Capture The Tags, Penguin-Style

It's a beautiful afternoon at Penguin Park, full of children and people playing now that school is not currently in session. There seems to be even more children than there would normally be-- but that could just be because the children of all ages are in a state of gleeful chaos, running up and down and everywhere-wise as they chase one another. It seems a pretty broad range, from kindergarten to middle school children, and while some of them are wearing the uniform of local daycares, many are in casual clothes-- including one particular blue-haired middle schooler who looks to be having way too much fun.

Junko Fuma, eighth grade, is currently wearing a short denim romper embroidered with flowers and with a striped shirt beneath. She's also currently racing up the stairs of the penguin slide, chased by a trio of elementary school students. At the top, she makes a funny face at them before sliding down the stairs, calling out, "Victory is min--nghk!" It was a trap! Waiting at the bottom of the slide are two girls! Junko quickly pulls herself into a ball pushes off at the end of the slide, managing to roll past, apparently uncaring of the sand and dirt, then gets to her feet and glances around for the next escape route. At her side flutters a bright red ribbon-- matching the ribbons being chased in other places. Apparently, the ribbons are the prize!

Zafira is sitting in a kind of odd position on a bench, he's half perched, half leaning against the bench. Clearly it's not the most comfortable looking thing, but he's certainly not worried or complaining about it. He's watching the world go by, watching the breeze, the birds, the people in the park. His mind clearly distracted and focused on something distant, or perhaps mearly translucent. He's dressed in his usual casuals, black tee and black jeans. Though, not particularly worried about the rampaging youngsters, he does keep a bit of eye on them. Afterall, he wouldn't be himself if he atleast didn't keep a bit of a watchful eye to make sure they didnt injured or anything.

Minako Aino is also having a shout and a wrestle with middle-schoolers, although she's not looking like she's having as fun of a time. She looks disheveled, her hair a mess, obviously not prepared for any park antics while she was out for a calm midday walk.

She's currently tackling what is no doubt an entirely innocent boy who loudly protests he did nothing wrong.

Minako, for her own part, reacts in what she presumes is entirely appropriately given the circumstances, shouting, "RIBBON THIEF!" and flailing her arms. She also threatens to call the boy's parents or the cops, switching back and forth between threats to see which of them instill the greater worry in him.

Poor Zafira. He may have wanted a nice, relaxing sit-down to think deep, grown up thoughts, but that was before Manato-Kun. Manato-kun, the pretty golden-haired grey-eyed, handsome fifth grader clutching a red ribbon and running away from a horde of heart-eyed girls. Sweating, desperate, his eyes land on Zafira and he runs in his direction, but the girls are fast. Quickly, he ties the ribbon around a piece of candy and throws it...right into Zafiro's lap as he passes, just before he's grabbed. "Don't...let...a girl...win... avenge me!" He calls out towards Zafira, before he disappears into the squealing, heart-eyed mass of girls. It doesn't take them long to see he doesn't have a ribbon, and then one of the third-grade girls suddenly points to Zafira, "Look! The ribbon!" And eyes turn towards him...

As for Junko, she's still being chased! Laughing, she runs circles and dodges around kids, and her path takes her in the direction of Minako and her troubles. She stops just behind Minako, using the girl as a shield as she takes a few breaths and says, "Hey, leave them alone, it was just an accident! We're playing capture the ribbons and they got confused. They'll chase you if you've got a red ribbon on. Like this." And taking her own ribbon, Junko ties her ribbon onto Minako's belt and proceeds to run, "Better run or they'll catch you!" She calls out laughing. And it's true: Junko's pursuing mass of kiddies have spotted the change and are excitedly heading for Minako now!

Zafira was enjoying his thoughts and his surveying...... but suddenly a squealing pack of kids runs by and he's assaulated by a candy with a ribbon? He looks down at it, just enough to pick it up and then looks to the vanishing boy and the pile of female on him. Ooh, yeah that's not good, then he's noticed. Well, he would curse but that wouldn't be approriate around all the youngsters so he does what any older high school guy would do. He stumbles backwards falling over the back of the bench with a thunk as he hits the ground, grumbling as he does. Yeah, he's gonna have to ask Shamal for some medication when he gets home.
    But, for the moment, he jumps up and there comes a horde of small girls..... For Vita he would have stayed, but this is crazy, he turns and bolts, running for the nearest equipment to jump up on and get away from the convulsing sea of death. Managing to make it up a slide, then realising ooh yeah that's not gonna work, he quickly scans around finds another large piece of equipment made of penguin and jumps to it, grabbing on to it's bill and trying to scramble up it to stay as safe as possible.

