<@Grysar> [Date: October 1, 2003. Classes are resuming at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and middling engineering student Haruko Kinsha is pacing in her dorm room.] <@Haruko> [During the past two months, she managed to barely keep her part time lab job. She also was late or outright absent at several family dinners and one shrine cleanup.] <@Haruko> [Her energy went instead to her entrepeneurial scheme of agricultural speculation augmented by weather control. And, thanks to an insect threat resulting in a quarantine from China, she managed to make a few hundred from her weeks of work. A few hundred yen.] <@Haruko> [She's calling her father to apologize. She'd previously found Satoshi online and asked if he could stick around a bit for emotional support. Go instant messaging to AMERICA!] <@Haruko> [And with that we start.] 06* @Haruko dials up her father. 06* @Yuudai picks up during the fourth ring. "Kinsha residence. This is Yuudai speaking." 06* @Haruko pauses for a second and then speaks too quickly. "Father, it's Haruko." <@Haruko> [Haruko's shared dorm room is in a state of partial disarray with the resumption of classes. She's got a fairly ancient computer that's quite a contrast to her snazzy phone. A now somewhat aged poster of Cloud and his motorcycle still graces a wall but is now somewhat hidden by various books and a small pot with bamboo.] 06* @Yuudai is silent for a moment. "Haruko." And then his voice warms, slightly. "It is good to hear from you. How are your studies?" <@Haruko> Oh... today's classes were good. The guys were right to recommend Tanaka-sensei. And while dynamics is supposed to be really tough but the lead off quiz wasn't that bad. 01<@Yuudai> You're doing well, then? Your mother was getting worried. <@Haruko> Yes... I had to finish up a lot of work last week. I'm sorry I was so late to the clean up... and for falling asleep in the booth... and again at dinner. I'm so sorry. ::she gives a few instinctive bows to emphasize her apologies:: 01<@Yuudai> If you were that tired due to school, I can hardly fault you. That *should* be your primary concern right now. 06* @Yuudai sounds a touch amused: "Though you should try to get a little more sleep, yes?" 06* @Haruko grimaces at the first comment. "It wasn't just that father. I was experimenting with something to help pay for school, but the energy drain was worse than I thought. I was late that day because I'd overslept already." 06* @Yuudai can almost be heard frowning over the phone. "Haruko. I was under the impression that between the money from your mother and myself, your scholarship, and that part time job at the university, you had enough for school. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" 06* @Haruko gives a weak smile. "It is, it's just. Balancing everything is hard. Not worse for me than for everyone else, but I'm supposed to excel at this and I'm just doing average. I thought if I could take the money part of out of the equation everything else would be easier." 06* @Yuudai sighs. "Like I said earlier, school should be your primary concern. Not pride. Do not spread yourself too thin or be too proud to ask for help." 01<@Yuudai> Now. Do you really need more money, or was this simply so you had more to spend on your motorbike. 06* @Haruko sighs again and quietly types in the background. So far so good I guess. Took two minutes for my bike to come up. <@Haruko> My bike... my bike is alright. I don't need more money for it. Or for myself. 06* @Yuudai may or may not be lighting a pipe on the other end. "Then what is the issue, Haruko? More... activities with your friends? I remember you telling me that it was over some time ago." <@Haruko> Kyon did help on this. But it was my idea. Thank the kami he helped. I would have never thought to hedge against insects. ::Haruko walks over to lock her door:: But yes, I thought if I could help crops grow better with rain I could make some money on the side and everyone would be happy. 06* @Yuudai is silent for a moment, working out exactly what Haruko just said, then replies, "And you found you thought wrong, I assume." <@Haruko> Well, there's more to crops than just rain. But even if it was a normal season I wore myself out. I don't know if I'm getting older, or weaker, or if I just remembered wrong. 01<@Yuudai> ... Haruko, you're hardly making sense. <@Haruko> I'm sorry. ::Haruko takes a moment to think and types:: Crap, I'm babbling. Not good. <@Haruko> I was able to make it rain, but I'd come home exhausted. I could sleep it off, but then I had to catch up on my part time job. But when I caught up on my part time job I'd miss out on family things. It's okay. Focus. You can do this. 06* @Yuudai ahs. "A price to attempting the kami's work." He pauses on his end, then says, "Perhaps you should avoid exercising your unique abilities unless truly needed." 