2020-05-20 - Uminari Matsuri: Everyone Wins At Senbonbiki

Uminari Matsuri: Everyone Wins At Senbonbiki
Summary: Yamamoto Fishing Industries teams up with local clients for a festival in Tokyo
Who: Ai Yamamoto, Inori Yamabuki, Kasagami Araki, Mikoto Minagi, Setsuna Higashi, Steven Universe, Chitose Shiratori
Where: Uminari Seaside Park
OOC - IC Date: July 23, 2020 - 08-29-15

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed. What's a festival without a Senbonbiki stall? A game to test your luck by pulling on a string, that may or may not be hidden. Sadly, this is one of the hidden types, making things a bit more challenging. Especially as the strings don't seem to match up with the prizes at the other end. Most of the prizes are humble. Ranging from small little charms to decorate phones and bags as well as small toys and figurines of popular characters, up to paper vouchers to use at small local restaurants in the area, too.

The larger prizes consist of plush toys. Usually characters from popular media, both domestic and international and also cute, plush version of their real world counterparts. It seems that its Ai's turn to look after the booth with the help of her cousin Mio. The blonde tends to the booth, keeping things running smoothly as she helps the customers with the help of other volunteers. The dark haired Mio on the other hand is trying to drum up more business at the already busy stand.

"Come one, come all. Come see the wild girl of T...." Mio yells out at the top of her voice, before trailing off.

Though While Mio was trying her best side show attendant impersonation, Ai's already prepared for it. It was meant to be a prize, but one of those plush toys was thrown by the tall blonde and made contact with the back dark haired girls head, before spinning into the air and landing on the ground. That was one penguin that could fly.

Ai doesn't say anything, but stares at her cousin, who in turn stares back at the rural girl.

The stall itself is sponsored by mainly by Yamamoto Fishing Industries, as well as a few of their clients in Tokyo.

<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed. Another girl in the booth has simply been standing back with an expression like she's mildly mortified. Though not too much. She has friends who tease themselves all the time. It's just that when she's away from her friends, she's also away from her comfort zone.

And thus, she's been making small motions with her hand, and small side steps, like this bee buzzing around that the pair don't seem to recognize might be about to sting. Until the toy is thrown...

The thrown missile and impact seems to cross a line and steel her resolve to do something.

She steps between them and claps her hands together like a school teacher trying to regain order.

"You two-!" She starts with, though she still takes a moment to fully compose herself to say anything more. And then suddenly her voice becomes a little more restrained, shy. "Mister Flippers is not for throwing." Wait, did she name the prize?

And suddenly she picks up the penguin missile. Holding it up in front of her face, and using her hands to move its arms, as she changes her voice a little, turning the plush penguin from one to the next

"That was very impolite to throw me like that. You two should be more courteous of my welfare and... try to be a little more professional in your behavior..."

What does she know of professionalism? Well she does volunteer at her parents' animal hospital.

Up and down she moves the flippers, the penguin suddenly bobbing its head to emphasize. "... or people will lose faith in your ability to provide them with... a good time tonight. They'll be too embarrassed to approach."

Yamamoto Fishing Industries delivers to Clover Town Street, which is why she's here, she's dressed in a bright yellow Yukata with patterns of orange-red flowers. Around her waist is a green Obi. A yellow tie in the shape of a ribbon is bounding her up in a youthful sidetail.

There's a lengthy pause, as she's still holding up a stuffed penguin in front of her face. "So now you should try to start over and... recommit yourselves to... our responsibilities..."

Pause. Long pause. Awkwardly long pause where she stands there frozen in the act.

"... or something..." She again, her volume lower, as if her courage is failing her a little.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed. Kasagami Araki is out of her booth-tending clothes and into her festival yukata: a black number with sprawling pattern of crimson flowers mark it's way up the right side, with a grey-and-white striped obi around the middle. Her (nicely polished!) boots round out the whole thing as she makes her way along, eyeing up potential places to stop and spend what little she has scraped up for the festival.

