[Originally Sol wasn't going to reply. The trial was a mess, the results were horrible and the outcome was even harder than they pictured. Running away and hiding isn't really their nature, but it was a thought. Still, the little boat with a plate of cookies approaches them and they give the note a second read.
It's why Nana will find Sol perched on the stage of the amphitheater, sitting at the edge of the stage with their knees pulled to their chest and toes hanging off the edge. The offering is next to them. When Nana approaches, they look up. ]
...hey Nana. [And they scoot a tiny bit so she can come sit. ]
She hadn't expected to be given an audience. That's why she hovers by the bottom of the stage before finding the stairs that will lead to the surface. The amphitheater itself is familiar to her in its own way -- not hers, or her school's, but it still feels of limelight, of a performance.
The homesickness would hit her like a blow if she weren't so settled on her friend.]
Sol-san.
[Sitting next to them, she also pulls her knees to her chest and lets her head rest on top, looking out over the empty seats]
... How nostalgic. It's like I never left school.
[Just talking to talk for the moment.]
Before I came here, I was doing an... audition, you know? And bombed it, haha. It was a complete failure for me.
[It's a comfortable silence when she joins them and sits by their side. They don't say anything after her greeting, but their gaze is pointed in the same direction as hers. They wonder a little about what Nana's school was really like thanks to that commentary, and while they want to ask they can at least read her tone. This isn't what she wants to say.
The real statement is a surprise though and they turn to face her just slightly.]
You? [Hm.] It's hard to think that you'd fail an audition, you know. [...] What happened?
[Staring out into the empty crowd again, and her expression shifts a little, the slightest mixture of frustration and something else. It's gone quickly, however, leaving behind a bittersweet sigh]
The auditions have girls perform against each other, and I... I just didn't make the cut that time.
I underestimated so many things.
-- But it's alright. [smiling suddenly, lifting her chin off her knees] The important thing is to keep trying, right? Especially after a failure. There will be another audition waiting for me when I go home.
[... twisting to look at them, her hands fiddling against themselves]
I'm sorry, I'm not actually good at cheering people up with words, but I just wanted to let you know that... even if things didn't go as planned, we still have time to get them right, yes?
[They get what Nana's saying, sort of. To them, that sounds kind of like a competition rather than a performance, but...there's something a little familiar about that. It's a familiar feeling and situation and they remain quiet while they wait for her to finish speaking. They don't turn away from her, attention focused and clearly listening even if she can't see their face.]
...I think I understand. [Everything.] I underestimated a lot, too. Today wasn't supposed to go like this. [...] And none of this was supposed to happen anyway, but it's not over yet. We can still fix it if people are willing to talk to each other and try.
[There's a single nod, more of affirmation than anything.] Thank you. [...] I think you're doing alright just by being here.
[Seeking them out to even attempt a conversation is a little more than they expected after today's fiasco so thank you Nana.] But I'm still sorry you all had to deal with that.
[A fact she thinks many of her fellow comrades forget, or don't want to be reminded of. Much easier to get through the trials if there's someone to blame besides the culprit.]
I've been in situations where I thought everything was going to be fine, only for it to fall to pieces, and people weren't very happy with me. So...
[So she gets it. She really does]
-- Don't worry! I bet everyone here is very resilient. [Giving them a little nudge to the shoulder with her own]
They just need a chance to calm down and think clearly. Actually -- [Clapping her hands together once]
I was thinking of opening up a cafe here like I did back at school. Everyone seemed to feel much better when they were getting food and had a place to vent their frustrations. Then they went back to work with no problems.
[A sweet notion, but they shake their head.] It's alright. We did, but we do what we have to to help you guys proceed. In a way...our feelings about it really shouldn't matter.
[Shouldn't, but they still have a lot of feelings about what happened today.] It's still hard to imagine people not being happy with you even if you did make mistakes. You're a lot nicer about things than I think I can be sometimes. [Which is worth noting.] But resilience is a good quality.
[...there's a noise that sounds like one of intrigue.] A cafe? If that's really what happens when people visit one, that doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.
[Mmm... she still disagrees about whose feelings should and should not matter, but in the end, it's a footnote. Not something they need to argue about. She'll nod instead, resting her head back on her knees while turning back to look at them.
-- Well, trying to look at them. The constant shadow is amusing at this point]
Sometimes it happens. People need to feel comfortable before they spill their concerns. Food helps with that.
[A pause, then a teasing smile]
Speaking of which, Sol-san, I don't think you ever told me what your favorite food is.
