traceofeffort: (028)
Lisa Imai ♫ ([personal profile] traceofeffort) wrote in [community profile] yumemigaoka2023-12-10 06:36 pm

December catch-all ♫

Who: Lisa and you!
When: All through December
Where: Check individual top-levels
What: The best way to keep her mind off things is to keep working! As it happens, she's got a fair bit of work to do, not that she thinks of it as such.
dogdaughter: (is it true that we are all dark rocks)

sometime mid-December

[personal profile] dogdaughter 2023-12-11 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ Today's passerby is definitely someone Lisa hasn't seen at Promised Morning, despite being in the age range - possibly a different school? But Lisa would probably have remembered her from around the Dreamer Union if she wasn't a newcomer in general, she's pretty striking: vivid green eyes behind big round glasses, dark skin, and most notably hair reaching her knees. She beams at being addressed. ]

Oh, I'm sure it's best to make several - that way you can compare, like you said, and also you'll have more in the end! You could even layer them! It gets cold enough to do that here.
dogdaughter: (i'm not the one copyrighting shit)

[personal profile] dogdaughter 2023-12-13 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ Jade straightens at the brief staring, but relaxes again once it's clear Lisa was only staring a bit and not gearing up to ask lots of questions - ]

Oh, having extras to give away is so nice...

[ Jade likes this person immensely! She's so thoughtful!!But, Jade does also notice the bandaging. ]

Were you in a fight recently?

[ Just, asking. cheerfully. like this is a normal thing to ask fellow teenage girls. ]
dogdaughter: (i hate kinkshaming the moon)

[personal profile] dogdaughter 2023-12-13 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! An Oven!

[ If Jade seems surprised, that's only because she was absolutely expecting a story closer to the ones her grandpa used to tell, involving fisticuffs with vaguely-defined "ruffians". She's far from disappointed though, it's undeniably nicer behavior to get injured working on an appliance than from fighting another person. ]

So what was wrong with it? [ Jade's never had to repair an oven before!

...The flour streaks in Lisa's hair finally connect with this oven information, and Jade reconsiders the situation:
] ...Or were you cooking things?
dogdaughter: (please do not help garlic)

1/2

[personal profile] dogdaughter 2023-12-15 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
[ Jade starts to light up at mention of a bass, but then winces sympathetically at hearing the true cause of the gauze. ]

Oh no, yeah, hot metal sucks to touch. I hope whatever you were baking came out extra good to make up for it!
dogdaughter: (is it true that we are all dark rocks)

2/2

[personal profile] dogdaughter 2023-12-15 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ But getting back to that first thing - ]

You said you play the bass though? Me too! I'm a bit out of practice, but I'm hoping to get back to playing it again. I always felt like the music helped my vegetables grow better, haha.
dogdaughter: (i'm not the one copyrighting shit)

[personal profile] dogdaughter 2023-12-15 09:19 am (UTC)(link)
Oh!

[ Jade's taken by surprise - cookies! They were just... here, all along! She accepts the bag carefully, also not wanting to break any, and finally sits down nearby so she can wrangle one out. ]

They look great - I'm sure they're tasty too!

[ She nibbles on it before gives an approving thumbs-ups. Lisa's hands have not suffered in vain! Speaking of which, she notices Lisa's glance at them and (probably) misinterprets. ]

Yeah, I bet it'd be hard to play with your hands injured... oh, I hope they don't carry over into Dreams since that's your weapon...

[ She looks concerned for a moment before deciding Lisa likely has all that under control - she just needs some sympathy, not assistance! Injuries heal at the rate they heal, and she's got them all nicely bandaged and everything already. ]

I always find the things that can be weapons over there fascinating - mine's just a gun.

[ Jade has another small bite of cookie as she thinks over the question of her garden. ]

Well I haven't set up anything here yet, since I only just moved in; but back on the island we had a pretty sizable garden. Lets see... there was a little lemon tree... wait no, that's fruit. Half the greenhouse was taken over just by pumpkins. [ Jade giggles at the memory - the pumpkins had gotten a little out of hand! ] And there were green beans and peppers; kale, carrots and beets... I'm forgetting something. Hm. What am I forgetting...

[ Another small bite. She may have also forgotten she hasn't given the bag back. ]
noonecandestroythemetal: (happy)

let's say 15 December

[personal profile] noonecandestroythemetal 2023-12-11 08:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sam has sort of noticed the bandages come and go. But there has been a very real scramble from her, as she's dealing with her own business--mostly, the fact that university means she's got finals. But as of 3 PM, she's free, and she's going to make the most of that.

Basically, by going to the DU and hanging out. But she knows Lisa's probably hanging there too, doing her thing, and so she barges in the lounge with two steaming mugs heaped with whipped cream. One has a peppermint stick, and that's the one Sam keeps in hand. The other one she sets down near Lisa--not within the danger zone of her bag, however. Sam knows better!]


