thenearshore | continuous spotlight

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Who: Fubuki, Reisi
When: Aug 7
Where: Near Shore
What: Prayer #50

[This fine day finds Fubuki sitting on a bench somewhere (don't question it), holding a newspaper and pretending very earnestly that he isn't watching a young lady rip out a page from her notebook and throw it out.]

...She missed. [The crumpled page falls sadly to the floor beside the trash can. And she's not even going to pick it up!!] That isn't cute...

[...Near Shore denizens can't see them, but the newspaper held open in his face is for the benefit of any gods or shinki who might wander by. IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE IT'S FOR A PRAYER]

She came to people-watch, but she's just looking at flowers instead. Do you think she likes them?

...By the way, I didn't have an eye on her or anything, I just happened to notice this prayer when you suggested it. [Please believe him.]

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Hrmm...

[But before he can say anything more substantial to that, Miss Designer straightens, takes a deep breath, and starts walking.]

Is she heading back?

[It seems like she is. And the friend is waiting a few feet away from the flower-scene.]

They didn't split up, then...

[Even if she leaves in a panic, she always returns, huh...?] Maybe splitting up would have been better for her. [Speaking of resolve—if someone is always nearby but never suspecting, that's a little too "safe," isn't it?]

[And that's what motivates him to step forward and stick out his foot to trip Miss Designer. He's so sorry miss this is for your sake...!]

[She stumbles, but doesn't fall, and the reason she doesn't fall is because she tumbles into her friend. They straighten themselves, but...nothing seems to have changed. ...Why aren't his heavily-metaphorical orchestrations working???]

...We'll have to be more direct. Reisi, how are your pickpocketing skills?

[Indeed, it seems that the young designer is always at the cusp of confessing but never fully does so while her friend, on the other hand, is perhaps a little too patient and understanding to give her the proper push that she needs. When the designer crashes into her friend, she gets a good-natured teasing about her clumsiness before her friend helps brush her off, and then the two begin to move on.

The way Reisi sees it, Tenjoin's machinations aren't working because they're preconceived if not ill-conceived. Either he's on to something but not quite there, or he's onto something that isn't actually there, both of which are detrimental to pursuing one's goal.]

I think they're perfectly fine, especially when used to do what's right.

[Which is why Reisi holds up the young designer's sketchpad where the other shinki can see. Apparently, he'd taken it while she was tumbling after Tenjoin had tripped her.]

Neither of them have realized it's missing just yet.

[...That's kind of scary.]

Now all we have to do is— [Wait. He was all prepared to write something in her notebook, but...wouldn't that just be scary and freak her out instead? It has to be a sign...]

[He looks after them as he considers. She prayed for her design work but not the other thing...]

Why do you think they're fine?

—I meant my pickpocketing skills. [Just going to quickly get that out there.] Since you asked...

[But that's beside the point here.]

At any rate, let's see what we could do with this to offer her some inspiration with her designs.

[She can't have torn out everything she's sketched, can she?]

Let's see what we can learn and what we can use to draw out her potential.

Edited 2017-08-31 15:21 (UTC)

Ah... [If Reisi considers that "fine"...that's even more scary...]

Right... [He opens the sketchbook. ...Yep, that sure is a full-page portrait of her friend's face.]

She's too preoccupied. [It's why he wants to resolve it rather than something else.]

What do you think of when you say inspiration?

[It's not that scary if it's used for the greater good, right?

In truth, Reisi generally takes a systematic approach to things, so this sort of prayer doesn't play to his strong points. But that may be the very reason he took it on in the first place—he's not one to shy away from a challenge, and this seems like a very interesting one.]

For a start, sketches that give us an idea of who she is and what she can do as a designer rather than as an artist.

[It's also quite possible that she's just transitioning from design as a hobby to something more career-oriented... which could explain her getting stuck, especially given her preoccupation and getting distracted.]

There still is a chance that her preferred model, her friend, may prove a positive influence rather than a hindering one if we invoke the drive for her to own her designs as well as her model.

Edited 2017-08-31 23:39 (UTC)

We've tried all the ways I can think of already...

[He flips through the notebook. The designs inside look fairly understated to him (unbeknownst to him, it's because his taste tends toward "incredibly tacky"), but he's not much of a design guy in the first place.]

She was looking at flowers, but there are no floral designs... [Yeah, that's all he's got.]

Design doesn't necessarily translate so literally, Tenjoin-kun.

[Glancing at the sketches, Reisi tries to find a common thread between them. They may not have any overt floral designs, but... surely there's something that brings them together.]

Perhaps they're incorporated in the color. Or in the petal-like tiers or ruffles accenting their various hemlines. It's possible these exist in a combination of the two.

[Still, he isn't entirely certain, even as he has Tenjoin turn back a few designs to peer closely at them.]

We should pay her home a visit to see if she's begun working on any of them herself. If not, we may have to give it a go ourselves, helping with the first step toward bringing her vision to life on her preferred model.

How about it?

[It's a better plan than continuing to stay here.]

[Following her home was something he didn't want to do, too... But misgivings aside...he knows where it is.]

