<@Ciara> [Date: Friday, May 14th.] <@Ciara> [In the not quite two and a half months since Haruko did her big phone call checkins with Hirokazu and Sumire, she's passed relevant bits of information to them here and there. News they can use!] <@Ciara> [Now, as the campaign season has started to kick into higher gear, she's going to follow up with both of them. She's got campaigns to manage now! Two of them, even!] <@Ciara> [Let's follow along on her following up. Session Start!] * @Haruko had a fairly intense morning, revising and then sending off a message to Kaede that left her feeling rather exposed. Her wardrobe was thrown together quickly and she's now headed out of class with her somewhat out of season 'heavy metal queen' duster atop a short dark brown skirt and a white button-up chemise. She sends quick texts to both of them, checking if Hirokazu is around on campus and wants to get together and if Sumire is free sometime. She's more pessemistic about getting a quick response on the latter. <@Ciara> [Hirokazu responds that he's not on campus, but he's got time for texts or a phone call.] <@Ciara> [Sumire does not respond yet.] * @Haruko checks if he has any preference on time and offers to give a call. She heads towards a somewhat secluded arcade near one of the less used libraries, where she won't have too much risk of being overheard. <@Ciara> [Conveniently, he's available for a call at about the time Haruko's going to reach the arcade. Beep boop!] * @Haruko lays out her jacket on a bench and gets out one of her little notebooks. She then dials Hirokazu, pen and notebook in hand. <@Ciara> [Hirokazu picks up. "Hello!"] <@Haruko> Hi! How are you doing? <@Ciara> ["Pretty good, pretty good! So what's going on?"] <@Haruko> Let's see, business or fun stuff first? <@Ciara> ["Aww, let's get the business over with."] <@Haruko> So, a few of the Sakuragaoka crew, Katie Andrews and Sorata Kyon, are running for Council. If you decide you're going to participate in all that, I'd like to ask for your support. <@Ciara> ["Oh, I'm more than just participating," Hirokazu says.] * @Haruko sits straight up. "Oh yeah?" <@Ciara> ["I'm running!" His tone is quite gleeful.] <@Haruko> Oh! What's your platform? <@Ciara> ["I wanna show Yorihisa-sempai that I can do just as good a job at things as he can!"] <@Haruko> Uh huh. So what do you think is the most important part about the job? <@Ciara> ["He'll have to see me as his equal!" Hirokazu maaaaaaaaaaaaay be going on a pre-decided rant rather than answering Haruko's questions here.] * @Haruko rolls her eyes, somewhat disguising her exasperation in her voice but not on her face. "And what would you use that status as his peer to do?" <@Ciara> ["Help Arcana out! With powers and things!"] * @Haruko chuckles softly. "That is a start." <@Ciara> ["Exactly! And maybe I'll get more inspiration for my game, too."] <@Haruko> Huh. <@Ciara> ["So if I vote for your friends, will you all vote for me? I'm Sakuragaoka crew, too!"] * @Haruko mmms. "I know what they're running on, but it's a secret ballot and we haven't really talked about who they're voting for otherwise. I can totally tell them that you're running and your reasons why though." <@Ciara> ["Well, okay, why are they running, then?"] <@Haruko> So Katie thinks it's important that Arcana don't victimize people going forward. In the bad old days, people would do stuff just because their powers let them or because they had tough allies. She wants to make sure we don't go back to that. <@Ciara> ["Do you think that's going to be a problem?"] * @Haruko mmms again. "I don't think it's going to be like it was, kidnapping and all that. But even in the ordinary world, powerful people sometimes exploit others because they can. I think it's important that we all agree that doing that is wrong, because if we stand together people will be less likely to think they can get away with stuff. <@Ciara> ["So being on the Council means making sure people don't get away with stuff. I can get behind that."] * @Haruko smiles. "Right. And Kyon is running more as a voice of experience. He was on student council and has helped out with his family's brewery. He's running to offer leadership and steadiness." <@Ciara> ["So what does *he* think about people using powers and getting away with stuff?"] <@Haruko> Good question. My answer is that back then, he often put himself on the line to