every time goodbye to yesterday

[xxii_thefool]

WHO: Minako Arisato (xxii_thefool) and YOU!
WHERE: A park, a library, a cafe, and other spots around the city.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 12.
WARNINGS: None.
SUMMARY: Minako has a day off, and she spends it puttering around the City doing various things.
FORMAT: Prose to start; I'll match your preference!


A: Morning

It's a nice morning, still early enough that summer's heat hasn't yet had a chance to set in and the air is pleasantly fresh. Elsewhere in the City, people are going about their routines and morning traffic is moving briskly along, but very little of it goes through this small park located not too inconveniently far from the area of the MAC. It's a quiet that Minako is taking advantage of to get in a little training.

There are probably better places she could do this, she suspects - certainly there are dojos and gyms in the City, but she doesn't really know if any of those are places that would let her bring in a real weapon and train on her own like this, and it's simpler just to do things her own way. Besides, it's nice to do this outdoors, at least on a nice day like today.

So anyone who should happen into the park will find her there, wielding her peacock-plumed spear in a simple, repetitive exercise better suited to the naginatas that she started out with: strike, extending to bring the blade end slashing down. Withdraw, lifting it back up as she steps back to her starting point. Strike. Withdraw. Strike. Withdraw. There's no finesse of any actual training in it; a practiced eye will be able to see in her stance the rough make-do of the self-taught. But there's no clumsiness or hesitation, either. She handles the overly colorful polearm with the certainty of experience as she repeats that one simple maneuver over and over again, drilling the movements into muscle memory.

As usual, her headphones hang around her neck - not the red ones that Fuuka made for her, but the suspiciously more durable pink headband-style ones from Christmas, music turned up enough that she can hear it without actually putting the earphones on her ears:

help me, help me help me--
let it go let it out let it go let it out
take a deep breath deep breath deep breath deep breath

One. Two. One. Two. With each downward slash her breath chuffs out of her; with each step back she draws a new breath in. Strike. Withdraw. One. Two.

---

B: Midday

By the time the June heat is in full swing, Minako has left the park behind for the cooler air-conditioned atmosphere of a public library. She's actually been meaning to do some research for quite a while - since February, to be exact - but between working and the general chaos of City life it's only now that she's finally getting around to it, and she feels a certain need to make up for the delay with enthusiasm.

The result is that she's accumulated a pile of books, mostly on mythology and folklore - a couple of books on Greek myths here, a couple more on Arthurian legend there, several books on Tarot and a printout regarding messiah figures in the lore and religions of various different parts of the world.

It's a good selection to start with, she thinks, but before she starts to settle down to do some reading one more thing that she wanted to look into occurs to her, and rather than sitting down just yet she deposits her stack of materials next to one of the library's computers and bends over it to poke at the electronic catalog index.

What was it that Professor Solus had mentioned again, back in February? Some kind of psychology... Frowning in concentration, Minako tries to bring the confused memories of the confrontation with her Shadow into clarity.

"Yungian psychology... Youngian...?"

This would be easier if she had any earthly idea how it's supposed to be spelled.

---

C: Afternoon

Missing lunch thanks to getting wrapped up in things at the library was, let's face it, not the best idea Minako has ever had. Much later in the afternoon, after a stop in at a nearby bookstore, she's settled in at a seat at a small cafe, very much in need of something sweet for a pick-me-up, because eating healthy is for people who plan to live past twenty.

The product of that brief stop lies just off to the side on the table: a copy of C.M. Guarde's Arrested Restraint. She hasn't opened it yet, though. Instead she's folded her arms on the tabletop and slumped down to rest her head on them, feeling far more tired than the day's activities can really justify.

"...guess I overdid it a little..." she murmurs to herself, eyes heavy-lidded with fatigue.

It's not that she's intending to do anything but rest for a minute while she waits for her order - or at least that's what she told herself when she put her head down - but at this rate she's running a very real risk of falling asleep right there at the table before the waiter comes back.

---
D: Tagger's choice

These aren't the only places it's possible to run into Minako, of course. Through the day it's entirely possible to cross paths with her in any number of places between one and the other - maybe on her way back to the MAC to stash the Vel Vel Muruga before she goes out anywhere else, or making that stop in the bookstore, or just on a sidewalk somewhere with her mp3 player on, rocking out to the music as she makes her way to wherever she's headed.

Comments

( c )

[invoking]

Gil is not a heavy eater, therefore he doesn't prepare much of a meal for himself whenever he goes out to work. He can go most of the day on a light snack, but eventually he does find himself succumbing to hunger so he wanders into the cafe and orders himself a black coffee and two scones. He mutters under his breath to himself about the ridiculous overpricing of this world after he's obtained his order. He even chides himself for once again spending money on food outside that he could easily have back at the house.

He can afford to indulge, but old habits from home don't shake easily, even after being in the City for over a year.

While he sees Minako, he almost walks by without saying anything as he doesn't talk to strangers, but he catches sight of the book and he halts, nearly dropping his coffee.

That book.

[xxii_thefool]

"...mm?" One red eye opens, blinking up at Gil with vague, drowsy curiosity.

And then a moment later awareness belatedly and abruptly kicks in. "--ah!" Minako's eyes open wide and she hastily pushes herself up off the table to sit up straight, flushing a little in sudden self-consciousness and offering Gil a sheepish smile. "Haha, how embarrassing."

Now that she's properly awake, though, it occurs to her that he doesn't really look like it was her undignified behavior that stopped him, and her rueful expression begins to shift to something more like concern. "Sorry - is something wrong?"

[invoking]

At first, his curiosity is hooked seeing such red eyes. Back home, many years ago, there had been a saying about red eyes and how they would bring misfortune and destruction. He can barely tap into those childhood memories of being on the streets and doing anything he can to protect his brother, who suffered greatly due to having a red eye.

He snaps back to reality and his face glows when he takes a second look at the book. He turns his face away quickly.

"Ah, Miss... I know it isn't my place to say, but that book..."

She looked like a polite, young girl. Proper, too. That book is not for proper young ladies and he had the misfortune of finding out the hard way.

[xxii_thefool]

"This?" She looks down at the novel, briefly, vaguely puzzled. It seems relatively innocuous to her - certainly there were books with racier cover art in the section of the bookstore where she found it. "I just got it a little while ago. A friend of mine is into the series. The way she described it seemed interesting, so I thought that I'd try it out." She looks back up to Gil, brows lifting in curiosity. "Are you familiar with it?"

[invoking]

All of a sudden the air around him feels stuffy and humid. He wants to tug his collar for some air, but his hands are full with the cup of coffee in one and the scones in the other. He gulps instead.

"Familiar? Well, that's..." It's evident that the book is not written for the male persuasion and for him to even admit he's vaguely familiar with such a book embarrasses him. His cheeks burn at the thought.

But it's an inappropriate book! This girl deserves to know, doesn't she?

"It's a little... strange."

[xxii_thefool]

Frowning a little now, Minako picks up the paperback and turns it over in her hands to skim another look over the back cover blurb. "Strange... in a bad way?" 'Strange' has become a very relative term for Minako, after all, since even before she found herself in the City, but he seems far too uncomfortable to have meant it any way other than as a negative.

"Isn't it just a mystery romance novel, though?" she wonders as she looks up again, trying to understand what it is that's got him so discomfited.

[invoking]

And he had thought it was a crime novel. How can he explain what that book is without having to explain why he had it in the first place? That he's actually read some of it? Gil gulps again, a bead of sweat rolling down his neck into his tightly buttoned up collar.

"It's... a heavy read for..." Someone like her? What is that even supposed to mean? Gil waves his hands, gesturing that he means no offense. "No, what I mean to say is that the book is um... very... graphic..."

B

[heal_or_execute]

You know what they say: think of the Salarian and he shall appear. Right behind you in fact, looking at your screen.

"Recommend searching under 'J,'" Mordin says, smiling as he carries his own stack of medical journals. "Carl Jung, J-U-N-G. Psychiatrist, founded analytical psychology."

[xxii_thefool]

"Ah, Professor Solus!" Straightening up at the sound of his voice, Minako half-turns to flash a quick smile over her shoulder. "With a J, really? Thank you." Turning her attention back to the computer for a moment, she types in the name as he spelled it. "I'd probably never have figured that out on my own. English spelling is so weird."

[heal_or_execute]

"You're welcome." Mordin nods in acknowledgement, pleased to have been helpful. "Technically not English spelling, really. Jung from nation-state known as Switzerland."

He gestures at the computer and chair next to her. "Hope you don't mind some company. Lots of research to do."

[xxii_thefool]

She's quick to shake her head in answer to that. "Oh, no, no, go ahead! Please, don't let me get in the way." And although she meant that more figuratively than literally, she takes a moment to scoot her stack of books over a little to make sure that there's plenty of room for Mordin's materials. "I was just thinking it would be a good idea if I followed up on a few things..."

[heal_or_execute]

"Thank you." Mordin sets his materials down, then moves the chair out of the way and stands over the desk instead of taking a seat. He bends over the keyboard and his fingers skitter across it, typing rapidly as he talks.

"Good thinking. Worth further inquiry." Especially if she's looking up Jung for the reasons he suspects she is. "Not a psych expert personally- only dabbled. Couldn't tell you much."

[xxii_thefool]

"I think your dabbling might count for a little more than most people's, though, Professor," Minako replies with a laugh.

"I don't really know if it's anything I'll be able to make much sense of," she admits as she begins scrolling through the search results, pausing here and there to check off a few promising possibilities. "After all, I haven't really studied psychology... but if it's something that's related to my power, then it seems as though I should at last try looking into it."

[psychopass]

[Makishima came to check out the library, as reading was his hobby. Not only was he there to take a look at this city's literature collection, he was hoping to strike up a conversation with at least one person in the library.]

Now here's an interesting book...

[He's mainly thinking aloud as he grabs a title off the shelves. However, his thoughts are interrupted by the sudden awareness of a presence nearby. He turns around quickly to see someone standing behind him. Oh...it just so happened to be a girl he'd talked to over the network a few times.]