It's less the pullstrings and more the flying pengi that catch Kassie's attention. That is, also, said target of flying flightless plush birdies! She grins and indicates the tall blonde with a wave of her hand.

"Well! So it seems the Swim-Captain-Hopeful has taken a bit of a break to de-prune with us landlocked people. What kind of prizes do we have here Ai-chan...?" Questions the Duelist as she starts to peer at the whole setup. Hmmm. Hmmmm! She rubs her chin overly in thought, then eyes up the others in the booth. She winks to them as she leans back on her heels.

Her good eye peeks at 'buki, then to Mister Flippers, and back again. She finally just laughs. "That was pengi abuse! A most heinous crime. It seems I must save this stuffed avian in the name of royalty from wild girls!" Griiiin.

"One yank for the sake of pengi-kuns everywhere!" She's paying! And then going for a string with her gloved hand!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed. THE CURRENT SITUATION OF MIKOTO MINAGI: she is not wearing a cowboy hat. Also, her hair is damp, like she got dunked under a tap in a hurry. She doesn't look terribly bothered. It's a warm summer night, she's working a hot food stall, and she has successfully discovered the magic for cooling down thanks to the enduring (endearing?) wisdom of one Utena Tenjou.

Of course, she scampered quicklike from anything resembling cleaning her up, so whoever had that thankless task is now bereft of one (1) catlike girl. It's fine. That just happens sometimes. It's a festival, so Mikoto is bound to not wander too far.

She's still in her yukata, of course: light blue, with white detailing like clouds, a cat-faced purse slung over one shoulder and a black case about the other. And, of course, the zori sandals with their slats for treads, which she seems remarkably adept at moving around in. Take, for instance, the way she turns when she catches movement out of the corner of her eye. A flying penguin.

Getting closer, there's Ai and a girl close but not quite like Ai, and -- poor 'Buki, trying her level best to get the two to stop fighting. Creep a little closer, a little closer...

Suddenly Mikoto pops up from behind 'Buki, shining bright as a star. Just as that other girl trails off, she chips in with her own summation: "Be nice! It's festival! You can't fight here!" Festivals, like war rooms, are simply not designed for grudges.

Spinning on a heel, despite those sandals, Mikoto wheels in front of 'Buki instead. Hands clasped behind her, she looks between them: "'Buki, Ai! And... you!" She greets Mio, perhaps with a little too much familiarity. "It's lucky strings, right?!"

With Kasagami, she steps forward, and puts some yen down. At least her scholarship has some discretionary spending attached to it. "Let's do lucky strings!" She chirps, looking up to her friend in black yukata, bright-eyed. Is... is that a thing people can do together..?

Mikoto is going to try.

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed. These are, for reasons, both a little nostalgic and also kind of fraught for one Setsuna Higashi; as she approaches in her red yukata, she spots the booth, sees what people are doing, and it's only after that that she sees a throw at the yelling girl and-- Laughs. It's funny, right? Of course it is. "Buki," Setsuna greets, finding the girl she was looking for as she pauses and gets lower in volume. She waves, from behind Kasagami and Mikoto both, and in the process waves to them as well. "Hello. Ah..." "You should definitely try together," Setsuna agrees with Mikoto. It is absolutely a multi-person activity. But to Inori, "I can tell you're doing your best."

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed. On the hunt for fashion, still! Arguably one of the most important aspects of socialization. In between breaks, stalls and booths are browsed for anything that may help little Steven Universe look ever more fanciful. In between breaks of helping at his own stall, this has been the goal-- to find another Yukata! Because he only has had one for like, a year. And the yget used a lot more than he thought! Defeinitely more than the cream-colored dress suit. But the issue with this plan is the plucky child keeps getting distracted by various fun stalls! First it was fortune telling, then cork guns. But not, this time he shall remain concentrated! "Okay, Serious Steven... activate!" he says holding his halds up at the sides of his head, then open palm pointing them forward. He must concentrate! It is really important! He shall not deviate! ENTER AI AND INORI'S BOOTH. The boy, in his pink-and-silvery yukata, is already now closing in on the stand. In the light, pink stars fall like a shower along the bottom of a glittering skyline on the garb he wears. The upper portion being hazy pinks, indicative of a dusk sky. "Ooooh, whats this?" the boy asks from beyond the booth counter, supremely curious.

