(6/30/01: The Gebler Musical Competitions!)
Casske is frantically running up and down the stage, plugging in amps, testing microphones, and generally doing all those necessary last minutes checks.
Ah, this is it! The day in which Dirah will finally prove to the world, or at least the silly Gebler population of Aveh, how remarkably talented she is. Not good enough to be a professional singer in Kislev? Ha! Watch Dirah prove the world wrong. For this contest is as good as hers. And.. er.. Right. Tifa, too, since she's singing to, one guesses. Its a vacation fully worthy of someone like Dirah. Its a lot of stress pretending to be someone untrendy for such a long time, after all.. And Dirah.. Dirah is half to giddy over the thought of using her free time off to do something as lovely as this. So Dirah's steps are rushed by enthusiasm rather than need as she darts down the street, her full performing outfit hidden by her cloak as she grumbles, "Ah, where is this performed... Why can't this town be put together reasonably--.. Ah, Tif, I found it!"
Asher sighs, it had been a long time since he was outside of Solaris territory. The Cobalt Wing commander casually walks along, his cane digging a bit into the sands as he chats casually with the members of his primary surveillance unit, Belial squadron. It had been relatively quiet here, thankfully, no major signs of the Kislevi threats. For the first time in weeks....he's actually happy. Stress free. Not going to think about Kislev, about orders, about impersonators, and about the Naval corps. So much weight all off his shoulders....it was a good feeling. Temporary, at least.
Well, it's not like Tifa isn't giddy either. This is one of the most exciting moments of her life, now she can actually be a singer. Sure she doesen't know if her voice is up to this...but she was forced to take 2 years worth of chorus as a teenager. She'll be ok, right? Decked out in a cloak, similar to Dirah's, she turns as Dirah states her finding it, "Yay! This is it!" she clasps her hands together, "This is going to be great!"
Casske leaps from the stage grinning, his midnight blue hair sticking every which way from all the comottion. He spots Asher in the crowd. He jogs over, grinning. "Sir! What do you think of the little setup I have here? Nice, eh?"
Asher smiles a bit. "Excellently done, Casske, I'm very impressed. And I'm off duty, please, call me Asher. When are the acts starting up?"
Why in the world is he here? Stratski has no idea. Actually, he's here because he's bored. But he's always bored with life so there must be something more to it... yes, he's -really- bored. However, he isn't here to enter the competition but rather to merely watch it. Entering, eyes remain half lidded, languidly jaded in how he looks at the scenery. "Hmmm. The surface is ... interesting." Dusty, that's for sure. This he says to no one in particular, but he tends to avoid the others, heading toward a table that so far has no occupants.
Just like children, aren't they? Tifa and Dirah take leave of pretending to be pirates for a day, and what do they do? Run off to enter a singing competition like a group of exceedingly hyper girls. Well. Its nice to see them in such bright spirits. And Yui can't honestly say she'd mind a few hours of something amusing, even though it is a bit of a waste of time.. And she -does- have more important things to do. Yui follows after the two rather giddy women at a slower pace, shaking her head mildly at their enthusiasm. Just like children, spies or not.
Casske chuckles a bit, clasping his hands behind his back. "They should start up fairly soon... I understand there was a breif delay while one of the performers worked out their clothing. I haven't seen it, but I understand it's a bit over the top..." Casske notices Stratski walking to the unoccupied table. His mouth hangs a bit open. "His hair... it's... it's... blue!!!"
Interesting? Bah, the surface is utterly -boring-. Kenji is glad something's come up other than work to take up his time. On Solaris there'd be so much more to do, he was certainly busy in Jugend. Of course, Kenji likes music. So this will be an interesting deterrant from the norm. He looks for an empty table, but they're filling fast. Mumbling to himself, he starts walking over to a table that hasn't quite been filled yet...but that is changing as Stratski is walking towards it too. Urgh.
Asher notices Casske's reaction. "Hm? Oh, that's Corporal Stratski. He's with the Gebler Special Forces, one of their better Swordknight pilots, I believe. Still, I'm going to go enjoy some of this atmosphere. I've not been able to take an evening off for what feels like months. Hope everything works out, I'll be around for the performances."
Over the top? If you mean -Dirah's- outfit, I'm afraid you will need to have your face kicked in, as you obviously have something seriously wrong with your vision in the first place. Over the top? She's the perfect model of fashionable beauty! Guaranteed to awe the crowds! It can't be helped if she took a few extra minutes.. (cough-halfhour-cough) to get dressed! Its worth it so the world can experience the glory that is her fashionable beauty. But Dirah is thankfully oblivious to this. Rather, she breaks into a grin noting, "Hey, Tif.. That's the guy over there who runs this right?" Well, at least, it was the guy she had to beg a few more minutes to dress from. And so, Dirah, when within acceptable earshot, waves, "Hey, sorry we're late!"
