TSW 24

[18:13]	IcePickLobotomy	Time: 9:32am.
[18:13]	=-=	Pale_Wolf is now known as Arina
[18:13]	IcePickLobotomy	You've finished breakfast now, Artyom is in the kitchen cleaning up, while Walker is reading the newspaper at the table, a cup of coffee steaming beside her.
[18:13]	IcePickLobotomy	Arina: You've got about a hour before you need to leave.
[18:17]	Arina	smiles slightly, leaning into John. "I'll be heading out in a little while. Who's planning on coming?"
[18:18]	JohnH	"Is it me? I think it's me."
[18:19]	Arina	's smile broadens. "Good to hear. I hope you enjoy."
[18:20]	JohnH	"I'm sure I will." John simles
[18:20]	JohnH	smiles*
[18:21]	Kasra	"I-I thought I might come." It was easy to miss Kasra lurking in the window facing chair until he spoke. "If I may? Cheer you on?"
[18:23]	Arina	's smile fades for a moment, before returning. "... Sure. I gave you all tickets, it's certainly all right with me."
[18:24]	Kasra	"Thanks, should be a good show."
[18:24]	Arina	"I aim for that, yes."
[18:26]	RobinE	"I'll go too," Robin says from her seat, looking up from her notebook.
[18:27]	Arina	smiles. "I look forward to seeing you there."
[18:30]	Kasra	"Nervous?"
[18:32]	Mary	"I would like to hear it also Arina."
[18:33]	Mary	"Someone has to prevent the boys from sneaking backstage after all."
[18:33]	Arina	glances at Kasra, having clearly heard his question, before turning to Mary. "Well, you can watch the show, we 0x1ddo0x1d have security."
[18:33]	JohnH	gives Mary a brief, but sharp, scowl
[18:34]	Kasra	whispers. "We'll get you there, John."
[18:54]	|<--	Kasra has left irc.systemnet.info (Quit: ChatZilla 0.9.92 [Firefox 47.0.1/20160623154057])
[18:54]	Mary	looks back at him
[19:01]	IcePickLobotomy	Walker chuckles to herself but says nothing.
[19:05]	RobinE	"What sort of concert is it going to be anyway?"
[19:06]	JohnH	perks up "A good one."
[19:09]	Arina	chuckles. "That too. I mostly do pop and rock, though I'm working on branching out and exploring a bit while I'm here."
[19:09]	Mary	"Well you could always add a synthesiser
[19:14]	Arina	hums. "It's a possibility, they're doing some interesting work with them."
[19:15]	RobinE	stands up and places her notebook in her seat. She heads for the kitchen.
[19:19]	RobinE	returns to her seat, with a cup of hot cocoa.
[19:21]	Arina	"How's your writing going, Robin?"
[19:23]	RobinE	"Fine, I need to find more inspiration," she glances through her notebook, "I'll have to go to the library again."
[19:25]	Arina	nods, catching John's hand in her own. "Good, good."
[19:26]	JohnH	smiles without thinking
[19:27]	Mary	"Well I can give you a few of my books if that might be helpfull unless you wanted to go for a propper literature guide RobinE "
[19:28]	Arina	"I think she's more looking for fiction, things to get her brain firing out more ideas?"
[19:28]	RobinE	"I like to go through the fantasy, yeah."
[19:32]	Arina	nods. "Yeah, sometimes we can just get into a rut and need to look at something else to remind ourselves there are other things than the first one to come to mind."
[19:33]	Mary	"Well I also have fiction. Say did you eve read the left hand of darkness or lords of light?"
[19:35]	RobinE	"Don't think I have."
[19:36]	Mary	"Then let me give them to you "
[19:38]	RobinE	"Sure."

IcePickLobotomy	It's a short tram ride to the concert hall. The streets are rather relaxed and quiet on this Saturday morning, though a few of the support staff are starting to filter in. Mike is waiting outside, talking with a red-headed girl about your age.
	Arina	nods slightly as she steps up. "Hello, Mike."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Ah hello Arina, have you met my niece?" THe girl turns. It's Abigail from school.
	IcePickLobotomy	"Ah good morning to you Arina, how're you?" She asks
	Arina	smiles, curtsying. "I have, yes. I'm doing fairly well, nice to see you too."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Enjoying your summer?"
	Arina	"It's definitely having its high points."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Good to hear."
	IcePickLobotomy	Mike gives you a small wave "Arina, I'm heading inside, I'll see you after you two chat."
