(open.) goldenseal

[medicative]

Who ⬤ Emily and open!
What ⬤ Monthly catchall - substories, life, etc.
When ⬤ Over March
Where ⬤ Across the city.
Content Warnings ⬤ TBA if needed


sprout. - post mingle

[it's not her scene at all. already on edge, Emily had kept it together long enough to get her pay advance, thanked people kindly, and then bolted. overwhelming, bad for her senses, and so she had gone to the roof, stretched her wings, and flown away. immediately, she had started feeling better, the relief that comes from exercise and movement and being out of an environment that puts her ill at ease.

where she lands, it's away from the nightclub, but she carefully wanders, trying to get her bearings. it's much harder than it appears, in the dimmer light, even with things illuminated by electricity and the life that still thrums through the place. and unfortunately for a person that looks lost, it's all too easy to get spotted by those who might be drunk, might not be, but see virtue in calling out on the street to try to get one more person to join them for fun.]

No thank you, I'm not-

[they don't seem to be willing to accept the first no for an answer. alternatively, you've arrived later, and someone has Emily slung over their shoulder. despite the awkward state of affairs, she is very clearly trying to squirm out of their grasp, more annoyed than anything else about being swept away, and the youkai holding her seems ignorant to how she's trying to get out. or maybe just used to it. ugh. she's not giving up yet though.]

growth. - night parade

[decorating is an important part of being ready for the parade, Emily knows, and for this, she can put her full energy behind it. after failing so miserably at socializing earlier, she's doing her best to remain dutiful here. that means fetching what she's been told to, assisting those who might have shakier footing, or giving gentle but honest advice about what looks best. and of course, for those harder to reach spots, it does help when you can fly up and hover some to affix it in the best spot. this might be why she keeps getting assigned to the trickier bits.

of course, no one can keep being full of steam all the time, and so it is that on break, she's found a good spot to sit down - right on a wooden box, slumped over and clutching onto a water bottle as if it will save her. but hearing any footsteps, she sits up, the flush of exertion in her face still evident.]

Has it been twenty minutes already? Goodness.

[self defense training or not, it's like running a marathon...]

bloom. - work

[she bows her head and accepts the sneers thrown her ways from the other girls - they don't understand why an uptight member of the Sutoku would seek a steadier job with the club that falls under more of the Tamamo purview, but the manager accepts it with a grunt and lets Emily have her work. employment is employment, and she needs funds if she's going to get anywhere, so she'll sell what's most useful right now - her voice. Hotaru is the stage name she chooses for herself, and she does her best to ingratiate herself with the others, learning what the band would prefer to play and what songs they can collaborate on. really, she closes her ears to anything else, keeps to herself - even the most sharp eyed can't find fault with her attitude off stage, and so she'll gain her money carefully.

so, perhaps you've come in to enjoy a leisurely night at a slower pace, and she's in the midst of her set, singing and making the right kind of eye contact with customers. maybe it's earlier, and you work there, early enough to hear the sounds of a minor scuffle in the back that ends with a door slammed and Emily stumbling out of that direction, a bundle in her arms. or maybe it's later, and you're at the bar, and a soft voice comes from your side.]

I wouldn't, if I were you.

[it's the careful grind, after all. there's the idea of quitting and finding a different place, and she has the number of a different club in another district, but...she wants her first paycheck at least.]

wildcard.

[for custom prompts and new ideas and the like. ooc intro if you'd like to plot something specific, or hit me up via PM!]

Comments

[nemuru]

( that's probably a while ago, right... okay. )

Well, if you're hungry, we can just get dinner somewhere hole-in-the-wall and relax a bit. How about it?

[medicative]

If you mean it, that would actually be wonderful. Would you terribly mind if I excused myself for a moment to change out of my work attire?

[it's too nice to wear out, and as much as she may not get the grandest treatment from the others, they at least leave her clothing alone.]

[nemuru]

Nah, go ahead. You look nice like that, though.

( but that's kind of the point, and he knows it. look good, get bitches money. )

...I'll be waitin' outside.