Casske's look isn't even noticed, but then... Stratski's getting used to people staring at the hair color. Yes, it does appear to be quiet natural, not a dye job. There are no roots coming out of another color. Pale teal green. There you go. He nods toward Casske and Asher, but doesn't pause in his step toward that table.
There is a look toward Kenji, blue eyes glancing over what he assumes is another Solarian. Well, better to have his own kind here rather than a ... Lamb. He gestures to the other seat and then sits back in his own, tilting his head slightly to the side to glance toward the stage and all the contraptions that are already hooked up. Not to mention the people who are about. Some of the outfits... are almost blinding. It brings the SwordKnight pilot to rub at one eye as if it were sore suddenly.
Casske glances over to Dirah, once he was done grinning about how cool it was that somebody else had bluish hair. "Eh? Ah, think nothing..." He lays eyes on Dirah. "..of it... I can see why you needed the extra time, your outfit is simply... stunningly unique. I'm glad it worked out for you... ready to go?"
Tifa had her fair share of utter blinking at Dirah's outfit, but she honestly can't say she didn't expect it. Upon Dirah's question, she nods and let's her handle him. She's just here to make her dream come true! Right? She smiles, "Unique? Quite!" how else can you describe...that. She tilts her head upon his question, and nods, "I'd hope so, we've got our song and everything."
Asher looks over to Dirah and Tifa as well. "Hm, stunning indeed." He says with a roguish smile. "I'll be looking foreward to the performance." He then leans slightly to his right, looking over Dirah's shoulder to Tifa. "Hm....Excuse me, miss..." he says, walking over to her. "Have we met? Your face seems a bit familiar....I'm sorry, I know that sounds silly...but, all the same..."
Of course, those stupid Lambs. Leave them alone for a year or so, and they go about doing things like making cults. It's pointless, and really inconvenient, especially to Kenji. He nods at Stratski and sits in his own seat. Ah, still setting up. Some patience will simply do, but why not make conversation? "So, what is your name?" nice one to start with.
Unique? You bet! Its a work of art as only would look its best on someone like Dirah. And besides, its so utterly nice to be running around Dazil in something that is.. Not-Sigurd. Its nice to be fashionable again! And Dirah blushes mildly, something lost in the tan, and something likely faked in the first place, "Ah, that's so kind of you! Thank you. I put an awful lot of effort into it." AKA, I kept Cerencia up all night sewing on the wing designs. But Dirah enjoys patting her ego waaaay too much, "But we're all ready now, for whenever it starts! I hope that wont be long." Cha~rming smile. Dirah should be forbidden to perform, at this rate.
Casske nods, pointing to the stage. "If you sweet young ladies would like to start now, just get up there on stage. I'll say a few words, then you can sing to your heart's content." Casske... trying to charm a person he'd never met, in such a costume. This truly was his darkest hour.
Tifa would be so much more disturbed if she wasn't so utterly -excited!- She smiles at Asher, "I hope you'll like it, we've been working on it for ~so long!" then, as Asher asks her that question, she tilts her head. Of course, she remembers Asher now! But she can't go about giving away her identity, so she shrugs. "I'm sorry, but I don't recall i've ever met you. If it means anything, my name's Sari." Alias #3.
Stratski was content to just let silence permeate the table, since he's not really one to engage in idle chit chat, but when asked his name, he replies easily enough. "Corporal Sebastian Stratski. Gebler Special Forces." Do all Solarians introduce themselves by rank and title? Hell yes. Well... at least Stratski does. He hasn't been off Solaris for awhile now anyway. Those languidly lidded eyes glance toward Kenji again, as if expecting introductions to be made in full.
Yui grants but a smile as she parts from Tifa and Dirah, letting them run over to sort out the details of when they perform and whatnot. Besides, if Yui doesn't hurry, it seems all the good seats will be taken by odd-hair colored Solarians. How.. unpleasant. That has to be the one annoyance of coming to watch the mock-Yggdrasil members perform. This is.. A gebler event. But nonetheless, Yui yet takes the next best seat she can. Cheerfully a few seats over from the Solarians.
Kale has arrived.
Cerencia has arrived.
Kenji hmphs, just a Gebler. He feels so sorry for them, having to associate with those -Lambs-. Then again, he's no worse, having to investigate stupid little -Lamb- mistakes. "Hotokan Kenji, first class citizen, Jugend graduate," and with flying colors at that. Someone take a pin and pop his ego before it gets bigger.