Minako Aino obeys Junko for now, leaving her poor victim alone, sound of body at least. She stands up straight with her own red ribbon and another one, but doesn't look happy at all. "Don't encourage more of it!" she insists, flailing an arm around at anybody who gets close and trying to act a little more mature as if she's a bit older or 'above' the middle schoolers surrounding her.

"Stop stop stop! I'm not playing ribbon capture games! It's a hair decoration," she says, stomping around and making a scene, swatting at Junko with her belt-and-ribbon or swinging about with such effort and force her massive head of hair acts like a whip and scares away any particularly plucky ribbon-pluckers from getting too close.

"I'm a classy lady!"

"Whoa!" Junko says, barely managing to dodge the hair and the belt-- one poor girl gets a face full of hair and stumbles back into the others, however. Once Junko's stumbled out of Minako's range, however, the girl grins, a sly look in her eye, "Ohhh, I see." She sighs, crossing her arms over her chest and looking at Minako with a somewhat condescending expression. "Gotcha, gotcha. If you're too out of shape to play and too scared of losing to a bunch of kids, just hand over the ribbon." Smirking, Junko holds out her hand. "Come on, I don't have all day. You're holding up the game, oba-chan. I'll win it and you can go back to giving yourself more wrinkles, instead of having any fun."

Turning to the kids waiting to see how this all turns out, Junko says, "Listen you guys. Listen to your big sister. Even when you grow up, don't become stuck up like her. Be like him, instead, he's really getting into the spirit of things." And she points to Zafira the High Schooler, whose antics have caused admiring cheers among some of his pursuers.

Zafira looks around, keeping an eye on the horde of monsters after him. Ah, there it is, he jumps from the penguin and hits the ground rolling and then jumps into a running position and takes off. The one thing about being grown up, much longer leg strides, though that probably won't stop the unsationable balls of energy behind that'll be on him in a second should he give up. He aims straight for the one in charge, the Junko girl and beelines for her, so this the game that's gonna be played. Getting closer and closer, reaching out a hand, "Hey! I need some of those right? So hand a few, I can't run around in circles forever here." as he attempts to stay close enough to either yank one, or be given one, either or works. He just isn't too intersted in being caught as he might not survive the ensuing youngsters behind him.

Minako Aino huffs and widens her eyes like a bull about to charge. "First off, I'm not wrinkled. My skin is smoother than a baby's silk!" she announces, for the benefit of everybody close by who might overhear.

"And secondly, I'm not out of shape. I'm in shape. I won the Shiba Park Half-Marathon when I was 13. The only 'holding up of the game' I'll do is not letting anybody else win ever if I play!" she announces. "'cuz I'm Minako-chan.

She moves to return ribbons, but it's a feint - she snaps the ribbon like a whip at offending reaching fingers before dance-prancing off and teasing those behind her by trailing the ribbon just in front of them but making the lengthy piece of fabric juke and flutter about at noses or at eyes when anybody gets close.

Junko does try to grab the ribbon back-- and her eyes widen as it's snapped back and Minako starts teasing the crowd. They love it, really, laughing and tumbling around like puppies and kittens as they try to grab it. Junko, meanwhile, has a sudden high schooler incoming, and she quickly dodges away, one hand on the ribbon at her side. "Rules are! Collect two ribbons and you win one free ice cream from the convenience store! So you've got to catch my ribbon or hers." She tells informs Zafira, pointing towards Minako-- before she sprints towards the blonde beauty. "And I'll grab it first!" Suddenly making Minako the Grand Prize!

