2018-04-02 - Spring Cruise
| Title: Spring Cruise | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Before the doldrums of a new school year begins, Ye-jin Song hosts a Tokyo Bay cruise for Ohtori and Sister Schools students. | |
| Who: Ye-jin Song, Niramo Umokeshi, Steven Universe, Anthy Himemiya, Fuu Hououji, Kasagami Araki, with special guest Utena Tenjou | |
| Where: On a boat, don't you ever forget! | |
| OOC - IC Date: 04-02-2018 - 04-10-2015 | |
<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Soon Spring will be over. The pink petals of the cherry trees will shortly abandon their branches as mild weather turns to smothering heat and a new school semester begins, life moving ever onward.
But it's not too late to enjoy it before it's gone.
BGM: Summer Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMhE15qCu88
The sun is already beginning its descent as passengers meet the their vessel it at port, along one of the small piers lining the Sumida River and just a few minutes walk from a nearby JR station. Invitations have circulated via word-of-mouth, text, and email: while Sister School students are ordinarily allowed a Spring discount, tonight they may cruise on Tokyo's waterways for free courtesy of Ohtori Student Council candidate Ye-jin Song.
The boat itself is of moderate size, more notable for its shape than anything else. The vessel is more of a box than anything, painted a lacquered red and styled like a styled more like a rectangular house than a waterborne vehicle. Shuttered windows line the sides, and from the edges of its sloped roof hand a dozen oval-shaped paper lanterns that gently swing with the rocking of the vessel they're attached to. Ornate crests mark the exterior of the ship, a gossamer sail extends skyward from its center, and a pair of ornate doors lead visitors into the cozy interior.
Ye-jin stands at the shore to wave each passenger aboard as they arrive. Most of her schoolmates are probably familiar with her face by now. This evening she's dressed semi-casual, clad in a loose white shirt and dark skirt, a sleek black windbreaker resting around her shoulders. There's not much time spared to speak at length for now, merely a series of polite waving and short greetings as everyone is shuffled up onto the nearby plank and into the interior of the ship.
Inside, tables line the walls. In traditional style they sit low to the floor, with small cushions arrayed at their edges for guests to sit. There's a TV on the far wall, as well as a small stage at the end of the little walkway that cuts through the middle of the room. Upon the surface of each table is a small bowl with an assortment of tiny chocolates and colorful mints, as well as a set of pens and nametags. Well-dressed staff members lead guests to their tables, making sure everyone is seated as the craft prepares for departure.
<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
Earlier~
"Woohoo!" A young boy exclaims from the top of his loft. A video game controller goes flying across an airy beach house, colliding with the kitchen sink, and clattering to a halt in its basin. "CRUISE BOAT!" the voice exclaims again, as a torrent of clothing washes over the side of the loft area, coating a pink feline in a tsunami of cotton and polyester.
A boy holds up a shirt. A pinkish buttondown affair, with white palm leaves all over it in a patterned, expanding style. "Gotta ditch the norm for this one!" After changing, the young boy is out the screen door with a slam. The giant cat, whom was distrubed with the pile of clothes. slowly sinks beneath their surface, deeming this change of environment acceptable. Now~
"Hiiii!" he yells on the approach to the cruise ship. It has been so long since he was on a boat of any significance that he is bursting with excitement. "Thank you so much, Miss!" he says toward Ye-Jin as he boards. He will thank her better in person later on. She is probably gonna get mobbed by people on shore. Best not to add to that number!
The stout l'il hybrid makes his way toward his assigned seat, eyeballing those chocolates. They look really good! "Name taaaaags..." He shispers aloud, before diving for one. He is in a rather hyper mood tonight. The boy writes his name on a tag, and just before he slaps it on, he peers at it closely. Then himself. Something was missing. This didn't feel right. None of this did. It is all wrong! It can't--
He gets an idea. Steven fishes out a crayon from his hanburger backpack, and goes to work on his tag. When he is done. there is little golden star next to his name. "Okay. there we go. Everything is perfect now." The threat has been dealt with. The Universe is at peace.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
You don't go on a cruise in your school uniform, unless it is explicitly a school activity. Fuu's big sister Kuu was politely but exceptionally firm on that point, when Fuu sought her sister out for advice - and the lesser question of 'is this even a good idea' simply didn't have a chance to come up. After all, Fuu Hououji is a high school student now, *and* the prospective new captain of the Infinity Institute's archery team in the high-school section.
It wasn't like they had enough time to go shopping, but Fuu is still outfitted in a new dress. Nothing overly formal, but that was no reason to give short shrift to an appropriate outfit - and besides, it's *high school*, no better time to justify getting new good clothes. At least according to Kuu. Fuu managed to find something in the AkaMira line which seemed suitable: a softly flowing dress in shades reminiscent of emerald and jade, with paler green lace trim at the collar, sleeves, and hem. The bodice fits fairly closely, not flaunting her developing figure but not trying to hide it; the skirt swishes and swirls gently about her legs, loose enough to ensure free movement for walking or dancing, but hanging demurely past her knees when she's standing still. Trying not to think about how many pairs of eyes may be on her at any given moment, Fuu boards the boat with her typical friendly smile, greeting Ye-jin politely, then allows one of the staff to lead her to the table where she's expected to sit. Once there (and with a few more greetings along the way, if she spots anyone she knows), she inscribes a nametag with both kanji and furigana (and, after overhearing Steven, writes it in romaji underneath the kanji as well). Name tag completed, she affixes it near her collar, smiling at her tablemates. "How was the spring vacation for all of you?"
<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Well of /course/ Kasagami Araki is here. A school cruise is exactly the sort of thing that a politically active Student Council member would attend. Even /if/ her opponent is one Touga Kiryuu. She doesn't have the mystical appeal here that she does on campus, but as she steps off onto the pier leading to the boat, she is waving and offering smiles to many an Ohtori student that she thinks she can sway their vote. A wink here, a glance there, a brush of hair, a laugh there.
But there's something missing and /off/ about it all. Her normal bombast seems just slightly subdued. There's no humor in her laughs or flirtatiousness in her winks or compliments to a passing girl. It's in the set of her jaw, the narrowing of her eyes, just how /tightly/ she pulls her partner to one arm.
To most students it would seem relatively normal. Kasagami is in her usual Student Council uniform. This one might be a bit fancier than most, with extra trim and gold. She's even done up on a golden eyepatch, gloves with similar studs, and her belt has a slight flash of yellow to it barely hidden at her hip.
Her coat is around her like wings, partially closed at the neck while one is off the shoulder to accomodate the Rose Bride. She manages to not look at the purple haired girl at her side the entire time. But this close, Anthy can see.
Her Engaged is distracted, and distraught. Denial and anger alike at something without form is laced in her eyes. Every motion she makes, no matter how charming, is just a bit more tired and hollow than before. But the spark of ambition keeps her going.
