isleofavalon | chocola-ta-ta-ta-ta

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chocola-ta-ta-ta-ta

🧙 WHO: Stella and you!
⚔️️ WHAT: Between the quests this month, the upcoming Valentine's concert and getting her own cell phone back as a regain, Stella's been hit with a lot of reminders of home! So she's throwing herself to working her butt off in hopes of dealing with her homesickness. This means a whole lot of laying around sadly and listening to music, rehearsing for the Valentine's concert and helping with the Cupid's arrow quest while lookin absolutely cute as hell.
🕒 WHEN: The last week of January & the first two weeks of February prior to the planned Valentine's concert
🗺️ WHERE: In and around the inn for the first two prompts, and then out and about the city in general for Cupid Time.
⚠️ WARNINGS: None come to mind!

1 – inn, last week of jan/first week of feb

[ If you've been staying at the inn for long enough, then Stella will have eventually become a familiar face – she's reliably at breakfast most days and also she's just the sort of person who will strike up a conversation with a floormop if no one else is around, so you will have almost certainly been Incessantly Chattered At at some point or another, provided you're here for any length of time. The last few days, though, she's been a little withdrawn and quiet but quick to perk back up to her usual levels of energy if someone talks to her.

Things don't really come out of the bag until the first week of February where, in any number of the common areas of the inn, Stella is busy laying around and what could charitably only really be described as moping. This is unusual enough for her, but the real kicker is the fact that she's committing the worst sin known to man – listening to music on her phone without earbuds. She's just got it sitting on her chest, blasting music out of the speaker while she thousand yard stares off into the distance of whatever direction her head head happens to be facing. It's not super loud, but still. C'mon, Stella, that's obnoxious.

Those of you who happened to get hit with a wave of Stella Vibes during the MagiCast tests might find some of the songs familiar, though – she's looping through a few albums from the performers of those songs and even though the music all, admittedly, kind of slaps, it's just making Stella look depressed as hell.

If someone approaches, either to see what's up or just tell her to turn her dingdang music down, she'll sort of blink and take a moment to process that there's now someone else here, in the manner of someone who'd been half asleep before she half-heartedly blats at her phone screen to pause the song. By the looks of things this does actually appear to be Stella's own phone from home as opposed to the Avalon-issued one she's been using. Music now silenced, Stella forces a sheepish grin. ]

2 – public parks around avalon, first two weeks of feb

[ It might be the butt-end of winter but that doesn't mean anything when there's practice to do!

... Okay, that's a lie. It means that, despite her best efforts to find somewhere to practice, Stella's kind of having a hard time finding anywhere that's actually, you know, dry. Her first instinct is to head for the public parks where she's not going to be bugging too many people and she's got the space to move around. As long as she stays off the grass, it'll be fine, right?

So if you're out and about during these first few weeks of February, it's not that hard to stumble across Stella, hard at work and rehearsing. She's used to having an instructor or at the very least the other girls when it comes to learning choreography so this is a little out of her comfort zone but she's managed to make it work. She's found a gazebo with a table underneath and set her bag and her phone on it, so she can record herself while she rehearses.

It's a cute, energetic dance and from what's audible of the lyrics as she sings, the song itself is just as sugary sweet and cute as well. It's very... Stellacore, for lack of a better word. And she's nailing it pretty well, too – seeing her like this definitely gives some weight to everything she's babbled on about being an idol since getting here.

Of course, with the weather being what it is, her practice is frequently broken up by rainfall sheeting down from the skies and under the gazebo she goes to wait it out. She's got snacks and drinks and her phone, she'll survive.

Then, when the weather finally clears up a bit, she's back out to rehearsing again. She's usually at it for a good few hours at a time before she finally heads back to the inn for the afternoon but then she's straight back at it the next morning. Looks like she's taking this concert pretty seriously. ]

3 – cupid arrow quest, all around avalon, first two weeks of feb

[ As busy as she is in the lead up to the concert, Stella doesn't really have time to help out with any quests. She doesn't even really look at the app usually, but she happens to check it out of curiosity when the month rolls over and pauses over the Cupid Arrow quest. She really, really doesn't have the time to help out with something like this, but...

