2017-09-26 - Come And Get Your Love-Love
| Come And Get Your Love-Love | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary: An organization which is definitely not the Death Busters holds an event called 'Get Your Love-Love!!' to allow couples to test their love on-stage in front of a live audience, with an all expenses paid date to a sushi restaurant -- and advancement to the finals at Infinity Institute, on the line! | ||
| Who: Lera Camry, Setsuna Higashi, Fate Testarossa, Nanoha Takamachi, Michiru Kaioh, Haruka Tenoh, Endo Naoki, Takeo Akamizu, Mai Tokiha, Fuu Hououji, Natsuki Kuga GM: Pink Moon Stick | ||
| Where: Uminari Seaside Park | ||
| OOC - IC Date: 09-26-2017 - 02-20-2015 | ||
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed. <SoundTracker> The Gold Saucer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMaGq6vn7hg
The Test Your Love competition has been promoted via flyer, newspaper advert, and the occasional late-night local access TV spot. Cash prizes! Sushi prizes! All you have to do is prove your devotion to your partner through a series of probably wacky on-stage events in front of a vast crowd who will crown their favorite through acclamation!
And now it's about to start. A big old stage has been set up with Tokyo Bay as its backdrop, a big old crowd has gathered out in front, and big old speakers are blaring upbeat catchy music that finally crescendos into a drumroll...
...as today's Master of Ceremonies trots onto the stage. Resplendent in a tuxedo yet in no way overdressed, he exudes luxury... and weirdness, because on top of THAT he's wearing a white lab coat. His glasses tend to reflect the stage lighting, but in moments of clarity, one lens is clear and the other is filled with some sort of high-tech equipment.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" he cackles, eagerly, exuberantly. "WELCOME! To the First Annual Test Your Love competition! Today we'll be finding out which lucky couple has the purest of pure hearts... so that they'll achieve their ultimate reward!"
His enthusiasm is infectious; the crowd starts cheering wildly.
"Would today's contestants please come up on stage, and, a pair at a time, each couple... introduce your partner! You have twenty words or less each, and going over the limit will lead to application of the penalty fish!"
...there's a bucket waiting in the wings full of raw fish. It has not been filleted for sushi. And it smells.
"Ahahahaha... ahahaha... AHAHAHAHA!"
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"Pen...alty fish...?"
Lera mouths the word, uncertainly, before she looks sideways at the person she came with. The only person that she would come with. She breaks into a grin, then, and lifts one hand into the air. Her fingers are curled into a proud fist, and she nods her head seriously. Her sidebraid bobs next to her head when she does. "Okay! You ready, Setsuna? I know we got this."
She winks. "It just depends if the judges have common sense, y'know?"
Then, they make their way up there. Lera steps onto stage and then does a quick, short bow to the audience. "H-Hi, everyone! This is Setsuna Higashi," she says, "who's about to start high school at Juuban! And she... um... has the prettiest eyes on three planets!"
She beams like she didn't say anything weird at all.
She is, at least, dressed up nicely -- though more on the 'cute' end than the 'fancy.' She has a dark red skirt on, a button-up green shirt, and short boots. She makes a V-shape with her fingers of her free hand at the end.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
The happy music bounces around one Setsuna Higashi as she stands beside Lera, holding her hand in slender fingers. The announcement comes and she tilts her head at the cackling announcer. ...Not for long though. The crowd is cheering and she's excited, too. Even if...
"Penalty fish," Setsuna agrees with Lera. Agrees? Well that's how she says it anyway, finding no problem with this concept. But--Is she ready? Setsuna's bangs shift as she dips her head quickly. "Mm!"
She is ready. Though... She hesitates briefly, and squeezes Lera's hand. "Aah... Y-Yes." Lera's confidence is clear, and the younger of the two walks right along with her, unwilling to let go and excited as well as nervous for the stage.
She blushes very obviously at Lera's description of her. "This is Lera Camry," Setsuna pipes up immediately thereafter, "A high schooler at Infinity. And..." She does some calculations in her head, and then panics a little, "And she's mine and no one else can have her." Setsuna scoots closer to her.
For her part, Setsuna is also dressed up; a red dress and black tights, sleeveless but with a white short-sleeved jacket over, earrings, and a nice bracelet. She's wearing boots! ...She stays by Lera.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
"Very nice, very nice!" says the MC, clapping them over to one side of the stage. "Although, Lera-chan, you may know how to count planets but it seems you can't quite count words!" Whoever's manning the snare at the edge of the stage -- they have curly green hair, and wear sunglasses -- starts up the drumroll. It's quick, since it wasn't a truly egregious overrun of the limit.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
Once piscine punishment has been doled out to Lera one of the couples emerges. They can't be more than ten years old each. The fingers of the blonde twintailed girl's right hand are comfortably interlaced within the right hand of the girl with her. The girl gives Lera as a sympathetic look as she walks by.
Anyone watching closely might notice she has a slight limp on her right side, though her leg doesn't seem to be injured. It could be that the hand-holding is for support in that sense, but given the concept of the show...
She's wearing what looks like an orange blouse, a white buttoned jacket that's only buttoned around the mid-riff. A ruffled navy blue blouse, matching color stockings and white sneakers.
Once they get to the center stage, she faces forward, and goes first. With her other hand she gestures towards her. Right now there's no shyness around her, seeming totally confident even in the face of penalty fish. Her voice is clear and calm as she addresses the audience, "Meet Nanoha Takamachi. The most wonderful girl I've ever known. Without her I wouldn't be here, she saved my life."
When she's done- her hand squeezes around Nanoha's a fractionally to indicate it's her turn.
And once Nanoha has gone. <Good work.>
Something chimes softly in her pocket, lighting up in the shape of a yellow triangle. Maybe it doesn't carry as more than microphone static to the non-supernaturals but- <Raising Heart. Wise. Powerful. Pleasantly Pink. Perfectly Geometric. Incredible Teacher. Get set for a good match.>
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
It had only been a short time since their battle but Nanoha and Fate had quickly been released from the hospital. For Nanoha, they really didn't have a reason to keep her. Regular doctors can't detect her magic source and her scrapes and bruises, although they would last awhile, weren't something she needed to be in the hospital for.
Back at Lindy and Fate's apartment, the advertisement for the show comes on and Nanoha seems to formulate an idea in her mind. "Hey, we should do that Feito!" But then it says 'couples' and she frowns. "I wonder if we could pretend to be a couple." She laughs.
In spite of her joke, here they are tonight! Nanoha is dressed in a sparkly pink dress but she looks a little out of sorts still. However, she tries to avoid showing her injuries, although the bandages are still somewhat present.
Nanoha finds that she is nervous as the presenter comes onto the stage and asks them to introduce their partners. Twenty words or less would be hard! But finally, "My partner is Fate Testarossa. She is brave and courageous and my best friend!"
