thenearshore | Wanderings [Open]

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Wanderings [Open]

Who: Felix and You!
When: October 27th
Where: ~~Anywhere cat-free~~ Far Shore in the morning, Near Shore in the afternoon.
What: Since an invitation to look at cats isn’t high on his list, Felix is going to use the day to get a feel for the area.

A. Western District; early morning

[Even as the sun is rising, Felix is jogging through the Western district, coat tied around his waist. He’s making a point of looking around at all of the different places that exist around him, but he never lets up on his pace.

Jogging along behind him is a soulless shinki, their feet hitting the ground out of rhythm as they move through the district. Periodically, Felix will take a sharp turn, never speeding up, even if he is testing the agility of the figure behind him. She keeps up effortlessly, of course.

The longer they spend jogging, the more focused he becomes, taking turns, doubling back, really seeing what his shadow is capable of. If he wasn’t so consistent with his speed, even checking himself once or twice so she stays with him, someone might even think he was trying to lose the poor woman…]

B. Central District and The Heavens; mid-morning and early afternoon

[Having successfully given his shinki the slip, for better or worse, Felix has made his way into fancier parts, though his coat is still tied around his waist and he looks a little grungy for the area. Unlike his calculating (if meandering) path from earlier, he’s now wandering around looking for the sake of looking, because some of these places are amazing.

It takes a few hours, but he eventually finds his way back to the meeting hall, though he is wary of spending too much time there, given the dangers of being press ganged into cleaning by the white-robed shinki that practically swarm the area (or so he claims to anyone who asks).

Before he heads home in the afternoon, Felix will lose himself for a little bit in the Sakura grove to the North of the meeting hall. While he does spend a bit of time appreciating the beauty, he spends more time practicing teleporting himself between the trees.]

C. The Near Shore - Tokyo; late afternoon and early evening

[It’s not dark, yet, but the day is winding down. Even if people aren’t supposed to be able to see him easily, Felix has no intention on taking the chance that he missed something important to make that happen. As crowds increase on the streets, with everyone getting out of work and heading either home or out to socialize, he’s feeling a little more comfortable slipping away into the mortal world.

Alone.

It’s not exactly that he hasn’t been told about the dangers, and not even that he thinks he’s going to be able to handle it better than anyone else has. But he doesn’t like being told not to do something, and besides, if this was what he was meant to be doing, putting it off isn’t going to make it better.

Besides, he’s never, ever been to Japan before, and after the all the stories he’s heard from his family back home, he’s not about to pass up a chance to see it for himself.]

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[ One of the more - amazing - structures the Central District has to offer is a temple that looks like a giant white-and-purple fairy-tale castle. Golden statues of a person in a prince costume adorn either side of the front door.

Which is ajar. What almost sounds like carnival music can be heard from within, and there's a faint glitter of movement.... ]

[Wandering through the district with his new phone out, Felix has been taking pictures of things that catch his eye, though this doesn't always mean they're the kind of things most people would take pictures of. Gates, fences, rooftops are all overrepresented by a good margin. There are also several flowers, to be fair, and at least five pictures of a rock he really liked.

A fairy-tale-castle rates a solid three pictures from a couple of angles, and he's about ready to move on when the sound hits him. IF the door wasn't open, he'd ignore it, but he's here to explore, and, well...

A quick look around confirms there's no shinki running towards him, so he walks up to the door, and without even knocking pushes it open and steps in.]

Hello?

[ The hall in which Felix finds himself is grand and opulent, with marble floors and a sweeping ceiling. Multiple hallways branch off in all directions, promising untold spectacles within.

No people show themselves, but a plush purple goat toy on a wheeled platform trundles up to Felix and rolls in a circle around him with a whirring noise. It seems more curious than anything else. ]

[Toys that move by themselves are actually not so terribly uncommon back home, so Felix doesn't bat an eye at that. He's never seen a kind like this that doesn't look as mechanical as normal, so he lifts his phone.]

Cool. Can I take a picture?

[He's smiling, and though the music is around and he's still curious, this is pretty neat. He even crouches to get a better look.]

What are you, anyway?

[ The goat neither objects to the picture-taking nor answers Felix's question. In fact, given that the goat's mouth is a little thread line, it seems incapable.

Felix will get his closer look, though: the goat wheels close enough that it nearly bumps noses with him. Its eyes look kind of lens-like up close. ]

[Well, a close up is still a kind of picture! As far as lenses, most toys like this back home have AI suites designed for full interaction; he literally gives it no thought at all. It would have been more shocking if they weren't kind of lens-like.]