Asher hms. He was sure he'd seen her before. Her eyes, there was something about them...and the voice. Oh well. Don't dwell on it, it'd only bring trouble, which isn't something Asher needed at -ALL- right now. There was enough to deal with everywhere else. He nods. "All right. Again, sorry about that. I suppose I haven't been able to get out enough lately." Another smile, and he half-turns towards a table, starting to walk backwards for a second. "Good luck in the competition!" He says before turning back to have a seat.
Not only that, but Casske is trying to charm two women who dress up like male pirates for a living. This isn't only Casske's darkest hour.. Its also comedic in its own sadistic way. But that doesn't stop the self-proclaimed charismatic Dirah, who merely beams charmingly in response, "How kind of you, though! That's lovely! Come on, then!" First dibs on the stage? How lovely! Dirah just grabs Tifa by the arm and tugs, "We get to go first, isn't that lovely? Are you ready?"
Tifa gets dragged off by Dirah, "Well, I guess I have no real choice in the matter," don't let stagefright get you -now-! Then again, it's hard not to pull yourself together being dragged off by Sandraltima. "Thanks!" she calls to Asher as he wanders off. She then attempts to pull away from Dirah, "Ok, there's no need to drag me, i'm hurrying!"
Meanwhile, while the other two members of the group panic or talk or do whatever it is they need to... come -on-, who else is going to set up the speakers and make sure that everything's in place? Cerencia, that's who. Looking suspiciously halfway like Maison and halfway like some stern manager, Ceren nudges the last stand into place with a disapproving foot. He looks through the crowd in search of his errant charges, finding Dirah and Tifa at last. This isn't what he'd wanted to do at -all-. But it was what the Young Master and Dirah had wanted, so...
Casske jumps up on stage, calling out to Dirah and Tifa. "All set, ladies?"
"Interesting," is all that Stratski will say about Kenji and his paitence of pedigrees regarding his Solarian citizenship. There is a bit of a bitterness toward the 1st Class, though it doesn't register on his features. "What brings you to the competition?" Oh he just has to ask, this one has actually piqued his curiosity and considering how jaded the SwordKnight pilot is, that's saying something. Besides, he hasn't known that many 1st Class to really go to the surface that often unless they had no choice in the matter.
He slides his gaze over the growing crowd within the tavern, just barely glancing over Yui before he's looking elsewhere. Just seeing
who else is around, any other faces of interest... any signs of perhaps the rest of his Strike Team. Not like he expects to see them, hasn't in some time since the peace lull.
Well, what else would Cerencia be doing? Of course, being reasonable, Ceren might have been the only person to think that maybe.. Kislevi spies singing in a Gebler contest would be.. Bad. But you know what? Dirah came here to share her angelic voice with the world, and taht's what she's going to do, reason or not. So, she shrugs off her cloak then, revealing the rest of her nearly gaudy, rather revealing outfit, and grins, dropping her grip on Tifa's arm, "Sorry, sorry, but hurry up! Don't want to keep the public waiting." And she grins, and calls up to Casske, "Go ahead and start it up! We'll be ready in a sec!" Right, gotta check up with Ceren and make sure the music is ready... Which is where Dirah scurries off towards now.
Kale comes in, walking from farther inside the city. He looks a bit hurried, but who wouldn't be? He never needed an alarm clock before! And 18 hours of active duty tend to take their toll on a person.
Just interesting? Kenji feels like he just hit a brick wall. You should be more interested than that! Poor ego. "I'm here because I only have work to take up my time, and I can't quite go back to mother Solaris yet, sadly," why did Kenji get cursed with this job? Of course, he didn't listen to the maid.
Khiea has arrived.
Casske taps the mic a few times, then begins. "Hello everybody! I'd like to welcome you all to the first ever Gebler Battle of the Bands! I'm Casske Klassa, Cobalt Wing 2nd Lieutenant. I've set up this competition to try to display the spirit of Gebler beyond just fighting and battles. Anyhow, nobody hates long intros more than me, so I'll leave it up to these first couple of ladies to get the ball rolling!" He leaps off the stage in a show off-y somersault, landing in his chair near the stage.
I-in a second? Isn't stagefright wonderful? She follows Dirah quickly, and just...stares out to the crowd. All those people are watching her...what could they be thinking? Alright, calm down. She looks at Dirah, and probably looks like an utter fool just standing there, so she quickly runs off to follow.