From her bag there is a beep Bardiche. Strong. Bright Yellow. Solid. Smart!>
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Inside of Lera Camry's pocket:
<Sky. You don't suppoose they're...?>
<...Raising Heart and Bardiche? They--oh. Oh, no.>
<What?>
<I can see what's happening.>
<...what?>
<And they don't have a clue!>
<Who?>
<They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line~ o/`>
<No! No we are not doing this bit!>
<Our trio's down to twooooooo~>
<NO NO NO NO.>
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
The lab-coated MC warmly applauds the two youngsters. "Best friends and partners... how precocious! Welcome to our wonderful game, young ladies~"
<Pose Tracker> Michiru Kaioh [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
Michiru Kaioh is wearing a buttoned-up salmon dressy coat which the 1940s called and said that Michiru is pulling it off perfectly and she is welcome to keep using it, and also could she send some strategic oil reserves? But she could not. Instead she stands, proof against the cold, especially as she stands near someone a bit taller - a person against whom the wind makes little headway.
Her lips purse but she makes no sound when they are given their limit. She glances at her partner, and then gestures for the microphone.
"Haruka Tenoh," she says, indicating with a tilt of her head who she means. That's two, Michiru thinks.
A pause as she considers.
"A world that made Haruka," Michiru says, a bit slowly for she's keeping count, "is proved to be a blessed place." Fourteen, she thinks. Which means she can get away with asking with light curiosity, "What is the penalty fish?"
<Pose Tracker> Haruka Tenoh [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
A simple outfit of dark blue jeans and a brown leather jacket should not be so eye-catching. Perhaps the shirt is carrying some weight; buttoned with dark vertical pinstripes, the collar flipped up, yet so rumpled it comes off as more of a roguish kerchief. But the thing about anything Haruka Tenoh wears is that it's accessorized by Haruka Tenoh. He wears it better than a department store mannequin, and it is much more provocative when he leaves four buttons unfastened atop his lean chest without finding an undershirt beneath.
"Twenty?" he asks Michiru beneath his breath. "Will you even have time to describe me with my clothes on, too?"
He bows his head a little with a smile, to accept Michiru's description when it comes, then rejoins with his own.
"Whatever you feel for her is terminal," he says, with a knowing calm. "The rest of us are. Michiru was meant to be."
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
"Ara ara," drawls the MC, his grin wrapping so far across his face that it almost meets behind his head. "These two are serious! Look out, everyone, here comes a challenge--!"
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.
In theory Endo Naoki should be stepping up to give some sort of speech. He's dressed in a neat button-up shirt, pressed slacks, tie. His hair is unmussed, perfect rows of shark-like spikes prepared for their debut. He is prepared.
In practice, however, he's just holding a handful of dead fish somewhere off stage. He not told about this when he was offered a 'very important job vital to the integrity of the program'.
Even worse, the first target put into his sights is good friend Lera Camry.
He considers this.
A moment later, a fish goes sailing gently toward her head.
"Hee."
<Pose Tracker> Takeo Akamizu [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Takeo is in a T-shirt and a pair of jeans and just looks at the MC as he annouces Penalty Fish. He looks to the bucket and makes an; Erg face and then looks to Mai. "No excessive use of ... Of what?" He blinks a few times and then peers back at the stage. "Well. I guess here we go." He nods once. For the money. Which will bring Bacon.
He clears his throat and holds out a hand to Mai with a slight grin on his face. "Shall we?"
Head on stage, Takeo tries not to look at anybody in the crowd. A lot easier to speak in front of others if you don't LOOK a them. He takes a moment to clear his breath. "This is Mai Tokiha, a High Schooler at Ohtori. Mai-san is the best cook, and has the biggest heart..." He pauses and looks to the sky appearing to mouth words and then looks at his fingers clearly counting. "Ever." He nods once.
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
For many a teenage girl, this much-lauded event is likely either a slap in the face at a Valentine's failure, a chance to show off, or just plain embarrassing. Mai Tokiha has, of late, been leaning towards that last category; her romantic life hasn't exactly been a priority, and part-time work has been devouring her life once more...
But oh, that prize offer is tempting...
Thoroughly uncertain as to what to expect, she arrived in...slightly dressed up casual clothes. A light jacket over a plain red dress, a bit of makeup...but frankly she's already worried about being out-done by that Infinity couple. The grin is answered with a brief rolling of eyes. "If you're this determined, we might as well..."
Following Takeo out to the stage, Mai blinks at the glare of the lights, looks out at the crowd. For a moment, she narrows her eyes at one audience member, muttering a quiet prayer that Natsuki didn't break a camera. And then, she gets introduced...
It takes a moment for her to clear her throat.
"I'm accompanying Takeo Akamizu, also Ohtori High." She brushes a stray lock to one side, indicating the boy by her side. "Cheerful, helpful, occasionally manages dashing." She gives a quick grin, and follows up.
"Kind of has a thing for bacon." Understatement is worth points, right?
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
The MC winks broadly at the audience after giving Mai a once-over. "A girl who calls herself bacon... don't you folks just want to eat her up?" There is cheering and some wolf-whistling as well. "You're a lucky kid, Takeo-kun!"
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Twenty words or less? That *is* a bit of a challenge, thinks Fuu - but she wraps her head around the challenge nonetheless, glancing up at her companion as she considers how to introduce him.
It's not an uninterrupted train of thought; she finds herself counting Lera's words at Setsuna's introduction, then getting distracted from the count for Setsuna herself. She may also be blushing just at hearing the way they gush over each other - at least, her glasses seem a little clouded: enough that she plucks them off for a moment and tries to wipe the lenses clear.
Their turn comes to step onto the stage while she's still back to trying to pick out her words, and Fuu stumbles just a little - not enough to trip over the hem of her dress, thankfully - as she walks out to where the audience can see the two of them. "This is my boyfriend, Ferio; we met during a field trip to Tokyo Tower -" Which is true enough. "- and he saved my life." Which is also true.
That should be safely under the word count limit, right? Nowhere near as romantic as some of the introductions (Michiru and Haruka having set *that* high water mark), but ...
Fuu stands there a little awkwardly after introducing Ferio. She's wearing a fairly simple skirt and a cardigan, both dark green in color; the sweater's collar leaves a triangle visible of the light green blouse she's wearing underneath it. The skirt is long enough to hide her socks from casual observation (although if anyone really looks, they're white, and her shoes are black leather).
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
Ferio, tall, strapping, green-haired and neatly clad in an Infinity Middle School uniform (sans cravat, which he eschews in favor of a loose ribbon), shifts from foot to foot uncomfortably beside Fuu. He takes the microphone a bit gingerly, as though it might bite him, and clears his throat before announcing:
"This is Fuu Hououji. She's a surprisingly strong warrior, and I guess she must really want this sushi!"
He scratches behind his neck, embarrassed, and mutters not-quite-into-the-mic, as he's walking away to their spot on stage, "'Cuz I don't understand why else she'd ask me to this..."
The ways of Earth are a complete mystery to Ferio.
<Pose Tracker> Natsuki Kuga [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
From her seat in the audience, Natsuki sips the drink as she watches the on going show. She doesn't usually take part in these kind of events, but when Mai approached her asking if she could borrow an outfit, she felt the need to watch this potentially disastrous event all the way through.
She saw her friend appear on stage and attempt a silent thumbs up to her for encouragement. Mai did look good in her clothes. Natsuki briefly wondered how the girl would look in some of her precious high heel shoes she had in her closet.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
"Who can blame her," the MC mugs with a grin, "It's quite a prize! Remember, ladies and gentlemen, the winners will be going on an all-expenses paid date to the very finest restaurant in Tokyo!" It hasn't been named. It won't be. If you have to ask, you can't afford to go.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
"And that's everyone, folks! Let's hear it for our brave young lovers!"