I thought you could probably use the blood sugar boost, so I made hot cocoa! And yeah, I think your thought is not wrong--make one of each and see how it goes! Some people just prefer cool colors, too. Or think they look better in them, you know?

[Sam sets her own mug down carefully, and flops near-bonelessly into the closest chair with a sigh that can only be relief.]

I'm DONE with school! ...until January, I guess. But that's something...

[A little more time to herself is no bad thing. Maybe now she can get her Christmas decorations up properly, instead of just doing a string of lights in her apartment window and a wreath on the door...]

How've you been holding up?
noonecandestroythemetal: (smirky)

[personal profile] noonecandestroythemetal 2023-12-13 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
You ever need tutoring with your bad subjects? I mean. There are some I'm bad at too, but if they don't match up...I'd be happy to help where I could squeeze it in. I had to give up running my tabletop game, so I have a little extra time now and then.

[Sam beams happily at the clear acceptance and even enthusiasm for her hot cocoa. Inasmuch as she's sad about not gaming as often any more, sometimes life's like that. Sam knows this. And the stretching? Lisa's form definitely isn't bad, either; Sam knows that you need that sort of break with repetitive stuff or you'll cramp up. Hers might come from doing reps instead of knitting, but the principle is the same.]

Are you just distracting yourself with projects, or are you putting off something you really ought to be doing? No pressure either way, just...food for thought, I guess? Not that I never procrastinate myself. Sometimes I really am like "why do today something I can put off 'til tomorrow!" But it's not always a good thing...

[She visibly brightens at the sight of cookies. Sure, Sam can make cookies herself, too, but everyone's always taste different, and, well.]

Heck yeah, I love sugar with my sugar! [As if that's not obvious, from some of the shenanigans she gets up to and how she's usually dialed to 11. She makes grabby hands at the bag, stopping just short of actually snatching it, because Sam does try to be polite, in the end.] Please!
noonecandestroythemetal: (sad)

[personal profile] noonecandestroythemetal 2023-12-19 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
Ah well, it comes with trying to be an adult, you know? The tabletop game thing, I mean. Something had to give, and while it's disappointing to all involved, it was the safest thing to drop, you know? Can't quit my job, probably shouldn't stop working here. Can't stop going to school--though I felt the crunch this time around, so I'm not taking as many hours next semester. It's not a race--doesn't really matter when I finish, so long as I do finish, and my grades are decent.

[She might think differently in regards to her schooling if she were still in America. Sam doesn't talk about her family much, but her parents are...a little overbearing at best, and really her choice of study would be a total disappointment, regardless of her GPA...as Lisa continues, though, Sam's expression grows--well, not troubled, per se, but 'concerned' is a good word.]

That's understandable, but you probably shouldn't shoulder it all alone, you know? I'm sure I'm not the only one offering you a hand, and I'm not gonna judge you if you take it. I don't think you're drowning, but hells, if I can help before you hit that stage? I want to. We're friends, and that's what friends do!
noonecandestroythemetal: (you wound me)

[personal profile] noonecandestroythemetal 2023-12-23 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I may be juggling plates, but the idea is to juggle them, not drop them! [It starts out as amusement, a joke meant to be shared, but when Lisa mentions she'd feel guilty about taking up Sam's free time, Sam's expression turns into one of...surprise? Definitely surprised, but maybe there's a little bit of hurt, there.]

I can understand wanting to be independent. I'm there too. But hitting rock bottom sucks for you, wipes you out, and probably isn't that great for anyone who cares about you, either, you know? And hey! It's my free time! I should be able to do what I want with it, and I'm offering! You're not strong arming me or anything! Especially not if I offered! Which I did. [Pointing that out. There's a part of her that realizes she's being a little hypocritical here, but Sam's just not going to let on with that.]

Besides, right now I have more free time. At least 'til the semester starts, and then? Then we'll see.
noonecandestroythemetal: (sad)

[personal profile] noonecandestroythemetal 2023-12-25 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Why? [That's the first question out of Sam's mouth, more blurted than anything else. She's...not entirely sure why Lisa should be sorry...and that just makes her more concerned when Lisa goes on. But she stays quiet to let the girl finish her thoughts. She straightens a little at the honorific, but she also tries her best to sound joking. Sam's American, and gods know they don't really stand on ceremony, there...she does realize, however, that it's culturally ingrained here, and she doesn't want to seem offended. Because really, she's not that.]

Aw, just Sam is fine! And I'm happy to help. I just need to know what you need, you know? Even if it's just a friendly ear to get something heavy off your chest. If it needs to be kept a secret, well. My lips are sealed.

[She does mime zipping her lips shut, here, but she can keep things quiet with the best of them, if the need is there. She reaches out a hand now, to give Lisa a brief, gentle squeeze on her shoulder. Sam has dialed it back from 11, because her usual exuberance might be...a bit too much, here.]

