Yasashii nihon no joochan yo...

[therealrisette]

Who: Rise Kujikawa and OPEN
What: A possibly familiar little girl, barely old enough for grade school, is wandering around the castle unsupervised. What do?
When: Today!
Where: The castle grounds, lobby, Four Seasons beach, Music Room - any of Rise's favorite places!
Rating: PG-ish?

[Well, it's been a few days now. Rise hoped she'd only be this small for her birthday and the castle would give up on its latest little prank. But after a day or two of going back and forth between sticking close to a convenient friend (new or otherwise) or sulking alone somewhere, it's getting really boring not going out when she wants just because she's not as big as she should be. She's even been a fairy before, and that never stopped her!

... Though, at least she could fly then. Having to run around everywhere makes the castle somehow seem even bigger now, against all logic. And no matter where she goes, everything looks different.

Before she knows it, a quick trip outside of her own room has become a full-blown exploration of the entire castle. From the hallways, to the grounds, to some of her favorite rooms to visit. She's not exactly alone, but not everyone notices such a small child running around.

... Of course, someone probably will sooner or later.]

Comments

[therealrisette]

I guess...

[Rise's never really been too curious about the world outside of the castle and the town... as far as she's concerned, she'll just be sent home when it's done with her and forget all about it. What's the point of risking herself and leaving the relative safety of the castle for something she won't even remember once she goes back to her own life?

But she can't blame this girl for being curious, either. It's not like she never wonders about how things work in this world... she's just too cautious, or even scared, to go out there and find out...

The mention of working out in town catches her attention, though. That's something she's been thinking about for a while now!]

What kind of work do you mean?

[princelyspirit]

Well- you remember back in April, how there was that huge earthquake? The castle was alright, but the town was completely wrecked. Some people cleared rubble and took care of whoever was hurt, and others fixed up buildings and stuff. I...

[Gives an embarrassed smile]

I didn't do much, to be honest, but I helped out a bit. I mean, it was a better choice than moping in my room all month.

[therealrisette]

Oh!

[Rise looks up at the other girl in surprise. Which quickly turns into very obvious admiration. Rise's sure she's just being modest when she says she didn't do much!]

That's really cool! I wish I could've done more to help...

[Her pace slows and she suddenly looks down again, hiding a slight embarrassed blush. She really did want to help more, but she had no idea what to do back then...

Belatedly, she seems to remember that she's supposed to be leading the way and looks up and around the hall again to get her bearings. They should be close now, right?]

[princelyspirit]

[It's not entirely modestly - she went on the expedition shortly after the earthquake occurred, so there was only so much she could do. But, she did what she could with what time she had. Either way, she doesn't judge Rise for not doing much - after all, she's just a kid]

Hey, it's alright, really. [tries to give a comforting smile] You're still pretty young, you know - I think most people would just be happy knowing that you're safe and sound. Anyway, it's done, so there's no need to worry about that. Let's just try and have fun at the beach, okay?

[And with that, she leads Rise into the Four Seasons room. At least, she thinks it's the right room...]

1/2

[therealrisette]

You're not that much older than me!

[Actually, it's hard to tell right now if the girl is older than her at all! Pretty much everyone looks older than even her real age to her right now...

But despite her insistence, it's still kind of reassuring to hear. She knows people have never judged her for not being able to do anything in a situation like that, and are usually more concerned with her safety. She doesn't mind being the one others are always protecting, as long as she can do her part when she can.]

2/2

[therealrisette]

[Utena's suggestion not to worry about it and just have fun on the beach breaks through Rise's introspection. Before she knows it, the other girl has suddenly taken the lead, and they walk inside the Four Seasons room together. The sight of the familiar beach almost instantly perks Rise back up, and she tugs at Utena's arm.]

Ooh, c'mon! I wanna show you my favorite spot!

[That'll take her mind off things again, right? As long as they have fun here!]