There is more applause, cheering, and other such exuberance.
"Now HANG ONTO YOUR SHORTS, because the warm-up round of our contest should really whet your appetite for the main event!"
The MC gestures and a curtain behind the contestants rises, revealing a... wall, bisecting the stage, with an exterior-style door inset.
"It's time to cross the threshhold into the next stage of your relationship! The shorter member of each couple, you will need to princess carry your partner through the door -- don't forget to open it first, kids!"
His glasses flash as he faces the audience fully. "Our panel of judges -- that's you -- will award points -- that's applause -- based on criteria of athleticism, grace, and appeal! Don't drop your love, or you'll get the fish penalty! And off... we... go!"
A stagehand whose name rhymes with pretendo is also on site to close the door between every attempt. Somehow juggling your partner, and managing the doorknob (do you have her do it for you? is that points off for romance, or points on for cooperation?), is a mandatory portion of the competition.
OOC: More paired poses, please! The order of the pairs doesn't have to be the same as last round, go whenever you're both ready! <Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Giggling about Lera's inability to count planets, Setsuna looks up at her face with big red eyes and says, "She just gets excited..." But then Setsuna smiles to see Fate and Nanoha there, though she tilts her head and considers. There's apaprently something she didn't know. Regardless, she keeps that smile on to watch them both, to hear their Devices too. And then... To...
Setsuna is close enough to Lera that she can murmur without having to show it to many, "Shhhh." Straight at the pocket. "Someone might hear you..." But she glances up quickly, to see the impossibly elegant approach of Michiru and Haruka, who Setsuna is ertain she doesn't get something about. She watches curiously, looking over their outfits, but their mature poetry is largely lost on the literal-minded girl.
But suddenly--A fish! Setsuna blinks once and lets out a little vocalization of alarm, eyes wide. She does not let go of Lera's hand though, instead turning slightly to use her other to steady her girlfriend. "You'll have to be more careful," she says, concerned. Then her nose wrinkles. "...That's not a good fish..."
Takeo and Mai are next, and the girl from Labyrinth really likes Mai's hair and choice of colors. This is an easier boy/girl couple for her to understand, and she seems a bit blank-faced as she watches but that's just how she is. "Mm," she murmurs to Lera, "It's important to know your partner's favorite foods."
Fuu and Ferio get another tilt of her head, curious. Then she considers. "So others have difficulty with these ideas too..."
She stares at the announcer for a moment, clearly confused. She whispers, loud enough to be heard by others on the stage, "But I don't have any shorts today..."
She turns to look at the curtain and thus the wall. The... shorter member... She quails a little but stands up straighter. Off we go, and Setsuna looks at Lera. "I'll... I'll do my very best!!" This, too, can likely be heard beyond just her. Working together with Lera, she waits until they're stable, leans down, and scoops Lera off her feet, standing up straight and only wobbling a lot.
It kind of looks like she's done this before, or at least knows good lifting techniques... But she's not strong enough to do this easily at all.
She starts a shaky step at a time, attempting to stay dignified, holding tight to the much taller, heavier girl. "Aah..." She bites her lip. "I won't drop you, Lera!!" Another step. "I'll... get the door..." When they get there anyway. But she's getting stubborn, and as far as the audience can see, trudging stoically on, her long purple hair pressed by Lera's arms around her shoulders.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed. <SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Reo62z3DeqA
Giggling about Lera's inability to count planets, Setsuna looks up at her face with big red eyes and says, "She just gets excited..." But then Setsuna smiles to see Fate and Nanoha there, though she tilts her head and considers. There's apaprently something she didn't know. Regardless, she keeps that smile on to watch them both, to hear their Devices too. And then... To...
Setsuna is close enough to Lera that she can murmur without having to show it to many, "Shhhh." Straight at the pocket. "Someone might hear you..." But she glances up quickly, to see the impossibly elegant approach of Michiru and Haruka, who Setsuna is ertain she doesn't get something about. She watches curiously, looking over their outfits, but their mature poetry is largely lost on the literal-minded girl.
But suddenly--A fish! Setsuna blinks once and lets out a little vocalization of alarm, eyes wide. She does not let go of Lera's hand though, instead turning slightly to use her other to steady her girlfriend. "You'll have to be more careful," she says, concerned. Then her nose wrinkles. "...That's not a good fish..."
Takeo and Mai are next, and the girl from Labyrinth really likes Mai's hair and choice of colors. This is an easier boy/girl couple for her to understand, and she seems a bit blank-faced as she watches but that's just how she is. "Mm," she murmurs to Lera, "It's important to know your partner's favorite foods."
Fuu and Ferio get another tilt of her head, curious. Then she considers. "So others have difficulty with these ideas too..."
She stares at the announcer for a moment, clearly confused. She whispers, loud enough to be heard by others on the stage, "But I don't have any shorts today..."
She turns to look at the curtain and thus the wall. The... shorter member... She quails a little but stands up straighter. Off we go, and Setsuna looks at Lera. "I'll... I'll do my very best!!" This, too, can likely be heard beyond just her. Working together with Lera, she waits until they're stable, leans down, and scoops Lera off her feet, standing up straight and only wobbling a lot.
It kind of looks like she's done this before, or at least knows good lifting techniques... But she's not strong enough to do this easily at all.
She starts a shaky step at a time, attempting to stay dignified, holding tight to the much taller, heavier girl. "Aah..." She bites her lip. "I won't drop you, Lera!!" Another step. "I'll... get the door..." When they get there anyway. But she's getting stubborn, and as far as the audience can see, trudging stoically on, her long purple hair pressed by Lera's arms around her shoulders.
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"A-Aw, Setsuna..."
The look on Lera's face is a happy enough one. Until the fish smacks into Lera's head, and she stumbles. It's a gentle smack, though, and her feet wobble under her. She turns to give Endo a look -- and sticks her tongue out at him -- and then she looks at the other contestants. She applauds and grins.
Even at Haruka, who is definitely not Sailor Neptune and a nice person, from her experience.
They're all a pleasure to see. Friends who look happy -- including Mai and Fuu -- makes it hard to feel out of sorts if they don't win. But, Fate and Nanoha mean the most to her. She remembers when things were so much harder. It's a reminder of how much changed -- and of how far they've all come.. She looks over her shoulder, back at the girl hiding behind her, and flashes a smile at her. "Don't worry!" she tells Setsuna. "I think they'll keep quiet. Right, you two?"
There isn't another peep from Ground and Sky.
But, then the announcement comes through. Her eyes widen -- and she grins. She has picked up Setsuna plenty of times. She has--
"...oh."
She swallows, and then she looks sideways at her girlfriend. Then, she slips her arms around her neck. She helps to pull herself up as much as she can. She feels Setsuna wobble under her. She flashes a grin, just slightly nervous, at the girl from Labyrinth. "H-Here we go! I believe in you, Setsuna!"
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
It would be simple if it were the other way around; Setsuna is very good at being picked up by Lera! But she's doing her best. Lera looks nervous... and Setsuna doesn't, but only because she looks little more than focused. That's just how her face is as they walk... And walk... and walk...
Setsuna slips about halfway there, tumbling forward and letting loose Lera's legs to hit the ground as they both tumble. "Aah!" She half-wails, "Lera!" She sounds terribly upset, and cradles Lera that much closer when she yanks her right back up. She will take her fishy punishment as befits her crimes. But she tries to ignore that because...