( YEET he goes )

[medicative]

[and true to her words, shortly she's out, in a much less fancy and far more modest outfit. yes, her work clothes were tame compared to others, but she prefers to be a bit more restrained on her own account. with her bag over her shoulder, it's almost tangible how much she relaxes to be out of the club and somewhere else.]

I hope I didn't take too much time - I tried to rush for your sake.

[nemuru]

Aw, you shouldn't have. I don't mind if you take a little while.

( life's already fast enough, no need to rush--

he takes note of how much more comfortable she is outside of her workplace and motions her along, taking the lead. really, if she's less tense out here... )

Why're you doin' something you don't like anyway?

[medicative]

It's...not that I don't like it. I do enjoy it enough to be here and earn money, even if it's not my chosen profession.

[and she does care about singing, even if it's never where she would have volunteered to end up.]

They're just...not the most welcoming in this place, and I understand their reluctance. But I've resolved to stick it out until the end of the month, so that I can earn a little money and prove that I'm not utterly flighty.

[nemuru]

( ritsu hmms—he hadn't really thought too hard about money, just helping out on easy things here and there. the night parade set-up, or running errands if he wants something to eat, things like that...

but he can't imagine performing without knights. sure, he could probably play piano and treat it like a recital—nice that there's no one here to compare him to his brother, either, or to afford him love and admiration based on his last name's connection to a god among men—but he'd rather have someone else do it for him.

... )

Is it 'cause you're not from Tamamo?

[medicative]

That's part of it. They don't know if I'm a spy sent to report on their business, or what purpose I'd have here when I so obviously don't belong. And then the other part is that they're established, and anyone new needs to know their place, be it by words or force. A new girl will always be something of a threat until she proves she isn't.

[she knows how to navigate jealous natures like that. it helps that she's not their kind of singer - that she's not provocative, that her act is tame and a different style. she's not trying to encroach on anyone's territory.]

It's nothing that can't be weathered with a stiff upper lip.

[nemuru]

( ...mmm.

maybe for her. she helped him out; he can help her out. )

Do they take guys too?

[medicative]

Of course, but you can't possibly be thinking of joining them.

[like. you'd have to actually work, Ritsu.]

[nemuru]

( yeah..... yeah he would.... )

No one said that. ( but the look he gives her over his shoulder, well. yeah, he is. ) A new person bein' around'll get the heat off of you though, right? And it'll be easier to handle it if you've got a friend around, too.

( ... )

I'll be okay. I'm an idol... Well, I can do a couple of other things too, ( and he doesn't have any qualms that he can think of currently with regards to more... indecent flirts ) but I can sing and dance. I'll just consider it practice or somethin' so if anyone else from my unit unfortunately ends up here, they can't scold me for not keepin' my skills sharp.

( little excuses to let her swallow his offer easier. little reasons to make it not seem like such a big deal. )

Anyway, introduce me to your boss or put in a good word for me or somethin' next time, alright?

[medicative]

[with him leading, he might not see the way her expression softens, how she mines out the true offer under his excuses, his reasoning. it warms her, that he'd offer at all.]

...How about a compromise, then. I've been starting a conversation with someone who works at a club run by our patrons, for when I want to transfer and do the same work in a somewhat more welcoming environment. When that time comes, join with me - I'm certain they won't say no to someone as charming as you.

[nemuru]

( ritsu's quiet, mulling it over; it doesn't help her situation at present, but... well, if he joined her workplace now and she left, he'd probably be stuck there for another hot minute, and while he can feign caring about what other people say about him or to him—it's not really his most favorite thing to do.

siiiigh. the rest of knights has rubbed off on him. it was easier being a side character, some days, but he wouldn't trade the life he has now away for anything. )

Sure, sounds great. We'll come as a pair ♪ ( heheh ) Let's get matching outfits to go with it.

[medicative]

If you insist - we'll have to discuss colors and cuts and all of that. They may have us singing together, with that level of preparedness.

[and doing a double act...that'd be brand new to her.]

[nemuru]

Oh, that might not be too bad... I kinda got used to singing with other people anyway.

