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

Entry tags:

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. ]]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ I. - Arrival ]

[ Hibiki has been in a particularly chill mood since before she and CelePara Talent Agency even arrived at this inn: she’s been really looking forward to this trip. Having stashed her own luggage in her own room already, she’s now even - gasp - helping with yours. (The wait staff is already forgetting they’re here.)

She smiles as she sets down your luggage. Is this room all right? ]

Take your time to live in the moment. This isn’t just a reward - it’s important training.

[ II. - Private Bath ]

[ Everyone else is in one of the public baths, but Hibiki isn’t up for that - not for the nudity, but for the noise. Where is the point of communing with silence if it isn’t, you know, silent?

She doesn’t even take a towel with her into the bath area, slipping completely nude into the water and sighing. While not her usual aesthetic - she’d needed this. Japan has the right idea.

About the importance of quiet. Which this private bath will no doubt stay.

Absolutely. ]

[ III. - Relaxation Room ]

[ Learning this inn, despite its oneness with nature, boasted its own fleet of massage chairs had solidified this plan in Hibiki’s mind. She’s ensconced in one of them, inn-supplied robe loosely tied around her hips, and has her eyes closed in bliss. Everything is being stripped away. The stress of having to handle party planning herself….the knowledge of Barry Goodman’s personal favorite genre for performance…..the accumulated barnacle dreck of sentence enders she’s acquired since her arrival here….it’s gone. It’s all gone.

Hibiki is so happy she’s sparkling unconsciously. Forget becoming a god. This, truly, is Paradise. ]

[ IV. - Table Tennis ]

[ These tables seem at odd with the rest of the decor, but apparently they're enough of a Hot Spring Attraction to merit inclusion. Hibiki, however, has had just about enough of watching people who don't know what they're doing. Taking up a paddle, she steps up across the table from you. ]

Watch carefully. Absorbing genius through observation is one part of self-betterment.

[ V. - Midnight ]

[ Despite the inn’s restful properties, Hibiki had neglected to take one important factor into account: she’s more used to down mattresses than tatami mats. The middle of the night therefore finds her awake with a crick in her back, headed outside to look up at the stars.

Is it out there, somewhere? Is PriPara getting closer?

Who knows. But in a place like this, luxurious yet removed from the city, Hibiki feels a wonder akin to what she’d experienced in the Palps.

Enough that she’s musing out loud to herself. ]

A world without sentence enders is so beautiful.

Edited 2017-05-01 14:41 (UTC)

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. ]

[ 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. ]

a. Public bath

[ Elfnein ended up getting taken to the hot springs by mistake, someone thought she was with Hibiki's group and now she's in the bath with a towel covering her chest. ]

b. Common area

[ After the nice relaxing bath Elfnein is in the common area where the vending machines are getting a bottle of milk to drink. Of course she has plans to try table tennis and the other games that are out for the guests to use. ]

Hm?

[ Hibiki doesn't need milk; she has a cup of green tea, thanks. But she's still passing the vending area, a towel draped atop her head with the confident nonchalance of someone who Gives No Damns, and is surprised to see this person.

That's....from Preece. The god who worships other gods. ] You...

[ Did the child have so little presence no one noticed her tagging along? ]

[ 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. ]

Ah.. hello

[ Elfnein is a little surprised that someone noticed her since she's just going with the flow of things. ]

There's nothing more relaxing than soaking in a hot bath, is there?

[ With her eyes shut tight, clearly enjoying herself, Ram just... is there. She leans back against the edge of the spring, arms stretching up above her head, not bothering to wear a towel at all.

It may have been a private bath before, but not anymore. Unless you counted the privacy between two people. And of course, it didn't matter if there had been a sign that clearly marked "do not enter" or anything like that, because Ram clearly ignored it. ]

[ 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.

HWAH!

[ Hibiki starts up out of the water, backing up and bumping her hips against the back of this bath. Which, you know. Is rather exposing. ]

YOU?!

[ The genius has spoken. Retreat in awe. ]

Why are you here?

[ She's not even mad. She's just. Baffled. She notices everything. Everything. That is what a genius does. That is what Shikyoin Hibiki does.

So, how??? ]

[ 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.

[A: Public Bath]

[Given Natsuru's membership in CelePara, it really hadn't taken Maria long to hear about the hot springs trip. And she really couldn't say she wasn't curious as to how the other talent agency was getting along. So rather than leave Natsuru to take the trip alone, Maria ultimately decides she might infringe on Hibiki's seemingly endless patience to her presence. She'd be very surprised if the other idol was willing to kick her out of the spring even if she wasn't invited.

Initially, she hadn't been planning to stay...but after getting there and finding out the situation, she figured it really couldn't hurt. It's been a stressful week, and she remembers she enjoyed doing this back when Sheryl had invited her good friends out to another well-regarded hot spring.

