duel two (video.)

[revolutionized]

[The screen flickers on to show Utena sitting on the foot of her bed. Said bed is unusually rumpled, and she looks bleary-eyed and tired. Her hair is disheveled too, but when she turns to the camera, she manages a sleepy grin. It's only a little forced.]

Uh, hi, to everyone who's been here, and all the new people. I think this is around the time new people show up, is that right? For everyone who doesn't know me, I'm Utena Tenjou. I'm fifteen years old...I think. [She rubs the back of her neck, and sheepishly adds:] My birthday's gone by since I got here, but I'm not sure if that counts. It's good to meet you all.

[Her voice sobers some, and she slows down.]

Ah, I wanted to thank everyone who helped me and Himemiya out a few weeks ago. It means a lot. I wasn't really myself then, so...sorry for any trouble. [It almost looks as if she'll stop the message there, but she continues after an overlong pause:]

Say, I was wondering, well, when I was, ah...well anyway. I noticed there's a lot of buildings around here that are run-down. That big greenhouse in the city looks pretty bad, and I thought maybe a bunch of us could get together and help clean it up a little. Y'know, get all the glass fixed, and plant flowers. Where I'm from, there's gardens everywhere, so I miss it a little.

[Her gaze drops. She looks off to the side, and then starts a little, as if suddenly remembering something:] Oh! And to everyone I asked about sports the last time, there's a way we can play without finding a field. I asked around, and that VR machine'll make any kind of field or court we want. That's great, huh? I wanna host a game soon. Maybe we can have something like that once a week. It gets dull around here.

Mm, that's all. [She rests her hand against her mouth, looks and sounds thoughtful. Mumbled:] If anyone's interested in a game or in helping with the greenhouse, you can find me around anywhere, but I stay in room 705.

I had one last question. Does anyone know how to cook? I wanna learn. There's not a lot of instant stuff to eat here, and I'm not so good at cooking from scratch yet...

[After a while:] Hey, Nanami-kun. Are you still here?

Comments

video;

[ringwizard]

[Ah, he knows this face. Even if it was much younger the last time he saw it.]

I have a spell to bring back any dead flowers, if replanting needs a little help.

[A pause, involving him leaning off-screen and coming back with a sugared doughnut. He takes a bite and swallows before he speaks again.]

Depends on what you're looking to make, but I know a few things.

video;

[revolutionized]

[Oh, she remembers him. Her gaze flickers away, almost guiltily.]

Really? Thanks. [She brightens up some.] That would be a lot of help! I dunno much about flowers, but a spell to do that sounds pretty useful.

Say, how did you learn how to do that?

[ video ]

[hostage]

I'll help. Um, with the greenhouse, I mean. I used to garden.

[ video ]

[revolutionized]

[Contemplative, almost to herself:] Doesn't look like the type...

[Then, a little louder (and flustered):] Ah, I mean, that's great! I'd appreciate it! Hey, you're that guy who bakes cookies, right? Can you cook anything else? I'm trying to learn, so...

video;

[tragicomedienne]

[Nanami wasn't going to turn the camera on at first, but switches it on anyway after a second of rare contemplation.

She's scowling.]

You look terrible!

How can you care so much about sports at a time like this?


[Her voice flattens out.] ...Where else would I go.

video;

[revolutionized]

[She turns away from the camera a little.] Mm, there's not much else to do here, and I like sports. I can't sleep all day.

[No comment on the insult about her appearance, but she's studying Nanami out of the corner of her eye...] Sometimes people get sent back home, or on missions. I just wanted to check up on you, that's all.

video;

[originalgaangster]

[ Something to work on! Sokka's not exactly a farmer, but something positive to put his energy into will help him stay focused. He scratches at his chin--which is the only thing visible. He's still working on this camera lens thing. ]

Sounds like a good project! I'm not much of a gardener, but I'm good with my hands.

And what kinda sports do you play?

video;

[revolutionized]

That's good! I could really use someone like that...the building's in pretty bad shape.

[Her expression warms just a little bit at his camera difficulties, but she continues.] And I play all kinds of sports. Baseball, basketball, football, volleyball...

video

[chittybang]

Hey, there. Would you mind explaining to me what the incident was about? I've been gone for a while, so I'm trying to get back up to speed.

video

[revolutionized]

Hm? [A pause. She looks dimly uncomfortable, but her voice is calm and level.] A few weeks ago, something weird happened. I don't understand it, but some people were children, and others were a lot older, or just different. It had something to do with timelines. I don't really get all this time changing stuff, but that's what the Initiative guys told us later.

