008 ✽ It's betta down where it's wetter

[giglio_madonna]

Who: Flowers Over Bones and those in attendance
What: One last solo band performance before the big tour, at the world's largest aquarium. Of course, being a giant aquarium, there's plenty of other things to do too.
When: Backdated to early April
Where: The Vista City Aquarium
Warnings: None planned, but note- this is set before Flowers Over Bones (Luce, Doctor, Rei, Ivan, Pao-Lin) escape out of Virgo's grip. If you want to talk with any of them one last time, now is the chance to do so. Also doubles as a mingle log!


As befitting such an enormous and thriving city, Vista houses the largest aquarium on the entire Americana west coast. Vista City Aquarium takes up the entirety of a multi-floor building, sprawling over a sizeable bit of land in the crowded city and providing nothing but top of the line care for its many aquatic and amphibious inhabitants. Needless to say, the gift shop is an entire floor all its own.

Such a place is obviously a popular place in the city for those interested in aquatic life, but today is special. The Annual Charity Run is taking place to usher in spring, just like every other year, and, to help this goal, they've enlisted the help of Virgo's own Flowers Over Bones. On one of the only levels not for the housing of aquatic life, a stage area has been set up for the band. All proceeds to see them, of course, go straight to the Aquarium.

That isn't to say people are obligated to go to the concert. It's an optional event of the day. There's still an entire building full of water and creatures to explore, an endeavor which can take up an entire day if one is so willing. Notable attractions include:

- A glass tunnel that goes through an entire tank of Caribbean sea life
- A room filled with screens livestreaming the events of oceanic researchers watching over the dolphins and whales the aquarium doesn't house
- A shallow tank where you can pet more docile small sharks and rays
- An area where you can play chess electronically with one out of a pair of octopi, Celia or Pat. Human winners are rewarded a voucher for food down in the food court. Celia and Pat get pieces of crab. Celia and Pat also have a high win rate.
- The food court and gift shop floor, where you can buy refreshments for the day or whatever gift shop knicknacks your heart desires. Not only are there the typical things such as clothing emblazoned with the aquarium's logo, keychains, and lovely coral or shark teeth jewelry.... But there are also plushies larger than most people. There's seemingly one for just about every kind of animal. Yes, even the blobfish.

Comments

[lightthedarkness]

No no, I'm fine, really. [She laughed as she waved a hand in front of her, not the sort to eat that stuff, even if she had an iron stomach.]

Besides, the rays deserve it, it'd be mean to take from them.

[sponsorigami]

[ If this ray could talk, no doubt it would be thanking her for more food. It does enjoy the attention and food its getting. Ivan uses his fingers to gently stroke the ray's belly. It's so soft and not slimy at all. ]

Are rays supposed to be so friendly?

[lightthedarkness]

I don't know, I don't really know a lot about rays. But I mean, every animal has a personality, so maybe this one is just special? Or maybe it likes you specifically.

[sponsorigami]

[ Ivan looks at the other rays that have no problem swimming up to someone snagging some food and swimming away with their catch, just out of reach of the visitor's fingers. It has to be this one's personality. ]

If it was a cat, it'd probably be purring.

[lightthedarkness]

Maybe it already is and we can't hear it since it's in the water. The ray is probably older and really used to people too.

[sponsorigami]

Are you an older ray? Is that why you're so relaxed? Or do you just like people?

[ Ivan asks it as he offers another treat. The ray's wings flap and send up tiny splashes of water.

If Usagi wants to try feeding the ray, Ivan will share the treats. ]

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi blinked and blinked again, what a weird question until she realizes it's being directed AT the ray. She comes close and leans over. Even without food, the ray leaves Ivan to come check out Usagi, seeing if she had anything for it.]

So cute, I wonder if you have a name.

[sponsorigami]

[ Ivan feels a little sad as the ray pulls away from him, but he takes the opportunity to take his hand out of the water and dry off. The girl's pondering confuses Ivan as his mistakes it as something directed toward him. ]

... Uh... I'm Ivan...?

