ic contact. (GP)

[reprisings]

@reprises

▶ TEXT

▶ AUDIO

▶ VIDEO

▶ ACTION

Comments

text | un: streetcred

[onlythans]

you know, many dashing and unbearably handsome rogues would consider it a misstep to make overtures toward a lady after they'd previously hastened them out of their garments, but alas, i can't number myself among them.

faring well, are you? no more mishaps with unfortunate costumes, i hope?

[reprisings]

No other mishaps, thankfully! I would think this dreadful place had it out for me, if so.

Are you keeping on all right? Or have you been swooping in to rescue damsels in fabric distress still?

[onlythans]

as well as one can be, i daresay. i did lose track of a comrade recently, though i can't say that's unusual for him; he's always going and coming as his whims take him, so i tend not to worry much about it.

but come now, i don't just save EVERY gorgeous girl wandering about trapped in her vestments. that's an honor reserved for my favorites.

[reprisings]

Oh. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I do hope you find him soon and that all is well.

[ Does he really mean lose track or has something actually happened to him? She wonders if she could ask Natori about it. ]

We've met only once and I'm already one of your favorites? Flatterer. I feel there's a catch coming on. Something like 'so could you come over here and get this cursed shirt off of me this time'...

Action - Sorry for the massive delay! I forgor

[lakan]

[ As night made the hotel's halls more peaceful and serene, Troy haunts its halls and notable spots on his lonesome. The conservatory is his favorite spot to go to. The serenity of the gardens, the fresher air, and the fake night sky eases his mind enough to quiet his depressing thoughts. He just returned to a place that to him, he hasn't been in for many years. Even though he was only gone for a little over a month in this world, according to those he met before that remained here.

Troy finds his usual spot in the conservatory, a little ways away from the commonly trekked paths. It stands right between some trees where he can look straight up and see the stars, and it's high enough that he can see the rest of the conservatory being lit up at night as well. It's a visual feast that puts a smile on his face as he sits down with a cold drink. Troy closes his eyes, remembering his home by the beach and the sound of the waves he can't ever get here. The peace he feels made him hum a mellow tune, his deep voice trembles gently in his chest and the silence around him made his melody reach far. ]

all good!

[reprisings]

[ Dorothea is no stranger to the conservatory, not these past few moons. It's a lovely place to spend her time and is one of the few places she can sneak off to without fear of any unfortunate side effects or oddities. It's nice, even, to look at the animals as she goes by or when she finds a little corner in the patio to tuck herself into and to simply let the time pass by. At night, it's even lovelier; between the Vale and the conservatory, when the illuminated paths of bioluminescent flora turn into the warmer notes of lit gardens and then the deep dark of the starry sky, it's a sight to dream of. And she often enjoys it on her own, as peaceful as it is.

Tonight, she follows the paths well enough, though as she begins to slip into the gardens she hears the sound of a man humming. And that's just peculiar enough for her to wander even further towards the sound. It's a rich tone, ever so beautiful. Dorothea goes slow, not to sneak but neither to interrupt nor for the soft crunch of her footfalls to distract her or the person she's trying to listen to.

She doesn't round the tree just yet. For now, she just wants to listen. ]

[lakan]

[ Troy's hum continues. Lyrics in an unknown language start to mumble in, rising into a melody of softly spoken verses. A rabbit catches his attention as it hops near him, causing Troy to pause for a bit as he invites the creature to come closer. Perhaps sensing a lack of ill intent, the rabbit joins Troy and lets itself feel the petting fingertips of the man. He smiles, letting his song continue while distracting himself with this friendly creature.

The words may be unknown to Dorothea's ears, but the melody of his voice sand a mellow, melancholic tune. The kind of songs sang by an open flame in a camp, or a fireplace. Troy senses Dorothea's presence at the sound of her footstep, causing him to look her way with a curious glare ]

Hello?

[ Just as he says that, Troy looks at the rabbit perk up and hop away from him, distracting him from Dorothea's arrival for a moment until he eventually turns his gaze at where she might be standing. ]

Just so you know, you scared a bunny away. But I doubt you're anything remotely dangerous, so wanna show yourself?

un: kiritsubo

[tattooism]

[ Delivered slipped beneath the door, with no trace of the sender having asked for her room or knowing where she resides...

Is a small square of drawing paper, on which a single purple hydrangea is drawn in watercolor.

Beneath the illustration, it is signed "Kiritsubo". ]

@reprises

[reprisings]

[ Oh, that's...incredibly beautiful. She's not familiar with the flower though she's quite familiar with the sender. Still, why this one in particular? Dorothea has to head down to the library to get a good look at what it might be.

And then she sends Kiritsubo a message. ]

The drawing you sent was lovely, Kiritsubo. Is this a common flower in your home world?

[tattooism]

Think nothing of it. Art for an artist.

