Uranus: Lillies and Pauses. (Haruka thread)

[Anastasia]

Maybe I should just leave her...it'll hurt less if I go now than later, especially if we're ever...

Still staring out as Haruka drives, Viluy blushes lightly, finger drawing a path on the frost in the window.

But I can't. I love her so much...and I am happy when I'm with her...but....

Looking up from her reverie, "I hope so," is her reply, turning to you. "They're supposed to be gorgeous."

Like when she smiles...I'm happy.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka gives Viluy a wide smile at that, though inwardly she collapses in exhaustion after all the wild and nervous gesticulations and gibbering her inner-self engaged in.

Just like this.  The two of us together, not worrying about much else....

"We'll get to see firsthand just how lovely these ice sculptures are," Haruka sing-songs, feeling better now than she did a few minutes ago, as they pass a sign indicating that the Tokyo Mall was only a hop, skip and a jump away.

[Anastasia]

A small nod from Viluy, who smiles back warmly before turning to the snowy city, her gaze distant and wandering. Resting her head in her right hand and leaning on the door, abstracted...

This goes on for the rest of the trip, until you arrive at the mall. The parking lot is farly empty for a weekday afternoon, as the snow continues to come donw - it's got to be at least four inches now.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka wishes there was something more she could do for Viluy, but she recognizes the limitations of her ability in matters such as this.  As she did tell her once - It's something I have to deal with on my own, Haruka.

Though I wish we could work on it together instead, Viluy....

Haruka parks the car then steps out of the vehicle with a sigh, pushing the thought out of her mind for the time being.  She frowns at how high the snow reaches on her leg.  "Ugh.  I hope we can find the car again when we it's time to leave the mall..." she comments.

Turning to Viluy with a smirk, she says, "Now, remember where we're parked.  We're in section snow, between more snow and lots of snow."

[Anastasia]

"I'll remember," she says, smiling a bit at both Haruka's sally and at the girl's improved mood. Glancing up at the snow giving sky, "I think it's starting to pick up already," Viluy frowns.

A repeat of last year, indeed, at this rate. More snow that year than my entire life in Tokyo.

Indeed, the snowflakes do seem to be gaining a certain increased, rapid falling to their tendencies. Well, at least you won't have to worry about class tomorrow at this rate.

[Liddo-kun]

"Hmm....  Well, we'll deal with it when the time comes to leave, I guess," Haruka says in response to Viluy's observation.  She taps a finger against her chin thoughtfully though.  "I suppose we could be mindful of the time and check how packed the snow is from time to time as well," she adds with a shrug.

Haruka begins leading the way towards the mall entrance, taking Viluy by the hand as she does.  With an open, upturned palm - the one not occupied by Viluy's - she catches some stray, drifting snowflakes and watches as they melt in the warmth of her hand.

Something so soft and delicate dissapearing when you try to touch and hold onto it....  How strangely familiar....

Haruka quickly masks the sadness that threatened to well up and shine dully in her eyes before Viluy can catch sight of it.  She chides herself for so quickly falling into such a melancholy mood.

Silly girl.  Just enjoy what you have for now and if the time comes... when it comes....

Haruka suddenly feels the need to squeeze the soft and delicate hand within her grasp for comfort and reassurance, and does so.  On recieving Viluy's questioning look, Haruka simply smiles and shakes her head.

"I hope they have a figurine of some kind of bird.  Those are always kind of neat," she comments, the entryway now just a few paces away as they reach the cover of the mall's overhang.

Sad, happy, sad, then happy again, then sad once more....  What was the price of admission to ride this emotional roller coaster? she mentally grumbles.

[Anastasia]

Viluy smiles at you at your reassurance, opening her palm to catch a few snowflakes, then smiling. "Hold on, Haruka," she says, breaking away from you slightly, before you get inside. Turning her face slightly upward, she sticks out her beautifully red tongue, starting to move a bit to catch a snowflake. This is soon done, causing her to smile.

"I haven't had a really good chance to do that since I was a kid," she notes, smiling back. "And with how pretty the snow is, I'm sure the ice inside will match. Maybe even an ice bird to fly in the snowstorm," Viluy wonders, imaging just that otherworldly sight.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka watches her antics and is unable to keep the amused smile off her face at the sight.  "Snow angels and snowball fights next?" she adds with mirth.