protect people. <@Ciara> ["But he wouldn't give that as his answer?"] <@Haruko> I think his answer would focus on how he'd try to bring people together to prevent that from happening and to respond if it did. But I can pass that question and anything else to him if you like, his answer is probably better than mine. <@Ciara> ["Okay!"] <@Haruko> Have you spoken with our current representative yet? I know Councilmembers Maeda are taking this quite seriously. The may also be able to tell you if Yorihisa-san is treating other Councilmembers as proper equals. <@Ciara> ["Nope! I don't think I know them! Wait, why are there two of them? I thought there was only one person already!"] <@Haruko> The Two of Cups is two people. Councilmember Yumi Maeda and Yuji Maeda. Their power is kind of complicated, and I don't really understand it. That said, they just take one slot and means we Cups have two people already to talk about our problems with. <@Ciara> ["Okayyyyyyyyyyy. Well, as long as I still get to run! Hey, do you know if anyone else who's a Cup is running? You're not, right, but how about other people?"] <@Haruko> I'm not no. And I'm not sure. There are a few groups that helped defeat the Oni that I haven't heard of any one running from yet. The Jackals and Tomoyuki-san's people. So it wouldn't surprise me if there are a few candidates left out there. <@Ciara> ["Hmmm, okay, but right now that means I'm unopposed!"] <@Haruko> Yup, a good time to work hard and prepare. Will you have to put your game on hold if you win? <@Ciara> ["Nope! This isn't a full-time sort of gig. I mean, look at Yorihisa-sempai! He's a corporate bigshot and everything now!"] <@Haruko> I suppose he is. <@Ciara> ["So I should have time to work on my game *and* be on the Council!"] <@Haruko> Hmm... Well, if you ever want to talk about what it's like balancing important responsibilities and your passion, Kyon might also have some insights. <@Ciara> ["I'll think about it!"] <@Haruko> Cool. So that's my business stuff. I shall ask the Kami to stir up in you all the traits that would make you a public servant worthy of admiration. <@Ciara> ["Wow, a genuine miko blessing! Thanks!"] * @Haruko blushes a little. "You're welcome." <@Ciara> [As Haruko finishes up her call with Hirokazu, she gets a text from Sumire saying that she's free now, if Haruko still wants to talk.] * @Haruko texts back that she is free and asks where she'd like to meet. Haruko's got her bike and would also be happy to give Sumire a ride if she's got she'd like to go or to be afterwards. <@Ciara> [Sumire's reply is that she's actually going to be headed to a recording studio in a bit, so if Haruko would like to meet up in person they could do it there.] * @Haruko gets headed to her bike, writing a quick text in response. works 4 me - addy/landmark? <@Ciara> [Sumire provides the information! It's probably about a fifteen minute drive from where Haruko is now.] * @Haruko sends along that estimate, giving herself a little wiggle room to get presentable once she arrives, and then hops on her bike. Her coat is too heavy for the weather, but she'll still enjoy it trailing behind her. <@Ciara> [Sumire texts instructions on what to do once she gets there. She's left word with the receptionist that Haruko will be arriving.] * @Haruko does have to check the detailed street map once she's in the neighborhood, but made good time. She takes a minute to pin up her hair with the assistance of her motorcycle mirrors and then heads to the receptionist, prepared to follow directions. Getting into buildings to see Arcana is a lot easier these days now that she's actually invited. <@Ciara> [The receptionist directs Himeyama-san's guest to a waiting/lounge room, where Sumire is, in fact, lounging. The walls and couch and chairs are all a fairly uniform shade of beige, but the seating is quite plush. Sumire herself is only doing so much to make up for the lack of color, given she's wearing all black, but her hair is as bright red as ever and she has a fair amount of silver jewelry. She has a pair of white headphones on and her eyes are closed as she mouths along with the words to whatever music she's listening to.] * @Haruko calls out a quick greeting, not expecting to be heard. She heads over to a chair facing Sumire and waits a minute to see if there's a break in the music. <@Ciara> [Sumire has her eyes closed for a moment