Even the sight of the cruise ship doesn't seem to shift her attitude too much. Only the slightest pause, a smirk, and she moves. Mostly out of a desire to seem accustomed to this kind of wealth. She's never /actually/ been on a proper cruise before. She's a homebody kind of girl, Kassie, thanks to a dojo as a kid.
"Ye-jin. I'm glad to see you're doing the Student Council proud! Good luck in your election. Well, I'm sure I have your vote anyway!" Smile. Once again, there's something missing in her voice. She walks on by without even a second glance she might otherwise bore into the young woman.
On they go, and Kassie eyes chocolates and nametags. Suddenly, she lets go of Anthy in a way /almost/ violent. But not quite. It's more like a dismissal from an angry, fickle liege.
"Anthy. Get us some chocolates and nametags." Her voice bristles a bit. Should a member of the Student Council actually need nametags? Well, she'll be a good guest for now. Her tone is commanding. And her glance to Anthy disdainful.
Then she finds her seat. A two-pair near Steven and Fuu, both of which threaten to put an actual smile on her face. One a dear friend, and one a nebulous enemy. She's glad, oddly, that she hasn't met Fuu on the field of battle in a while.
Otherwise, once Anthy returns, she keeps the Rose Bride's arm in one of hers with a motion that's...strangely close. Less like a lover, ad more like something apt to run away from her. Or not be able to keep up at her pace.
"Steve-kun. Fuu-chan. I'm glad to see you both." Her smile is only barely less hollow, but there's honest friendship and close-enough in it.
"It was..." It is a herculean effort to not choke. She buries the pain that threatens to well up. A glance to Steven, briefly.
"Busy. Campaigning is difficult, after all! Isn't that right, Anthy?" It's like she's making a joke without a punchline.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Cruises are not what usually comes to Niramo's mind when she thinks about how to end her second day back to school. Money that can be saved up for a cruise can be quickly used up on snacks, the newest figurines or bribing Takk with electronics so he won't dismantle everything in her house. A chance to enjoy a cruise that is being paid for by someone else, however, isn't something to miss, especially when the hostess is one Ye-jin Song. The hopeful council candidate from Ohtori is friendly enough, and despite the whisperings of just how ruthless any of those run for a position on the all-powerful Student Council must be, Niramo ignores those baseless rumors as just that.
Heading towards the pier with one eye on her phone, to make sure she was heading towards the right boat, Niramo Umokeshi is dressed for the occasion. Black flats compliment the silver anklet resting on one leg, and the dark blue sleeveless dress she wears is elegant in it's simplicity, the hem resting just below her knees and being easy to move in. The only other jewelry the ravenette wears this evening is a a pair of tiny ruby stud earrings, and her ponytail ends with a red ribbon, preventing her hair from becoming loose in the light breeze. Slipping her phone in a white leather purse and zipping it mostly closed, she nears the hostess of the evening, smile on her lips as she looks up at Ye-jin. If it appears a little tired and dimmer than usual, it can easily be accounted to nerves for the Juuban student. "Song-san, thank you very much for tonight. I'm sure you are going to be busy tonight, so I won't keep you long, but I wish you the best in your upcoming elections!"
Climbing aboard the house-like vessel via the plank, the name tags are immediately spotted first and given full attention over the mints and chocolate. After all, it's rude to eat and write your name at the same time, especially for a beautiful cruise like tonight. Sticking the name tag to the front of her dress, Niramo finally turns attention to the others at the table currently, and her smile grows happily as she recognizes several faces. "Steven-san, Fuu-san, Kasagamai-san! I honestly thought I was going to be assigned to a table of passengers I don't know, so i'm glad to see you all tonight."
Quickly taking a seat at the table and resting her purse in her lap, Niramo lets out a mournful sigh at Fuu's question. "A lot of fun, and relaxing, but way too short at the same time. Hopefully classes won't be too hard right off the bat."
Kasagami and Anthy are given a curious glance, with the outgoing Kasagami not quite her usual self tonight. Maybe she is dealing with nerves with the upcoming election? "It has to be, Kasagami-san, but I know you, and i'm positive you can win the election! I think Ye-jin-san might prefer that you win, honestly!"
Steven is certainly not forgotten, despite him being even shorter than Niramo. "And Steven-san, i'm glad to see you here tonight! You're looking very stylish tonight, even more than usual. Maybe I should introduce you to Yuhira-chan sometimes. She's terrible when it comes to sewing, but she knows almost everything there is to know about fashion!"
<Pose Tracker> Anthy Himemiya [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Anthy Himemiya tucks under the possessive arm of Kasagami Araki easily enough, partly enveloped by the fluttering sweep of the long dark coat behind and around her. Her dress for the evening has a high neck with a close collar, and a belled skirt with a seasonably springtime hem that floats just above her knees. It leaves her arms bare.
She's in a deeper, darker shade than some eyes may be accustomed to seeing on her, cut of exquisitely fitted charmeuse and unembellished. It perfectly matches the crimson of Kasagami's uniform.
Anthy notices the distress of her Engaged, absorbs the signs without a flutter of long dark eyelashes. Like reading the churn of heavy clouds overhead. She stays quiet until directly addressed.
The smile on her face is mild and pleasant and does not waver or change, no matter how curt that release and order are. "Yes, Araki-sama," and with an obedient little bob Anthy taps off on her low heels. She doesn't tarry.
The nametags and chocolates get set down in front of Kasagami on the table before Anthy settles into her low seat, tucking her legs to the side a little. There's two chocolates exactly, enough to count for a plural -- and many more tucked into Anthy's clutch for Chu-Chu, later.
"Here you are." She doesn't reach to retrieve a blank immediately, instead folding her hands in her lap, Kasagami always in her peripheral. But she keeps turning her head, scanning around them, as the room fills.
"It is," she agrees about the difficulty of campaigning as if ready to be asked. "Araki-sama has put in many late nights, and has fought so hard. Why, it was hardly a vacation at all..."
A polite laugh.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"The travails of the campaign trail are why I didn't want to run for Student Council proper," Fuu admits with a somewhat sheepish yet sympathetic smile for Kasagami. "Just being archery team captain is going to keep me busy enough, especially on top of homework, studying, programming, and my own practicing." She nearly adds another category to that list - but really, video games are the lowest priority in her regular activities, not something that should take time away from anything else.
Of course, that's not going to STOP her from playing RPGs when she can squeeze time in ...
Her attention shifts to Niramo, nodding in agreement. "They never do feel quite long enough, do they? Although the shorter turnaround has its advantages, especially compared to the three-month vacations they have in countries like America. I've heard students there lose something like half the material they studied the previous year by the time they start again in the fall."
<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
Steven puts his heroic crayon savior in the backpack with the rest of the league of crayons to properly sit at the table. He casually wonders jsut who he was sitting with... and is compfortably happy with who it ends up being! The first arrival is Fuu, dressed wonderfully as always. "Hi Fuu!" Steven says, waving to her on her approach. "It went good! I learned a lot even when out of school! Pearl always teaches me cool stuff when Im not busy with schoolwork."
