Dreams of the future (someone's future, anyway)

[roundandaround]

WHO: Rinku and you
WHAT: Bridal magazines?, Music Club meeting, post-charity donation, water park antics
WHEN: May pre-event
WHERE: Blossomcrown Park, Shining Karaoke, a hospital in Nightwake, Mega Waterland
WARNINGS: Potential boob joke in prompt 4(b)

[1) Blossomcrown Park]

[As she often does in the afternoons before work, Rinku has come to Blossomcrown Park and is sitting on a bench eating popcorn from a vendor. However, this time, she's reading a thick, deluxe-size magazine with Ellipsan Weddings emblazoned on the cover and happily squealing over the images inside. She leafs to an ad spread with some gowns.]

Oh, this one's super fancy... but the simple one's cool too! Hey, what do you think is more popular?

[Yes, she's asking the nearest person, sparkles in her eyes shining.]

[2) Shining Karaoke (Music Club prompt]

[Speaking of Rinku's workplace, that's still where the Music Club meets! Rinku's booked out the biggest room for the club to meet in, and she brings in snacks ordered from nearby restaurants to set down on the tables.]

The Arts Festival went great! What do you guys think we should do next? Is anyone doing a live soon?

[3) A hospital in Nightwake]

[If you're at or around the biggest hospital in Nightwake, you might see Rinku talking with the receptionist and the hospital director in the reception area. They shake hands, Rinku does the Happy Around spin, and she does something with her phone and waves goodbye to them before walking out of the hospital with a spring in her step.]

This was even better than last time ♪

[She immediately notices the nearest approaching person and runs up with a smile.]

Oh, hi! Hey, I just finished giving the hospital my kissing booth proceeds for last month. I'm trying to pick places to set it up this month until the rains stop! Where are some good places?

[4) Mega Waterland]
(a)

[Rinku may live very near the beach, but she still adores Mega Waterland. The wild river! The wave pool! The waterslides! Everything! So she's out here today (with her swimsuit tailored to accommodate her tail, naturally), heading to the event square, and runs right up to the first person she recognizes (or who just looks fun).]

Come on, they're starting the water gun fight soon! You wanna team up with me?

(b)

[Later, you can find her in the wave pool, cheering and swimming right up to ride the coming wave.]

This is so fun! Whoaaaaaaa!

[The water takes her up and along, and she cheers and rides the wave... until it sends her tumbling right into the nearest person. Does she crash into a hug? Bowl them over into the water? Accidentally marshmallow-hell them while bowling the both of them into the water? Whichever happens, it's likely to end up with everyone involved a sputtering mess.

Even so, Rinku pulls herself to the surface and smiles unapologetically.]

Oh, hi!

Comments

1

[abnormalizes]

Why are you looking at wedding gowns. Why are you looking at wedding gowns?

[aaaa]

[roundandaround]

Because there's a bunch of ads in here.

[Matter-of-factly.

She turns the page without a hint of shame, to the next article, "The Wedding-Planning Checklist." The first section, "12+ Months Out," declares that this far from your wedding, you need to plan when and where it should be, what your budget is, "book any pros you just have to have," research and book venues and hotel blocks, get your ring appraised and insured, book the officiant, create a beauty plan including facials and hairstylists, start a tooth-whitening regimen...]

Whoa, this is even more complicated than setting up a festival...

[abnormalizes]

That's not actually an explanation! Why are you looking at wedding magazines in the first place?!

[aaaAAA]

[roundandaround]

Eh?

[Rinku finally looks up. She blinks cluelessly.]

Because I'm excited! It was fun talking about it with you, and it made me wanna look at this kind of stuff!

[abnormalizes]

I guess that's fine, but... looking at it for yourself, right?

[roundandaround]

I dunno if I even could get married? If you can't date a couple hundred people, you probably can't marry them.

[abnormalizes]

Probably not, but also you don't have, like, trauma?

[roundandaround]

I guess not...

[Not about this, anyway!]

But even if you're not gonna do it now, this says you gotta plan for ages, so even if it takes years, that's fine!

[abnormalizes]

Rinku, I would like to do it eventually, but right now it's still scary as hell?

4-a

[yersavior]

[Megumi is here--it's nearing summer, and while she's used to being busy back home with only the occasional reprieve every now and again, she's opted for a change of pace this go around.

Besides, still being new means that she needs to get a handle of the lay of the land, and being a psychic also means that every inch has got to be covered to see if any of these places could potentially be considered a useful power spot for later...

Or so she tells herself.

She's really, in actuality, here to give herself a break, so when she spots Rinku offering for a water gun fight, her smirk widens.]

