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Post by Gris on Jun 16, 2020 5:37:15 GMT -5
Hikari processed the situation as fast as she could, as news about how the site operated were even worse than she expected. There was the silver lining of the WSHL sending more money, so she hoped she wouldn't have to care about that at least. Hikari had been fending out for herself for a while, enough as to get really bothered by it, and the money she grabbed from the Yakuza operations she sabotaged was basically spent. Growing a Fujiwara had enough bad parts for her to split despite the risks, but she had also been raised without lacking anything economically, so getting accustomed to that had been quite a ride. Of all the things manager Rika explained, there were two that hit Hikari particularly hard: How she welcomed her to the rest of her life and how she could basically sit there and let the time go by.
Hell no. Maybe it was a dull place, maybe she would have it hard and for sure there wouldn't be a decent place to party in miles, but she wasn't just going to take it. She wasn't going to wither there and die. What would be the difference between that and staying with her family? Just accepting how things were? No. No way.
"Yes, I'm sure the WSHL will take care of things like those" Hikari managed to say, making some distracted small talk as her mind ran fast. She was no genius whatsoever, but she was smart enough and specially a fast thinker. "I'll be in your care for the time being" she added with a bow, as there was no way she could afford her own place nor was she thinking of taking some kind of job to pay for her own apartment, that would only serve to get her away from her goals. "I will get acquainted with the area for a bit and return for dinner here" she commented. Hikari would like to offer herself to help at least cooking, seem less of a burden, but she didn't know anything about managing herself in a kitchen and would only make things worse.
"Oh, yeah, there is something I wanted to ask" Hikari said. "Where does the other resident hero live?" she asked making an effort to not sound judgmental about how he was lazying at home. "I'd like to introduce myself to him" she explained. Maybe there was value on that, making a few things clear with him, but first she would have to get to know what kind of person he was. Perhaps a local hero? Or someone that had been cast out like her as well?
The situation was even worse than anticipated. Gauging up how things were, the idea of laying low and learning only served to drain her patience. Hikari started to care less and less if there were Yakuza there or were so stubborn that would send some, she started to not worry about whatever presence her family had. It wasn't the safest option, but then again she wasn't in that situation for playing safe.
"If I'm going out, I can do it in uniform as well" she said, so Rika would understand. Before changing her appearance Hikari threw in a couple of flashing lights for effect, she wasn't prone to make a strange anime-like transformation for Rika's sake, she wasn't that much of a showoff, but just blinking into a new look would be strange and could make Rika wonder about her real looks and powers. Hikari was now back in her costumed self, white hair included, shiny pink contrasting on her monochrome attire.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 14(+5)/15
Action: Create Illusions 1, change.
Action: Social Skills 3 (acting), she's a bit more natural, leaning in her defiant self, but she's still acting the good humble hero for Rika.
Modifiers: Invisibility 3.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 10(+5)/15
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Post by Ushima911 on Jun 19, 2020 18:31:58 GMT -5
"Right...." She said flipping a page of her magazine.
"No need to rush..you'll be here for awhile, so you'll get to know this place pretty well.." Again said unenthused.
The woman's eyes looked up to Hikari when she asked for the other hero's information, and she made a face of indecision. "Rrg...He really doesn't like to be bothered with anyone. Especially after he got his new call center job. If you meet him, it'll have to be when he comes by here, or if you ran into him on the street. I'd show you a picture of him so you could recognize him if you saw him, but....he's sort of gained a bunch of weight since this picture we have of him.." She said scratching her head. "S-sorry...I just don't want him yelling at me for giving his info out.." She said reluctantly..
"Well....that's certainly something. With a power with lights like that you'll be a decent tourist attraction, that's for sure. ..I wouldn't wear the costume or anything unless you wanted to be bombarded by tourists.." She said. Unfortunately, she didn't seem all that impressed with the transformation. Honestly, this woman seems like she's just given up on life in general.."But that's just my opinion...if you like the attention, go nuts..give the people a show..Make some money while you're at it..." She shrugged and went back to her magazine..
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Post by Gris on Jun 21, 2020 5:38:46 GMT -5
"Oh no, I understand, I'm sorry for being too forward" Hikari apologized about asking for the other hero's information, empty words she didn't mean. "We'll end up meeting I'm sure, no need to rush things" she added, getting around the topic. If he was like that then so be it, Hikari didn't need him at all. Once looking more heroic, Hikari met that Rika's disinterest was rooted so deep that she was still unfazed. If anything she alerted Hikari about bringing too much attention to herself. For a moment she debated if listening to her was worthwhile, if perhaps she was right about going out like that, looking so out of place. Not wanting to call it quits so soon or get caught in Rika's pace, Hikari opted otherwise. It wasn't like she wanted the attention, was it? Was that the kind of person she was? No, what the hell, no. It just had been a rough day, it wasn't the time to start questioning herself.
And maybe Rika was right about the money at least.
Hikari wasn't really a stranger to getting attention nor was she actively avoiding it. At least until she got messed with the Yazuka, of course. For a girl that couldn't be even seen unless she wanted to, Hikari certainly had hopped from party to party, showing off her style and being watched. Those parties made her feel alive for a while, and it was also how she met Saito-
No, it was hardly the time for that. "There is no reason to hide" Hikari said out loud, more to herself than for Rika's sake. "Townspeople have to know that I'm here to help, and if tourists get an extra surprise attraction for their trip, the better" she commented, one particular thought in her mind. Hikari wasn't greedy, but Rika's words had reached her. She did need money and Hikari could only guess how and when WSHL's efforts to fund them would take place. It was better if she got a side gig of her own, that would give her free press and funds, so it couldn't be that bad. It wasn't specially pleasing to think about acting like an idol for tourists, moving through parties and certain Yakuza business she knew how ungrateful and miserable that job could be, but maybe kids would enjoy it.
The idea about making kids happy made Hikari smile, the first honest one she had in a while and maybe it unconsciously leaked into her illusion, but it lasted just a moment. Hikari's more practical side took charge, maybe money was the key to make Rika wake up from her stupor. "You may be right about attention and money though, a town like this sure has some kind of committee that takes charge of tourist stuff right?" Hikari asked. "Some office in Karuizawa that offers guides, makes maps..." she continued, trying to get through Rika. "That they aren't crimes to be stopped doesn't mean that I can't help, boost tourist interest, maybe shows at certain times of the day?" she wondered, getting a bit ahead of herself. Sure, Rika didn't know what she could do, almost nobody knew the full extent of her powers for a good reason, but that also meant that Rika couldn't exactly figure out what kind of show Hikari could create.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 15(+5)/15
Action: Create Illusions 1, upkeep.
Action: Social Skills 5 (acting), behaving as positive as cheerful as possible, not only to convince Rika, but also to hype herself up in that awful day she's having.
Modifiers: Invisibility 3.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 9(+5)/15
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Post by Ushima911 on Jun 26, 2020 15:58:58 GMT -5
"If that's how you view it, then cool. Just don't be shocked if you find yourself constantly bombarded with tourists, and actually have to tell them to back off so you can try and get some peace and quiet..""Yep, you'll find a few spots in town that offers tour guides, maps, excursions, etcetera.. If you're really serious about all that, then I'd recommend Karuizawa square located next to the market I guess. Lots of people in that area, as it's the most popular spot." She shrugged, still reading her magazine. All there was left to do now was to go out and do what she could.. ---- OOC: Let's go ahead and wrap this little part up. Say what ya need to say to Rika, and then we're going to have a bit of a time skip. What I have planned for you is pretty long, to keep you up with the same speed as the others, we're going to do the time skip and get Hikari on the hero train!  FYI the time skip is going to be, as stated before, around 2-3 weeks. In your post if you like, go ahead and explain everything Hikari would like to attempt to try and accomplish, and I'll let you know how it goes in the time skip summary.
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Post by Gris on Jun 27, 2020 5:38:15 GMT -5
As expected there was no easy way to get Rika to show any energy, so Hikari tried her best to not get disheartened by that. The situation was awful enough to let herself get caught into Rika's passive rhythm. "Yeah, I'm going to take a look at those places and get seen" she reaffirmed herself. "Even if it's bothersome it could be nice for both the town and myself" she added, wanting to be busy.
And indeed, busy she was. Along the next few days Hikari learned her way around town, greeted townsfolk and tourists, and even put up small visual effects for kids. She wasn't being much of a hero, even if she wanted to count helping some elderly with a shopping bag she felt weird approaching people like that. Day after day she put more and more effort into it. More shows for the tourists, using what little money she had to get prints of herself posing around tourist Karuizawa spots to autograph and sell as souvenirs, exerting herself to create interesting illusions for the kids.