"Sorry! Almost... Aaah, the door!" Setsuna starts pulling at the doorknob, scrambling slightly because of holding Lera, but in this case her height actually helps. Almost...!
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"Aaah--it's okay!" Lera yelps, even as she falls. She stumbles down into the ground, nearly falling off entirely. She pulls herself back up with her arms and hugs on close. She makes a face, looking over Setsuna's shoulder. At Endo. Who is about to throw a fish at her girlfriend.
She won't forget this!!
She looks at the door, and then she looks down at the doorknob. She starts to reach for it...
...but, no, Setsuna has it. Instead, she shifts herself to make it easier. When the door swings open, she looks to Setsuna and beams. It's playful. It's also teasing. She smiles brightly as they cross through. "Y'know, I could get used to this. We should do this more often!"
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.
Truthfully, Endo feels worse about throwing a fish at Setsuna than he does at Lera.
That's why he throws it at her back. Not at her head.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"Eep!" Setsuna vocalizes on her way through, a little too loud. The fish of course totally hit.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
The crowd loves the clumsiness -- and the fish, so bravely faced -- and gives Lera and Setsuna a big round of applause once they make it to the other side. "Sometimes it takes a fight to make it to the next stage of your lives!" the MC chuckles knowingly. "Sometimes it's worth the struggle! Give these two a hand!"
<Pose Tracker> Michiru Kaioh [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed. <SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRrecBAqLg
Michiru's lips curve up in a smile, and she murmurs in reply to Haruka, "I did the best I could. You'll have to correct me later."
Things progress, and Michiru murmurs something to Haruka - but it's not clear what, because she stops partway through and blanches slightly at the simple sheer fact that she, as the shorter one, is being given this task without remorse, regret, or a warm-up period.
"I suppose it can't be helped," Michiru then says, breathing in deep and letting it out. "If you don't mind...?"
And with some cautious adjustment, Michiru manages to sling one arm underneath Haruka's knees and the other behind Haruka's upper back. She carries this weight with surprising grace and elegance, showing no signs of strain externally.
But:
She raises one foot to step forwards and... her other leg trembles... she sucks in breath tightly through her teeth... and... STEP!
Repeat the process - gradually - gingerly -
STEP!
Once more... and... STEP!
Up close, Haruka can see the sweat threatening on Michiru's forehead. "I had wondered - where your holiday chocolate had gone - get the - door for me, mm - ?"
<Pose Tracker> Haruka Tenoh [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
Haruka pinches off a quick wink at Lera after her applause. So quick, in fact, that it is difficult to know if it was intentional or not.
His grin at Michiru is insufferable when he discovers the next competition.
Putting his arm around Michiru's neck, he gamely assists Michiru in mounting her up. He could be even taller, but he couldn't be much more dense. Michiru's swimming-legs are tested sorely as she stumbles forward.
"Funny," he says. "I never wonder where yours ends up." Reaching out, he twists the knob and lets them through. Despite his best efforts to curl up a bit, Michiru definitely has to go in sideways.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
"Looks like there's a downside to having such a handsome boyfriend!" the MC cracks at Michiru as she manages to make it through her ordeal. "Still, congratulations on avoiding a drop! Let's hear it for 'em, folks!" The crowd obliges, though not as intensely as they did for the pair's intro. IS THERE A CHANCE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO CATCH UP?
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed. <SoundTracker> At the Beginning - Anastasia Soundtrack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zspz-zqeNbg
Fate listens to the other couples with a sort of solemnity that seems to belie her age. Her eyes linger a little long on Michiru and Haruka's introductions, before going to Fuu and Ferio... Mai and Takeo. Then back to Setsuna and Lera to smile at them.
And then the first contest is announced.
For a moment Fate seems dumbfounded. In school when it came to all things physical, she protected Nanoha, being the more athletic partner. But in this one...
Fate puts a hand to the tip top of her head, and slowly moves it across to Nanoha, showing the small gap in height difference. Nanoha was definitely the shorter.
"Nanoha." She clasps both her hands over her partner's. "I wish it had been me that could protect you right now. But it has to be the other way around."
She looks so serious about it as she says, "I don't know what it means to be carried like a princess... but I have faith that if anyone can treat me like a princess, it's you."
Fate works to ease herself into Nanoha's arms, which start to quaver almost immediately as she's held. When it becomes obvious she's having a rough time, there's a record scratch and the music changes accordingly.
BGM Change(You knew it was coming): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsJQ07B-LgI&t=15m29s (Only until 17:20)
"So this is what it means." Fate says in quiet awe a sense of innocence in her total lack of expectations. Even with Nanoha's arms shaking, she tries to support her, "You're almost there- you can do it Nanoha!" She pumps both of her hands into fists rather than clinging onto her, out of fear she'll trip her up, though at one point she grabs a long twintail to avoid Nanoha from stepping on it, nonchalantly pushing it out of the way of her feet. And when she tells her to get the door, she reaches out with the tippy tips of her fingers towards the knob... reaches...
And pulls it open.
The two wobble as Nanoha trips up- and makes it past the threshold and- the two girls collapse on each other in a tangle of limbs. Fate Testarossa's eyes look swirly, dizzy as her head lolls in a circle, a hand upon her injured side. Nanoha apologizes? "It's alright... Nanoha... you'll get better at it... stronger..." Her head slumps back. <Good try. Train harder.>
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
Nanoha gives Fate a look when the other contestants present themselves. For a minute, she wishes she had spent more time thinking about what to say, feeling like her words were nowhere near as elegant as the other couples here. It seems as though nerves about only using 20 words got the best of her for that round. The threat of fish being thrown at her however, doesn't worry her as much as disappointing Fate though.
While the other couples give their answers, she gets more nervous, idly picking at her dress with her free hand while still holding Fate's in her other one.
And then the next round is announced and Nanoha looks to Fate, mentally calculating their heights. With a sinking feeling she realizes that she is definitely the shorter one, albeit only a tiny bit.
But she is also, the least athletic person ever...
Despite her continue nerves, Nanoha takes a deep breath as her and Fate's turn comes up. She silently wishes that it wasn't a princess carry. Maybe carrying Fate on her back would be easier. Regardless, she is not one to back down from a challenge and she prepares herself.
Nanoha looks at Fate, "I will do my best Feito. We have been through worse things together." Nanoha reaches out for Fate. "If it takes everything I have to give, we will do this... together." She pauses before she begins to move. It's slow and labored but Nanoha keeps Fate close to her to keep her balance.
Finally at the door, Nanoha breathlessly asks, "Fei..to... can you...get the door?" She turns a little and as the door opens she nearly trips over the frame but somehow they make it through before she collapses, Fate falling on top of her.
With sparkles in her eyes, Nanoha sighs and quickly reaches out to Fate. "I-I'm sorry Feito..." Her weak hand, touching Fate's side. "A-are you okay?" She doesn't pay attention to anything or anyone else but her friend in that moment.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
The MC is about to cue fish on these two, but at all the awwws from the crowd, hesitates. "I guess they did make it through the door before the fall," he hedges, and the crowd draws a collective sigh of relief at not having to see the pair of kids suffer such a cruel face and start cheering like crazy instead. "Cuteness sells, folks."