In the summer rainy season months, yes. It flourishes beneath the damp, vibrant colors in the mist.

paper card

[paperpusher]

[On the morning of the first, a homemade postcard on high quality paper slides itself under Dorothea's door. On the front is a piece of highly stylized calligraphy. On the back, in more standard but still extremely nice handwriting:]

Happy New Year!

Thank you for all your support last year. I look forward to working together again in the future. Please keep your head up!

Natori

― set during the tdm ― @texas

[swordpour]

Everything okay? Been meaning to check on you since the last few months were crazy.

(the dungeon and angler fish are going to haunt her nightmares.)

[reprisings]

Oh, Texas! I'm glad to hear from you. I'm all right.

[ A lie. ]

Have you been okay? I haven't seen you around much.

[swordpour]

Let's say a lot happened....too much, truly.

(she still wants a vacation from this hellhole resort, but nothing can be done there.)

And a few certain days being close at the end of the year left me homesick again.

[greatestworks]

[ Special delivery! Someone has delivered a small, red box tied shut with a red ribbon to Dorothea's door.

Inside, wrapped in gold tissue, are four heart-shaped chocolates. These have candied bits of tangerine mixed in with the chocolate, and signs that these were inexpertly shaped from a mold.

The inside of the box's lid reads: I imagine you are no stranger to gifts, but these I made myself, so there should be no risk in enjoying them. I hope you find them to your taste, my friend. -Phainon ]

@lazylout

[workingslacker]

I spoke to Phainon.

He's agreed, though I'm not sure how much enthusiasm he has.

[reprisings]

[ Oh. Right. This conversation. She'd completely forgotten about it during the whole Goldenville saga but... ]

That's not quite promising. What did he say?

[workingslacker]

He did agree, though he seemed surprised that the both of us were in on it.

Phainon offered his room, which is now on a floor even above mine.

voice; un: greatestworks (soon after the Goldenville nightmare round concluded)

[greatestworks]

[ Gods, straight to voicemail by some twist of fate. Marshalling himself with a deep breath, he reminds himself to not say something weird. ]

Dorothea! [ he says cheerily, ] Apologies for not reaching out sooner, I was detained by-

[ Ahem. ] -the recent game. Anyway, I hope you're well.

[ ...Just say it already! ] I wanted to chat with you about... uh, something Cale brought up.

[reprisings]

[ She's going to shake Cale. Still, she...mostly proposed this so she should be the one to take ownership of the endeavor, at least. So, Dorothea calls him back. ]

Sorry for missing your call, Phainon.

[ Too busy texting. ]

What were you and Cale discussing?

[ As if she doesn't know, obviously, but...she'd like a better understanding of how this was pitched and how Phainon understands the request. ]

[greatestworks]

It's no trouble. ...Uh-

[ He exhales. ] Perhaps it's for the best that I show you.

[ The best thing about getting this teleslate phone from a certain salacious mingle is the fact he's so familiar with this technology; Phainon sends a few screenshots for the sake of expediency.

He wants her input, without being influenced by his self-doubt, so he sends, and waits. ]

text | un: streetcred

[onlythans]

i wonder if i might beg a favor of you, darling?

i can't hardly say what's come over me. nostalgia for home, mayhaps, upon realizing that i've now spent more than half a year away from my previous circumstances. but regardless, i wonder if you might indulge me so far as to hear me out.

i've written a bit of a ballad, of late, but i find my own renditions lacking beneath my regrettably modest talents. i wonder if it might be better done in a songstress's voice — if you'd be willing to give it a try?

[reprisings]

[ It's really been that long, hasn't it...

While she doesn't believe for a single moment that any renditions or ballads of his (has he always been a composer...?) could be poor in his voice, who is she to refuse? ]

I'm happy to help with whatever you might need, of course! And you'd be doing me a favor, frankly; I'm likely woefully out of practice.

I don't recall you ever mentioning you wrote ballads, though.

[onlythans]

chiefly because i don't — or at least, none i'd consider fit for popular consumption. i've spent too much time in the company of talent to think myself anywhere close to comparable.

it's something i do to take my mind off things, when other distractions are less available. were i to play it for you, and provide you with the words, would you send me back a sample of your own rendition?

delivery

[tattooism]

[ One day, Dorothea will return to their room to find an oblong package wrapped in a silk cloth set just outside the door. Attached, a card of fine paper stock with the same fine calligraphy that had graced a certain network post they participated in the last month. ]

Results of the First Annual
Paulownia Court Poetry Contest

Hosted at the Golden Peacock Resort & Casino,
to the Theme of "Inspired By My Fellow Guest"

🙣

We were honored by your participation in the contest, and are pleased to award you Second Prize.
Thank you for your commitment to bettering our stay in the Golden Peacock through the pursuit of culture and creative expression.
Please enjoy the memorializing of your poetry by the calligrapher Getian, and contact Kiritsubo at your convenience to receive your complimentary fortune-telling.

[ And in the tube mailer is a fine calligraphy rendition of the poem(s) they submitted, fit to be hung up or framed.

Enjoy! ]