At the end of every day she felt exhausted, going back to that sort of home in the Hero Establishment and falling asleep soon, only to start the next day all the same. She wasn't helping, she wasn't moving forward, Hikari didn't even feel she really reached the tourists. After all they weren't there for her, she was just a colorful surprise that kept the kids entertained for a while. Was that it? Was she to become a mascot of the town and earn a few coins doing so? How was that any different from just getting a normal job like the other town hero did and forget about it? At least she was earning money, maybe she could use it to go back to Tokyo for a day, maybe she could convince Mr. Takahara...
It sounded futile, but at least it kept her going forward, although she didn't know for how long.
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Post by Ushima911 on Jun 27, 2020 14:16:29 GMT -5
For the next few days, Hikari would do what she could to get accustomed to this town. Her options were limited, especially for things relating to being a hero. For now, she had the idea of putting on shows for kids, helping elderly, and helping out where she could. So, she would go out and do her best.
The next few days were successful for what Hikari was trying to accomplish. Children loved her and the illusions she brought. At first people just thought she was a street performer, but it eventually came out that she was a new hero in the town. Her performances became more populated each day, especially with children since that’s who she was targeting with her performance. She’d sign autographs, put small shows on, and make some tips while doing so. She never saw the same children for more than 2 days, as new tourists would replace the old ones, but she still received plenty of love from children.
Meanwhile, she was also helping out shoppers with their bags, especially if they were elderly and they appreciated it. She wasn’t truly being recognized as a hero, but rather a good citizen at best. Still, she was getting her name out in this town, and would be recognized sometimes, which was would soon become an issue...
After a week of successful performances, she had gathered perhaps the largest crowd she had ever received. However, the show was interrupted by the police, stating she was unable to perform there. Some back and forth with the legalities of her street performances only got her more attention from the local police, who stopped her from performing whenever she tried to. Hikari was even approached the town’s Mayor (or mayor equivalent) to settle the matter. Apparently, ‘someone’ had been making complaints about her performances. No matter what area she was in, she’d receive multiple complaints and therefore would need to cease her actions. When she’d ask about who was the one complaining, he’d tighten up and simply say “those with influence on the town.” She could only assume it was her family, as they did have locations set up in this town… “You were stationed here to be a hero, not a performer. Therefore, please cease any more performances, otherwise we may have to take action against you.” Were the mayor’s final words on the matter. And those words were technically true, which means not even the WSHL could, or even would, step in to assist her in this matter…
When Hikari would try and assist with anything considered to be “criminal,” she’d get push back from the police themselves. She was even specifically told “Don’t get in our way! Some of us are up for promotions soon so we can leave this town’s unit and be stationed where the action is!” She could empathize with those words for sure, but it seems even the police force’s branch was competitive, and most were trying to leave this town as it was very slow with hardly any activity for even for them. So no matter how she’d try to involve herself, if spotted, she’d be told to leave unless it was a “hero need.”
With all that, the only thing she was “allowed” to do was assist people with their shopping needs. And even with that, she’d be approached by shop owners who’d ask her to leave, as she was “loitering around.” Though, the shop owners were extremely nice about it, and were very hesitant and regretful to even have to say that to Hikari, which let her know it wasn’t their decision at all…
Back at home in the hero establishment, Rika’s attitude never changed, and she never did anything new. She just sat in the hero establishment lifeless, lounging around. She never opened up, or even tried to carry on a conversation. Everything she said, all her answers or explanations were brief and essentially conversation stoppers. On top of that, hardly anyone came to the hero establishment, and if they did, it wasn’t for anything hero related. They’d ask about information on the town, or maybe ask to use the restroom.
Nothing new was happening, all of her options were practically gone, and she was running out of her performance tip money. It had been nearly two and a half weeks, and Hikari was getting to her boiling point. What was even the point of being here if no progression was being made? Everything she had tried to do was blocked off from her, even when it was something as simple as making children smile.
With hardly any options available, Hikari would need to try and do something else…but would could she possibly even do now?
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Post by Gris on Jun 28, 2020 5:46:27 GMT -5
Hikari stared at the now familiar ceiling of the Hero Establishment as she woke up. She was ready to start another day, maybe this time things would be different, she could think of something, perhaps... but she couldn't get up. The expectation of another day with her spirit getting crushed by that place was so much that she couldn't even bear to move. "What am I going to do..." she muttered, her throat dry, her voice broken. Before she could think of anything Hikari found herself beyond frustrated, angry like a jailed animal. Even if a couple of furious tears wet her face, it was a feeling she was intimately familiar with. It was the same kind of pressure she felt before she rebelled against her family, only made more mundane and dull. That recognition helped her move, that fire inside her allowed Hikari to carry on by rage alone.