[princelyspirit]

[Utena feels a brief twinge of guilt over her comment. After all, what kid likes to be reminded that they're a kid? But it's soon forgotten as Rise drags her off, and Utena quickens her pace to keep up.]

Alright, alright. [Grinning broadly now - if nothing else, Rise's enthusiasm is infections] Lead the way!

[therealrisette]

[And Rise takes Utena over to a spot near one of the muraled walls of the room.]

Riiiight... here!

[From there, looking out towards the water, it really looks like a much more vast expanse of sand and sea than the room could possibly contain. Mainly because of the invisible "walls" out in the water, of course. But there's nothing particularly special about the view, until Rise explains.]

From here, it kinda looks like the beach back home...

[There's more than a touch of wistfulness in her voice, and she just stands and gazes out at the view for a moment.]

[princelyspirit]

[So, she's homesick. Utena doesn't know what to say, so instead, she just squeezes Rise's hand to comfort her. When she does speak, her voice is soft and gentle]

Well, for what it's worth, it is a pretty view. Thanks for showing it to me.

[therealrisette]

[Coming out here always makes her a little homesick since she found this spot, so she appreciates the comfort. Even if she's blushing a bit again.]

Yeah...

[She doesn't know how to say it right now, but she also really likes showing the view to her new friends. It makes her feel a little closer to them, being able to show them a piece of where she's from. Even if it's not exactly the same.

Suddenly, she realizes she forgot something important...]

... Oh, right!

[They never properly introduced themselves! She looks up at the girl again and smiles.]

I'm Rise!

[princelyspirit]

[Oh! They never introduced themselves, didn't they? Utena looks down, and smiles back.]

And I'm Utena, Utena Tenjou. It's nice to meet you, and again, thanks for showing me the beach. I have to say, it's a lot nicer here when it's not blowing snow in your face.

[therealrisette]

Nice to meet you too, Utena-chan!

[Rise giggles at the mention of the snow room.]

Yeah, I like the beach a lot better! But I guess the snow would be nice if you need a break from summer or something.

[princelyspirit]

I guess, but I think that's just a bit too much for me. Besides, summer's not that bad. There's swimming, picnics, fireworks...and of course, trips to the beach with your friends.

[therealrisette]

[Rise can't argue with that. She gives an enthusiastic nod.]

Yep!

[Speaking of which, they've been standing around long enough.]

Hey, what do you wanna do now, Utena-chan? We could go swimming or something!

[She did mention it just now, and Rise's feeling way too energetic to just relax on the beach like she usually does. Plus, she's enjoying spending time with Utena and getting her mind off of things...]

[princelyspirit]

Sure! Just let me find a place to put our stuff, okay?

[She's wearing a bright turquoise swimsuit underneath her clothes, and it's not long before she pulls them off and folds them up. While she's taking care of that, she continues to talk]

How long have you been swimming, by the way? I mean, it sounds like you've been doing this kind of thing for a while.

[therealrisette]

'Kay!

[Once Rise notices Utena changing, she starts getting out of her own clothes, revealing an almost obnoxiously frilly little one-piece underneath. As she does, she frowns at the question. She doesn't recall ever being asked that before...]

I dunno... [She really doesn't. Not for sure. Learning skills while being raised in show business is kind of all a blur.] A few years, I guess?

[It's a vague, noncommittal answer. And, totally by chance, not one that should raise any red flags given how she looks right now. Probably.

Once she finishes folding her clothes, she finally looks up at Utena again.]

Hey~! You look really cute like that, Utena-chan!

[She sounds perky and positive, as usual, but there's more than a trace of envy plainly written on her face. She should be able to fill out a suit like that... heck, it's practically her job! Stupid castle...]

