[Action] Divine Secrets of the Jaja Sisterhood (Backdated before the pageant)

[never_go_back]

Kodachi was really surprised when she found out Orihime was taking part in this contest. In fact, it actually impeded on her plans because if somehow her roomate did win, it would be a little harder to take advantage of than with, say, Minako. Or (her current shining star) Karla.

Today comes the most important part: The outfits! And it'd be a lot easier for them to go together, even though the Black Rose doesn't really intend to be quite as helpful to Orihime as she will the other unless it gets really, really bad.

And it prooobably will.

The real challenge is working on a tight budget; at home Kodachi can quite easily splurge on whatever tickles her fancy. She doesn't have this advantage here, no, but she does have a plan!

And so the others have been instructed to meet at 11 am sharp (on a day 'Hime did not have work) at the Hamete Strip Mall. The gymnast currently stands at the very entrance, adorn in a St Hebereke school uniform while carrying a schoolbag just because she feels like wearing it.

Comments

[leekspins]

Orihime had no idea who had entered her into the pageant. She didn't know all that many people here, and no one had previously expressed interest in seeing her compete. Adam wasn't the sort to do something like that, and Dean wasn't here. Kodachi's surprised expression made it clear that she wasn't the culprit either. Unless she was just a very good actress.

She wasn't really sure where to begin. She'd never had to try to appear beautiful to a large crowd before. Make-up wasn't even something she put on, save for a little flavored lip gloss sometimes.

At the very least, she had a good sense of fashion. Thanks, Kubo! :D But beyond being able to choose clothes, she didn't know how to conduct herself, how to do her face, or even what talent to display. Nothing she could do well could easily be displayed on a stage! Hitting soccer balls with a bat might get pretty dangerous.

She rushed to her roommate as soon as she saw her, and heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much for your help! I'm not even sure where to begin!"

[never_go_back]

Kodachi... Might have done it. The world, quite frankly, may never know. All the same, the Black Rose is certainly there, and she greets Orihime with a bow upon her arrival, "Oh come now, there's no need to thank me, I know you would do the same for me if I were to ask~."

She glances up to the clock, "Hmn, Karla should be joining us soon, but should we run too late we had best just go along without her for now." she muses aloud. Which is fine, she already has the idea of oufits for the swordswoman in mind anyway.

"Now I know you're nervous but believe me, dear, you do possess the qualities of quite a.. Shall we say, 'visual delight', so the outfits will really be the easiest part. Now, I know you take delight in baking, but there really isn't any time on stage for that.." and she taps her cheek, "What other hobbies do you possess again?"

[leekspins]

Orihime's face reddened. A v-visual delight?! But she said nothing; Tatsuki said similar things after all, and she was far more direct than Kodachi was.

"Er...not much I can do for a crowd. Cooking and sewing isn't something I can do in a short period of time." Not like Ishida, anyway, who was a scarily talented master of his craft. "I can dance a little, I guess?" she suggested. "Or spin a baton, or imitate a movie scene with a lot of swashbuckling."

What she really wanted to do was tell jokes, but she didn't have enough time to come up with a surefire routine. Not many people got her sense of humor anyway.

[never_go_back]

Such a cute blush. Kodachi manages to hide some of her amusement by raising her hands to her mouth because, really, Orihime is far too much fun to tease.

And speaking of which, she seems particularly interested in the baton twirling- She didn't expect the other to have the coordinatino. So the girl was a cheerleader, maybe? And dancing, too simple. No, most important was the last part. Is she serious? Would the baker really do that?

"A movie scene?" she blurts, in an attempt to get her roomate psyched up. "Why that is a simply splendid idea; there is not a person in existance who dislikes a gripping swashbuckling scenario."

"I think you should do it, adorn in a ~dramatic~ costume. No, I insist you do so- why I would even assist you with the choreography! Wouldn't that be a delight?"

[leekspins]

"You really think so?" Orihime perked up, enthusiasm leaking into her smile. She thought for sure Kodachi would recommend the dancing, but swashbuckling...now that she thought about it, a talent like that would almost definitely be unique! It would be kind of like gymnastics, but with an orchestra, and swordplay, and drama! Well, why not? It might be a great choice after all!

"It would be nice to brush up on what V-san taught me," she beamed. "Thank you! Ah ha ha, I asked if he'd teach me to swing properly from a chandelier, and then it just kind of went wild from there, ha ha!"

Orihime wished Kodachi could meet him. Both had a thing for roses, after all.

"Ne, Kodachi-san..." Orihime regarded her roommate curiously as they walked. "Why didn't you enter? You're super pretty, and you have all kinds of talents. I think you'd have a really good chance."

[never_go_back]

"'Think so'? Oh I know so, choreography is merely an elaborate dance routine, you know. Not to mention a form of art that can be understood by even the most braindead of judges. You do not want to confuse the poor things or you will gain an unfavorable score~."

As for the story about V, Kodachi stares at first with a blank look. That both explains everything, and at the same time explains nothing. She actually hopes 'V' isn't that voice in her head; though now isn't a good time to bring that up!

