( open ) baby i like your style

[winces]

CHARACTERS: lapis (onerism), nami (weatherscience), olivia (winces), & company!
DATE: one lovely evening before the 8th
WARNINGS: nami's feminine wiles, lapis' pyro-happy ghost buddy, and olivia's hives... also extreme second-hand embarrassment and possibly some less-than-savory audience members. potential for violence?? maybe???
SUMMARY: lapis, nami, and olivia try to earn some extra $$$ by doing what they do best. chaos ensues.

Whether you've come to the Desert Flower Saloon this evening for boarding or for entertainment, you'll find the first floor practically vibrating with activity and life. On this night, unlike any other before (or so Miz Poppy will proclaim), the saloon's main stage will feature not one, not two, but three new performers, fresh (a week or so old is still fresh, right?) from the far corners of the universe to delight and excite the saloon's loyal patrons with the song and dance and magic of their alien people.

Come! Sit, watch, and enjoy!

Comments

( closed | olivia-nami-lapis )

[winces]

[ minutes before they're set to perform for the evening, olivia finds herself nearly swallowed up by her nerves. oh, it'll be an entirely different story the moment she's up there, of course, when she remembers her love for the music and the dance.

but for this moment, all she can think of is her stage fright, and the distinct, gnawing feeling in the back of her mind that she's going to fall flat on her face at least five times that evening.

she turns to her two friends, hands clutching at her burning cheeks. ]

Ohmygooosh, I don't know, you guys, I don't know... Are you sure this was a good idea..?!

[weatherscience]

[ It would be easy, to look at Nami standing next to Olivia and see nothing but juxtaposition, orange against pink, nerves against brimming confidence; there are no cracks, no hesitancy, nothing but bright golden eyes reflecting utter certainty of the skills of all three of them.

Gosh, Olivia, no one is going to fall flat on anyone's face today...!! ]

Of course it's a good idea! You're the professional dancer, aren't you? Nothing could be more up your alley than this! Right, Lapis? [ Turning to the third member of their little group, she smiles encouragingly, please join her on convincing Olivia instead of sharing that same stage-fright... ] We're going to do great!

[ ... and get all that money, she doesn't say, because for once, this evening is only half about the money for her. ]

nami ☁ ota

[weatherscience]

[ When she heard Olivia and Lapis' plans to perform, there was no question whether she wanted to help out and take part of it -- not only for the money (and this is Nami, so that's saying a lot), but for something to do; as it turned out, pirates weren't good at standing around and waiting, and some nice dancing and showing off her skills sounded much more like a good time than clearing rubble or fighting bandits!

Nami's talents lie outside of dancing, though. That isn't to say she can't give a good performance: she twirls between her friends, throwing her Clima-tact like a baton in the air, winking at the audience... before drawing a wide arch with her hand; Mirage tempo never fails. The three performers disappear in light mist, only to dance their way to the other end of the stage to suddenly appear again; and as they keep dancing, one by one there seem to be... more of them. Two Olivias, two Lapis', even two Namis standing at both ends of the stage, twirling the Clima-tact in the air.

Needless to say, the performance is a success. ]

( i. )

[ After it is over, you may catch the navigator-temporarily-turned-performance-artist at the bar, sighing and fanning her hand near her face like she's unbearably hot despite her choice of dress... ]

Ahhh, that really took a lot out of me! If only someone was kind enough to buy me a drink...

[ Said. loudly enough that whoever is nearby should catch the implication... come on, buy her a drink, why don't you? Yes, you. Or you. Or everyone, really.

(Or just approach her to chat her up about the performance, ask about her "magic"... she'll buy that damn drink herself if she has to!!) ]

( ii. )

[ When the inevitable happens, and some drunk patron slides into the seat next to her with more than unsavory suggestions, she glances at them out of the corner of her eye and says, with a conversational tone that manages to be more terrifying than anything else, ]

There is a stable pressure in the air today... but there are some areas were extreme air temperatures mix. And in those areas, you might find some dark clouds forming... beware of thunder strikes!

[ Sound like nonsense? So the patron seems to think, despite the way the Clima-tact in her hand seems to already spark with an electric charge... someone maybe step in before the forecast becomes a reality?? ]

( iii. )

[ wildcard me!! anything goes c: ]

ii

[perma_banned]

[More than one drunk patron seemed to be accosting Nami at that rate though the first one found it difficult to talk with a giant hand plastered up on his face. The drunk's head was shoved into a table as Ban stumbled forward to greet Nami, red-faced and tipsy as a lush tended to be when they hit their stride.

Snickering, Ban delivered a punchline to the joke that nobody wanted to be made.]

Don't worry about the weather--Nami, you outta decide whether you're gonna buy me a drink or not!

[Then, as drunks were want to do foolish things--Ban set his hand on the Clima-tact as it sparked with electricity.]

i

[moneyballer]

[Asher leans against the bar, eyeing Nami from across the way.

He's here on "business," although all he's really gotten around to since his arrival is monkey business. Pretty girls catch his attention easily enough, especially since playing good student got him thrown in jail the last time.

Without responding to her request right away, he hovers close. If nobody takes her up on that offer (there's no chance in hell that's going to happen, just look at her), he'll definitely send a cocktail in her direction.]

i. as if this was surprising

[diablejambe]

[From the distance comes a noise. A very familiar, very rapidly increasing noise. A melodious cry of NaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAMI-SWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN~! followed by a rapidly approaching maelstrom of hearts and flailing limbs.

And there he is, coming to a sudden stop by the table Nami's at, bowing at the waist and calmly sliding a drink in front of her (a beautiful drink that definitely didn't come from the saloon here).]

To leave such a gorgeous performance unrewarded would be the most heinous crime. I'd sooner be clapped in irons rather than leave such a wonder to go thirsty.

[Look at him, he managed to actually get sentences out without devolving into a heart-eyed, wriggling mess!]

i.

[pummelling]

[Not only is Jin not particularly invested in their performance, he doesn't drink. Like. at all. Truth be told, he isn't in here for any good reason-- he'd wandered into the Desert Flower on the heels of a bandit he'd had a bone to pick with, then lost track of the guy as the crowding shoved him further into the stage.

He's here now, though, whether he likes it or not. And Nami seems to have directed that at him so, uh... awk........ward...

Jin responds, flatly:] No thanks. You're not really my type. [he's even very pointedly looking her in the eyes. Like a gentleman.]

More importantly, though, what was that stuff you were doing onstage?

wildcard???

[grunehexe]

[There are some people who are going to stick out in a place no matter how much they change their clothing to reflect local tastes. And in Sieglinde's case, not only does she have her lily-white skin and small stature working against her, but.

She's... obviously the youngest patron in this place.

But she's here with a purpose. Only occasionally pausing to take a sip of her drink or blindly grope about for a handful of food, she's very intently... taking notes?

At least, that's what it looks like she's doing, scribbling furiously during the performance in a combination of German shorthand and quick, anatomically accurate sketches, muttering to herself under her breath and continuing to observe even after the actual stage dancing is done.

Hope you ladies don't mind being the focus of a study?]

i

[scarredhorns]

Um, excuse me.

[Nyuu shyly emerges from the crowd and walks up to Nami, eyes still twinkling from the performance she'd just spectated and hands folded in front of her chest.]

T-That was amazing what you just did! But really, all three of you did wonderfully!

[Nami may or may not have seen Nyuu herself perform on a previous night accompanied by Gwen.]

Are you a magician?

i.

[whatshimadayou]

I suspect that you could easily afford it yourself, Nami.

[His lips twitch, not quite smiling. Despite his words, he nods to the bartender.]

A drink of her choice, please.

The performance was quite impressive.

lapis 👻 ota

[oneirism]

i. 👻 Breaktime

[When it comes to performing, Lapis is always more than happy to show off her skills – she's good at this, and she knows it, and she loves nothing more than performing for others. Even when she's performing in an outfit that one wouldn't think would allow for much dancing – those heels do still hurt a lot though.

But there are breaks between performances, which Lapis spends sitting down and humming to herself, absently thinking of what to do next.

And if she spots any other recruits nearby, she doesn't hesitate to approach - her expression and demeanor much more subdued compared to how lively and animated she is on stage, her voice softer rather than bold and passionate when she sang. But the energetic spark in her eyes is there, her movements still fluid as if she's still dancing to some unheard turn, her voice still holding that playful hint like it did on stage.]

Is there any other songs you want to hear?

ii. 👻 Aftershow

[There's one thing the girls didn't really know when they signed up to perform. That some of the patrons might have other... ideas about what they do. Ideas Lapis doesn't approve of. And ideas of ghostly companion doesn't approve of either.]

No, Mitchell, stop!

