Fifty-fourth Song || Video/Action for Goldenrod

[restardom]

[ Anyone who's been around Rise for the past few days or so might notice that she hasn't seemed like herself. She's been quieter, not as readily found, and tends to disappear from the house without saying anything.

Today is another such day, but she certainly doesn't seem as subdued today. Maybe it's because it looks as though she's busying

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[usedlaserbeam]

[Unlike perhaps the vast majority of people who know Rise, Yagyuu is actually relatively ignorant to her recent shift in mood--partly because he's living in the wrong house for it, and partly because after a week of egregious physical labor as penance (plus work and training), he really hasn't had time for, well, much of anything.

Luckily, life is getting back to normal now, and he's on his way home from work (without feeling like death warmed over, for a change), Lady ever-present at his side.

Of course, ignorance and obliviousness are two different things, and anyone could spot that something is wrong with the girl seated on the park bench. Which is largely what brings him over to inquire.]

...Kujikawa-san?

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[restardom]

[ she's engrossed on the piece of wood in her hands, though the way she tilts her head ever so slightly in his direction means she's at least aware that she's got company.

Just not the sort of company until he speaks, and then she lifts her eyes. It's a little different, seeing Yagyuu now, suspicions confirmed and knowing what she does, but she offers him a smile anyway. ]

Hey, Yagyuu-kun.

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[usedlaserbeam]

[They may not be the closest of acquaintances, but he definitely knows enough of Rise to say with certainty that something is decidedly wrong. This isn't the girl who stubbornly pursued shots she knew she had no way of reaching when she faced him on a tennis court. This isn't even the idol, perpetually smiling and bubbling.

Yagyuu knows about masks. It's not hard to see through this one.]

How are you today? Well, I hope?

[I know you're not, is the underlying implication.]

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[restardom]

Mm. [ neither yes nor no, because she won't admit to one, and the other one would be a lie, and they'd both know it. ] I was just thinking about something. D'you have a minute?

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[usedlaserbeam]

[And that's more than enough to raise his suspicions, right there.]

Of course. Would you care to walk, or...?

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[restardom]

Sure. [ she's already slipping the bracelet into a pocket, standing and shooing the Rapidash a few steps backwards. ]

Don't mind her if she tries to nudge you a few times; she likes a rider.

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[usedlaserbeam]

It's quite all right; mine is the same way. And I'm sure Lady will find a way to keep her in check.

[It's almost a joke, except that he knows his pint-sized bundle of devoted brown fur all too well. So he waits, adjusting the strap of his backpack on his shoulder, and lets Rise set their direction and pace.]

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[restardom]

I'd believe it. [ really, she would. Pepper had been the same, tiny ball of fluff or not. But Rosemary's behaving, falling into a casual trot beside her trainer, while Rise's keeping up a steady pace in no particular direction. ]

I was just asking the network a question, so I'm not sure if you heard it, but half of them got so alarmed about it...

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[usedlaserbeam]

And that's what you wanted to ask me about?

[It's a lie and he knows it. They may come from two completely different worlds--literally and figuratively--but anything bothering her this much would never be something she'd hold up for public scrutiny, outside of perhaps a vague, rhetorical inquiry.

So it must be something else. But that will come later.]

I hope this isn't a test to see if I'll be alarmed, as well.

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[restardom]

If it was a test, I wouldn't have said it! [ she grins a little, resting a hand on her Rapidash's back. ] I was just wondering if you've ever wanted to set off a fire alarm.

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[usedlaserbeam]

That's quite a question. [He smiles affably.] Do you often think about setting off fire alarms, Kujikawa-san?

[...And naturally, doesn't actually answer the question.]

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[restardom]

[ and with a smile ] That's quite a question to my question, Yagyuu-kun. Do you always answer like that?

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[usedlaserbeam]

I could say the same for you, really. [He shrugs.] I wouldn't think it'd be the sort of thought an idol would entertain, that's all.

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[restardom]

Of course not. There's no way an idol would do it.

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[usedlaserbeam]

And would a gentleman, do you think?

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[restardom]

No. But I'd like to hear it from you.