Zafira just laughs, well if thats the way it is, then he'll do something fun and unexpected. As he runs by Junko he reaches out and quickly slides his hand against her waist, before running and leading the horde of monsters away from them, of course none of them realizing what he just did, but hey it's all for fun right. He though does seem to be enjoying himself a lot, and perhaps he just needed this to relax from whatever his great thinking was causing him earlier. Though, when Junko will notice when not assaulting Mina for ribbons is another one attached to her. Betraying his oath to the young boy to not let a girl win, but sometimes you simply have to do the better thing, and this was far more an interesting set of events.

Minako Aino immediately stops the game and raises her two ribbons up.

"MINAKO-CHAN WINS! Ice cream me!" she shouts like a maniac, trying to formalize her victory now before the inevitable mistake occurs that will eventually happen when outnumbered by so many.

Or, at least, a mistake that could be prevented with prodigous amounts of violence, but that's probably not appropriate for the sort of event being ran here. 'I will only do that if I need to!'

"TWO RIBBONS! I got two! I win! Stop, time out, pause, touchdown, who do I give these to for my ice creamy treat?" she insists.

"Ack!" Junko says as Zafira passes by, trying to skip away-- but he's still running, all his new fans following him, and then Minako's shouting about having two of her own ribbons! Sighing, Junko checks her own ribbon...and blinks when she's suddenly got TWO. She's confused for only a moment before she peers towards the fleeing Zafira, "Eh? What a cheater!" She says, but she's smiling.

Now, to deal with the winner! She turns towards Minako, "Me! I'm the one you talk to about ice cream." Grinning cheerfully, she waves as if she hadn't just been goading the blonde with insults, "That was fun! You're really good at this game. EVERYONE!" Junko cups her mouth with her hands and calls out towards the masses of playing kids. "We have our first winner! So let's take a break, everyone!" There are disappointed sighs quickly replaced by chatterings and excited conversation as children group together to tell stories of the One That Got Away or run towards their parents to take care of scraped knees. Junko looks back at Minako, "I'm Junko Fuma! Let's grab the other winner and get the ice cream." And with that, Junko begins running towards Zafira-- who might be glad to see she's become his only pursuer, once the call for a break has been made.

Zafira is running, then hears the call for disperssion of battles allowing him to slow down and take a few breathers.. Muttering softly to himself, "Really... gotta get in better shape in this form." looking back and seeing Junko charging towards him, he turns around and raises a brow in her direction and waits to see whats up. He brings his hands up over his chest and folds them, it's over, good now to see whats up. He walks towards her, "Fun game, glad the kids enjoyed it."

Minako Aino snaps her fingers and immediately starts talking about redeeming ice cream at Zafira and Junko, just in case any of them forget.

"Yeah. When it comes to running around, I'm a master. You might not have heard this, but I won the Shiba Park Half-Marathon when I was only 13," she brags, tying up her hair again so it falls in a moderately-contained chaotic wave behind her.

"How many ribbons did you get originally anyway?" she asks, peering around. "Three winners? It seems like somebody is cheatin'."

Junko grins and stops short of Zafira, putting her hands on her hips. "Of course it was! On a gorgeous day like today, who wouldn't have lots of fun?" Then she reaches out to slap Zafira's shoulder, a friendly gesture-- she's strong, but not any more than a middle school girl should be. "You did pretty great! I'm Junko Fuma, grade eight!"

And then there is Minako, and Junko raises both brows at her, "Well, considering one of /your/ ribbons wasn't a game ribbon, but just a hairpiece, I wouldn't complain too much about cheating anyway." Winking, she continues that grin, "Smart thinking, though! So I don't mind. Both of you have one a free ice cream, on me. Because you cheated to lose," She points to Zafira, "When you could've taken my ribbon, and you found an alternate way to beat the others." Pointing to Minako. And then she throws her arms skyward, "Let's go! Ice cream!"

Zafira smiles softly, "You can call me Zafira, grade twelve. Nice to meet you." then glancing over at Mina, then back to Junko, "though, I don't really partake of ice cream, you may have mine if you wish. Or give it to one of the kids that might deserve it, it's all fine with me." Yeah, not really a ice cream eater, well not really at the moment that is.

Minako Aino clucks her tongue and agrees with Junko that she's great at finding alternate ways to beat people. It sounds like a felony confession, but it's said with positivity.

