<@Ciara> [Date: Friday, May 21st.] <@Ciara> [It's a warm, sunny afternoon. Haruko and Maki have taken the opportunity to head out and check out a combination garage/parts shop that is actually run by a Tokyo Tech alum. They did some tag team research: Haruko compiled a list with a few promising places (with Tokyo Tech connections) and passed it to Maki, who did some further searching online and decided that this one was the most promising.] <@Ciara> [Haruko offered to drive them over, but Maki wanted to have some time to chat a bit before they arrived, and so they are walking over from the closest subway stop.] <@Ciara> [Session Start!] * @Haruko is wearing her pale blue coverall pants with the top-half tied around her waist, a grey tank top, and a bag that includes the portable version of her toolkit. "So have you decided on what sort of ride you're hunting for?" * @Maki hmms. "I've been looking at for sale ads and so far everything ranges from 'it's free but you have to know someone with a large vehicle because it literally doesn't move anymoe on its own' to 'this sounds amazing, so what's the catch?'" She has her hair in a ponytail, and is actually wearing a dark blue t-shirt (because working on vehicles and pastels generally don't mix) and some old dark blue jeans, with a backpack slung over one shoulder. * @Haruko nods and grins. "Should have know you'd apply your eye for bargains here." * @Maki also grins. "I'm fine with spending on parts and labor, but I also want something that doesn't need a complete overhaul. Getting to know it, addding some customizing, absolutely." <@Haruko> Right. Hard to get to know him if you can't turnover the engine for the first two months. * @Maki laughs. "Is that also a metaphor?" <@Haruko> I'll never tell. <@Haruko> But yours a fun answer, makes this more like a treasure hunt for the best prospect. <@Haruko> My need for something that comfortably seats five is gonna knock out a lot of options. * @Maki snerks. "Well, I like doing my research. Thanks for getting the list for me. This place sounds pretty good. Still kind of small, but expanding, and it sounds like they try to have really good relationships with customers in terms of doing good work and finding things for them." * @Haruko nods with a bit of pride. "As should be the case for any former Tokyo Tech motor club members." * @Maki is quiet for a moment, then says, "Soooooo, about this me running for president of the Motor Club thing..." * @Haruko notes the moment of quiet but tries to keep it from her face. "Mhmmm?" <@Maki> Well, so far I think nobody else is even thinking about running, and I'm wondering if I might just win by default, and exactly what I'm getting myself into here. * @Haruko is a bit surprised by this. "Amano-san's not running?" She makes quiet tongue click sound. "He's more self-aware than I realized. Well, depends on two things, the other officers and how big your ambitions are." * @Maki shrugs. "Last I heard, he wasn't. Maybe he's just waiting to announce it, but yeah, he might be concentrating on job searching and his final year classes. Also my ambitions are... well, they're basically 'let's have fun, make stuff, and keep a good supply of snacks on hand.'" She pauses. "Oh. And DDR." * @Haruko nods. "All fine ambitions. So there's some work there, but the real costs and logistics and such come in when we compete. Which is a good way to both get recruits and see what we make in action." * @Maki nods, but she still has an uncertain look. Haruko probably realizes, from past experiences with Maki, that sometimes when she's been thinking about an idea on her own for a while, she has a tendency to doubt herself as to whether or not she can pull it off properly without some definite support. * @Haruko waits to see if Maki has more to add and looks over her friend before continuing. "Amano-san's trouble is he didn't do his research. He'd grab flyers because the person holding the checkerboard flag was wearing a bikini or that were a bad match for what we had on hand. Like I had a lot of fun on some of those races, but if you do your diligent research thing and we find a good secretary, we can pull this off without any of that misery or last minute fundraising drives." * @Maki makes an amused sound. "I still hear that riduculously stupid jingle from that last fundraising drive in my dreams." She stops, pulls a piece of paper out of her pocket, and looks at the directions. "I think we might be here." It's a garage-type building that's fairly plain on the outside, with a standard-sized person door and the requisite roll-up metal door for vehicles up to small truck size. * @Haruko looks it over. Is there a sign on the door that says to come on in. "Not that glamorous, but that