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Wait, the *shorter* member of each pair - ?! Fuu does a very clear double-take at that, then looks up at Ferio.
Well. It's not like they're going to be the only awkward couple for this challenge. Worst-case scenario, they get fish thrown at them; given what happened (and didn't happen) to Lera, there are definitely worse things that can happen. And besides, this is for a date - Fuu does admittedly like sushi, she's hoping Ferio will as well, but either way ... !
Fuu considers how to approach the challenge, actually doing some warm-up stretches as she waits for her and Ferio's turn to come around. 'Carry your partner through the door' ... granted, the door has to be opened, nobody here is phasing through or making a partner-shaped hole in said door. "I think I know how to approach this, Ferio-san," she says quietly, motioning for him to bend down so that she can whisper.
When their turn comes, it looks at first like they might have ignored the instructions, as Fuu and Ferio approach the door side-by-side - holding hands, at least. It's Fuu who reaches forward to open the door ... and then she tries to pick up Ferio, princess-style as instructed (he'll *have* to help with that) and to walk --
Well. 'Walking' is way too generous a description, given Fuu's now trying to handle at least her body weight again over how she USUALLY walks. But if she can at least stagger through the door with Ferio, *without* breaking stride, and ... is there somewhere she can legitimately put Ferio down, or does she just have to set him on his feet?
And then collapsing against him, because her legs are *screaming* at her even after that short an exertion. A weightlifter, Fuu Hououji is most definitely *not*.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
Ferio seems kind of hesitant to go along with Fuu's clever 'out'. "Uh, I'm not sure if this is really in the spirit of the thing," he mumbles. On the other hand, he is probably the heaviest guy on stage, so he takes pity and steps all the way up to the door with her -- and basically leaps into her arms.
They collapse against each other a moment later, on the other side. Yes, they have managed to make it through without falling! However, the crowd doesn't seem wildly impressed by this attempt to circumvent the core of the challenge. The booing started when they were walking and -- well, at best it turns into jeering laughter when they stagger on through.
The MC gazes out at the audience, his stare a thousand yards or more.
"...fish?" he asks them, solicitously, even though he just ruled the opposite for Nanoha and Fate.
"FISH! FISH! FISH!"
The rest, as we say, is fishtory...
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed. <SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD8YPY8RBQc
There was a moment, there, when Mai flushed and glared daggers at the MC. The whistles answering that joke were just the icing on the cake...but mercifully the moment passed, and things moved on to the rest of the introductions. There certainly are a few friends here...and acquaintances...and amazingly dashing Infinity Students...so it goes. Brushing her hands to straighten out her skirt, she whispers to Takeo. "Are you sure this was a good plan?...prize aside, that is."
Quickly enough, though, it's time for the next challenge. The door is set up, and the 'next stage' is brought up; Mai shuffles awkwardly until the details are resolved. Between how hard it's been to have a date, and worrying over what might come next...this much is frankly a relief. "A princess carry? Even considering that guy, this shouldn't be too bad... Wait. Shorter?"
A moment. Mai turns to Takeo, and stares determinedly ahead...into his upper chest.
Dangit.
<Pose Tracker> Takeo Akamizu [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"Princess carry?" Takeo says looking to Mai with a raised eyebrow. He has to look down, becuase Mai is staring right into his chest. "Oh. The shorter one .... " He clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck as he is asked the question of was this a good idea. "Well. I mean. I figured we've both been so busy it might have been fun." He blushes a little and whispers to her, "Plus. I missed you. You look pretty by the way. In the dress." He clears his throat again.
"Right." He says with a nod. "This is a challenge. We can do this." He nods to her, face set, and then lets himself be lifted by Mai. When the pair stagger to the door he snakes a hand from around Mai's neck and opens the door. THe hand quickly going back to around the neck. "I totally owe you a third cake after this."
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
So...right. A princess carry. With Takeo as the 'princess'. "All right, just...don't move around too much, okay?" She's not exactly unused to carrying someone else around...but that's usually a girl, and carried on her back. Definitely different. Really different.
In the middle of musing, Takeo's compliment sinks in, and Mai freezes on the spot for a moment. The moment...passes, as best it can, and she's left to hook one arm against Takeo's legs while the other tries to support his back. It's a bit awkward, though, and she staggers to the side before taking determined steps forward.
Walking, pace by pace, she doesn't seem too unsteadied by her burden - but her eyes are fixed determinedly on the door before her. Halfway there, she mutters perhaps not too quietly, "Maybe a bit less of the breakfast meat for you..." But in the end, she makes it to the door, her 'princess' helpfully turning the knob for her. Just a handful more steps to go, and she can stop trying not to notice what she's carrying-
And then, one foot about to pass the threshold, she abruptly lets go, dumping her 'partner' to the ground. Planting her hands on her hips, she stares in open incredulity at the suggestion. "A third cake? Given how the last two went, do you seriously want to tempt fate again?!"
<Pose Tracker> Takeo Akamizu [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Takeo is no stranger for falling. He's been tossed around as Lancelot so many times that he's pretty sure he has ferequent flier miles with Gravity. However, he was almost not expecting it. He suddenly hits the ground and grunts slightly rubbing his bum where he impacted. "I mean. I figured buy one and meet for lunch at school ..." He grins to Mai. "Besides We always win." He pauses. "Except the first cake.
Somewhere that cake sits. Still not decomposing. A scream from somehwere can be heard.
He does however lean over past Mai to close the door behind her and grins. "And if I give up Bacon what would I have to look forward to in the morning?"
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed. <SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vTdtFHzEY
It may have been innocent enough. It might not. But Takeo's last question leaves Mai turning bright red, and stomping past him to wait for the next challenge. If vengeful fish were flung her way, it might take a minute for her to even pull them from her hair.
<Pose Tracker> Takeo Akamizu [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Takeo blinks, gets up, and follows Mai gesturing helplessly like he has no idea what he did wrong. Becuase he really doesn't ....
<Pose Tracker> Natsuki Kuga [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Natsuki watches the competition and raises an eyebrow upon see Mai drop Takeo to the floor. She gives a nod in approval. She had no idea on what Takeo said, but knowing the boy, Natsuki can only assume she had it coming. She then discreetly holds up her camera and continues to record. She did promise Mikoto she record all of this for her.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
"Ooh, looks like it's getting spicy with this pair!" the MC calls, and the next bucket of fish also has splatty green balls of wasabi flying. They really did bring everything. "All right, all right, congratulations! You've all somehow made it to the FINAL STAGE~!"
The crowd goes wild. Some enterprising youngsters started selling glowsticks and they're starting to get cracked and waved. They are garish goopy green, not pink or red at all. Somehow they fit this event perfectly.
On stage, the MC ushers all the pairs forward, and the curtain falls again behind him. Cleanup begins back there, stagehands heroically performing their duties.
"We call this last challenge -- LIPS OF LOVE! We have here these white noise-generating headphones... each pair will approach! One of you will put on the headphones... and the other will profess your true feelings! It's the job of the one with the headphones to read the lips of their partner and repeat back what they said!"
He beckons up the first pair...
OOC: The MC will arbitrarily slap the headphones on one of each of you, you can decide OOCly who but it isn't up to you IC. Again, please coordinate with your partner so that you can pose closely consecutively once both your poses are ready! <3 <Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.