The boy decides to try one of those mints. They look super yummy. "H-Hey Kasagami!" Steven seys, laughing a little during the greeting. Behind that laugh though, is something else. It sounds not quite fake, but perhaps a front with some genuine happy-to-see-you in there somewhere.
Anyone astute enough can tell Steven is looking through Kasagami in a way. A look of worry, attentiveness. How was she faring, he quietly wonders in the back of his mind. "Oh man, I bet!" he says, coming back to himself after Kasagami's response. "Ugh, there has to be some students who are a pain to deal with in that line of work. But I bet you can whip 'em into shape!" he says, holding a fist up.
She still seems distraught. But it is probably not anything he can fix with his words and good intentions alone. Time is the cure to all wounds. Perhaps it is what she needed. "Hi Miss Anthy!" Steven says on the lady's return. They are hanging out again! Man, they are really close. He should probably as /how/ close one day. Not in public though, of course!
"Haaay Niramo!" Steven calls out. "Why thank you madam, and same to you!" Someone who knows fashion, eh? "I am down for meeting any friend of yours! Just ah..." A pause. "...long as it doesn't involve suspicious contest tickets."
Forget that funhouse. GAWD.
<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Eventually, the guests are boarded. The plank between boat and shore is hauled in after Ye-jin herself scoots aboard. She tarries on the deck for a moment longer to speak with the staff, making short gestures and pointed motions as she passes on her instructions.
5rIn the meantime, the vessel starts to move. There's a noticeable rock as it parts from its port, treading toward the center of the river that cuts through Tokyo. When the windows are opened the guests can see skyscrapers and office buildings beginning to creep by at a snails pace. The water below is a somber blue, rippling gently outward, casting warped reflections of towering buildings in the afternoon light.
Ye-jin enters the rectangular cabin eventually, now bearing a microphone in hand. It's probably not really necessary, considering the confined space-but at least it isn't too loud, merely amplifying her voice a few octaves as she trills: "Hiii~" She waves in her most regal fashion, tilting her hand back and forth like a queen on parade. "It's so nice of you all to come. As you know, I'm Ye-jin Song, running for Ohtori student council vice president. Please enjoy yourselves!"
She spares her audience a longer speech, for now. Instead, she spends a few minutes wandering and conversing as several stall members arrive to begin distributing drinks. Tea seems to be the order of the day, though there are other beverages available on request.
Drinks for the table at the far end where all the friends and familiar faces have gathered is not, however, taken care of by a server. Ye-jin intercepts the woman carrying a tray of cups in their direction, choosing to ferry it over herself. She smiles as she does, greeting: "Kasagami-chan, I'm so glad you could make it. It's almost time, isn't it? And-Himemiya-san. Fuu-san, and Niramo-san." She sets a cup in front of each of them as she speaks their name.
And then there's Steven. It looks like she's misjudged her angle, or her reach, or something else, because after she leans to set Niramo's cup down in front of her she turns--and her arm swings the final cup right toward Steven's face. Not particularly hard or in any way that might cause any serious damage, but one that ensures he'll have a face full of refreshingly cool green tea should he not be paying attention.
<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Niramo has Kasagami blinking as she arrives! She's even dressed well enough! Call it her prejudices against Juuban, but she'd not expected it of the young woman! She wets her lips momentarily, and when the girl offers her such open support?
Well, it's a bit hard to /not/ feel heartened by such innocent support. It's like Niramo thinks so highly of her, that she herself is so innocent. Without any guilt in the death of an enemy.
For the briefest of seconds, her smile is her usual self. Arrogant, confident, and completely convinced of herself and her goals. It dies down, but it jarrs her awake.
That 'offness' doesn't go away, but her gaze is at least fully open.
"Well, who wouldn't, hm!? Ohtori must keep moving forward, and that requires new blood and new ways of thinking! Those with the Ambition to move forward..." Did she clench her jaw a second?
"No matter what hardships fall before them! Well of course! By the end of my campaign, Touga himself will be voting for me!" That whole self aggrandizement is...well, believable given it's Kasagami, but the fire is down just slightly enough as to perhaps be a joke. Which is it?
Twitch. An eyebrow flinches. Still, Kasagami doesn't give the silent order to fill out the tags. No, she has pride and a purpose here. At least she has chocolate. Yoink. Rip. Chomp. Anger is good. Anger makes her focus and /forget/.
Wince. "Many latet nights. All so I can provide for the many students at Ohtori and our Sister Schools beyond!" That much at least is true. She feels she can do better than Touga, if she simply had the position and power. If /only/ she can climb that high! A glare at Anthy is real though. It's like a thorn being stabbed into her temple.
Fuu does get the lightest of smiles. "I suppose you're very busy, Fuu-chan. Well, I can appreciate you giving your all into what you strive to be! That's the only way to better yourself." Another thing she can believe in, not question. Her eye narrows.
"Of course if you don't give me at least one dance on this cruise, I might just suggest that you haven't been keeping up with your athletics! I would weep to my soul if someone as beautiful as you denied me that on vacation!" That's a little more like Kassie.
/Steven/! She looks away from the look briefly, and manages a short smile. "Hah! Of course I can! A bunch of slackers, truly! Once I'm Student Council President, I will make sure every delinquent in school knows the price, or be expelled!" One hand smacks the other in fists atop! This is her Disciplinary Executive spirit flaring for a bit!
She holds in a sigh, and flumps back down. A smirk to YJ. She looks...tired.
"It is. Now it's just up to the best of our ability and our opponents. May our blades strike first at the heart of the matter." Almost fatalistic, that.
A glance. Tea at Steven!?
What will Steve-kun do? A glance to Anthy. Glaaaaare.
"Anthy? Get some extra napkins." She commands! ...Poor Steve?
<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
Steven looks toward that stage that Ye-Jin takes. Such a kind person to host such an event! The boy claps for the lady, even without the speech! It isn't a standing ovation or anything, but she deserves something! Being up on stage can be scary in front of a large crowd.
And on top of it, the lady opts to serve the group drinks as well! So nice of her! Wow! "Hi Miss Ye-jin! Thank you so much for letting me come!" the boy lets out, enthusiasm dripping from the sentence. "Oh, wow! Tea!" The boy doesn't drink it too often despite having moved to where it is really prominent. Maybe that should change!
The boy watches with great itnerest as the tea is served.
Have you ever watched something with so much attentiveness that you actually miss something due to over-focusing?
Because Steven did. He missed the part where the tea left the glass and flew like a liquid missile at his face. Ye-Jin's aim was strong, and the watery impact sends his poofy hair upward, then sagging down near over his eyes from waterweight, the tea coats his face and effectively douses his beach shirt style. "BUH!" he lets out in reaction. "Oh man, my shirt! And my tag!" That star is a blob now. "Wait, I have a solution!" The boy quickly digs into his backpack, and pulls out one of his usual shirts! "I can go change real quick! I got-- wait."