That seems like so long ago now, and Maria lets herself slip a little further into the warm pool with a sigh somewhere between occupied and contented. Her hair is done up in a loose bun, and her towel is managing to cover most of what's important, so that's at least an improvement on last time. Still, if anyone else comes closer to her more quiet corner of the bath, her arm comes up to rest against the front of her chest just in case, as she turns to greet them with a smile.]

Hello there. Are you enjoying yourself?

--

[B: Relaxation Room]

[Just like last time she did this, Maria can be found wearing a charming white sundress in the relaxation room after she dries up. Her hair is completely out for once, revealing additional curls and kinks from where it's usually done up into tight spirals, and she's lying back on one of the chairs while leafing through a fashion magazine. She really has to start keeping on top of this sort of thing again, if she's going to be leading Sparkle Motion to greater heights.

The sound of anyone else joining her makes her pause and lean around the seat to wave a welcome, nodding towards the window briefly.]

It's a wonderful view, isn't it?

--

[C: Evening]

[It's a quiet, calm night that sets in later on, and Maria finds herself drawn to her balcony before long. She's left her door open in case anyone wanted to say hello even this late in the piece, and ends up doing the same to the one for the balcony on the assumption she won't be out long.

What starts as a brief humming of a song she remembers having heard at work a few times recently soon evolves into singing the melody out into the night, though - there are no words, but each note and pitch is clean and practiced, and she finds the key with apparent ease even only singing from memory. The song itself is quiet and gentle, but her voice is powerful enough that it resounds back into the corridor regardless, if anyone happens to be passing by to hear it.]

I was brought here by mistake and no one noticed.

[ Doesn't mean she can't enjoy the hot springs. ]

As expected.

[ Hibiki is standing here in a loosely-belted yukata, unable to register surprise about this particular interloper. She knew Maria worried about Natsuru, and she's betting that's the primary reason for Maria's presence here.

Well, that's all right. Letting Maria sample what training with CelePara is like - the absorption of a luxury environment, permitting it to permeate the core of one's being, heightening and refining one's natural abilities - will only serve to further show Maria where she's supposed to be. Hibiki will permit it.

But only because they don't have a competition scheduled.

She steps up to the chairs to select one herself, but chooses instead to keep standing. ] A vista to take anyone's breath away.

[ Maybe look out the window and not at Maria when you say that, Hibiki. ]

I see.

[ She nods, musing aloud to herself. ] That seems plausible.

[ Believe it or not, that's a compliment. She often defaults to suspecting people of lying, or at least of having ulterior motives. ]

[ 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??? ]

[ While someone else here is overreacting to the point of being in an anime or something, the undressed maid is as stoic as can be, her arms slipping back under the water. ]

I could stay in here all night..

[ She's not even bothering to reply to that question (was it a question?) instead staring at Hibiki.

Or more accurately, at the girl's lower half. ]

Ah. That answers that question.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!

[ Hibiki points at Ram. How? How??? Hibiki was invisible when she left this sorry excuse for a maid!

This should not be possible. Besides: ]

This is a private retreat. Begone!!

[ She has this whole place booked, you moocher. ]

You should keep it down, you don't want to disturb any of the other guests here.

[ Nodding self-satisfactorily, Ram crosses her arms over her chest.

Of course, there's no good reason how she ended up here at all, she just... is. Clairvoyance is a pretty useful skill it turns out. ]

THERE ARE NO OTHER GUESTS!!!!

[ That is the point!!

There are, however, staff. Some of whom are walking by in the building now. One can see them through the screen walls, though they, of course, cannot see outside...

They appear to mostly be chatting between themselves, though. ]

[ 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.

[Maria gives a slight smile at the sight of Hibiki - it's apologetic enough to show that she's aware of her infringement on the space, but not overly so. And given Hibiki doesn't remark on it, she figures her estimation of the situation was right. It's not like she'd be intruding on something like this before an important event, anyway, not when she'd have her own preparations to make.

It's a little obvious how Hibiki's gaze stays on her while she makes that statement, and Maria laughs softly.] Of course. I wouldn't have expected you to be interested in anything but the best.

[Is she remarking on the vista, or her reaction to Maria? Who knows. But she goes on after a moment anyway.] I thought I might see the kinds of people Natsuru will be working with. I know I have no right to interfere, but as her god I can still have the concern of a guardian.

You take a very direct approach to guardianship. [ This is an observation, not a criticism. But Hibiki does at least actually get into the chair she's been hovering around.

Stage blocking. It's so important. Having established her superiority by a height difference, she can now put the two of them on the same level while she learns what she wants to know. ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 10

Open-ish ♔ Gods’ Arcadia: Charisma Millennium Kingdom

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

II of course

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject