2026-10-28: Distractions
- Log: Distractions
- Cast: Ririka Kawase, Reiya Aomori
- Where: Iwatodai Station
- OOC Date: October 28, 2026
- IC Date: Thursday, January 31, 2013 (Dark Hour)
- Summary: Reiya and Ririka are doing some training in the Dark Hour, but Ririka proves distracted, and Reiya calls for a break. They sit down to talk, and Ririka opens up about some of the things on her mind, and Reiya offers some advice.
(|============================= Iwatodai Station =============================|)
-================================================== Iwatodai City/Iwatodai ====-
The intersection of high speed rail along the coast of Tokyo and Tatsumi Port
Island's monorail line from the mainland across the sea to its artificial
island, Iwatodai Station is the cornerstone of daily life to the inhabitants of
this place. Even the most jaded salaryman could get lost in the experience of
looking out upon the glittering sea as they ride across it to their daily life.
A multi-story strip mall across the street from the station offers students such
selections as Wakatsu for sushi high in omega-3s to increase that brain power,
Hagakure Ramen with all the collagen you could desire for skin care, or even
Wilduck's infamous Mystery Burger for those who desire an impromptu test of
courage. Net cafes selling some of the latest releases and hole-in-the-wall
bookstores give people endless options of what to do with their evening.
With this blend of local flavor and modern convenience, Iwatodai Station truly
is the ideal option to stop by whether you're coming or going home.
BGM - Tranquility - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvvwVzA1z44
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
The Dark Hour casts its pale glow on Iwatodai. It's still unnerving to Ririka, even all these months later, despite having had plenty of exposure to it for SEES' repeated forays into Tartarus. The coffins definitely play a part in it, of course, as do the mindless Shadows that roam around.
But what bothers Ririka most of all is the sound of it. Like there's something slightly off-kilter in the baseline hum of reality that continually gnaws at her.
Tonight's agenda, however, does not include a trip into Tartarus, at least not for her. Instead, she is at Iwatodai Station, Amphion summoned, the cognitive headphones placed on her head to help her focus.
She has her eyes closed, casting her senses out into her surroundings. She can track the mindless Shadows easy enough, and there aren't any other people--Awakened or not--out and about that she can detect...
Ririka frowns in concentration as she probes deeper, fingers drumming on her thigh. "Where are you..." she mutters to herself. There's something concealed... but she can't quite pinpoint it yet.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
The Dark Hour is unnatural, of course; it should not be. So it makes sense that it would be unsettling. For Reiya it is... slightly different; it sets his senses on edge, makes him more alert. ...And it is physically rigorous; training in the Dark Hour seems to have so much more effect than training in the regular hours, for all that it has greater costs as well.
But he isn't training physically just now. Instead, he is crouched behind a coffin, waiting. He has concealed a few small objects about the plaza, using his anti-navigator abilities to keep them concealed. Then, of course, there's also him.
...But today isn't her day.
Reiya eventually rises him his hiding place--and is abrubtly beside Ririka. "Ordinarily," he says, "I would expect that you would have found them by now." It is a strange sensation, Reiya failing to appear in Ririka's senses and yt appearing to her mundane senses just fine--until her Navigator senses catch up, and pierce the shield.
"You seem distracted," Reiya reflects. "Is there something on your mind, preventing your focus?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
It is definitely a strange dichotomy, to have an extra awareness on top of her more customary senses. Of course, how they work is instinctual, but they still need refinement and practice.
And who better to train against, than an Anti-Navigator? Especially when they seemt o keep running into at least one that works for the NWO...
But try as she might, she just can't pull her thoughts together. She startles a bit when Reiya is suddenly right there, but a quick visual check calms her again. "I almost have it," she insists. "The first one is right..." She points at a planter box across the street. "There! In that planter box!"
It is not there. Ririka stares at thye spot for a long moment and then sighs, pulling her headphones off to hang around her neck. She takes a moment to stretch her arms over her head. "Yeaaah, I guess so... it's almost February, so my Mom's due any day now..."
