video/action, un: birdinthehand

[chichichi]

[ The feed opens to one (1) Setsura in her usual plus the addition of some black apron with a not quite visibly but likely innocuous saying standing over a sauce pan atop a stove in what appears to be an immaculate kitchen from what can be seen given it's a side shot as opposed to profile. Music can be heard playing softly in the background. ]

Good afternoon, Lunatia. My name is Setsura Yamaguchi. [ She offers the slightest bow of her head in turning to look at the camera for a moment. Her voice is calm, lower than high, and weighted in a way designed to draw and hold attention despite the casual tint. ] Just a quick couple of things from me and you can get back to your day.

Firstly, if you recognize this symbol -- [ she seamlessly lifts a simple piece of notebook paper from the counter beside her and holds it up briefly, revealing what appears to be a simple upside down hand that, should you squint, almost appears to be presented as if in offering or reaching ] -- contact me. If you don't, don't worry about it for now.

[ Placing the paper flat on the counter again, she plucks a speared apple up with two fingers and twirls it in tilting the sauce pan slightly to one side and dipping it in with a little flourish. ]

I'm also in the market for additional sparring partners and a few hassle-free locations to go to work there. I've heard the Solar Flexus Gym is designed to withstand above peak human strength. Is there any truth to that? [ A beat, a glance. ] If you're the sort to pull your punches, don't apply.

[ She withdraws the apple with not quite a shake and begins a smooth turn, causing the excess syrup to cling with each rotation rather than drop dramatically. She gradually slows it, violet eyes keen in minding. ]

I don't know how many of you have the senses for it, but the number of spirits around the city has been gradually increasing since the beginning of the month. It lends some credibility to Geistnacht from what I've learned of the holiday. One of those spirits I met is [ is, not was ] really into seasonal confections, so I decided to try a couple of her recipes. If only the spirits in the Tower of Whispers had been so chatty.

[ Why does she say that? The most obviously pressing reason is provided by the cameraman, who moves briefly around her to put platter after side-by-side platter of freshly made candied and caramel apples on display. ]

I didn't realize the recipes were for a large batch or just what "large" entailed in this case.

[ The cameraman might even provide something of an inviting close up as he moves to snag another apple for himself before pausing rather abruptly. The camera is turned and panned back to reveal Setsura literally standing on top of a step stool so as to be able to reach another, larger pot behind the sauce pan that wasn't originally in the screen. ]

You made a gigantic pot and didn’t anticipate having too much?

[ She stops long enough to look at him with a clear lack of amusement, hop down, grab an apple, and walk up on him. Judging by where she seems to be aiming and the sound of that grunt, the taller-than-her cameraman very likely has an apple in his mouth now; and yet, she still looks pretty pleasant as close to the camera as she is. Maybe a little more so. Then, casually: ]

Unfortunately, I don't have a license to sell these, so I'm going to the park with them. If you like what you taste, I'll accept donations toward recouping the cost. Let's say one handshake per -- per apple. [ She seems to have noticed the apple in his hand. ] Yosuke, how many have you had?

Just one, I'm not that hungry.

[ The camera is turned back to Setsura just in time to catch her leaning her back against the counter with closed eyes and a smile on her face as she waves a hand casually. ]

You heard him, folks. Yo-chan can't eat all of these, so it's up to you.

What? Don't use me as part of your advertisement! I'm not the one making a bajillion of these things.

As I said, I didn't realize the recipe was for a large batch.

[ That weighty tone certainly suggests that's her story and she's sticking to it. There's just munching in response, and rather close. Surely you can hear his deadpan look. ]

Right.

I am.