shouldn't be the priority starting out." <@Maki> Nope! Just need to be able to make things work and help other people make things work! * @Haruko runs a hand through her long hair with a distant look for the moment before walking up to open the door. <@Maki> [Haruko opens the door. A bell rings as they step in. To the left, there's a small office with the door open; the desk and walls are covered with pices of paper and diagrams, though the paper is in neat piles. To the right are bins and racks of various parts. The back opens to a garage area with a van, two cars, and a motorcyle. Two young men are chatting. One of them is obviously a mechanic, with bleached blond hair and somewhat grease-stained coveralls, with a name patch on them that reads 'Serizawa.' The other is a lanky young man with touseled black hair, wearing dark gray jeans and a white tank top under an open short-sleeved black shirt, who is casually leaning forward on the counter towards Serizawa.] * Kira winks. * @Haruko is briefly overwhelmed by the range of intriguing stimuli. She checks out the parts, the vehicles, and glances for anything interesting in the diagrams before turning her attention to the people, who are of secondary import. <@Maki> [Serizawa grins at Kira, shifting his weight slightly on the counter/bench, before looking up at the sound of the bell. "'Scuse me for a sec," he says to Kira, before calling off to the side, "Oi, boss! Customers!" and then calling over to Haruko and Maki, "Boss'll be with you in a second!"] <@Maki> [The diagrams are a mixture of racing bikes, cars, and interestingly enough heavy hauling vehicles.] * @Maki tends to be Parts Before Boys herself, so she immediately starts scrutinizing some of the nearby shelves. * @Haruko gives a quick thumbs up while letting her attention settle on the diagrams. She looks for anything worth of comment with a little extra attention on the heavy hauling vehicles, as she hasn't really had a chance to play with those much and it's interesting to see their insides. They also make some use of diesel engines, so there may be an idea or two for her bike. <@Maki> [Another voice calls from the back, "Apologies for the delay!" A man in his early thirties steps out of the garage area and walks into the front, in a blue shirt, dark blue work pants, and sturdy boots. His name patch reads Yoshikawa. "How may I help you today?"] * @Haruko gives a quick bow. "Kinsha and Tomika. We heard about you from some of our friends in the Tokyo Tech automotive club. We're both on the hunt for vehicles in need of a bit of TLC. Me for a road trip, her to keep." <@Maki> [Serizawa turns his attention back to Kira. "So yeah, if you know your way around a shop or a stockroom, we could really use another person 'round here."] * @Maki looks up from her perusal of the parts and gives a quick bow of her own. Hey, you know. I've been around the block a few times. <@Maki> [Yoshikawa gets a nostalgic smile. "Tokyo Tech, huh? Those were the days. Good to know that they're passing our shop's name along." He throws a quick glance towards the back, then turns his attention back to Haruko. "So, road trip, you'd be looking for a loaner, then? Are you looking for room, efficiency, endurance?" He calls over to Maki, "And yours, what type are you looking for? Bike, car? Motor Club always had a bit of both."] <@Maki> [Serizawa grins. "Defintely could use a guy with experience."] Good thing I brought my CV, then. See that number, just there? Give it a call any time. * @Haruko echoes the smile. "Room. Minimum of four passengers, though some of them could snuggle up. Less than five hour journey, and then some short hops, so I can skimp on the other two." * @Maki walks a bit closer to the conversation. "Bike, definitely. I'm looking for something that I can make my own but that I don't quite have to build from the ground up." * @Haruko walks in closer as well. This place has been refreshingly free of condescension thus far, but she's not ready yet to let her guard down. <@Maki> [Yoshikawa nods. "Understood and understood. Well, if you're looking for passenger capacity, our van back there is available for loan. Not the most stylish of vehicles, and you'll probably have to stop to fuel up at least once on your way, but it will get you where you want to go. We're tuning it up right now, but as long as you're not planning on leaving tomorrow, I think it should be available. As for the bike... the one back there is currently one we're fixing for a customer, but we do get various ones passing through, so we'll certainly be happy to try to find a match for you if something comes in."] * @Haruko nods and walks over to it, giving a quick bow and smile to the other gents as she passes them by. <@Haruko> Not