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[shiningwaters]

Who: Katarina Acquati (Aqua), OTA
Where: The (unnamed) theater, Leviathan Habitat
Summary: Ballet/theater life and off-time
Warnings: None needed

Theater

It's an open rehearsal for Cinderella, with Katarina in the title role. The performance is over the weekend, and she's pretty much got it down, practicing a dance with a broomstick when the music she's playing suddenly gives out.

"Huh? That's weird. I thought I charged this."

Looking out to anyone watching, she insists, "Don't worry, this won't happen in the real thing!"


Leviathan Habitat

With an exhausting practice and music player issues to worry about, Katarina's relieved to finally get out and walk around for a bit. And the aquarium is as good a place as any to relax.

She plays with the cuttlefish for a bit before making her way outside to the coast, walking carefully and sighing when she has to keep her distance.

"I wish I could get a little closer, but I can't risk twisting my ankle right now."

Comments

[shiningwaters]

"We try to put together a performance every month. This is the first time I've ever been the lead, though."

It's a little bragging, but she's got a reason to be proud of herself.

[kokuyoyo]

"Do you think you'll get it again?" It's not meant to be a challenging statement or anything, simply mere curiosity.

Yet Chikusa is always a bit.... quiet and bland. Sometimes things come out in ways they aren't meant to.

[shiningwaters]

She does notice that, but she still answers, "I'm not sure. But we do try to cycle everyone through."

[kokuyoyo]

"I see..." Well, it's worth a shot, and this is really the only thing he has on the table. Shifting through the papers, he finds one of the flyers for the cafe and holds it out to her. It's not the fanciest thing in the world, but it's nice enough. Neat enough. Lots of flowers, because what in Eddan doesn't have flowers?

This freakin' city.

"I'm going to be opening a student-run cafe soon... and we allow people to advertise for things there. If you'd want..."

[shiningwaters]

The flowers are pretty, shut up. Eddan needs more plant life, obviously.

"Really? That would be great!"

Another thought occurs to her, and she says, "You wouldn't know a teacher, or a staff member named Mr. LeBlanc, would you?"

[kokuyoyo]

That's one part of things taken care of and, frankly, he's not expecting anything else to come of it... But then she brings up a certain teacher, and Chikusa pauses.

"Yes... He helps with the Gardening Club and has been advising me with this a little." An eyebrow quirks up. "Why?"

[shiningwaters]

"Oh, nothing much. He also performs at the theater, in one of the drama groups," she explains. "I was wondering if he might provide flyers, but if he's actually helping, that might be even better."

[kokuyoyo]

"Oh." Well, that's normal. Why does it seem like so many people are involved in theater.... Still, Chikusa shrugs.

"If you come over, maybe you'll see him.... But it's more of a technical level that helps with."

[shiningwaters]

Because the arts are important to everyone's wellbeing and contribute to a society's culture, of course.

"That's all right. Thank you, though."

After a moment, she admits, "It's a little strange for me, since I don't go to the main school. So I don't know everybody quite as well..."

[kokuyoyo]

Ciro would probably say something about him not knowing either.... but Ciro isn't him. Not really. Chikusa instead just thinks carefully before he gives an answer.

"Do you do anything besides theater...?"

[shiningwaters]

"Not yet, really. Dance has taken up a lot of my time, but I do get some lulls with not much beyond practice when we're not doing a big show."

There's a hopeful note, like maybe he'll have some kind of suggestion where she could go or what she could try, beyond just checking out the aquarium.

[kokuyoyo]

Good. That's exactly what he wants to hear. "Well... The café is going to be prioritizing having student workers. But if you're not interested in that... Do you know about the Gardening Club?"

Thank god Ciro let himself ever be roped into that whole thing.

[shiningwaters]

She shakes her head.

"Not really. I mean, I saw everything for the flower festival. But I...I can barely keep my houseplants alive."

This she says with a good deal of shame.

[kokuyoyo]

Someone, somewhere withing the GVGC, could say this very persuasively and comfortingly.

"Well.... There are plants for people who suck at them."

Chikusa "Ciro Bonavida" Kakimoto is not one of them.

If nothing else, however, he continues on with the same bland and quiet voice as he used with the previous statement. "Anyway... If you learn more about plants and how to take care of them... You might learn where you're going wrong."

[shiningwaters]

She does cringe at that statement. But the second at least gets her to nod.

"That...might be a good idea."

[kokuyoyo]

"We meet after classes, and during break.. At the greenhouses. Poking around generally finds someone..." He shrugs.

"...Or I can call you during a good day. Whatever you want to do."

[shiningwaters]

Katarina nods, then takes out a pen and starts scribbling her number and a few times on one of her flyers.

"These are going to be the best times to reach me, after the show is over."

[kokuyoyo]

Adjusting the fliers under one hand, he glances over the number that he's been given. It only takes a quick moment before he tucks it back with the rest, and takes his phone out from his pocket.

Buzz buzz, Katarina.

[shiningwaters]

She hold up her phone, smiling.

"All right, good. That'll work out, then."

[kokuyoyo]

"My number should be on your phone now..." At least, unless he's been blocked as spam.

"Call me whenever you're ready. I think... you'd be helpful around." He pauses, trying to figure out how to word this properly. "Stamina... is an important thing when it comes to gardening. Apparently theater's the same."

Probably. He knows nothing about theater.

[shiningwaters]

"Really? Well, I guess I have enough of that."

[kokuyoyo]

It seems he's said as much as could really be said, so... Finally, Chikusa starts to turn away. "I have to go..." More stops to make and all that. "So if you have any questions, just call me."

[shiningwaters]

"All right. Thanks again."