01 [Day: Saturday, October 18, 2003. Time: Afternoon! Somewhere later than 2:00!] 01 [We are out at the BALLGAME! Hawks vs. Lions! Bottom of the first inning! Katie, Haruko, and Tomoe with boxseats, plus a lady and her son whose names I can't remember or be bothered to look up at this exact moment!] 01 [Katie just told a surprisingly sweet story about Kyon. Now it's Haruko's turn. Can she deliver?!] 01 [Session Start!] (Kenichi I think!) (Kenichi and Mayumi) 01 (Yes, that's it!) 06* Haruko has been thinking for a bit and bites her lip before proceeding. "Hmm... well, stalling until my drink gets here, I'm assuming you do know about Kyon's other career back in high school?" ( And Yutaro's the father.) 06* Haruko is actually refering to Kyon's shojo work under a pen name. She assumes Kyon would have told her if it was somehow still a secret from his author mother. 06* Tomoe cocks a ladylike brow? His writing I mean. 06* Haruko quickly glances over to look at Katie, hoping she hasn't blown a real secret. 06* Katie doesn't look concerned, and she also doesn't look like she's going to kill Haruko. In fact, she's eating nachos. 06* Tomoe nods! "Of course. He's been writing since he was a boy." ^_^ 01 [After a brief time out, the teams switch sides and now the Hawks are up to bat. Play ball!] 06* Haruko smiles. "Took after you from the start? Well, he didn't actually let on at school, at all." 06* Haruko then glances at the door, awaiting the arrival of courage in liquid form. (am I playing the runner here?) (I forgot) (No, I can do it.) (ok!) (Just posing. I figure the runner is available whenever someone wants to write a line for the him.) 01 (Could make Gryph do it. He's not doing anything!) I only found out secondhand, when some of our group were dragged out to a book signing by our school newspaper reporter. (Sure. Okay Gryph, you can decide when Haruko gets her booze, if you like.) (This includes paying attention!) (But sure, I'll run the delivery dude.) 06* Tomoe seems to be enjoying the story so far, lips slightly pressed together. (I think the delivery dude may have been a lady?) (It is a hostess. Having logs are useful!) 06* Haruko has a sip of tea. "I suppose it was an effort to keep from being too popular. He was already on student government and the baseball team. He always maintained his social network but he's not the type to get energy from fans, you know?" 06* Tomoe nods... It's a little strange to be talking so candidly about her son, or hearing such candidness.... But it's not out of bounds. [The runner returns with a beer and a fresh pot of tea as Matsanka pops the ball between the right and center feilders.] 06* Haruko thanks the runner and takes a drink. "But perhaps the most remarkable expression of his popularity is that he even had a minion. And not just a SGA secretary or the like." 01 (Sorry, had to AFK to take care of more of those wedding things.) [The runner hangs around for a few moments to see if there are any other requests for her, but, after Kenichi has been told that he can have another pretzel after he finishes his juice, she she leaves again.] (It's okay!) 06* Tomoe "A...?" 06* Katie gives Haruko an odd look. Minion? 06* Haruko smiles. "Oh, another student that acted like a notetaker when he was out of the area. Helped out with some out of school activities, that sort of thing." She looks thoughtful for a moment. But no one particularly competent. Hence the term minion. It was just high school after all. 01 It's a Haruko word. Well this story, Tomoe has never heard about. She presses her lips together more firmly, trying not to laugh! 06* Haruko looks over at Katie and takes another drink. "Am I the only one in watches James Bond films." She feigns offense. "I try to take an interest in your culture and this is the thanks I get?" 01 James Bond doesn't happen in high school, and Kyon's not a bad guy. (These are both objectivly false.) 06* Katie looks out the window as Hawks player Morimoto walks. She frowns a little. 01 (SHUSH YOU I'm good at lying!) "Excuse me, but what does James Bond have to do with anything?" She thinks back about ahh, Sean Connery... 