There are perfect holes punched through the fabric in places all over the shirt. "Right. The laser." The boy stuffs the shirt back in the backpack.
No further context is given.
Instead, he goes to reach for napkins. "Its fine, Miss Ye-Jin! Was an accident I am sure."
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Steven's awkward pause, and the comment about suspicious contest tickets, prompt a sympathetic nod from Fuu. "I've started keeping track of any time I enter a drawing or other contest," she observes. "It's a very short list, so far, nonexistent really - but I have a note file on my phone for when I *do* enter something."
She inclines her head briefly (and belatedly) to Anthy, "We've crossed paths quite a few times, but I'm not sure we've met properly before now? Fuu Hououji, entering the tenth grade at Infinity Institute, captain of the high-school-level archery team. It's a pleasure to meet you --"
Which is as far as she gets before Ye-jin arrives, placing cups of tea before several of them, and ... Fuu can only presume it was a genuine accident, or a badly-timed distraction, or something which results in a faceful of tea for the youngest student at their table. Either way, the bespectacled girl in the green dress winces sympathetically, and offers a handkerchief so Steven can at least wipe his face dry.
<Pose Tracker> Utena Tenjou [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed. <SoundTracker> Anthem - Superchick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7jW4zuw3Pc
Row.
There's only one place to escape to, when Utena is upset: her own body. Making it burn, pushing it to its limits and past them, and in so doing, pushing her problems away, too. Whether it's running away or running towards doesn't matter. It's the running itself that matters.
Row.
Or the rowing itself, as the case may be. There is something about the vast and open feeling of being alone out on the water that grants her an extra measure of peace -- or at least solitude. Wherever it's from, Utena's scull boat is au natural -- wood, finished in transparent fiberglass, every strut and bracket revealed. Like an exposed nerve, it's a raw vision.
Row.
They strain and creak as her twin oars slice through the surface of the bay like knives, and she strains and creaks, too. She isn't what she once was, but there's a strong sense that she will be again, and soon, and it will be the product of hearty eating, exercising until she collapses, sleeping like a stone, then repeating the process. And love^H^H^H^Hfriendship. And grief.
Row.
Every stroke is a small explosion.
Ignition! Utena SLAMS backwards, her seat all but raising sparks on its tracks, her legs pushing her back even as it pulls the oars through the water. Halfway back she draws her core into it, leaning into the motion by leaning away from it. Three-quarters back her arms get into the act, and with a soft grunt she draws them, and the ends of the poles, to her chest.
Then she repeats the act in reverse as she slides back forward, while her fingers jerk the oars to lie parallel to the bay, a hair's breadth above the water, which requires a different type of precision and control.
Legs-core-arms. Arms-core-legs. Out -- in -- out -- in -- out.
In -- the taste of concrete. Out -- the smell of roses.
She squints, glaring against the setting sun, and her stroke is not disrupted. Harder. Harder. She's rowing against the wind, which has the added benefit of making it even harder for herself, while blowing her long, long pink hair, constrained only by a ponytail so high that it's almost a topknot, conveniently behind her instead of into her face.
And it makes her burn even more hotly, stoking the flames pouring down every nerve and through every muscle. She's on fire, and sets that pain against the other and finds it still wanting.
ROW. Rather than diverting her course from the much larger party boat, Utena elects to drive herself alongside it. It's like a man racing a locomotive. This does not deter her. She is smaller, lighter, and, proportionally speaking, has a better engine. And also her taste for the impossible has been whetted. She rows hungry.
In -- green. Out -- red. In -- yellow. Out -- blue.
ROW! ROW! ROW!
Cutting an elegant and sporty figure across the water -- certainly in shouting distance, and impossible, with that combination of shorts, sports bra and especially that hair to be mistaken for anyone else -- Utena pours herself into every stroke more fiercely than the last.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed. A quick twist and shift of the boat is enough to tilt the ship slightly from perfectly horizantal, but it's only given a passing pause from Niramo before she goes back to talking to her friends. That, and she's sure the view outside the window will become even better once they are fully underway on the cruise along the Tokyo Bay. As Anthy returns to her seat, Niramo bows her head slightly in greetings. "Anthy-san, i'm glad to see you again! With spring break over, i'm sure taking care of all the roses at Ohtori must be challenging this time of the year. I...tend to have a brown thumb when it comes to gardening, but if you have any tips to share, I would really appreciate it!"
Hearing Fuu mention programming to Kasagami surprises Niramo, and she gives the Infinity archery club member a surprised look. "Wait, Fuu-san, you program computer programs too? You would be the third person I know who can do that, but computer code looks like ancient Greek to me. And as much as I love summer break, three months is too long. Maybe the reason why American schools are behind in education are because of the long breaks. It has to be a month of remedial classes before the students can learn anything new."
A reminder of those theme park tickets causes Niramo to shudder slightly, and she quickly nods her head. "Trust me, i'm going to just ignore any free theme park tickets in the future if I can help it. I think I finally got the last of the glitter out of my hair last night. Never, and I do mean never go near glitter with long hair, Steven-san. You might want to tell Amethyst-san that, too!"
Hearing Kasagami regain her inner drive and fire, even if just for a moment, is enough to give the hopeful president elect a large smile in return. While it's clear to Niramo that her friend still has some lingering doubts, kind words and encouragement will save the day, and maybe even the election. "Well, i'll be wishing the best for you, Kasagami-san, and i'll think of some way to help you celebrate. I may not be at Ohtori, but I do spread a good word about you at Juuban!"
Ye-jin delivering drinks to their table is most certainly surprising, but Niramo accepts her cup of tea gratefully. "Once again, thank you for having me come, Ye-jin-san. Hopefully when both of you win, you'll both work together for the betterment for Ohtori!" The ravenette would say more, but an errant cup of tea sent flying towards Steven ruins his hair and his shirt with the cool brewed liquid, but Niramo has come prepared for the occasion! Unzipping her purse halfway, Niramo pulls out a small, fluffy brown towel and offers it to Steven. "Steven-san, here. It's not a top hat, but it can help. You can at least dry your hair before you change shirts...?" The perfectly cut holes in the replacement shirt, as well as the reason why, are bizarre, but you don't become friends with Steven Universe without realizing that bizarre things do happen around the boy from time to time. And case in point, through the window besides the table, it would be almost impossible to miss the woman rowing out among the bay, and...was she actually gaining upon the house vessel? It takes a moment for Niramo to realize that her mouth has slightly dropped open in surprise at the sight, and she motions outwards, towards the bay. "Am...I the only one seeing this? Being able to catch up with a boat like this is amazing!"
<Pose Tracker> Anthy Himemiya [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
All are aboard. The party is as full as it will get, thanks to the isolating nature of the venue. Thin comfort as far as Anthy Himemiya is concerned, but it is something. It's better, too, to be seated instead of anywhere near a dance floor and the attention such can bring. Thus far, there is no sign of Femio...