No speaker, huh? That's okay. I still think you're neat. My sister would love you. She likes purple a lot.

[He stands and looks around.]

Um. Is anyone else home? The door was open and...no one came when I called...and...

[So, talking it out, it sounds less like a good idea than when he started, but at this point, he's committed.]

I was hoping to talk to someone. If they're here. Do you know?

[If he has any idea how odd it must seem to talk to a toy, he doesn't give any indication.]

[ Ask and ye shall receive. The goat may not respond, but a deep voice rings across the hall: ] Today's guest is a Little Gentleman, hm?

[ Enter the master of the house, smirking, clad as always in impressive attire. She'd been aware of the boy's approach for quite some time, but this seemed the best juncture in which to enter the scene. Such touches are part of her style.

So is keeping one hand on her hip while gesturing with the other to the splendor all around them. ]

Welcome. To Apollo's CelePara.

[He doesn't stand up as she enters, though he is most certainly watching her. He even looks around again as she gestures, then glances at the goat. Smoothly rising to his feet, he strikes a slightly nonchalant pose, leaning back with his arms crossed...though his wide eyes and open mouth kind of ruin the effect he was going for.]

Mom says I'm more of a hellion with manners, and tells me to listen to my sisters more.

[He tilts his head to the side.]

Whats a...CelePara?

The full name is "Celebrity Paradise." [ Hibiki is undeterred by the child's self-assessment. A guest is a guest! And besides, she has an Idea. ] It's a marvelous wonderland where visitors can enjoy only beautiful, top-class entertainment.

[ It's also her house. As one does. But she doesn't mention that - just look the Little Gentleman right in the eyes and smile. She has such a charming smile, if she does think so herself. ]

Would you like to see?

[Some kids are told, "Don't trust strangers." Felix never needed this lesson, but that doesn't mean he is immune to curiosity. He puts his his hands on his hips, letting his fingers brush over the blade hidden at his waist, while he considers the offer. She seems nice...and if not, well. He seems nice, too. He flashes her a grin.]

I don't have a ticket or anything...but if it's okay...

Your ticket is right here.

[ Hibiki bends down to press her index finger into Felix's chest, right about where his heart would be. She winks. There is a little twinkle noise, audibly, in the air.

Then she stands up and heads towards the source of the still-playing music. ] Follow me.

[Please, something that silly and see-through is never going to work on someone as cynical and untrusting as this kid, because...where did the twinkle come from? AS SHE BLINKED!

And he still has his knife.

Yeah, that silly grin on his face? He's hooked. He does glance at the goat, briefly, just in case, but he's not really paying attention even then.]

Are there a lot of people who come by?

We usually open by invitation, but today is a special day.

[ She just decided it was. And she makes the rules here. So that is not a lie.

This hallway they're traveling down is every bit as overdone and fancy as the front hall. The goat is rolling along behind them, but Hibiki isn't paying attention to it, either. ] I'm preparing for a party, you see. So I'll grant you the chance to be our soft opening.

[ They round the corner, and -

It's an amusement park. A full amusement park. Indoors. Roller coaster, spinny teacups, high drop, the works. Any ride Felix may love more than others, if he likes rides? It's here. Any game he loves? It's here, too. There's also a seemingly endless line of pink arcade machines all in a row, sporting a big sign that says "PriPara", but even those are dwarfed by the rest of....everything.

Hibiki chooses just to let her temple speak for itself at this point, stepping aside so he can get a good look. She designed this place herself, once upon a time.

There's no way anyone wouldn't like it! ]

Soft opening? What does that...that...um...

[Give him a minutes, because there is an amusement park inside. He pulls up short as he comes around the corner, mouth continuing to move fora moment before he just leaves it hanging open. There are so many things here! He recognizes some of them, sure, but the truth is he's never been to anything like this before. There were always good reasons why not to go, but still...he turns to face her, suddenly looking very serious.]

You know, your castle is awesome.

[And then he starts laughing a little.]

How'd you get this all inside?

Genius makes anything possible.

[ It came this way. She arrived, and it came this way. She will never say that.

What she will say, however, is what Hibiki had been hoping for when she saw a new guest had dropped by. Today she'd been looking everything over and making some minor improvements, and having a test audience to see if it is now More Fun Than Before is extremely convenient! She has a rival upcoming party to defeat, after all! ]

Would you like to play in it?