06* Katie looks at Haruko. What *does* James Bond have to do with anything? 06* Haruko ponders and accepts defeat. "I suppose I have to give you that." She then looks back over to Tomoe. "Oh, it's where I got the word. But, anyways I heard a few theories as to why. It could just be the chance to ride his motorcycle, could just be some people want to be minions, that about cover it Katie?." 01 I don't think most people like being called minions. But yeah, Kyon was pretty popular in high school. More popular now. 06* Haruko takes another drink. "Right. Although presumably now he can pay someone to do that if he so desired." She tilts her head. "Although he probably doesn't need one. Maybe never did." 06* Katie shrugs, then claps when Hosokawa grounds out to a double play. (sorry, I was afk for a moment) 06* Haruko glances out and claps. "Ooh, and that's why he's so popular." she then looks back to Tomoe. 06* Tomoe smiles proudly, looking over the field. Well done, son! 06* Haruko continues to enjoy her beverage. "But, as you may have guessed, I was actually referring to myself." She gives a weak grin. "I hope you won't judge your son too harshly for associating with such a silly delinquent in his younger days." ( Get out of my box.) ( Okay, but I'm keeping the beer.) 06* Katie just shakes her head and eats nachos. 06* Tomoe is extremely surprised by this revelation! "Oh! I had no idea," she half-titters ^_^! It's sort of charming, especially the way it was told. [And the next batter gets a single resulting on a runner on third. The crowds on both sides go wild! Does Kyon have what it takes to get out of the inning scoreless?] 06* Katie watches. And snacks, but watches. The game is indeed thrilling at the moment, and Tomoe is enraptured... 06* Haruko smiles, bottle in hand. "A surprise? Good, I was hoping my bow would let me feign innocence." She then focuses on the game as well. 01 It's true. Haruko's very minion-y. 06* Katie doesn't seem to think that's a good thing. 01 [Strike one...] 06* Haruko glances over. "Based on your past statement, should I be insulted by that?" 06* Katie looks at Haruko like she's crazy for even asking that question. [Ball, followed by a fowl tip. The count is 2 and 1. Sea Lion fans get to their feet.] 01 (Sea lions! :D) Thought as much. [And a fast ball resulting in a long drive, it's out to right field and lands just right of the foul pole. Now all the fans are into it.] C'mon Kyon, get him out! 06* Katie leans forward, peering at Kyon. "I think he's going for it." 01 [And Kyon does, with an inside fastball that turns into strike three! The crowd goes wild as the teams move to switch sides.] 06* Haruko cheers as well and then leans back in relief. 06* Katie cheers, too! Though screaming doesn't seem to be a thing she really does; it's mostly clapping and a happy dance. 06* Haruko watches Katie's happy dance with a bemused expression, unused to not being the most excited one. Even Tomoe has a cheer! !!! 06* Katie totally happy dances! With nachos! She stands and claps and cheers. [Keichi cheers too, with some encouragemet from his mom. Cheering is fun and it's a good time for it.] (OH RIGHT THEM) "That's my son," Tomoe announces proudly to Keichi's mother. She gives Tomoe a broad smile in return. MOMS 06* Haruko doesn't stand up at this point. No point being a joiner. She just takes another sip and while the bottle is still up she whispers. "We can't all be masterminds." 06* Katie grins and sips her Coke as well. At Haruko's whisper, she rolls her eyes. Just a little. 06* Haruko shrugs. "So have we paid our story debt? Can we hear what was Kyon like as a young author? 06* Haruko seems to be amusing herself with various possible images of Kyon as a young scribe as she awaits an answer. That and the alcohol. 