[ Did she come after the concert to the aquarium, not realizing that Flowers Over Bones would be there? ]

[lightthedarkness]

Eh? [She turns to Ivan and then realizes-]

Oh! [She laughed.] I was talking to the ray, sorry. I know who you are! [She blushed a bit.] Er- sorry, not trying to sound creepy or anything. I'm a fan of Flower Over Bones, so I just... er...

I mean, that's why I'm here today.

[sponsorigami]

Oh...

[ At least she was a non-crazy fan for the most part. So, he didn't have to be so worried about getting mobbed. ]

Um... I hope you enjoyed the show.

[lightthedarkness]

I always do, when I get to go. It was great, I really love the music you guys play.

You were all great, truly.

[sponsorigami]

[ For a moment, Ivan wished he had something covering his face because he worries his expression will give away how he's feeling about the concert. ]

I'm glad. We... play try to share our music our everyone, playing classical instrument our own way.

[ He smiles, though it doesn't fully reach his eyes. He turns away and tosses a treat into the water for any ray (the friendly one or not) to have. ]

[lightthedarkness]

[Unfortunately for Ivan, Usagi is ridiculously astute in reading people's body language and expressions, she leans in, resting a hand on his elbow.]

Hey, what's wrong?

[sponsorigami]

Ah, it's nothing. I'm... I'm just tired.

[ He hopes that is convincing enough. Doctor already reminded him about the image they must present to the crowds and Virgo. He can't draw attention to himself.

Except when it comes to the ray deciding to come back and wiggle up the side of the tank, looking for Ivan and nudging his fingers. He can handle the ray's attention. ]

We've been busy.

[lightthedarkness]

Oh ah, well, I can leave you be, if you need rather? [She offered, knowing sometimes people just needed their space (though she so often ignored that).] Don't even worry about it, okay?

[sponsorigami]

[ Ever since having his tune fixed (unknowingly), Ivan hasn't felt as pressured to play music and please the crowds from the inside. It's a choice, not that he must. Ivan hasn't learned playing for pleasure or for his own reasons that aren't brainwashed forced. It could prove dangerous for him... if he wasn't going to be missing from the music business entirely in a few days.

It's more of an act than it ever was for him, and he's a bad actor, especially without a mask. Ivan feels like his face should be covered when among the crowd like this. ]

I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to distress you. You... can stay if you want...

[lightthedarkness]

You're probably exhausted, don't even worry. But maybe you should treat yourself to make yourself feel better too.

[sponsorigami]

Treat myself?

[ Ivan looks at her confused. Somehow, the thought of treating himself instead of others hasn't occurred to him. ]

[lightthedarkness]

You know! Do something you want to do, eat something that's your favorite, go see a movie you've been dying to, buy yourself a brand new jacket, or some expensive dinner. Just give your mind and body a break to do something you enjoy! If you study or practice too much, it'll stop being fun, and more importantly, you need to rest your mind!

[sponsorigami]

... Um, I'm still a musician. None of that is easy for me to do. Especially now.

[ Not with Virgo trying to ramp things up for a world tour and potential paparazzi documenting the band's every move. He has sneaked out a few times to escape the label and his body guards, but he knows he can't press his luck too much. ]

[lightthedarkness]

That's an excuse. There's absolutely no reason you couldn't eat your favorite food or treat yourself to a nice dinner or nice jacket. Just because it's harder doesn't mean it's impossible.

You're here now go get yourself something you like go eat food that makes you happy.

There's no reason that should be impossible for you.

[sponsorigami]

... Um... this is an aquarium...

[ There are limited options for food and jackets. And Ivan right now can't even recall his favorite food. He's sure he has one. Doesn't everybody? But what is it, and why would something so mundane like that be messed with for his brainwashing? ]

[lightthedarkness]

Yes.

And?

[She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand.] Come on, tell me what it is and I'll treat you to your favorite food then. I'll head down to the cafe and bring it back up.

[sponsorigami]

... I... don't know what my favorite food is...

[ He admits, hoping that she doesn't look into his wording too deeply. Not having a favorite food is different than not knowing. Not knowing implies that he does have one in the grand scheme of things. ]

[lightthedarkness]

Mnn. [Even if she did take it as a matter of not knowing what it was anymore, she showed nothing for it one way or the other. Her smile became a bit more gentle and softer, not having let go of his hand.]

Alright, how about we just get a milkshake then?