Open-ish ♔ Gods’ Arcadia: Charisma Millennium Kingdom

[priforprince]

Who: CelePara Talent Agency (& any interlopers)
When: July 11-12
Where: A luxury hot spring in the Near Shore
What: Hibiki won hot spring tickets. This is what passes for a training camp in CelePara.
Warnings: Bathing, so, nudity. Elitism, bad decisions. It’s a log with Hibiki in it.


[ A private overnight at a hot springs resort is the only part of Hibiki’s grand prize from the shopping district lottery she’d wanted. Rather than go completely by herself, however, she’s invited Natsuru, Kuroyukihime, Venus, and Wendy along - one part reward for Tanabata, one part Important Training. The more elite atmosphere to which Hibiki can expose Natsuru, the more the girl will be influenced! The more refined Japanese environments in which Kuroyukihime finds herself, the more she’ll grow into the motifs bestowed upon her by the god in whose temple she resides!

Venus and Wendy are, of course, here to make tea. Hibiki is making a special exception and drinking only green tea this trip - that’s the role - but the frequency with which she requires this beverage merits having her own supply on hand in addition to the inn’s.

The hot spring has been completely reserved for their group. This wasn’t quite what had been written on the tickets, but Hibiki went out to the casino, exerted her sensitivity to the number 1, and then booked the whole place herself the next morning. This means they have far more rooms at their disposal than they need, should anyone happen to have overheard plans about this trip….and the hired help is unlikely to notice any extra guests from the Far Shore….

….Granted, if you aren’t currently working with her, Hibiki will not be pleased to see you. But who cares? Hot spring!

Let us enjoy an elegant experience. ]

[[ ooc: This is a mingle log! Post your own top-level or comment around to others. The link in the “where” description shows off the particular inn this hot spring is based on, but basically, if it’s a Hot Springs Staple and you want to play with it, go nuts.

CelePara are the only people who have been invited, but if you can conceivably say your character could have overheard one of the people involved talking about this trip, feel free to have them crash the party. ]]

Comments

[1wing]

karaoke room

[ Why is Tsubasa even here? She's not very sure. A bird apparently mistook her for the other tall, blue-haired shinki and she got invited along before she even figured out what happened. Yeah, let's go with that.

Well then, might as well figure out a way to pass the time until she needs to be back at Corrin's temple. The residents of the Near Shore haven't even noticed her, anyway.

There is no shortage of activities in this inn, but Tsubasa always finds her way back to this particular room. It holds an allure to her that she can't quite understand, and in the end, she decides there's no point fighting it.

She doesn't know most of these songs, and why would she, without her memory, but she does happen upon one she recognises. She probably heard it during the Tanabata concerts.

And it seems that's enough.

She picks up the microphone, fiddles with the remote, and... ]

What have you done to my lips? You've taught me the taste of sin. You truly are wicked.

[ It all comes naturally to her, even without an audience, or so she thinks, and she keeps going. ]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki had been on her way back from the massage parlor (reluctantly) when she hears music starting up. Curious, she stands in the door -

and freezes.

This.....

.....why this girl, whom Hibiki had met only once, is here on what should be a private trip, suddenly doesn't matter. Hibiki can practically feel her yukata being blown backwards by the force of the beating wings upon the stage. A drawn sword scrapes against the scabbard, shining the same silver as its wielder's hair, facing the false idol, cutting it down, establishing sovereignty....

The king on the chessboard in Hibiki's office back in the Far Shore falls over, toppled by the sudden movement, the placement on the stage, at long last,

of Hibiki's queen.

All of this happens in about ten seconds and also inside Hibiki's mind only. Really, Tsubasa just has an audience too overcome to even walk into the damn door like a gentleman. Instead she's just standing here blocking the doorway and imagining the sun shining purple over the dawn of a revolution.

As one does. ]

[1wing]

[ Tsubasa doesn't even notice the opening door, or the appearance of an audience member, so taken she is by the very act of singing. The sensation can only be described to be flying, so light that she can be carried by the wind, making her feel foolish for having any doubts in the first place. ]

On the battlefield of romance and love, lalala lalalala...

[ The song ends, and Tsubasa finally turns around, slightly flushed. That sure was something.

And then, she sees it: The audience of one. ]

Uh...

[ What can she even say here? ]

I hope you enjoyed it?

[ Ever the performer. ]

[priforprince]

[ That is the best possible reaction, honestly. Whether or not an audience, intended or not, enjoyed a song is crucial. And this the girl who'd doubted her ability to stand upon a stage!

....But also had thought of the concept herself. Gesturing with a single hand seems insufficient, so Hibiki spreads both. ]

Absolutely splendid. Your voice ripples cleaner than the most healing of minerals and bathes the soul in a fountain of light.

[ And you seem like the type to never, ever, ever

use a sentence ender, too! ]

The hot springs themselves must bubble in awe.

[1wing]

[ What even is Tsubasa supposed to do with all this high praise? The Shinki stays red, this time from embarrassment rather than excitement. ]

No, this sort of song isn't the kind to heal others. If anything, the one being healed is myself...

[ There's nothing remotely uplifting about jealousy, hatred, and the pain of loss. But being able to put all her negativity into song and throw it out like that, even if this song isn't immediately relevant to her circumstances, is a little bit of catharsis.

Plus, well, she can't deny that singing is fun. ]

I wasn't actually expecting anyone to be listening.

[priforprince]

[ Tsubasa's modesty doesn't deter Hibiki. Instead, she steps into the room and reaches for Tsubasa's hands. ] You are a genius.

[ And you knew, instinctively, to come to CelePara's training camp! Could anything be more convenient?! ]

Please, spread your wings on a wider stage. Join me.

[ She needs you. She needs you, to triumph in the IDOL WARS, banish all ayakashi, shine as the most brilliant god, and attract PriPara here.

What goals can be nobler??? ]

[1wing]

[ Tsubasa just looks at Hibiki like she's speaking a foreign language. A genius? A wider stage?

And yet, at the same time, she can't deny the appeal. She does love singing, probably always has, if this one experience says anything. ]

It's... not a decision I can make by myself...

[ Even if it is very flattering. ]

Besides, this doesn't compare to the performance you put on.

[priforprince]

You can chase me.

[ She doesn't deny she's better. Even if she's never heard anything quite like what just happened here. Even if she's not sure, were they to compete instead...

But she's intimidating the maiden. Hibiki steps back to keep her distance, knowing a rebuff when she hears one. Although she's convinced it's only temporary.

Besides, she nearly lost her own composure there. That will never do. ] Relax and enjoy yourself to the utmost here. And when your heart's turbulence has stilled to a tranquil pool...

[ where were you keeping business cards in a yukata, hibiki ]

Well, you've already found my temple.

[1wing]

No, I cannot.

[ Tsubasa isn't quite sure why she suddenly said that herself, but it seems Hibiki has sparked something deep within her. She can't say exactly what it is, but in her heart of hearts she knows that she knows better. ]

I am Tsubasa. As someone who bears wings, whatever it is I do, I have to fly freely above.

[ That's how it works, apparently. Something's clicked in her head now. That said, she does take the business card. ]

But before anything else, I'll need my god's permission.

[priforprince]

Take your time. [ You took the card. Hibiki is used to seeing geniuses oppose her. They came back.

They all came back. So will Maria. And you.

You may be wings, but she's resonance. No heart that's pealed in harmony with it can resist her. ]

[1wing]

I can't say I have that much patience.

[ Diving headlong into things without hesitation is probably more her style. She still does have her doubts, but most of them have been ground away by the conversations she's had in the short time she's been a Shinki.

A pause, as Tsubasa glances at the karaoke machine, then back to Hibiki. ]

Aren't you going to sing?

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki scoffs. Politely. ] Such a paltry stage can't hope to deserve my full brilliance.

[ You gave it a run for its money, elevated it, but it's still karaoke. Every note from Hibiki's lips is a precious jewel.

She can't scatter them into puddles. ]

[1wing]

[ Well. Alright then.

How does Tsubasa respond to such a declaration? Apart from seriously reconsidering the invitation? But Hibiki is, undoubtedly a very good performer, so there may be a kernel of truth in what she's saying.

A song isn't complete until somebody hears them. The echo of a karaoke room is great, but ultimately incomplete. ]

Very well, then. [ Tsubasa returns to the remote, flicking through a list of songs looking for one she might recognise. It's difficult, when one has no memories. ]

I suppose I'm too small an audience to be granted a song.

[ There's no sarcasm there, or even any hurt. Just Tsubasa's observation. ]

[priforprince]

[ ----oh.

Oh, she hadn't thought of it like that.

A song for...for Tsubasa. For her Queen.

She reaches for the remote but doesn't take it, just tries to lay her hand over Tsubasa's. ] Did you want to hear?

[ Polite, soft curiosity. Though she doubts she's going to find anything worth singing on this machine....she could always resort to illusions, yes, but it's the idea of the thing. The karaoke machine is truly here.