She didn't have a plan. She didn't need to. She just moved through morning routines with a hurry born from urgency. To do what she didn't know.
There was a moment when she thought she knew. What they had been doing to her may have been supported by the Law, but that didn't mean it was born from Justice. Those weren't the same, and it didn't feel fair at all. Maybe she could disregard an unfair Law in favor of Justice. Maybe she could face the corrupt institutions...
Hikari took pause, slightly scared. Sure she could start something like that, treating everyone against her like pawns of her family, but even if she was careful... even if she felt justified in her actions...
Was she a villain?
Hating those thoughts, hating what that town was doing to her, Hikari made a choice. She couldn't be there or she would end up doing something regretful. She had to get in a train to Tokyo, back to the Hero Ring and beg for a different destination. She would accept anything but that. Hikari didn't even know if she had enough money left for the ticket, but she would ride without one if needed, that much of a misdemeanor she afforded herself to flee that place. Packing up the few things she had, she didn't even bother putting an illusion upon herself, just went out the door with a goodbye that wouldn't even make Rika blink, providing she was even awake.
Unseen and feeling vulnerable, Hikari just went to the station, aiming to get to Tokyo as soon as she could. To escape that place as soon as she could.
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Post by Ushima911 on Jul 3, 2020 22:38:56 GMT -5
After all of this time she has put up with the situation she'd been forcefully given, Hikari had enough. She was going to take action, finally getting away from this place. With nothing here, not even her stationed partner, giving her support, she'd have to go and find something else. The only plan to come to mind was going back to the Hero Ring and asking to be stationed somewhere else. Who knows if that idea would even work? It was definitely better than just sitting there and winding up like Rika, that much was sure.
Hikari was at the station ready to head over to Tokyo. She luckily had enough money left over to get her a ticket. She grabbed her ticket and went towards the train. Her mind was hazy, as she was trying to think of what she'd say or do when she got to the Hero Ring. If approached by Mr Takahara again, what could she possibly say to reverse her situation? Would they even help? Or would her family's influence bump themselves into the mix again to hinder her yet again? So many things going through her head, but all that mattered was getting out of this place and getting this situation amended.
Hikari, mind full of thoughts, walked towards the train taking her to Tokyo. Before she could get into the train, though, someone bumped into her. Understandable, as she had no put up an image of herself, and she'd been so preoccupied with her thoughts. Snapping back into reality, she looked down at the small figure that bumped into her. It was a child on the floor crying. The child looked up with teary eyes trying to figure out what had happened. The tears in his eyes weren't fresh, as in he was not crying because he had bumped into an invisible figure. The child had been crying for a little while before bumping into Hikari.
"Hey! I said get back here!" A man said taking the small boy by the arm and practically dragging him upwards and away.
"N-no! I want my mom and dad!" The child cried.
"I told you that's being taken care of! Now let's go! Stop fussing!" The man violently continued to drag the child away from the station.
"I want my parents! Find a hero to help me! M-M-Mirage is here! She lives here somewhere, she can help us!"
"Shh! We don't need any heroes! I told you I'm taking you somewhere safe until we get in contact with your parents! So hurry up!" The man said continuing to be unnecessarily physical with the young child.
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Post by Gris on Jul 4, 2020 5:38:53 GMT -5
Hikari got proof about how careless and worried was acting when she bumped into someone. Usually she did a pretty good job of being aware of her surroundings while invisible, providing she managed to avoid very crowded places but even some of those like the Shibuya crossing sometimes provided good dodging practice. To make matters worse it was a small boy the one she bumped into, making him fall, something that broke her heart as she saw the tears on his face. After a moment she understood that it wasn't the bump what made him cry, although that didn't make Hikari feel particularly better about herself. Before she could do something about the situation, a man appeared to forcefully drag the kid away while he protested and cried for his parents.
He cried for her help.
Suddenly the train she had to get, the bright lights of Tokyo's night, the meddling of her family and the violence of the Yakuza felt far, far away. Even where she was and the weeks of slow everyday defeats she had suffered felt like an afterthought. Something that happened to someone else. Then and there she was just someone who could help, someone called Mirage.
Then and there, she was just a hero.
A short sprint would be enough to get in the way, as that man's merciless act was hindered by the desperate kid. Hikari didn't even stop to wonder what could be going on or what that man's intentions could be, maybe he was a family member or perhaps the situation was more complicated than it appeared to be. It didn't matter, someone was in need and she was there, able to help.
Once she was in front of them, Hikari made a big flash of light before appearing in full and shiny hero costume out of thin air. For anyone that didn't know her powers or the coincidence of her presence there it was nothing short of a miracle. "Mirage is here, don't worry" she said, standing tall and looking at the kid with confidence and a smile. "What's your name?" she asked while drying his tears with a thumb, like it was one of the kids she used to put a show for. Once answered her attention focused on the adult there, there were no smiles or gentle tone for him. "What's going on? Where are his parents?" she demanded to know. Maybe it wasn't her usual deceitful approach, making her targets think she was somewhere where she wasn't, avoiding to expose herself, but she would have felt bad addressing to that scared kid with a fake.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 15(+5)/15
Action: Create Illusions 2, her hero self after a flash of light.
Action: Social Skills 5 (acting) to behave like a confident hero for the kid and trying to sound serious for the adult.
Modifiers: Invisibility 3.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 8(+5)/15
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Post by Ushima911 on Jul 7, 2020 14:54:30 GMT -5
*poof*
"M-Mirage!" The child broke free from the surprised adult's grab to go hug Mirage. The child buried his head in Mirage's stomach as he held on tightly to her.
"A hero!? Shiiit.." The man said under his breath. Due to being surprised, his voice was a little too high, and Hikari was able to catch his surprised reaction.
"I'm Daisuke, remember I saw you when you were showing your powers?" The boy said now comfortable in the presence of a hero. "I'm lost, Mirage! I can't find my parents! And it's been a day since I saw them last.." The boy confessed to her.
"Aheh, hello there, hero!" The man approached Hikari with a smile.
"Th-that's what we're trying to figure out. I found Daisuke here all alone in the town, and he was crying. I was just taking him to a nearby police station to assist him in finding his parents.."
"This man is mean, b-but he said he'd help find my parents. Him and his friends say they're taking me to the 'site' where my parents are." The boy chimed in.
"N-no Daisuke, I said I was taking you to the POLICE site! Wh-where we'd CALL your parents to TRY to find them..We don't know if they're actually there.."
"I-I'm not sure..I-I just want my parents...I-I'm scared Mirage..I miss them.." The boy began tearing up again.
"Yes, of course Daisuke...that's why we're going to the POLICE station now, to help you find them. Now, come on. We shouldn't bother the hero anymore, you must be very busy with your hero work, after all." The man said.
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Post by Gris on Jul 8, 2020 4:17:42 GMT -5
Hikari was delighted by the kid's relief as he hold onto her, but even then she did catch the suspicious man's startled reaction. She watched the back and forth between Daisuke and the man and it was pretty clear that he was a goon up to no good. She had met her share of thugs in parties, not to mention all those Yakuza wannabees and low level gangsters and this man fit the idea perfectly. He didn't seem specially dangerous before with the kid, and now having to nervously face a hero he seemed to be shrinking by the minute, slowly cooking in his own sweat.
"Don't be scared Daisuke" she comforted the kid, first and foremost, offering a friendly hand for him to grasp on his own. "This gentleman and I will get you to the police as planned" she gazed at the goon. "And there we can explain where he found you and we'll find your parents for sure" she added back to Daisuke, making sure he was fine before focusing on that thug. They should already have contacted the police and left a phone number, and if not she could always make a huge illusion of Daisuke in the air for the whole town to see with contact information and his whereabouts. "Such an upstanding citizen like you deserves the recognition of the police. Maybe those friends of yours do too, we'll make sure of that. Oh, and don't be shy or humble about accepting it" Hikari leaned closer to him. There was a possibility of some kind of foul play with those friends Daisuke mentioned, maybe the parents were in trouble too, so the good would have to confess for sure. "You can't outrun me" she whispered menacingly, making sure he understood that he was going to help no matter what.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 13(+5)/15
Action: Create Illusions 1, upkeep.
Action: Social Skills 5 (persuasion) mainly to convince the thug to peacefully surrender into his friendly helper persona to avoid alarming Daisuke and making her use her powers against him.
Modifiers: Invisibility 3.
Health: 3/3 ; Energy: 7(+5)/15
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