Hello. How do you do? I don't believe we've met face to face before. I am Makishima Shougo, just in case you've forgotten my name.

[xxii_thefool]

[Minako was just in the act of rising up onto her toes to try to reach one of the higher shelves, but when Makishima speaks she drops back down and turns toward him, quickly brightening with recognition.]

I haven't forgotten. [She smiles as she says it.] It's nice to meet you in person! I don't think I introduced myself properly when we spoke before - I'm Arisato Minako.

[A brief, rueful laugh escapes her.] You might have gotten that from my Network tag, I suppose.

[psychopass]

It's very nice to meet you, Minako.

[a polite bow]

What brings you here today? I happen to be an avid reader and am here to have a look at this city's book collection.

[xxii_thefool]

Ah, well, there's a little bit of research that I've been meaning to do for a while.

[She drops a glance down to the books tucked into the crook of her arm - some folklore, some Jung.]

I finally had the day free, so it seemed like a good time to get around to it.

[psychopass]

What a commendable way to spend your time! I'm afraid I'm checking out reading for pleasure, no research here. Although there are a few serious matters I need to attend to. But I'm sure remember my network posts.

[He reaches out in a friendly gesture.]

Do you need some help with those books? They look heavy.

[xxii_thefool]

[Minako shakes her head with a pleasant smile.] It's okay, I'm stronger than I look! Although, maybe, if you wouldn't mind--?

[She looks up to the upper shelves, once more reaching towards the volume of Greek mythology she was trying to get earlier. It's high enough that she can only just brush the spine of the book with her fingertips.]

...I can't quite seem to reach.

A

[god_damned]

When Kirei does venture out, he chooses to dress himself less obviously. His vestments gather a little too much attention, and his errands will be tended to much easier if he is not interrupted.

When he catches eye of Minako, however, he is interrupted nonetheless.

Her skill isn't much to scoff at, but while it is not completely amateur, it is clearly untrained. Kirei normally would not make it his business to intervene, but something in her presence draws him forward.

"You should adjust your stance," he suggests without announcing himself.

[xxii_thefool]

Focused as she is on what she's doing, Minako doesn't really register Kirei's presence until he speaks and the sound of his voice startles her out of her rhythm. Jolting abruptly to a stop, she turns toward him with a look of wide-eyed surprise, although it quickly begins to shade into a more sheepish expression as she shifts her grip on her spear long enough to reach up and click off the mp3 player dangling around her neck.

"Adjust...?" She frowns a little in thought as she echoes the word, brows drawing together slightly in contemplation. Stance is not, honestly, something she's given a lot of specific thought. "How do you mean?"

[god_damned]

Kirei feels a slight amusement at how she startles, which he represses to some degree, and he comes forward once she replies. Her routine is not without merit. She is self-taught in many obvious degrees, she has adopted several decent practices. She clearly takes this with seriousness, and her own level of discipline -- that he can understand and acknowledge.

"You can be more fluid with simpler motions," he elaborates. "And relax."

With that, he extends his hand, inviting. "May I?"

[xxii_thefool]

"--of course," Minako answers, brightening. "Please!" She begins to lift the spear in both hands, but then hesitates a moment as though in indecision, before shaking it off and holding the weapon out to Kirei to take, if that is in fact what he's asking for as she assumes.

"There's a lot that I'm sure I don't know," she admits with a certain rueful cheer, "so I'd be grateful for anything that you can tell me, if it's not too much trouble for you."

[god_damned]

Kirei accepts the spear from her, bowing his head slightly with respectful gratitude. He shifts the weapon in his hands, getting a feel for its weight with an experimental swing. He finds it decent, not too heavy for a girl of her size. She has chosen the model of the weapon well for her limits.

"Instinct tells you to tense; brace your muscles," he says. "Ignore it. You have more freedom if you are relaxed. When you move, it is more fluid to turn, rather than step."

He demonstrates: shifting his stance in his hips and his heels, his feet sliding rather than stepping, making a quick turn which places him behind her, where he taps the spear lightly against her back. "You stay grounded, so your footing is secure. This means are harder to unbalance; and also faster."

Kirei pauses for a moment, before turning the spear towards her, offering it back. "Do you know how to disarm someone?"

[xxii_thefool]

She watches him intently as he takes up her spear, but even though she's concentrating on tracking his movements it still takes her by surprise how quickly he moves. It's a reflexive reaction, the way the card flips behind her eyes and sends the boost of speed that Orpheus Telos grants her rushing through her body - startled by Kirei's sudden presence behind her, she swiftly twists away and to the side, eyes wide in surprise.

It only lasts a moment, though, before intense interest pushes away any thought she might have of being alarmed by what just happened. "--I see what you mean about being faster," she says, bright-eyed and sounding slightly breathless as she takes the weapon back from him and settles it once more into her grip. The question has her shaking her head: "Disarming, no. It's mostly something that hasn't come up. Although now that I'm here, it's probably something that would be good to know."

By the end of the sentence she's looking at him almost hopefully. He wouldn't have asked if he wasn't willing to demonstrate, right?