thenearshore | [Open] Life doesn't discriminate

Entry tags:

[Open] Life doesn't discriminate

Who: Lavi and You!
What: Aftermath of the Event and Lavi being Lavi
When: July 18 - 25
Where: Far Shore
Warnings?: N/A

A. I’m falling between the cracks

[After the event that affected the Heavens, Lavi has decided to take it upon himself to distance himself from a few people.

So, people would be able to find Lavi at a park, huddled under a tree. He doesn’t seem to be paying attention to anything in particular, but his usual headband is missing and there’s a silver bird clip currently attached to the collar of his shirt. His eye seems to be focused on a book laid out on his lap, lips moving as he reads what’s on the page.

However, the moment he senses someone coming up to him, the book is slammed shut and he eyes the person almost warily.]

B. The Library Goblins

[Thanks to the pulse or whatever it was, one of the first things Lavi’s done after returning to normal is to inspect the library.

Or rather, inspect the area around it.

He frowns a bit, cupping his chin in thought before he turns to the nearest person.]

Have you seen the goblins? [This is. A very important question since Lavi’s become aware of the goblins the moment they had decided to steal the books back.]

C. Wildcard

[Nothing works for you, make one up or hit me up at

seabutterfly!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Not here, so incredibly not here. The very most not here person in the univ--

There is a thud from beyond this stack. And a grunt.

And the sound of something fragile breaking. ]

[Please don't break the library, Hibiki.

But he goes to investigate, staring a bit once he notices her.]

...What are you doing?

[ Grunting, apparently. Dropping and breaking a teacup on the floor (the tea is nowhere near any books, thank goodness.) Kneeling on the ground with one hand to her forehead and a book spread-eagled on her back.

It's a bright, polka-dotted book with smiley faces on the front, and it's called Sentence Enders and You! Getting a Head Start On Your Individuali-Gobi.

But she knows he's there, so she takes a deep breath. It clearly involves effort.

She straightens her posture without removing that hand from her face, holding up a single finger in her other hand. ] Just a moment.

[ The book flops off her back onto the floor. ]

[He'll just watch in bemusement.

Is this really the same girl he's had a tea party with? It definitely seems like the same person, but...

He crosses his arms.]

Need some help there?

It's fine.

[ Momentary indisposition. And other words she's in no condition to use right now.

Standing, she clears her throat, rearranges herself. There is no point in denying what she's here for, so instead she'll do a 180 and wholly own it (especially since there is a "1" in "180", as well as the infinity symbol, turned on its side). This is Shikyoin Hibiki's style! She is nothing if not daring!

Or, well, brazen. ] ...I trust your palate hasn't altered.

What happened?

[Or rather, no, Lavi's not sure he really cares, but she is in the library.

He hopes she hasn't broken anything.

A look of surprise, though.] No, it hasn't. You remembered...?

[ The only things Hibiki has broken are her teacup and her dignity, and she's eternally operating under the belief that the latter is bulletproof.

Her head is still twinging, so she scoffs. ]

Two days for a genius are a moment for anyone else. Certainly insufficient for a full loss of faculties.

[ She wasn't out of her mind, just....

She was a different person, back then. Cutting her hair was her way of throwing away that person. ]

[Sure about your dignity? He's sure he heard it break somewhere, too.

A curious look.]

You were cute as a kid.

[Mostly teasing her because this person is different from the young girl he's had that tea party with. It definitely makes him wonder what happened to her.]

...That curtain has fallen.

[ And a new act has dawned upon the universe. The coronation of the absolute king. Hibiki quite likes this version of herself, thank you very much, but she can't deny Act One of her life's drama was a more...carefree time.

But she didn't actually come here to snipe at him, tempting though it may be due to her discomfort. Hibiki finishes recovering from her sentence ender shock - she's usually faster than this; how unpleasant; it's this place's fault - and gathers her decorum. ]

And you were gracious. You have my gratitude.

Shame.

[But he won't pry into that fortunately. It's a chapter of her life that she has closed, so Lavi is more than prepared to respect that.

The gratitude that's expressed surprises him a bit, though he's sure that's why he's given a platter of everything he's eaten at her tea party.]

You were a lovely host, too.

It's my style.

[ This is the part where she would take a sip of her tea if some disgusting title that should have been weeded, nay, refused publication hadn't interfered. So she rests one hand on her hip instead. ]

Don't think it's your style to fall over a stack, though.

[But he can't help buy the curious about her.

Then he remembers something important:]

By the way, my name is Lavi — not Shaye.

[Before she ends up calling him by that name.]

...I'll remember that.

[ If you were more her standard audience, she'd "emblazon it in her memory". But, as is, whatever.

Dear her. This is awkward, and awkwardness is anathema to Shikyoin Hibiki. ] In any case, I'm thankful. Of course, you're more than welcome to visit the temple of Apollo for our performances and events.

