[closed] an exclusive resort takeover

[galactically]

Who: Sheryl and the people she invited
What: A bunch of gods and shinki are taking over a classy hot springs resort
When: May 20th, from 12pm until about 6pm
Where: Spa LaQua @ Tokyo
Warnings: Fanservice is inevitable

On the night of May 15th, Sheryl spammed the inboxes of every person that she knows and likes with an invitation to a place known as Spa LaQua. As Eno kindly reminded her, she needed a break and so do her friends... which leads to a tall, lavish building inside Tokyo Dome City. Sheryl is not the type to skimp out on what she thinks is the nicest-looking place. Not only does the building contain restaurants and relaxation areas, but also spa rooms and hot springs. The staff, while courteous, is also very stringent on rules; the "no-tattoos" rule may be problematic for any shinki, though they should be fine if they hide it with clothes or make-up. They'll expect people to pay up — ¥2,634, to be exact.

As it turns out, being a celestial resident from the Far Shore has its perks, like say, not being seen by the people of the Near Shore...



Locker Rooms
Once you enter the building, there are lockers for men and women. Shoes and other belongings are where they are safely stored while you strip down and slip into yukatas or some sweats with matching slippers. You'll receive towels as well, but they are tiny; they will either cover your head or your lower half (barely), but not both. Hope you brought your own towels.

Hot Springs/Open Baths/Saunas
The hot springs contain water that possess healing benefits such as soothing aching muscles, improving circulation, and moisturizing skin. They are also split in between the men's section and the women's. That won't stop people from sneaking inside to take a peek at the opposite sex, however. Mixed-sex rooms are also an option for the frisky.

Alternatively, you can check out the open air baths. Traditional saunas also exist if you want to get hot and sweaty. Have fun!

Healing Baden
Behold, the Healing Baden — a special area that you have to pay about 800 yen to use (or just be invisible and sneak right in). You can also rent your own towels and leisure wear, a red shirt and dark brown pants combo, in these floors to lounge in if you have the cash to spare. Here's what you can expect:

Special Saunas: All five of them, each with their own trendy gimmick. One sauna uses yellow sand for anti-aging effects, another sauna has walls that change color. There's even a special kind that contains a tank filled with colorful jellyfish swimming around.
Resting Areas: Just like the room says, it's a place for relaxation. Grab a comfy chair and plop down on it. You can also take in the view of Tokyo Dome City at the balconies.
Pool: There's a large pool for swimming adventures. Lounge chairs can be found near it.

Restaurants
Lunch time! You'll find plenty of restaurants to choose from, from cafés to Asian cuisine. Want to try out some udon, shabu-shabu, and other kinds of hot pot meals? Perhaps you're in the mood for sushi? How about some Korean food instead, like their style of barbecue and kimchi?

Other Places
This is where plenty of pampering ensues if you want to get rid of any lingering stress, or if you just want to look extra pretty.

Salons: Want a manicure? A pedicure? A haircut? Your chest, eyebrows, and who knows what else waxed? Then you've come to the right place!
Massages: Body, back, and foot massages are in vogue, as is aromatherapy if you want your body coated with essential oils — and your nostrils filled with floral and fruity scents.
Recliners: It's where you can find oversized recliners to sleep on while watching TV and ordering snacks.
Nap Rooms: They exist. Find a plush bed to claim and just nap the day away!
Makeup Bar: You'll discover a counter filled with cosmetics and skincare products for guests to use. Sheryl will be on this like white on rice.

Gift Shop
Time to grab a souvenir before you go! From clothing to other trinkets, you can find what you want to remember this place by.

(OOC: Top-level and threadhop to your heart's content! ♥!)

Comments

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru blushes a little, but she can't blame Maria for the quick glance. It's not her fault, or anyone else's, that Natsuru's name ended up in a kind of embarrassing place.]

Yeah, me too! I didn't even know Sheryl-san that well yet, but I guess she let me come because of Lightning-sama...

