Spring, April 24th - A Wild Ayame (Re)Appears!

[zenoh]

Action - Genessia City Garden Park

[ Ayame had been keeping to herself, feeling drained of socializing energy. It's been over a month since she showed her face in the network, and she's just been keeping busy with training Mirai in tailoring and saving up money. She haven't been keeping touch with her friends and hasn't even been showing up to bars and casinos like she tends to do, opting to practice her skills in baking, cooking, singing, and playing the guitar instead. But today seems like the day she feels rested and ready to mingle again. Ayame enjoys the spring weather with a picnic mat set up on the park's lawn, where a full-grown tiger is sleeping on the side, and a Gardevoir with a cherry blossom hairclip is quietly watching over the assorted foods that's way too much for one or even three individuals.

Not far from the picnic set-up, are over a dozen students clad in sparring gear and the gym uniform of Second Honnouji Academy. The students train and spar with trainer weapons, based on historical swords from longswords, messer, katana, sabres, rapiers, & bucklers. Among them is Ayame, who is wearing something not very well-suited for sparring. But despite the nylon sabre in her hand she's not here to fight, but to instruct. Ayame isn't an official faculty member of the Academy, but some of the students know her enough from her frequent visits there to train kyudo with Satsuki in the mornings. Ayame uses the training sword as a teacher's pointer stick as she watches the students spar with different weapons. Ayame calmly instructs a pair with a katana going against a messer and buckler ]

You are doing good by keeping the point of the katana forward, you are keeping him at bay and making him think high. But you need to improve on your footwork. You had a lot of chances of slipping your sword around his buckler and get a good cut across his torso, but you are too far to strike whenever the opening presents itself. Move those feet.

[ Ayame lightly taps on the student's leg before turning her attention to the next pair, with a longsword against another ]

Remember, a sword isn't just a cleaver or a poker, use your halfswording techniques when he gets within grappling range.

[ Ayame pats one of the tired student's shoulder as she continues to walk away to her picnic mat, handing the nylon sabre to another student. The students comply to Ayame's instructions without question, and helping each other out by correcting each other's mistakes. Right before she makes herself comfortable on the mat, she looks at any on-looker with a kind wave and a nod. Anybody close enough for her to speak to, she says: ]

Come to watch them practice or simply enjoying the beautiful spring weather?

Video - Public

[ While still at the park and enjoying her homemade foods with Gardevoir and her cat-temporarily-turned-tiger Hibiki, Ayame fiddles with her comm device while using Hibiki as a backrest. She thinks of how long it's been she talked to people outside of her job, and quietly sighs at her difficulties in socialization. She figures it's worth a shot to go out of her comfort zone, so after some internal pep talking, Ayame starts the video. ]

Hello. How are you all this beautiful spring day? To those who I have yet to meet, my name is Ayame. I quite enjoy this season, and it's a perfect time to try something I've been wanting to, which is to go camping deep in the forest. Although, it's difficult to find a perfect place to do this that isn't Fayren, with the outbreak of the Chimera infection, I don't see this being a pleasant experience to magic-wielders. Are there any good secondary options for a good camping spot? I would appreciate any good suggestions.

If not, well, I figured now that we're here we might as well get to know each other. Maybe over some drinks sometime? I know a good bar.

Comments

[Video]

[liorafae]

...A camping trip? That sounds...nice.

Maybe somewhere in Attleton might have a good spot outside of Fayren? Genessia City and Nova City have too much technology, and Everglade is too scary...at least for me...

[zenoh]

[ Ayame hums, tapping her chin with her manicured finger ]

Attleton have parks, yes. But we might require special permits from city hall for such activities, and the parks are far too small for a camping trip to be enjoyable.

[ Ayame sighs. Her other options are Mount Canaa & Storybrooke, but those are both connected to Fayren. ]

[liorafae]

Really? I didn't know that. I didn't think the parks were that small...unless you're planning on having a big group?

[zenoh]

I only plan on inviting people I know, or anybody of decent character who might express their interest. Which, all in all, I doubt would be a large group.

[ Ayame gently shrugs with a sheepish expression on her face, partially lamenting on her pickiness in acquaintances. Having Anastasia around also made Ayame feel like limiting it to females, as to not make the young woman uncomfortable. But she's conflicted on that idea ]

But it is the vastness of Fayren's wilderness that what attracts me to it. There is the ocean for us to swim in, mountains for us to hike, and caves for us to explore. Among other natural wonders that no park can offer.

Video

[legendaryoutlawstar_lord]

Ayame? Nice meeting you. The name's Peter Quill, but in some circles I'm known as Star-Lord. [Yes, those circles were mostly people that liked him and were taking pity, hush.]

From what I've seen of this place you can't really get very deep into anything. If Fayren's got a spot I'd say wait it out. That stuff was supposed to be almost under control when I got here. And-

[There's a pause, and a kind of childish glee lights his eyes.]

Hold up. Is that a tiger?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame was about to comment on Peter's nickname after listening to his suggestion, which was cut off when he sees Hibiki behind her. Ayame blinks as she watches the change in Peter's expression before looking to her side, seeing Hibiki give a deep, guttural yawn of an actual tiger ]

Mm. Yes, it is.

[ Ayame nods with a small smile at the edge of her lips, brushing Hibiki's chin with her fingers while she points the camera more towards herself and her pet. ]

Say hi, Hibiki.