"Hi Junk-chan! Hi Zafira Grade Twelve! Nice to meet you both!" she sings out, tying up her hair and clarifying that it is not 'just a hairpiece' but a 'fanciful decoration'.

"And don't give away your ice cream just yet. You might change your mind!"

"Or we could find something else for you." Junko says thoughtfully, tapping her chin with one finger, then brightening, "We won't know till we get to the store! Come on, Zaf-san, Ako-chan." Already calling them so familiarly! "It's my treat, after all. And I don't want to spoil the kids too much." She picks up a small school pack sitting beneath a tree and slings it over one shoulder, "Besides, big as you are, Zaf-san, you can't tell me you don't eat."

Zafira shakes his head, "No, I do eat. I just do not, eat ice cream. The coldness of it, simply does not sit well with me. Call it, simply a dislike if you wish." But he walks with them, raising a brow at the new nickname he now has with Junko, but shrugs, oh well if that is what she wishes to call him, he has no reason to object, "Though, I do appreciate the offer as it is."

Minako Aino suggests that if it's too cold, just wait a little bit. "You won't get ice cream headaches that way," she says, as if this were the most obvious, logical thing in the world.

"And don't worry about not spoiling the kids. You know what they say: a spare fishing rod spoils the child. Give 'em whatever they want so they LoveLove you!"

Junko blinks, turning her head to stare at Minako. "You... you don't think before you talk, do you?" She says, then smiles, "Shiho-chan says I don't either. I see what she means now!" Giggling to herself, she glances at Zafira next, "You're so serious, Zaf-san. What school do you go to? Verone? No, Infinity maybe." Because those Infinity kids, man...

Zafira raises a brow, wont make a comment about someones talking, "I attend Seishou. I have no interest in Infinity, or those other uppity places. I go to school to learn, and to... well I go to learn, and ensure the younger classes get get through as well, and help where I can. Infinity has no place for someone like me, so I have no place for it either." Yep, while clearly not the most secretive of people, he is simple and basicly laying of his words.

Minako Aino raises her gaze up to Junko. "What do you mean I don't think ebfore I talk? I got great advice for mister ice-cream headache over there," she says, tsk'ing as if it were tragic she had to explain this fact of life to one of her schoolmates.

"We attend Seiyou, the most elite and prestidigitatious of schools," she boasts, straightening up and gesturing to her school uniform. "I'm one of the star pupils there, admired by all the pupilaries! The number one student!"

"I guess Infinity isn't so bad, if you're into that sorta' thing," she adds, after the fact. "I probably know some Infitiums."

Junko exhales as Minako boasts, waving a hand as if to wave away the words. "Yeah, yeah, we both attend Seiyou. I started midway through last year. I was in Seishou before, though." She grins, "Before Minori-san convinced me to attend Seiyou instead. I guess it's nice that it has so many clubs, but I miss how simple Seishou was. You'd be surprised what kind of eccentric people you meet there." Blue eyes look sidelong at Zafira, then pointedly at Minako, but the girl grins broadly, because she apparently finds it interesting. "ALso, Ako-chan... if he waits, wouldn't the ice cream melt? It'd be more like flavored milk if you let it melt before you ate it."

Zafira thinks about that, flavored milk huh... Maybe he'll have to give that a try when he gets home, or maybe Shamal can set him up some. He blinks, wait no current topics at hand, "The school has what I need, so I enjoy it. I enjoy tutoring the younger classes, to make sure they are prepared for when they get into the higher grades. Someone has to do it, and when I am not busy I am more then happy to assist them." Though, his reasons for helping are probably not as innocent as anothers, afterall secrets hide everywhere.

Minako Aino lazily explains to wait long enough that the ice cream doesn't hurt you, but not so long that it dies.

"Anyway, who dragged you to another school? That sounds dangerous!" she says, amazed.

"Anyways anyways, I like tutoring too. I'm a number one student. It's awesome. Teachers sometimes ask you for answers. But I like clubbin'!" she says.

She (somewhat) obviously means 'joining as many clubs as possible, even if you're not allowed to do that', but might possibly imply going out to clubs. She leaves it intentionally vague.