The girl from the cork gun booth is running it! Cool! Mikoto and Kasagami may feel very light tugs on their garb belts, as the boy steps over to behind them. "And what are you two doing here?" he asks in a fake-gruff accent, and a face that desperately tries to fight against a smile (and is horribly losing).

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed. Mio and Ai continue to have their showdown, neither fliching as they wait for the other to make the first move. However any further disagreement soon fades when 'Buki gets between them. They both look uncertain of what to do or even say.

Mio raises a hand up to her mouth when 'Buki gives a name and a voice to the penguin. She tries her hardest to hide her laughter, though its easy to tell that she is. She takes a deep breath and drops her and away. She glances away for a moment and then back, trying to keep a straight face.

Ai on the other hand looks a little wounded by the scolding and glances downwards at first, and then giggles. "Then we must work harder for Flippers-san! We must right what we've done!" A pause, as she considers what is said. "Sorry Yamabuki-san." She takes a deep breath and gives a nod of her head. Mio offers a wave to people as they come in, while Ai continues to loiter near the stalls. She smiles brightly when Kassie comes in. "Kasagami-san. Oh, umm... We've got all types!" she offers, as she moves to show off the prizes on show. "Oh, best of luck! Hope you get what you want!" Ai offers a wave when she spots Mikoto. Mio on the other hand just kind of gives Mikoto a half-lidded look. "Heeeey. Umm. You." Her gaze then shifts towards Setsuna and Steven. "You should try it. Win big prizes! Just pull a string, and you might win!" time

<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed. "I'm... so glad you agree..." And indeed she does sound relieved, like that took a lot of out of her to be so bold, even if its in defense of an animal - stuffed or not. "Flippers-san does too."

Mikoto pops up, "Aa-! Were you there the whole time?"

And then Kasagami approaches. "A-Ah! It's okay. I'm sure they... won't do it again." 'buki sounds a bit mortified that someone on the Student Council caught her in the act.

Immediately she perks up though as Setsuna shows up, "Setsuna-chan!" She bobs her head, "I'm... working hard."

Maybe even harder than she expected.

Meanwhile, up above...

A tiny set of eyes peers through a hole.

When Kasagami tugs, she feels a bit of resistance. Even for her considerable strength she'll have to tug pretty hard, and at certain points she could swear - something is tugging back!

For a while it doesn't feel like anything is happening...

... until abruptly it gives, and something rises in the back of the prizes to reveal, Mister Flippers hanging from the string!

Yes indeed. Kasagami saved him!

Did they even have time to reattach him after he was used as a missile? They must have!

A faint glitter of pink sparkles down from the booth as like a confetti like flair, and 'buki starts to clap.

"Congratulations! You've rescued Flippers-san"

It will most certaly drown out the voice that comes from above.

"...it steady Chiff..."

When Mikoto tries, the same thing happens, except she can almost feel a string retracting into her hand and not. Is there a faint giggling above?

"Kyuu!"

Nah, couldn't be. Eventually though all the tension fades and something releases. Another shower of pink sparkly confetti...

... a keychain of a cat rises up. Except... it's brandishing a golf club.

'buki sweatdrops as she sees it, for how incredibly specific it is. "Congratulations! I-It suits you so well..." She says, all smiles, as she taps the board the strings disappear into lightly as if trying to signal something.

<Pose Tracker> Kasagami Araki [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.

It's a Miko-chan! Kasagami turns, her face lights up a bit, and then eyes that slapped down yen! Her feline compatriot makes plain her intentions. The young woman actually pauses, looks the other girl in the eye...and a soft look passes over her face. She reaches over to try to swat MIkoto on the back in a friendly way, then offers over her hand!