[Video]

[mach_n_roll]

I can help ya with the greenhouse! I don't exactly have a green thumb, but I can help with repairs.

[Video]

[revolutionized]

[Hey, it's that hedgehog dude again.] That'd be great! Thank you. Say, I remember you. Sonic, right? I haven't seen you in a while.

[video]

[blossomgale]

Hi, Utena. My name's Sophie.

And I'd love to help with the greenhouse. There's a garden back at the manor where I lived... I miss it too.

[video]

[revolutionized]

Hi Sophie. It's nice to meet you. [Her eyes widen a little.] A manor? Sounds...fancy. Are you rich?

VIDEO 1/

[showmeyourwreath]

_{[Did someone say Greenhouse?]}

Vidya 2/3

[showmeyourwreath]

_{[And plant flowers?]}

Videooo 3/3 I'M DONE I'M SORRY

[showmeyourwreath]

_{[Meet your new bff, Utena. She's smiling so wide, right now.]}

I would absolutely love to help with the greenhouse, if you still need people for it! My name is Flora.

_{[Please still need people, Utena. Pretty please with roses on top. :c]}

it's all good!

[revolutionized]

[Seeing someone so happy takes a little of the gloom out of Utena's expression. She smiles back, wanly.]

Nice to meetcha, Flora. Yeah, that'd be great. I need all the help I can get...honestly, I don't know anything about planting flowers and stuff, but seeing that place in such bad shape bugs me. I mean,

[stretching an arm behind her head.] we won't be here forever, but we should help out as much as we can. That's what I think.

[Video]

[weapabilities]

A greenhouse would be a great project.

If you'd like, I'm pretty big- [ Haha, understatement. ]

I could help with any heavy lifting that would be required.

[Video]

[revolutionized]

Oh, thank you...

[She trails off.] Um, sorry, but are you a robot?

(video)

[reconnaissance]

( The happiest and friendliest person is over here, yep. No doubt. )

What kinda sports? Like, netball? Soccer? Rugby?


( So verbose today. )

(video)

[revolutionized]

[netball...let her think on what that is] That's sorta like basketball, right? The other two I know about...I was thinking, a new game every week! So everyone could get a chance to play their favorite sport.

video;

[medusalith]

I know someone who may be able to help with your desire for a garden.

video;

[revolutionized]

[oh gosh, it's that queen again. Utena straightens her shoulders!!] Ah, um, really? That'd be helpful! I don't know much about flowers, but I want to learn, and...

[video]

[skirtcladgunner]

Hey there, Utena! You're welcome. [There's a small pause before she continues:] I'd be more than happy to help you out with the greenhouse.

[It's strange. Because Tori was so insistent that Utena and Anthy not go in there, she feels obligated to help Utena with this now.]

But hey~ the VR machine can set us up with a game? Awesome. That sounds perfect, and I wouldn't mind having something like that to do once a week. As for your last question... [She laughs, sheepish.] I'm the last person you want to ask for cooking advice from. Sorry I can't be any help in that area.

[video]

[revolutionized]

It's alright. I'll just have to keep looking for cooks...there's gotta be someone around. And thanks for the help with the greenhouse. D'you garden at all? I don't know anything about it.

text

[redheadcarrier]

hey, if you do soccer, i'll play.

video;

[revolutionized]

[she's too lazy to text right now, but —]

Yeah, I was thinking of that. [chinscratching] Maybe a new game every week? That way, everyone gets a chance.

video

[peachbaths]

Sports? Like... team sports? [ She's interested, but reluctant to take her up on the offer. ]

video

[revolutionized]

That's right! Y'know, baseball and volleyball, stuff like that. D'you play any sports?

video;

[direhit]

[More flowers? Hibiscus in the background practically perks up. She can finally hang out in her element.]

A greenhouse sounds like a great idea! This place could totally use more flowers and greenery.

My name's Mei and you can definitely count me in for that project!

video;

[revolutionized]

It's great to meet you, and...thanks for the help. I could use a lot of help with the flowers.

[she squints a little, and leans in] Um, is that some sort of animal? [she's never seen anything like it before!]

video;

[bikininspector]

[He's got bigger things to do and he knows it. But seeing a fifteen year old here, away from home, probably scared, God knows if she has her family around...it reminds him of himself at 15, fighting monsters. At himself when he turned 12 here, not too long ago. He can take a day to help her clean up. Putting on a smile now.]

I can give you a hand with that.

video;

[revolutionized]

[She smiles back, not as brightly. But the expression is there, and she tries to make it as genuine as she can.]

Thank you! [scratching her head now. adults make her a little nervous.] Can you help with the gardening, or cleaning up?