4th Broken Illusion

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Action : Closed : Back-dated to 11/13 ]
[ Just as promised, Touma is waiting at the corner for Arisawa to show up. He hasn't been here long, but he got tired of standing still so he's pacing a circle around the stop sign, pausing when there's a chance a car or bike would be coming by and could hit him --- but nothing happens. ]

---

[ Open : Rec Center ]
[ Part of it is to keep in shape, and part of it is to work out stress, but today Touma decided to visit the gym as he does from time to time. You'll find him either working on the stationary bike (that doesn't break), lifting weights (that don't come undone and drop onto his feet), or punching at a bag (that doesn't come apart or otherwise break).

Yeah. Someone's noticed that things aren't quite "normal' for him, and since he can't come up with a rational explanation, it has him just a bit ticked off. Since he lacks his power, he'll have to make up for it in other ways. Recent talks with people who went through hard times back in their own worlds only served to reinforce this.

Touma barely takes a break between activities, sitting somewhere alone with his sandwich or a bottle of water, before getting right back to it. ]


(OOC: People can also use this post to just call Touma or stop by his house if there is a need for it. o/ )

Comments

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Quirk of a brow. So she was serious about all that? Guess he might have underestimated her a bit, too. ] Sure. I'll keep that in mind.

[ A nod. ] Yeah, that's it. Just keep in mind the drones of the town are all dead set on making sure people act and dress like how they want. Their so-called American 1950's ideal or something like it. It's totally "retro", but to them it's the only way to be. So... they'll probably try to force some dresses on you. Don't take it too personally. [ Thanks to what he's heard about the drones, from Garviel, he has a bit of sympathy for them, now. ]

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

Well, long as they don't try anything on me, I should be fine. Well, they should be fine, anyway. Never really did like the retro look, anyhow.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Let's try not to get kicked out. [ And once inside, he glances around. If he's lucky (hah!), no one will get the wrong idea about them shopping together like this. ] The boys' section is toward the back, near the changing booths.

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll go take a look. [And off she disappears in that direction. Looking around, from rack to rack, for something wearable... nothing seemed to stick out. It was all really formal, dated, and more masculine than even she was willing to go for. Man, but conformism sucked sometimes. A drone or two stops to ask if she's shopping for Dave, to which she replies with variants on "Sure, we'll go with that." Eventually, she calls out to Touma.]

Yo! You still here, Kamijou?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ He's not there without anything to do. It's going to be winter soon, so picking up a new jacket and maybe a hat can't hurt.

Touma calls out from around a corner, skimming a rack of leather jackets that are waaaay out of his price range. ] I wouldn't just leave like that.

Well, it wasn't a week, at least... >_>

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

You sure this is the only place? I mean, I know it's the fifties and all, but... [She winces visibly as she scans through a rack of dresses, having decided that she could at least put up with those slightly more easily. Not much, just slightly.]

Oh please, 2 days is nothing, and I'm on hiatus tomorrow night anyhow XD;

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Headscratch. ] You can get something custom tailored, but that's a little too out of my price range. [ He misses his clothes, too, but it's not like he was super attached to the style. ]

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[It's not so much that she's attached as it is what else does she even have?] Damn, I'll need money, too? I can't believe I didn't think of that...

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Disbelieving. ] ...you didn't bring any money from your house?

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[/eyebrow] I'm not sure, but I think I left my wallet in Japan.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Rubbing his head. ] Right, I assumed someone else told you the fact that, as far as this town is concerned, the house you end up in is yours. Like you own the place, or the people there are your family. [ Gesturing. ] It means what is there that might be yours if it was your real home is yours. The clothes in your closet, the food in the kitchen, an allowance, everything.

[ Looking into the shop. ] It's not just an elaborate prank. Every drone expects people to go on like this is their life. Like they have jobs, or go to school, watch movies, have dinner, get mail, watch TV. Everything.

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[There's a pause, before she lets out a heavy sigh.]

You can't seriously be telling me people are just gonna go along with that, can you? Because that would be the most asinine thing I've ever heard. There can't possibly be that many quitters in this dump.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Trust me, it sounds like quitting, but the punishment for not at least half-assing it is ... pretty damn terrible.

[ He points to one of the employees of the store, standing idly by, big smile plastered on their face, just waiting eagerly for a customer to walk in so they can make themselves useful. Touma hopes that sight will speak for itself. ]

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[Loud and clear. Another pause, before she pulls one of the dresses off the rack, on that her hand had been resting on throughout their talk.]

...I guess this one isn't terrible. What d'you think?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Cute. ] I guess so? I'm not any kind of expert, so why don't you just try it on? [ Jerking a thumb toward the doors of the changing area. ]

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

Yeah, whatever. Don't act like you're not trying to picture it. Hang on, 'cause I'm gonna need your opinion again in a minute.

[On that note, she follows his thumb with the article in question, and slips into the changing room, sliding the curtain shut behind her.

Once she was out of the dress she came in, she stared at herself in the full-body mirror. Even the underwear she had on wasn't hers, a thought that only disquieted her even more. The bra even fit perfectly, something she wasn't remotely used to.]

1/?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Alright. [ Said without rolling his eyes at the first comment. Why can't anyone take his word seriously? When he's sarcastic, it's quite obvious...

Oh well. He turns and doesn't even pay attention to which door she goes into. Mistake #1.

Then he manages to catch the attention of one of the employees as he is sizing up those jackets from earlier. Mistake #2.

Said employee when suggests he try some different shirts on with it because what he has just does not look "cool" enough to go with that jacket. Doesn't he know what is all the rage with the kids these days? He admits that he does not. Mistake #3. ]

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ It's all these that end with Mistake #4, in which Touma opens the wrong changing room door and nearly steps right into Tatsuki. ]

--um.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Mistake #5 is not apologizing profusely and exiting the room in an expeditious manner, but rather staring and blushing like an idiot. ] ...oh no.

[ Yeah. A little late to realize the line of errors there, Touma. ]

fin

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Dead man says what? ] What?

[ Oh no. ] I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T DO THIS ON PURPOSE! [ He can still step out, right?
She won't, like, yell and scream and hit and/or bite him, right??? ]

1/I'll let you know

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[Tatsuki's reaction is one that comes in multiple, distinct phases.

Phase one: Back up against the wall and blush profusely that the cute guy she just met has now seen her in her underwear.]

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[Phase two: Calm down. Take deep breaths. Think this through rationally. There must be a good explanation for this.]

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[Phase three: Fuck phase two.]

fin

[arisawa.livejournal.com]

[Phase four: Swift kick to the genitalia.]

What the hell, Kamijou?!

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ The number you are trying to reach is either out of service, has been temporarily disconnected, or is otherwise unreachable because the user is in incredible pain.

He just sort of crumples and rolls out of the room, clutching between his legs. Give him a minute. ]