01<@Yuudai> Those farms were in no serious danger, were they. You were simply attempting to make a profit. <@Haruko> Yes father. I think you're right about the rain. I think it would be worth it to stop a flood ::Haruko yawns and then sighs:: Or maybe a drought. A big drought. But I should stick with ones that don't tire me. 06* @Haruko drinks some green tea. 01<@Yuudai> Stick with what? 06* @Haruko starts. "Oh turning to wat... uh, mother isn't on the line, right?" She unlocks the door for a moment, glances in the hallway and then shuts and locks the door." 01<@Yuudai> No. <@Haruko> [A few passing first years in the hallway look oddly at Haruko's paranoia and whisper some speculation as to what she's up to.] <@Haruko> Turning into water and moving other water with my mind. Also healing, but that normally doesn't apply. I think I can apply them in hydrological engineering to find out why things don't work, but obviously it's tricky because I can't tell anyone that I can do it. 01<@Yuudai> (I'm going to start to make pasta soon, so might be AFK for very brief periods. ^^) 06* @Haruko types to Satoshi: Should I tell him about my idea to help get tidal power technology working? I'm really excited about that, but it seems to bore everyone else. <@Grysar> (No worries.) 01<@Yuudai> If you were to... apply your abilities in such a way, how would you publish your findings so you wouldn't be discovered? 01<@Yuudai> Remember: if the government, or nearly any other organization, were to find out what you can do... Well, it's a more practical and helpful use of your powers. Probably a good example. <@Haruko> Well, it's like with the water pump in Engineering 100. We just couldn't get it to work, but after everyone else gave up I went through it and found where the seal was broken. I was able to fix it and nobody cared how I figured it out. 01<@Yuudai> Of course, in a small setting. But what about on a large scale? I know you, Haruko - you like to think big. 06* @Haruko toys with her hair briefly and glances over at her shrine with its drawing of Isao. "I could cultivate an air of mystery? And maybe hire Hirokazu or someone else that already knows that could cover my back." <@Haruko> He's skeptical of scale. Getting the speech about 'what if nearly any organization found out.' 01<@Yuudai> Really? Hirokazu or a sole other person could cover for you? Ah, yeah. Contingency plans? Did we come up with any? 06* @Yuudai pauses on the other end, probably to shake his head or take a draw on his pipe. "Forgive my skepticism, Haruko, but there is no need to put yourself at risk when the world does *not* need saving." 01<@Yuudai> And, as your father, I do not like the idea of you putting yourself at risk even when it does. <@Haruko> We were brainstorming but I fell alseep. 01<@Yuudai> (Best instant message yet!) <@Haruko> But father, the world does need saving. The Americans aren't going to stop polluting until its too late and the Chinese are just getting started. Climate change isn't evil creatures from another dimension, but it's a real problem and.. I... 06* @Haruko bites her lip. (Climate change isn't evil creatures from another dimension. They just look like it if they're Captain Planet villains) 01<@Yuudai> Can solve it all by yourself? You tried to control a few small areas for just *one season*, Haruko. This is not a battle you can fight alone, using... using divine gifts, or magic, or whatever you want to call it. And it was late here so I probably fell asleep as well. What's he saying now? <@Haruko> I can't save the world with weather powers. Which is true. <@Haruko> No... not by influencing the weather. But if I could help us figure out tidal power ten years sooner, maybe even one year sooner, it could save thousands of lives. Once someone has figured it out everyone can use the technology. My abilities would just find us a shortcut. 06* @Yuudai keeps frowning over the phone. At least, he sounds like he's frowning. "And you know how you can do this." It is true, but it's at least a positive use. Should really make contingency plans, though. At a time less prone to falling asleep. <@Haruko> No, but I've got try. I'm not smart enough to do save the world without powers. Back in high school I was the smartest student ::pause:: engineering stu ::pause:: mechanical engineering student ::pause:: In my grade level. But here, I'm normal. There's hundreds of me. Well, male ones anyways. Normal doesn't save the world. 01<@Yuudai> (That cracked me up. XD) 06* @Haruko also takes a moment to curse Kaede for making her add some of those later caveats. 06* @Haruko does so silently though. <@Haruko> That was the problem. There was no time I wasn't prone to fall asleep. (There's worse things Haruko's cursed him for than being too smart and capable!) 01<@Yuudai> You may be surprised, Haruko. 'Normal' people have done many astonishing things and have led very fulfilling lives. 01<@Yuudai> (To be fair, she was just thinking about smart. ;P) (Well mechanical doesn't necessarily take smarts, but I getcha. ;P) But that's changing, right? <@Haruko> Yes. I hate farms. I hate agriculture. And I almost hate getting rained on. I'm done. 06* @Haruko looks over to Isao with a bit of guilt. "I know. But I can do things no one else can. I don't want to waste that because I'm afraid. Maybe I'm not that special, maybe I'll just help at the margins. But I've got to find a way to be the best me that I can manage." 