She keeps smiling.
Anthy smiles when Kasagami glares at her. She smiles to Fuu when the other girl begins to introduce herself, to Niramo's cheerful gardem chatter. She smiles when Ye-jin greets them and personally delivers their tea, Steven's with somewhat more force than the others. She smiles, to be ordered by the girl who brought her along to fetch napkins like one of the staff instead of chosen company, and she moves to obey, as always. "Oh! Pardon me. Right away, Araki-sama. Please, Steven-san, wait here."
With a dainty gathering of self and skirt she rises from their shared table. A nearby server station has napkins in great towering stacks, over between tables and windows, and there Anthy heads with a smile for anyone who glances her way. She lays brown piano fingers atop one stack, thumb riffling down the side to measure a handful for bringing back.
The water beyond the windows is dark, hard to even see as the evening creeps onward. Utena Tenjou slices into her field of vision in the same way that her oars slice through the river, strong and bold and sure. And impossible, gallantly, gloriously impossible.
Anthy's smile falters, forgotten. Only for a single breath: out -- in. It resumes, flickering back to life like a lightbulb tightened into its socket.
Pretending like she has not seen a thing, Anthy retrieves her stack of napkins and brings it back to the table. She also pretends not to hear Niramo's related outburst. "Here you go, Steven-san." But she's forgotten the previous conversation threads, and she doesn't sit down immediately, like she's forgotten to do that, too.
<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"Aaah, I'm soooo sorry!" Ye-jin frets, setting to action immediately. She reaches for the nearest napkins herself, grabbing a handful and mashing them against Steven's face despite Niramo's offered towel. There's a lot of napkin pressing, hurried motions to clean her unfortunate guest. "Let me help, Universe-san." She scrubs. Hard. Like she's trying more to remove his face than the moisture from it.
She does relent, eventually. She touches her fingers and thumbs together, making OK circles with each hand. "<All dry!>" She states, in passable English. He doesn't get another drink, though.
Instead, she's distracted by the shape that Niramo points out at the window. Her task forgotten, the girl rises to peer down at Utena and the canoe she powers alongside the ornate boat they ride in. "Eh?" She squints in the fading light, focusing her gaze. The figure is unfamiliar, and though she's heard word of Ohtori's Utena Tenjou before she's unable to put any immediate name to the pink-haired athlete. "What does she think she's doing?" Her words don't hint not at irritation, but bemusement at the extraordinary efforts of the rower.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Steven's awkward pause, and the comment about suspicious contest tickets, prompt a sympathetic nod from Fuu. "I've started keeping track of any time I enter a drawing or other contest," she observes. "It's a very short list, so far, nonexistent really - but I have a note file on my phone for when I *do* enter something."
She inclines her head briefly (and belatedly) to Anthy, "We've crossed paths quite a few times, but I'm not sure we've met properly before now? Fuu Hououji, entering the tenth grade at Infinity Institute, captain of the high-school-level archery team. It's a pleasure to meet you --"
Which is as far as she gets before Ye-jin arrives, placing cups of tea before several of them, and ... Fuu can only presume it was a genuine accident, or a badly-timed distraction, or something which results in a faceful of tea for the youngest student at their table. Either way, the bespectacled girl in the green dress winces sympathetically, and offers a handkerchief so Steven can at least wipe his face dry.
<Pose Tracker> Utena Tenjou [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Row.
There's only one place to escape to, when Utena is upset: her own body. Making it burn, pushing it to its limits and past them, and in so doing, pushing her problems away, too. Whether it's running away or running towards doesn't matter. It's the running itself that matters.
Row.
Or the rowing itself, as the case may be. There is something about the vast and open feeling of being alone out on the water that grants her an extra measure of peace -- or at least solitude. Wherever it's from, Utena's scull boat is au natural -- wood, finished in transparent fiberglass, every strut and bracket revealed. Like an exposed nerve, it's a raw vision.
Row.
They strain and creak as her twin oars slice through the surface of the bay like knives, and she strains and creaks, too. She isn't what she once was, but there's a strong sense that she will be again, and soon, and it will be the product of hearty eating, exercising until she collapses, sleeping like a stone, then repeating the process. And love^H^H^H^Hfriendship. And grief.
Row.
Every stroke is a small explosion.
Ignition! Utena SLAMS backwards, her seat all but raising sparks on its tracks, her legs pushing her back even as it pulls the oars through the water. Halfway back she draws her core into it, leaning into the motion by leaning away from it. Three-quarters back her arms get into the act, and with a soft grunt she draws them, and the ends of the poles, to her chest. Then she repeats the act in reverse as she slides back forward, while her fingers jerk the oars to lie parallel to the bay, a hair's breadth above the water, which requires a different type of precision and control.
Legs-core-arms. Arms-core-legs. Out -- in -- out -- in -- out.
In -- the taste of concrete. Out -- the smell of roses.
She squints, glaring against the setting sun, and her stroke is not disrupted. Harder. Harder. She's rowing against the wind, which has the added benefit of making it even harder for herself, while blowing her long, long pink hair, constrained only by a ponytail so high that it's almost a topknot, conveniently behind her instead of into her face.
And it makes her burn even more hotly, stoking the flames pouring down every nerve and through every muscle. She's on fire, and sets that pain against the other and finds it still wanting.
ROW.
Rather than diverting her course from the much larger party boat, Utena elects to drive herself alongside it. It's like a man racing a locomotive. This does not deter her. She is smaller, lighter, and, proportionally speaking, has a better engine. And also her taste for the impossible has been whetted. She rows hungry.
In -- green. Out -- red. In -- yellow. Out -- blue.
ROW! ROW! ROW!
Cutting an elegant and sporty figure across the water -- certainly in shouting distance, and impossible, with that combination of shorts, sports bra and especially that hair to be mistaken for anyone else -- Utena pours herself into every stroke more fiercely than the last.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
A quick twist and shift of the boat is enough to tilt the ship slightly from perfectly horizantal, but it's only given a passing pause from Niramo before she goes back to talking to her friends. That, and she's sure the view outside the window will become even better once they are fully underway on the cruise along the Tokyo Bay. As Anthy returns to her seat, Niramo bows her head slightly in greetings. "Anthy-san, i'm glad to see you again! With spring break over, i'm sure taking care of all the roses at Ohtori must be challenging this time of the year. I...tend to have a brown thumb when it comes to gardening, but if you have any tips to share, I would really appreciate it!"
Hearing Fuu mention programming to Kasagami surprises Niramo, and she gives the Infinity archery club member a surprised look. "Wait, Fuu-san, you program computer programs too? You would be the third person I know who can do that, but computer code looks like ancient Greek to me. And as much as I love summer break, three months is too long. Maybe the reason why American schools are behind in education are because of the long breaks. It has to be a month of remedial classes before the students can learn anything new."