Dressed in... What else would the Solarian princess choose in times of undercover, than to wear but only the truth? Though she arrives late, the entrance is not meant to be discovered. Unlike her usual frills and charms, Khiea is dressed in rather severe slacks and a long tunic, both in shades of emerald and darkest forests. She tiptoes in, ending up next to Yui... and even her typical cowering in public spaces full of Unfriendly People is more of a nonobtrusive stalk. Whoever thought the girl to have it in her? In addition, a pair of large, round spectacles are perched upon her nose, giving her an incredibly studious look rather out of place against those who might otherwise recognize her. Khiea who? No one she knows, that's for certain. The stew of Nightmare in her brain hasn't changed any, though.
Kale moves as quickly as he can over to his seat near the stage. Why is it his seat? Because he's going to sit there. Simple logic. Really. "Heya Casske."
Casske glances to Kale, grinning. "Hey there. Glad you could make it. Sit back, and enjoy the show..."
All of this, and the only thing that worries Cerencia is the fact that there are Solarians over there, and the terribly vulnerable Dark Yggdrasil crew over here. The performance is less than noteworthy for him. What matters is if the Young Master is satisfied--and Dirah too--and then for them to escape as soon as possible. With a final nod to signal to the other two that all is ready, Ceren sits down at the keyboard and cracks his knuckles, ready to begin.
Yui blinks faintly as Khiea scurries up to her, wondering a little at that outfit. That's.. peculiar. That outfit looks awfully like it would work very perfectly on a certain someone else. But, nonetheless, there's no harm in the child dressing to avoid suspicion, if that's her aim. After all, there are enough Solarians here to make -Yui- nervous, even though she isn't likely to be recognized by any. So she grants a smile and pats the seat next to her, "I didn't think you were going to be able to come.. Would you like to watch, too? I think our.. Well, friends are going next."
Kale streaches, and settles down in the chair, causing it to creak rather loudly. Most of these chairs aren't made for large, dragon demihumans. He glances around, tail tapping the ground, then looks back at Casske. "Interesting crowed, eh?"
Indeed, poor Kenji's ego, meeting up with the brick wall of Stratski's generic apathy toward everything. It's nothing personal, the SwordKnight pilot simply isn't interested in very many things and that he is near someone of the first class isn't all that odd. The fact that the band now ascending to the stage is not Solarian doesn't even occur to him. Nor does he really care. Lips part as if he were going to reply to the Solarian across from him, but shut again as Casske takes the stage momentarily to start the competition. So, instead he merely settles back to watch the show, though he's not really expecting much. He never does.
Kenji sighs, he'd normally be very irritated, but he's so much more patient with Solarians then actual Lambs. Even if Gebler is sort of a Lamb division. Oh, whatever, the show's starting. So he quickly rests his palm against his cheek and his elbow against the table. Might as well enjoy what you can, this probably wont be any good. What else can you expect?
Asher leans back, wondering what he was actually going to -do.- It /had/ been a while since he'd had time off.....Hm. Social life? What in Deus's name is that? Ugh. It was gonna drive him up a wall if he couldn't relax for at least -one- night without having to look over a report, do paperwork, or kill something small, pathetic and annoying.
What's this? A Gebler event? x.x Fine then, the pirates were in the area, and Sigurd happened to have his uniform still, so why not crash the party? ^^ Indeed, why not, and the Nomad wanders toward the crowd with just that in mind, wary yet, but curious as to what the Gebler were up to. After all, they were -supposed- to be allies, so what harm could simply watching do?
Hey! It's a Gebler event! Natch, Bart just couldn't let this go, so, decked out in a slightly-oversized Gebler uniform, the pirate prince follows Sig towards the crowd. Never hurts to keep tabs on what's going on, right? Not to mention it'll probably be interesting enough to make the time spent much more worthwhile. Aside from a bit of fidgeting with his barely-fitting uniform, Bart's all eye and ears for this.
Serious in a way that would anyone blink twice and think that they may have eyed the wrong girl, Khiea tugs on the gloves covering her lightly webbed hands and sits down next to Yui, pulling herself onto the chair and wishing almost instantly for something nice to drink. She pushes the spectacles back straight on her face and folds her fingers in front of her on the table. "Am I late?" she whispers, not wanting to interrupt anything that was already underway. It had taken her simply the -longest- time to find something in green in her size... That wasn't covered in ruffles. Khiea blinks her mismatched eyes up to Yui and forces a faint smile. No more thoughts about just -who- owned that Omnigear in the Dark Yggdrasil's bay, right? Right. Just... Smile, and be as creepily stern as she used to be carefree.