longer, and man, her eyeshadow is amazing - she's got this great pale purple base and plum accents.] * @Haruko is feeling a little self conscious because she did rush out the door this morning so her hair is in order, but a bit outclassed. She does make note of the eyeshadow as something to consider inquiring about later. <@Ciara> [Sumire opens her eyes a moment later and smiles at Haruko, not seeming surprised in the least to see her there. "Good evening, Kinsha- san," she says. removing the headphones and settling them around her neck. "Thank you for being accommodating."] * @Haruko smiles back and gives a quick bow. "Good evening, thank you for inviting me over. Working on a new album?" <@Ciara> [Sumire stretches, draping one arm across the back of the couch. "New concepts. New stage persona. What do you think?" Her voice is a little slower and her manner of speaking more formal than Haruko's used to.] * @Haruko gives an appraising look and walks a quarter circle around the couch, thinking. <@Haruko> Refined, but hinting at the underlying steel. Mature without being boring, love the eyeshadow which keeps it from being somber. I'd also say, hmm... <@Ciara> [Sumire raises an eyebrow. "Also?"] * @Haruko tilts her head, "If you feel like experimenting further a hint of color, maybe in the trim of your shirt or pants, could tie things together nicely." She shrugs, "That said, the only stage I'm on is as an enthusiastic amateur, is probably a lot more lit, and has a less packed crowd, so take my judgment about subtle touches with a huge grain of salt." <@Ciara> [Sumire chuckles softly. "Noted." She sits upright. "Even small potential self-reinventions are hard." She gives Haruko an intense look. "If you don't mind, would you please turn around a sec?"] * @Haruko spins 180 degrees. "You don't have to tell me twice. I'm probably going to trim my hair after my dancing swan song, but I've been agonizing over how much." <@Ciara> [Sumire laughs. "Actually I was admiring your coat. Although you might want to be careful wearing it around here. I know at least one guitarist who would take that as a challenge."] * @Haruko grins and stretches out her arms, clearly showing the katakana stiching she did. "It's sartorial comfort food for me. And of course they would have every right to do so. But I am using it in the vehicular and engineering sense. Still, I'm merciful and if they don't want to race me I'd compromise on a dance-off." <@Ciara> ["Fair warning, she's got some pretty wicked stage routines." Sumire grins and settles back onto the couch. "So, what did you want to talk about?"] * @Haruko sits down, her voice betraying a tiredness she trieds to hide from her movements. "Send her my way if she wants, I'm tired of holding back all the time." She slips her arm out of the coat, leaving it resting on the back of the chair. "Election stuff. I'd be interested in hearing what you think of all this. If this is an okay place to talk." <@Ciara> ["The soundproofing in this room is very good. Part of why I chose it."] * @Haruko glances at it, appraisingly, she takes Sumire at her word but may need to take such steps for some of her future experiments. "Wise." <@Ciara> ["So, the election. I know that some of your friends and allies are candidates."] * @Haruko nods. "They're still a bit leary and want more transparency. At the same time, they see some value and think the chance to shape it may be worth the risk. I spoke with my rep, the Two of Cups, and she, they, seemed to be taking the job seriously. How are you leaning?" * @Haruko thinks and corrects herself. "A lot leary." <@Ciara> [Sumire considers this. "And yet, despite their skepticism, they've thrown in their lots." She leans further back into her seat. "Takeo even suggested that I should run." She smiles wryly. "Even if there hadn't been two very qualified candidates already out there, Takeo himself would say he's not the Council type."] * @Haruko chuckles herself at Takeo's self awareness. She then considers this information that she already has at the forefront of her mind. "You'd be a formidable candidate." Haruko doesn't want to dwell on that just yet though. "The way the Council was set up was certainly a power play. At the same time, I think Katie would say that it is better to participate and share what we learn and hope to do than to stay aloof and risk ignorance." <@Ciara> ["I do my