[He looks over the place with a keen eye, for a moment. The rides don't look bad, but there's no easy way off if anything came up. He doesn't like that. Still...he shifts, and turns his attention to the row of arcade games, instead. But they're so...small. He bites his lip and finally turns to her in defeat, the choices simply a little overwhelming.]

Yeah. But, um...I don't...I'm not sure what to do. What's that?

[He points to the wildest looking roller coaster in the place; it looks like fun, and it's big, so he chose that one. At no point does the fact that he's only 134cm tall ever occur to him as being a problem.]

A roller coaster.

[ In English. She thinks it sounds better that way.

Yes, he. Hm. This will take some measuring. Hibiki gestures to a sign next to the front of the ride - Must Be This Tall - with a line indicating what "This Tall" is. ] Check your height against this sign.

[ She's tempted to fudge it, to please the guest - but her power is illusions. She can only make things look better, not generate a custom harness. ]

[He follows her, mulling that over. He's heard the words, before, but never actually seen one. It looks brilliant, even though he's absolutely sure there is no way to get off once it starts. No good way off, at least. Still, this is a 10-year-old who is a veteran of multiple joyrides in fast cars and on motorcycles.]

Check my...oh.

[He doesn't immediately balk at the command, but his shoulder droop just a hair. He's the smallest of his whole group, and it's been a point of embarrassment for most of his life. He turns around and steps back against the measure. He looks over his shoulder, once, but can't tell if he's close enough or not. 134cm...a solid 52 inches. He should be fine; he's 10!]

Um. Wassit say?

[[ this was also an interesting read! ]]

[ ....Whew. Hibiki looks at that line, surpassed (if by a thin margin) by her guest's head. Saved the bother of having to make up her mind to let him on anyway, since the puniverse wouldn't dare cause trouble for a genius.

Then, she smiles. ] You pass.

[ A gesture to the waiting seats. ] Now, your carriage awaits.

[See, once she says that, he bounces. A little. After all, if he's actually tall enough for something, then he must be growing! This is good news all around. He grins.]

Yes!

[He bounces a little more.]

Over here?

[He's not running, but it's a near thing.]

Indeed.

[ She's operating it, so Hibiki heads over to the controls to prepare the coaster for takeoff. ] Strap yourself in tightly.

[He settles into the seat, and then begins to strap himself in. Despite his age and enthusiasm, he sets to the task diligently, taking it very seriously. He looks over as he finishes.]

Nothing has this many pieces for safety if it can't kill you. This is gunna rock!

[...he has odd standards for a child.]

[ Hibiki finishes her preparations and checks up on him, one last time....He looks good from here.

The attitude is unusual, but, well. ] Your excitement is paramount.

Bon voyage.

[ Aaaaaand that's one roller coaster, departing the loading dock. Have fun! ]

[The start of the ride is...well, it's underwhelming, in all honesty. A little jerking, and then a slow climb; Felix taps his fingers on the bar in front of him. He's patient, for a kid, but he's ready for something more. The higher it goes, the more energy he seems to build up, flexing his hands on the bar, looking around, shifting as much as he can in his seat...

When the car rolls over the top of the hill and drops, he's more than ready. He's stocked. The sudden rush of speed and feeling of falling causes a gasp, but no more; he holds the bar tight as the car hit bottom and rockets upwards. He feels his tech respond to the force, adjusting blood flow to keep him focused and aware. His body leans into the turns, and he lets out a couple of shouts as the thing turns and twists.

As the car comes to a stop in the station, his face looks a touch flushed, and he's clearly excited.]

Oh man my stabilizers kicked in and everything that had to be almost 4gs and those turns were wicked and I can't believe I've never been on one of these before and how did anyone even think of this this was absolutely amazing!

[It looks like he enjoyed himself, at least. He's not even trying to unbuckle from the seats.]

[ Now that is a satisfied audience. Hibiki mentally checks off that the roller coaster is perfectly tuned. It's providing an optimal experience - it has become the Ultimate Roller Coaster. And why would Shikyoin Hibiki ever associate with anything but the best?

She strolls over to her guest, content that she made him so happy. But of course she did. After all, it's her. ] I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[ He seems to want to go again. She supposes she wouldn't be opposed, but... ] Would you like to try more rides?

Wanderings [Open]

B - Central District - Sorry for repost; I liked this idea better!

All good!

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i canvassed various coasters' height requirements for this

I spent hours on various park websites after I realized this might be a problem...

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