An Old Industrial District, Tokyo, Thursday Evening

[soniaroadsqueen]

One of the things that Ringo really loved about visiting home, besides seeing her awesome sisters, was getting to AirTrek with people who had been doing it almost as long as she had. The scene had continued to evolve since the last time she'd visited, but that just meant that it was possible to get involved in a pick-up match of almost anything. You could even get into a casual game of Balloon, which hadn't really been something she'd ever imagined.

And while she might find it difficult to admit, the public nature of AT gatherings in Tokyo (well, public within the community, anyway) gave her a chance to show off. Sure, Ringo tried not to be too, you know, arrogant or anything, but she knew she was good. Really good. And having people who could recognize that, and appreciate it, was a real thrill.

It just felt awesome to have people clap and whistle appreciatively at some of the tricks she'd spent so much time practicing over and over back at Fandom. The hard work wasn't for nothing.

"This is so much more amazing than last time I came out to one of these!" Ringo declared excitedly as she flopped down on the ground next to her sisters to take a quick breather and chug water from the bottle she'd brought with her.

Comments

[that_oldsaying]

It wasn't a bad thing to watch quietly. Alluka was good at it and it was enjoyable.

Besides, between Ringo and her sisters, and the crowds, Alluka felt a bit... overwhelmed.

She watched, enjoying herself that way, while holding Mr. Bubbles.

[soniaroadsqueen]

g one of her rests, Ringo ended up sitting down near Alluka. She looked over with a grin. "You still having fun?" she asked. She was a little worried that Alluka might get uncomfortable with the crowd and might not say anything.

[that_oldsaying]

"I'm having fun!" Alluka insisted, smiling for Ringo. "Though you look like you're having more!"

And, well. Yeah. There were an awful lot of people around compared to what Alluka was used to.

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo laughed. "Yeah, well, I don't get to come this close to cutting loose very often."

She looked around, taking in the human chaos that surrounded them.

"You want to get out there at all, or you happy just people-watching?"

[that_oldsaying]

Uneasiness crossed her face as she looked out at the crowds.

"I'm not very good," she said, though even to her eyes she could tell she was better than some of the people out there, laughing and having a good time as they skated.

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo smiled. "It's not about being good," she said softly. "It's about having fun!"

[that_oldsaying]

"But... but being good is part of it being fun, isn't it?"

Like, what if people laughed at her?

[soniaroadsqueen]

"Well, being good is fun," Ringo had to admit. "But look over there," she pointed to where a group of clearly new people were gathered with some more experienced folks getting pointers on how to safely jump off of a curb.

[that_oldsaying]

Alluka did as she was told, and looked.

The new people looked like they were having fun and so did the people helping them out.

"I... I guess no one cares?"

[soniaroadsqueen]

"Well, I'm sure some people are. I mean, no one likes to look bad, but you can have fun even when you're learning, right?"

She smiled encouragingly.

[that_oldsaying]

And that smile was deeply comforting to Alluka.

"That's true," she admitted, fiddling with her skirt. "Would you skate with me, Ringo?"

She wasn't brave enough, here, to go on her own.

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo's smile went from encouraging to positively beaming.

She reached out her hand. "I'd love to!"

[that_oldsaying]

Alluka took that hand, standing up.

"Is, is it okay if I leave Mr. Bubbles with one of your sisters?" Alluka asked. "I don't think he should come along..."

[soniaroadsqueen]

"Ume brought some of her friends," Ringo grinned. Her youngest sister's collection of handmade dolls was pretty impressive, after all.

"So I bet they can all play together."

[that_oldsaying]

"That's true!" she said, relieved. "And, and Ume's friends are happy, so Mr. Bubbles will be happy with them."

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo leaned forward, lowering her voice to share a secret. "I think they really like Mr. Bubbles, you know. He's a good friend."

[that_oldsaying]

Alluka beamed at Ringo, then kissed Mr. Bubbles on his head and skated over to drop him off with Ume and her friends before hurrying back to Ringo.

"How should we skate?" she asked. "I can't do what you were doing earlier."

With all the showing off...

[soniaroadsqueen]

"Hmm." Ringo grinned as she reached out for Alluka's hand. "I don't know. Anything you've been wanting to try? Or, maybe something you've seen someone do out here that looks fun?" People were out doing tricks at every level, from grinding on stairway rails to little hops and flips, to some of the more aggressive stuff Ringo had been doing herself.

[that_oldsaying]

"I like the look of some of the twisty jumps," Alluka admitted, taking Ringo's hand again. It was comforting. Not the same way that Mr. Bubbles was, but it made her feel less alone when facing all of the people she didn't know.

[soniaroadsqueen]

"Yeah? Want to try one? Maybe a little 360?" Ringo pointed over at one of the groups where someone was practicing little jumps and twists and getting shouted advice from the crowd. "Like that, maybe?"

[that_oldsaying]

Alluka looked at the group a bit nervously.

"Are, are they going to shout at me like that too?"

[soniaroadsqueen]

"They might," Ringo allowed. "But if you'd rather not have that happen, we could always just find a little out of the way spot of our own." Would that be easier?

[that_oldsaying]

It would be, but...

"But everyone looks like they're having fun here..."

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo nodded. "They do, don't they?" She cocked her head slightly. "Want to go see if they'll let us join in?"

[that_oldsaying]

Alluka's hand tightened it's grip on Ringo's.

"Okay," she said, though she wasn't sure of it at all.