2026-11-05: To Versatility
- Log: To Versatility
- Cast: Shinobu Shimizu, Miho Ijuuin
- Where: Aoba Way - Parabellum Bar, Aoba Ward, Sumaru City
- OOC Date: November 05, 2026
- IC Date: February 04, 2013
- Summary: With everything going on, Miho's been very busy and under a lot of stress. Shinobu, recognizing this, invites her out to decompress; they meet at the bar, and discuss Miho's recent wedding, Shinobu's schooling, and sports.
(|================================= Aoba Way =================================|)
-=================================================== Sumaru City/Aoba Ward ====-
Ample shopping can be found at the stores that dot Aoba Way, but not just the
normal kind. Aside from a door to the Velvet Room for Persona Users, one can
hear and spread all kinds of rumors at Kuzunoha Detective Agency. At the
internet cafe Double Slash, one can surf on the web to find some of those very
rumors *and* munch on various snacks served at the back bar by an apathetic
teenage boy. The blue carpeting and wall-to-wall aquariums lend the place a
relaxing atmosphere.
The bar Parabellum has a more noir vibe, with a mostly wooden interior, brown
leather seats, green glass lamps, and brick pillars along the walls. The elderly
barkeeper offers a number of unique mixed drinks, all named after weapons...
which might be a clever cover for the fact that, according to rumor, he sells
*real* weapons. The fashion boutique Rosa Candida offers the latest in trends
and (per rumor) armor, its decor stark yet stylish, with clothes and bags alike
on display for customers along the walls and on a central table. A pair of
changing rooms are naturally available; to use them, just get the permission of
the saleswoman in red first.
Etheria offers spa treatments to the weary among bright lamps, stained glass
windows, off-white decor, and an esthetician with a giant blue crystal crown.
The name of the place fuses "ether" and "materia," and the treatments are
effective: those who use this spa walk away feeling refreshed in mind and body.
And, of course, it's not Sumaru City without a local Satomi Tadashi Pharmacy
branch. This one looks the same as all the others: aisles and walls laden with
medicine of all kinds, overseen from the back counter where magazines are
available by one of seven identical sisters. Satomi Sister #1 runs this one; an
English-language piano version of the store's theme plays here. "Always in the
side of those who fight: our local... drug store~ o/`"
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
The bar Parabellum has a refined, classy sort of vibe that makes it a good meeting place for all sorts of occasions. Whether it's clandestine get togethers, strategy sessions, or just casual drinking, you can always be confident in the quality of the service.
Shinobu is already here. She's ordered a Double Action for herself, the drink she usually gets while she's here. And today... she's expecting someone.
She wasn't sure if she'd get an answer - Miho seems like she's pretty busy, usually, especially with everything going on in her personal life right now. But it's because she's so busy that Shinobu thought it would be good to ask. Everyone needs some time to decompress every now and then.
So she sent her a message asking if she'd like to grab a drink sometime - which leads to now, as Shinobu leans back casually and waits.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
It's a good bar--and not that far from where Miho Ijuuin lives, for that matter. Though she is very busy most of the time these days, a message from Shinobu is worth stopping to look at. After a little thought...
Miho agrees, and the time is agreed upon.
Miho enters the bar, wearing a purple dress shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the collar, and black slacks, with sensible shoes. It's a masc sort of look, but not quite mens'; the balance is usual for her. She drops by the bar to pick up an Angel Trigger and...
"Hello," Miho greets Shinobu. "Thank you for the invitation."
She'll sit down when prompted.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
It's easy to spot Miho when she enters the bar. Shinobu sits forward and as she approaches, offers her a nod of greeting.
"Hey, Ijuuin-san." Shinobu greets with a casual wave. "No problem. Glad you could make it! Go on, sit wherever you like."
She assesses her outfit - stylic, masc, but not quite men's...
"You look good." Shinobu offers. She's dressed pretty casually herself, as is her style - with a rock band album art t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sturdy work boots. Her winter coat has been removed and set aside.
"How've you been? Things must be kinda hectic right now..." Shinobu offers sympathetically.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
As a rule, Miho is easy to spot in most places!
And her response is a nod. "Thank you," Miho answers. "...As do you. I like the boots."
Her coat is on her arm; she already removed it. It goes to her chair.
"I'm well," Miho says. "It's been very busy, of course. It's apparently a notable time fo year for security--with Valentine's approaching, desperate employees represent security risks."
Pause. "...But more importantly, Yua is still in the hospital." She looks down at her glass, putting both hands around it--and the ring on her left hand clinks against it. A wedding ring!
"Ah, and..."
"I'm married," she says. "We're going to do a more elaborate ceremony later, when Yua can make it."