06* Tomoe nods. "I do believe you have. Let me see... Well when he was*very* small, his stories were very simple. There were a few about, well, we took a trip to the zoo and he found the bears very impressive. Oh, he must have been four. He wrote some lovely little stories about bears having adventures. Some had illustrations!" She smiles. "But the story that made me realize that he wasn't just echoing mother but engaging his inner creativity was one about Momotaro. I remember it well... One of Momotaro's animal friends got a flu and had to rest, and so Momotaro had to pick another animal to travel with! He was probably seven at the time." (WHY IS THAT IN ITALICS) ( I don't see italics) 01 (Neither do I!) ( I see. Them Not sure. I'm guessing the * triggered it) (Err.. I'm not sure why though.) (bizarre, well I see them! glad you don't. ^^;) 01 (N, there's a block there that shows up when an unrecognized command is used. That's probably it.) 01 (* alone wouldn't do it.) 01 (But I get those when I use smart quotes.) 06* Katie smiles a little at the story. "Did Momotaro's friend get better?" "I believe he did, yes. But the new friend got to stay too, and they all had adventures together." ^_^ I suppose bears are could be quite intimidating when you're small. ::she leas forward to hear whether the animal got better:: Do you remember what new animal Momotaro picked? Or was it one of those stories that just focuses on the act of choosing? "it was a kangaroo!" Tomoe says in a peal of laughter! 06* Katie outright grins and says, "Maybe a different picture." She pushes her now empty tray of nachos aside and picks up her sketchbook, flipping to a new page, and starts drawing. 06* Haruko laughs along. "I was really thinking a cat. Obviously, I underestimated the creative and range of cultural references of the budding prodigy. You must have been quite proud." "Oh, I was, I was!" (Skip ahead, or do you want to reveal your drawing now Katie?) (creative->creativity) 01 (Skip ahead!) [The innings fly by for our observers in the box. Things probably aren't quite so quick for Kyon, the Hawks take the lead with 2 runs. The Lions begin to catch up, but Kokubo homers in the top of the fifth, putting our heroes behind 3-1.] [OH NO] 06* Tomoe ends up snacking a little bit compulsively! Oh Kyon, ganbatte!! 06* Katie has started staring out the window once the Lions fell behind. 03* WeightofTaki is now known as Nozomu 06* Haruko is sharing her edamame and is starting her third beer and is a tinge red of face. She'd been standing up to cheer Kyon on out of the winning and now flops down in her chair. 06* Nozomu arrives shortly after Ryo steped up to bat and sent a foul ball into the bleachers behind him. He looks haggered and is clutching a Lions pennant in his hand. [The father of our co-guests, Ohsaki, has been doing alright from a fielding perspective. He wasn't able to get to the ball in time to stop a double in third but did catch a fly ball last inning before the home run. He'll be up later this inning.] 06* Katie glances back at the arrival and blinks. "Nozomu-san." She stands. "You made it." Two runs is still not that far behind. The Lions just need to get a... 06* Haruko is a bit startled when Nozomu arrives and immediately stands up slightly spilling her drink. She grimaces for a moment, and hurriedly lays down a few napkins before standing again to face her host. 06* Nozomu bows briefly to each of the girls in greeting. "Yes, yes I did. For a few hours I was begining to think that I would never see the the outside of the confrence room again, let alone the game." 06* Tomoe is very happy! She pours her husband some tea, with a private smile. "It has been eventful so far," she says. "Kyon is doing well." 06* Haruko gives a deeper bow and lets the man catch up with his wife. 06* Nozomu takes it greatfully. "Thank you dear, it's good to hear that." 06* Katie bows back, having been stung a little by the not-bow thing last time. [And it's a single, could this be the rally the Sea Lions need? Abe comes to bat.] 01 (I don't think they are Sea Lions.) (Err....) (I think they're just Lions) 06* Katie looks back and moves to lean against her chair, still standing, to see the game. (Was confusing my games for a moment. -Sea) 06* Nozomu sips his tea and idly flexes his knees one at a time. "Have you been enjoying the game?" 06* Haruko finishes cleaning up after her spill, disposing of the wet napkins. (Way to remember to not abuse your powers!) 