[ She puts on a smooth smile, and even means it, mostly. She is appreciative. And far be it from her to distance herself from her audience just because they'd shared one uncomfortably intimate afternoon together. Especially when it'd been...

Nice. It'd been nice. She can admit that, to herself. If she reminds herself not to lie. ] We'll happily broaden your horizons any time.

Yours is still Hibiki, right?

[He has to make sure because apparently names aren't necessarily a thing when he was a kid.

The smile is almost a reminiscent of the little girl he played with, and he really should stop making comparisons since whatever happened to Hibiki in her childhood made her into the person he sees in front of him.

Honestly, he's curious, but the prying will have to come another day.]

What exactly do you do to put on performances?

Nothing but the best.

[ That is not an answer (though she does respond to his first query by inclining her head). But it does seem to have been the right question.

Hibiki lifts her hand. A silhouetted image of a trio of girls dancing together appears in her palm, glittering. ] Although our wingspan is still growing, we aim to provide top-class entertainment of all varieties.

[ They had not aimed for this until just this moment, but now it's like they always had. Answering a prayer had gotten her home, hadn't it? Briefly? Then, answering more - anticipating prayers, providing the light this era, nay, this universe is lacking....

Hibiki will not permit herself to be toyed with again. If this system is that inherently flawed, it needs new management.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. ] Your heart will dance.

[Huh, so that sort of entertainment.

He recalls the castle - her temple, he guesses - and imagines it's definitely suited for someone like her. For that matter, he recalls her younger self enjoying to be the head of the party or whatever else is going on.

Either way, Lavi looks amused, a slight smile appearing on his face.]

Is that the case? Then I'll have to stop by and see what kind of performances you guys put on.

I anticipate your arrival.

[ And she'll make sure you don't smirk at the current Shikyoin Hibiki again. She owes you, yes. But she also intends to impress with who she is right now.

Because who she is right now is nothing short of luminescent. ]

[It'll definitely have to be a thing since he can't seem to get the younger Hibiki out of his head. Or rather, the memory of her, anyway.

Trying to see who the current Shikyoin Hibiki is would definitely be fun.]

Who else is a part of it?

Three others, besides myself.

[ And her shinki, but they're more support staff. Not to mention she would...rather not think about shinki right now, thanks. ]

Kuroyukihime. Senou Natsuru. And -

[ Smirk. ]

Very soon, we'll coronate a Queen.

[ She doesn't want to give away what she found. Not to anyone. Not before she's ready to unveil it.

The world must be properly prepared for the glory that is Kazanari Tsubasa. It is not a name which can be lightly bandied about.

When she's scheming, her lips get the same little dip they had as a kid when she was feeling pleased with herself. ]

A Queen, huh?

[He grins a bit.

Lavi's definitely noticed how she cut herself off like that. He recognizes the gesture though, the grin widening.]

You seem pretty pleased with yourself.

[ A shrug. ] Denying perfection would be pointless.

[ He picked at people less as a child. What an irritating habit to have acquired.

Ah, well. His interest in CelePara has revived her good spirits. She'll permit it. ]

[Lavi chuckles.]

Then I can't wait to meet the Queen, too.

[Lavi and Shaye are different in that regard. But—one that definitely shouldn't be thought about right now.

He's just interested in seeing a performance really.]

Your tickets are reserved.

[ And you remain a mysterious person. (She hasn't said "weird" in ten years.)

This is an awfully unusual venue for smalltalk, however, so she angles her body in preparation to take her leave. She's done what she came for, and obtained a slight intrigue as well. He might merit watching. If as an idle ~~i typed "idol" despite reminding myself not to~~ curiosity.

This is not at all an attempt to leave before she starts feeling an emotion that could, itself, be described as "weird", of course. Of course. ]

Look forward to it, but don't let me keep you from your browsing. "Knowledge is power", as they say.

[ They say it in English, if they're being snobs. Guess what Hibiki is? ]

[He somehow feels a bit lighter as he grins wider at her.

With that kind of castle for a temple, he's sure that he won't be sorely disappointed at all in whatever performance they decide to put on.

However, amusement flickers into curiosity when she seems to angle her body in a way that makes it seem like she's about to leave. It's not that she's about to leave, but rather that she's stopping long enough to talk to him again.

He smiles.]

"Knowledge comes with a price."

[He says it in fluent English just because he can.]

[ He's come a long way from knowing nothing.

She supposes if he's entertaining, feeling some residual resonance will...well, were she to feel it, which she doesn't, it wouldn't be half-bad. Not something she'd want to think on, mind you, but something she'd allow to continue to exist. Until such a time as when it proved an inconvenience, anyway. ]

Au revoir.

[ SHE'S A JERK. ]

(no subject)

lostinshadows - 2017-05-21 20:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

priforprince - 2017-05-21 21:03 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only