It's surely come up in passing, though Ririka probably hasn't mentioned her complicated feelings in depth (though they're present in her voice.)
"I've got some of the new songs I'm working on stuck in my head, and..." She regards Reiya for a moment. "... something kind of personal I've been thinking about, too... mind if we take a break? There's... something I've been thinking of telling you."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
While Reiya's abilities are nowhere near the Bride's, perhaps it will help; if nothing else, it will give Ririka more precision.
"It is not," Reiya confirms when Ririka says. Then he says, "Behind the vending machine, there; under the bench. Inside the phonebooth... and there, at the strip mall, behind the bike rack.
her confirms each. Then, he considers what she actually says. "I see... another sibling is a big responsibility. I remember when Yuzuki-chan was born..." Though of course, he was younger than Ririka is now, back then; Yuzuki is about ten years old, now. "All the more, becuase you are older."
Pause. "...I suppose that doesn't make you feel less nervous," he realizes. "I apologize."
but there's something else, and something personal, no less?
"We can break here," he says. "Come." He gestures to a nearby bench. "What is it that you wish to tell me?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Maybe not yet, but... that's what the practice is for, isn't it? For both of them.
Ririka frowns and slips her headphones back on for a moment as she focuses on the spots that Reiya points out. "... dangit, she mutters. "I thought I checked that vending machine..." She taps the side of her head with the heel of her palm after taking the headphones off again. "Man... still, this is good exercise, Amamiya-san."
"Yeah, it's that... being older part... that's kind of the whole..." Ririka shakes her head a little. "I'm gonna help out, of course, but... I don't suppose you have any advice for a first-time older sibling?" Ririka asks hopefully. She's not sure there is a clean, magical answer, but you never know.
She smiles a little at the apology. "It's fine. It's... I'm probably gonna be nervous no matter what."
But she nods when Reiya agrees to a break, and goes to sit with him. (She leaves Amphion summoned, though--they are still in the Dark Hour, they can't afford to be caught unaawres by Shadows.)
She settles in, fingers still drumming on her thigh. "So... this is something I've known for a while, but I haven't told a lot of people yet. But some stuff happened recently that's... made me want to be more open with the people around me."
She looks to Reiya. "So... here goes. I'm into girls. I'm a bian."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
It's true. They are trying...
"I'm gald it's helping," he says. Then, he listens to the matter of her being older, and that being the issue. "Mm, yes. At this age, your younger sibling is almost more like your child than your brother or sister. ...Well, in addition to supporting your mother--she will need your support, especially as her daughter--I believe the best thing you can do is set a good example and help them where it is possible. ...you must be careful not to coddle, but to support is valuable."
Then... "I suppose that's true. I would be." Reiya does not sound like he's ever been nervous a day in his life.
Reiya turns, leaving his hand free in case he needs to draw a weapon into it, resting the other. He waits. And...
"..."
Reiya blinks slowly. It takes him a few moments. Then, "Oh," he says.
"...I see." He is thoughtful then. "I did not expect that."
"...Hm. You know, there is a long, storied tradition of homosexuality in Japan, before the Christians came and discouraged us in it. I am primarily aware of the history of love between men, but I'm sure it's true between women, as well."
"...That's unrelated, I suppose. If you are wondering my personal opinion, then it makes no difference to me. I hope that you are happy being so. Do your parents know?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
More like her child. "Iiii wouldn't go... that far..." Ririka looks a little uncomfortable at that. She's not ready to think about being a mother yet , and with her sister's history, well...
It's way more complicated for Ririka than for herself, at the moment.But the rest of it she nods along to. "Yeah, nee-chan and I have been doing our best..." She turns that over in her head for a moment. "Not coddle... okay. I can remember that. Thanks."
"Yeah? That helps to hear." Reiya may not show it, but Ririka has no reason to doubt him.