"Mikoto-chan, dear friend that has never let me down, I would GRASP the STRINGS of FATE AND AMBITION with you any day! May we pull the very heavens down with our tug of...of collective beauty, love, and superior upper body strength!" Then her gaze is over to Setsuna. A slow nod along with her, and a vague motion of a wave. Not much of one. There's Fate-String to pull with a friend! And a prize to get! Eyes peer at plushies hungrily! Steve-kun gets a laugh at his attempt at being all gruff! And what a stylish yukata, too! "Why, doing the royal prize unveiling, of course! Hi Steve-kun, looking fancy! I almost feel under-dressed." Encourages the Duelist just a bit. But then YANK! It is indeed a mighty struggle, but as confetti pops and there's the revelation of a certain Pengi!? Kasagami goes stock still. She looks to 'Buki, to Ai-chan, back to Mikoto. Her eyes go wide. She...she won!? And it's Flippers!?

Kasagami Araki takes Mr. Flippers, and is all but cuddling him right in front of her fellow Ohtori students. Hug hug huuuuug! Meanwhile she tries to look proper StuCo dignified. "As a member of the Student Council, it is my duty and pride to ensure the safety of all the student body. Especially the cutest members. Such as Mr. Flippers." Squeeze-cuddle. She turns to Mikoto. "Our friendship won, Miko-chan." Kassie looks unreasonably happy to have gotten this plush. Her love of cute may be showing. Soon enough though, her cellphone goes off. Her gaze widens a little, and there's a joyous look. "Good luck with the booth you three. Remember, the Student Council is always here for you! We're watching all the good students of Ohtori!" Wink! And with a wave, the Duelist is off!

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed. Mister Flippers... "Yes!" Setsuna agrees with Buki, seeing for herself the truth of her friend's words as far as she can tell. The purple-haired girl sees nothing of trouble at the moment--quite the opposite, she looks over at Steven as he asks his question. "You pull the string and get a little prize!" she explains helpfully. "But you can't be sure what will be inside until after you try it." Did she hear-- Setsuna looks over at Buki as if she thought she'd heard something, and then looks back to the booth proper. She waves as Kasagami goes, and... hmms a little as she does. "Watching, is it?" she asks, with a lifted eyebrow. But then instead she looks to Mikoto, "It's nice, isn't it?" "I will also try," she says.

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Minagi [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed. "Nope!" Mikoto grins, at 'Buki's surprise. Strictly speaking, this is true: Mikoto has been to many places this festival. It may not answer the spirit of her question as well as the letter. Mikoto did kind of sneak up on them...

"I'm Mikoto!" Says Mikoto, Mikotingly, when Mio is just as uncertain about who she is. Hand to her chest, a bold smile on her face, she disregards any discomfort from meeting a new person because she has to set an example. She beams to Ai - the prime reason why she feels she has an example to set - and Setsuna's encouragement only seems to brighten her up further, by degrees, like some cross-section of lava boiling deep beneath the earth.

It's this sunniness, so far after sundown, that Steven finds when he tugs on her red-and-yellow obi sash. "Luck!" Mikoto chirps, with a broad smile. "Ai and 'Buki are kind people!" And there's something a little different about that declaration, but Mikoto doesn't stop to explain: "So it's good booth!"

And there's Kasagami, confirming all Mikoto's greatest wishes, and her eyes shine. "Yup!" She affirms, with a firm nod, and she grasps the string, and she TUGS... And tugs... and tugs... and...!

"Wooow!" Mikoto's eyes can apparently grow even wider in her head, as she grasps cat with golf club. She puts two and two together, and - and she just starts giggling, right there in the booth. "Ahaha...hahahaha..!!"

She is swimming in mirth, as she looks back up to Kasagami, in the wake of their friendship victory. "Mm-hmm!" She hums agreement, braids bobbing with the motion of her nod. And she is ever-bold but here she gentles a little, to smile to Setsuna. "It's... it's really nice."

