Stern Algorithm

Shine City II: The Next Season

Shizuka smiled gently as the mother and child were reunited. Shizuka was still slightly out of breath from all the walking around and the anxious adrenaline of looking for a lost child; she wasn't a very athletic person. Turning to Zac and bowing, she said, "Th-thank you for finding the boy and leading him here. His mother and her friend were so worried." Shizuka recognized that she had done little to help; in such a situation, finding the parent was the easy part. The man in front of her looked like a dependable and reliable sort; the child must have felt safe with him.

"Is that what young people are into these days?" came the voice of an older gentleman who wasn't exactly keeping his thoughts to himself.

"It's a bit shameless, but what can you do?" replied the old man's companion, probably his wife.

Shizuka turned to look at the source of the talking, seeing an elderly couple a small ways away, looking at her and shaking their heads in dismay. It suddenly dawned on Shizuka that she had been running around the park in a maid outfit. While she didn't think it was a cause for shame, it was a little embarrassing to be out like this in such an open and public space, and the old couples voices only drew more attention from the park-goers to herself. Shizuka blushed and shrank in on herself; she wasn't usually this easily embarrassed, but then again, she had never ran out of the Shining Kettle in her work uniform.

"I-I...I need to get back to work..." Shizuka said, bowing one last time to Zac. Turning around, she started walking a bit fast back to the coffee shop, trying to ignore the multitude of eyes.

@Daxam

Shine City II: The Next Season

This is sort of a personal joke since the previous season of Shine City, but Shizuka has a party animal roommate that is never seen because she is always either out partying, or too hungover to get out of bed.

@Daxam A heads up, Shizuka is still wearing her work/maid uniform since she ran out of the coffee shop without changing

@BlackRose I'll make an effort to have our characters meet up somehow

@ClocktowerEchos I think Shizuka could be that one friend who has absolutely no qualms about a trap's appearance.

Evolution of Conflict: A Sci-Fi Mecha 1x1 FaithfulMuse and Stern Algorithm

"I..." Tera hesitated, "I like a lot of Zanoss ETF's work...they're a...famous Quantum professor in Horizon." Zanoss was as old as the Race War itself, having been one of the major philosophers that drove the Quantum independence movement. To the Ascendancy, they were an enemy of the state, but their works emphasized the sanctity of Quantum life, and addressed a lot of questions Quantums had about being 'artificial sentients'. Zanoss' works were considered 'terrorist publications', but Tera trusted Claire enough to tell her that she had read Zanoss' works without being called out as a traitor to the Ascendancy.

The Village of Soren (a 1x1 Harvest Moon/Rune Factory-inspired Village RP for FaithfulMuse and Stern Algorithm)

"The world is a dangerous place," Reas agreed, "but I trust everyone in this village." Reas led Freya to Malkas' home, specifically, the town hall half. Kalram was playing around outside, so Reas called to him, "We have a visitor looking for an inn, please get your father."

Kalram looked over at Reas and Freya, and then ran inside.

Malkas soon came out and walked towards Freya, "Welcome to Soren, I am Malkas, the mayor and innkeeper."

Shine City II: The Next Season

Hey you know Shizuka, it means a lot that you still listen to my radio, its what I want people to remember me by even if they cant keep in contact....but umm you still have the same number right? No reason we cant go for a drink sometime, I'd want to stay in contact with you. Also we could have a game of Wizadry! I'm not as good as I was in high school but I think ive got the skills to take on a metal deck...I'll call you this weekend?

@Dynamo Frokane

"Umm, yes...I think that would be...good," Shizuka agreed, it felt less awkward knowing they shared a hobby. At school she was known to be studious and serious, and being in the medical field, people usually kept to themselves or were too focused on their classes. It felt good to have a friend she could relax with instead of just study with.

Shou's eyes widened in surprise at the manner in which Shizuka began to panic, and he held up his hands to reassure her that everything was fine, and he wouldn't have had her head if she hadn't marked the papers (he'd have done it himself anyway worst case scenario).