Pause. "...It must seem strange, considering what you know."
"Still, how are you?"
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Thanks." Shinobu offers with a smile and a nod, accepting the return compliment. She listens as Miho explains that she's well - and the way work keeps her busy. She nods in understanding with a sympathetic wince.
"Yyyeah, that tracks. It don't matter how secure you are if someone just hands the goods over." She replies.
Yua is still in the hospital...
"...Yeah. So I heard. How's she doin'? She hanging in there alright?" Shinobu asks. It's only then that she notices the wedding ring - which Miho explains. She's married now... and the fact that Yua wasn't at the initial ceremony means she's probably not directly involved in this one. Miho comments that it must seem strange, and...
"...A little, yeah, but... I get it. Do what you gotta do, right?" Shinobu replies with a shake of her head. "Congrats, though. Mind if I ask who?"
She pauses for a moment to add,
"...And, do you get along alright?" She asks.
She's seen how Yua's marriage has affected her, and she knows what kind of man her husband is. There's a part of her that's worried she might be seeing a repeat of that.
"As for me... I'm doing alright. This time of year keeps me busy, too - a lotta people wanting to make sure their deliveries get to who they're goin' to in time. Sure not complaining about the extra work, though." She replies with a shrug.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
"Precisely," Miho says. The goods get handed over a lot.
"She is improving," Miho says of Yua next. "She still wishes to be anywhere else, but she's often getting visitors, at least, and her therapy proceeds well. I hope that they will release her and Hiroki-kun both sooner than later."
It does seem strange, of course. "Mm, yes. I need a husband to adopt." She glances back and forth, to ensure no one is listening. "...And that is important. Thank you."
"His name is Tomoki; he's an actor." She pauses. "We get on quite well. Though..."
She sighs. "While I would be with him gladly under normal circumstances, it is Yua who is my priority--rendering it not normal circusmtances. ...It's difficult to balance... but he understands the situation. He also has reasons to need a wife beyond simple romance."
"...I am glad, though. Busy is always preferable to boredom, I find."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Sounds like she was right on the money, there...
"That's a relief. Can't blame her for wantin' to be done with the place... Glad to hear she's making progress." Shinobu replies with a sigh. She shakes her head. "I'll be rootin' for her, and Hiroki-kun too. Here's to hoping they both get to come home soon."
Adopting... Shinobu nods thoughtfully. So that's it. She says his name is Tomoki - an actor. She thinks it over to see if she can recall him. Miho says they get on well, though, and Shinobu nods.
"Glad to hear it." She replies. That much is a relief... but despite that, it seems like a complex situation. She nods in understanding.
"...Sounds rough." She offers sympathetically. "Seems like you're both making the best of it, at least... Guess sometimes that's all you can do."
She shrugs - but then she grins, as Miho says she's glad she's doing well.
"Right? I mean... I like to take it easy from time to time, but I've always been more of a doer, you know? I've gotta be doing something with myself or I get antsy. So, it works out." She agrees.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
"Definitely. ...She has bad experiences, with hospitals." Miho doesn't elaborate on that if Shinobu doesn't know, but it's good enough for now. Instead, "Thank you. I'll tell her you said so, if you don't have the chance beforehand."
Tomoki! There's a Tomoki Hasegawa who's been in some popular movies Shinobu may have seen.
"Yes," Miho says. "He is good to Yua, as well--though... as a friend, to be clear." A 'friend'.
"I am. ...To be clear, I am attracted to him; it isn't... bad. He has been very helpful to me, very supportive in these difficult times."
"...But, he is not Yua."
Then... Doer! Miho brightens about this one. "I feel the same. It is part of why I was drawn to athletics, I think."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"...Yeah. I imagine." Shinobu murmurs, massaging the back of her neck. She doesn't know the full story, of course. There's a lot she can't know. But from what she does know... she can easily see why that would be. She nods, though, offering Miho a smile. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
She does, after a moment, recall the name Hasegawa - and she finds herself momentarily surprised that Miho's rubbing shoulders with people like that and then almost immediately not surprised at all when she remembers who exactly she's talking to.
Of course she would be.
"That's important. Good to know they get along." Shinobu replies with a nod, as Miho says that Tomoki is good to Yua. Miho clarifies that she is attracted to him, it isn't bad... but he isn't Yua. "Yeah... Still, I'm glad he's being supportive, and that things are good between you. Less pressure on both of you, yeah?"
It's probably difficult enough as it is. If they didn't even have that between each other...
Miho brightens, and Shinobu smiles.