[declamando]

"Lightning-sama"? Are they your god? [From the way things work here, it seems like it would be logical to invite a shinki along with a god if you at least knew they might like it, even if you didn't fully know them.

In any case, Maria gives an understanding nod.]

I only came here a few days ago, but Sheryl and I have spoken a few times and we share a few interests, so she saw fit to invite me as a last minute addition.

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru nods an affirmative reply.]

Mm-hm! I came along with her, once Sheryl-san said it was okay.

[And soon there's a curious tilt of her head as Maria confirms only having been in this place a short time.]

You're new here too?

[declamando]

[That makes sense, and Maria can't help but think that with a name like that, her god must stand out a bit. It's tempting to ask what she looks like so she can keep an eye out, but ultimately she just nods and focuses on the question at hand.]

Yes, I came with the most recent group. Did you come with them as well, or have you been here longer?

[thirdbeauty]

The most recent group... that would have been when we went to Tokyo to help the victims from the last attack, right?

[Her expression turns sad, and she glances down at the water.]

I was here a little before that. I saw what happened... and tried to protect as many people as I could. But a lot of them still got hurt...

[declamando]

Yes, that one. [Though Maria looks a little saddened by the fact that there'd been enough destruction for them to have to do that at all, she keeps a wan smile on her face. It doesn't last long at the mention of Natsuru having been there to see the cause, though, and sympathy rings strong in her expression as she moves a little closer through the water.]

It's hard to know that you couldn't protect everyone, but I'm sure you did your best. There are still people who'll be grateful for that, and lives that you saved.

[thirdbeauty]

[It's true, even though it didn't turn out perfectly, Natsuru did her absolute best to help who she could. Lifting her head up again, she smiles, a bit apologetically.]

Yeah. Sorry, I know this isn't the time to worry about things! And you're right, we helped a lot of people.

[The sadness remaining in her eyes drains away, as she tries to think more positively about everything. People got hurt, but even then they were able to help. As long as they all keep trying their best, she's sure everything will turn out okay.]

We should just relax and enjoy the break for now!

[declamando]

[Her smile becoming a bit more genuine, Maria shakes her head a little like she's been misunderstood there.]

I know it can be hard to stop yourself from worrying, but it'll do you good to have the chance to focus on something else.

[But it looks rather like she's figured that part out herself, and something softer comes into Maria's expression as she lets herself put the problem of the town to the back of her mind for now as well.]

That's right. [And before she forgets...] For all the talk about meeting people, I never even gave you my name. Maria Cadenzavna Eve, it's good to meet you.

[thirdbeauty]

Oh!

[That's right, they hadn't even introduced themselves! Natsuru straightens up a bit, and dips her head in a sort of token bow. Since they're in the pool, it'd look silly otherwise.]

I'm Natsuru Senou! It's nice to meet you too, Maria-san.

[declamando]

[Inclining her head politely at the introduction, Maria begins curling her hair up again to see about putting it in a looser bun. It's nice to have it out, but it's also stopping her from being able to do much if she wants to keep it out of the water.]

I have to say, I hope more people have ideas like this to unwind. Focusing on work and helping people is important, but with no chance to do anything else that just becomes all of you, and that's really not healthy for anyone even if we are here for that purpose.

[The way she remarks on that makes it sound like she's pretty intimately familiar with it, particularly the part about it becoming all of someone's being.]

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru's curiosity is captured by the way Maria is doing her hair up. Her own is up in its loose kind-of-ponytail kind-of-bun style, but that's really all she can do with it other than leave it down. Seeing another woman with really long hair doing it up like that, making it seem effortless... it's such a simple thing, but it piques her interest.

Actually saying anything about it is out of the question, of course. She'd be too embarrassed, finding such a normal thing so intriguing! So she counts on Maria not noticing and goes along with the flow of the conversation.]

Yeah... I've heard some gods might treat their shinki more like tools than people. Lightning-sama is pretty serious, but I'm glad she's not like that.