@MyCatGinger

Shizuka breathed a sigh of relief, she should have known better; Dr. Matsuoka wasn't the kind of person who would judge someone for their hobbies. Then a bubbly girl dressed in pink princess-looking clothes drew Dr. Matsuoka's attention away, which was surprising for two reasons. The first being that Dr. Matsuoka was a biology teacher, and probably not the best suited for questions about essay-writing, and the second being that the girl's behavior seemed rather suspicious.

Nick decided it was time to head home, as he wasn't going to flirt with Shizuka in front of his ex teacher, he pulled out some lemon flavored bubblegum and began to to snap and pop away as he got up to leave.

Later guys, Shiz, I'll call you you soon okay?

@Dynamo Frokane

"That would be wonderful, Nick," Shizuka said, giving him a soft smile.

"Shizuka, I-" he turned back to the girl and upon expecting to find Nick still there, found the seat beside her absolutely empty. Romeo had gone to inspect this new girl's hand, sitting at her feet and being quite large compared to her petite frame. His tail thumped quietly against the ground.

He gazed right at Shizuka, who still seemed stiff and nervous in her chair, and after a moment of hesitation he leaned in closer.
His voice in a soft, husky whisper now, he could have almost kissed her, but that did not seem to be his intention.
Incongruous with his voice, his facial features actually remained...worried?
"It's very late, Miss Otonashi. I would be gutted if I were to let anything happen to one of my students, this late. Would you allow me to walk you home, at the very least?"

@MyCatGinger

"Y-yes, that would be greatly appreciated," Shizuka replied, while tidying her deck and placing it back in its holder. They walked back, Shizuka attempting to make small talk concerning the class she TA'd for, but as they arrived at her dorm building, she said, "I know this may not seem like a big deal, but th-thank you for not judging me."

---

(TIME SKIP)

Shizuka woke up early and prepared breakfast for herself and her roommate. She made something that could easily be reheated as her roommate was konked out in bed after having partied too hard the previous night; something that Shizuka had become used to after a semester of this behavior. In a way, Shizuka thought it was admirable; giving 150%, trying to succeed in one's classes while still enjoying life to the fullest off-campus. It was a speed that Shizuka knew she couldn't keep up with herself, preferring to focus on her long-term priorities, while deferring her passions. Well, she'd make a small exception for Wizardry.

Nick picked up his ePhone and texted Shizuka.

Hey Shiz, dont think I forgot about you, can we meetup later on today? Are you free?

Nick's left hand was fidgeting with his sleeve nervously.

@Dynamo Frokane

Shizuka texted back, "I work at the Shining Kettle for the morning/lunch shift. Will be free after 2PM. Did you have a place in mind?" Shizuka finished her breakfast. of course, they could just sit down somewhere and play Wizardry together, but if Nick wanted to do something else, she wouldn't mind.

At the Shining Kettle, business was slow as usual, the Mochavine was a much more popular location and drew a lot more customers. It made sense, they had a very pretty waitress, while the Shining Kettle just had Shizuka. A middle-aged woman came running in, but before Shizuka could give the usual greeting, the woman asked frantically, "Please, has anyone seen a small boy?"

"What's the matter?" Shizuka asked, concerned.

"I was talking with my friend, but her son wandered off. We were in the park, but I was afraid he might have wandered over here to Shine Junction," The woman explained.

Shizuka looked back at her manager, who was also the barista. He simply gave her a nod and waved her on her way. Shizuka nodded back and said, "I'll help you look for him."

"It's most likely he's still in the park somewhere, I'll keep searching out here, you go into the park and look for him," the woman said, giving Shizuka a short description of what the child and the mother looked like. She also explained that the mom was still in the park looking for her child.

Shizuka ran towards the park, very quickly finding the worried mother, reassuring her and letting her know that she was here to help. They retraced the mother's steps back to where she and her friend were talking. At that spot, they saw the child walking towards them with a man, who was most likely helping the child find his mother and was probably led here after coaxing some clues out of the child.