	Arina	nods to Mike. "See you soon."
	IcePickLobotomy	"So, you getting along well with my uncle?"
	Arina	"Pretty well, yes. He's good to work with."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Good to hear, I'm looking forward to your concert as well, me and my mother both have tickets."
	Arina	nods. "Please enjoy yourselves."
	IcePickLobotomy	"I intend to, I can't recall the last time I dressed up for something to relax."
	Arina	chuckles. "Not normally your thing?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"Oh no it is, just that a lot of these things end up being social functions rather than /just/ a chance to enjoy the show."
	Arina	"Ah, yes, that makes sense. Those can be fun too, but they're a bit more active."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Yeah, went to a party last night actually. Reagan was there too." She shrugs "But yeah, can be a tad wearing, and seeing as I'm on summer break my parents are taking full advantage of me being able to sleep in."
	Arina	nods. "Well, at least you're not getting bored."
	IcePickLobotomy	"I'm not easily bored."
	IcePickLobotomy	"But," She leans forward conspiratorially "Between you and me some of those parties get /really/ stuffy."
	Arina	chuckles. "Not your thing, then?"
	IcePickLobotomy	"Oh no they're quite fun, but there's only so many times you can hear," She puffs her chest out and does her best intonation of a "Gentlemanly" old man voice "Oh Miss O'Donnel you simply look lovely this evening."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Before you start to want to wonder what a punk-party in the underlevel would be like."
	Arina	giggles. "Faaaaiiir enough."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Anyways, I shouldn't keep you and I gota go meet my dad up for a brunch. Here," She passes you a business card with her phone-number on it "If you ever want to hang out just give me a ring, feel free to invite the others as well."
	Arina	nods, taking the card. "I will, thank you. Nice to run into you, too."
	IcePickLobotomy	"Yeah same here." She gives a last wave before setting off at a jog for the mono-rail which has just pulled into the station
	Arina	waves after her, and heads inside after Mike to get started.
[20:02]	IcePickLobotomy	The concert, set to start at 5:30, leaves you all with a fair amount of time to yourselves, as Arina left earlier in need to prepare. A short monorail ride and you find yourselves before the concert hall, a medium sized building with a moderate crowd waiting in the afternoon sun.
[20:15]	IcePickLobotomy	You see a few of your classmates from school, it's a tad odd seeing them outside of their school uniforms.
[20:19]	Mary	is her new skirt and look around if she sees someone that she knows
[20:20]	IcePickLobotomy	Mary: You catch sight of Hikari frantically waing at you beside her mother
[20:20]	Mary	smiles at her " Hey there is hikari over there " she says to the others before heading over to her
[20:21]	RobinE	"Alright," Robin follows Mary.
[20:23]	IcePickLobotomy	"Hey Mary, hey Robin." Hikari points to a older woman. Black hair runs to her mid back, and fair of skin with a gently and somewhat angular face "This is my mom, Nyoko."
[20:23]	IcePickLobotomy	"Hello, I seem to recall meeting you at Mary's birthday." Her english is clear, but accented.
[20:24]	RobinE	"hello," Robin waves.
[20:29]	Mary	"Taking a day of from delivering Tea Ninjaing Mam?" She asks with a smile.
[20:29]	IcePickLobotomy	She smiles "Oh yes, I'm looking forward to this myself, I've never really payed much attention to Russian music."
[20:31]	RobinE	"Same."
[20:36]	Mary	"Well she is not quite as classical and a bit more pop influenced if I remember it right"
[20:37]	IcePickLobotomy	"Hikari? I'm going to go find us our seats." Her mother slips away with a wave.
[20:40]	RobinE	"Oh, maybe we should find our seats too?"
[20:41]	IcePickLobotomy	"Yeah, probably. . . I'm seated out in E-47, you guys?"
[20:41]	Mary	looks at her ticket
[20:41]	Mary	"C 14 here"
[20:42]	RobinE	looks at her ticket
[20:42]	IcePickLobotomy	"Ah nuts, looks like I'm way behind you guys then."
[20:42]	RobinE	"C 12"
[20:44]	JohnH	"C-13 here."
[20:44]	JohnH	looks at his ticket, then at Mary, then turns to Robin and whispers "Can we trade tickets."
[20:44]	RobinE	"Sure," Robin hands her ticket over.
[20:45]	JohnH	trades without flourish "thanks."
[20:46]	RobinE	"yup."