Ririka managed to surprise a ninja! She laughs a little. "Yeah, well... I don't exactly advertise it, so..."
"Really?" Ririka takes a moment to consider that. "... I guess that makes sense... I never really thought about it before, but I guess it's not exactly new..." But also women! "Probably."
She muses to herself. that could be a good research topic for some song material...
"Maybe, but it's still cool to know. You're really into history, huh?" But she smiles, "I am pretty happy, yeah, thanks. And I'm glad you don't have a problem with it." She nods. "Yep. I came out to them a while ago... my sister was the first person I've told. And I've told a few people in SEES, but please don't go spreading this around before I'm ready."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Ririka is uncomfortable!! Reiya considers that and amends, "Insofar as you are less a child yourself, that's all." It might or might not help. However, he does listen. "You're welcome. It will be tempting, of course. But the balance is important."
She doesn't advertise it! "I suppose not."
Reiya is fairly still; he maintains the overall posture of a great cat, coiled calmly and ready toa ct at any given moment. "Indeed. Most activities and habits of human people are not new to the world. This included."
Cool to know... "I am," Reiya says. "I was taught much of history as part of what I needed to know to lead the clan one day." He then actually smiles, though it's vry small. "I am pleased that you are happy."
"That's good. ...I know that some parents are not supportive, but for me at least, it would be a priority to talk to my family."
"I will keep your secret. Is this, then, what has been distracting you?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Yeaaah, that's true..." It helps a little bit. "Tempting, huh... is that speaking from personal experience?" She considers for a moment. "I think my biggest worry is just... being able to be there. My sister is graduating this year, we're almost third years..."
Ririka can be still, but left to her own devices she is often fidgeting in one way or another. She tries to keep that clamped down, though.
Not new to the world... "One of the things that's helped is just... getting to know other people who are the same way. Remembering that this has happened before feels like another version of that? Though I know... the histories aren't always... great. But still."
Ririka smiles back. "Thanks. So... taking over the clan one day... that must be a big responsibility, huh? What does it mean to be charge of a ninja clan like that?"
"Yeah... I'm pretty lucky my parents accepted it. They're concerned, but, I mean, it's not like I don't worry about it, too." Hence the not advertising.
"Thanks. I appreciate it." She nods a little. "Part of it, yeah. It's... hard, always worrying about hiding this part of myself, or not being able to talk about things like... going on a date with my girlfriend." Beat. "... Also I have a girlfriend. She goes to school in Sumaru."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"Yes," Reiya answers calmly. "In wanting to care for my sisters, I was always tempted to let them rely on me overmuch. ...But we must all learn discipline." He considers her worry. "Yes... I think that's a natural concern. I suppose you won't be able to, all the time. That will make what time you can spend more important."
Getting to know others... "I do not know of any offhand," he says, and his old friend Kouya may have a reason to pull at his own hair for no apparent reason. "So I cannot help except to mention the history." Pause. "...No, history is not always pleasant. But neither is the present."
Taking over the clan? "It will mean that my decisions shape lives, for good and for ill. Whatever I decide will matter to those affected--and it may require that I or others spend our lives in order to achieve what must be done."
He nods then, of her parents. "I see. ...Your parents seem kind, from what you have told me. They supported your sister, as well."
But, "Hm... Yes. It would be difficult. Society does not often accept what is different. Deception of others is one thing; deception of one's friends and close acquaintances is different still."
"is that so?" A girlfriend. "Congratulations. May you have good times together. ...What is she like, may I ask?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Reiya clarifies on coddling. But discipline... Ririka gets how that'd apply for a ninja, maybe, but it doesn't seem like it'd be the same kind of problem for her and her family. Still.. "Well, I'll do what I can, then..." It still seems like good advance. "Yeah... I'm trying my best to help out, though."
She's been spending what time she can helping her mom... though unlike before, she's actually reduced the amount of demand she's put on herself, so it's not burdening her as much as before,.