01 (Oh, she probably helped the alcohol into the napkins, just a little.) "I have, dear," she says. "It's been exciting." 06* Haruko looks pleased that none of the alcohol managed to penetrate the carpeting. Imagine that. She retrieves her beer and stands over by Katie trying to show good posture and cover for her first impression. [And Abe gets a hit, but gets Sakata out. He reaches base but that diminishes the rally hopes.] 06* Nozomu looks at the game through the window and nods. "I see." 06* Haruko gives a whisper that a normal person could hear. "Did I get any on me?" She's still wearing her low cut blouse and white hair ribbon, but her jacket rests on the back of one of the chairs. She's warmed up some from the standing. * Nozomu doesn't look to find out, instead he takes the chair next to his wife. She smiles at him. "Did everything go well?" 06* Katie glances over at Haruko while the Soratas are talking and rubs at her shirt's hemline. [And a double by Hara! Everyone is on their feat as the potential winning run comes to plate. Keichi looks to his mother. "That's daddy, right?" Mayumi smiles and nods and looks out with a bit of trepidation. No pressure Ohsaki...] 06* Katie watches now! 06* Nozomu stands. "Has the entire game been like this?" "For the last while, it has," Tomoe says, also standing. Oh, go Ohsaki! 06* Haruko gives a quick nod and puts her beer down again while grabbing another cocktail napkin splitting her attention between dabbing at her dress and watching the game. 01 (Between the two of us, we are the ultimate clean up crew!) [And its a fly to left field, the ball sails high in the air, going long towards the bleachers. But with a leap Tamura intercepts the ball and throws it towards home as Abe runs for the base...] 06* Nozomu leans forward. 06* Haruko holds her breath watching and waiting at the outcome. She also covers the stain with one napkin bearing hand. [And the timing is close, there's a hush over the crowd that's replaced by loud cheers as Abe is called safe into base. The decision is met by isolated jeers disputing the call.] [Keichi is disappointed. "Daddy got out again."] 06* Tomoe TSKS. 06* Haruko removes the napkin as she cheers the run. She gives Katie a quick smile and returns to her drink. Something of a sacrifice, we're catching up. [Mayumi begins to explain how scoring works to her son, which leads to him running around the room chanting RBI. She gives a slightly embarrassed look to Nozomu, but kids will be kids.] 06* Nozomu does his best to pretend the child isn't there. 06* Katie actually grins a little at the running and chanting, especially now that her earplugs are adjusted. 06* Tomoe finds it cute. 06* Haruko comments, perhaps to Katie, perhaps to Nozomu if he chooses to acknowledge it, "I like the games that have a lot of small advancements, sacrifices, and stolen bases. It feels like luck plays a smaller role." 01 Yeah. Plus, it usually gives more time to eat nachos. 06* Tomoe nods! [And Goutu hits a line drive that gets bobbled by the short stop, letting him reach first as Hara gets to third, setting up another run possibility. Hirao comes to the plate.] 01 Ouch, error. 06* Nozomu conciders. "For games I'm simply watching, some back and forth is best. But I would not complain in the slightest if Kyon pitched a perfect game." 06* Tomoe smiles, perhaps almost smirks, in agreement. 06* Haruko looks pleased at the response but doesn't follow-up immediately as the atmosphere is still quite charged. [Hirao hits a line drive to second, its thrown to first, and inning over. Hawks 3 Lions 2.] 06* Katie lets out a breath. "Nice rally. Good chance they'll catch up." 06* Nozomu nods and then smiles slightly as Kyon takes the fields. 06* Haruko misjudges the line drive and cheers for a moment before sighing and nodding. Inning over she turns to Nozomu. "Thank you for giving us the opportunity to watch your son in such splendor, sir." She does still seem a bit awestruck by the box, but the free booze is helping. 