She lives in an apartment. [He points the way.]

[As such, the two shinki make their way to the young designer's apartment, where she happens to live alone.]

She doesn't appear to be home just yet.

[He puts one hand on the door and the other on the knob. His hand glows light blue for just a moment before they hear the lock become undone, and Reisi pulls the door open.]

Let's try to make this quick, then.

Edited 2017-09-04 22:56 (UTC)

[Going into a girl's room again... He was determined not to let that ever be a thing he should resign himself to, but looks like someone else doesn't feel the same way.]

...How often do you do that?

[Considering he took the trouble to discover where she lives, it's not like he has much right to talk, but he was trying to locate her at the time, and hadn't gone in. He knew they'd have to do something when they got here, but that was too easy.]

[As far as Reisi's concerned, they should do everything they can to properly inspire the young designer. Breaking into her apartment is merely part of the means by which they can accomplish their goal, which is why Reisi has no qualms with it.

On the other hand, Tenjoin doesn't seem to share his perspective.]

Hardly ever. I only do it when necessary.

[The apartment is average by Japanese standards. Beside the genkan is a closet-sized area connecting the toilet and bathrooms; the washing machine appears located in that small space as well. Past the genkan is a dining area connected to a kitchen area. There are a stove and fridge, but there aren't any ovens in sight. Just past that is a small living room area where her futon is rolled up by one of the walls.

Laid out on a low fold-out table are a few unfinished clothing designs from her sketchbook. Some are further along than others, but they overall appear to be a bunch of incomplete projects.]

It seems that she's tried working on a number of them... But who knows exactly which is the most recent one, or how long ago she last worked on it?

[Still, Reisi feels they might have something to work with here.]

Are you, by any chance, good at sewing or anything of the sort?

[That's...not that reassuring, but if he really felt that strongly about it, he wouldn't have shared the address in the first place. Not that he doesn't think Reisi wouldn't have discovered it eventually, from what Fubuki's seen. And, of course, asking Reisi how he knew to do that is off-limits...]

[...Maybe he was a policeman? He'd hope a policeman would have more compunctions about doing that kind of thing, though...]

[But for now, he answers the question.] Not a bit. [...Not that that was a thing he tried, but looking at the stuff doesn't cause any of the usual I-know-how-to-do-this feelings to bubble up. He picks up one of the needles to make sure, in case holding it in his hands triggers something... But nope.]

Even if we noticed something about her sewing, we'd still have to get the message to her. [He puts the needle back down.] ...And I don't think she'd be happy if we messed with her work.

[Unfortunately, there wouldn't be any reassuring Tenjoin even if Reisi knew his job prior to his death. Certainly, he has no moral compunctions about doing what maintains peace and orderliness in society, but that has led to some extreme decisions that most people—Tenjoin included—would find questionable.]

That's just as well. [Reisi answers regarding the other shinki's lack of sewing skills, though he brings up a good point afterward.

They technically could play out a page of The Elves and the Shoemaker, but it's possible doing so would have the opposite effect of inspiring the young designer.]

Good thing that you mentioned that. Besides, this isn't so much about her sewing than it is about her designs, most of which lie here unfinished.

[Are there any pictures of that particular friend around? Even if Miss Designer is in the picture herself, if they could simply link her designs to the care she has for her friend, then that might lend to a really good message...]

Why, do you sew?

[He keeps looking around.]

If she keeps starting new ones without finishing, that's a lack of focus... Is that what you mean?

[He bends down and picks up a photo half-obscured by the table—looks like it'd fallen. A picture of the two of them in front of a fancy building... He can't help a little chuckle as he hands it over.] This isn't a reference photo...

[Although Reisi's ignoring the first question, he'd probably be pretty good at sewing if he tried it.

More importantly, he focuses on Tenjoin's comment about the photo and question about the designer's lack of focus before choosing to respond.

Taking the photo into a hand and studying it, he continues.] While that isn't a reference photo, it can be useful.

So to answer your question, it might very well be a lack of focus or motivation to see the projects through.

[He holds the photo out near her unfinished work, revealing the pair's cheesy but fun-looking smiles.]

But if she could finish even one that her friend might wear it with pride... Don't you think that'd be more than enough to continue working on her designs?

[Hmm? Avoided the sewing question, huh.]

If the focus is the problem, that's not an easy thing to fix...

[He takes a look at her desk. Magazines, pattern books... She actually has plenty of pictures of her friend, now that he's really looking. If she hasn't already finished, something's stopping her.]

...Do you see any signs of perfectionism? [Putting such stakes on her work might be giving her "stage fright."]

[Reisi's of the opinion that it's better for all if he doesn't repeatedly draw attention to the fact that he does well at basically anything he sets his hand to. It's just wouldn't be right (or strategic) to needlessly flaunt his natural talents.

Anyway, her room is a bit cluttered here and there with the cleanest areas being those she's most likely to work in—namely, the area around her desk and the low table, and parts of the kitchen area where she likely prepares meals and eats. It's in a livable state as things are now, even though it's not perfectly tidy or orderly, which indicates more awareness and attentiveness in places where she's most active.]