[She brought her along today, after all. The only thing she took a really strict stance on so far was not allowing Natsuru to become a nora, for her own safety.]

Sometimes it doesn't feel too much like work, though! Like when we were helping a sweets shop get more customers, and now I even help out part-time there when I can.

[declamando]

[Sure enough, Maria doesn't notice the attentiveness to her hair - she's fairly focused on that herself, bringing everything up into a suitable curl and tying it back again. The result is a large, extremely loose bundle, not something she'd go outside with even if it is suitable for her purposes here.

Maria's mouth curls into a rather sharp frown at the mention of shinki treatment, and with a slow nod, she closes her eyes as if pained.]

I suppose it was inevitable, with things as they are here. People who abuse the power they have over another are always present. It's good to hear your god isn't one of them. [Honestly, she sounds like the kind of person Maria would be interested in meeting.

At the mention of the sweet shop, Maria looks somewhat curious, raising an eyebrow.] I suppose I'd been thinking so much about the bigger things that I almost forgot there'd be prayers for something so personal as that. How is it, having work on the Near Shore when people find it so hard to notice us?

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru blinks when Maria's done putting her hair up, finally turning her focus back to Maria's eyes. It's obvious the way she'd done her hair up was more just to keep it out of the way than aesthetics, but she's still intrigued by how practiced the whole thing seemed.

But once again, not important to the conversation! She hums in agreement at the mention of 'bigger things', nodding as she listens.]

Oh, it's not that hard! You should see the costume I wear.

[She gives a nervous little laugh, attempting to turn that comment into something of a joke to mask some slight embarrassment.]

Actually, it's weird. When I'm out front, I think people just look at me as kind of an advertising display. They notice me when I talk to them, but it's like the regulars don't really recognize me when they come back. So, it's more like they don't remember me for long?

[Thankfully, the bosses treat her more or less normally and always remember to pay her. But she definitely doesn't stand out as much as a pretty girl in an eye-catching costume should.]

[declamando]

[Well, being an idol back home, embarrassing costumes aren't entirely unfamiliar to Maria, even if she doesn't have much in the way of shame about it these days. Despite the nervousness of the laughter, she gives a more genuinely amused grin in return.]

I may have seen worse, with the line of work I came from.

[Still, it's nice to have an explanation for how things tend to work with that lack of notice, and Maria gives a quiet, thoughtful sound as she considers it.]

That would make it a little easier than I thought. I've been thinking about finding work, but I wasn't sure where to start with that being a problem.

[thirdbeauty]

[Maria's reaction makes it easier to respond in kind, with a smile and a more amused than embarrassed look about her.]

Oh, it is cute, though! It doesn't cover a lot, but that's okay in the summer.

[It's definitely not a normal outfit, though. It's an intentional eye-catcher. But she leans on the side of being comfortable enough with costumes like that, at least when they're appropriate.]

I wasn't sure it'd work either, but I haven't had a problem yet. Not with being noticed when I need to be.

[But something else piqued her curiosity too...]

What kind of work do you normally do?

[declamando]

[Well, as long as Natsuru likes it, Maria doesn't see that there's much of a problem, and she smiles a little at the description.]

If you're comfortable with it, then that's fine. It sounds like you enjoy your work, too, which is what matters.

[And which is something else that's been a bit of a concern to Maria, because while she definitely knows one line of work she'd like to get into here, she's not sure how she'd go about that in this situation.

Natsuru's question basically allows her to air that in more than her thoughts, though, and she answers with a grin and no hesitation.]

I was in the music industry before coming here. As an idol singer, so that's not really something I can pick up again in this place.

[thirdbeauty]

[Every time she talks about outfits like that, she feels the smallest twinge of shame deep down. But she seems to meet a lot of confident women who remind her that it's her own comfort that's most important. Between Kainé and Lightning and now Maria, Natsuru's starting to build some real confidence in her choices.

And when she hears Maria's answer, that confidence makes a lot of sense!]

Really?!