She's a bizarre little child sometimes, but darling nonetheless. It is just.. Very hard to shake the suspicion that there is something rather complex going on here, with Khiea begging to have her sword, and giving the Fenrir such odd glances.. And now wearing such an outfit. But, well, odd things do pull at the mind and, stressed as she's been recently, Yui wouldn't be surprised if coincidence was hopping up to bother her, on the sheerest basis that Fate was being unkind as of late. So she merely smiles kindly at Khiea and whispers back mildly as she folds her hands in her lap and turns her gaze to the stage, "Don't worry. You got here right on time. Its just about to start." Remarkable, though. Khiea must be feeling better, to be able to be so collected for tonight. This is the first time Yui's seen her not in hysterical tears which is really quite relieving.
Ruffling through his everpresent large canvas bag, Kale grumbles. Now where was that sheet that Tognotti gave him...Ah! Quickly pulling it out, Kale skims over the guitar part. Not TOO hard...and it would sound nice if he could pull it off. BIG if. Now, on to the lyri-..."I'm going to have to have a looooong talk with Tog about this later..." Well, he'll sing them...but he'll still look like an idiot.
Hey now, Stratski is only half lamb there. Of course... that's even worse to some. He glances briefly at Kenji again to catch that sigh, and then his attention wanders to the stage... and wanders again. Short attention span? Not really, he's just coming to the conclusion that even this is not going to chase away the doldrums. He almost wishes Vance were here... the redhead is incredibly hot tempered and a pain in the rear sometimes, but at least he was entertaining. That's when he catches sight of the latest arrivals. Bart and Sigurd would have just been glanced at, except that the shorter blonde one doesn't quite fit in that uniform. It makes the SwordKnight pilot raise an eyebrow at least. This might get interesting after all.
If Kenji cared about the pirates, this would matter. Kenji, however, is blissfully and purposefully ignorant of the pirates. When he's assigned to infiltrate them, then he'll care. If he is. This job is a curse, and he happens to be sitting at a table with who has to be one of the least talkative people he's met. It's almost like he's being ignored! He can't be ignored! Very bad!
So, after a bit of silence, Tifa wanders back on to stage. She's still a bit scared, but she can't let herself get all worked up over some people. She'll become Liete if that happens, and she can't have that! She has to be a people person. So, she stops in the middle of the stage, holding a microphone in her left hand. Looking up as the music starts, a soothing, soft melody. Opening her eyes, she starts to sing once the beat gets to a certain point, "...Who could not adore you, lovliest angel of them all?" she turns her head, her gaze going across the crowd, "And once, I could have praised you too, yet...I too could stretch my wings to reach the skies, and sing of golden dawns~," she then falls silent as the music continues, waiting as it seems for someone to cut in.
This is it, then? Lovely. Prepare, Gebler crowd, to be dazzled. For its obvious enough from her skimpy/overdecorative outfit that Dirah has too much vanity to participate in an event like this. Its even more obvious as she, realizing the crowd's attention's on her, slowly and gracefully walks onto the stage as her part of the song begins. For it would be wrong for her -not- to flaunt that she's wearing an outfit like this, lots of people are paying attention to her and, she is after all, beautiful in the extreme. And she strikes half a pose as she gets up there, as vanity wasn't enough unless she had ego too. Goodness, make it stop. For while Tifa may be having preliminary stage fright, Dirah could not be more in her element if she tried. And, microphone in hand, she joins in just in a perfect beat after Tifa stops, and sings. And she actually has a halfway lovely voice, too, a rich mezzo-soprano that fits the softer tune rather well, "And still.." Drawn out, that phrase, "I am always only in your shadow. How am I any less than you?" And a habitual action now, as she brushes those bangs from her face, an action she tried not to do a million times as Sigurd. And yet she's more than happy to do it for pose value now, "And when shall they sing my praise, too?"
Ceren, sing? Hah! No, the older man is more than happy to keep the backup melodies running, giving controls a nudge here and a knob a turn there. He's also the only one of the trio who has remained in clothes for his working gender. And upstaging Dirah would be one step from voluntary suicide, as Cerencia is -more- than well aware of. So he lifts his eyes from his keys not to soak in any sort of applause or awe, but to search ever-warily for signs of possible action being taken against the two set so openly on the stage.
Asher smiles, watching as the two girls begin to sing. The first one seemed a little nervous.....but why? Beautiful voice, and thus far a nice song....why be so worried? Hm. He supposed he should be taking some of his own advice, relaxing a bit to enjoy the music. He shuts his eyes a little, nodding his head softly to the song's rythym.