( even on birthdays, they'd sing together... )

What should our pair name be? Heheh... How about "Crow and Cat"? Your wings, my disposition.

( unlike leo he will claim being a cat as long as it serves him )

[medicative]

It's a little on the nose, don't you think?

[not that she has a better idea...]

[nemuru]

Too long anyway.

( hmmm )

...Ah. You ever heard of tarot cards? Arcanas and all that.

[medicative]

I have, yes...I'm familiar with the basics, though I'm in no way capable of seeing to fortunes or whatever they're meant to do.

[everyone had fads back in the day.]

[nemuru]

Me neither, though I've got a peer that's into that kinda stuff.

( nakkun... )

I was thinkin' we could be somethin' based on The Strength card. ( the only other paired card in the arcana, he's not making emily be lovers with him ) How's that?

[medicative]

[she's thinking it over, says her expression. give her a second, and then she nods decisively.]

La Force. That's the translation from the French version. It flows off the tongue a little better.

[nemuru]

( now they sound Fancy. )

I like it. ( gonna be a new experience singing with... well, nacchan's a girl at heart, but he's pretty sure he hits higher notes than her. it'll be alright working with em; he's no leo, but he thinks he can figure out how to harmonize. ) La Force... Heheh.

( sooo fancy...

ritsu pauses for a moment to figure out where he is, then turns one last corner--there's a stairwell there, heading down to some sort of dive or basement restaurant from the sound and smell of it. )

Should be about the time they're offering their special menu--I haven't tried it, but I've been here once or twice in the morning. They've got good pancakes.

( a little gesture. )

Ladies first ♪

( the place itself doesn't seem all that special, some sutoku-run establishment that gets foot traffic from a variety of youkai and a variety of factions; it's a little dimly lit but cozy, and not very busy this time of night--easy enough to get a table in the corner for the two of them. there's normal water for people who don't drink and ritsu is trying to decide if he wants to be a Good Boy or if he wants to ask for a lemon sour..... they're not gonna be as good as anything shylock makes though so he supposes... good boy hours it will be......... )

[medicative]

[walking in, she settles herself carefully in the corner with him, the two of them snugly tucked away from the world. actually, pancakes sound amazing, but she needs to consider her diet from the rest of the day...she may be able to handle it, provided she can get something more nutritious on the side.

quietly, she asks the server to bring them the special menu, and sticks to a water herself. Ritsu won't feel alone in being Good, for now.]

It's a nice place...how did you find it?

[nemuru]

Mmm... I like looking for quiet places to catch some shut-eye.

( ritsu "idol in life" sakuma, who doesn't actually like crowded places or too many people or loudness. there's a difference between fans and the audience, or business partners or whatever, and strangers. )

Just stumbled on it.

( ritsu stretches and gives a thankful nod when the water for them comes around--the menu is tucked beneath them on the tray, and ritsu moves their drinks off of it to peer at the options with emily.

the names sound good--a little over-the-top, but not really out of place in hell. what they actually are, though, is a little stomach-turning: there's some meals that are hopefully just youkai-themed and not actually youkai, like the "breaded bakeneko paws" or the "namekujira escargot". "baked umi inu", "blanquette de kudan", "bitan steak"...

and naturally, the chef's special, which changes by the day. ritsu looks up at emily, then back down at the menu. mm. )

...Anythin' sound good to you?

[medicative]

Um...

[she doesn't want to believe it, and so she has to very quietly whisper to Ritsu.]

Is this one of those...theme restaurants?

[like. that's not just out in the open, right?

she can feel Hibiki in her mind stretching, waking up in curiosity.]

[nemuru]

( ritsu shrugs a little, turning it over; there's cocktails, some with blood. oh...... wait maybe he is being a bad boy toni )

Not normally, nah.

( and this one's secret, so maybe it's... he flips it back over, folding the corner back and forth idly. )

...But the night crew could change it up or somethin'. ( he might still get the chef's special though--that can't be different than the day menu, right? ...maybe. ) Namekujira are just giant slugs, if you want something kinda safe. I don't think they talk. Maybe.