this is a [test] of the emergency broadcast system

[titansno]

TEST DRIVE MEME

> The Park. Man, what a nice day out. Why not enjoy it? I'm sure -- shit, yep, there's some echo monsters.
> The Mall. Exactly what it says on the tin! Dodge the hordes of teenage mallrats or take part, whichever suits your tastes.
> Rainy Day. Agh, it's fucking awful out. And is it raining those vermilion things?? Now you've got an Echo to contend with on top of everything else. Find some shelter, quick!
> PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, HOW FUN
> The most horribly kitschy Arts and Crafts Fair you can imagine.
> Wild Card! Make up your own.

Comments

[substitutable]

Huh? Oh, yeah. [He gets to his feet after the stranger, looking him over to make sure he isn't injured. He notices the slow way the other boy moves, but he catches up to him without a word about it.]

Thanks -- they'll be fine I think, but I definitely don't want a car coming up with them on the street like that.

[drawitagain]

[Collecting them slowly, but with a big smile on his face.]

I was in your way, wasn't I?

Sorry about that! [He laughs.]

I'm pretty sure the artist is the one who's supposed to suffer for the art, not passerbys...

[substitutable]

Well... only because I couldn't see where I was going, really. Here. [He grabs the box and puts it near Haruka so he could put whatever he picks up inside it easier.]

What were you working on? If you don't mind me asking.

[drawitagain]

It's just...a mural. Sort of.

I wanted to make the sidewalk nice and colorful for when the highschool kids were walking home but I didn't quite finish in time...

I hope they'll still appreciate it tomorrow when it's finished!

please enjoy keywords

[substitutable]

Hmm. [He takes a look around, examining the colorful art that Haruka'd made on the usually boring sidewalk.]

It looks great. But... aren't you a student here too? You look like you could be...

omg

[drawitagain]

Oh, no! I don't take normal classes at the high school...I don't even go there at all, actually.

I take online classes from home, so...[Runs his hand through his hair absentmindedly. Every time he has to tell someone this, it feels kind of like he's disappointing them.]

[substitutable]

Oh, I see. [Well shit. Did he just ask a really bad question? He hopes he didn't upset him--]

Well, hey. It's nice of you to pretty up this boring old sidewalk then. It looks great... Can I help? I can't draw at all but I can keep an eye out so no one trips over you like I almost did.

[drawitagain]

[Blinkblinkblink.]

You...want to stand guard?

I've made it this far without getting into too much trouble, so I really don't think it's necessary!

[The most goofy ass grin you've ever seen.]

Thank you, though!

[substitutable]

No, you -- you never know! I'm not the only one carrying big boxes.

And ah, I kind of just want to watch you, too. If you don't mind.

[drawitagain]

[Haruka is still for a moment, but his eyes soon light up completely.]

...Oh! Well! Okay, if you really want to! [Carefully scampers over to the tile he was working on. HE'S SO EXCITED THAT SOMEONE LIKES HIS ART.]

Here, come check this out! I'm making this part full of mythical stuff, like dragons and flying serpents...

[substitutable]

[OH GOD that was more enthusiasm than he thought he'd get. Oh. My. God.

He picks up his box and the last of the props to follow, setting it on his knees to take a look at said tile.]

Dragons and serpents-- wow. Wow. Whoa! [SO THIS IS ART. He leans in for a closer look.] Holy crap, man, you're good!

[drawitagain]

Ahhh, not really...I'm a lot better when I'm not working with chalk like this...

I just have a lot of time to practice. I'm lucky I don't go to normal school, all I'd do is doodle, hehehe.

[Coloring in a big purple dragon, the kind you'd see on a medieval crest.]

I appreciate the compliments, though! Really, I just want to make people smile when they come home, everyone is always so...they have a tendency to be pretty grumpy sometimes. [Thinking about a certain someone in particular.]

[substitutable]

Really? [Better? Than this? Oh my god.] That's so awesome -- I wish I had a talent like this, you know? This is really cool. And it's really nice of you too.

I guess people do get really grumpy. I mean, everyone gets all stressed out over finals and there was that earthquake the other week and people just want to get out of school for the holidays most of the time. I hope this'll cheer them up too.

[drawitagain]

I'm glad you think so. Of course, knowing my luck, it'll rain this evening...

[He looks at Shintaro with a very gentle, very sincere smile. Thank you, stranger. Your words me so much to him.]

I'm sure you have other talents that are just as good as mine! What are you doing with all that cardboard, anyway?

[substitutable]

Oh... this? [He gestures to it.]

My class is having some sort of event next semester and these are for the props. Since I don't have to do much over the week, I volunteered to get these done at home.

And if it helps, the weather forecast, at least, said it'll be clear.

[drawitagain]

You know...if you need any help painting any of them...

[Gringrin.]

I can't just not repay you for standing guard! [Pictured: Haruka laughing to hard at something that isn't even funny.]

[substitutable]

[He knows what you're suggesting. He grins.]

You know, I just might.

I'm Shin. And you?

[drawitagain]

Haruka!

[Reaches into his pocket and takes out his phone that looks like it's straight out of 2005.]

Why don't we exchange phone numbers? [HE'S SO EXCITED. HE'S ONLY DONE THIS ONCE BEFORE AND IT WAS WITH TAKANE AND SHE LIVES NEXT DOOR.]

That way you can let me know what you need and when!

[substitutable]

[If it's a Nokia that's the only weapon he'll need to fight off any evils.]

That sounds like a plan. Can you take texts or should I call you?

[He's pulling his own phone out as he says so. It's a smart phone, but no blue-haired cybergirls are inside]

[drawitagain]

Texts are fine! I know my phone is ancient, but it's not that ancient...

I'm a little jealous of yours, though. My parents won't let me get one...They don't want me to download games onto it.

[substitutable]

Nah, I was just curious about the plan. I didn't want to send you a text and accidentally add to the phone bill, you know?

[He finishes adding Haruka's name and number to his, and looks up.] I think you can still download some games onto one like yours... do you want to take a look?

[drawitagain]

Ehehe...Well...I'd get in trouble.

For some reason, they think games and tv are too exciting for me. They're really over-protective like that. I know they mean well but...Sometimes I get bored! [A laugh.]

[substitutable]

Oh. I can see that, yeah. It makes some sense, I think. Lots of games and shows get people really excited.

[He thinks. Hmmmmmm :|A]

There are games that are pretty chill though. Like Creatures Crossing? Nothing is chiller than that one.

[drawitagain]

You can try explaining it to my parents. They'd never let me own a game console to play it on, anyway.

[A gentle sigh.]

I wish they'd let me do more stuff now that I'm older. I haven't been hospitalized for almost four years...

[substitutable]

... Rough, huh? But that sounds nice. They care about you a lot, huh?

[He laughs a little, but it's not unfriendly, and he moves himself back a little so Haruka doesn't run out of room to keep working.]

I know a bit about video games though, so if I ever get the chance I can give it a try if you want.