"What? I have to clean them up too?" Endo is dismayed. "Aaa...if I knew that...I would have thrown less..."
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"Th-that's... that's a pretty tough one," Lera says, as her feet touch the ground. She stands up again -- and towers over Setsuna when she does. She is used to this. She smiles, then, and looks at Setsuna. She isn't too worried about this part. They had plenty of history with learning to communicate.
Except, she realizes--
She turns bright red. She has to say this sort of thing out loud, she realizes, or Setsuna has to. She doesn't know if the embarrassment of trying to do so will get her or the worry about the much more shy of the two doing so is worse. Lera hesitates, as the headphones slide over Setsuna's ears.
No time like the present she realizes. She opens her mouth, about to start babbling nervously, and then realizes that would make it impossible. She sucks in a breath and focuses, centering herself. Her eyes close.
She can do this. She can say it clearly, without stumbling or babbling.
"I-I know it's really lucky that we met and we got to be together," she says. "But I'm grateful for it every day, since you're--you're great, y'know? I love you and--um--real American hot dogs and stuff oh god it's happening even though I tried not too aaaah I-I'm sorry!!"
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"Are the spices for the fish?" Setsuna asks, leaning on Lera as they wait for the rest to make it through. That is... That is her take, on all of that. The crowd is cheering though and Setsuna smiles, generally happy to be here amidst everyone being so happy. Besides... She's got Lera, and already she's holding her hand again, close by and almost behind her as she looks out at the crowd, remembering them and getting more nervousin the process. But..
The last challenge...
Setsuna stares, and then turns red, shying slightly away as she realizes she might have to... say all those things, right here. On the other hand... That's still...
Well she's spared; as they walk up, both bright red, Setsuna is the one to have the headphones on, and she frowns briefly at the sheer noise in it. "I don't like it," she murmurs, and then shakes her head, "Go on!" She watches Lera hesitating after all. For her part, Setsuna's voice is... a little louder than she thinks it is. This may be important.
Lera speaks up, and Setsuna stares at her mouth, though her expression softens as she works out what her girlriend is saying. Lera," she says, and then listens--kind of--to the rest. Mostly she watches.
"Oh Lera..." She bites her lip. "Um..." Her voice gets less tender and more rote. "I know it's... really lucky that we met and got to be together. But I'm grateful for it every day..." It gets more difficult here. "Since... you're? great... Oh!" She smiles suddenly, "You're great, y'know?" For some reason that's particularly happy. "I love you and... and..."
Setsuna hesitates. "Hot dogs... America... oh god, I'm sorry." She brings up a hand to Lera's face, speaking too loudly, "You don't have to be sorry. I like it when you babble all the time, it's cute. ...It means I don't have to say as much..." Pause. "...It's hard not to get distracted trying to read your lips..." She's still wearing the headphones until they're taken off of her.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
Naturally the crowd can be as loud as they want during these confessions -- indeed, that almost helps -- but the laughter that rises as Lera switches to babbling is affectionate. As Setsuna repeats back, it goes to a lot of awwwws, led by the MC who is making 'thumpa-thumpa' mimes on his chest with his palm, and finally some wolf-whistles and cheers at the end that becomes, as appropriate, some proper clapping once the headphones are off and they're awaiting their acclaim. It's very loud.
"Now who's gonna follow that act?" he dares the remaining couples.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
That sushi restaurant date is slipping further away, and Fuu can feel it as clearly as she feels the fish smacking against her. It's nothing that won't wash off, though ... right?
WHat happens with Takeo and Mai *almost* makes up for it, but then it's on to the next and final challenge - one of them confesses their feelings, the other has to interpret it from lip-reading. This could go hilariously wrong in so many ways; even Fuu isn't sure whether the hot flush in her cheeks is from the possibility of how wrong it could go ... or from trying to figure out what she'll say if Ferio's the one wearing the earphones. She hardly even pays attention to the fluorescent green of the glowsticks being cracked and waved around as they're ushered towards the front of the stage ...
When their turn comes, the headphones are slipped over Ferio's ears - and Fuu's blush intensifies even further. She really DOES have to find the words ... and public setting or not, she realizes that she *doesn't* want to just fudge it, or make something up that'll sound 'good enough' for the crowd ... if the crowd's even paying attention.
It takes a few moments before Fuu finishes alternately swallowing or licking her lips, and starts speaking. "Ferio-san ... when we first met, I wasn't sure whether we could trust you or not. I - I played my words to set things up so you had to help us, and even though you knew what I was doing, you agreed. And you really did help us, we would never have made it back without you."
She's still blushing - dear gods is she blushing, her face a bright red that clashes *horribly* with the green of her outfit, and her gaze wanders away from her boyfriend's face for a few seconds - but with those headphones on, she *has* to look him in the eye or he'll never have a chance at understanding what she's saying. And she knows it.
Why was she doing this again? She's pretty much forgotten, at least in this moment, why this seemed like an idea worth pursuing ...
"When Hikaru, Umi, and I came back, I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again ... but I knew that I wanted to. I didn't realize at first how much I wanted to see you again, just that it felt like I'd left a piece of myself with you ... I don't know what our future holds, but I *do* know -" Fuu's voice breaks for a moment, and she finds herself reaching for Ferio's hand. "- I want you to always be by my side," she manages to finish.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
Ferio is not a super-spy trained practically from birth. Still, he watches Fuu with the steady eyes of a hunter. He recognizes his own name easily enough, and starts repeating after her, a few seconds behind.
"...first met...I wasn't sure whether we could... dust you? oh, trust you... ah, something something, set things up, I knew what you were doing... you never would have made it back without -- no, that's not true, you definitely would have made it, don't sell yourself short."
He's frowning at that, then more deeply as he realizes that now he's irreparably far behind. Fortunately, he's able to read her hands instead of her lips, and takes it firmly, burying it within his own.
"Come on," he says gruffly, his voice like flint but his eyes soft, even vulnerable. "This isn't stuff we should be talking about on stage. It isn't worth any fish, no matter how good."
And without further ado, he drags her offstage and away, to quieter places...
---
"Huh!" says the MC. "Let's hear it for those two, it sounds like their relationship is really going places... if not to a fancy restaurant! Good luck to them! And next we have..."
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
After helping Fate up, they return to watch the the other couples go and Nanoha is somewhat relieved that they weren't the only ones to fall. There is also relief that, despite their fall, no fish are thrown at them...yet. It would be interesting to have to explain that to Lindy back at the apartment.
Of course, the game isn't over yet and the final round has come! Nanoha listens to the rules of the last challenge and nods at Fate. "I understand." At least, she is pretty sure, and a response starts to take shape in her mind.
As the headphones are placed on Fate, Nanoha gives her a smile and a last thumbs up. She seems more confident for some reason even though her face reddens a bit. Maybe she really felt their connection was that close.
When it's her turn, Nanoha's heart races and her mouth feels a little dry. Finally, the words come out and she looks directly at Fate, "You are the closest friend that I have. Ever since that first day we met, I felt I wanted to get to know you more and know what was below the surface..." She pauses, her eyes glimmering, "I care so much about you...and I hope we get to stay together forever."
When Nanoha finishes, she slumps back against the chair, waiting for Fate's response. She tried her best to not give her too much to try and read while still professing her feelings as best as she could. No matter what happens here though, they were still going to be the same people and best friends and that's what really mattered in the end.