Poor Kouya! Hang in there! "That's okay." She smiles a little. "I appreciate the thought, at least. But I know more people now, and... telling my friends and the people in SEES helps, too." She nods somberly about the present. "... yeah. That's... why I've tried to be so careful."
She's silent for a moment. "But that's a big part of why I wanted to go help Fukami-san so badly. In that Kingdom? Turns out... we're not that different, at least in some ways."
But she listens on the matter of running the clan. Spending their lives... "Sounds like a pretty heavy responsibility, then... Do you feel like you're ready for that?" And here she was just worrying about what version of music to pursue.
Ririka looks outwards for a moment, making sure to sweep her senses around to stay aware of the surroundings. She focuses on a Mindless Shadow ambling down the street... but it turns the corner and she looks back to Reiya.
"... yeah, they are. I worried for a really long time about telling them, and some other things, but they took it really well." She nods. "They did."
"Yeah... someday, it'd be nice if I didn't have to hide at all, but... I'm not really ready to be out to the whole world yet. But I am ready for smaller steps."
"Thanks!" Ririka brightens. "I think we are. Oh, she's really cool, like, she's got this really cool grin? I love her laugh, she's always doing like, these little wagers to try and make things fun and interesting, and she's a pretty good singer, too." Beat. "Great kisser. But most importantly she just... likes being in the moment."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Discipline is for everyone, Ririka.
"That's vital. To do what you are able. I think you will do well."
but, "Hm... yes, I see. Friends and allies supporting you would make it easier."
Fukami... "Ah," Reiya says. "I see. But you do not prefer masculinity," he notes, looking to her new hairstyle that he complimented (platonically) earlier. "I suppose one's gender is not necessarily the same as one's preference..." Reiya is aware of Hana distantly, but has not personally made her acquaintance.
"Whther I am ready or not, the day will come. Instead of questioning whether I can, I have chosen to prepare for when I must." Somehow, he say this in a calm, straightforward manner. "...There is pressure," he admits, "But there should be. When you are responsible for others' lives, you should feel that weight."
Reiya glances towards where the Shadow is--but does not pursue it.
"Good."
It would be nice... Butit is not there yet. Instead, "Heh. I see. You're clearly fond of her. You seem to be quite compatible, from the way you look when you mention her."
Wagers... "She seems exciting. Perhaps I will meet her one day."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
That's true. Ririka needed a lot of discipline to get as good at music as she has.
"Thanks. And... yeah."
Ririka's got her hair short now, in a sort of bob, with the left side tucked behind her ear. She's been very excited about the new change. "I don't," she confirms on masculinity. "Well... not in the same way." She can be fairly descried as a little tomboyish. "Yeah, those are two different things, but... I still think her situation is similar enough to mine that it makes me want to support her, you know? Her being herself is still something a lot of people don't approve of..."
Preparing instead of questioning... "I guess that's a good way to look at it... and if it's what you want to do, then... good luck." She considers pressure for a moment. "I feel a lot of pressure to make sure everyone is okay, when I'm Navigating for SEES... so I guess I cant argue with that."
There's a happy laugh and a little bit of a blush as Ririka realizes one of the things she said. "Heh... thanks. I am, yeah. It's been... really great, so far."
"Yeah, maybe so. Fuuka-chan asked about meeting her, and we've been talking about it, so... maybe you will." She perks up. "Oh! You know what, maybe you and Suzume-chan and my girlfriend and I could go on a double date sometime? If everyone's up for it. Also Suzume-chan knows, too."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
It's a good change! "Hmm. I see." Tomboyish is something, but apparently not the thing. "I see. Well, as I recall, you were able to help her." There were reports, presumably. "So that's good."
"Thank you," Reiya says. To his mind, it's not a matter of want, it just 'is'. Still, "As well you should," he agrees. "But you do well. It is a pressure that you can handle."
Reiya is pleased, if quietly so, to see Ririka happy about this. "How long have you known?" he wonders. "I am curious about how people realize such things of themselves."