[ She opens her eyes with that, stepping toward the camera. The amusement in her expression is dimmed in favor of something more somber, the equivalent of verbally waggled fingers perhaps. ]

We'll be heading out in about an hour. If you want a taste of the local tradition as told from beyond the grave, meet us at the park. I'm sure the person who shared the recipe would love to hear your thoughts. [ Click. ]

---

[ About an hour later, there's a couple of sitting tables under an awning wholly occupied by plated candy and caramel apples. In between interested parties' approach, Setsura occupies the sitting part by laying down atop them with her arms tucked behind her head, her sheathed blade in her lap, and her legs good and sprawled across Yosuke's lap. She may or may not be visible depending upon where a person is coming from, but Yosuke is. He's sitting slouched at one end of the same bench with his headphones in multitasking in that he's serving as the single most convenient leg rest Setsura's come upon in some time.

Hopefully her sitting up won't spook anyone too badly. Then again, 't is the season even if that isn't her intention, but perhaps Yosuke will provide a decent save? Try your luck! ]

Comments

Video

[foolishjustice]

I can confirm that the Solar Flexus Gym can handle superhuman strength. I haven't tested it with my strongest boosts yet, but the equipment has stood up to some very powerful blows, compared to what a mundane human would be capable of.

Video

[chichichi]

I see. Can I ask about the exact nature of your tested ability? I'm familiar with more than physical skills, so I'd appreciate the clarification if it's not any trouble.

[foolishjustice]

It's a general enhancement to physical strength, plus an attack that has a more concentrated impact than an ordinary weapon, and a few elemental abilities.

[chichichi]

I believe I follow. That doesn't sound too different than what I'm accustomed to either. And you use the gym on a regular basis for training purposes?

[ Someone likes to be thorough in her assessments. ]

video;

[sealeted]

Would it be possible to get little containers of the caramel and just take the apples as they are?

video;

[chichichi]

[ That might just be a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. ]

I'm pretty sure I've got some containers around here that would work for that. Did you have a preference for the kind of apple? We've got red and green.

video;

[sealeted]

Both are fine. I work with children, so... well, dicing the apples later will be easier on them than leaving them to struggle with the whole thing.

video;

[chichichi]

Children, hm? Well, I did make quite a bit.

[ She spares a glance in the direction of the stove. The exact contents of the various pots and pans weren't shown, but fact of the matter is there's still a lot left that she hasn't applied and she's about as allergic to wasting things as she is to debt. A person can only come up with so many dishes involving candy syrups before they burn out on them. She imagines as much is true of the neighbors she tries to pawn her dishes off on as well. Hmm. ]

How many were you thinking?

Action

[dj_jiraiya]

[ yosuke didn't exactly mind being a gloried rest for setura's legs, the air was on the chilly side and he had his music to keep him company while she seemingly napped off and on. After already sampling all of two of the caramel apples, yosuke was pretty done with the sweet confections himself anyway and he slouched against the bench further as his music kept him company in the comfortable silence.

that is, until he pulled the headphones down to cross his arms in pensive thought. he nudged her legs with his own, bouncing his knee to get her attention. ]

Hey. Just so you know, you don't need to meet that Akechi guy if you were planning on it.

[ he didn't see the whole conversation. noped right out of it once he saw who it was. but he heard enough of the beginning to think that he may want to show off what he knows when, really, setsura already saw what most Persona users were capable of.

he tried to sound nonchalant about it. it didn't work. ]

[chichichi]

[ It really didn't work, not that anyone would be able to tell going off Setsura's reaction. She remains in her present position, opening her left eye if only to let Yosuke know he has her attention. Once she's certain he's aware, she closes it again, listening intently. It has the sound of something serious potentially, but it isn't as though Akechi is about to walk up on them in the next five seconds and whatever Yosuke's about to divulge will be the difference between life and death concerning that person. Bearing that in mind, she exhales softly: ]

Afraid someone's going to cut into your time with me?

[dj_jiraiya]

[ that earns a small annoyed frowned and he clicks his tongue. ]

That isn’t it. He’s a Persona user, same as me. But unlike me and the others, he’s actually used his to kill people. [ that’s why he looks worried. ] I don’t like bein’ the guy to gossip or whatever, especially because I’m told he’s trying to turn over a new leaf or stuff.

But he admitted that much to me like it was no big deal, so.