Food does seem to work for a lot of people. [They sound amused by that for some reason.] It's distracting and it's something that people can do for each other. Isn't that why people eat together?
[Buuut there's a shrug.] I don't know if I really have a favorite. But I like sweets a lot. [So thanks for the cookies.] Most of what we ate back home was whatever was given to us. Like pizza and stuff.
[For whatever reason, they seem to trip on that question. There's a strange kind of silence as they think of how to answer. Right. That probably sounded weird.]
We did a lot of take-out where I'm from. None of us really knew how to cook that well.
It's not an emotion that ever sits well with her, and so it's an emotion she had worked hard to eliminate whenever she relooped time. To be nervous is to be uncertain. It's to doubt oneself and their vision, their script. It's not knowing what's comes next.
She hates it. But, well. She's dead.
What else is there to be uncertain of at this point?
So she pushes the feeling back and walks her way to the farm, where she promised to meet Sol for their little spar. Her fingers itch, as if they can already feel the weight of swords in her grip.]
[This has been a long day. It's been a really long day, and Sol finds himself pacing around the farm anxiously. The swords for Nana are leaning against a fence post, along with Sol's shortswords. He's walking in a circle when he hears Nana and he glances back toward her, lifting a hand to wave.]
Almost ten minutes exactly. Nice timing. [The words come slowly, almost curiously.] Ready to get started?
[She hadn't known if he'd agree to such terms, and so Nana visibly beams when given the answer. Cheerfully, she'll go approach her weapons for the evening.]
I don't know if I really have a fighting style... those performances I told you about? They granted us a lot of power to finish off our opponents, so initially I relied on that knowledge... hm. So maybe I learned a few tricks from a line of samurai.
But I never forgot my memories or techniques when looping time.
[That's 60 years worth of muscle memory she's built up. Picking up the swords, she gives them both a swing, testing the weight until she's found a comfortable grip]
That predictably leads to some conflicted feelings on Nana's end, especially as she knows how many people must die to get their happy ending. But enough of that for the moment -- it's the start of the week and she could use some cheering up.
And given how the trials usually go? Sol could probably use a couple of kind words himself.]
Sol-san!
[Popping her head into the entrance of the hut with a small wave]
[He doesn't mind visitors, but she'll poke her head in and find a couple of things. Namely, the hut is actually alargebedroom.
Given that he's sitting on his bed with a small black cat in his lap and reading a book, no, he's not that busy. But he looks up and grins when she appears.]
Hey Nana. I always have time for you. What's up? [The kitten meows to make himself known as well.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Week 0 - Post Trial
It's why Nana will find Sol perched on the stage of the amphitheater, sitting at the edge of the stage with their knees pulled to their chest and toes hanging off the edge. The offering is next to them. When Nana approaches, they look up. ]
...hey Nana. [And they scoot a tiny bit so she can come sit. ]
no subject
She hadn't expected to be given an audience. That's why she hovers by the bottom of the stage before finding the stairs that will lead to the surface. The amphitheater itself is familiar to her in its own way -- not hers, or her school's, but it still feels of limelight, of a performance.
The homesickness would hit her like a blow if she weren't so settled on her friend.]
Sol-san.
[Sitting next to them, she also pulls her knees to her chest and lets her head rest on top, looking out over the empty seats]
... How nostalgic. It's like I never left school.
[Just talking to talk for the moment.]
Before I came here, I was doing an... audition, you know? And bombed it, haha. It was a complete failure for me.
no subject
The real statement is a surprise though and they turn to face her just slightly.]
You? [Hm.] It's hard to think that you'd fail an audition, you know. [...] What happened?
no subject
[Staring out into the empty crowd again, and her expression shifts a little, the slightest mixture of frustration and something else. It's gone quickly, however, leaving behind a bittersweet sigh]
The auditions have girls perform against each other, and I... I just didn't make the cut that time.
I underestimated so many things.
-- But it's alright. [smiling suddenly, lifting her chin off her knees] The important thing is to keep trying, right? Especially after a failure. There will be another audition waiting for me when I go home.
[... twisting to look at them, her hands fiddling against themselves]
I'm sorry, I'm not actually good at cheering people up with words, but I just wanted to let you know that... even if things didn't go as planned, we still have time to get them right, yes?
no subject
...I think I understand. [Everything.] I underestimated a lot, too. Today wasn't supposed to go like this. [...] And none of this was supposed to happen anyway, but it's not over yet. We can still fix it if people are willing to talk to each other and try.
[There's a single nod, more of affirmation than anything.] Thank you. [...] I think you're doing alright just by being here.