[ Hibiki only groans, burying his face down on his arms causing Ayame's smile to widen momentarily out of amusement ]

He's got a food coma, so he just wants to sleep.

[legendaryoutlawstar_lord]

That is freaking awesome. [He could remember the last time he'd seen a tiger, decades ago on some class trip to a zoo. Snapping a picture to take home to his mother on the little disposable camera he'd been given that morning.]

But right- you were gonna say something, weren't you?

[zenoh]

Yes.

[ Ayame gives Hibiki some more face rubs, to which the large cat responded eagerly to, sticking the tip of it's tongue out afterwards ]

Your nickname. Star-Lord. Is that some sort of title of nobility?

action;

[superficially_busy]

A little bit of both.

[Alice made a big risk exposing herself to possible chimera infection, but she was on a mission. To fine-tune her dolls, she needed to come to the Second Honnouji Academy. As usual, she was accompanied by her two small, floating girl dolls, who, for some reason, are play-fighting with each other in a similar, but very clumsy, fashion as the students.]

You don't appear to be one of the instructors here.

[zenoh]

I'm not. At least not officially. But I'm a friend to the Academy's founder, and they know me as such.

[ Ayame gives a small bow in greeting ]

Ayame Sasaki. A pleasure.

[superficially_busy]

Alice Margatroid.

[She bows her head in greeting while her two dolls do full curtsies.]

I came here for a specific reason. I wish to fine-tune my dolls here. Hopefully you or your founding friend have no problems with that?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame repeats the name in her mind. While her memory is accurate, it was only out of habit that she does. Her eyes momentarily took interest in the two dolls with Alice, but Ayame turns to their master ]

In the park?

[ "Fine-tune" gives off the meaning of a tune-up, like with mechanical objects getting maintenance, but also the meaning of a field test. The term made Ayame narrow her eyes for a second ]

I can't speak for Satsuki. I'm only her friend, not her secretary. If you wish to do any "fine-tuning", I can only suggest that you should speak to her about it.

Video

[unbridledtiger]

[Pale yellow eyes framed by messy white hair look back at Ayame.]

I don't know anything about camping here but I'd never say no to a drink. What bar is it that you know?

[zenoh]

[ Wow, and people say she's got bad alcoholism. Ayame pauses for a second when Seth's immediate question caught her a little by surprise, but she remains composed regardless ]

A nightclub called After Life in Nova City, and its sister establishment Hangar Queen here in Genessia.

[unbridledtiger]

[Those were two places that Seth has yet to visit and he finds himself intrigued by the name.]

Sounds interesting. I'd like to see them. [Both eventually.] If you're still interested in joining me.

[zenoh]

Yes, perhaps later tonight?

[ Seth is definitely a man of few words, so Ayame can't help but be a little skeptical of his eagerness ]

I must ask which city you would prefer over the other, then we can head to its respective bar at... perhaps 10pm if you're still available.

( video )

[tevinteraltus]

[Dorian raises an eyebrow at the video initializes.]

You actually want to go camping?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame notices the quirked brow from this dandy-looking fellow, causing her to tilt her head so subtly. But otherwise, she remains calm in expression and tone. ]

Indeed I do. Being surrounded by technology and living a fast-paced lifestyle in the cities gave me an urge to disconnect from that kind of day-to-day routine. Even for a few days. It's been a while since I have that sort of peace and quiet.

[tevinteraltus]

The city lifestyle is only fast-paced if you allow it to be, but I suppose that's your prerogative.

[He pauses.]

You've camped before, then, I take it?

[It isn't, of course, that Dorian hasn't. Only that he...well, really doesn't like it.]

( video )

[jaglikethecar]

[There's a lot of things in her video post Jag doesn't follow, like the whole magic user thing. That being said, he saw something in a movie once that might be fun to try.]

I don't think there're many places "out in the woods" around here, miss. Sometimes campin' can be fun, though, even if it's in your own garden, ya know?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame nods, taking a sip of her cold brew coffee through a decorative straw. A small shrug of her shoulders follow, and a brief pause before she gives an agreeable hum ]

If only I have a garden of my own, I might as well camp there. But alas, like most of us, I can only afford an apartment. Houses are quite expensive here.

[jaglikethecar]

Yeah and...all the crazy things that shouldn't exist live away from the cities...or, you know, in them in Everglade.

[And he looks like he's not sure if he wants to believe that or not.]

Wonder if they'd let ya camp in the park.

[Video/Private]

[weavemyownfate]

[Invitation for drinks; that's Ayame all right. Satsuki appears to be sitting in an office herself.]

'Deep in the forest'? What brought this on?

[That's as far away from a bar as possible!]

[zenoh]

[ That's so when they get so drunk, nobody can see what crazy things they do under the influence! Well, not really. Ayame doesn't plan on drinking out in Fayren. Much. So she's inviting people who would be interested and binge on the days before heading off to camp ]

Just a need to get away from the daily hustle of modern living, I suppose.

[ Ayame feels a small huff try to leave her, but could only muster an amused smirk that fades as fast as it showed. ]

I do mean to ask if you wish to come along with me.

[weavemyownfate]

[Ayame's subtle amusement doesn't go unnoticed; she'll pat herself on the back later. The invitation catches her by surprise though.]

I consider myself more of a survivalist than a camper. But perhaps that is only because I have yet to experience with the right company.

Count me in.