririka apologises and Fuuka shakes her head.
"You don't have to do that... It's not an imposition, it's just... natural to worry, isn't it?" Fuuka assures. Ririka explains that she's trying to figure out how to move forward, and she nods. "I see... I hope you can figure it out."
She nods as Ririka comments back - and lets out a small laugh.
"Yes, I hope so, too..." She agrees.
She perks up a little when Ririka says she picked up a new CD.
"Oh? What kind?" She asks, curious, before offering her a small smile. "Still... I'm glad."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Oh, okay." Ririka might have been a little worried, but takes Fuuka's reassurances tha tit's not serious at face value, at least.
But it's just natural, right? Ririka sighs a little but nods. "I suppose so, I just..." How can she explain the knots she tied herself into trying to live up to some impossible standards her parents weren't even actually holding her to?
"Thanks. I'm... trying to figure out how I want to pursue music, in the future." That part is simple, at least.
"Oh, here, it's a symphony orchestra celebrating Wagon Train to the Stars." Ririka pulls it out to show Fuuka. "I was gonna take it home and transcribe it, and thought, I'd grab some other CDs I haven't transcribed yet, too."
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
Fuuka watches as Ririka accepts the sentiment, with some difficulty. She can only imagine she has some hard things to work through.
"I see..." Fuuka murmurs quietly, as Ririka explains the simple part. "I hope you can figure out something you'll be happy with. I know how important to you it is..."
Ririka pulls out the new CD to show her, and Fuuka looks it over with interest. Wagon Train to the Stars...
"Oh, that sounds really interesting. I didn't realise you were a fan, either." Fuuka remarks, surprised.
She's familiar with it, of course. When it comes to science fiction Fuuka tends to prefer more grounded works, so that means it's right up her alley.
Needless to say, she might have to look into this collection herself...
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Thanks... and yeah, it kiiinda is." Even now, at rest, Ririka's tapping her fingers on her thigh a little. "I guess I don't hve to be in a rush to decide, but..." It's still weighing on her.
"Welll, maybe not a big fan?" Ririka admits. "But... I like trying different things so that, well... I can see how the music is used," she admits, with a small laugh and a blush. "Are you a fan of it, Yamagishi-san?"
She's actually had a little bit more time to sit down and watch things this past little while, trying to take thigs easy after her fainting spell.
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
"Maybe not, but... I can understand wanting to have a plan in mind." Fuuka replies with a nod. That's how she is. She gets nervous if she doesn't have something worked out, even if it's just a guideline.
Ririka admits she isn't a big fan, and Fuuka nods. She certainly doesn't expect that much - she's not the kind of person who'll judge someone by the intensity of their devotion to a specific piece of media.
"That makes sense... It has a pretty unique sound because of the instruments they use, so I imagine there's a lot you could take away from it." Fuuka replies. She hesitates for a moment - and then nods. She's already come this far, it's safe to admit that much. "Yes, I am... I... really like the setting."
...She's written some fan fiction, even - but that much is hard to admit.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka's a little bit the same way. She's always worried about forgetting or overlooking something, and plans, at least, provide some meaxure of control.
And it really bugs her when they suddenly get interrupted, too.
"I'm glad you get it, Yamagishi-san. Thanks."
Ririka, likewise, would never judge someone for being intensely into something. She gets it.
"Yeah, exactly! And And it's also kind of interesting to see when they have to invent music for the aliens, right?" And when Fuuka does admit she's a fan of the setting, Ririka smiles. "Awesome. Well, if you wanna borrow the CD sometime to listen to it, I'd be happy to."
Ririka will accept your fan-fiction writing self, Fuuka! She gets excited by people who like the things they like.
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
"Of course." Fuuka replies, offering Ririka a small smile and a nod.
Ririka mentions how it's interesting when they have to invent music for the aliens and that gets another, more vigorous nod from her.
"Mm-hm. A culture's music tells a lot about them. Everything from the kind of instruments they use and their quality, and the general speed... it conveys so much information. 'What are they like?' 'What kind of things are important to them? 'What is their history?' Without a single word being spoken, you can set the audience's expectations and communicate what they're like." Fuuka replies.
...She pauses for a moment after that, laughing a bit sheepishly. She didn't really mean to enthuse like that...
"I'd like that." Fuuka adds a moment later, as Ririka offers to lend it to her sometime.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Fuuka enthuses, and Ririka is leaning forward, nodding vigorously. "Yeah, yeah! And like... do they have a different anatomy that needs different instruments, like if they have more than two hands? Do their senses affect the types of sound that they can hear or are pleasant to them? Which, I guess they're always trying to make sure it's good to the audience, too, but still. When and how they use the music can be important, too."