Casske smiles a bit, as he watches the performance. He gazes out into the crowd. So many people. Oh yes. He had definately struck a chord with the public on this one. He also closes his eyes, losing himself in the beautiful voice of the uniquely dressed woman. 'Marvelous...' he thinks to himself.
Hanging back a bit from the rest of the crowd, Sigurd contents himself with leaning on one of the walls opposite the stage, arms folded and keeping an eye out, though he was indeed interested in the music. Just... one always had to be -aware- when dealing with a grudging peace, and that hyper charge of his to boot. It wouldn't do to let the kid get into trouble he could prevent. Thus the Gebler outfits! While things seemed peaceful enough in Jasper and Bledavik, he still had no idea the Gebler/Solarians here had taken to the idea. So just watch and listen, second nature to the man by now.
Muttering something to himself about this annoying uniform, and how little trouble he'd get into without it, Bart eyes the crowd, just keeping an eye open for any interesting faces or things to be concerned with. The start of the music, luckily, keeps him occupied as far as wandering off into some sort of trouble goes. He looks towards the stage, eyeing the two women singing, and letting the beat of the song fill him. "They're not bad," he says to no one in particular, though if anyone, Sigurd. Assessment made, he starts shooting looks around the crowd for anything else of interest.
Why did she come again? There were so many more interesting things back at the other Yggdrasil... Her Gear, for one thing. One of them, at least... And which one, or whichever one is -not-, is a debateable point that can be ignored for now. She has come to... Watch the show, and that was all? To also tag along behind Yui, in that strange -need- of hers that has brewed ever since seeing the woman to keep close by her side. Now. With Nightmare obeying the young princess at last--even if it struggles and growls at Yui's presence too, in the other side of that need--Khiea folds her hands primly and swings her feet while they're unseen underneath the table. She's heard the words of the song before when they were practicing, so she doesn't twitch as much as she would if she were hearing these references for the first time. Bored, Khiea skims her faintly off-colored gaze over the crowd, examining the Gebler ranks present and curious about how big a squad might be stationed just outside of town to trap them.
Well, for all of the bizarrity that is Khiea, it is probably for the absolute best that Yui has not the foggiest clue what is going through Khiea's head, and what sort of conflict is going on within it... For that would unsettle her immsensely. Things are odd enough as it is, with this child wondering at everything that has a bittersweet memory attached to it... But nonetheless. With nothing but the reasonable to wonder on, which is ironically quite far from the truth, Yui merely smiles and murmers lightly to Khiea, "They're not doing so badly, don't you think?"
Kale looks up from his papers, and nods appricativly at the trio's performance. Good thing that he bent the rules for 'em, even if they didn't have the help he needed. Much better then he and Tognotti could. Then again, they were also much more attractive then he and Tog were...though that wasn't hard to accomplish.
Hmmm. Stratski watches Sigurd and Bart for a moment, but when neither of them seem to be up for causing trouble, he lets it go. That at least one of them isn't a Gebler soldier is obvious to the SwordKnight pilot. Besides, one of the bands is beginning up on the stage and so the pale haired soldier decides to listen for a bit and watch her strutting. Hmmm. Pretty, but he's prettier. Vanity and egos seem to be running high tonight. If he has much interest, well... you guessed it, he doesn't really show it, leaning in toward his Solarian companion, or at least the other guy at the table where he sits, and asks, "What do you think?" See? Now he stops ignoring you, Kenji.
Of course, Kenji can't be ignored. His vastly superior presence but outshines all oth-ok, so that's a bit much. Either way, he snaps out of his song induced daze, and hmphs. "It's ok, not that good. It could be much better," of course, Kenji could do so much better than those silly little -Lambs-. Isn't it fun to be modest and humble?
Tifa gains a more determined look on her face, as the music continues. She closes her eyes, "One day...," she continues, "like a dream come true, I thought I could be just like you." she looks down, "Although it seemed impossible at first, but then...," her gaze rising to the audience, "I turned to see you fall," just at this point, she spots Bart. Her smile growing a bit more dark, she continues her song, "and I knew you were never as beautiful as we thought~, she then falls silent, for now it's Dirah's part. This is really enjoyable, she finally knows how her favorite singer feels and everything. Such a wonderful feeling!
