thenearshore | The glorious debut of Sparkle Motion

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The glorious debut of Sparkle Motion

Who: Barry Goodman, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Princess Elise of Nohr, Yuuri Katsuki
What: Mission #01
When: July 4th
Where: Sparkle Motion, moving to Suijin's temple
Warnings: None

[It's been a few weeks since Sparkle Motion's last meeting, even though practices have been ongoing at the usual pace. Evidently Barry's got something important and exciting on his mind tonight, given the big grin on his face and the trouble he's having standing still.]

Awright, listen up, everybody! I've heard through the grapevine that one of the bigwig gods wants some help spreadin' peace and love in the Far Shore so that there'll be less ayakashi attacks in the Near Shore. So I figured, what could be a more perfect job for a bunch of talented performers like us? Sparkle Motion's gonna put on our first big show - get people in a good mood so the ayakashi stop causin' trouble, get people talkin' about us, maybe even recruit some new talent - everybody wins! It's probably too late to put together somethin' good for Tanabata, but if we start now, I bet we can plan a real good show for Obon that'll knock everybody's socks off! Whaddaya think? You guys ready for the big time?

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That's a great idea! Can we get costumes for the show too? I want a pink one!

[Of course she does.]

Oh! And we should have fireworks too!

[Because.... reasons? She just likes them.]

[Maria's been hoping to be able to put on a show for a while, and though this is a more abrupt suggestion than she'd been expecting, it's one she's willing to go with. Elise's enthusiasm about the prospect is reassuring, too - though they might have only a small group here, she has confidence they'll be able to make something good out of it.]

The fireworks might be harder to set up, but I certainly think costumes would be a priority. It wouldn't do to perform at an event like that without the proper dress.

[Since she's already done the big time herself, she offers the others a smile.] I definitely think we can do some good with this. I believe in all of you.

Aww, could we at least have sparklers? How can we be Sparkle Motion without some sparkle?

[She really wants all the bells and whistles here.]

It'll be a better show that way.

Hmm... I dunno if we're ready for pyrotechnics yet.

[Not that she was suggesting that, but Barry doesn't want to start any fires. Not after last time.]

But I bet we can put lotsa glitter and stuff on the outfits!

Glitter on the outfits sounds like a good compromise, I think.

[Yuuri wouldn't be opposed to the sparklers, truth be told, but he's not really the type to make a fuss about it.]

Maybe we can keep an eye out for someone to help out with the flashier things in the future? But for now, it sounds like a good idea to get ourselves out there.

Yeah! Lots and lots of glitter! Then we won't need any fireworks 'cause we'll sparkle!

[Elise is completely on board with this.]

And it's for Obon, right? What's Obon? We should write a song about it!

Do any of the craft shops around here sell glittery fabrics? Something like that could certainly work. [As much as she's trying not to burst the bubble, if they try just putting glitter on the outfits, it's going to fall off and probably just not going to be very pleasant in general.] And glitter make-up is an option as well.

[As for the question of Obon, Maria frowns a little in thought.] I've heard the name before, but I have to admit I don't actually know what it's about either.

I betcha we can find somethin' in Harajuku. They've got all kinds of crazy clothes over there.

[Barry hums as they make their way to Suijin's temple, thinking to himself.]

Yeah, same here. It's my first one as a shinki, after all. Guess we'll need to do a little research.

[He looks at each of them in turn.]

So what're we gonna do for the show, anyway? I'm thinkin' we can pair Yuuri and Elise up for a violin piece with a choreographed dance routine to accompany it, and then you can headline the show with a new original song, Maria. And I'll handle all the behind the scenes planning. Sound good to you guys?

[It's a little short for a show, though.]

That sounds great! But when do Yuuri and I get to sing?

[She asks innocently, assuming that of course they get a song too.]

I'm gonna find out all about Obon and write the best song about it.

[Sure she is.]

I'm sure there'll be information about it available, since it seems to be a major celebration. In the meantime, a visit to Harajuku couldn't hurt...

[It is a famous shopping district, after all, so it'd be a surprise if they couldn't find anything suitable for their needs.

With a slight smile over at Elise, Maria considers the best way to point out that she's not a trained singer without dampening the mood.]

You and Yuuri are trained in different skills to Barry and I, so a show like what Barry said would put our best feet forward - you and him with violin and dance, myself with singing. I think we could add more to it, but we might have to discuss it between us a bit more to see what would work the best together.

We'll have to pool our money and see what we can come up with.

[Barry definitely doesn't make enough on his own to finance a whole squad of sparkly idol outfits. Especially since he spends half his paycheck on more anime merchandise he doesn't need.]

Actually, I've never heard Elise sing. For all we know, she might be really great at it!

[Barry no.]

But if she needs some extra lessons to sharpen her voice up, you can help her out too, right Maria?

[Barry no. There's only 11 days until Obon and Suijin hasn't even agreed to this yet. But they're at the temple now, so they'll find out soon enough what the answer is.]

Edited 2017-04-28 18:08 (UTC)

[Elise had been all set to start pouting to try to get her way, but Barry just threw her a line. So of course she's taking it.]

Yeah! I might be great!

[Elise no.]

Let me try. Pleeaaase?

I do still have some money to spare for that. I never thought I'd be so grateful that my followers are so fond of coin offerings. [It's not much on its own, generally, but it stacks up when many followers do it, and alongside what she's getting from her job, it makes for a fairly healthy bank.

At Elise's begging, Maria gives a soft laugh and a nod.] I'm certainly not going to stop you from trying, but we'll see how you go in practice first, alright? If you do well, then maybe you can debut a song at whatever our next major performance after Obon is.

[The small group approaching Suijin's shrine did not go unobserved.

Under the simple stone shinto gate flanked by long ponds stands an old woman in a light blue kimono. She is short and her face round, but her posture is straight and attentive as the youngsters approach.

Once they are close enough to greet she does not bow, but looks them over keenly, meeting all their eyes. Once she has their attention she speaks in a level tone,]

My name is Suna, vessel name Saki, commonly called Sunanaga, exemplar of the Mizu no Kami Suijin. Introduce yourselves and state your business coming here.

[Barry listens, hesitating for just a moment as he tries to figure out which of those names she prefers people actually use.]

Nice to meet ya, Suna!

[He'll just go with the first one.]

My name's Barry Goodman, shinki to Mielikki. This is Maria, Elise, and Yuuri. And together, we're Sparkle Motion!

[As if that explains anything at all.]

[Elise strikes a dramatic pose. See how cool they are~~n't?~~

She's helping.]

[While the attempt at an introduction gets a slight laugh out of Maria, she shakes her head a little after a moment and steps forward, bowing politely to the shinki. While Barry was the one who'd heard the initial mention of what Suijin was seeking, Maria has enough of an idea to speak for them.]

My name is Maria Cadenzavna Eve, incarnation of Nuada Airgetlám. We heard your goddess was seeking methods of spreading peace on the Near and Far Shore, and we've come to suggest our performance agency may be able to help with that end. After all, the nature of performance is to bring people together.

[Maria's tone is confident and professional, that of someone very used to dealing with this sort of thing.]

[The exemplar huffs out a curt breath through her nose as she looks them over again, shaking her head at the burly man before turning her attention on the more well-spoken girl.]

At least one of you children has some sense about them.

Yes, Suijin-sama is seeking such methods. And you are suggesting a performance?

[She looks at them sternly as she considers it.]

...Perhaps the idea has merit. As the one assisting Suijin-sama in this, I can at least allow you to present your idea to her. Wait here a moment.

[And Sunanaga turns and walks a few meters from them, talking a phone from the sleeve of her kimono. In moments, she is speaking softly to someone.]

[Sadly, that was about as polite as Barry gets. Thankfully, he's got Maria around to talk pretty. In the meantime, he turns back to the others with a smile, undaunted by the initial reception.]

Sounds like we're in!

Thank you. [This is said to Sunanaga, Maria offering another slight and polie bow, and she leaves the shinki to contact Suijin while she turns her attention back to the rest of the agency with a somewhat amused shake of the head.]

Enthusiasm is good to see, but we are dealing with a well-respected goddess. Politeness can do wonders as well.

Nuada Airgetlám-sama is quite correct.

[So says Sunanaga as she approaches again from behind them.]

Politeness is essential. You will introduce yourselves properly to Suijin-sama. For you new-comers, I believe that includes your personal name, as well as the god's name for the gods, and for shinki the vessel name and who your god is.

[With a curt nod she motions at them.]

Here, form a line and stand up straight. Suijin-sama will be here in a moment.

[And sure enough, as the exemplar is trying to coral the children god and shinki into line, Suijin herself comes walking up the path from the shrine. The god walks elegantly in her ornate lake-blue kimono. Although her face is well hidden by the veiled hat she wears, her dark eyes and painted red lips stand out upon her pale face.
Now, those lips turn up in a small smile as she looks over the scene before her.]

Thank you, Sunanaga, for getting them ready for me. I am Suijin, and I am told you have heard about my interest in promoting peace on the Far Shore to in turn give peace to the Near Shore.
I will hear your introductions and proposal now.

Y-yes, ma'am!

[Barry straightens up as Suijin's shinki lays down the law. His reaction is essentially that of a grown man getting the business from his grandma. Which isn't really too far off from what's actually happening here. So at least his posture is good when Suijin herself shows up, even if he looks a bit nervous by comparison.]

Thanks for seein' us, Suijin.

[He bows politely, but his casual tone can't be erased so easily. Still, he's going to do his best.]

I'm Barry Goodman, shinki and exemplar to Mielikki, goddess of the hunt. Me an' my friends here have a talent agency called Sparkle Motion, and we wanna put on a show at Obon to bring happiness to the Far Shore.

[He'll let the others do their own introductions, but he figured he should give the pitch since this is his idea.]

[Formal introduction? Uh oh...]

Um, I'm Elise. Shinki to Osiris.

[A pause.]

That's Egyptian.

[People have asked before. As an afterthought, she curtsies.]

Nice to meet you.

[Maria steps into line as soon as the motion is made, and stands in a manner that manages to be both confident and appropriately polite. As Suijin approaches them, she watches her with interest - it's rare that she meets one of the older gods, and seeing Suijin like this is very different to the conclave just after she came here.

As soon as it comes to her, Maria bows once again with an easy grace.]

Maria Cadenzavna Eve, incarnation of Nuada Airgetlám. Thank you for seeing us on such short notice. As my partner said, we thought that a performance at the upcoming festival might be a way to bring those of the Far Shore closer together - there are few things that speak to people the way music can, and on a festival as important as I've heard Obon is, it only seems appropriate to offer something to ease those in the Heavens as the people of the Near Shore give honours to their ancestors. [If the festival is a spiritual one, she can only imagine that it must leave the Heavens highly-trafficked, and the preparations for Tanabata have been hectic enough that she reasons they could use a break. Whatever the reasons, there's a clear and deep passion in her voice as she states them.]

[She nods slightly to acknowledge each of their introductions.
Suijin's eyebrows had lifted at the shinki Barry's proposal (and there was a sharp sniff from Sunanaga behind her), but she is eased a little by the god Nuada's followup.]

So you are aware of what kind of festival Obon is. Yes, it is an important occasion, and indeed, music has great capability to ease hearts.

You should know that your audience will be quite diverse in their musical tastes, however. What more can you tell me of your proposed performance? The more details you give me, the more I may be able to ease your way.

[Barry looks momentarily worried at the goddess' reaction, at least until Maria speaks up and bails him out. He makes a mental note to do something nice for her after this.]

No problem there. Sparkle Motion employs all kinds of talent. Maria here's got experience as an idol, Yuuri's a dancer, and Elise plays the violin.

[He grins, proudly thumbing at his chest.]

And I help coach 'em along the way to make sure everybody stays in shape and gives the best performance they can. I can sing and play guitar too, though, so I might join 'em for a few sets.

[Since Barry's a bit more in his element explaining this sort of thing, Maria simply nods a little to confirm his summation of their number so far. It is a little bit less detailed than it could be, though, so she steps in to help it along regardless.]

I'm quite a versatile performer myself, and all of us have skills that can be applied to quite different styles of music. I think we'll have no trouble being able to perform a variety of songs to cover different tastes, though of course, quieter genres might be in order for an evening like that. We also had plans for a dance performance set to violin, if I remember correctly - we could do a few more instrumental-focused pieces accompanied by dance to break things up.

I see. Since you are confident in your ability to adapt, I am agreeable with giving you the chance to perform at Obon.

I would encourage you to do some through research beforehand. You may be surprised with how lively the celebrations in some regions are. However some quieter, more soothing sets would certainly not go amiss, as the season of Obon is long and tiring for several gods.

In Heaven we will not have any particular celebration until next month, so you have some time to prepare. Sunanaga here is assisting me with managing those who wish to take on the task of promoting peace on the Far Shore, so she will be your adviser in this as well. If you have any questions as you prepare you may ask her. Once you decide on your performance I will be the one to approve it, as the one responsible for this initiative.

If you can agree to that, then I shall approve your request.

[Barry relaxes a bit as the goddess seems to come around, folding his arms and grinning confidently.]

You got it! We'll do our homework and put on the best show we know how! I'll make sure of that, don't worry! I might not look like it, but my trainin' is always on point.

[Maria, for her part, bows a little with a slight smile. Those are the kinds of terms she would have expected for something this important, and considering how they came in, she feels it's about as good as they could have gotten out of this.]

Agreed. It wouldn't do to bring out a performance on that scale without the approval of those responsible for this initiative.

Very well. We have a verbal agreement. I shall leave you to your preparations.

[And with a slight nod Suijin turns and returns to her shrine, leaving Sunanaga to take care of any remaining details that the young ones might have.]

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The glorious debut of Sparkle Motion

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sorry for the wait!

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