But...

But Citrine would go crazy over something like this. She'd get all amped up with Stella and Amber, and the three of them would drag Violet along too, with Rain and Vera hot on their heels to make sure they don't get into too much trouble. Celeste would be chasing after them, telling them they didn't have time for something silly like this, but then Citrine would snicker behind her hand, say something about how Celeste was chicken and then Celeste would be chasing Citrine all up and down Avalon with a whole quiver full of cupid's arrows. They'd all work on it together. So, Stella doesn't really have time to volunteer for a quest like this... but she goes ahead and volunteers anyway.

And then promptly goes out to hunt for guinea pigs. What, did you think she was gonna go stick herself with this thing? Come on, guys. Even she's not that dumb. But she is going to have a little fun with it. ]

[ That loudmouth calling out to you as you go past is Stella, stood on any given street corner in Avalon, absolutely decked out in a cutesy Valentine's outfit that she's trussed up with her light magic – she's got a pair of chubby cherub wings made of neon light at her hips that are fluttering excitedly to themselves and a hardlight quiver full of Valentine's arrows on her back.

It's... quite possibly The Most Stella She Has Ever Stella'd. ]

The bold faced lies!!! Cupid would be proud. ]

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Zoned out is an understatement.

[ Naoto was only going to ask her for the names of her songs after greeting her, but was only left wondering why she hadn't replied in time. ]

You sure you're okay?

[ She is dressed in energetic pinks.

He remains dressed in somber, mourning blacks.

But he's looking at her, and for once, his usual expression isn't so tightly constructed as he gaze sweeps to the magic'd arrows peeking out of the quiver upon her back. He seems to go still-- but it's only for a moment-- and then his lips press into a frown. ]

You wield something dangerous.

[For the past two weeks, Ken found himself adapting to the new weather. He was never one to mind the cold wet weather as he was used to it. This was made all the more apparent as he got his new companion back. It made him want to go out and do frequent walks around this strange new world.

Although, that was the plan until he heard a familiar voice nearby. While he might not have heard her sing before, he can definitely tell it was the hyperactive teenager whom he met before. For a moment, he didn’t say anything and listened to her practice.

It would be rude to interrupt her in the middle of singing.]

[Gokudera looks rough. He's blown himself up pretty well in the middle of January, then got jumped right after recovering (thanks, Sherry!). He's not been going out very much, just because he doesn't want anyone asking him questions. Gotta keep the Family safe, and not let anyone go off on their allies for doing what they felt was right. The music doesn't bother him. It was fitting, actually. Gokudera's been doing a fair bit of moping himself.

Because he's not sure how to handle his own emotions without just exploding outright. When he hears a song played again and realizes that Stella's music is on loop, he goes out to make a purchase. Gokudera has squirreled away prize money, so he can afford some earbuds for the girl. She's been nice to him, and he's not a super generous person... but when the mood fits... it's not like this could mean anything.

Gokudera approaches her and offers her a box wrapped in simple brown craft paper. Just some ear buds, fresh and clean so no one else has to listen to her music. Also... a quiet invitation for conversation if she'd like it. He's not a very outgoing person and maybe he should talk to someone who is not involved in either Mafia drama, or whatever relationship loss his not-friend, Zuko is going through. He won't vent, and he doesn't easily open up, but he's willing to talk with her if she wants to.

Maybe it will help him gain a change of perspective.

Nevermind the bruises. Whoever beat him up did so with clear intent and was not afraid to go for his face.]

Yeah, I was pretty checked out, huh? It's just...

[ In lieu of answering right away, Stella pushes herself up off the sofa and s t r e t c h e s, mostly as an excuse to think her answer over a little more. It's hard to fully put into words, and maybe she's being a little dramatic... but her feelings are her feelings and she's never been particularly good at keeping a poker face.