[Now one of the bold patrons has been lifted into the air, being shaken angrily by... something, as Lapis tries to get him down. There might be sparks of fire flickering in the air too – ghost buddy does not approve of people trying to proposition the girl he's looking after. Gold eyes glance around for assistance, and if she locks eyes with anyone, you can bet she wants them to help her with this.]

iii. 👻 Wildcard

[Fell free to throw anything else at me!]

i. i'm sorry, i'm so, so sorry

[diablejambe]

[Sanji has been watching the performances from as near the girls as he can get. Like. He's basically been sitting against the stage with his arms folded on it, one heart beating from his visible eye in time with the music, little puffs of heart shaped smoke leaving his mouth with every exhale.

It's been like watching goddesses. Like he, a mere mortal man, is momentarily privvy to the dancing, the science, and the magical voices of actual angels. So when Lapis steps off the stage, makes her way towards him, speaks to him, it's like he's been struck through the heart with Cupid's arrow.

He staggers backwards, a hand clutched to his chest, mind still reeling that such a wonder as this would come to him of all people.]

A-A song? [He stammers, trying to recover, to calm his beating heart and address the mystical glory in front of him.] Anything you sing would be more than enough. To just be able to listen to your voice for a moment longer-- ah, that would warm my heart for years to come, would give me the strength to keep moving forward!

To think a shining star such as you would think us worthy of the music of your heart!!

[Oh look. Somewhere in there he got down on one knee, one hand still clutching the front of his shirt, the other waving in front of him dramatically. How embarrassing.]

iii

[onethousen]

Lapis-san!

[ Chihiro winds her way through the dregs of the crowd soon after she's offstage, flashing Lapis a smile once she can catch a moment to breathe. ]

I only saw some of your show, but you were really great!

[ The combined effect of everything has her in a better mood than she's been in earlier on that day. She glances around, focusing her attention on Lapis again after a moment. ]

Did Mitchell-san enjoy the show too?

ii, im so sorry

[pummelling]

I like your buddy's style.

[Guess which wallflower came out to watch the violence? Jin's standing by, arms folded and looking on in mild interest. Seeing as Mitchell's already intervened, he doesn't have much to do but spectate: anyone who'd proposition an obviously uninterested girl obviously deserves to get ghost force-lifted.

.........wait nvm that's fire maybe he should help??? Jin steps forward, looking a little more concerned now.]

Give it a little bit. Make sure the creeper learns his lesson first.

wildcard???

[grunehexe]

[There are some people who are going to stick out in a place no matter how much they change their clothing to reflect local tastes. And in Sieglinde's case, not only does she have her lily-white skin and small stature working against her, but.

She's... obviously the youngest patron in this place.

But she's here with a purpose. Only occasionally pausing to take a sip of her drink or blindly grope about for a handful of food, she's very intently... taking notes?

At least, that's what it looks like she's doing, scribbling furiously during the performance in a combination of German shorthand and quick, anatomically accurate sketches, muttering to herself under her breath and continuing to observe even after the actual stage dancing is done.

Hope you ladies don't mind being the focus of a study?]

i

[scarredhorns]

Oh, you're asking me?

[Just to make sure, Nyuu looks around and finds that Lapis is indeed talking to her.]

Well, would you happen to be familiar with Bucking Bronco? It goes like this... [And she sings a part from the beginning to see if it would help Lapis to remember if she'd heard it before. Nyuu's singing wasn't bad either, even though she wasn't doing it at full volume like she did the other night.]

olivia ✨ ota

[winces]

( ooc; as a note, olivia's dancing "revitalizes" anyone who happens to witness it. that generally means your character could experience a boost in mood/morale and/or energy. whether or not you'd like to have these effects work on your character is up to you! c: )

i. HOLD ME CLOSER TONY DANZA

[ dancing has and always will be olivia's greatest passion. performing in general — with the audience's eyes on her movements and their breaths in her hands — has always given her a thrill unlike any other she's ever known. and like everything else she dedicates herself to, she throws herself in completely.

in fact, she seems an entirely different person up on that stage. poised, graceful, and brimming with confidence and talent, she looks a far cry from the usually mousy woman who can't even seem to meet anyone's eye without first glancing away.

during her performance, she might catch your eye, and if you happen to hold hers long enough, she won't hesitate to wander over and reach for your hand, greeting you with an imploring, ]

Dance with me~

[ or perhaps you happen to be the one on the piano (or other instrument), providing the smooth tunes that the performers have been jamming to. after the performance, she would turn to you to clasp her hands together in praise. ]

Oh my gosh — you were incredible!

ii. NOT THAT CLOSE THOUGH...