Yes, there are a number of signs pointing to that.

[He continues without skipping a beat.]

When we were observing her earlier, she crumpled up and threw away the design she was working on. One can't help wondering how many other pages she'd given up on before we came to answer her prayer. She seems to have kept whatever designs and sketches satisfy her, but it looks like many of them are still here as "works in progress"...

So then, if we let her know that it's okay to be a little imperfect... [Then she might have a shot at finishing one of the things instead of giving up on it.]

[He's still looking at her desk. He's already thought of a note, and already dismissed that idea. What else...]

[...A quote from a book of sayings? A song? ...A flier with a deadline on it?] Hrmmm...

[He picks up a calendar. One of the dates is circled?] Look at this... [He puts the calendar down and flips through a planner lying on the desk.] The friend's birthday? I don't suppose we could turn that into a deadline...

While that's a perfectly good idea, Tenjoin-kun, we'd probably do well recommending a step by step process toward making this project a successful one with an achievable goal.

[Standards are subjective, and perfectionists generally set impossibly high ones for themselves, then wind up in cycles of depression if or when they're unable to reach the bars they've set in the first place.]

In other words, we can't simply set a deadline without determining what needs to be accomplished before then. Once that's determined, we should figure out steps to take and goalposts to reach so she can realistically see how to make it happen in a reasonable amount of time.

How are you planning on getting the idea to her?

[A step-by-step plan mysteriously appearing on her desk isn't going to make her freak out any less than a simple note would...]

By arranging things in a manner where taking those steps is a natural course of action.

[He begins looking through her sketchpad to match incomplete pieces with their designs.]

We can start by figuring out which of the designs she's been working on, and narrowing them down to a small selection that may best suit her friend. Having too wide a selection range can lead to indecision.

[He leans over to look at what Reisi's doing. It does stand to reason that the further-along pieces are the one she likes better...]

Are you going to take them out of the sketchbook?

[Because he...doesn't follow.]

No, but I’m going to see which designs she’s started working on and compare those to each other.

[While Miss Designer clearly wants to propel herself in fashion and is fixated on her friend modeling (or at least wearing) her designs, she still isn’t entirely sure how to get from Point A to Point B.]

Then, I’ll use post-its to mark the designs that stand out. [Still, doing just that will be meaningless if she doesn’t know what those markers are for.] It should help if we leave positive feedback and encouragement on the selections, as well as the casual reminder that her friend’s birthday is approaching.

Tenjoin-kun, your assistance, please? Let’s narrow the selection to five or six designs, if we could. [In case this part isn’t quite clear,] There are quite a few incomplete outfits, and having a large selection to choose from can be quite overwhelming, so we don’t want to mark and compliment each and every design available...

[He'd been worried that any note they'd leave would freak her out. But he'd been thinking of maxims and short phrases; longer comments, especially if she feels they have a point regardless of the source, might be okay.]

...I wonder if she'll think a ghost did it.

[He picks up a pack of post-its and then goes over to take a look.]

[...He barely knows anything about true design. Clothes are for wearing, is the extent of his relationship with them.] What kind of positive comments do you have in mind?

[While Reisi's the sort who knows how to dress himself ~~but has questionable tastes thinking dressing as a sea anemone is proper children's entertainment~~, it's not as if he knows much about fashion design himself. However, they're working with a deadline, so they'll have to try their best in whatever way they can now.]

Comments praising something specific about the designs and how well they suit her friend. [Though having some inspirational quotes here and there can't hurt, either.

After matching up designs with her works in progress, they narrow their choices down to about six.]

Sounds like a plan, then. [He splits the pack of post-its and hands it over.]

[And then after this, a little bit of observation to make sure it goes off without a hitch, and that should be good.]

[Barely a minute or so after they finish, they hear the apartment door lock click open before Miss Designer opens the door. She steps into her tiny genkan, slips off her shoes and places them in the shoe closet before stepping into her house slippers and shuffling into her apartment. Yawning, she lets her bag fall to the floor at her side before noticing her sketchpad sitting on the table with her works in progress.

Seemingly certain she'd left the house with her sketchpad, she actually asks aloud, "What's going on?" But it doesn't seem like she expects any actual response to that question because she makes her way to the table and takes a seat. Then she plucks up her sketchpad and flips through to the pages marked with post-its. She appears to be in awe as she studies the marked pages, glancing back and forth between the notes and her designs. Sometimes, she picks up the still unfinished outfit in question, turns it in consideration. Once in a while, she even turns it toward one of the conveniently placed pictures of her friend, as if asking for approval.

Finally, finally, she settles on one before checking her desk calendar. Re-energized by their comments—and inspirational quotes, if included—Miss Designer settles down to work on one of the pieces tonight.

Reisi turns to Tenjoin.]

So, what do you think?

[All's well that ends well, right?]

Hm? Well, the rest is up to her.

Heh. It's nice seeing that kind of expression on her face, isn't it?

Let's leave her to it. [He turns to go. Out the window, naturally.]

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continuous spotlight

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sorry for taking so long, i was burned out all last week

no worries o/

looks that we may be reaching a point where we can turn this in!

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