When she finally relaxes, she flops against the back of the sofa and blows a sigh up into her bangs, making them flutter up and off her forehead for a moment. ]

Mm... I guess I was feeling a little tender about home anyway, and then it turns out, my own actual phone just sorta turned up in that weird little shop. It's still got all my stuff on it, like my music and my photos, and... like, don't get me wrong, it made me super happy... but it also made me feel kinda crappy, too? Haha.

[ It takes Stella a split second to place him – but then his expression goes a little tight and oh, no, she knows who he is. Tattoo Guy! Or uh, Pointedly Not Tattoo Guy, rather. She glances back over her shoulder at the cluster of arrows and gives a little shrug. ]

You really think? I figured it'd be way less dangerous to just hand them out instead of trying to fire then. Like, can you imagine I shot somebody's eye out or something? Yikes!

Woah, that's...

[Mukuro usually did her morning exercises in the park - whatever the weather may be. She'd run a good distance this morning, and stopped under one of the gazebos to have a break and a drink of water.

It was at that point she noticed a familiar girl nearby, dancing up a storm.

Wow, she was good! That's what it meant to have an idol-like charisma...she'd seen the same in her classmate Sayaka, too, and in her sister of course.

When the next burst of rain came and Stella took a break, Mukuro went over to say hello, the Death's-head Hawkmoth tattoos on her thighs lightly fluttering their wings as if the rain was hitting them, too.]

That. Was. Like. Totally awesome! You were killing it out there!

[ If nothing else, that neutral, if somber, expression he maintains seems to only harden. ]

Do you know the power of the enchantment that you wield?

[ Or is this another repeat of the stars painted upon her face, but another example of the girl delving into something that could be dangerous without more thought. ]

Huh? Oh yeah, for sure! Hold on, I have like, a whole sales pitch worked out...

[ She slides the quiver off her shoulder so she can hold it up for him to see. Thankfully, she's had the presence of mind to store them point-down, so the chances of her accidentally stabbing someone have been marginally decreased. ]

So! These are Cupid Arrows! You know, since it's Valentine's Day this month? It turns out, people don't really do Valentine's here, but they heard about it from the people who've been turning up and decided to do something for us. So! That's how we got these!

[ She rattles the arrows at him... enticingly?? That's what she's going for at least. ]

These are Cupid Arrows! If you get stuck with one, then it makes you feel all gushy and bubbly and Valentine-y for about a week. For getting you into the whole mood of the season!

[ Stella's focused enough that she doesn't notice him right away – despite giving off the energy who can't keep her attention on something for more than two seconds at a time, it's clear she's completely in the zone when it comes to her rehearsal. He doesn't have to wait too long for her to wrap up, though – it's not a super long song – and when she's done, Stella heaves a big sigh and promptly plops herself at the table under the gazebo for a quick break. ]

Guhhhh, this is so much harder without anyone to watch...

[ She grumbles that to herself more than anything as she starts pecking away at her phone to watch the recording over for herself. ]

[ Stella's so out of it, that she doesn't immediately take notice of his face – she's got her eyes on the box because of course she has and she goes ahead and opens it up before really registering the fact that Gokudera's gone out of his way to get something like this for her.

Ah. He's a little gruff on the outside, but he's kind of got a soft, gooey center, huh?

She glances up at him to say something along those lines – then she takes in the state of his face and blinks rapidly. ]

Holy crap, what happened to you?!

[ Stella takes a moment to finish chugging from her water bottle – hydration's important – before she caps it and gives Mukuro a big sunny smile. ]

Aw, you really think so? Thanks!

[ She scooches up on the seat a little, giving Mukuro the room to sit down as well if she wants. ]

I really feel like I've been getting out of practice... but I guess the only way to fix that is to get off my butt and practice, yeah?

[He would hope that she doesn’t immediately notice his face. The box should be more than distraction enough, in his opinion.

Typical tsundere, really.

Gokudera blinks at the question and stammers. Wow. Rude.]

Training.