Then, "I see... So Yamagishi-san also knows." He nods thoughtfully. Then, "That would be fun. If all involved are willing, count me in."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"I was--well, me and a lot of other Perosna Users, of course!" Ririka did report on it--and other SEES members may have been helping hold off the Legionnaires in the background. She did not mention Hana remaining aware of the experience, though.
Ririka had trapped herself in a conception of what she 'had' to do for a time, though she's slowly working her way through that. Still, Reiya hasn't given her any reason to doubt it's what he wants. "Welcome." There's a relieved smile at the compliment. "That's good to know." She nods. "Yeah... it's felt a bit easier, since I lightened my schedule up..."
She really doesn't want a third fainting spell.
Ririka is really happy. And happier so that her teammates have been suportive. "Oh, well... I figured it out over summer break in 2010. There... there was this girl that I had a big crush on, but I didn't really realize it at the time? But when her family had to move, it..." She looks down for a moment. "... well, I was kind of heartbroken, you know? And in trying to figure out what I was feeling, I looked around online, and... yeah."
And then her brother died a month later--only now they know he was killed.
"Like I'd been on dates with guys before, and I just assumed I hadn't found someone that clicked? But I didn't really realize what my feelings for Yuki-chan were until I found something else to compare it to." She shrugs a little. "But I think some people just figure it out directly, too..."
But she smiles again. "Yep. So does Mandai-chan. And great! I'll talk to my girlfriend and Suzume-chan about it."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"Of course," Reiya recalls from the reports. He wasn't there personally--he had to fight a strange Shadow that looked like an eel.
For Reiya it's different from with Ririka in a few ways, not least of which is how he approaches it. 'Duty' is very important to him--he'd say more important than 'wants'. And, "Yes, clearing one's schedule of less improtant matters allows us to focus on that which matters most." Like family, he might say.
But Ririka explains...
"I see," he says. Some time ago, but not as slong ago as it could've been. "So you were able to determine the nature of your relationship by its absence... There is poetry in that."
He nods. "So you are exclusively attracted to women," Reiya guesses. "It makes sense, though. There would be a variety of ways to come to understanding of the self."
He nods, then. "Good."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Pesky eels.
Ririka was also burying herself in tasks just to avoid dealing with some other issues. "I mean, it was all important... or... I guess I thought so. But definitely too much..." She still feels embarrassed about it. "Anyway, with how seriously you take your duties and your training, I'm sure you'll do great as the head of your clan. When do you take over?"
"Yeah, there is..." Ririka regards Reiya for a moment. "... that's kind of beautiful. I have to remember that for for something. Maybe a song lyric..." She'd take her phone out to jot it down, but Dark Hour. "But, pretty much."
Only attracted to women. "Mmmm... basically, yeah." There might be some nuances there she's still thinking on, but it's a good enough starting point. "And, yeah... it's not always simple or straightforward, especially when society doesn't exactly support it..."
"Was there anything else you wanted to ask me? I think my head's a bit clearer now, so we could reset and try again." She pauses a moment "... but first we should clear our 3 o'clock."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"Everything's important to somebody," Reiya says. The corollary that he doesn't say is that it's important to find out what is specifically most important to you. Instead, he says, "It is natural to want to hold everything." A pause. "Thank you," he says. "It will be no later than my 20th birthday. ...There are circumstances that could move it up, but I don't expect them to take place. I must discharge my duty to the Kirijo Group first, after all."
He narrows his eyes. "...And to my father."
But it's gone a moment later, and instead, "A song lyric... yes, that would be good." There could also be poetry about it! But, "Indeed... But I believe your situation won't require you to go against your desires, in that respect. That's good. Those with such freedoms should take advantage."
He considers that, next. Anything else?
"I think it is too late to try the exercise again," he says, "But I would be glad to show you some of my new skills in clearing the enemy."
"...I have no further questions for now. But I may at a later time." He starts to rise to his feet. "Come. I'll take the van."