All a sudden she looks like she has realised something important, and Mikoto affixes Ms. Golfcat to the strap of her purse in a hurry, only to spin around. "Ai! This is great! You're doing great!" She calls, to the other rural girl, and --

As suddenly as she popped up out of nowhere, Mikoto zooms into the crowd.

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed. Chitose's still doing her roaming thing, and she's still wearing her night-sky yukata. And, well, she's doing her best to avoid dense crowds. Crowds themselves are impossible, there are way too many people here to avoid in general if she wanted true quiet. And, to be fair, she didn't quite want to avoid the entire festival. The fact that it was lively and busy was good. She just wanted to avoid standing near large groups. This may lead, in case someone was watching her, to make some incredibly erratic movements with little rhyme nor reason. And thus, she comes across the Senbonbiki booth, pretty much at random. She considers the booth for a few moements, wondering if she should select a string.

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.

Look at those strings! And those prizes! "Oooooh its a game...!" Steven says, now having forgotten his previous self-influcted task entirely. For what is clothes shopping when around friends instead? The small child looks toward Mio. "Oh? Um! Okay!" he says, psyching himself up! "Is there a cost? Am I only able to pull certain ones?" he asks. Oh, this is gonna be really hard... ...Was there a voice in the top area of the booth? Nah. "Thaaanks!" Steven beams at the compliment! "Uh, I am trying to find another one too! But I need help with picking one," he adds, looking toward Kassie. And she won a prize! "Oh so cool...!" he says, eyes wide. "Okay, I am ready!" he says, focusing in on a string. "A-Are there any rules to this?" he asks before he reaches for the string. The boy also sees Setsuna giving it a shot! "Heeey! he says, waving to her. "Which one you going for?"

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed. Ai looks just as surprised, and she claps when Kassie wins. "Oh, congratulations Kasagami-chan!" she says excitedly for the student council member. She glances towards the booth with a raised brow, and then towards Mio and then 'Buki. She gives a little shrug of her shoulders, and looks a little confused. One of the other girls must have put Mister Flippers back. She look happy for Kassie and smiles. She then looks surprised by the prize won by Mikoto. She raises a hand up to the side of her face, and stares blankly into space for a few moments as she considers the booth again. There's confusion on her face, but she shakes her head. She ducks down, checking through the stock nearby. She does peek back towards Mikoto at the praise and offers a smile. "Thanks! It was my uncle's idea!" she calls out to the departing girl.

Mio's about a year older than Ai, and dark haired girl walks beside Steven. "Yes, it's a game. A single coin will get you a chance to win! Pull a string and test your luck!" She goes silent for a moment, and hmms softly. "Give it a go, and see what you get. Just pull that string!"

<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed. "Good luck Setsuna-chan!"

Setsuna Higashi's string also tugs back on her, like there's more tension than she can actually pull down... but then...

... a string rises, with an egg in the background. There is notably no sparkly confetti this time. 'buki hurriedly moves over to it, and takes the egg off, bringing it to Setsuna, as she cracks it open facing her.

Inside are two store specific coupons for the store Love's Mother works at on Clover Town Street.

'5000 yen worth of Rocky Road Ice Cream - Free!' 'Buy 0.5 kg of Frozen Green Peppers. Get 10 kg free!'

It should be noted. How strangely, specific, it is... that the flavor is Tarte's favorite flavor ice cream.

"T-This is..." 'buki puts a hand over her mouth. Eyes Setsuna, then the Coupon again. "Um... ah..."

She then leans over to ask her discretely, "Do you want me to take this one?" As her fingertips tug at the tip of the Green Pepper coupon.

'buki is about to answer Steven, but thankfully Ai and Mio have gotten to his answer first. Steven then steps up. "Best of luck."

Two eyes stare down.

Steven pulls the string. Again, and again. It's not coming down. And then another egg rises. Which she brings over and cracks open.

'One free exotic animal grooming at the Yamabuki Animal Hospital. Animals allowed include Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh my!'