"I don't care so much about classes. And I'm only in one club. City Beautification Committee." Junko's grin widens, "We get to do stuff like paint houses and garden and clean parks and travel all over the city, it's great!" Looking at her two companions, she remarks, "I'm not so great at tutoring. You should be able to just shove information into your brain. Ah, here's the convenience store! Let's goo!" And in she runs, apparently pretty excited about ice cream-- and also greeting thebowner by name.

Zafira nods, "I also am in a few clubs, I manage to do them when I am not otherwise occupied. I am in Kempo and a various few other such clubs. It helps to keep one active and physical, when one is otherwise unable to be as such. But I make do, and I would rather help my younger classmates, then do nothing." he speaks on as Junko runs off like some young student into a candy store. This Junko, very full of energy, perhaps she might be of some intriqute use at a later time, perhaps not. He shall have to think upon this, when he's not currently busy.

Minako Aino also dashes into stores, greeting everybody loudly since she obviously won't be the only one doing that.

"I LOVE fight clubs!" she says. "I'll always talk about fight clubs. A lot. Invite me to your fight club please!" she shouts, pantomiming Bruce-Lee style punches against an upright cardboard cut-out display.

"But we can karate after we ice-cream. I like helping people, but the person I like to help the most is myself! Ice cream please!"

Junko seems to be more about the friendly, asking one of the part-timers about his studies and another about her love life while she picks out her own treat: apparently sesame ice cream, of all things. "Kempo? Mmm, the kempo club asked me to join but it'd take up too much time." Kempo, kendo, track, gymnastic, cheerleading... if it's a sport, they've asked her at some point! "And I can't practice as much as they'd want me to. Zaf-san, do you hate sweet things, or do you just hate cold things? They have some breads here you might like that're pretty cheap!"

Zafira looks at Mina, as he walks into the store, "I don't go to the clubs to fight. I go, so that I can stay in shape, so I can train, so I can help those in need. Starting a fight, is not something I wish to do, nor should anyone." Which is true for the most part, whilst he has no interest in starting fights, though he will fight if he must, afterwall the will of his master wont be done on it's own. Looking over at Junko, "It is not that I dislike them. It is just mearly, that I would prefer not to eat them. There are times, when one must abstain from things for different reasons. I find, that I must do that during this time, that is all." Trying his best to put into words that express, a reason why he cant, and is sure they would not understand the reasons at all.

Minako Aino groans and throws her hands up. "No. Never abstain. Just do it!" she shouts, lightly punching at the cardboard stand-up now. "And fightin' is fun. That's what fight club is for. Fighting!"

There's only so much punching and encouraging of violence and encouraging Zafira she can do before she falls in line behind Junko and listens in/eavesdrops on conversations. She switches the topics, asking the girl about her studies and then the guy about his love-life, making not-so-subtle eyebrow shakes in the direction of the other co-worker. Her voice carries. She's not being quiet.

"Hmmm." Junko says, apparently thinking deeply about Zafira's explanation. Then she smiles brightly. "Nope, don't get it! I'm with Ako-chan, if you want something you should go for it! But I guess if you're worried about staying in shape it makes sense you don't want to eat ice cream." She pays for her ice cream and whatever Minako's chosen, before opening her little cup and taking a bite. Mmm, sesame? Well, whatever. Watching the part-time boy roll his eyes at Minako's curiosity and the girl turn bright red is pretty amusing. "If you don't pick something to get Zaf-san, I'll buy you anything." She warns. "Winner's a winner, and I promised a prize to the winners."

Zafira hmms, he taps his chin, "Anything I want hmm? Then, how about for my prize buy yourself something else. As a present for doing something to keep the kids entertained and enjoying themselves. Surely, someone able to keep all those kids having fun and active deserves that." He looks down at Junko, and he isn't willing to take no for an answer. Though, more or less ignoring the antics of Mina, but he's got a subconsious attention to whats going on, never know when a bit of information will come in handy.

Minako Aino clucks her tongue at Zafira while licking her new ice cream treat.

"Nope. Unacceptable choice. You gotta think it up. Pick something for reals!" she insists, gesturing all around. "Eat up. Or you just might get something really unexpected. Like a puppy."