Isn't this wonderful? For once, Dirah can utterly agree with Tifa, or so she would if she had some creepy mind-reading ability of sorts. For this is such.. Well, such a high, having this much attention, and so many appreciative glances. For they apparently aren't doing badly at all. But was there any doubt of the success of this song, as long as the melodious and overwhelmingly gifted Dirah was singing in it? And she takes a step, such a delicate motion, enough a movement to shift her pose, her skirt shifting with such motion.. Yes, Dirah enjoys attention. Dirah also has serious issues. "So how can you deny now.." Ah, a smile raises across her face now, showing teeth drawn only paler by the contrasting tan of her skin. And she skims the crowd, noticing a somewhat familiar pair far in the back, mostly blocked by crowds in.. Gebler clothing? Interesting note. But that does not stop that disguised sly smile on her face, with her words drawn out in song, "That the sweetest smile you ever saw... Was just your own reflection, angel?" And she shifts her weight again, shifting her glance innocently across the crowds, that smile ever remaining, "It was then I set out to change the world.. To catch the wind and hold the stars..." Drawn out, and a pause, "Flying higher than you ever dared. For was it Fate.. Or was it -You-.. That changed my life forever?"
Hm. So, as the song begins to wrap itself up, Cerencia lets the background melodies start to trail off into bittersweet whispers. With luck, they'd all be able to get out before those very unpleasant looking... not Gebler--he knows better, considering that he has studied them well enough during all this time--but pirates can move to block them off from escape. Or, even better, to alert the other military here to close off their retreat, or even to track them back to where they have hidden the Yggdrasil JNK. Muttering a quiet prayer under his breath to Mother Kislev, Cerencia looks quickly towards the exits.
Asher sighs as he listens to the music, the singing, god, how long had it been since he was able to kick back like this? A month? Two? It'd be so good....if he could just relax for tonight.
As the music trails off, Tifa closes her eyes. Her mouth opening slowly as she sings her half of the very last stanza, "It's known that time marches on, and with it...changes call," her voice determined, "So, my brothers...why can't you see, that even glory falls?" she then falls silent, waiting on Dirah, the last stanza being hers, after all.
Oh, -do- calm down, Cerencia. What's the chance that anyone here is suspecting a thing? Despite how this song contains a delightful secondary meaning, and despite how they're Kislevi posing as Gebler... They pulled it off -well-. Who's to suspect a thing? And so, it is up to Dirah to finish this song, as the music begins to quiet and slow, and so, through half-closed eyes of palest blue, she finishes, drawing the words out with a care of slowing, more delicate tones only befitting the end of a song, "For this was all just Fate's try at a dare.. Through which I flew to prove who was better..." Drawn off that line, as that sly amused smile touches those features once more, and she finishes just as softly, "And found.. I beat you there."
Calm down? Hah! It's Cerencia's nature to worry about these things. And even if his concern will be all for naught... better to be safe than sorry, isn't it? But Ceren is willing to let Dirah and Tifa soak up the applause, realizing also that too much of a hurry would prove even more conspicuous. He forces himself to calm, wrapping up the song at last into a flurry of notes that soar individually as if they, too, were birds in search of the heavens. The underpinning beat dies down to let those last few silver chords sing, along with his two charges. Did everyone enjoy it? Well... all right, then.
As the song ends, Tifa lets out a sigh of relief. That was easily the most exciting moment of her life, despite all this impersonation. Now what do we do? Oh yes! She forgot! She smiles and quickly bows, before she looks like an utter fool. In all the excitement she forgot about the bowing part.
The song ended, Dirah breaks into a smile, only befitting her vanity. Ah, the song went off without a -single- flaw. Now, tell her that wasn't first-place quality! Not like it would be prudent to press their luck farther by getting involved in the prize-giving process, if they turned out so lucky. But still.. Wasn't that lovely? So, with a meaningless gesture and a half of a pose, like a model in display, Dirah merely tilts her head towards the crowd in a sort of overly dignified recognition of the crowd. Ah, is there any time she is -not- aiming to look like something too gifted with grace? Mildly, she casts a light glance over to Tifa and notes quietly, "Remember to breathe?"
Asher applauds, smiling as he gets up to walk over by the stage. They did wonderfully. He looks up to them as they start to head off. "Beautiful. You did beautiful, ladies. What outfit are you in, anyway?" Honest enough question, after all, he might want to congradulate them later.