@Daxam

Shine City II: The Next Season

And just as a side note, guys This isn't New York not everyone has to get coffee at the Mochavine on a Saturday evening! we will have tons of characters and there are a dozen different locations in Shine city now! So please make use of the entire world so we wont be sardines, haha Poor Rosanna is working so hard!

@Dynamo Frokane

Yeah, people can get coffee at the Shining Kettle where Shizuka works, dressed as a maid.

Work Uniform

The Village of Soren (a 1x1 Harvest Moon/Rune Factory-inspired Village RP for FaithfulMuse and Stern Algorithm)

"No I don't," Reas replied, "But that won't stop me from showing you some hospitality." Reas led Freya through the forest until they came out into the village. An area near the river was being cleared by Harin, who was digging to lay the foundations for what would become Illithor and Talila's new home.

Evolution of Conflict: A Sci-Fi Mecha 1x1 FaithfulMuse and Stern Algorithm

"I like fantasy, science-fiction, fiction, non-fiction, almost anything, really," Tera replied.

He Who Hunts Monsters

Forgot to @Mention, @Oak7ree, @KatherinWinter

Shine City II: The Next Season

Shizuka sighed to herself as she shuffled her deck. Her last opponent underestimated her due to her gender, and became a bit sore when he lost. As he walked away, Shizuka secretly let herself smile a bit; whether he underestimated her or not, she enjoyed the satisfaction of winning, and wasn't going to let her victory be spoiled by thoughts of the sexism that pervaded gaming culture. Still, she mostly tried to keep her satisfaction to herself, she won and lost modestly, knowing that people often took victory and defeat pretty personally and emotionally.

Nice to see you again Shiz, I know we only met the once, breifly but its good to see a familiar face since leaving school, hows things? you still work at the Shining Kettle? You look great by the way, a few months can change someones appearance a lot, and youve definately gotten the better end of the deal!

@Dynamo Frokane

Shizuka did a quick double-take as she pulled her hat a bit lower over her eyes. On retrospect, what she had on didn't count as much of a disguise, but something about being recognized here by someone she had met before was a little embarrassing. "H-hi," Shizuka said, slowly regaining her composure enough to turn her head up and look him in the eye. "I still work there, though I'm sorry to hear that you've left. I hear you on the radio sometimes, so I assume you're still pursuing your passions. Do you play Wizardry?" Shizuka tried to ignore Nick's comment on her beauty; she considered herself average at best, and hypothesized that maybe the hat and glasses gave her a 'certain something' that she didn't normally have. Other than the initial shock at having been recognized, Shizuka felt a little less awkward talking to. Granted, last time was super-awkward because of what she wanted to talk to him about, but this time he was someone familiar, and this casual atmosphere relieved the tension somewhat.

"Bit late for you kids to be up playing cards, isn't it?" he spoke soft and low, and in the same motion of sitting down on an empty seat before the pair, picking out a little white cylinder and unwrapping it quickly before placing it between his lips.
His first had been a cigarette, earlier in the park on the way. They helped him settle his thoughts.

"Don't know about you, but a place like this on a Thursday night really makes you feel life's bittersweet clutches."
Here, he smirked.
"Hello, Shizuka. And Nicholas, it's been quite a while."

@MyCatGinger

Shizuka pulled her hat lower, blushing. Wizardry had become something of a guilty pleasure, it was like she was a different person at the card table. While there wasn't anything wrong with Wizardry per se, being caught playing it by a professor, Dr. Matsuoka no less, made her feel as if she was doing something wrong. "I-I'm sorry, Matsuoka-sensei, it's just a harmless little hobby... I-I've finished grading the students' last assignment, so I'm not slacking off or procrastinating..." Shizuka tried to explain, hoping that he wouldn't think that playing a 'trivial card game' was somehow beneath her as an academic, that her devotion to her classes and chosen field of study would not be called into question. Shizuka knew Dr. Matsuoka was not that kind of person, but she was a bit flustered and knew that a lot of people were judged harshly for lesser offenses.