[20:49]	IcePickLobotomy	The interior of the concert hall is well lit by the many stage lights. A red curtain hangs overs the stage, though you think you can hear instruments being tuned and readied on the other side. Out in the front center you find yourselves amidst the well-dressed and wealthy appearing. A healthy din of chatter permeates the area.
[20:50]	RobinE	looks around at the well-dressed, "huh, should've dressed up a little."
[20:51]	IcePickLobotomy	"Ah, I'd not worry about it too much," A familar irish voice says from behind you. It's Abigail, wearing a long blue evening gown, her hair pinned up with some pearls "Lot's of us like to overdress."
[20:51]	IcePickLobotomy	A similarly dressed woman shoots the girl a dirty look. "Abigail." The woman says in a warning tone.
[20:53]	RobinE	"Too late now anyway."
[20:54]	Mary	"Well that was why I got the skirt out.."
[20:56]	RobinE	"Thought you were dressing up. Didn't know everyone was."
[20:56]	IcePickLobotomy	"Abigail, are you going to introduce your friends?"
[20:56]	Mary	wears a  a long skirt. It's made from dark-brown and red threads in a verticale pattern, with gold threads strung along it to create geometric shapes and fractals.Any motions sends skittering shadows of shapes and fractals shifting and twilring across the are as light breaks on it.
[20:57]	IcePickLobotomy	"Right, so everyone this is my mother, Michele. Mom, this is Mary, John, and Robin."
[20:57]	RobinE	waves at her name being called out.
[20:58]	JohnH	gives a stiff wave
[20:58]	JohnH	"ma'am"
[21:08]	Mary	"Pleased to meet you Ma'am"
[21:18]	IcePickLobotomy	"Pleasure to meet all of you as well."
[21:25]	Mary	offers her a friendly smile also
[21:28]	IcePickLobotomy	The lights start to dim. "Ladies and Gentlemen." The announcers intones "Tonight we welcome you to our feature presentation, Arina Alkaeva from the cold northern reaches of the USSR! And accompanying her tonight is the Terrance Tetrology on Guitar, Drums, Base and violin!" As he says this the curtain slides back, revealing the stage. Arina stands front and center before the microphone,...
[21:28]	IcePickLobotomy	...wearing tank-top and a matching skirt that terminates just before her knees.
[21:28]	IcePickLobotomy	THe crowd erupts into a applause and whistles.
[21:30]	|<--	Mary has left irc.systemnet.info (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
[21:31]	-->|	scya ([email protected]) has joined #TSWIC
[21:32]	Arina	waves to the crowd, taking up the microphone. "Hello, everyone! It's great to be out here! Glad to see you all, new fans and old alike!"
[21:32]	=-=	scya is now known as Mary
[21:35]	IcePickLobotomy	The crowd, much to the surprise of those in the first few rows, goes absolutely wild. Mary RobinE JohnH You find yourselves caught up in it, standing up and cheering.
[21:40]	Arina	laughs, smiling once it drops to a dull roar. "Now that's a warm welcome! A lot of expectations to meet. What do you think, guys, can we match them?" She looks to the other members of the band.
[21:42]	IcePickLobotomy	They seem rather. .  surprised and a tad intimidated by the crowds response. The cellist, a Japanese man squares his shoulders and nods with a dedicated look. The other members nod and match his expression.
[21:42]	IcePickLobotomy	*violinist
[21:47]	Arina	grins, nodding, and whirls back to face the crowd, lightly tapping time with her heel. "Well all right then! Let's not keep you waiting any longer! We'll start with a few familiar sounds and move on from there! Hit it, Shinji!"
[21:49]	IcePickLobotomy	And they do.

[21:49]	IcePickLobotomy	A few hours later.
[21:50]	IcePickLobotomy	Arina: You're tired. That was the largest, longest, and most successful concert of your career (thus far), and the heat and energy have worn you out.
[21:50]	IcePickLobotomy	The other me members of the band are resting backstage with you
[21:52]	Arina	fans herself with a stack of sheet music. "Whew."
[21:52]	IcePickLobotomy	Shinji sighs "Yeah. . . that was something allright."
[21:54]	JohnH	opens the door without knocking "That was awesome!"
[21:55]	RobinE	comes in soon after, smile on her face, "good job guys."
[21:56]	Arina	smiles as he comes in. "Ah, hey John, thank you!"
[21:56]	JohnH	takes his seat right next to the star
[21:56]	Arina	stands up, a little wobbly after her limbs have turned into noodles, and moves up to greet them.