[princelyspirit]

[...okay, she may not be the brightest when it comes to emotions, but she'd have to be positively thick to miss Rise's jealousy. Geeze, what is she supposed to say to something like that? Especially coming from a kid! Tries to disarm her with a smile as she thinks of an answer]

Hey now, you look pretty cute, too. [And she means it. It's just a... different kind of cute than Rise wants to look like, probably] Besides, you're way too young to worry about this kind of thing. Seriously, anyone who doesn't think you're cute isn't worth your time, believe me.

[therealrisette]

[Rise knows exactly what Utena means. It's hard to miss that she's talking to her like a little kid. Telling her she's way too young for things, giving her advice...

... The worst part is, Rise can't be mad at her. She's used to people dismissing her entirely because she's "just a kid", and it really bugs her! But... Utena at least sounds like she cares. She's just trying to help. No one ever really did that for her, not when she was really this little.

She really should probably say something about the loss. But... it's too embarrassing! And scary, too... what if she doesn't believe her? Nothing would feel worse than being told you make a completely convincing child when you're really seventeen!

Fortunately, she's also an actress. A very good one. She can put on a convincing cheerful smile and nod appreciatively.]

Thanks. I guess...

[She'll have her own height and figure back soon enough, she supposes. No use worrying about it now. Now, she might as well distract herself with something a lot more fun than moping about being a kid!]

Anyway! Race you to the water~!

[And with that, she's off! If there's one advantage to this loss, it's having such a compact body with so much energy!]

[princelyspirit]

[Now that's more like it! Satisfied that Rise's been cheered up, Utena runs after her]

You're on!

[OOC: Do you want to cut things off here and focus on the newer thread, or would you like to go on for a bit longer? :o ]

[therealrisette]

{ooc: If you think you can manage more here, that'd be great! I wanna give Rise a chance to actually enjoy herself now that she's decided not to let Utena treating her like a kid get to her. xD}

[Rise's mad dash closes the distance between her and the "ocean" in no time! And she can't help but giggle along the way.

With a splash, she jumps in and waits for Utena to catch up. She's not the most accomplished swimmer, but she seems to be doing well enough for a girl her (apparent) age! ... In the shallow water, at least. Not that it seems shallow to her.]

C'mon! The water's perfect!

[She may have remembered just now that Utena's never been here before...]

[princelyspirit]

[She runs in, unthinking, but after a moment it hits her: this water is fake. This beach is fake. This entire room is fake. And yet...]

It's more than perfect - it feels just like real water!

[Splashes around a bit, as if she needs to prove that to herself a second time, and she can't help but look around the ocean in awe. This shouldn't be so amazing to her, but, well, she supposes that she's still new enough where little things like this can catch her by surprise]

[therealrisette]

Duh! It's magic!

[Rise gives her a playful wink. She totally gets why Utena's so enthralled - when you really think about it, an entire idealized beach in a room is pretty amazing!

Of course, Rise couldn't help but be tempted to help Utena with this experiment. With an impish grin, she makes as big a splash as she can aim at the pink-haired girl, unable to contain a fit of giggles. She seemed like she needed more proof that it's really like real non-magical water!]

[princelyspirit]

Hey!

[Utena puts her arms up to block the water, but alas, there's only so much she can do. But, she's not upset - surprised, but not upset. But, that doesn't mean she's going to let Rise off easy~]

Alright, now you've done it...

[Returning her devilish grin, Utena dunks her hands in the water, and splashes Rise right back]

[therealrisette]

[With a small shriek, Rise tries to dodge and swim to the side! But nope... she still gets splashed, right in the back of the head. Curtains of wet hair fall over her eyes, but she's still giggling uncontrollably.]

No fair!

[She makes a weak, blind attempt at splashing in Utena's direction with one tiny hand. Instead of doing the smart thing and getting her hair out of her eyes first...]

[princelyspirit]

[laughing]

Says the girl who hit me with a sneak attack! That wasn't exactly what I call fair...

[But, that said, it's no fun fighting an uneven fight. Utena stops splashing for a moment, waiting for Rise to situate herself; but, once she gets the hair out her eyes, she better be ready for another wave.]