From her bag comes a small voice, <Well done Master!>
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
Fate is prepared to shield Nanoha from fish if need be- despite how dizzy she feels. But the crowd spares them, and she picks herself up from the sprawl.
When it's announced though what it is, Fate doesn't seem that distressed, "Oh. It's like a love confession right?" Fate asks Nanoha. "Arisa told me about them." Perhaps she doesn't wholly understand what one is. "Except one of us has to figure out what the other's precious feelings are..."
Waiting their turn, Fate doesn't look too nervous. If anything she seems calm, serene at the idea of professing how she feels in that state of puppy love before she truly knows what these feelings mean. Leaning over she whispers, "Remember. We shouldn't use telepathy. It'd be unfair."
And when they reach the front- the headphones are presented in front of her by the MC. "Me?" Now she seems nervous. She'd perhaps thought it'd be the other way around. What if she's unable to understand what Nanoha says? What if she doesn't understand at all. "I'll do my best. But even if I don't understand, your feelings will still reach me this time."
It feels a little cruel, sending them back to this place where they couldn't understand each other.
The headphones are plopped on her head. Her ears are filled with white noise. In her ears is this alien whooshing and she finds herself staring intently at Nanoha's lips. As she sees the other girl's lips move she her own move as if trying to follow-
Though it's clear she's having some trouble. She's not entirely a native speaker already...
She seems to be gesturing for her to slow down, and then she stiffens as if to lock up, trying to channel some of her earlier serenity. "You... are the closest friend..."
For the older people in the room still in school this sounds a little like someone trying to translate a passage in English class, "... that I heart. Ever... prince the day... we met. ... I melty wanted... to know... you more."
Up until now she sounds uncertain, but emotion enters her voice on the last statement, "And I hope we... get to stay... together..." The last word is like a whisper, "... forever..."
She seems a little choked up, a smile upon her lips, eyes sparkling and a little wet. Despite the bad lip-reading, stumbling over the first passage, she says back to her, "That's what I want too. More than anything."
<Impressive.> That's probably directed at Nanoha.
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
The crowd listens to Nanoha and Fate in almost total silence; when they start getting loud, the MC waves them quiet again. Afterwards, the applause is deafening. "Precocious!" he repeats, his word from earlier. "And precious. And pure... hahahaha..."
He manages to swallow the laughter before it veers into ominous. "Well done, well done. NEXT!"
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
It's the final stage, and Mai Tokiha is fuming. The enthusiasm of the MC and the cheers of the crowd aren't helping much, and it's only after rummaging for a minute that she can find a tissue to wipe at the wasabi. She mutters under her breath, whether it's to her apparent paramour or to herself isn't entirely clear. "Spicy pair, seriously...honestly, Takeo, would it kill you to think through what you say?"
The challenge itself is...dramatic. Upon seeing the setup, hearing the rules, she pales. "Are - are they seriously putting couples on the spot?" Her hissed objection dies quickly when Lera and Setsuna go first, and the hardness in her expression begins to fade.
It's romantic, she can't help herself.
And then she and Takeo are being called up. Mai takes a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever might come next - but she's taken aback when it's Takeo who gets the headphones. She looks back and forth, momentarily lost, murmuring aloud. "So...I guess it's me that has to talk? All right..."
<Pose Tracker> Takeo Akamizu [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"We both know I rarely think things through." Takeo says defensively. He pauses and gives Mai an encouraging smile, "But I'll try from here on out okay?" He actually looks earnest about that. Taking a hankerchief out of his pocket he offers it to Mai, and then uses it to remove the wasabi off his own face. Which is when the headphones are places on his head.
No amount of cake, chocolatte, or other delicious foods will get him out of this. Mai Tokihia is going to kill him for putting her on the spot like this.
He clears his throat and looks at Mai. Regardless of knowledge of his impending death, he gives Mai an Impish smile. A look that silently says "Lay it on me." He even adopts a more serious face.
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Padded headphones do little to Mai's usual image of Takeo, and she faces him directly. It's really, truly hard to tune out the crowd - and she catches sight of the glint of Natsuki's camera, that little betrayal cutting deep. Still...as long as she doesn't shout it to the world, she might be fine. She falters a moment at the smile, then takes a breath to address the audience. "Okay, this is a little more personal than karaoke night, but here goes..."
"Takeo, you're...kind of a goof. Make that a lot of one, and you don't always think things through." They asked for true feelings, she's giving them - even if she's mumbling a bit, making her harder to hear and to lip-read. "But you're good at cheering up a girl in the dumps, and you're....there, I guess. There for support. I wasn't planning on romance for a while, but all things considered, I think-"
She cuts off, suddenly, at...something. A faint buzzing from the pocket on the jacket draped over her shoulders. An earnest gaze turns to a confused frown as she peers within. Just enough to see a number...and her face falls. Not a breakdown, not a collapse, just a resigned slump to her shoulders. Her gaze meets only the stage itself. "I'm sorry. I have to go."
Without another word, without waiting for Takeo's interpretation, Mai turns and runs offstage entirely.
<Pose Tracker> Takeo Akamizu [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mai is mubling and Takeo squints to try to follow. He's not the best at this sort of thing. Okay. He's never done this ever before in this life time. If he digs deep he can probably find when Lancelot did these things. He tries to think of something, anything and then remembers. Look at the lips. His eyes move to the lips to follow them.
A thought goes right into his head. Huh. She's got nice lips.
Takeo turns absolutley beat red but manages to keep focused. Which is an impressive feat for him. He squints reading the lips, trying to mouth them back to Mai. "Goof? Doof? Poof? He's a ... a Big poof? Oooookay. Then she stops midway through and looks at her phone. Then then takes off. His eyes are paying attention, but he can't make out what she says last before she has to go. He sighs as he watches her go taking the headphones off and shaking his head. Very quietly he says to the retreating Mai, "It's okay. I feel the same way."
To the audience he gives a shrug and prepares to recieve ALL the incoming fish. "The things we do for love."
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
"..."
The MC lifts his hand to summon the fish, then lowers it and pats Takeo on the back instead.
"No fish for you," he says, his meaning double but not unkind. "Let's give this sad sack a cheer off the stage, yeah?"
The crowd obliges.
<Pose Tracker> Haruka Tenoh [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
Haruka's long legs take over once they are sufficiently through the doorway. Once standing, he dips his head humbly. Difficult though it was for Michiru, it was nice for someone to carry Haruka for once.
Resting his hands in his blazer pockets, he awaits the instructions for the next phase. Even relaxed, he and Michiru look like they are posing, just by virtue of being next to one another. They set each other off well.
Haruka waits for the headphones, but they never come; perhaps he's too tall. Turning to face Michiru as they adorn her instead, he smiles a bit at the instructions, and waits his turn, as Lera stammers her way through an earnest, youthful sort of confession. He has something else in mind.
He takes his time in approaching Michiru closer, step by step, until his hands come to rest on her shoulders. Leaning down, he touches his lips to hers gently, then settles them comfortably, mouth forming to mouth. Right when the kiss locks fully, Haruka expertly rolls Michiru into a dip, the crook of his elbow cradling the back of her neck, the fingers of that hand reaching up in the air, splayed thoughtlessly taut like a dancer taking pose.
