pullmeoutalive | It never rains in California

Entry tags:

It never rains in California

[ the weather had been nice on her end, when her last job of the day had wrapped up. And Makoto still had a good chunk of day left over, so after a call home to let her mother know where she'd be, and a text to her fellow Makoto to make sure it was okay, she'd hopped the train.

... And then it had started to rain.

A lot.

Luckily, she has a baseball cap this time, which helps, although once she's off the platform (and subsequent bus) and out in the weather, there's little hope for the rest of her staying dry in this downpour. Then the question became... where was she even supposed to find Makoto? Swimming practice couldn't happen, unless they had an indoor pool... should she ask around town? Was it that tiny of one? Or maybe she should just cave and call him. ]

I probably should... this weather isn't exactly making it easy to spot anyone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There was no swim practice with how hard it was raining, and Makoto was hurrying home with his coat over his head when he gets Makoto's text. And he brightens quite a bit, because he's excited for her to visit--

And then it starts to rain even harder.

Not that it's too big a deal; they can find something indoors to do...

But as he's hurrying down the steps by Haru's house, he automatically looks for that white cat that he's made friends with lately and...

Of course it's not there, it's raining. But he pauses despite himself, because...what if it's lost and stuck out in the rain somewhere? It didn't seem like it had a home...

And thus distracted, Makoto hurries off into the rain, searching for that cat. And ironically enough, he is jogging right by the train station by the time Makoto gets there. He's more than a little drenched by now, but--he still recognizes that voice and he pauses.]

E-eh? [...oh right, Makoto was--]

Makoto-chan!

Makoto-kun??

[ this kind of unforeseen meet-up is right out of one of her favorite shoujo manga, but she can't really dwell on that, because-- ]

Why are you soaked?!

[ says the mostly drenched one. ]

[Two drenched Makotos meet in the rain...

But he just looks so apologetic.]

I'm sorry, if I knew you'd already arrived I would have come by sooner. Let's get you out of the rain.

[did you ask something, Makoto...]

But why are you in it??

[ Makoto pls. ]

Shouldn't you be inside or with an umbrella or--

[...oh right.

And he looks concerned all over again.]

...There's usually this kitten I see on the way home from school, but it's raining so hard that I was concerned he was lost and out in it...

[...yeah he was looking for a little cat.]

... So you're looking for a kitten.

[ she can't even be surprised. ]

Okay. So what's he look like?

[...a-aaah.]

I can't make you look with me in the rain. You might get sick!

[it's concerning okay ;;]

It'll go faster with two people looking, right? And it takes a lot to get me sick!

[ not actually an exaggeration. ]

Besides, now isn't the time to worry about me! That poor kitten's probably scared and shivering right now!!

[...s-sob. The things she says are sensible and he knows that sort of determination from her by now and she's right about the kitten so--]

Ah...Right, okay, let's go then.

[He glances back the way he came and sighs.]

I've already searched that part of town, but I haven't looked this way yet.

I hope it managed to find somewhere in the meantime.

[ but she's peering from underneath her brim at the rain, eyes narrowed-- before she breaks into a run. KEEP UP, MAKOTO. ]

Just tell me what it looks like as we go!

[Oh right, she had asked for a description. He hurries to catch up to her, startled by her sudden run even if he should be used to it by now.

Catching up...!]

He's really tiny and all white with yellow eyes.

He's really fond of playing with stalks of grass and fingers.

[Makoto she just wanted a description.]

Is he a stray? A kitten like that sounds too cute to be homeless!

[ but at least white should be easy to spot... hopefully. ]

I'm honestly not sure...but I assume so, since I see him every morning and evening when I pass by Haru's house.

[And a bit of a sigh.]

It would be great if he had a home to go to...

I'm sure someone wouldn't mind adopting him. If you don't take him home yourself.

[ Hibiki would have taken him in a heartbeat, she knows that much. ]

But it really is almost impossible to see anything out here-- whoa!

[ don't skid, Makoto. THE RAIN IS BAD ENOUGH. ]

Ah...!

[He immediately reaches for her when she skids, sighing in relief when she doesn't fall. And his shoulders slump as he looks around at the heavy rain.]

We should be careful...it looks like the weather is getting worse.

That's no good for a kitten... [ her eyes darken, and she sighs after another few seconds. ] Do you think someone might have taken him in? We could ask if anyone's seen him, at least.

True...

[He gives that some thought, sighing.]

I just want to check up by the river first--you can come or start asking others, if you want. It's up to you.

[And he just offers her a weak smile, despite the water dripping down their faces.]

[ ... smiling, even now. Oh, Makoto. ]

I'll go with you. I can ask around later.

[ rivers weren't as wild and unpredictable as oceans, but with this weather, they're not very safe either. If he had to go too close to the edge, or if the kitten was somehow in the river...

No, she'd rather not risk letting him go alone. ]

[...And he appreciates the company, he really does. So he nods a bit damply, smiling at her.]

Okay then. This way.

[And he heads towards the river, jogging at a reasonable pace, but hopefully a bit safer than their reckless pace before.

The river doesn't take long to come into sight, swollen with rain as it is.]

[ this is probably not the best time to let out a low, impressed whistle-- though she's also scanning the area for any small white things. ]

Talk about almost overflowing--!

[...that river, man. He still remembers when Haru almost drowned in it. It's not the same deep-rooted fear as the ocean, but...boy, he remembers.

There's a flash, almost, he fancies, of a young Haru lying there, half dead--

And he just sighs at the sight, shaking his head firmly, and looks at the banks.]

Let's see... We'll just take a quick look and--

[It's funny, he can almost imagine through the rain and the sounds of the river, that he could hear meowing...]

[ when he suddenly stops, Makoto looks up at him. Had he seen something? The water's churning too furiously for her to catch a good glimpse, but maybe if she goes a little closer... ]

What's wrong?

[Makoto frowns, wondering if he was hearing things--and then he sees the glimpse of white, clinging to a tree branch in the river. The kitten seems unharmed, but the water is certainly not going down, and it looks absolutely terrified.

And Makoto's breath catches in his throat when he sees, and he frowns.]

There!

[...yeah okay, and he's already moving to pull off his shirt.]

Oh no--!

[ wait why is he taking off his-- ]

Makoto-kun, h-hold on! That's not safe!

[ like she wouldn't go in there, but... ]

[Don't mind the fact that he's now shirtless. He'll leave the rest on though, because unlike some people, he's not always wearing a swimsuit.

But he does pause to give Makoto a brief, hopefully reassuring smile.]

It'll be fine. The river isn't too dangerous, even like this, so long as you're careful.

[BESIDES, THE KITTEN, MAKOTO.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject