thenearshore | Open-ish ♔ Gods’ Arcadia: Charisma Millennium Kingdom

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Open-ish ♔ Gods’ Arcadia: Charisma Millennium Kingdom

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. ]]

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[ 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. ]

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ 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??? ]

[ 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.

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.

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.

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. ]

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?

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ ----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. ]

We are going to be singing together in the future, aren't we? Then it behooves us to know ourselves.

[ Sun Tzu said so. Of course, that's not the only reason. The truth is much simpler: When she saw Hibiki in the doorway, Tsubasa as embarrassed as she was, was glad. Ultimately, karaoke isn't something to be done alone. Indeed, neither is most singing. ]

I can't say I know what songs are in fashion right now. Why don't you show me?

[ What will they sing when they stand on stage together? That may be the most important question. ]

"In fashion", hm?

[ Her style of majesty is premature, then. That's probably for the best - there really is unlikely to be anything worthy of Hibiki's full talents in this karaoke machine.

She flips through the songs. ] We're leading a revolution in the world of music, so I'm afraid everything here falls short. But as for something in the middle...

[ Oh, this song. This came up in the Near Shore on one of Hibiki's spygoat outings. She only heard it through those speakers, but that's enough. ] Well, this sort of message, perhaps?

[ When the music starts, however, Hibiki can't help herself. She'd already noticed there was a mirror ball hanging from the ceiling - she's Shikyoin Hibiki, she never misses a mirror ball - and as the first few notes cascade atop each other, the ball lights up and the whole karaoke box vanishes, to be replaced with a hall of elegant, rococo mirrors. The light reflects off of each mirror in turn, sending spangled rainbows throughout the scene, and dying her audience of one in the colors Hibiki generates.

Hibiki has only heard this song once but she hasn't bothered to include the TV in her illusion. She faces away from it, at the front of the box (or where the box would have been before she indulged), and sings directly to Tsubasa, eyes half-lidded, hand extended. Seducing. Beckoning.

This works. This is a more intimate song. She....she's not sure she can say all of these things of herself, not here...not when those who ease her loneliness are a world away...

....But it's the sentiments needed for fighting ayakashi. It's the dream they're selling.

It's the dream she invites Tsubasa to share. ]

[ Tsubasa is, in a word, entranced. The song stirs up something forgotten within her, something she didn't even know she had.

A song for her, and a song for everything feeling lost and lonely. A confession, certainly, but also a song with which to support others, raise their flagging spirits. Make sure they know they're not alone.

It seems altogether unlike the Hibiki she knows, and yet... ]

Mm, this much is certain. I like your song.

[ Tsubasa finds herself on her feet, a bare few inches away from taking that hand of Hibiki's. If her goal was seduction, she had come very close to succeeding. ]

"A light that won't lose to anyone." I hope a song like that exists in my heart.

[ Perfect. Worth stretching out of her usual milieu, then. Worth becoming not just the shining ideal Prince, but the Sun of hope bathing this forsaken world in gold. Worth feeling...

Well, if she, the genius, doesn't have a word for what she's feeling, it must not be important.

Hibiki will keep her hand right where it is. Just a little further. Just a little. ] Shall we find it together?

[ Sing with her, yes. Sing for her.

Her ace in the hole. Her Queen. ]

[ The hand crosses that last small distance, accepting the offer. Accepting Hibiki, in all her ridiculous pomp and pageantry. ]

You already know my answer. [ Tsubasa knows now, as clear as day. She loves singing, she loves song, she loves performing. How could she have ever thought otherwise? It all comes so naturally to her, like how a phoenix simply knows what it means to soar.

There's still one last problem in her way: Obtaining her god's permission for all of this, but somehow that seems like a minor issue. ]

The unfortunate thing about wings is that they can't fly alone.

Then let the sun warm the wind to lift them.

[ Hibiki clasps that hand firmly. You're an incredible singer, and you speak in metaphor. Be still her heart. She's found someone worth performing opposite. Someone whose style resounds with her own.

This shall certainly spark nothing short of a revolution. ]

Welcome. To the CelePara Talent Agency Retreat.

[ and just like that, you're invited on the trip you're already attending

goody ]

[ Are you coming onto her, Hibiki?

Yes, even Tsubasa is getting an inkling of that by now. ]

I may soar a long way yet.

[ She wouldn't even know where to begin starting a career as a performer, and here's a door wide open just for her. How could Tsubasa say no? But really, it's about half Hibiki's fault that she's discovered her love for singing so perhaps she's owed this much? ]

I'll be in your care. Although it seems I'm already at the retreat. Apparently somebody mistook me for "Natsuru."

[ Hibiki blinks. Natsuru? Who'd... ]

...you don't look anything alike.

[ Your aura. Your bearing. She supposes you both have superficial traits in common, but...

Huh? ]

Huh...

[ Tsubasa tilts her head in thought, but in the end... ]

I've never met Natsuru so I don't really know either way.

[ Hibiki exhales, inclining her head. Natsuru should be around here. Somewhere. ] You'll have ample chances to become acquainted.

[ Come to think of it. Senou Natsuru. Kuroyukihime. And, now, Kazanari Tsubasa.

....that's enough people for an idol team. ]

I suppose I will. We're going to be teammates, after all.

[ If this is the idol agency retreat, then anyone with a proper invitation is surely a proper member of the team as well. They might work backstage, but that's important too. ]

[ Their hearts already resonate. You're so perfect. ] Rest those wings for now.

[ hibiki, of course, is not a bird

she's the sun towards which they fly

also, kuroyukihime is a butterfly, but whatever ]

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Open-ish ♔ Gods’ Arcadia: Charisma Millennium Kingdom

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