06* Tomoe glances at her husband, catching the small gesture of fatherly pride. It warms her, that he could come, and that he's here, watching the game... 06* Katie looks at Haruko strangely, because frankly, that statement was strange. Unless you counted the fact that Nozomu sired Kyon. 06* Haruko doesn't notice Katie's confusion. [Well, she may think that Nozomu paid for the box?] 06* Nozomu takes his eyes off the game long enough to look at Haruko, and then glance at Katie. 06* Katie shrugs at Nozomu. 06* Nozomu goes back to looking at Haruko. "You ... you're quite welcome." 01 Oh. Introductions. This is Haruko Kinsha, Kyon's friend. Haruko, this is Nozomu Sorata, Kyon's father. (*RDM facepalms.* Nozomu should have asked for the name ages ago ^^;) 01 (It's all good, he walked in at a tense time in the game!) (Yup) 06* Haruko notices the confusion and blushes slightly but can't quite figure out what she said wrong. She bows again. "A pleasure to meet you, sir." [And Kyon finishes warming up as Morimoto comes to the plate.] 06* Nozomu gives Haruko a sharp bow. "You as well." But his tone of voice says he's uncertain of this. 06* Haruko notes the tone and glances at the field. "Oh, Kyon is pitching again." She sounds relieved. 06* Nozomu nods and lets himself get distracted. "Yes." 06* Katie grins, but she does say to Nozomu, "I'm really glad you could make it. I think Kyon will be, too." [Strike out! Hosokawa is up.] 06* Nozomu smiles. "He's certainly doing well now." [Keichi goes into another bout of RBI chanting now that there's cheering again. Mayumi tries to get him to stop, or at least to chant strike out instead.] (... You know, if he manages to run into Nozumo, I think he'd totally give him the pennant.) (cute!) That's Kyon seventh's... ::Haruko pauses, does a mental review and checks her phone:: Eight strike out this game. 06* Tomoe nods! (Yikes, I might be getting tired. -'s and Eight->Eighth) 06* Nozomu nods. "Very well." 06* Haruko continues to look at her phone while sounding out a name. "Fa-al- ken-borg has only gotten 3. And he let one stolen base get by him." [And Hosokawa grounds out. Keichi perhaps has picked up a little more of the game and this time he just runs around chanting Out until he bumps into Nozumo. Mayumi rushes shakes his head and rushes over to scoop him up.] Hmm. 06* Nozomu reaches over hand hands over the pennant he brough with him. "I think this needs to go to somebody with more enthusiasm than me." (out to hand over Gah, I fail at revising) 06* Haruko chatters, oblivious to the running. "Back in high school, no one could hit that pitch..." She looks over to see the hand off and smiles. 06* Tomoe notices this? Ah... It's been a long time since a tiny kid ran into Nozomu's legs. Ohhhhh and he gave Kenichi the pennant - ah! She smiles! 06* Katie smiles, too. The cuteness, it will get to anyone! 06* Tomoe GIVES KATIE EYES. Tiny Soratas some day? [Mayumi looks pleased as Kenichi does a little bow of thanks. His mother seems pleasantly surprised.] (Oh god, she won over Tomoe, I'm doomed.) 06* Katie doesn't eye Tomoe! Though she may (read: almost definitely) notices. 01 (-s) (Tomoe is probably blurred by the small child cuteness. Katie seems like the most likely person here to give her grandchildren some day.) [Uchikawa got out on a fly ball and now Kurose from the Lions is up.] 06* Nozomu bows back and then checks to see if the teams have finished changing yet. 06* Haruko sees the Tomoe's look at Katie and ponders it. She quietly asks, "Am I missing something here? There's been a few looks and awkward pauses?" She frowns for a moment and puts down her beer. Probably best to stop now that Nozomu is here. 06* Katie reaches for her satchel and pulls out a small pad. She picks up her pencil and writes: "Mom sizing me up. Dad doesn't like me much." She slides it over to Haruko while the Soratas watch their son. 06* Haruko looks over the satchel and whispers back at Katie only volume. "Any way I can help? Or at least not hurt?" 06* Katie shrugs a little, tearing the page out of her notebook and tucking it into her pocket. [Mini on hold until SUNDAY]