tomorrow, though if any of the tuning isn't the best use of your fine staff's time, I'd be happy to take it on for a rate cut. I like to make sure I return any loaners in better shape than I found them. * @Haruko eyes show a bit of amusement at that last line, but if there's some sort of reference there she's not giving any further hint as to what it might be. <@Maki> [Serizawa bows as Haruko passes. Yoshikawa walks back with her. "I was about to ask that you not step across this line-" he motions to a yellow and black-striped tape line on the floor, "without proper footwear, but you came fully prepared." He seems impressed. "But no, we wouldn't ask a customer to do the work themselves." He pauses. "Athough we are hiring."] <@Maki> [Serizawa laughs. "Okay, boss, I get the hint. Hang on a second," he says to Kira. "Lemme get the papwerwork for you."] * @Maki looks at her sneakers. "Tragically, I came unprepared." * @Haruko grins. "I'm quite fond of my toes, which means properly armoring them in a work space." Sure thing. * Kira takes in the new arrivals, leaning on the counter with a nonchalant smile. * @Haruko gives a quick walk around, glancing under the hood if it's open. She contemplates the point and then sighs. "My current part-time is on campus and a little more hydrological engineering relevant." She tilts her head. "I don't suppose you have any days you need some surge labor. I guess that's more a festival or retail thing." * @Maki heads towards the garage area but hangs back a little, both out of shyness and lack of proper footwear. She studies the motorcycle intently. <@Maki> [Yoshikawa chuckles. "Maybe I ought to have Serizawa bring two sets of forms." Meanwhile, Serizawa yells from the office, "Boss! What pile is in it again? Your filing system only makes sense to you!" There's a comfortable tone to his banter.] <@Maki> ["Pardon me for a moment," Yoshikawa says, and heads towards the office. "Second stack on the front left!" This leaves Haruko and Maki alone with the potential employee, who maybe looks a little familiar to Haruko? She's met a lot of guys at various racing events. He might be from one of those? Or maybe she's confusing him with someone else.] * @Haruko finishes her inspection of the van for now and rejoins the group, cross backing over the yellow and black line. She glance over to Maki, "Wanna swap shoes?" She then looks to Kira, really focusing on him for the first time. "Hey, did I see you at the '03 All Weather Cross- Country? I don't claim to know every experienced mechanic my age in Tokyo, but I've seen quite a few." * Kira has a slow grin. "Well, I don't think I've ever been to one of those, but I'm sure I'd remember you if I had been," he says. * @Maki looks surprised. "Oh! Sure... uh, wait, no, I think your shoes are little too small for me. I tried borrowing that one dress pair once." * @Haruko takes another look over Kira. "It was a memorable day." She finds a seat and hikes up a coverall leg. "You sure? There's a bit more room in boots and it wouldn't be for long." * @Maki looks at Haruko, then at the other guy, then at Haruko again. "This is absolutely only because you would like me to be able to get a better look at the motorcyle and no other reason." * @Haruko evenly replies. "It'd be a shame to go to a garage but not have a chance to check out what's on display." She takes off a shoe and lightly kicks it over by Maki before proceeding to hike up her other coverall leg. * Kira is now leaning with his back against the counter, looking at her and Maki. <@Maki> "Yes. Of course." Maki's tone is completely deadpan and she reaches out to grab one of the boots. <@Haruko> So you tell me, if you aren't a racer or a pit team, what might have made you memorable to me? Mm, well I can probably think of a couple things. * @Haruko removes her second boot, extending her leg to lift it with her foot and to drop it by Maki. * @Maki has to keep really, really, really hard from laughing. An amused sound might emanate from her as she grabs the other shoe. * @Haruko folds her legs and sits in the chair, gesturing with her hand for Kira to elaborate. * @Haruko seems utterly unbothered by Maki's amused sounds. This isn't a first rodeo for either of them. * @Maki ties the laces of her borrowed boots and stands back up, getting to observing the motorcycle. Yes. The motorcycle. <@Maki> [Serizawa, meanwhile, emerges from the office with paperwork in his hands. "Boss gave me a lecture about the filing system," he says, then raises an eyebrow. He does glance over at Maki's shoes to make sure that she's following proper procedure. Safety first! Of course. Right?] * @Haruko adjusts her posture to be a bit more professional, wouldn't due to get the job applicant in