[21:56]	Mary	smiles at Arina after comming past the others "Wow, that was a breath taking experience from all of you"
[21:57]	Arina	"Thank you, thank you, I'm glad you all enjoyed it."
[21:57]	Arina	holds up a finger. "Just a second."
[21:58]	Arina	turns and stands up on tiptoes, wrapping her arms around John and bringing her lips up to his.
[22:03]	JohnH	's eyes go wide and his face flushes, just kind of taking it
[22:04]	Arina	pulls back after a little while, face flushed herself, but smiling.
[22:04]	Mary	eyes widen as she sees this
[22:05]	RobinE	looks around awkwardly as this happens.
[22:05]	IcePickLobotomy	Shinji chuckles and stands up "Good night everyone. And have fun."
[22:06]	JohnH	"...That was...." John smiles widely, like a man who just achieved something great "nice"
[22:08]	Arina	"Glad we're in agreement on that, then." She leans into John, waving to Shinji as he heads out.
[22:09]	IcePickLobotomy	"Hey, Arina," Walker steps into the new crowding room "Great job, that was excellent."
[22:10]	JohnH	at the sigh of Walker, John flushes again
[22:13]	Arina	nods to Walker. "Thank you. We hit it pretty well."
[22:15]	IcePickLobotomy	"I notic-" The door flies open, and you hear a yell from Artyom. A blue-headed girl in a pair of jeans and a denim jacket slams the door shut behind her and blocks it off with her body. "Hey Arina, 'sup?" Asks Elly
[22:16]	IcePickLobotomy	ONly for her to be thrown forward, nearly off her feet when a irate Artyom slams the door open. "Arina! Do you know this woman?" He barks
[22:16]	JohnH	tenses and turns to the door, ready to throw down at the sound of Artyom
[22:17]	Arina	chuckles, nodding. "I do, yes, hi Elly."
[22:19]	IcePickLobotomy	"I take it you don't want me to remove her?" He sounds a tad disapointed at the prospect.
[22:19]	IcePickLobotomy	"Hey! I got rights you know! Press deserve to know and all that jaz you jerk!" Elly snaps back
[22:19]	JohnH	"Don't worry Artyom, I'll help if we need to."
[22:19]	Arina	"I don't, thank you."
[22:26]	Arina	"So, what does the press want to know?"
[22:27]	IcePickLobotomy	Artyom glares at the girl. Elly just chuckles "Eh I'm good actually, though if you'd put a word in for your agent that I'd like a interview that'd be great. I actually came here to congratulate you. That was a lot better than I expected, no offense."
[22:29]	Arina	chuckles, waving a hand. "I already know I'm not really to your tastes. I'll put in a word with him, yes."
[22:30]	IcePickLobotomy	"No no I meant more that you're a moderately well known singer from the USSR, no one had heard of you until now really, and then you just knock it out of the park like a seasoned pro? Was not expecting that, though I' happy to be surprised."
[22:31]	Arina	nods. "That's also fair. We managed to make everything click pretty well."
[22:36]	IcePickLobotomy	"Anyways, just wanted to say high," She glances around the room and then sticks her tongue out at Artyom "I'ma go and let you hang with your friends. Toodles~" She carefully steps around Artyom and heads out the door.
[22:37]	Arina	waves. "Later, Elly."
[22:38]	IcePickLobotomy	"Quite the uh. . . friend you got there Arina." Walker comments
[22:38]	Arina	chuckles. "She's pretty energetic, yes."
[22:38]	IcePickLobotomy	"Sort. . . of reminds me at her age. . ."
[22:39]	Arina	closes her eyes, humming. "... yeah, that sounds like a fit."
[22:40]	Mary	looks at Elly a bit suspicious for a moment
[22:47]	IcePickLobotomy	"So. . . I figure you all are hungry right?" Walker asks
[22:48]	RobinE	"Food sounds good."
[22:48]	JohnH	grabs arina's hand and pulls on it a bit "Are you?"
[22:49]	Arina	nods. "Yeah, and pretty thirsty, too."
[22:49]	IcePickLobotomy	She nods "Right, let's go out for dinner. Arina's pick I think."
[22:50]	Mary	"Arina deserves a reward after this performance"
[22:55]	IcePickLobotomy	"I think so, what'd you say Arina? Got anything in mind for dinner?"
[23:01]	Arina	humhums. "I haven't actually tried Indian food before, is there a good place around here?"