[Her eyes go a little wide, her smile dropping just out of sheer surprise.]

That's amazing! I didn't know there were so many idols here!

[But she's right. It might be hard to do that again, unless there's something Natsuru doesn't know about gods interacting with the living. Which is entirely possible.]

I wonder if there's any way for us to do things like that? Even though it's hard to be noticed...

[declamando]

[Such a strong reaction is something Maria can't help but laugh a bit at, not least because in her own world she'd probably have been recognised long before actually having to say she's an idol. It's refreshing to have that distance here, even if it's sad for other reasons.]

There are a few, aren't there? Myself and Sheryl, obviously, and there was another girl I met on my first day who certainly sounded like a professional. And maybe not even just us three, since I've only had four days here to meet people.

[Natsuru raises a good point there, though, and Maria sighs a little, a thoughtful look creeping onto her face.]

I've been wondering as well, but I would have thought someone like Sheryl would have taken advantage of that herself if there was. Small performances like what we did to help that town earlier this week are possible, at least, but I don't think more than that is.

[thirdbeauty]

Freyja-san?

[She jumps right in with a name at the mention of a third girl. She'd already met Sheryl and Freyja herself, so Maria's the third actual idol she's met! It's no surprise to her that they're all goddesses here.]

Hm... yeah. It might be hard to stay active if they can't remember us easily.

But even small performances can help, right? You might not be famous, but your feelings and energy can still reach people.

[declamando]

[She didn't actually get to exchanging names with the other girl, but if someone immediately comes to mind on Maria saying that, then it could well be the same person. Maria hums a little as she tries to pin the most distinctive things she noticed about her.]

I'm not sure. Is she a younger girl with a heart in her hair?

[At least, it had looked like it was in her hair to Maria. But that's a thought for another time, and Maria curls a loose bit of her own hair around one finger as she nods along with Natsuru's words.]

You're right about that, but turning that into something that would let me provide for any shinki I might get as well as myself could be harder. It's a selfish thing to say, but I do need the work for that kind of reason as well.

[thirdbeauty]

Yep, that's Freyja-san!

[She's still amazed that she's met three actual idols! But that's something to think about later, if at all. Right now, she listens to Maria's concerns.]

No... I don't think that's selfish at all.

[She looks more solemn now, seriously thinking about the problem this could pose for gods who have worked in the spotlight. Or even shinki who might want to.]

It'd probably be tough, but I don't know if it's impossible. Maybe it is... but I thought I wouldn't be able to get a job at all.

[declamando]

[Well, that's one more name she knows, then, and she smiles slightly at the confirmation.]

It's not the kind of description you could put to many people, is it?

[But that's one thing, and the main point they've come to here is another. A similar thought is weighing on Maria, especially with Sheryl having already told her one of her shinki was setting up a talent agency - perhaps she should try asking him when it comes up? In any case, her expression is one of deep consideration.]

Maybe. I think there's other people trying similar things, though, so there could be a chance of more information there. If I could spread the power of music here as well, I'd like to.

[thirdbeauty]

I hope so! I'd like to see you perform.

[She smiles shyly again, a light blush tinting her cheeks. It's just an honest admission. Yet she's still somewhat embarrassed by how automatically interested in idols she is.]

[declamando]

[That's a little cute, Maria has to admit. It's like seeing an earnest, eager fan, the kind who might've been saved from something by her music or related to her struggle instead of the more overbearing enthusiasm of some. With a light laugh, she lets the hair she's been toying with slip out of her fingers.]

I'm sure you will eventually, one way or another. With the number of performers there could be in the Heavens, it seems a waste not to at least try setting up a show, doesn't it?

[thirdbeauty]

[Maybe someday, they'll both find out the reasons for Natsuru's attachment to the concept of idols. For now, at least her attitude towards it isn't far off at all from Maria's impression. Performers are real people following their passions and reaching out to their audience in her eyes, and she admires that a lot.]

Yeah! Even if it's just for the rest of us here... I think it'd be fun.