trouble. Incidentally, on closer observation, she does have a few faded burn scars on her face and arm. Nothing that disfiguring, and pre-dated Arcana times, but distinctive. Let's see..... You often get packages delivered? * @Haruko shakes her head. "Picking stuff up is a good excuse to ride by bike." * Kira stretches lightly, and as the fabric of his tank top shifts, pale thin edge of a scar is just visible below is collar bone. Looks like Haruko is not the only one with memories of darker times. "Hell, I get that," Kira says. "So not from my courier gig, then. Ever stop by the Family Mart a few blocks east of Ikebukuro station?" * @Maki gives Serizawa a slightly worried look. "This is okay, right? I borrowed the right kind of shoes." <@Maki> [Serizawa nods. "Yeah, knock yourself out. Well, not literally. Boss'll get mad if someone actually knocks themselves out, and if both of them are applying, maybe he'll decide that he doesn't need me anymore." He winks. At whom? Maybe all of them.] * @Haruko laughs. "You all already run a tight shop together. I've just got some skills but not much cash. Anyhow, there's probably some need to expanding some, if this shop is going to take on more heavy-haul work." Hey now, what's this, I've got competition, Serizawa? * Kira grins at him. <@Maki> [Serizawa grins back. "Or maybe I do."] * @Maki goes to examine the motorcyle for references! Perhaps a diagram would be useful for figuring out what's going on with the people. Perhaps not. * Kira holds his gaze for a slightly overlong moment, clearly delighted. * @Haruko's eyes settle on the scar for a moment. It's probably nothing, but on the other hand she doesn't think she's been to that particular Family Mart, though she's not sure. She notes the exchanges with bemusement. <@Maki> [Serizawa places some paperwork on the counter. "Forms to fill out, for the official-like application process." He *did* bring two sets of forms.] * Kira turns back to Haruko and shrugs. "I guess I just get around," he concludes. Then he attends to the paperwork! * @Haruko gets to work herself. "Maybe it's the Family Mart. Unless you were involved in my last big inter-high school thing back in April '02. There were a lot of seperate events and different faces." "High school is a lot," Kira agrees. <@Haruko> Left more than its fair share of scars, really. <@Maki> ["I kinda had fun in high school," Serizawa says. "Didn't make lifelong bonds or anythin', but it wasn't terrible."] * @Maki comes not quite bouncing back, because she can't quite pull of bouncing in work boots, but she seems pretty happy. "High school sucked," she says, matter-of-factly. "Well, one year sucked. The rest was fine. Also I really like this motorcycle." * Kira smiles earnestly at her. "Which one?" <@Maki> Second year sucked, this motorcycle back here is great. * Kira laughs, more questions answered than he expected. "Gotcha. You ride?" * @Maki grins. "Working on it!" * @Haruko keeps working at her forms. "Normal wasn't quite in the cards for some of us, but I'm glad you had fun Serizawa-san, I hope most people did." She's smiles up at Maki, "Good taste." <@Maki> [Yoshikawa returns at that moment, carrying two logbooks. "Sorry for the delay. Had to take a call as well. I've got the current loaner schedule for the van and some motorcyle work records with model listings." Good news, Haruko; the van is available for exactly when you want it!] * @Maki takes a look at the records and chats some with Kira (whose name she actually hasn't learned yet!) about this particular cool bike. * @Haruko verifies that the price is potentially within her means. "I'd like to make a reservation." She also passes over to Maki the parts the club has on hand, which may make some models a bit more affordable to fix up. <@Maki> [Congratulations, Haruko: thou hast reserved a van. It will hold up to eight people, plus luggage.] * @Maki talks literal shop for a bit with the two guys. Serizawa's got some good observations about the parts Haruko has listed and how they might work with similar models. * @Haruko finishes up her job application form, which does note some pretty severe hour limitations but who knows, maybe there's a match at some point. * @Maki gives the shop her contact information for future motorcycle interests. * @Haruko leaves a card as well. "And gents, if you want to put some more practicum to that bike talk, or just race something other than delivery schedules, do let me know. Don't promise I won't be busy, but I will surprise you with what my diesel can do." <@Maki> [Serizawa is intrigued by the fact it's a diesel.] <@Maki> [And so, the mission is a success! Haruko has a van! Maki has some bike leads! And perhaps the Mysterious Guy will show up again!] <@Maki> [Session End!]