'buki looks at the piece of paper with dot eyes, "Eh?" 'buki seems a little dazed after, "C-Congratulations..." She sounds, as she begins to tap the board above them more urgently.

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

"........" Setsuna stares at the coupons for a long set of moments. She looks into them deeply, as if they hold some great secret. It is strangely specific yes. "...Tarte..." She looks up at Buki, and then--"Yes." The green pepper coupon is not, however, given. It would be super rude Setsuna is certain, and so she just straight-facedly says one thing and does another because she's exactly like that. Before--"This is... a very interesting set of prizes," she says to Buki, looking back over to Ai and Mio. "Oh, yes," she says, and makes sure that she covers the payment for her pull, naturally. But she puts away the ice cream coupon for later and the green pepper coupon for... 'safekeeping'. She waves to those leaving, and as she starts to turn, smiles at Chitose because she thinks she's been looked at.

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed. Eyes on the prize...! Steven is ready for this contest! "Awesome! You got it!" Steven says, offering the coins required for a pull to Mio and Ai. "Thank you!" he says nicely to Inori. Has he... met her before? She looks really familiar. Huh. He gives her a cheeky, happy smile. The boy reaches for a particular string, it is wavy, and has a loop on it, which looks like a ring! And for some reason that draws the boy's attention. A few tugs on the string. It doesn't budge. "Oh no! Did I break it?!" he asks-- it doen't do the same thing it did before with others! But Inori comes over and cracks a fake egg open, and inside is... "Oh!" he says, reading it happily. "Its an animal grooming for exotic animals! I have one of those!" he says. "This super-specific present totally rocks! Now Lion will look Fabulous~!" Steven sings the last part in a high octave. "Thank you both so much!" he says. After a pause, he remembers something REALLY important to traditional stuff here, and gives them all a kind bow. Next, he looks to Setsuna. "What did you get!" he asks curiously.

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.

Ai glances back towards the booth again. Her brow furrowed as she looks back to the stock that she's currently rummaging through. She shakes her head, and then stands again. "Weird, I'll have to ask my uncle later. I didn't think that we had things like that," she comments to softly herself about the prizes, unaware of the prizes won by Setsuna and Steven when she said it. She seems content with her own explanation, shrugs and wanders back to the group.

Mio on the other hand happily takes the coins from Steven and then from Setsuna. "Thank you!" Mio might be rough around the edges, but she does return the bow, same as her cousin Ai.

Ai looks more and more confused, especially at the mention of exotic animal grooming. "You are welcome," she offers softly.

<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed. 'buki stands ready to take the coupon, especially when Setsuna says yes, fully ready to take this cross from her. And yet, Setsuna doesn't release it unto her.

Even knowing Setsuna as well as she does, this contradictory behavior still takes her by surprise. Yet it does not so much that she questions it. "They're... very unique..." She agrees.

"The... Clover Town Street Market Coalition must have sent some prizes to donate." 'buki notes to Ai, as if in explanation, perhaps panicking a little on what might happen should certain someones be found out.

"You do!" 'buki exclaims at Steven's answer that he has one, surprised. Then softer, "You do?"

'buki turns around and puts a hand over her mouth, "H-How am I going to explain this to my Dad?"

She says, too muffled for Steven to hear.

Turning around rapidly, she flaps a hand, "W-Well we look forward to seeing you!"

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed. "Coupons!" Setsuna answers Steven in the same kind of tone she would take for non-coupon prizes. "Thank you," she says back to Mio, smiling. But... Hmm... Animal grooming for... "That's very specific!" Setsuna agrees placidly. "I think Lion will appreciate it," she says of Steven's Lion, thinking on it with her head tilted. She imagines for a moment... Yes, that should probably be just fine.

"This booth is unique. I wonder if you've had a lot of traffic..."

