A Well Earned Vacation [Closed]

[adventurology]

Who: Lara, Felicia, Natsuru, and Yuri (and a special prompt for Hibiki)
Where: Monaco
When: June 19th
Summary: Lara takes some of her friends on a trip to a favorite getaway destination.
Format: Thread around as you like.
Warnings: Language maybe?






The Croft family may not exist in this version of Earth, but that didn't invalidate any of the experience Lara had with high class getaways. She knew her way around Europe, and being able to teleport anywhere she liked made it more or less an easy jaunt from Japan to the glitziest two kilometers on the planet. After everything that'd happened to Yuri lately, she knew her friend needed a break. And she'd promised Natsuru a trip somewhere fun, and leaving out Felicia just wasn't happening, so early on the 19th, Lara'd gathered them all up and off they went for a day and a night on the French Riviera.

There's a lot to do and see and Lara's first port of call is Monte Carlo, a place right out of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. There's amazing food, fabulous streets, and various boutiques for clothing and souvenirs. Her next recommendation is the Palais du Prince, a 13th century fortress. After that there's mesmerizing gardens, Mediterranean overlooks, museums, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

She won't make everyone stick together, though since everyone has different interests, but in the evening she's planning for a trip to the world famous Opéra de Monte-Carlo for one of the year's final performances. The room she'd arranged thanks to the magic of the internet is in a nice suite big enough for the four of them. So, do what you do, and don't make too much noise. The following day is much of the same, since they definitely need to get back, but enjoy all the same!

Comments

OTA

[onerous]

[Following the investigation into the upswing of ayakashi-led suicides, Yuri had faceplanted into her bed and slept for about 14 hours. When she'd groggily awoken to discover that Lara had intended to make good on her comment about a getaway to Monaco, she hadn't put much thought into agreeing.

Now, she was-- Not really regretting it, but her phone had been left in Hakkai and Neji's capable hands, a temporary secondary phone taken instead just in case of emergencies or if Lara or the other girls needed her, and an unease settled in her stomach. Hakkai and Neji were more than capable of taking care of themselves, their home, and the few prayers that might still trickle in.

It doesn't stop her from worrying though, and she keeps instinctively looking at her phone when she thinks she can get away with it...

Yuri can be found all around, though mostly browsing through the museums and book stores, or even just napping/lazing in the room as she's still not quite fully recovered from the whole ordeal. In some of the souvenirs stores she's got arms full of things she seems to be trying to decide on, putting things down only to pick them up again, looking conflicted.

And if not there, then definitely at the beach in her bikini, staring down at a bottle of sunscreen with a defeated sort of look. She definitely needs to put this on, if only to avoid more fuel for lobster queen jokes...

Or, you know, come up with your own ideas! Go wild it's all fair game!!]

[adventurology]

[The bookstores are a likely place for Lara to bump into Yuri, and so that's where she's going to do so. Literally, in fact, as she absentmindedly bumps into her friend while poking through some of the stacks with a book in hand for purchase. Giving a start, she blanches...at least, until she notices who it is.]

Sorry, was...pretty absorbed in this one.

[She holds up the book, which if Yuri can read French is titled "The Caves of Monaco". But if she can't? Well, the picture on the front is of a sabertoothed cat.]

[onerous]

[Yuri can not, in fact, read French, though she can recognize the 'Monaco' on the front at least. She has no idea what sabertoothed cats have to do with it all though, and she stares blankly at it as she tries to figure it out.]

It's fine. You didn't knock me down. [Just unbalanced her a little, nbd. Yuri keeps hoping she'll run into books she can actually read here, but it seems a fruitless effort. But looking at the pictures and flipping through photography books is nice too, so she'll take it.]

...Does archaeology and anthropology cover studying extinct cats too? [WHAT'S WITH THE CAT]

[adventurology]

[Lara smiles amiably and turns the book around to show Yuri a series of photographs inside the book. Easy peasy.]

Only as they relate to early man, so as predator and prey. And as potential material to make tools out of. Which...well, the caves at the edge of the principality aren't open to the public this time of year but not long ago a new tunnel was discovered. Filled with smilodon bones, some of which had been worked into tools by prehistoric man.

[Smilodon being the sabertooth cat. And by not long ago she means like, a century ago.]

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru's noticed Yuri hanging around the room once or twice, but she mostly left her alone then. She didn't want to bother her if she wanted some peace and quiet. Now that they're out at the beach, though, Natsuru thinks it might be okay to be a little more social and get to know the only girl on this trip she hadn't met before they left the Far Shore together.]

Is something wrong, Yuri-san?

[Apparently, Yuri's not as modest as Lara and Felicia, which makes Natsuru feel a bit better about wearing her own bikini. At least someone on this trip makes her feel like she's not being a little... overconfident. But she's not sure what to make of the look on Yuri's face over the bottle of sunscreen.]

[onerous]

Oh. [Yuri glances up, looking a bit embarrassed] Last time I was at the beach i forgot to put sunscreen on, so I got burned. I don't really like how it feels though, so it's a bit...

[Irritating, she supposes, that she has to put it on.] But if I don't, Lara'll start teasing me about being a goddess of lobsters again. [Despite her words, there's a little smile--she's not actually irritated by it or anything, but it's still something she'd like to avoid, along with getting burned in the first place.]

I can't reach my back either...

[thirdbeauty]

[Oh. Yeah, she gets that. She's not a huge fan of how sunscreen feels either, at least when first putting it on. It's easier to ignore after a while, but still...]

Oh...!

[That last part, at least, she can help with!]

I could help with your back, if you want. Putting it on is better than getting burned, right?

[She reaches out, as if anticipating Yuri handing over the bottle. It occurs to her that this might be a bit too intimate for only recent acquaintances, but since they're both girls it shouldn't be that big a deal. Even if they weren't, who would notice them enough to misunderstand?]

[adventurology]

[Lara can more or less be found at any of these places, but where she's at her most animated is probably the streets. Shopping is one thing, sure, though for her the food is where it's really at. She flits from street to street, taking in the sights and sounds of the market.]

Oh, come on then! Let's hit this one. This place is amazing and you won't regret it!

[Or, you know, catch her outside the Palais du Prince or at the Museum because why wouldn't she physically be dragging her friends into these sorts of places.]

[The beach is similar to the beach party where she'd met Felicia, with the same full body covering. Only this time, she's actually wading into the water a little ways, soaking in the Mediterranean sun and enjoying the sand. Come join her?]

[thirdbeauty]

[Beaches and pretty scenery and shopping are all nice, of course. And yet it was most absolutely inevitable that Lara would get Natsuru to tag along to a museum too. So many of her other role models friends encourage her building her confidence, but Lara's the one encouraging her to sharpen her intellect too.

There's a surprising number of museums in the small sort-of-country, though, and Natsuru's not sure which one she's been taken to yet. Not being able to read most of the signs doesn't help.]

Um, what is it they have here, again?

[Is it the "prehistoric anthro-something" museum she read about?]

[adventurology]

[Lara's hand on Natsuru's is pretty unrelenting too. The girl seems kind of...unfortunately undereducated...and Lara's instinct is to immediately rectify this. It might be her biggest failing, her complete inability to manage dealing with people who couldn't at least begin to comprehend the things she was talking about.]

This one? This is a museum of natural history for the region. Dinosaurs and ancient mammals and the humans that lived here during the last Ice Age.

[Lara thankfully speaks French fluently so translating is no issue too. Up she does and pays for a couple of tickets before heading in...right into an enormous lobby dominated by the skeletal remains of a mosasaurus.]

It'll be fun!

[thirdbeauty]

[In her defense, she was the most average of high school students and hadn't even approached university level education back home! She, of course, only has the vaguest idea of this, since her education is intact but her memories of the actual events are not. At least she's more than willing to go along with Lara and learn some things... as embarrassing as it is to need to ask really simple questions so much of the time.]

So like, cavemen and mammoths and stuff, too?

[Educated or not, how could anyone not be fascinated by the gigantic skeletons of long-extinct creatures? It makes her imagine what a creature like that must have looked like when it was alive.]

For Hibiki

[adventurology]

[It's not too far outside one of Hibiki's favorite coffee shops that trouble is brewing. An enormous ayakashi just happens to be lying in wait right outside, sensing a god inside, ready to make a quick snack out of the young Prench woman. It doesn't just go bursting inside though, instead opting to wait, to take the prey by surprise.

It isn't aware, however, that it has a stalker. From a single story rooftop not far away, Lara is watching, a transformed Ingrid held in her grasp. Watching, of course for the moment that the frog is most distracted so that she can dispatch it without a big mess.

Naturally though, things aren't going to be so smooth...are they?]

[priforprince]

[ Some places still function the way they're supposed to.

Hibiki takes a sip of her drink and closes her eyes, enjoying the ambiance around her - the sound of the elegant Prench language (among other cosmopolitan tongues), the clink of fancy utensils against fancy plates, the opulent, decadent aura effusing this whole principality. Ease of transportation is definitely another divine perk. Why, she can eschew "Hara"juku entirely, can she not...? She could spend most of her time on the Near Shore in places like this.

And yet. There's something flickering in the back of her mind. Some sense of unease.

Ah, it's probably nothing. ]

Merci, garçon.

[ Hibiki doesn't have a tab in this version of this city, so she pays with cash. She's aware of everyone's eyes on her, noticing her, noticing her, and she takes the opportunity to exert her presence some more. It feels good. It's not PriPara, but the jewel that is Shikyoin Hibiki has finally been nestled in a suitable setting.

She steps out onto the street as a giant blazing god beacon, feeling completely at peace. She almost doesn't want to return to the Far Shore... ]

[adventurology]

[It's then that the creature makes it's move. Glowing like that, making oneself noticeable, that's generally a good way to draw the attention of predators as well as the local sheep and Hibiki's done just that.

Once she's out and away from the entrance a bit, the froggy ayakashi attacks. It leaps a solid five feet in the air and lands behind the godling, throat and eyes bulging.]

Gero~gero~

[Y Hallo Thar.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki feels that stab of wrongness again and whirls just in time to witness that ayakashi slamming down onto the pavement. She backs up, automatically assuming a fighting stance, one hand going to her side and drawing -

- right, she hasn't got a sword right now. ] What?!

[ No one else is noticing this?! But no. That's not how this works. Everything Hibiki had only been half-listening upon her arrival to the Far Shore spools back to her on instant replay (it may even be printed in sepiatone in her mind's eye). This is - this is one of those "ayakashi", then. Humans create them but normally can't see them. And gods - and gods -

The presence of a monster, in and of itself, doesn't make Hibiki's skin crawl. But the sheer negative dissonance pouring off that thing has her feeling like she's got bugs in her veins. ]

OTA

[thirdbeauty]

[From the moment she'd first set foot in Monaco, Natsuru's eyes were filled with wonder at all the beautiful sights and sounds of the foreign microstate. Judging from what memories she did have, she's never been anywhere like this before!

The unfamiliar surroundings also made her a little nervous to go exploring on her own, so she tries her best to line her plans up with Lara, Felicia, or Yuri whenever possible. Either by tagging along, or convincing them to go along with her to one of the places she's interested in...

The first thing she wants to do is explore the various shops and try some of the food. The souvenirs are a must, at least to look at and consider. Somehow, she gets the feeling Hibiki would like something from this place. Maybe Maria too?

Of course she's going to make time for the beach as well - either relaxing in her bikini and taking in the sun, or walking along the coast and picking up shells. And it might be nice to go for a swim while they're here...

Finally, before their evening trip to the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Natsuru tries to get as many of the other women as are willing to come shopping for new dresses. Or not dresses, she's not here to police anyone's fashion tastes. But she knows she doesn't have anything nearly nice enough to wear for the evening, so what better way to fix that than to find the best boutique she can afford and make an afternoon of it? It'll be more fun and less nerve-wracking if she can get at least one of the others to come along, especially when it takes so much effort to get the attention of the shop's staff.

Or, she'll come along with one of the others wherever they're heading! She'd rather be with someone, enjoying the brief vacation, than doing something she wants to all by herself. With how easy it is to teleport here with a god, she's sure this won't be her last opportunity to visit this place.]

[adventurology]

[Natsuru doesn't have to worry about getting Lara out into the water this time, or getting her to the beach. Dressed in the same black and white full body suit, Lara comes trotting out of the changing room and waves at her young companion. Spinning in a circle, she laughs.

This is far more pleasant than the last beach, for...a number of reasons, but mostly because of the location. It's like a darkness has lifted from Lara, at least temporarily, by the way she's smiling.]

What do you think? Suitable?

[thirdbeauty]

[Lara's always seemed so... even and calm, before. Not sad or upset, but not extremely cheerful or upbeat either. Seeing her smiling and laughing like this makes Natsuru brighten up a lot, too!]

You still look amazing!

[She gushes, absolutely sincerely. Lara's definitely covering a lot more skin than Natsuru, who doesn't own a single swimsuit that's not in two relatively small pieces. But showing skin isn't what makes a swimsuit look good, and this one suits Lara very much.]

It feels like a real vacation, doesn't it?

[Even Natsuru can feel the difference! Lara might catch her moving as if she was about to take Lara's hand, or arm... before she catches herself and realizes she hasn't figured out how Lara feels about physical affection yet. Masaki sure has affected Natsuru's understanding of friendships between girls, but she's still not presumptuous enough to assume all girls are like that...]

[adventurology]

[Lara's swimsuit is the way it is for a reason, mainly she doesn't want to ruin anyone's image of her. She's a little ashamed of her scars, even if she's proud of the actions that earned them, and Natsuru doesn't need exposure to that.]

Yeah, it does.

[She also catches the girl's fidgeting, her reflexes and awareness of her personal space definitely not letting her miss a hand starting to come near her. She's not a physically affectionate person a lot of the time, for a lot of the same reasons, but right now? She's in the right mood. Her hand reaches for Natsuru's, giving it a quick squeeze.]

Ready for a swim?

OTA

[maidhem]

So....an actual Prince lives here?

[Felicia stood in the courtyard of the Palais du Prince, blue eyes wide in fascination and awe as she stared up at the majestic edifice of the palace that had stood in the fair land of Monaco as a testement of it's wealth, stability, and longevity. She bounced in her heels, unable to contain her excitement much longer. There was so much to see-- and only a short window to take it all in.

The Palace was only one such place that had captured the curious young woman's attention. The pristine Beaches, the lovingly maintained Gardens, and-- naturally, the various Shops that studded the streets of Monte Carlo were an inevitable draw.

Felicia flitted from place to place like an excited bird, full of energy and unable to sit still. It was as if the recent investigations into those terrible suicides hadn't affected her at all....or, perhaps, she was simply throwing herself into life with gusto so she didn't have to think about it.

After all, vacations were vacations....and, they were wonderful things that needed to be experienced to the fullest.]

[adventurology]

Yes, an actual prince lives here.

[Catching Felicia's excitement, and knowing her shinki's tendency to cause trouble, she swoops in beside her and slips an arm around the maid's. Tugging her partner closer, she starts walking towards the gate, grinning ear to ear.]

And I think you'd better stick close to me. I've been here before, and I can give you a tour. Since the prince is out today it's open to the public. At least, some wings of it, anyway. Want to go?

[She's betting the answer is an excited yes...]

[maidhem]

[Right on cue...]

Yes!

[Giggling in her excitement, Felicia wrapped her arms around Lara in a tight hug of gratitude, eyes shinining as bright as the skies above them in her glee.]

The Prince really doesn't mind people wandering his home while he's out? It sounds a little dangerous-- but, it's so nice of him to be so welcoming and open for the people visiting.

He must be a really impressive Prince, if he's this nice to people he doesn't even know...

[adventurology]

Well, it's because only the really wealthy can even come to Monaco, and it's of course got places that are walled off to the public.

[Not that they're really going to keep out a pair of beings like them, that dwell on the edges of vision. Either way, it's no mind of Lara's and she hugs Felicia tight.]

But I hear good things. Monaco's really tiny though, you know. It's very wealthy, but it's only about 2 kilometers long and as much wide. But he's very influential in the region, because Monaco is so, so wealthy.

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru's here for all the window shopping and exploring the streets! It was a slight surprise, finding out the girl she'd met over a magic mishap in a volleyball game also happens to be Lara's shinki. But it's a nice surprise, since Natsuru already thinks of Felicia as a friend. A new friend she doesn't know very well yet, but still a friend!]

Oh, Felicia-san! Look!

[She calls the other girl's attention to a shop window nearby. Is it another souvenir shop this time, or one of those shops with interesting clothes on display? Those seem to be the ones that Natsuru gravitates to the most.]

[maidhem]

[New friends were the most interesting ones, because there was always something to be learned every time they met. Felicia had been ecstatic upon hearing that Natsuru would be joining them on this glitzy, glamorous vacation, and she couldn't wait to have a proper vacation with one of the first friends she had met on the Near Shore.]

Whoa...those are really pretty!

[She breathed, following Natsuru's gesture toward that particular boutique. Elegantly cut clothes in a fine, delicate fabric would always be a draw no matter the region or century, and the wares in this boutique looked more fine than anything Felicia could imagine coming out of Harajuku.

Felicia glanced at Natsuru, an excited gleam in her eyes.]

Did you want to get a closer look, Natsuru?