"Yeah? That'd do it, I bet. Keeps you active and doin' things, training your body, seeing how far you can go, that kinda thing." She replies. "My old school didn't have a real athletics program, so I was pretty much figuring things out on my own there. ...Fair's bein' fair, I've always preferred doing my own thing, so maybe it wouldn't have worked out, anyway. I just keep myself sharp."
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
The full story would be very complicated to share, to say the least. ...But there's enough of it to get the message across, for now. "Of course."
Miho indeed was set up with him by her sister; that's just the sort of circles she's in. She's a rich Olympian, after all.
"Yes. ...As well as is possible, at least; I know it's difficult for her, but she's made space." Pause. "...Yes. That's true. Less pressure. I'd have a harder time otherwise."
But, "Yes, precisely. Physicality is important to me." But her old school... "That's unfortunate. I think physical education is a vital part of schooling, though some may disagree."
"...But those who are self-starting like you can often succeed despite that."
"At Seven Sisters High, of course, I was in the Fencing Club. ...Probably not much surprise," she says, with a faint wry tone.
"But I try to keep up with a variety of exercise. Lifting, swimming, running, and so on."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Yeah, I figure... That's good, though." Shinobu offers, and nods.
Physicality is important to her - and she nods again, as Miho expresses that it's unfortunate.
"Yeah. It really helps. Even if they don't go on to a field on the, uh, field, it's just good to get 'em used to moving? But... my old school was really more about keeping us out of trouble and out of the public eye than really preparing us for anything, so... That's what you get, I guess." She replies with a shrug. Those who are self-starting can often succeed despite that... Shinobu considers that. "You think so?"
Miho explains that she was in Seven Sister High's Fencing Club, and Shinobu laughs knowingly.
"Nope, no surprise there." She agrees. "Were you team captain?"
Miho says she keeps up with a variety of exercises, though.
"Oh yeah? So you're a real, uh... multi... thing? ...Think there's a proper word for that." Shinobu replies. "Still, that's pretty cool. Good to broaden your horizons, yeah? I do some lifting, too, helps me out at work. Some running, a bit of parkour..."
She chuckles.
"And a bit of staff-fighting, too. As you saw." She adds.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
"Ahh," Miho answers. "I see. Such schools should all the more receive focus on those things--excess energy is the biggest contributor to ill discipline, I think. ...Or, put another way, kids get into less trouble when they have healthy outlets."
"I do think so, as it happens. Because you are driven, you can push past obstacles that would stop those with less force."
"I was," Miho confirms, team captain.
Multi thing. "There are many words for it. 'Athlete' is sufficient for me."
Lifting, running... parkour. "Now, parkour is fascinating," Miho says. "The grace and adaptability it takes..."
"Heh. I did indeed. A fine weapon, too. Very versatile."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Yeah. Having outlets would've helped. I think things would've been a lot better for us if they thought like you did." Shinbou replies. "Handling kids is a lot harder than just tellin' them what to do... They probably figured that was enough."
She listens thoughtfully as Miho explains.
"Driven, huh...? I like the sound of that." She considers. She grins as Miho confirms that she was, in fact, team captain. It wasn't a difficult guess - she has the drive for that, too.
There are many words - but 'athlete' is sufficient for Miho. Shinobu nods. She speaks about the grace and adaptability that parkour takes. She never thought of herself as very graceful, but...
"Yeah. ...I guess it kind of goes hand in hand with what I was saying earlier, how I prefer doing my own thing. Finding my own way. Parkour's kinda like that - just you, trying to get from A to B with all the skills you've got to your name, and it's up to you how you do it." She replies with a nod.
Miho compliments her weapon, and Shinobu nods.
"Thanks. Yeah, that's kinda what I like about it. You can do a lot with it. Attack, defense... works great for mobility, too. Versatile, like you said." Shinobu replies with a nod.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
"...i have strong opinions on that," Miho settles on saying, rather than getting into all of them just now--after a few moments' thought, anyway. "Discipline, drive, responsibility... These things a number of those in charge are lacking. How, then, are they to inculate these values further in others? They will not."
"...Regardless; drive overcomes many things, even if there are some things all the drive in the world cannot accomplish."
And athlete! "Hmm. Yes, I see. There are no roads or walkways in the crush of rooftops and voids of alleys. I respect that pursuit."
"Excellent. Well, in that case..."
She lifts her drink. "To versatility, then."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Shinobu is curious just what those strong opinions are - but it seems that for now, she's only getting the short version.
"Hear hear." Shinobu voices her agreement. "Yeah. It won't get you everywhere... but if you don't have the drive to try, you aren't gonna get very far, either. You won't find out which one it is unless you just go for it, right?"
She nods as Miho makes an observation.
"Yeah, exactly." She agrees - and then grins, raising her own drink. "To versatility."