yumemigaoka | (no subject)

You were still stuck with half of us for that long. And speaking of Disturbances, how many have come from the office?

People aren't that bad! [/optimist]

... Two...? [sounding dubious, because she's got a point but he's being stubbornly optimistic]

Look... you're a nice guy, but I'm just saying, sometimes you gotta worry. Before something else happens.

I-I guess? It's not really... [he pulls on the hem of his shirt] It feels sort of invasive.

There's a difference between worrying and going up to someone like "here's what I think of all your personal problems, now go after your dreams and stop being messed up, despite how little sense that makes and how much I'm getting into your business." What am I, Genbu?

[there's a moment of stunned silence before a series of nervous giggling bubbles out of him] That's- It's always sort of impressive how he can just do that, honestly.

[basically, Keiwa could never]

[snrk] Right? I don't know how he manages anything, being that over the top all the time. How does he live?

[nod]

He makes it look effortless, but just thinking about acting like that... [he heaves a full body sigh] It seems exhausting. Or maybe he means to lead by example...?

Sure sounds like it. I know the guy worries, but seriously, it's also kinda stressful. Good guy, though, pain or not.

[nodnodnod]

It's definitely difficult to keep up with, even if it's also meant to be inspiring. The rest of us will just have to do our best to keep up.

Um... Do you mind if I follow you for a little bit, Maki-san? Just to get an idea of where things here are. [since it's his first time participating in Obon 1) alone and 2) away from his home]

Don't see why not. Come on, this way.

[She gestures and starts walking up the stairs with a smirk.]

The festival in general is pretty normal as they go, you're gonna be fine. Just let me know if you have questions.

[he jogs after her once he gets the okay, looking pretty relieved to not be at a loss by himself at a busy shrine]

Admittedly, I probably should have paid more attention to what we were doing when we went together but... Who knows? Living alone really puts things in a different perspective.

Don't I know it. You want to check out the dance displays first, or more of the usual festival stall kinda thing?

Oh, the dance displays maybe? It seems like a good way to learn about the city too. [a laugh] I can't believe it's been almost a year since I moved here...

This way. [She keeps climbing the stairs with a nod.] You still feel like you need to learn about Yumemigaoka, huh? How so?

Hmm! Well, I was helping out a bit during the anniversary festival - the Museum's Dream Sphere dioramas? - but when it came to answering people's questions about the city, it was... A struggle? It's not a problem around the DU building and Moon Bunny Market but outside of those places...

And after what happened... I was wondering if maybe knowing more about Yumemigaoka the city would be any help to rebuilding the Slumbering City.

Heh. Maybe you're right. People's dreams are made out of what they see in the real world, aren't they? Then again, the Dream Sphere's pretty real as it is, to the people who go in there.

Right? If people dream about what they see, the images of a fixed city would... Help? In some way? Maybe?

You don't sound too sure. Working out your theories?

[slight panic as he stammers in embarrassment for a few seconds]

Well... I only joined last year, so it feels like it would be too bold to just say that 'it will help'. But it's still worth a try, right?

Hence wanting to learn more about the city and the people in it...

Hey, calm down. I'm not judging, okay? Listen, nobody has their act together. Except maybe Hoshino, and after what Genbu said, I'm not sure about her either.

A-ah... [oh no- he's been using them as examples whenever he's trying to encourage Illya. Maybe he ought to re-evaluate]

It's... Probably not a good thing that we rely on Ai-san so much, huh?

She's something, don't get me wrong. It's hard to believe she's even real. But... she is real, and we gotta pick up our own slack. ...Not that it's easy, look at us.

It's pretty easy to buy into the image she projects though. For those of us who are just starting, it's really reassuring to have someone like Ai-san or Zeke-san to look to.

[there's a pause before he adds cheerfully] Of course, Maki-san's also a reassuring presence at the DU.

[snrk] What, me? I'm just an IT monkey with a side of general errand girl. I'm not even a Dreamer, at least the others have that going for them.