As for the final question, Kodachi at first seems surprised by it, then titters behind her hand. "Why thank you, dear, but I possess more than a 'good chance', I would win without question. And where would the fun in that be?" all said with far too sweet a smile. "So I have handicapped myself and am seeing if I can coach Karla into winning. No offense to you, of course."

[leekspins]

"No, none taken!" she beamed. They were probably old friends, and Orihime was pretty sure that her entry was very last-minute. It wouldn't be fair to ask Kodachi to ditch her plans just because they were roommates. Still, whoever put her name on the list, she wishes they would step up to coach her too. "I'm grateful for the help. I'm pretty sure I need a lot of it, I've never done anything like this before."

At least she's decided on her talent. Kodachi's words are so reassuring that she's positive a dramatic rendition of an old movie's swashbuckling scene will at least be extremely entertaining.

As for Kodachi winning, Orihime laughed, and nodded. "That's a good point! Heeee, I wish I had as much self-confidence as you, Kodachi-san. You're really amazing!" She laced her fingers together and pushed out her palms. "What color dress do you think I should pick for the eveningwear part?"

[never_go_back]

"Is that so? There have not been similar competitions in the school you've attended? .. Actually, have you attended high school?" Kodachi is.. Fairly certain Orihime has, but it wouldn't surprise her if she hadn't either. "Actually, I suppose I am thinking of just talent shows."

Following her roomate's laughter, Kodachi motions with a dismissive wave of her hand, "Oh! Nonsense; you are perfect just the way you are, dear, and let no one tell you otherwise."

Of course her reason behind those words aren't quite as good natured as the advice itself. That said, with Kodachi positive that the talent portion will knock Orihime's score down enough to allow Karla an advantage, she may as well be honest about the rest.

"Now then, as for the evening wear I would suggest something crimson. While it may not be the best complimentary color for you, I highly doubt any of the judges are that knowledgable in such things." she wags a finger, "Red is the best color to use psychologically because it generally garners feelings of..." beat ".. 'positivity'. Yes."

[leekspins]

"I used to!" she grinned sheepishly. "Wow, it feels like such a long time ago. I was sixteen when I went to Hueco Mundo, then I got pulled into Nautilus, and last year I wound up here. I guess I'm an accidental dropout, ne? Hee hee!" Orihime rubbed the back of her head. "But we never had any talent shows or pageants. It's a shame, something like this would be a lot of fun."

Even if it was pretty much guaranteed that Ichigo was the type of person who wouldn't enter. And neither would any of her other friends, come to think of it.

"Positivity?" Orihime hadn't considered that. She thought she could wear red fairly well, though she didn't do it often. As long as she was getting dressed up, she supposed she might as well go all out. "I'll look for something red, then. Thank you very much!"

[never_go_back]

"That would make two of us, actually," Kodachi confesses, then raises a hand up to her lips as if murmuring a secret. "I was sixteen when I was taken to Mallow Hallow.. Goodness, we have so much in common, do we not?" She doesn't bother asking about Hueco or Nautilus. She'll just bring it up when she's bored or something.

"But seeing as that is the case, then we must make certain you have as good a time as possible! I will be certain to take plenty of pictures for you, all right?"

It comes to no surprise that Orihime buys her advice; really it has been the easiest couple of months she's ever had (outside of Nerima), even with the pokemon annoyances. "Very good.. So all that leaves is the swimsuit. Surely you have something in mind there."

[leekspins]

"Oh no, pictures aren't necessary!" Orihime held up her hands with a sheepish smile. She liked pictures of her friends, but it felt weird to keep photographs of just her, especially if she were going to be wearing a swimsuit at some point.

Maybe for the talent portion, though...

"Hm? Oh, yes, I have a bikini at home I can use, so I won't have to spend any money on something more," she reassured her roommate. "If it's okay to ask, what's Mallow Hallow?" That was what really piqued her curiosity.

[never_go_back]

"Oh is that right.. And good, very good~." Kodachi murmurs. Though now that just makes her want to do it even more! She'll just make an excuse that Orihime had been denied a yearbook so Kodachi thoughtfully made one for her. Yes.. Yes, that will do!

The question that follows makes her a little nostalgic; much to her own surprise. Sure, she would like to be home, but she can't deny the place held many fond memories, "Ah, well.. It was a very unusual world split into six districts, each ruled ruled by a different person not unlike here. Anyhow, I stayed in a medieval district where I became a knight; why I even led my own Order of the Black Rose! It was rather fascinating."

[leekspins]

"Wow, you were a knight?!" It must not have been a very backwards medieval sort of place if it allowed women to be more than damsels in need of rescuing. How amazing!

"So you know how to ride a horse, then?" she asked, suddenly jubilant. This was far more interesting than some pageant. "Did you joust too?"