The... sudden smugness from the singers wasn't exactly sitting right with Sigurd, nor was the wariness from the third one exactly comforting. But he didn't act quite yet. He had a good vantage point and he could observe for a little while longer, they weren't going to gwt out of the city without him knowing, after all. And no reason to jump the gun and call attention to himself and his charge, not when they could simply follow the performers out of the city and confront them there. The less bystanders involved, the better. But, when the song finishes, he does join in the general applause, if only to be polite... And yet... Enemy or not, they -were- pretty damn good and deserving of it. ^^ As long as they didn't cause trouble, he could wait. Besides, what good is it to act on paranoia in the middle of a crowd? Only trouble. >.<
As it happens, Bart's attention is called back to the stage as Tifa looks out towards him. He looks right back, though oblivious to the fact that the singer's eyes are on him specifically. He isn't really paying a whole lot more than superficial attention to the lyrics, so, naturally the whole point there sort of whooshes right by the pirate's head. But, at the very least, Bart seemed to have been entertained--he's completely oblivious to any odd shifts in appearances that Sigurd had noticed, so just claps along with the rest of the crowd. Not bad at all.
Wasn't that pretty? Even though Khiea had had such a tricky time of following it with one ear open, and the other filled with the chatter of creatures lurking just out of sight. That was all right though! She'd heard it on the submarine before, and she could always ask for another rendition of it when they got back. Khiea looks up at Yui in a light wondering of what to do now. The young princess plays with her drink napkin--just a glass of water, since she was too young for alcohol right now--and continues her crayoned scribble, mildly whispering to Yui, "Are we going now?" Wasn't it... Nice to be able to just blindly trust and follow this woman and assume that there would be a lovely place to return home to? Yes. And that is what Khiea will do. For now. Because... It would be nice.
Yui applauds politely as the song ends, smiling lightly all the while, "That was rather well done, don't you think?" Ah, refrain from using
names when addressing Khiea. For who knows if that name would strike an interest with anyone here? And yet, with that ever-calm smile never shifting from her expressions, she adds, with her voice a touch quieter and her words a great deal more serious, "Do you think it is wise to stay here much longer? I really have no idea who might recognize you if given the chance.. Perhaps it would be best to leave soon, if that's all right." All right or not, its -reasonable-. They've had their moment off, watching the Dark Yggdrasil members perform. Now the Shevvite would rather not press her luck much farther, with so many, many Gebler around.
As the song reaches it's finale, Stratski is brought out of his reveries. Everyone else seems to be applauding, and so the Special Forces pilot puts his hands together to clap for them, but otherwise doesn't seem to lose that ennui that pervades his counternance. A glance toward his 'companion', a look of askance since it's a little loud to be actually attempting to voice any questions. The sort of look that says, 'What do you think?' To be honest, the group could have completed the most stunningly spectacular performance and this particular Gebler soldier would have responded in the same jaded fashion. He claps, but it's not enthusiastic. Tsk, some people just have no appreciation, do they?
Clapping. Right, that was -okay-. It could've been much better if perhaps Kenji was singing it...or maybe a Solarian singer. Such a song with neat little lyrics is wasted on these stupid little lambs with such horrible voices...now if the Solarian Goddess (his name for a popular singer up there) were singing it, -that- would be a sight to behold. Hm. "It wasn't bad," he idly comments to Stratski, in response to that look.
Well, now that this is finished...Tifa feels it's wise to get back to the Dark Ygg right away. She shoots a glance to Cerencia, which just screams 'I better get out of here'. Then again, she'd also rather get the gazes of all these people off of her. It's so...paranoid. As she rushes off, Asher's question stops her. "Um...i'm sorry, I really have to go," she replies quickly, before running off.
What's the use with paranoia? Its not like anyone here is actually -suspecting- anything. Well ,at least in Dirah's perfect world. Let Tifa scurry off into the crowds with a speed that is only too true to paranoia... Dirah, herself, would rather not draw such attention by the sheer speed of her flight. Rather, she blinks mildly at Asher and notes, ever so simply, "We're new recruits of the GA-GS.." Which is, ironically, utterly true. Perhaps not -honest-, but papers that -insinuate- they're members of the Gebler here are just as valid to go by. But she can smile and move on just as quickly.. She really must clear the stage, after all. And, with that done, continue to look utterly proud of herself while realizing.. Yes, perhaps it -is- a good idea to head for the exit right about now. Which she'd be glad to do. With a smile.
The third member of the trio is already preparing for his departure. His is the burden of moving all the instruments back offstage, and Ceren's dropped to that duty as soon as he the music was officially ended. Thankfully, Cerencia's behavior can be attributed to the quite honest reasoning of having to clear the stage for the other performers. Without a further look back at the crowd--dismissing it already, and focusing on the immediete works--Ceren exits, stage left.
Asher nods. "All right. Major Asher Thancrus, Commander of Cobalt Wing." He extends a hand. "It'll be a good thing to see people like you working here with the GA-GS, we need as many good soldiers as we can, and improving morale's a skill a lot of us could use."