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed. Chitose continues considering the booth. She doesn't say anything for a few moments, though Chitose does smile in return when Setsuna smiles at her. Hmm... That said, she does pay attention to the prizes while she's doing it. "Hmm, I don't really go to Clover Town that often..." She says, mostly to herself. "And I don't own a pet..." She considers for a moment, before she actually finally steps up. "I might as well." She pays the fee and selects a string that, like herself, has been mostly on the side the entire evening. She's got a theme to keep up.

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed. Ai looks relieved when 'buki comments about the Clover Town Street Market Coalition sending some prizes. "That's actually a relief. I was actually worried we might have been in the wrong booth," she admits with a sound of relief in her voice. "I'll have to ask my uncle to write to them to thank them."

Mio on the other hand is distracted again. She raises herself up onto the balls of her feet as she looks for someone. She quickly darts off, vanishing into the crowd.

Ai looks back towards Setsuna and Steven again. She purses her lips and looks thoughtful, before offering a bright smile. "Oh, we've been pretty busy, I'd say. Though with the prizes, I can understand why." A smile is given as Chitose steps forward and tries. "Best of luck!" she says encouragingly.

<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed. "Oh!"

Chitose picks a string. The string is taut with tension, and this one is held for a long time.

And then suddenly there is give, and in the back of the booth, connected to a string, as pink confetti like light showers the booth.

A plush dove rises. It is no ordinary dove though. It is extraodinarily anime like in design, its wings emblazoned by jagged lightning bolt designs. It is also extraodinarily cute... this...

... Thunder Dove.

"How cute!" 'buki says as she claps to congratulate Chitose, "It looks so fierce!"

No Tarte doesn't know who Chitose is. The little touch of fairy magic simply brought about a little touch of extra happiness for her prize.

[OOC] Inori Yamabuki says, "*blu-ray. 'Buki answers Ai, seeming a little less nervous. 'Oh! I'm sure they'll appreciate it. They were happy to send their support to one of their vendors.""

<Pose Tracker> Steven Universe [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.

Lion is gonna owe him for this. And the nice people at this booth!

"Oh, I wonder if they can braid his hair?" Steven muses aloud. "That'd look funny!" A look toward Ai. "It's super cool! So is this game! How do the strings work anyway? I saw some work and some not. Is there a secret to them?" he asks her. "I do! He's a big ol Lion. He is around here somewhere, probably bumming snacks from people." A pause. "Oh! Like, if I get him groomed, I can bring him by the sponsoring shop and we can take pictures and stuff! Or make a video," he says, ideas in now-development. "Oh, you too! Awesome!" he responds to Setsuna with. "He will! Er, should? He can be picky sometimes. But I'll make sure he is nice!" the boy says bravely. Steven only recalls the claws coming out on people once before, and that was on him, for an unusually smother-y hug? Its complicated. "Ooooh, good luck!" He offers to Chitose. Oh...! She got some kind of bird plush! It looks radical.

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

"I see," Setsuna answers Ai pleasantly, just as nice with her as she is... suspicious, of the booth. She tilts her head as she considers what happens next-- That is definitely.... "Ah, very impressive," Setsuna comments of the plush dove. She eyes the booth again, as if considering--but then smiles anyway. "...It's important to trust luck now and then," she says, nodding firmly with a fond look. Buki might recognize it--Setsuna gets that little distance sometimes when she's thinking, or remembering. "...Yes," she says then to Steven, "I'm sure you will." Then she smiles at Buki, and steps out of the way to let others come up. She doesn't try to pull again! Insteaaad, she says, "Message me later? I should really get back and check on Tarte," she says, "He must be lonely back at the house." Pleasantly. She waves at the assembled group. ...There is something extra in her voice, though. Something... Extra Nice. As if there's a hidden meaning. But who knows??

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed. Ai maturely snickers at the word 'bummed'.

Her attention finally shifts back towards Chitose and the prize that she won. "Oh, wow! That's a really nice prize. Congratulations! Everyone has had really great luck!" She smiles brightly, happy that the prizes have been good prizes and looking more relieved.