You're you, and there's nothing wrong with that! I might not exactly get why you're being reticent, exactly, but I'm sure you've got your reasons. If you want to share 'em with me, I'll listen, but I get the impression interrogating you about them won't do either of us any favors. I just don't like the way you're implying there's something wrong with you, though...

[Though if she got that comment reversed on herself, it might be akin to an Olympic sport, the way Sam would clam up fast...]
noonecandestroythemetal: (you wound me)

[personal profile] noonecandestroythemetal 2023-12-28 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
We've got a saying, back where I'm from. "Fake it 'til you make it." I'm an adherent, myself. It's like...

[Here, Sam pauses, because it's pretty clear she has to organize her thoughts into some sense of coherence, too. Her brow furrows a tiny bit, but she's not angry. It's just taking some thought to frame what she wants to say.]

And that sort of thing? Being told something's wrong with you 'til you start to think..."hey...what if they're right?" happens more than most people want to admit. The closer the speaker is to you, personally, the worse it is, too.

[Speaking from experience, there, Sam?]

Doesn't mean they're right, but it's hard to break out of that thought cycle when you've heard it so much. It's like a vicious circle.

[She pauses, there, listening again, and nods at Lisa's words.] Well, if you want the studying help, I got you. If I can't do it myself, hell, I know some people, too. I'm not the best at everything, after all! [She chuckles briefly, there, but quickly grows more serious, leaning in.]

I don't do therapy myself...yet. I mean. I know I probably should, but...I can get you a list of folks who do talk therapy. If you want. And I can at least go with you to the first appointment? Not to like, sit in! Just...as moral support? Go get some boba or something afterwards, as a "hell yeah, I did it!" celebration? And my ear is always open. Hell, you can have my phone number too. This way you can text me any time, even if you're worried you're gonna bother me. If I'm doing a show or something, I might not answer quick, but I'll definitely get back to you.

Even if you don't think it's important, okay?
noonecandestroythemetal: (happy)

[personal profile] noonecandestroythemetal 2024-01-02 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Sam doesn't know specifics about Lisa's situation, but some of this just...sounds so damn familiar. Sometimes she has to wonder where she might be now, if she hadn't become a Dreamer and moved here to Japan...she can't stifle a sigh, but it sounds...tired, not put-upon. Just a weary sigh.]

God. I get that. I really do. Believe me, I got plenty of judgement from my own damned family. Nothing quite like the people who're supposed to buoy you up tear you down, huh?

[Sam's aware Lisa's situation might not be the same, but she's equally aware that she's letting Sam peer behind the curtain, so to speak, and that's valuable. Even if it's not a deep, soul-wrenching confession, it's worth secret sharing. Sam is...definitely not the type to dwell on things if she can help it, but.

Family issues are still a sore spot.]


'Course you'll shine! You bust your hump, and people will see it. All I'll be doing is giving you a bit of support where I can, you know? Quizzing you if you need help on memorizing stuff, I don't know for sure, but we can leap that hurdle when we come to it.

[Sam might be treating Lisa's studies like they're not a huge deal, but she's pretty confident that Lisa can get a handle on it. She's always struck Sam as smart and clever. Just lacking in confidence. And, well. Sam might never have been an actual cheerleader, but. She nods though when Lisa mentions therapy.]

Okay, good. Look, you're doing all you can do. And sometimes therapists don't work out. For whatever reason, you just don't click. That's not a failure on your part or your therapist's, if that's what happens. It just means they ought to help you find someone who's a better fit, hey?

[Sam can't help but make a little huff of amusement there.]

A moment? Honey, you didn't even look like you were gonna cry at all. If that's a moment, well. You got nerves of steel--even if they're as taut as our guitar wires right now, huh?

[If Lisa's worried about Sam freaking out, well. Sam doesn't seem like she's about to. Then again, Sam's always been the type to attempt to roll with life's punches and get up swinging on the other side. That seems true right now, too.]

But you're welcome. Any time. Seriously. Plus, you got this. Even if you don't think you do, I believe you do! You just gotta try to do that, too. Easier said than done, but. You can do it!
shrieking_violet: (bullshit tho)

[personal profile] shrieking_violet 2023-12-13 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm no expert on color theory, but I think it'd depend on the person wearing it and their outfits too y'know?

[ Also why does it look like - and smell??? - like you've been doing battle with a pastry monster girl? That's... concerning. ]
shrieking_violet: (bored with you)

[personal profile] shrieking_violet 2023-12-15 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
If you have that much time.

[ It looks like she's been busy? ]
shrieking_violet: (consider the following)

[personal profile] shrieking_violet 2023-12-15 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ Making time. There's only so much time in the day... knitting seems like an old lady hobby to Chris too. ]

Yeah I can... kinda guess. You look like you've been up to a lot of hobbies.