A reminder of those theme park tickets causes Niramo to shudder slightly, and she quickly nods her head. "Trust me, i'm going to just ignore any free theme park tickets in the future if I can help it. I think I finally got the last of the glitter out of my hair last night. Never, and I do mean never go near glitter with long hair, Steven-san. You might want to tell Amethyst-san that, too!"
Hearing Kasagami regain her inner drive and fire, even if just for a moment, is enough to give the hopeful president elect a large smile in return. While it's clear to Niramo that her friend still has some lingering doubts, kind words and encouragement will save the day, and maybe even the election. "Well, i'll be wishing the best for you, Kasagami-san, and i'll think of some way to help you celebrate. I may not be at Ohtori, but I do spread a good word about you at Juuban!"
Ye-jin delivering drinks to their table is most certainly surprising, but Niramo accepts her cup of tea gratefully. "Once again, thank you for having me come, Ye-jin-san. Hopefully when both of you win, you'll both work together for the betterment for Ohtori!" The ravenette would say more, but an errant cup of tea sent flying towards Steven ruins his hair and his shirt with the cool brewed liquid, but Niramo has come prepared for the occasion! Unzipping her purse halfway, Niramo pulls out a small, fluffy brown towel and offers it to Steven. "Steven-san, here. It's not a top hat, but it can help. You can at least dry your hair before you change shirts...?" The perfectly cut holes in the replacement shirt, as well as the reason why, are bizarre, but you don't become friends with Steven Universe without realizing that bizarre things do happen around the boy from time to time. And case in point, through the window besides the table, it would be almost impossible to miss the woman rowing out among the bay, and...was she actually gaining upon the house vessel? It takes a moment for Niramo to realize that her mouth has slightly dropped open in surprise at the sight, and she motions outwards, towards the bay. "Am...I the only one seeing this? Being able to catch up with a boat like this is amazing!"
<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
At least it wasn't /hot/ tea. Kinda feels good! If it wasn't so embarrassing it might've been fine to stay like this! "Oh man, I bet you were combing that out for hours." The boy actually holds back a bit of a laugh. It was a /little/ funny. Though the aftermath isn't. "I will certainly pass that knowledge on for you!" Of course Amethyst would probably just shapeshift her hair away to make it all fall out ,then grow it back or something. But best not to say that aloud!
"Thanks everyone!" he says, using the combination of provided drying fabrics from Anthy, Fuu and Niramo, but is intercepted before he can put them to use. "U-U-U-Uh!" he lets out while it feels like a belt sander with a towel stapled to it is applied to his face. Ye-Jin stops, and Steven sees spots for a few seconds. His face is rather red, but it is hard to tell if it is from being the victim of this event or if Ye-Jin managed to take some skin with her.
"Who?" he asks, looking up from rubbing his face. "Oh jeez, they are hauling!" The aptitude that person has for rowing is amazing. Is there a canoe team or something at the Sister Schools? She could be the captain! "I like her hair! Reminds me of my mom's," he comments. That girl's is straight, but still that vibrant, inviting shake of pink.
"Thank you by the way, Miss Ye-Jin!" He was a little suspicious of that cleaning for some reason, but it could be she just wanted to /really/ help. Too much effort. Ugh. His face stings a bit. That was english she used too... huh.
<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Curse her heart, but Kasagami finds Niramo's offer far too satisfying. And innocent. Maybe it won't get her elected. But she can at least use her friend's kind offer in a way to help out her school.
"I'd be honored if you did, Nira-chan! Especially if you whisper into the ears of anyone who's a friend of Ami Mizuno. Or her, for that matter. A little reminder that there's...other choices for those with exceptional talents and who are interesting!" Her look to Nira is that same one meant to entice, challenge, though it's a little harder than usual.
There's no real significance behind it. For once, this is stress taking it's toll on Kasagami. A little bit of her veneer chips away again, a small peek at the troubled girl beneath that others at this table have seen closer to full.
Kasagami ignores Nira's outburst in favor of Steven and Anthy at first. She sips her tea, lost in her own world for a moment. Really, YJ is good at tea. Another few sips, and she smiles as Anthy acts like the hired help. As it should be. She was worthless. Was /slow/. The look she gives to Anthy's back is one of contempt. And blame, irrational as it is.
The mood around the One Engaged sinks lower.
And Anthy pauses. Ye-jin beats her to most of the punch. Anthy merely offers napkins, and remains standing. Teeth grit.
"Anthy! Are you entirely useless!? Didn't I...nevermind, just stop staring and sit back down!" Comes Kassie's sudden, blunt outburst. It's commanding, and even a little rude. Edges of stress and blame and loss creep in it. Few have heard her like this.
And then Ye-jin finally makes her look out to the window. Even if it weren't for that iconic red and black, she'd know those flowing pink tresses anywhere. Her voice dies. Whatever else she was going to blame Anthy for, her whole world becomes a single young woman in a boat rowing like satan was nipping at her heels. Her eye goes utterly wide. A glance away. Then another as if she can't believe what she's seeing. Then yet one more. Teeth grind.
In Pink.
Out?
A snarl of rose-tinted red. Frustration. A lot of disbelief, and then a laugh that's so hollow as to be sung into a flute. That's the only thing she can manage to dredge up. A look over to Anthy.
"Will she actually make it?" Ordinarily it'd be a challenging, mocking question.
Instead her tone is a mixture of 'how dare she try' and 'why does she bother'? More cracks, even as she once again peers out. Her world shrinks for moments to watch Utena's progress. Hands clench, and even she isn't quite sure why.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Fuu isn't even looking out at the racing scull when Utena comes barreling along - but she doesn't need to be looking to realize something Unusual is going on. Partly it's the reactions of the others around her, partly the soft but decidedly atypical noises that manage to cross the distance between the smaller boat and the larger one. And she actually does take a look out there to see who and what it is.
... not that she can quite recognize Utena from here - they mostly crossed paths rather than actually *meeting*, to the best of Fuu's recollection.
But speaking of meetings, between Ye-jin and Kasagami, Fuu actually has a name to go with the dusky-skinned, purple-haired young lady who's been accompanying Kasagami so often lately. "A pleasure to meet you, Anthy-san," Fuu says with a quick, friendly smile and a polite bow of her head.
Kasagami gets a slightly less friendly look - not that Fuu intends to make a scene, particularly when there are much more deserving instigators of social unrest - but it's just enough to give away that Fuu is conscious of something that she doesn't really approve of. Not that it's necessarily her place to approve or disapprove ... but just because she won't act on it directly doesn't mean it won't have an impact on something, somewhere, at some time.
For now, though? That glance is pretty much given in passing before Fuu looks out at the racing scull once again, actively curious about not only who's on it, but what drove her to make up *that* kind of speed and distance. If she was even trying purposefully to do so ...
<Pose Tracker> Utena Tenjou [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
There is a wonderful, magical moment where Utena pulls ahead of the ship; it takes everything she has to do it, and then the ship accelerates and blows past her and everyone gets a good shot of the goofy-from-exercise-exhaustion grin on her face as she wipes her brow and takes a break.