06* @Yuudai sighs. "You are special, Haruko. I won't hear otherwise. I've never met anyone who... dreams as big as you. So, I think you're destined to do great things - perhaps greater than what you've already done. Just remember that greatness comes in many different forms, and be satisfied with what you can accomplish." 01<@Yuudai> For now, being the best you that you can manage probably means concentrating on school and doing well. Am I wrong in that? <@Haruko> Okay. Said 'have to be best me I can be.' Is that corny/cliche? Does corny work on parents? Oh.. might have worked. 01<@Yuudai> (Corny TOTALLY works on parents. Unless you use it too often.) <@Haruko> No sir. You're right. The whole idea was foolish. I need to stop wasting time and focus on studying. Corny, yeah, but if you're being sincere- oh? <@Haruko> Switching to standard study harder lecture. Which I deserve. No wrath of kami invoked. 01<@Yuudai> Foolish, yes. But one I'm sure you would have attempted regardless. How far behind are you? But the gods are on alert now. You'd better hit those books. <@Haruko> I'm not doing too badly, my rooms just a mess and I still need to buy some of my books. I just need to make it up to my boss. ::her tone gets a bit quieter:: And uh, probably dump Kenta, or Takumi, no.. I need to focus... dump both. ::her voice gets louder again if a bit disappointed:: I'll be okay, just won't make the November race I guess. <@Haruko> Right, books before boys. And schemes. And bike. I guess. Well, for what it's worth, I'm proud of you. <@Haruko> I wonder sometimes about your standards. but thanks. ^_^; 06* @Yuudai apparently decides not to comment on his daughter having two boyfriends when he says, "Sacrifices must be made sometimes. I know it is hard, but you can have fun after you catch up." Pause. "Not too much, though; you need to *stay* caught up." <@Haruko> I understand father. I'll work harder at understanding my limitations. I wonder about them too. ;p But seriously, things going all right? <@Haruko> Yeah. If you like, you can get to sleep. <@Haruko> Wait, not sleep. Class. In America where it's morning. 01<@Yuudai> Good. 06* @Yuudai takes a moment for maybe more pipe. "Now, what is this about a Kenta and a Takumi?" Damn, he totally did catch it. <@Haruko> Oh... Kenta is an electrical engineering student and Takumi is in the automotive club. They're nice, but a bit too enthusiastic... ::she twirls her hair:: Always wanting to do some club event or party and I should be focusing on studiyng. Right? Studying is good. Okay. Let me know how the rest of things go. Good luck! *signs off* 06* @Yuudai sounds... skeptical. "Haruko, you're not going to convince me you don't like going to clubs or partying." <@Haruko> Well I do, but not all the time. I deleted like ten messages over the past two weeks. ::she deepens her voice slightly in a bad impersonation:: Kinsha you're working too hard... C'mon there's this great band and I haven't seen you in forever... Haruko, why aren't you answering my calls?.. ::she switches back to her normal voice:: Some of that's fine, but when I need to get work done it's a waste of my time! 01<@Yuudai> (A waste of her VALUABLE TIME.) <@Haruko> (I'm pondering how long it takes for her to realize what she just said.) 01<@Yuudai> (Sadly, her father will not / can not point that out.) (Ha.) 06* @Yuudai chuckles. "I see. Well, if that's what you need to do in order to concentrate on your studies, then that's what you should do." 06* @Haruko then blanches as she realizes what she just said. She sits on the bed to gain her bearings. "Right... I mean, yes father." 01<@Yuudai> Is there anything else you wished to discuss? <@Haruko> [There's a quiet knock at the door and Haruko goes over to unlock it.] 01<@Yuudai> (On the other side is Kaede!) <@Haruko> No father, please pass on my apologies for worrying mother. Unless you had anything else you wanted to talk about. 01<@Yuudai> (He puts a pie in her face.) <@Haruko> (I can't imagine Kaede would consider that a productive use of her time.) 01<@Yuudai> That can wait until our next family dinner. Which you will attend this time. (I can't imagine Kaede putting productive and Haruko in the same sentence) <@Haruko> [Outside the door is her roommate. "Ah good, I didn't see a sock so..."] 06* @Haruko covers the receiver for a moment and gives her roommate a be quiet glare before continuing. "Of course father. I look forward to it. Until then..." (Meanwhile in Maine, Satoshi blushes for reasons he can't quite understand.) (Yeah I know. The thought of Haruko without socks is pretty hot) <@Grysar> [Haruko's roommate does in fact stay quiet but doesn't seem apologetic. She walks by and goes to boot up her higher-end computer.] 01<@Yuudai> Until then, study hard. See you soon, Haruko. <@Haruko> I will, see you soon father. ::Haruko then hangs up:: 01<@Yuudai> [End!]