She then glances towards Steven at the question and grins. "Oh, that would be a trade secret if I told you that. That, and I don't really know myself. You pull something, something moves and out pops a prize if you pick one that's connected."

A wave is then offered to the departing Setsuna as she goes. "Take care, and we hope you enjoyed yourself!" the rural girl calls after her.

COIN FLIP: Chitose Shiratori flips a coin. It lands on heads!

<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed. "Eh? I mean..." Now - it's been a long time since she'd braided hair, she doesn't have braided hair. Her friends don't wear her hair in braids. She has learned how to braid hair back in her elementary school days though. While before she was focusing on the idea of trying to explain an actual lion to her father. Now she's focusing on the idea of her braiding a Lion's mane.

A small squeal is uttered through her palms, covering her lips.

"I-I'm sure they can... manage..." She utters, trying to keep her enthusiasm under wraps.

Steven though asks Ai how it functions, and 'buki demurely raises a hand, "That's..."

She then nods quickly in agreement with Ai, "Yes. A trade secret. And every Senbonbiki is a little different besides."

"I'll message you! But... aha... there's... no need to go home. I'm sure he's around the festival... somewhere..."

Rustling above, and a muted, "...ng to get me kill..."

It's certainly nothing.

'buki waves at Setsuna as she departs, before looking up and sighing.

<Pose Tracker> Chitose Shiratori [Infinity Institute (U)] has posed. Chitose smiles again, just a serene smile, before she does something she hasn't really done for at least two years... She squees. The woman clutches the Thunder Dove to her chest and hugs it. "It's so cute." Then she stops, almost like she froze in place for a few seconds, as she considers if she should check it very quickly in case it might explode. At the same time, who would check a plush for load-bearing materials? So she stops there for a moment as she tries to decide whether or not to make a complete fool of herself. She does manage to squeak out. "Thank you."

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed. Seeing other people happy is enough of a reward for Ai, especially with Chitose's reaction to the prize. She does glance towards the top of the booth, and soon ignores whatever caught her attention in the first place. She takes several steps over to the side, back to where the rest of the stock is and rummages through it, looking for something once again. "Yamabuki-san, thank you so much for your help," she offers to the other volunteer. "Well, both from you and the Clover Street Market. I-I don't think it... It would have gone so smoothly if it wasn't for you." She takes a deep shakey breath as she stands up again. "M-My da..." She trails off and takes another shakey breath. "I-I'll m-make it up to you as a thank you."

<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

Inori starts as Ai addresses her, turning, her hands crossed just over her abdomen. "You're welcome. All the business owners of Clover Town Street just wanted to show appreciation Yamamoto Fishing's years of service to our community."

'buki then bows to her, with a certain gravity - that seems to add elegance to her. As if wearing traditional garb is making her more mindful. "There's no need to thank me. You did well tonight yourself. You're an Ohtori student right? A transfer to the middle school?"

Perhaps she catches that note of emotion in Ai's voice. Because 'buki produces a small handkerchief, and passes it over to her with both hands.

"As your senpai, it's my responsibility to make certain your efforts tonight bring happiness to you and everyone who comes to this booth."

As her hands drop back into place, she offers, "Why don't you and Mio-san take an hour off to enjoy the festival? I can watch the booth while you're gone."

<Pose Tracker> Ai Yamamoto [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed. Ai swallows, and then gives a nod of her head. She remains speechless for the time being, but she does return the bow. "I-I am an Ohtori student. M-middle school. I-I transferred in a few months ago," she replies in a soft, wavering voice. With the handkerchief being offered, she does reach out to accept it with both hands. "T-thank you again." She bites her bottom lip and looks downwards.

She listens to the older girl as she speaks, and then offers a bow of her own. "T-thank you Yamabuki-san. I'll try not to be too long. S-sorry! I'll give it back to you after I do laundry." She quickly dries her eyes, and makes her way out to rejoin her cousin. "I-I'll bring you back something sweet!" She offers with a wave, as they head into the crowd.