therewerefifty | [Action all over]

[It's not so much that Makie has a clean bill of health-- she needs to keep taking this medication for another four months or so, by the clinic's reports. But she hasn't had a coughing fit in weeks and feels pretty healthy, all things considered-- just a little drained, that's all. And now, she's passed the bar of her illness. She's no longer contagious.

Which means she can stop holing herself up in her room and start going forward with plans to actually, you know...

...live a little.

What a concept.

She still doesn't go out until the afternoon though, tracking down Saori (and other house members if they're around) to inform them of a decision she's made during her convalescence. And then likely packing what very few things she has, and putting haru-no-okina through some well-needed maintenance out on the sunny rooftop. But in the afternoon she goes to several places, shamisen in hand:

Seventh Heaven, to ask after her old job;

The tea house, because it's been a while;

The forge, to request a weapon;

The Welcome Centre, to find out what apartments are still free;

And finally, back to the battledome to investigate it more thoroughly. (She keeps an eye out for Konan on her travels, mindful of an offer made a long while ago. Just in case.) Once she knows sufficiently enough (or someone programs it for her), she steps into one of its rooms for the first time, shamisen neatly tucked to the side out of harm's way, and experiences it for herself. (The program name of the day: Shift Hunters. How fitting, that they're like giant wild dogs.)

...probably stays in there a little too long, though, since her stamina is kind of shredded right now.

Catch her at any of these places or anywhere in between.]

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[Steve happens to be coming out of his own training session when he spots Makie. He pauses for a split second and wonders whether or not he should approach before internally rolling his eyes at himself. He's decided to put the events of the last Shift behind him and move forward. But that doesn't mean he can't get to know the people he met in the Shift as they really are.

He can tell that she's in need of help (as it's a look that crosses everyones face the first time they come to the Battle Dome) and so he'll approach slowly, giving her time to notice him.]

You look like you could use some help.

[She starts at Steve's voice, glancing up.] Steve! {Wait.] ...Mr Rogers-- [That doesn't sound right either.]

-- I'm sorry. Ah...yes. If you don't mind. It's a bit...ahead of my time.

[Awkward aside, she doesn't mind seeing him again. It's just knowing how to address him can be rather difficult for the very polite.]

Edited 2013-09-19 08:16 (UTC)

Please, call me Steve. [No one calls him Mr. Rogers. With the exception of his time as a teacher.]

It was for me too. I think a lot of us are in that boat. Luckily, it's not too hard to figure out. [He steps up to the control panel, leaving room for her to see what he's doing.]

Did you have anything specific in mind?

...Steve. [She smiles, making way for him, though she most certainly watches what he's doing. She'll get used to it eventually.] That's what I was stuck on, I'm afraid. There are so many options-- I just wanted something simple to begin with.

Do you come here often?

Sounds like maybe you want to start with the default. They're a bunch of identical soldiers. Not very creative, but that's why they're the default.

[He scans through some of the options himself.]

Yeah. I try to come once a day. It keeps my skills fresh.

[That sounds pretty boring, actually, but she's already conscious skill is on a whole new level in this place. Starting from the very basic is only wise.]

It seems wise, considering the unpredictability of this place. I meant to do the same myself weeks ago, but then I fell ill.

Nothing says you can't switch it up if it gets too boring for you.

[A flash of uncertainty and concern crosses his face when she mentions being sick. He's not sure whether the illness she had during the Shift had been real or not, and it seems impolite to ask.]

But you're feeling better now?

I am much better now. [She hesitates and wonders if she should tell him more, but he's in no danger of being infected now-- she'd rather not make him feel awkward with the truth. So she just smiles.] A little unfit now as a result, however. I think I shall use this place often.

Good. And you should. This place is great for a work-out. I'll expect to see more of you. [He steps away from the control panel once it's set up.]

Alright, I think you're good to go. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask.

[The casual way he says that makes her smile. It's no longer a surprise in this place, but it's still something she appreciates nonetheless.]

Thank you... Steve. You come here every day?

[It never occurred to her in their other lives, but given how strong he looks, he must put in some serious hours.]

Yeah. I try to anyways. I'm usually around in the early afternoon. Sometimes in the morning.

If you ever need a sparring partner, I'm your guy.

I'll be sure to keep that in mind. If you don't mind my asking, are you... what sort of...

[She trails off. How did she put this? Everything was easier when people just fought with swords.]

[He seems to get the gist of what she's asking.]

My specialty is hand-to-hand. I also use a shield as my weapon of choice. But I'm pretty flexible.

A shield? [As a weapon? That's a first. But she smiles.] You're a protector.

{he seems to be at a loss for words for a moment.]

Uh..yeah. I guess I am. [He glances down, almost bashfully.]

There aren't many I know who would claim that role. [Point of fact, there's really only one. And only sort of, at that.] I think it would be nice if there were more.

I agree. I think too many people rely on weapons based on how much damage they can do. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but I don't think lethal force is always the answer.

...it would be nice if more people felt that way. It sometimes seems people are more gentle in the future.

Maybe they've just learned from past mistakes.

Perhaps so. Which world do you come from? Do you mind if I ask?

I'm from Earth. The same world as Tony Stark, Pepper Potts and couple of others.

[Oh, those are two names she recognises.] You know Mr Stark?

Yeah. We...work together sometimes.

He was very selfish. The Mr Stark I knew... but we were many of us very different in that time.

[He's not sure what to say at first. Does he admit that he had believed the same about Tony when they first met? Does he try to explain how he'd slowly been proven wrong?]

He can come off to people that way, at first. But he's a good guy. It just takes some time to see it.

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therewerefifty - 2013-11-03 14:14 (UTC) - Expand

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