She can't see any particular person through the windows, but she waves at the ship as it passes her, flipping a merry salute at the end.
And then she picks up her oars, and rows on....
<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"You're welcome, Steven-san." Ye-jin offers in reply. Her smile is bright, if somewhat distracted.
Not distracted enough that she doesn't feel some pretty satisfaction. That'll teach him.
She notes Kasagami's irritation, and the brief conversation that the Engaged shares with her companion. She, perhaps, misinterprets their familiarity with the girl rowing beside the boat. "Oh," Ye-jin asks, "Do you know her?"
Her eyes remain on the shape out the window, head tilting as it pulls ahead, remains there in the lead. It's impressive, no matter how short lived it may be. Ye-jin herself makes no motion in reply to Utena's wave, but no doubt at least some aboard the ship will return it as the rower vanishes into the dark and the ship continues its course out onto the bay.
"Hmm. What's the point of that?" The girl blows out a breath, refocusing and turning her gaze around the table again. "Oh, Hououji-san, you were talking about dancing?" Kasagami was, but Ye-jin was busy smushing Steven's face. "You know, the sister schools dance clubs are recruiting, if you're interested. Kasagami-chan, Himemiya-san, you should come by. I'm sure there's one at Juuban, too..." She pauses, and asks toward Niramo and Steven: "Isn't there?"
<Pose Tracker> Anthy Himemiya [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Anthy Himemiya plops down into her seat on the heels of that whiplash command, like someone has jerked invisible strings attached to her elbows and hips. The stack of napkins hits the table a little crookedy and they make a mess, scattering atop nametags that have not yet been filled out.
She doesn't defend herself against the charge of uselessness, just takes it... with a smile, though a smaller one. Anthy's face casts downward, and her lashes curl thickly enough to entirely mask the disposition of the emerald behind them. The bearer of those lashes sees through them, their very closeness blurring and parting the veil. She watches as Kasagami Araki sees. And she watches out of the window.
Kasagami asks, but her answer is as deferred as the napkin fetching was, and by the same spectacle -- though that cause would be difficult to divine, unless one was truly interested in the reactions and emotions of the Rose Bride.
The most impossible thing about Utena Tenjou, in this moment -- it changes day by day, as far as Anthy Himemiya can tell -- is not the way her finely tuned but human muscles outpace the cruise boat's engines. It is how impossible she makes it for Anthy to look away. With some effort, she does not crane her neck to follow the smaller craft as it falls out of sight beyond the windows. Finally she replies, "Does it matter, if she only makes it for a moment? She's already gone again."
And turns to Fuu's insistent, friendly introduction. "Houoji-san, it is nice to meet you, too. I am with Araki-sama ... at Ohtori." There's /just/ enough of a beat there to make one wonder. Anthy's smile says that there is nothing wrong at all.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Sighing softly, Niramo stuffs the towel back into her purse, but at least Steven will be dry, even if a little red and scrubbed much harder than needed. "Well, that was very kind of you, Ye-jin-san. Steven-san, we can split my tea! And...you have no idea, Steven-san." Reaching over for Steven's tipped cup, she uprights it then pours some of her tea inside. Just because he has a green tea facial doesn't mean he shouldn't be able to enjoy it either.
However, Kasagami's almost sudden mood shift and losing her temper at Anthy ruins the mood for a moment, and the younger student doesn't hide the worry on her face. Kasagami has always been confident, outgoing and charasmatic in the past, filled with the Ambition and determination that makes her stand out among the crowd. The Kasagami at the table, however, is almost another person entirely that is only wearing the appearence of the Student Council member, and it a little scary to see her quite like this. While she doesn't say anything out loud, she makes the note to keep a closer eye on her scarred friend tonight.
Even if it just for a moment, the fact that a single woman can, through determination and an out-going attitude, can actually pass the vessel the party is on is impressive, and a slight smile lands on her lips again at the momentary victory. "She can be an inspiration for others, whoever she is..."
The topic of dancing, despite whoever brought it up, is more than enough to wipe that smile off Niramo's lips once more. "Uh...to be honest, I don't think there -is- a dance club, or classes about dancing being taught at Juuban, but maybe in high school. And I never even tried formal dancing before, so I know i'm going to be terrible at it. I think i'll leave the dancing to those who actually practice it!"
<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
The boys face aches a bit, but not enough to distract him from noticing that Kasagami is... really laying in to her friend. What is up with that? Is what is bothering her so bad that she is lashing out at others? No-- it just seems to particularly be Anthy. Ah, well at least she is bearing it. Must either be something that she bears for the sake of the friendship, or Anthy is literally tuning out her bad vibes.
Either way, good on you, Anthy. Good on you.
"Ah..." the boy lets out, as if his mouth was moving before a thought could process. "I don't... think so? I am only in the Cooking Club at the moment, though I did sign up for another one!" the boy states proudly, glancing to Kasagami. She knows the one.
"Haha, that pink haired girl got beat by the wake of the ship!" he says, looking out the window for a second. "Looks like she had fun at least." The waves of the seas are always inviting. Surfing, canoeing, swimming... part of him wishes she had a spare canoe out there, and he would just Bubble Shield and leap from the ship to join her! It looks so much fun. But maybe another time. Right now, there is fun to be had here!
Thankfully the stinging as subsided for the most part, so the boy is beginning to perk back up. "Oh, thanks, Niramo!" he says, bowing politely to the young lady. "Yeah, I dont think I know anyone thats really a dancer. I think? I mostly know musicians. I mean, I bet there would be interest if someone did start the club."
<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
That unfriendly look is met with...not quite a direct look, but a side-eye. Kasagami's gaze doesn't seem to change. Frustration, annoyance, maybe a little despair? A hint, perhaps. She looks /through/ Fuu, at least until her world is stitched back to reality. Something is /not/ right with Kasagami Araki. She's usually so much better than this.
It takes everything that she has as a person, as a magical girl, as a Duelist and One Engaged to suck down the sob that the goofy exhausted look almost makes her shove out. She goes stock still, a frame caught on camera. That is the look of an exhausted Utena Tenjou. A girl she honestly once felt was a friend and a rival. That look at one time might have brought her joy and happiness.
Now it tastes like ashes and looks like absurdity. The kind that makes her heart pound in unpleasant ways.
Kasagami has been staring at the table for a few seconds too long after that. "What...?" Is Kasagami's response to Ye-jin at first. A blink. She hardens up in an instant, sitting up and her body's way too stiff suddenly. "Maybe. It's hard to tell. What idiot would be rowing out into the ocean right now anyway?" Is there bitterness there? Oh yes. Yeah, she definitely knows that girl.
Clubs and dancing get her attention though. Cough. "Of course. Maybe then I will get a dance with you, Ye-jin! Be careful though, we might together dazzle half of the club into leaving in shame. So maybe we'll fill in when it's time for recruitment, hmm?" Wink!