[never_go_back]

"I was!" she replies with a bright smile, "To be honest, I was not expecting to be accepted, but lo and behold it happened! I defeated monsters, and bandits, and I even carried a sword that was like a ribbon!" the gymnast out of nowhere produces her gymnastics ribbon which she twirls outward to make a shape of a twirling drill, then snaps it back. "Oh I most certainly rode horseback, a black one actuall-"

Wait.

Did Orihime just ask if she jousted? She stares at her roomate as if she grew a second head. ".. Orihime-dear, please. As a lady I would never partake in such barbaric acts. You should know better!"

[leekspins]

Orihime was just about to ask what she meant about a sword being like a ribbon, but Kodachi was psychic, and promptly showed her exactly what it would be. She beamed and nodded vigorously to show her understanding, now that she could imagine such a blade clearly.

She didn't expect Kodachi to react so poorly to jousting, though. But defeating monsters and bandits...!

At least she knew better than to argue in any case. "Oh, I see! Sorry! I guess it just goes with the lore, so I couldn't help wondering, ha ha!"

[never_go_back]

To be fair, Orihime's question was reasonable, but Kodachi couldn't help but give her a bit of a hard time now and then- besides, she has an image of a lady-like mistress of elegance to upkeep! "Hmn, that is true it is not like you were in such times after all. Very well, you are forgiven.. Ah! But I did not tell you the part that I believe you would have really enjoyed!"

Kodachi makes a motion with her hand, making a shape of a pillow, but.. That is an odd thing to gesture, "There is one district that is made entirely of pillows! The houses, the trees, the lakes.. It was a sight to behold! As a matter of fact, someone found their missing pet baby alligator buried in said lake. The pet was not a pillow, but it was truly the strangest thing!"

[leekspins]

It was a good thing she'd clarified, because Orihime was just about to ask if the alligator was a pillow too. Baby alligators are ridiculously cute, so if it were a pillow too, she probably couldn't handle it. So instead she just nodded, listening raptly. "That sounds like a really comfortable district!" she laughed. "And dangerous. I'm not sure I could avoid the temptation to take a nap every time I visited!"

It actually reminded her a little of the strange Aeon simply known as "Pillow" back when she lived in Nautilus. Were the two related? ...Probably just a coincidence.

"Which district was your favorite, Kodachi-san?"

[never_go_back]

"'Favorite'? Hmnn.. Well, I would not say I really possesed a favorite.. Each one was annoying in one way or another, but the medieval world was a simple one for me to become wealthy, and it would be silly to answer 'the one that my fiance is in'!" Kodachi giggles behind her hand, then takes a more sorrowful expression. "I have tried so hard to find a job that makes use of my knightly skills and also pays an exorbitant amount of money here, but I have yet to be granted the slightest bit of luck!" Kodachi raises her hand to her cheek. Of course her demands would be unreasonable.

"You are so lucky to have such a simpler skill set, Orihime-chan~. I truly envy you."

[leekspins]

"It's what I like best, I suppose!" Orihime laughed sheepishly, the hidden dig going right over her bonny head. "I don't know if I'll make a lot of money doing it, though."

She hesitated a moment to look around, wondering if she was going to actually meet Karla. It didn't seem like she was going to show up.

"Are you really engaged?" she beamed, latching onto the happier news. "Is he here?"

[never_go_back]

And of course the Black Rose laughs along with. Or at. It's probably at. Oh what she would give to have someone like Orihime back in Nerima, though there is the downside that the girl isn't a ninja.

"You are worried about something like that, dear? Well.. I suppose what we will have to do is allow me to sample some of your sweets. I would be more than happy to provide some advice to improve your craft." Which is a genuine offer; she would rather not see her roommate crash and burn on that front. "I could assist with the publicity as well!"

Kodachi glances around a moment as well, and she is growing increasingly impatient. Any longer and she'll abandon her for the redhead. "Hmn? Oh! No, none of them are here," she murmurs, "Not a single one. I am quite worried others will end up proposing to me in this world and the list will only get longer! Such a bother.."

[leekspins]

"You have more than one? Wow!" Orihime was almost envious. She'd fallen in love a few times before, but those guys always managed to disappear just when she was starting to really care about them. It was making her start to wonder if she was cursed.

The part about publicity was a good idea, though. Orihime felt she would be lousy at marketing, since her art skills weren't very developed. She'd also kind of been going steadily crazy, so she wasn't sure if she wanted to drum up business just yet. Perhaps later, if she got better.

"That would be a big help! Thank you!" she beamed. With Adam running deliveries, the three of them might run a very successful business.

[never_go_back]

Being crazy isn't so bad, Orihime, Kodachi is living proof! And she would say something along the lines of that if she were so inclined. Instead she basks under Orihime's awe for a moment, then basks in appreciative thanks.

Ahh. It's good to be the Queen. But she doesn't intend to do any of the heavy work, should Orihime's shop prove successful, it would be a great addition to her own cafe' menu one day.

".. Well, I'm bored with waiting." she says, "Let us go ahead and get your materials together, shall we?"

(OOC: And and ftb? :O)

[leekspins]

[OOC: Fade to BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!]