A performer of this caliber deserves to be gifted something true. ]

quite probably my latest tag in this game ever, but let's pretend this is how they met all along

[thirdbeauty]

[Hearing the singing from inside the room as she passes by, the other tall, blue-haired shinki finds herself drawn to find out what's going on. When she steps inside, there doesn't seem to be anyone else there. Just Tsubasa, singing that song on the microphone.

She's actually kind of stunned at the performance, and wonders if maybe this girl is another idol that Hibiki invited? Whatever the case, Natsuru quietly stands off to the side and watches in awe. The lyrics are... intense, but she sings them so beautifully. She hopes she'll be able to perform like that, the more she practices...]

I'm late too, sobs

[1wing]

To the Okehazama of romance and love...

[ The last note trails off as the song ends, the singer unsure of what is to come in this great battlefield known as love, only that it will be bloody and painful. Not that Tsubasa herself knows any better, but isn't acting a part of being a singer?

Probably.

It's not until she puts her microphone down that she realises she had an audience, as absorbed as she was by the act of singing, but she does eventually, and gives the other guest a small bow. ]

Ah... I hope you enjoyed that.

[ Oddly enough, there's no embarrassment here. Nothing like that. Instead, faced with the prospect of having an audience, Tsubasa just wants to make sure she did well enough. ]

[thirdbeauty]

Ah, it was pretty incredible!

[Realizing that Tsubasa hadn't noticed her until now makes Natsuru suddenly very self-conscious.]

Really, you sounded like a professional!

[1wing]

Really, I wonder what a professional sounds like?

[ Tsubasa herself doesn't have any memories of standing on stage, nor does she know very many singers. What she does have is a healthy dose of self-depreciation. ]

I just picked up a microphone and sung, isn't that the most important thing?

[thirdbeauty]

I... don't know. [Natsuru blushes, looking awfully shy all of a sudden.] But your voice is really beautiful.

[Sorry, Tsubasa, she is going to admire you now. A lot. But that doesn't mean she can't see her point.]

I guess so! That's all I focus on when I perform. That and doing my best for everyone...

[1wing]

Mm... Thank you.

[ Tsubasa can't deny Natsuru's sincere praise here any more than she already has. To do so would be rude, like she's saying Natsuru's ears don't work properly. ]

This is the first time I've sang since... Since becoming a shinki. I don't remember if I ever learned to sing, but it all came naturally to me.

[ So even if her voice is beautiful, it hasn't quite sunk in. Not without knowing if she has talent, or if she worked hard, or both. There's a sense of achievement that's missing. But nevertheless: ]

But in the end, singing is fun, isn't it? I think the audience knows when you're putting everything you have into every song.

[thirdbeauty]

[Oh, so the other girl is a shinki too? Those statements hit a little close to home for Natsuru, so before she really thinks too hard about it, she nods.]

Yeah, me too. Er, that is... I don't remember if I've ever tried singing or dancing before I became a shinki.

[There's a modest blush tracing her cheeks, now that she realizes what she'd agreed to. She doesn't think she's that naturally talented at all! At least Tsubasa says something else she can wholeheartedly agree with next.]

Oh, yeah! Definitely! That's why I want to try my best, too.

[1wing]

That's only natural, shinki are that sort of being after all.

[ No memories of their life, just a lot of muscle memory and knowledge with no context. It can be difficult at the best of times, but they can't exactly angst themselves back to life, so all they can do is move forward. ]

Well then, I'm sure I'll get the chance to hear you sing some day.

[thirdbeauty]

Yeah...

[She just agrees on that point. It's not as if either of them can do anything about their nature, and she's long since accepted that she's going to have to build this life without any specific knowledge of her previous life.

Of course, the mention of her singing makes her blush. Even though... she's the one that kind of brought it up in the first place.]

M-Maybe! I mean... I hope so. I've been working on my performance...

[1wing]

Is that so? I'm sure it'll be a good performance.

[ Tsubasa doesn't know much about Natsuru, not really. They've just met after all. So it's not like she actually knows what her ability to sing and dance is like. But even so: ]

If you love to sing, and you have something worth singing about, you can't go too far wrong.

[thirdbeauty]

[Words to live by, definitely! Still, she seems a little bothered by something.]

Someone said I didn't look like I was having fun in my debut...

But, it was just some annoying guy! I didn't get what he was talking about at all.

[Sorry, Nari. She still doesn't know what to make of you.]