research," Sumire answers. "Although there's not a whole lot out there on some of the candidates just yet. How much attention have you been paying to the chat on Shuffle?"] * @Haruko thinks. "Two Pentacles. Matthias-san and Fuyuken-san." Her tone is pointedly flat for the latter name. "Two Wands, including Yamagata- san. I've also just learned of a Cup candidate, though he may already be broadcasting it on Shuffle." <@Ciara> [Sumire hmms. "There were no Cups declared the last time I checked. I saw two Pentacles, two Wands, two Swords."] Two Swords? <@Ciara> [Sumire nods. "And neither of them are me."] So your a step ahead of me then. Do you know their platforms? <@Ciara> ["I should hope that you're familiar with one of them," Sumire teases.] * Haruko sticks out her tongue ever so slightly, casting her head down slightly and giving Sumire a look in return. "Quite familiar yes." She takes a breath and switches to a slightly more formal tone "You've seen her basic stance already then. I don't know if the things we discussed on Wednesday are up yet though." <@Ciara> ["I haven't seen any updates," Sumire answers. "The second one is the King of Swords."] Huh, I'm not familiar. Though there's a more than a few people whose cards I don't know. <@Ciara> ["I don't know much about them, either. Right now they have a logo and some cryptic comments about upending the system. Bold words, but probably not impossible, given that the system is still in formation. Or reformation."] * Haruko purses her lips. "Not impossible at all I'd think. But also much easier to upend than to put something better in its place." <@Ciara> ["It's true. But I can see a certain amount of people being resentful at having been left out of the initial setup... and round of invitations."] And fairly so. The explaination of potential violence is not implausible, but is also a cover. For the system to earn upholding, whoever comes in next will have a lot of work to do. My dreams of the old system only tell me so much, but some of the complaints against it seem quite just. <@Ciara> [Sumire raises an eyebrow. "Dreams of the old system?"] * Haruko nods, sitting up a little straighter. "My predecessor was a member of the last Council in Hiroshima. Komine Isao." She smiles a little, "It's only been a few time, but it's more than a little strange to wake up and thinking myself a Christian priest for a even a moment." <@Ciara> [Sumire blinks a few times. "Father Komine..." she says softly.] * Haruko stands slipping out of her jacket and moving to sit over by Sumire. "Our past selves knew each other?" she asks softly. <@Ciara> [Sumire nods slowly, looking up at Haruko. "Father Komine provided shelter to us. A group of young Arcana under the care of a woman named Hasebe-san."] * Haruko's eyes widen a bit. There's a lot to take in, quickly. "I..." She then remembers how Wataru reacted to knowing that she was still in touch with Sumire. "I have not had dreams of this exactly. But I do recall some Council skepticism of the collaboration. I know no one made it out in the end, but I hope that he and Hasebe-san tended to your group well, and I think that you all meant a lot to them." <@Ciara> [Sumire's expression is solemn. "I hope that Hasebe-san, whoever she is now, is happy. She deserved it."] * Haruko nods and matches the solemness. "If you meet others in that group. I would be gladly speak with them if it would be of help. Should I have the chance to meet her successor, I can convey that message if you wish." <@Ciara> ["Thank you." Sumire steals a glance at her watch. "My recording session's going to start soon."] <@Ciara> ["I know that you would like me to say that I'll support both your candidates. But I need time, and research. I will give them fair and full consideration. And I'm going to be talking to Takeo about it."] * Haruko nods, standing up and goes to stand by her jacket. She bows, "Thank you for your time and consideration. What you have offered is all I can ask. I know my predecessor encountered a range of people, all trying to reform or radically change the system. All had some good reasons, but too often they worked at cross purposes. I think Isao-sama might want us to do what you're trying to do, take our time and give a fair hearing. And I hope we can do this again sometime." She drapes her jacket around her shoulders and prepares to show herself out. <@Ciara> [Session End!]