epidemiology | ( open ) baby i like your style

Entry tags:

( open ) baby i like your style

CHARACTERS: lapis (

onerism), nami (

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!

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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!]

Edited 2016-10-05 14:25 (UTC)

[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.]

[Lapis had certainly seen Sanji from the stage, but had assumed his... admiration were for the other two girls - they were definitely far more captivating. Which is why his rather enthusiastic reaction when she talks to him causes her to pause, blinking at him in surprise.]

Ah... [NO WHY IS HE GETTING DOWN ON HIS KNEE Lapis cannot handle this, what does she do!! So she freezes for a moment longer, before she smiles sheepishly, stepping a bit closer as she waves a hand.]

I-I'm glad you enjoy my singing, I'm always happy to perform for people... And you don't have to get on one knee like that. [It's less that people are staring, and more he's doing it towards her. She is not used to situations like this...]

But is really any song okay?

[Why is the single most important question one must ask in the face of everything that is Sanji. Although What is definitely a good second place.

As it is, Sanji's paying very little attention to anyone who's taken notice of his rather flamboyant gesture. Oh no, the only thing in his mind is the wonder in front of him, the music that's still ringing in his head and making him feel like any second he might just float away, borne forth on a cloud of soft notes and heartfelt words!!!]

Anything! So long as I can hear you sing again, mademoiselle.

[As much as Sanji's a little... over the top... at the very least, he seems... genuine. After all, he's smiling at Lapis like she's the most amazing woman he's ever had the pleasure of talking to.]

[Right now questions of why and what are swirling around her head, and it's hard not to be surprised at how he reacts towards her. This is the exact opposite of what she's used to??

But she can tell that he's somehow... genuine? It's even more of a surprise, but after a few moments, she's able to smile at him softly in return.]

... Thank you. Then I'll make sure to dedicate my next song to you, ah... [A pause, and then she tilts her head slightly.]

What's your name? I'm Lapis.

[A..... a..... a....... a......... a-a...... a........ a................... a d..... a d-ded...... a dedication?!

Let it be known that here, in this small saloon on a distant planet in another world, is where Sanji found everything he'd ever wanted. He thought the All Blue had been reflected from the glistening scales of the mermaids on Fishman Island, but he'd been wrong. It's here, in the soft tones of a future song sang to and for him that he's found his ❤ All Blue ❤!!]

For you, for a lovely lady who has the kindness to bare her heart in song for someone like me, I'll strive to be a true, humble-- [Sanji stop pirouetting towards Lapis and-- no. NO DON'T TAKE HER HAND AND GO TO KISS IT OH MY GOD] -- Prince.

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?

[That familiar voice gets Lapis to perk up from where she was sitting by the stage, a smile appearing on her face when she spots the other girl.]

Hi, Chihiro. [Of course, her words get Lapis' smile to brighten even more - giggling softly at her question as she looks to where the ghost is floating around.]

Thank you, I'm glad you were able to see some of it. And I think he did, he just doesn't want to admit it since he thinks admitting stuff like that is embarrassing.

[A small wisp of smoke puffs from the area where he's floating about - a petulant gesture which means Lapis is right but he doesn't want to agree.]

[ That puff of smoke has her attention, garnering a small sort of smile and shake of her head. She doesn't really understand, but not many of her friends back home were the kind to deflect like that. Even roar she remembers now from the bath house had ultimately been honest with how they felt.

She nods her head toward where she'd seen the puff of smoke. ]

It's nice to hear how well you both understated each other.

[Mitchell is just a grumpy guts who likes to act like he's tough. Luckily Lapis has become skilled on picking up on his moods over the years.]

I guess after a while it just comes naturally. [Another puff of smoke, and another soft giggle from Lapis.]

And I'm glad you enjoyed the performance too, it's been a while since I did anything like that.

[ Her curiosity has her looking back to Lapis, holding her hands together at stomach level. ]

You used to perform like this back home?

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.

[DAMMIT JIN.

Lapis' expression somehow manages to flatten even more in response - you could at least drag these patrons away or something!! Especially since Mitchell is about ready to fry them.

At least that's enough to make the others step back a bit, with Lapis huffing softly. It does seem like the guy is very, very apologetic now that the fire has appeared... but ghosts tend to be an unforgiving bunch, and Mitchell isn't accepting any apologies.]

Since he looks like he's about to wet himself, I think he has. [The Qorral at least has a moment to look disgruntled at that remark, but he's in no place to argue right now.]

So help me pull him down before he becomes a fried Qorral.

All right, then. Party's over, let's start bringing it in.

[The patrons, fortunately, have been (mostly) cooperative in backing off in confusion and fear, so Jin doesn't have to do too much to usher them away, either, before moving in to help Lapis and the unfortunate Qorral out.

Eyebrow raised, he regards the floating man, and reaches up to tug him down out of the air.]

Mitchell, right? [says Jin, looking for the life of him like he's talking to himself.] Want to let this guy go for a sec?

[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?]

[Lapis does take notice of the... rather young patron. Who is also apparently scribbling away at some notes? It's not something she really dwells on, far too focused on performing.

But once she's off the stage and sees the girl still taking notes, her curiosity gets the better of her. So, she approaches, hands tucked behind her back as she steps closer and takes a peek at the notes.]

What're you taking notes on?

[Something Sieglinde is not actually used to: people interrupting her note-taking to ask what she's doing. Not to say she disliked it, simply... it surprised her every time, and she's left staring at her papers a moment before she finally looks up at Lapis, blinking a bit slowly.

Well...]

Your performance... ?

[Which was totally not strange, yes?]

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.]

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( open ) baby i like your style

lapis 👻 ota

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

never be sorry

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iii

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ii, im so sorry

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wildcard???

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i