Sure, why not? I ain't used ta a gun [her weapon is very much a sword, after all] but we ain't gonna lose!

[There's the slight competitive streak.]

[roundandaround]

Great! Come on, there'll still be water guns left!

[Rinku gestures for Megumi to follow her up to where the employees are handing out water guns to participants.]

They have these fights in the plaza a couple times a day!

[yersavior]

Alright.

[And she'll follow Rinku to where the employees are at, taking a water gun when it's handed to her and giving her usual thanks before she checks the weight.]

So what're the rules fer this, anyway? We just tryin' not ta get wet, I guess?

[roundandaround]

Yeah! And hit as many people as you can! It's just for fun anyway. We're not competing for anything big.

[yersavior]

There is a prize though, right?

[Although she supposes she's been in a "for fun" competition before--]

[roundandaround]

Eh? No, it's just a game. Though we should do this for a prize some time!

[Rinku takes her place in the plaza, surveying the competition.]

[yersavior]

Well, that's fine with me. Been a while since I've played a game like this.

[And she won't cheat!! She will take the bragging rights by winning properly!]

But let's do our best anyway. I can prob'ly play decoy fer people to shoot while ya shoot yer shot. How's that sound fer a plan?

[roundandaround]

Okay! We'll do great for sure!

[The loudspeakers announce the start of the fight, and Rinku moves to one of the trees, firing her water gun at everyone going for the same cover.]

3

[urtitan]

[As always, Frieda is happy to see Rinku, though seeing her come from the hospital has her momentarily worried that either she or a loved one might be sick or injured. With that concern immediately dispelled, she smiles in relief.]

That's such a good thing of you to do, Rinku! Hm, let me think... near any of the big malls would be a convenient location, wouldn't it? They get a lot of foot traffic!

[She's just done some shopping herself, albeit at Riki's shop - and meeting Rinku so soon after getting herself a newly available Message Bear is giving her an idea. But first, she'll help her friend with her project!]

[roundandaround]

Mm, mm! Thanks, Frieda-chan! Oh, maybe I can set up at one of the Underground Mall entrances! Not in Nightwake, though, all the weather there's artificial so there's not gonna be any Rain of Affection there.

[Rinku notices Frieda's shopping bags and leans over.]

Oh, what all did you buy?

[urtitan]

That's a good idea! That way, people can get it out of their system and go shopping dry and relaxed!

[With Rinku's interest piqued by her Riki's Rewards bag, she opens it to take out her brand new purchases: A Dreamcatcher and the aforementioned Message Bear.]

These are brand new at Riki's shop! This is supposed to reliably keep bad dreams at bay.

[She really wants security in that regard - getting pulled into even other people's nightmares the other month was a lot to deal with.]

And this bear... well, I'm an adult, but...

[Now she's feeling a little embarrassed, despite knowing that Rinku of all people won't judge her.]

It can record messages and play them back, so I thought it would be nice to have a friend record some lines for me. That way, if anything happens, at least I'll still have that recording.

[It's sad to think about, but she does want to take the precaution all the more.]

Would you like to record something for me?

[roundandaround]

[Rinku sparkles, looking at Frieda's stuff in awe. She nods excitedly when Frieda asks her for help.]

That's so cute! I love it! Of course I wanna say something for you. What do you want me to say?

[urtitan]

Hm... whatever feels right to you. I won't listen in!

[She passes the stuffed toy to her, then covers her ears with her hands. Despite there being no direct correlation, she feels reminded of the doll exhibition in Rinku's dream, of all the friend-shaped toys and Rinku's love for each of them. Perhaps, capturing a small piece of those feelings in this bear will remind her of how loved she is by her, should their happy days here come to an end.]

[roundandaround]

[Rinku takes the toy and holds it gently. She smiles at it and thinks, then speaks.]

Frieda-chan, you're a really good friend. And I wanna make you happy because I love you! I'm always here, okay?

[She hugs the bear and snuggles it before handing it back to Frieda.]

[urtitan]

[Just seeing the smile on Rinku's face as she speaks to the bear is enough for Frieda to know that the message will warm her heart. Once she sees that she's done, she takes her hands off her ears and receives it back.]

Thank you, Rinku. I know there are other ways - photos and videos and holograms -, but sometimes, it's nice to have something more... tangible, I suppose.

[roundandaround]

Mm, mm. I know! I have a pair of Longing Headphones for the same thing. Except you can't pick what they say, so sometimes I ask for Maho-chan and get her yelling at me about my grades.

[Truly, school haunts her even now that it's done! She hugs Frieda, nuzzling and bumping her fuzzy horns into her.]

I don't wanna lose you either, Frieda-chan.