[Yeah. Sure.]

[That was when Ken cleared his throat to get Stella's attention. While he had grown a lot over the past two years, he hoped that he wasn't that short where she couldn't see him!]

Are you sure? Because I am here.

[He doesn't want to sound annoyed but he couldn't help him. He was still a growing boy, okay??]

[ He straightens, stiff, watching her silently as she performs her 'sales pitch', wholly unconvinced. If anything, it seems that his gaze has only sharpened. It seems that he's unhappy. ]

Have you experienced the effects of these arrows?

[At the invitation, Mukuro happily sat down by her.]

Yeah you totally were! I know what you mean though, it's like, super easy to get out of shape if you don't keep up practice or training.

Having a routine's supposed to be good for keeping your head together too.

[Thanks to the dry spell recipe, Lucy is able to create an invisible barrier against rain above her head. However, that only protects her from above, so she's still dressed in a warm purple coat to protect her from rain that gets swept up in the wind.

She'd been passing by with a small coffee in one hand when she spotted Stella. This is the first time Lucy's seen her in person, but she recognizes Stella from what Nyuu wrote about her. She watches from a distance, but steadily comes closer, so that by the time the song and dance ends she's easy to spot. Lucy offers her some applause by tapping her free hand against her coffee cup.]

That was actually pretty good.

[Lucy certainly can't move like Stella just did.]

That's some pretty heavy duty training...

[ She looks like she doesn't one hundred percent believe him, but she's willing to accept it as answer. For now. And besides, she's got a cute gift to thank him for. ]

Uh, but anyway... did you really get these for me?

Hyagh!

[ Stella jumps so spectacularly that her phone flies up and out of her hand. She has to grapple with it like it's a bar of soap on a shower for a moment before she gets a solid grip on it again and she whips around to face Ken. ]

Oh my God, don't scare me like that! You almost gave me a heart attack!

Not yet, but I'm gonna! See, I signed up to volunteer but then I was like hey, wait, if it's just me they hardly get any info about these things, right? So I figured if I could get a whole bunch of people to try them out and tell me how they felt, that'd be way more helpful than just me! So I'm gonna give as many of these out as I can and get people to tell me how they feel and then when I've only got a couple left, I'm gonna try one out myself so I can tell them how it works for me too. Foolproof!

[ She seems so proud of herself... ]

[ It is as if she has her mind made up, and all of that, seemingly spoken within a single breath.

Somnus’ brow settles lower, and his frown has yet to return to a more neutral state. ]

Has your heart held such love for another before?

[ She goes very pink all of a sudden. Talk about putting her on the spot...! ]

Uh! I mean... yeah, I guess? No wait, not 'I guess', I know it's just... aw, man, you got me all flustered!

[ She lightly slaps her cheeks, in an attempt to regain at least a little of her composure. ]

It was a girl at my old high school, and I had a major crush on her. Like, I was seriously starstruck! But I kinda wussed out on ever doing anything about it. But how come you're asking?

[ He had been struck by the arrow before.

It was incomprehensibly painful to be in love.

The details of her answer, while he hadn’t asked, are perhaps relevant enough for him to guess they see this vastly differently. ]

Then you know the hold of pining. Temper thy bow, or be cautious throughout.

Guuuuhhhhh. Tell me about it. I used to be super good at sticking to mine, too!

[ She starts counting the steps off on her fingers. ]

Get up at five, have breakfast and get ready, be out the door for six and meet up with the gals so we can do our morning run, get breakfast number two and clean up a little then chill out for like, an hour or something and head for class at ten.

[ And then, with that all rattled off, Stella flops back in her seat. ]

But since we got here, I haven't been doing aaaaaaaany of it.

You should see the other guy.

[Gokudera gives her a grin, completely sincere. Honestly, Azula made him do most of the damage to himself, and in ways not so physical. He nods at the box, hoping she'll open it and try out the earbuds.]

Yeah. I figured you'd be able to hear your music better.

Edited 2021-02-09 21:25 (UTC)

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