[Seeking them out to even attempt a conversation is a little more than they expected after today's fiasco so thank you Nana.] But I'm still sorry you all had to deal with that.
no subject
[A fact she thinks many of her fellow comrades forget, or don't want to be reminded of. Much easier to get through the trials if there's someone to blame besides the culprit.]
I've been in situations where I thought everything was going to be fine, only for it to fall to pieces, and people weren't very happy with me. So...
[So she gets it. She really does]
-- Don't worry! I bet everyone here is very resilient. [Giving them a little nudge to the shoulder with her own]
They just need a chance to calm down and think clearly. Actually -- [Clapping her hands together once]
I was thinking of opening up a cafe here like I did back at school. Everyone seemed to feel much better when they were getting food and had a place to vent their frustrations. Then they went back to work with no problems.
no subject
[Shouldn't, but they still have a lot of feelings about what happened today.] It's still hard to imagine people not being happy with you even if you did make mistakes. You're a lot nicer about things than I think I can be sometimes. [Which is worth noting.] But resilience is a good quality.
[...there's a noise that sounds like one of intrigue.] A cafe? If that's really what happens when people visit one, that doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.
no subject
-- Well, trying to look at them. The constant shadow is amusing at this point]
Sometimes it happens. People need to feel comfortable before they spill their concerns. Food helps with that.
[A pause, then a teasing smile]
Speaking of which, Sol-san, I don't think you ever told me what your favorite food is.
no subject
[Buuut there's a shrug.] I don't know if I really have a favorite. But I like sweets a lot. [So thanks for the cookies.] Most of what we ate back home was whatever was given to us. Like pizza and stuff.
no subject
[A pause. She nearly assumes they're talking about family, except that is still a very strange way to phrase it to her]
Your family didn't cook much?
no subject
We did a lot of take-out where I'm from. None of us really knew how to cook that well.
no subject
It takes a while to learn that skill -- I can't blame anyone for not having the patience for it.
Besides, pizza is delicious! I should make you the Japanese version sometime.
[IT'S... NOT REALLY SWEET. But it's, uh, interesting]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Week 3 - Post Trial
It's not an emotion that ever sits well with her, and so it's an emotion she had worked hard to eliminate whenever she relooped time. To be nervous is to be uncertain. It's to doubt oneself and their vision, their script. It's not knowing what's comes next.
She hates it. But, well. She's dead.
What else is there to be uncertain of at this point?
So she pushes the feeling back and walks her way to the farm, where she promised to meet Sol for their little spar. Her fingers itch, as if they can already feel the weight of swords in her grip.]
Sol-san?
[Calling out once she's arrived]
no subject
Almost ten minutes exactly. Nice timing. [The words come slowly, almost curiously.] Ready to get started?
no subject
[Glancing at the swords that are meant for her.]
Though should we set up some rules first?
no subject
no subject
[Oh sure they could just bang swords together until one gets tired but Nana is so used to the revues, and just assumes structures in her duels]
no subject
Does the winner get a prize?
no subject
[Her mouth quirks with amusement at that]
I don't know if I have anything I can offer.
no subject
no subject
That brings a laugh out of her, followed quickly by a nod]
Okay! I'll make you any kind you like if you win.
[... She'll probably still make him any type of cookie he wants, even if he loses, let's be honest here]
As for me...
[...]
If I win, would it be okay if I kept the swords to carry with me?
no subject
What's your fighting style anyway?
no subject
I don't know if I really have a fighting style... those performances I told you about? They granted us a lot of power to finish off our opponents, so initially I relied on that knowledge... hm. So maybe I learned a few tricks from a line of samurai.
But I never forgot my memories or techniques when looping time.
[That's 60 years worth of muscle memory she's built up. Picking up the swords, she gives them both a swing, testing the weight until she's found a comfortable grip]
What about you, Sol-san?
(no subject)
FINALLY I CAN USE THESE ICONS
oh. My god.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
Week 6 - Monday
That predictably leads to some conflicted feelings on Nana's end, especially as she knows how many people must die to get their happy ending. But enough of that for the moment -- it's the start of the week and she could use some cheering up.
And given how the trials usually go? Sol could probably use a couple of kind words himself.]
Sol-san!
[Popping her head into the entrance of the hut with a small wave]
Are you busy?
no subject
Given that he's sitting on his bed with a small black cat in his lap and reading a book, no, he's not that busy. But he looks up and grins when she appears.]
Hey Nana. I always have time for you. What's up? [The kitten meows to make himself known as well.]