After a long moment, the hand on the small of her back rolls Michiru back to her feet, and Haruka stands straight again, tugging at the hem of his jacket, then brushing off a pocket idly with the back of his fingers. He looks to his partner expectantly.
<Pose Tracker> Michiru Kaioh [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
Michiru seems rather tapped for the moment, even if she smiles at Haruka after Haruka is no longer, literally, in her arms. She takes out a hankerchief to dab at her forehead, coming up to a straight position again - just in time to get the ear phones placed on her.
She looks momentarily confused, but then looks towards Haruka. Haruka rests his hands on her shoulders. She looks up at him and then -- that sweet moment of kiss... after which she's swirled around, with a slight rustle of skirt, and one leg arching up as she's given a dip kiss to last through the ages. She ends up just a slightly bit more disheveled as she's returned to her feet, and then she lets out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Ara ara," she says, before taking a deep breath and looking up at Haruka for a moment. "I think it went something like -"
One slim graceful hand comes up to grasp at the lapel of that jacket and pull Haruka back down so that his lips press fiercely against Michiru's own. She doesn't go for the dip, but she does turn her head a bit so the cascading green of her hair provides a little veiling.
She's getting it completely wrong!
<Pose Tracker> Pink Moon Stick [Admin] has posed.
The crowd starts screaming immediately and doesn't stop. Tomorrow there will be students in class and workers in offices who have no voices because their voices are gone, traded away gladly for the experience of this moment.
"Gah," the MC cuts in, holding two fingers up to his earpiece, "This is a family broadcast! Cut the video feed--!"
Viewers at home are forced to content themselves with their own imaginations to supplement the continued screaming of the crowd.
"Wow!" The cameras come back on as the second kiss ends. "Let's hear it for these two -- but unfortunately, as no words were spoken, they are disqualified."
The audience awws, with a scattering of boos, until -- because they are a fairly biddable crowd -- he's able to wave them to silence again.
The MC puts the two fingers back up to his ear and listens carefully as he is quietly informed by his analyst whose hearts are likely enough to be super-pure and contain Talismans, and therefore be worth moving on. (Ahem.) The drummer starts rolling again, and then:
"All right, all right, we have our results! This competition's grand prize, sushi for two, goes to..."
DRUMMMMMM--!
"Why, it's little Fate Testarossa and Nanoha Takamachi!"
Wild applause.
"The runners up, Lera Camry and Setsuna Higashi, will also advance from the preliminaries to the finals, held on White Day at Infinity Institute! We'll see you again next time, friends!"
The lucky pairs are brought up and given their gift certificate and runners-up cash prize respectively; everyone who's still on stage gets a participation trophy.
It's shaped like a star!
<Pose Tracker> Michiru Kaioh [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
"Oh well; I suppose we'll have to find something else to do for supper," says Michiru as she adjusts her hairband to set properly again, as the rest of the awards are given out. "Perhaps that trattoria that opened this month? Or shall it be Heichinrou again?"
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Setsuna misses a lot of what happens on-stage because of the headphones, because of her distraction with Lera, and the fact that she had to focus so much on her. But... They aren't all doing this at once, so Setsuna doesn't miss the words, the way the other couples speak with one another.
Fate and Nanoha she glances at, but avoids looking too long. She's still nervous about Nanoha, but a hand rests over her heart for a moment, at the talk of forever for them. Fuu and Ferio... Ferio says something she can respect. Fuu is clearly overcome, and those two... Well...
It's quiet in a way, but not so sad as what happens with Mai and Takeo. Setsuna watches Mai go, and then watches Takeo sit there. Maybe she could say something... But she doesn't, instead holding Lera's hand a little longer, having taken it back already.
She blushes outright at Haruka's answer to the questions, keeps blushing at Michiru's. "Ah--" She glances t the side, embarrassed ust looking... But smiling at the romance of it all. She scoots a little closer still over to Lera, and looks gamely towards the audience.
She can't help but giggle at the talk of cutting the video feed, though it's a little sad they were disqualified.
She listens to the prize, and takes her hand back only to clap for Fate and Nanoha. "Ah!" She looks genuinely happy for them, though she has her eyes widen when she's announced as one of the runner ups. She and Lera! "Ah!" She hops in place, clapping again before she walks up with Lera, who keeps pace entirely with her. "Infinity... That's convenient," Setsuna says pleasantly. "We'll do our very best!!"
Lera's the one who actually accepts the cash, while Setsuna hangs onto her arm a moment after. "We could have a date..."
She and Lera are in her own little world in short order.
<Pose Tracker> Takeo Akamizu [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Takeo hops off the stage and puts his hands in his pocket. Despite everything he has a slight, if impish grin on his features. He can't complain too much though. No monsters, and even though the date was interrupted, there were no monsters. No Morgana. No Youma. No giant Squids that do NOT taste like food. He smiles as he heads through the crowd to head toward his bike.
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
Nanoha frowns at the other couples have their moments and a few of them end up leaving the stage. The kiss however between Haruka and Michiru cause her to glance away, her face turning red. She seems to be in awe that they did that in front of all these people.
Pretty soon there aren't many couples left and she looks to Fate, "Wow...I didn't think that would happen..." Nanoha doesn't seem concerned about the fact that they are the youngest ones here.
As the winners are announced, Nanoha stands up and cheers and she runs over to embrace Fate. "We did it Feito-chan!!"
She bounces as she walks to the MC to receive their prize and when she looks down at the voucher, Nanoha smiles. "Oooh sushi!" She liked sushi. "Thank you so much!" Nanoha may have <3's in her eyes at this point.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
Fate doesn't turn away from the kiss. But she does look startled by it. Watching it for for a few seconds as it becomes a second- It's only once she realizes how long she's staring that her cheeks take on a slight flush and she looks in the same direction Nanoha is.
"I didn't expect that so many people would forfeit or be disqualified..." Her eyes move over to Michiru as she adjusts her hairband. To Haruka, with her, "... maybe they broke the rules, but it still feels like they're the real winners."
Not for kissing perhaps, that's not what she means, but for just how much they seem to love each other.
Perhaps her young mind is registering them as role models...
When it's announced that they've won, Fate looks shocked. Maybe it's only between them and Setsuna/Lera at this point, but given how deftly Setsuna performed the last challenge...
"We really did- we won!" Nanoha hugs her, unlike with most, Fate doesn't stiffen, she returns it warmly. A huge smile on her expression. She stands a little taller, so she supports Nanoha during that. And after accepting their prize, she likewise bows to the MC and says, "Thank you very much."
And then turning to Nanoha, "Now we'll have to train for the finals Nanoha." Fate says immediately. Holding up a finger. "We'll need to build up your strength and stamina, just in case. So we'll add it to your training regimen."
Her magic training regimen she means of course. When Nanoha is already tired out. "And I'll work hard on my language skills so I can better convey my feelings, and understand yours."
After a few moments of smiling at her, she says with a sort of quiet certainty, "I know you'll do your best, Nanoha."
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.
"Training?" Nanoha's eye widen and she looks down at the bandages still in place. "But Feito..." She pauses and then shrugs. "Okay, we'll be ready!" She wasn't expecting to have to do this again but it had been fun and somehow they managed not to get fish thrown at them so it was a good evening.
Nanoha yawns, "I am tired though. Ready to go home." They both still needed their rest after all that had happened in just the last few days.