She feels off her game even now. She's tense. Pink dances across her eyes.
A sigh. "A single frame in a movie, perhaps?" Kasagami replies to Anthy, a glance to her. It's almost, distant the way she sounds. She hides her mouth in tea. Siiiiip. It isn't enough. If nothing else, she'll drown herself in delicious food and drink to distract from the /now/!
"Anthy. Make sure no one goes hungry or thirsty tonight, mmm?" Niramo might well be right. Kasagami is /not/ herself, and it shows. One elbow goes to the table, and she looks down. Staring at an empty cup. Her command is imperious.
Clubs. That much, at least, has her smiling. Like glass. "If they don't have classes like that? Maybe I should come and yell at whoever hasn't approved one." The tone in her voice isn't pleasant. Lord help anyone who might deny Juuban it's dance club now, unless less depressed and brooding heads prevail.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Even without knowing Kasagami as closely as she probably should - as she would want to, if they weren't so often at loggerheads - Fuu can tell that Kasagami is not at her best today. Not so much 'short of the ideal she strives to be,' but 'not up to her usual standards'. Or something. Maybe that's all it is ... certainly, Fuu herself is still troubled by the funhouse incident; who knows what Kasagami's had to go through over the break?
... not that this necessarily excuses her treatment of Anthy, but ... definitely not a matter to pursue here or now. They were invited out here to savor a spring day before classes resume in full earnest; Fuu certainly doesn't want to sully *that* with unpleasant interpersonal matters.
"I'm not that much of a dancer," Fuu demurs to Ye-jin. "I've learned some basics, like any student these days, but --" She pauses abruptly, pursing her lips. "-- actually, if you have a flyer or something, I might give it some thought. It helps to have a reason to want to learn, right? I doubt I'll be ... cutting rugs? ... with any regularity, but we'll see if I come up with good reasons to become a better dancer."
"Anyway, Niramo-san, you were asking about programming?" Fuu fishes back in her memory for the conversational thread which was left unconnected to any follow-up. "It's somewhat specialized - I'd like to design and develop video games, and I have a few projects I've been working on at various stages. Mostly I've been working in RPG Maker and IG Maker; they take a lot of the nitty-gritty of actual programming out of the picture ... but you *do* still need to know what you're making, and how to make the game work the way you intend, so I wouldn't call them much easier than programming. And they do have their limits ... which is where the ability to write proper code can help compensate for the software's limits by writing your own."
<Pose Tracker> Anthy Himemiya [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
The odd tone and turn of Kasagami's reply regarding Utena does not escape the notice of the Bride. Anthy gives her Engaged a long look before finally straightening in her seat. She begins to tidy up the scattered napkins, one by one, carefully refolding each before replacing it on a stack that slowly grows.
"...Yes, of course, Araki-sama," she says. "Whatever you need, I am more than happy to provide."
With a sweep of the crimson bell of her skirt she's up again, engaging in a dance familiar to her in its servility. She disappears into the role, executing with grace and perfection the task given her. It just so happens that a new glass needs refilling right as she returns with some more chocolates; or more napkins are needed, can't sit down just yet.
So it is that the Bride isolates herself within service with a smile. A single frame from a movie, was it? She sees it. The bubble of privacy afforded by her industrious bustle lets Anthy play the whole rowing sequence over and over in her mind's eye. It aches like picking at a pink scab. She looked... hale.
Her grin was so big and so broad and /her/.
Anthy remembers suppressing a twitch of her arm well before the impulse to wave back ever came to fruition. She smiles, she /smiles/, and she gets back to work while the crowd parties around her. "Have some more tea, Araki-sama."
<Pose Tracker> Ye-jin Song [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"If the boat is always going to win," Ye-jin comments, "What's the point of making the challenge? It's better to know your limits, isn't it?" She smiles, and this one might be a few degrees colder.
Niramo's suggestion that dance club doesn't exist Juuban draws a theatrical gasp of surprise from Ye-jin, the girl raising a hand to cover her mouth from the shock. "Really? Can they not afford it? How terrible." By now she's waved over a server to bring her own cup, which she sips from daintily. "You're always welcome to come by Ohtori's club, if you'd like to learn. It's not all formal dancing, you know."
To Kasagami she gives a placating smile, replying, "If you do a good job, of course we could dance together, Kasagami-chan. I'll look forward to it." She regards the disciplinary executive for a moment more, perhaps considering the tightness of her words, but says nothing.
Except: "Himemiya-san, the staff can handle our guests." It's more out of pride than any attempt to spare the girl. There are questions she has about the relationship between Anthy and Kasagami, but she neither voices them nor casts even a glance askance at the tone that Kasagami takes with her companion. Complicated as their relationship may be, on the surface it's one Ye-jin understands well enough: One who has worth, and one who does not.
To Fuu, she replies, "I'll give you the information before you leave, Hououji-san." She doesn't last long after that, her attention soon flitting away as Niramo and Fuu engage in more technical talk. Things she doesn't follow, or care to learn. And, eventually, she rises from her seat again. "I have to go make sure everyone else is having fun-I'll be back later." She waves both hands, and sets off to mingle. Soon after food is delivered, ornate bento boxes packing hearty dinner fares.
BGM: Midnight Cruise - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXhpx1QqqtE
The sunk sinks, and the city turns into lights. The paper lanterns that dangle from the side of the boat begin to glow a brilliant red, and the lights of Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge can be see in the distance behind. Glimmering white squares fill the horizon in one direction, and a vast empty sea stretches across the other, disturbed only by the blinking of other vessels crawling across it's surface.
Spring will be over soon, but tonight the weather is nice and the city is bright. There's still a little time left to enjoy.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"Wait, you know musicians, Steven-san? Do you perhaps play as well? I have messed with a flute once, but that's about all my experience when it comes to playing music. I would much rather listen to it, you know?" Niramo was hoping to turn the topic away from Juuban and the possibility of a dance club, especially if Kasagami was going to get involved. She's not quite sure how Juuban will handle having Kasagami Araki create a new club just because it needs it.
Fuu explaining exactly what kind of programming that she works with is actually more interesting that she had expected, especially the subject matter. "Wait, there's programs to make your own games? Do you need any sort of play testing or feedback? I have a soft spot for fantasy-style RPGs, but it's hard to find one that really stands out and isn't too generic!" It might be a little unexpected of those that didn't know Niramo all that well, but one of her favorite activities to do after school was to lose herself in the latest game or book.
While she half-expected the jab against Juuban, it still hurts as Ye-jin ponders if Juuban is just that poor. Then again, she remembers how Kasagami came to Juuban to fix the stoves in the home economics room herself after a few class clowns broke them. Maybe she just needs to spend more time around Juuban? "We're not that poor, but...maybe I might take you up on the offer, Ye-jin-san. I been on the dance floor once, and I mostly just flailed around. I just went with 'the funky flow', and it works, but some official instructions might be nice!"