This is how I want to see her, this is how she should be - carefree, without worry....

[Anastasia]

Viluy stops, thinking.

With that front yard, maybe...

"You know, maybe that might not be a bad idea tomorrow," she says, warming up by the second, in contrast the clinging cold in the air. "You're tall enough to be an easy snowball target," Viluy teases, taking to the idea more and more.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka frowns comically at the... 'compliment' by Viluy.

"Sure just make me a convenient target..." she mutters in way of reply, making a face at Viluy for punctuation.

"Come tomorrow, we'll just see whose picking snow from their teeth," Haruka replies challengingly, before flexing her arms.  "I'll just have to show you my legendary snowslinger arm that strikes fear in the hearts of many!"  She adds a solemn nod to that for overdramatic emphasis.

"Anyhow, let's get a move on before we get snowed in here at the mall," Haruka tells Viluy, holding the door open for the 'Snow Princess'.  "Ooh.  And it's warm in here too," she comments when she catches the wafting warmth from within.

[Anastasia]

Mood improving even more, "We'll see who is picking snow from their teeth, and who is victorious," Viluy shoots back playfully, smirking. "In fact, I imagine you'll need to be treated for snow up the nose." Standing just outside the door to the mall that Haruka opened, she stops a moment, gazing at the snow.

Damn. It must need to be more watery...I can't seem to do a thing to water when it's frozen or steam.

Turning her head up a few moments later, she sighs in relief as she enters the mall. "Oh...it is..." she murmurs in appreciation.

[Liddo-kun]

With her ego being mauled by Viluy's onslaught she replies in placating tones, "Yes, dear."  She follows her 'cruel mistress' into the mall, muttering gruffly about the lack of respect and the abuse she takes - though with an underlying hint of amusement.

Haruka stretches her arms overhead with a contented sigh.  "So, I'm going to assume you know which way to go?  I've never been inside this particular mall, honestly," she admits sheepishly.

[Anastasia]

"I think so," Viluy agrees, thawing out in the warm air of the mall. The mall itself is set up to be mostly open air and four stories - the center is open, with elevators and escalators leading to the upper floor walkways and stores. Very nice, with a huge fountain in the center, with a large flock of plastic cases around it.

On seeing those, Viluy stops. "We'll go to the exhibit first," she decides, starting to head over.

[Liddo-kun]

"Sure," Haruka replies, while follows Viluy.  She makes a cursory study of the sights and sounds of the mall and the crowd along the way - for anything eyecatching.

[Anastasia]

The floor setup is pretty simple - underneath the shadow of the upper walkways are the stores, each advertising great deals and bargains in glittering glass windows. Past that is the guts of the floor area, the open areas with benches, trees, and such, leading to the center area with the fountain and exhibit. Esclators dot here and there, leading to higher floors.

The roof of the fourth floor is a giant skyroof. Gray light comes down from it, but not enough. Due to the snowy weather, it leaves a certain lack of light in the majority of the mall. A special, almost dusk like shadowness, only banished in small pools of yellow light in intervals.

Some people are about, all dressed in warm sweaters, scarves, coats, trench jackets - the familiar wear of the winter months. A high number of school uniforms are hidden underneath the jackets, showing that Mugen wasn't the only school with low attendance today. Everyone seems cheery and relaxed despite the gloominess as you head to the ice scuptures. It's a strange contrast...

And a stranger one, when you get in a good viewing range. At least thirty cases of various size are all around the fountain, some small enough to be on supporting pillars, but most simply on the ground. Inside each is a frozen scupture, which a sign advertises are 'from the best hands in Sapporou'. Animals, plants, scenes...all leap out at you, carved in the purest, clearest ice.

"This is stunning," Viluy murmurs as you get close to the first, a Bengal Tiger resting it's head on it's paws, it's wise ice eyes starting on forever. It even seems to glow with a vitality that would suggestit merely needs to rise to continue the hunt. A light inside each case makes sure each scupture has sufficient lighting, causing each to shimmer and sparkle. Finally, each also has a price tag on it - this one is 10000 yen, for example.