"Well it's hardly a prize for /you/ if I eat it. But I guess I could get something else." Junko says, grinning and buying herself a caramel melon-bread to go with her sesame ice cream. At Zafira's comment about the kids, Junko just waves her hand, "The kids are fun! Plus it just got my blood boiling seeing them about to take a nap on a gorgeous day like this! And with the promise of a little ice cream, it was pretty easy to get them excited and ready for a chase. And it helped me get rid of some of my excess energy before going to my part-time job."

Zafira ohs at that, "Part-time job? Well, hmmm. You must have an interesting job then, if you're willing to spend that much time with all those kids, getting a work out and having fun before going. But, I guess I can understand. We all have our jobs to do, and must work with them the ways we think are best." He lets out a small internal sigh, his own job aside, he still had much to learn, and understand about the young ones of this city. Specialy how they can be so, full of energy like Minako appears to be at all given times. Speaking of, he looks at Mina, "A puppy would be an odd prize for something as simple as winning a game of ribbon tag."

Minako Aino just shrugs her shoulders. "Ehhhh. Puppies are a great prize. And kittens. Especially if you like pets," she decides. "What sorta' competition would a puppy prize be appropriate for, hmm? Maybe... I dunno, dogsled races?"

"I wanna hear about part-time jobs. Being in so many clubs and being a number one student means I can't work that many jobs without it takin' up more of my free time!" she says, extra braggy now that she has ice cream.

"Heheheh." Junko grins widely, "It's more of a favor for my dad's friends. Sometimes I do deliveries for them and I get some spending money in exchange." So...before running around making deliveries, she runs around being chased by children?! "It's not really a part-time job since it's not really steady work, but I'm working sometimes, so I call it one." Sounds reasonable, after all. "And tomorrow I get to go with my club to help clean up part of the beach. It's supposed to be really fun!"

Zafira nods, "I suppose it does sound fun yes. It is good, very good to do something you feel is right with every part of your being. Never let another tell you, that what you're doing is wrong, as long as you believe in your heart that what you do is what you enjoy most. Don't let anyone crush your dreams." Said, as if from someone who's dreams had been crushed, but he has that odd look in his eyes as he looks at Junko while he speaks. More, from someone trying to give advice on the future, rather then from the past.

Minako Aino claims that it IS a part time job. A 'parter time' job, even.

"And sometimes you should listen to people's advice. If it's good advice. Gotta be realistic! Not everybody can get their dream, especially if you wanna be a sports athlete olympic superstar actor idol singer."

"Which is pretty hard to do!" she admits. "Especially if you gotta' do lots of other stuff out there too."

Reaching up, Junko slaps Zafira's back again, another one of those forful but friendly smacks. "You sound just like my dad!" Junko laughs merrily, "He told me the same thing all the time. If you want something badly enough, any amount of hard work is worth it." Her hand moves to form a fist, as if grabbing on tightly to the dream, and her blue eyes are quite fiery and determined at this. But she lets go and smiles at the other two-- and then there's a beeping sound. Jumping, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a phone, flipping it open. "Ack! I have to run! I'm going to be late! It was nice meeting you both!" She says, and promptly begins to shove the rest of her ice cream into her mouth, stopping to shiver at the sudden bout of brainfreeze this brings. "Bye!"

Zafira has a smile form at that... he's never been refered to as a father before, makes him almost feel like he's important, and has done something useful for someone, "It was nice to meet you as well. Be well Junko and stay safe. Specialy around the little ones, don't want them to gang up on you." He gives of a small laugh, and watches her freeze her brain.

Minako Aino reminds Junko of her previous suggestion of waiting a little bit to avoid ice cream headaches. It's just a little snarky and definitely reeks of 'I told you so', with layers of haughty added on for effect but still just comical enough to be friendly.

"He is old enough to be a daddy, hehe! You know what they say, dads of a feather!" she remarks, since he seems to like being referred to that way.

"And yeah, stick with your dreams. And don't let them gang up on you... or me!" she adds, although she sounds a little sad referencing holding fast to life's dreams and hopes, even while (mis)quoting adages during excited talks.

With a grin and a wave, off Junko goes, waving farewell as she races away!