[ so he didn’t trust him. at all. he liked ren and the others but this was one thing he was going to disagree on. although it had been fairly obvious even among the phantom thieves that involving akechi wasn’t ideal either. it was all he could glean from the group chat but still. ]

[chichichi]

What did you fight?

[ Izanami is a who, not a what and the distinction is important in the face of his words, his worry. Not people is how it feels. Not normally, perhaps. He'd gone against the Vierge jellyfish without hesitation, but this merits clarification for all that it speaks to his experience and moral framework, what he's done, what he's capable of.

They've established an idea about Akechi. She can't wholly confirm without access to the conversation and its context, but she needs to know this as well. ]

text | un: kishibe

[penpoint]

Have you noticed more spirits? It seemed more of story here rather than reality. I wouldn't take it too seriously.

text

[chichichi]

[ Now there's a username she's pleased to see. ]

I wouldn't if I wasn't capable of sensing spiritual energy and seeing them myself. It hasn't seemed like many people in the city have actively noticed them, but there's usually some intersection when it comes to things like this in my experience, not that they've given me anything beyond incredibly mundane information.

[ Of course. ]

I am curious about the truth of the matter and how the Prismals came to establish Geistnacht, though. You aren't the least little bit?

text

[penpoint]

Of course I'm curious. I'm always curious.

[ That text almost sounds like he's scolding the doubt on that front. Rohan, your stand is literally 'spirit energy'. Stop. ]

But I mean - I don't necessarily want to take what they do as true without a little bit of proof and experience. You can't rely just on their shared stories from generations.

I guess we'll see, won't we?

text

[chichichi]

I know. It's one of the things I appreciate about you.

[ Really, it is. ]

If there's anything to see. Even here, I imagine some people might tell us to be careful what we wish for.

video; un: ilikebigboats

[boobytraps]

( Isabela leans into the feed with a grin. )

I can always use more sparring partners. I've not yet been to this gym, however.

video

[chichichi]

[ Now there's a promising expression, and on a fine face. It draws a grin right out of her in turn. ]

I'm looking to collect a few new locations with about as many limitations, but it's the partner that grows the skills, not the scenery. I'm primarily a swordswoman, but I have been thinking of brushing up on some other weapons as well as I find them. Yourself?

video

[boobytraps]

I duel with daggers. Mostly I fight outdoors, though. There's some nice open areas in the groves, or by the beach.

video

[trivialization]

What's with all the 'no one who pulls their punches' crap? If you get smeared all over the city in one hit you're just going to look stupid.

video

[chichichi]

It has everything to do with one's attitude about training and betterment.

[ She doesn't sound the slightest bit defensive. Rather, she's twirling another apple in the syrup as she speaks. ]

If a party's interest and desire stops at the notion of pageantry and form alone, we're incompatible. I'm looking for individuals who're mutually serious about improving their skills in combat and willing to take every session seriously toward that end. I did allude to my physical ability, but it would follow that any potentially messy specifics such as form shattering strength be discussed beforehand.

[ She quirks a brow, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she turns her eyes on to the woman on the screen now. ]

Painting the town with your sparring partner's physical bits defeats the purpose, don't you think?

[trivialization]

[ Eva smirks too, but if anything that slight accordance only increases the arrogant lilt in her voice as she disputes. ]

Hah. Refusing to be taught by someone with aesthetic motives is also an aesthetic ideal. How many students have that luxury? Certainly not those who put their skills first.

I have a different proposal. If you want to see me fight in earnest, make me. If you can't, well, I promise my pageantry will be painful enough you don't forget the lesson.

un: lettuceclub81

[kozyhanaji]

Would you be able to share the recipe with me? I can probably figure out how to portion it correctly for a smaller batch but that looks incredibly delicious!

[chichichi]

That wouldn't be a problem. I'm sure the young lady who shared it with me would be happy to see it passed along. Give me one moment to type it up.

I assume you have a sweet tooth?

[kozyhanaji]

A little bit, but I do try to eat well. But I'm also trying to get my boyfriend to eat a little more than he usually does. He also usually tries what I make too.