[ statistically, it was bound to happen. all the hubbub and excitement, this close to a considerable supply of liquor and the general atmosphere provided by the desert flower saloon's other offered services, a misstep was likely to happen.

this particular incident unfortunately finds olivia at the receiving end of it. one step off the stage and her anxiousness returns to her, only exacerbated now by the approach of a qorral who doesn't seem to understand the concept of "leave me alone." olivia hangs back by the edge of the stay where she's been cornered, her hands wringing in front of her and feeling even more uncomfortable now in the outfit she had just shimmered in minutes earlier. ]

Um... no thank you, [ she says in response to the qorral's offer to buy her a drink, voice quiet but firm. they don't seem so easily discouraged, and instead press her with an invitation for company instead, to which she abruptly responds, ]

I-I'm allergic to social situations, sorry...! It gives me hives! Everywhere!!

[ ????? olivia what

she pointedly avoids the qorral's eye, and in the process happens to meet yours. she perks up instantly, and whether or not you might have intended an interaction, she is suddenly moving forward, holding out a hand towards you. ]

Oh — there you are...! [ she says, as if this meeting had been planned all along. the qorral doesn't seem to enjoy being brushed off, however, and makes a noise of discontent, surging forward as if to reach for her arm... ]

iii. WILDCARD

[ maybe you caught olivia just before she performed (perhaps dipping into some of those complimentary drinks from the bar to calm her nerves...), or you're feeling the effects of her dancing and have a complaint to file about all these sudden happy! thoughts!! if none of these prompts strike your fancy, or we'd already discussed doing something else, feel free to write up your own prompt or leave me an idea for a starter! ]

B!!

[fintastic]

[ A saloon isn't really Feferi's first choice of hang out, but it seems to be the liveliest place in town, so when she finds herself at a loss for what to do, she finds herself in a little corner table, people watching or enjoying the entertainment on stage. It's especially enjoyable tonight, seeing some of her fellow teammates on the stage; she gets wrapped up in the entertainment just as much as anyone else.

She's actually watching the next performer when she spots some weird movement from the corner of her eye, and hears one of those teammates trying to ward off one of the locals. (This seems to happen a lot...) When Olivia approaches her, acting like they were meant to meet up all this time, Feferi catches on quickly, and rises, grabbing her trident from where she had it leaning against the table as she does. ]

Yes, hello-- no!

[ She sees the Qorral pursuer making a grab for Olivia, and with her free hand, slaps at his, admonishing him like a naughty puppy. ]

We don't grab, that is rude! She does not want to talk to you, so please leave her alone!

[ Her nose scrunches and she furrows her brow, and of course, that trident is still in her hand, too. Her grip on it tightens, not quite brandishing it, but making it known that she's not afraid to, either. ]

i.

[fateality]

Well well, Ms. Olivia -- somebody's light on her feet.

[After his last emotionally difficult matter, the performances have put him in better spirits. Surprising, but welcoming. In any case, he accepts her invitation, gently taking her hand.]

Some might even call that charming.

ii

[moneyballer]

[Asher is here to do a little socializing of his own, and Olivia may even catch a glimpse of him talking and laughing to a local girl, drink in hand. Olivia's discomfort seems to catch his attention however, and he looks worriedly in her direction before she approaches him.

His own grip fingers tighten around the glass, slipping over the condensing liquid on the outsides. Deja vu, it's happening again, only this time he knows better.

When he sees her head in his direction, he immediately reciprocates.]

...Hey.

[He angles his way between Olivia and her suitor, weaving a solid arm around her, just enough to be appropriate. Achilles has made himself very clear, and the young lawyer does not want to be tangled up in any more fights with the Olympian.

Still, he shoots a glare in the miscreant's direction before addressing Olivia herself.]

Good job up there.

[Quiet, sincere.

There's worry in his eyes.]

iii

[perma_banned]

[Facedown on a table, Ban seemed to be cradling another human being. A hapless tavern brawler seemed to be snared in Ban's vice grip, unable to escape. It seemed he had tried to pick a fight with the drunk immortal, got locked into a hug, and became inexorably entangled in his long nap.

It wasn't Ban who called out to Olivia--it was the hapless patron who looked at her with panicked eyes and reached for her, whispering 'Help! Get him off!'.]