She pauses, catching that sheepish laugh. "... you okay, Yamagishi-san...?"
"Sure thing. Actually... would you like to borrow it now? I've got some other things I can work on, so..."
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
To Fuuka's surprise, Ririka has a lot of thoughts on it, too.
"Yes, that's true as well. There's a lot of things to take into consideration... Done correctly, you can use them to make a unique and evocative piece." Fuuka agrees.
Ririka asks if she's okay when she hesitates, though, and after a moment...
"I'm just... just not used to being able to talk about these things. I kind of let it all slip out..." She admits with a small laugh.
Not in person, at least, spoken aloud rather than rendered as words on a screen... It's different when she's talking to someone she knows, when she doesn't know how they'll react.
Ririka agrees, though - and offers to let her borrow it now. Fuuka thinks about that.
"I'd feel a little bad if I got to listen to it before you did..." She admits. Ririka bought it for herself, after all. She considers that dilemma for a moment. "...Would you like to listen to it together, then?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Yeah! And... even for an individual character it can add some interesting dimensions, sometimes..."
But Fuuka isn't used to sharing. Ririka blinks, and then makes a quiet "Oh." She slowly nods. "Yeaaah, I... I get that." And then a sigh. "... There's... some things I try to hold back on, too. But isn't it kind of difficult, sometimes? Just... having to cover up the things you like?"
Or even the person you like.
Ririka laughs a little, too. "C'mon, I'm the girl who's like... always thinking about music, you know?" And she's still tapping her fingers. "I'd... much rather people just be able to like what they like."
She brightens when Fuuka makes the offer to listen together. "Oh! Sure! I've got some time, and that'd be great!"
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
"Mm-hm." Fuuka agrees with a nod.
Ririka tries to hold back on things, too...
Isn't it difficult, having to cover up the things she likes?
"...Very." Fuuka admits after a moment with a quiet nod. "But... people expect me, expect us, to... be a certain way, to do certain things... The thought of stepping outside those lines in a way people can see, knowing they'll look at me differently for it... it's terrifying. You might not be that way, but everyone else..."
She looks away briefly, trailing off.
"So... it's easier to just... keep it to myself, and people I know I can trust." She says. She's tried to feel out the boundaries, slowly but surely - see what she can get away with, how far she can go without incurring judgement. But it's still a lot of weight to bear, and the thought of going too quickly and someone reacting poorly... it's frightening.
Ririka does accept the offer of listening to the CD together, though, and Fuuka smiles.
"Great. It'll be fun." She replies. That way they both get to listen to it, and some things are better enjoyed with a friend.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Yeah... I get it. I mean, I've heard the kinds of things some people say about me leading a rock band, it's... yeah." Some pretty terrible things. She tries not to asscoiate with people who think that way, of course, but... she knows it's out there.
She's also spent a lot of time thinking about what would happen if she came out as gay.
"And you wouldn't believe what people said when I firt started skateboarding. There were times I wanted to quit. I wouldn't even tell you guys, except, well..." She rubs the back of her neck. "... when I was found in the Dark hour I was riding mine, so..."
But she offers Fuuka a smile. "I... hope I can be one of those people you can trust, though."
But, there's music to be listened to! "Yeah! Say, have you ever looked into how they composed music for the old video game consoles? It's really interesting..." She gets up, ready to put her coat away so she can settle in for the music.
<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.
Ririka sympathises. Of course she'd understand - leading a rock band is as far from the expected norm as you can get. ...Not to mention skateboarding. Fuuka nods quietly.
"People can say some... awful things." She agrees. "They think it's right or fair, because you've stepped out of line... or sometimes, they don't even realise how hurtful their words are."
Ririka smiles, and Fuuka manages a smile too.
"I'll try to be better about it. Thank you, Kawase-san." She replies.
But for now, music!
"No, I haven't thought about that! But now you've gotten me curious..." Fuuka replies. She stands up, picking up her laptop. She certainly won't object to having a new, interesting subject to learn about.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Yeah, they can..." Ririka sighs. Sometimes they don't know their words are hurtful. "... and sometimes they do," Ririka adds, with a glance to the side.
But Fuuka will try, and Ririka smiles. "Good. Us girls with our different interests gotta stick together, right Yamagishi-chan? And, you're welcome."
"Oh yeah, it's this whole thing, right?" Ririka starts as they move to go listen to music. "So the old hardware couldn't just play music back, and it only had so many voices or instruments, right? So all the music had to fit within those limitations..."
And off they go.