[23:02]	IcePickLobotomy	"Yeah, there is actually, Kirmani recommended it. Shouldn't be too far of a walk."
[23:03]	Mary	"Well then let us enjoy some of it "
[23:04]	Arina	nods. "... Sounds good, then."
[23:05]	JohnH	follows happily alongside his superstar
[23:05]	IcePickLobotomy	You step out into the early night air. It's warm, though a cool breeze filters in through the street. It's somewhat crowded as the former concert goers make their way home. The street lamps give a warm happy patches of light between the shadowed dark and the stars are starting to shine out between the darkening purple-pink of the sky. Rays of orange light slide past the gaps in the buildings, leav
[23:05]	IcePickLobotomy	ing long stretches of warm light.
[23:07]	Arina	squeezes John's hand, enjoying the night air.
[23:11]	Mary	sights and stretches before she looks up at the stars idly catching some constelations
[23:12]	IcePickLobotomy	Walker motions for you to follow her down a stair-well and into the lower levels. The air is thicker here, smelling strongly of spices with a hint of sea-water and motor oil. Brilliant neon signs in English, Russian, Arabic, and even some Japanese script light up the dark amidst the dull yellow glow of the lamps. Crowds of people, some blue-collar workers from the oil-stained jeans and...
[23:12]	IcePickLobotomy	...jackets, others punk rockers, or even more eccentric looks, mill around in crowds. Walker guides your group into a smallish Indian restaurant tucked into a back corner, native music blaring in from tinny speakers in the corners. The decorations are rather simple, paintings of Indian temples and the jungle, with a few statues and engravings along the wall. You pull together three tables to...
[23:12]	IcePickLobotomy	...seat all of you.
[23:13]	JohnH	motions for Arina to sit at the head of the tables, and promptly sits next to her
[23:16]	Arina	smiles, sitting down and looking at the menu. "I'm not familiar with any of this, any suggestions?"
[23:16]	JohnH	"I'm probably just gonna get a hamburger."
[23:17]	JohnH	pauses, realizing what he said. He turns to Walker "Do they even have hamburgers here?"
[23:17]	IcePickLobotomy	Artyom takes one of the menues "I've been to India. I can order a few dishes." He gives John a dirty look "They do not."
[23:17]	IcePickLobotomy	Walker shrugs "There we have it."
[23:18]	JohnH	looks taken aback by his response "Well what do they have, then?"
[23:19]	IcePickLobotomy	"Curry is always good. . ." Artyom hrrmms to himself "I can order a few dishes that I know you should like and then we can try a few things."
[23:20]	Mary	"Anything that you would recomend that is not Curry?"
[23:20]	IcePickLobotomy	He nods and points out several dishes on the menu.
[23:21]	Mary	"Oh thanks Artyom"
[23:21]	Arina	nods. "... We're in your hands, then."
[23:25]	RobinE	"I'll trust Artyom to get something good."
[23:26]	IcePickLobotomy	The food arrives a short while later. Several plates of steaming spicy smelling food that make your mouths water.
[23:28]	Arina	takes the drink first, swallowing half of it in one go, before turning her attention to the food.
[23:31]	RobinE	helps herself to some food.
[23:33]	JohnH	picks at whatever an excuse this is for food
[23:33]	IcePickLobotomy	Walker takes a bite of her food and nods. "Oh that's good. Nice pick Artyom, Arina."
[23:34]	Arina	nods. "It is, yes. Very 0x1dinteresting0x1d."
[23:35]	Mary	is spreading out her taste testing, and also enjoys a sizable potion of it "
[23:35]	JohnH	pokes arina "How is it?"
[23:38]	Arina	humhums. "It's tasty. Try some." She loads up a fork and holds it out to John.
[23:39]	JohnH	accepts it graciously
[23:40]	JohnH	's face wrinkles as he is unsure about all of the foreign spices
[23:40]	Arina	giggles, taking the fork back. "There's a bit of getting used to, but it's really nice."
[23:43]	IcePickLobotomy	"Aww, now aint they about as cute as a pair of kittens," Walker whispers to Mary and Robin
[23:44]	RobinE	"yeah, they get along great," Robin whispers.
[23:45]	Mary	nods a bit more reserved "Yes they do look happy"
[23:54]	JohnH	offers a bit of his plate of weirdness to Arina
[23:55]	Arina	smiles, leaning forward to take the forkload into her mouth. "Mmm," she nods to John.