✨ hold me closer

[friendlykillingmachine]

[Well, if he had any doubts left that she wasn't okay after that train incident, those are long gone now. No wounded person could dance like that! In fact, he doesn't think he's seen a person dance like that in... ever! Rocky has been near the stage watching raptly and cheering but Olivia catches him totally off guard when she approaches the edge of the stage and beckons him to join her.

And because he's feeling so inexplicably great right now, he just throws off his hat and poncho and climbs onstage to join her, no questions asked. It's really the last place Rocky would ever expect to find himself, but he's all smiles when he applauds Olivia again and turns to wave at the audience. Then he leans toward her and whispers loudly:]

I've never danced in front of so many aliens before! [He sounds more excited than nervous, at least.]

ii

[heelies]

[Achilles is as always mesmerized by her lithe body's every twist and turn as he beholds her from the audience. Well does he remember the warm sensation nestling inside of him just as it had so nestled when first he witnessed the passion of her dance there upon the beaches of Nalawi. For all the time they have since spent in one another's company while their love blooms ever fuller, however, he cannot help but think it a sign of how close their hearts have grown for him to feel the joy of Olivia's dance as powerfully as she herself must. He gleams bright with pride for her beauty and grace which upon the stage shine so radiantly, and he would readily boast that there is the woman he claims for his wife. If he could bear to pull his gaze away he is sure he should see every eye in the saloon turned upon her in awe.

When her performance ends, he purposes to welcome her off the stage. Yet it seems that he is not quick enough. His contentment is soon eclipsed by ire when he sees her caught by this Qorral man, whose fingers purpose to wrap around her forearm as ropes might bind a slave. With his stride swift he confronts this unsavory dastard, who ought to thank good fortune that Achilles is without weapon to brandish at him. He cuts a threatening image absent the aid of a sword, with his muscles prominent beneath his locally-favored clothes and his glare as deadly as the cliffs that rise sharp from the sea.]

If you have any wits left at all beneath your curls, presently will you go from my sight to never again lay eye nor hand upon my wife. She wishes not to speak to you - therefore, dare not to tarnish her sweet fidelity with these rude assaults.

[The offending hand he seizes by the wrist as he speaks, and he does not loosen his hold, as if to press his warning into the man's very flesh.]

ii lmao also this, joins the train...

[onethousen]

[ Chihiro had only slipped inside later on, stopping by and staying to witness the end of the performance. She feels better for it, finding herself smiling in the aftermath as people start to stir and mingle and re-situate themselves, some calling for alcohol, others ribbing each other, yet others soliciting the staff for offers that fly right over her head.

She wants to let both the women she knows who'd been on stage that she'd thought they'd done well, and it's in elbowing her way through the crowd that she ends up making her slow way over to where Olivia has been cornered. The implications don't hit Chihiro straight away, but that's because her focus is on her friend. It's the uncomfortable body language that makes an impact while she moves through the crowd, caught in glimpses between shifting bodies. Chihiro ends up elbowing her way through two qorral patrons to pop up like a determined daisy after crawling under a table and avoiding a sticky mess she refuses to identify. It's about then that she makes eye contact, and even as the qorral steps forward to reach for Olivia... Chihiro is dashing the rest of the way forward to bounce up and throw herself between the both of them, wrapping her arms around Olivia's midsection in an impromptu hug. ]

Olivia-san! You were so wonderful up there!

[ The back of her head does get accidentally knocked into by the qorral's hand, the purple hairtie holding her ponytail in place flashing for a moment. The irritation that might have had the qorral insisting that he was talking here seems to dissipate; almost bemused, he steps back, rubbing at his chin and shaking his head. ]

wildcard, i'm diving straight in

[strictdiscipline]

[Olivia's dancing is, as always, a pleasure to watch and entirely deserving of a celebratory drink afterwards. But somehow one celebratory drink turns into two drinks turns into just enough drinks to blur the line between reason and folly for both women. The intoxicating effect of the alcohol's amplified by the aftereffects of Olivia's dancing and leads to the conversation quickly turning down a less-than-respectable path—and Riza slamming (gently) one hand onto the bar counter in a show of solidarity and support.]

I don't see why you shouldn't be able to lend your talents to that task. You certainly look far more attractive than most of the men on our team.

[She's gonna be real, she doesn't want to see half of them strip down to little more than their undies. (The other half, however...)]