2023-08-06: Dangers of Femininity - Her Romantic Dream
- Log: 2023-08-06: Dangers of Femininity - Her Romantic Dream
- Cast: Aqua Crimson, Yurika Misumaru
- Where: Tenician Island, Pacific Ocean
- OOC - IC Date: 23 July 0097
- Summary: After wandering off from the beach early to find the Chulip on her own, Yurika Misumaru instead finds herself hopelessly lost in the jungle. Just when hope is lost, she meets the only inhabitant of the island, a young woman in search of her prince: And Yurika seems to fit the bill.
<Pose Tracker> Aqua Crimson has posed.
Some Months Ago...
One the balcony of a luxury manor, a young woman stands, watching as something falls from the sky- and crashes into the island, the shockwave shattering and felling nearby trees.
Silently, a smile forms on her lips.
The Jungles on Tenician Island are dense, lush, vibrant-
And utterly easy to get lost in should one wander in alone.
This is what has happened to one Yurika Misumaru, Captain of Nadesico, and woman historically unlucky in love.
But it shouldn't be too hard to find her way back to the beach.
Maybe if there was a visible sight beyond trees, trees and more trees.
At least until there's the sound of footsteps- close, swift, coming out of the trees-
And a figure all in white bumps- head down, hat covering her face- bumps lightly into Yurika with a gasp.
<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.
There's been oh so much on Yurika's mind lately. She can feel the world changing beneath her feet - but is she stepping in the right direction? Is she able to push past the cloud of uncertainty, or is the undeniable song of her own heart the same as a fog distorting the world around her? Sheryl told her that what the world needs her for is a guiding and leading captain - but doesn't leadership take casting a wide net and a lot of experience? Someone who's gone from zero to leader doesn't cut all that inspiring a figure!
These ponderings and more keep entering Yurika's thoughts as she meanders though the winding paths of Tenician Island as she bolted into the forest to try and pre-emptively recon the surrounding landscape, and perhaps find ou the truth of the mysterious Jovian landing craft. That's what a leader would do! Surely!
"...so how did I get so loooooooost!!"
It's been several hours. The sun is beginning to dip below the horizon, temperature cooling. The songs of birds are changing, and the insects are getting louder. And - was that a howl she heard? There's oh so terrible a shiver in Yurika's spine the longer she pushes through. Surely she has to be close to some kind of destination, right...?
"Ooph-" Stuck all up in her head, Yurika scarcely notices when a strange interloper collides with her, stumbling backwards and regaining her balance. "Gyah-! Oh, are you someone from the-" Yurika tips forward to peer at the mysterious stranger, tapping the bottom of her chin to assess if she recognizes her as some crew member of the Nadesico. It's possible! But...she's unfamiliar in the slightest? Sure, there's cooks and other lower-rung crewmates Yurika hasn't talked to much, but she clears her throat and plainly asks-
"...Ahahaha, I hate to admit this, but I'm very lost! And I'm kind of hoping you aren't! I may be relying on you a little bit to uhm...not...die in the middle of the jungle...!"
<Pose Tracker> Aqua Crimson has posed.
The woman- about Yurika's height, stumbles back a little as Yurika does. She raises her heard as Yurika speaks, revealing blonde hair and big blue eyes someone could drown in.
For a moment, she looks confused, as her eyes pass over Yurika. She seems a touch awkward, nervous-
But relying on her? Yes. That would be enough.
The girl's face breaks out into a wide, open mouthed smile. "I've found you! My prince charming!"
She thrusts herself into pressing against Yurika's body, looking into her eyes with nothing less than adoration. Her sunhat falls to the ground behind her.
"My home isn't far from here, I would be happy to guide you." She says, her voice soft and full of love at first sight. "It would be... narratively unsatisfying for you to die alone in the jungle, wouldn't it?" She seems to think of that for a while.
"It's would be... tragic." Her eyes seems to glint briefly, but she shakes her head. "No, no it wouldn't do. Please, do come with me."
She turns, and starts moving inward towards the island, with no doubts that Yurika will follow her- leaving her sunhat on the ground, forgotten.
<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.
"Y-your what-?!" Yurika's quick to sputter out before the mysterious interloper practically tackles her. It's...she's certainly never been called a prince charming in her life. Not after she's been searching for that for so long. "I-I'm really sorry, you must have the wrong per-"
A heavy swallow runs down Yurika's throat. No...she's seen this before. The dashing and gallant lady prince who causes troubled hearts to swoon in her wake. A strong and leading personality who takes center stage. It can't be - it can't be. Is that how everyone sees her? Was she supposed to be learning swordfighting and equestrianism? Is Yurika's misfortune all because she didn't quite assume the right role?
"...Ah. Yes. Of course. You're right! I wouldn't die like this. Not here. Not now." Her voice gradually gets deeper, second by second, as Yurika tries desperately to channel this supposed princely guise. She's far from dressed for the part, but she hurriedly follows her mysterious company, clearing her throat and mumbling to herself to get the right cadence.
The whole way towards that manor at the island's heart, Yurika's muttering stuff like, "ah, may I have this da- no, shall we have this dance," and "you've fought too hard for your tender heart, it's my turn to defend you". This is not helpig her current predicament if her companion catches wind!
<Pose Tracker> Aqua Crimson has posed.
As Yurika starts to assume the role- dropping her voice, saying the lines, the woman seems to giggle a little- an utterly girlish sound, full of joy. Yes, she has most definitely found her prince.
The trek to the home, a mansion built into the side of a mountain on the island, is surprisingly short. Really, it's a wonder it wasn't noticed earlier.
A hedge of roses is shaped into a grand entryway, and to the side of the mansion is a garden, full of various flowers. There's also a greenhouse, and a pool.
If Yurika is the dashing prince, then this girl definitely fills the role of the damsel. She cast's Yurika a look filled with adoration, as she continues to move toward the building.
But for all the wonder and spectacle she has shown so far, the woman has yet to even introduce herself... or ask Yurika's name, for that matter.
<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.
Yurika's head goes utterly on a swivel at the resplendent surroundings, gasping and gaping at the sheer level of luxury on display, wandering from one side at the immaculate pools and smelling the roses and generally gawking rather energetically at everything.
-She's perhaps a little too distracted to realize the level of Eyes being made at her - indeed, she's too busy trying her hand at a most poerful gesture, clipping a rose and twirling it towards her company with a flourish! "Ah, a most wonderful and radiant blossom, indeed indeed." (princely types say indeed a lot, right?) "In this world, are these blooms not too short-lived, too delicate? Indeed, a rose like this scarce survives in the wild...it is only with a careful hand that they turn into the icons of romance we know of today. Isn't that right, Lady-"
Yurika's low husky playing around voice skids to a halt, as she stammers, "Uh...uhm...! Who are you again! ...wait, I think I heard that someone lived here...uhhhm. But I totally forgot, since I didn't think it'd be important! ...I'm Yurika! Yurika Misumaru! I don't know if you noticed the Nadesico parked - the- the Nadesico's our big ship! I'm the captain! Hello!"
<Pose Tracker> Aqua Crimson has posed.
The sudden romantic act is not lost on the young woman, as the rose is gallantly flung toward her- and she delicately catches it, her fingers just barely avoiding the thorns.
"It is their short and delicate lives that make them beautiful." It's as though she knows the 'script' by heart, so comfortable she is in the role. "And it is at it's most vibrant and beautiful that a rose is plucked, it's life cut short, so that it's beauty may be appreciated rather than left on the rosebush to wilt. Truly, that is the most romantic part of all, is it now?"
She seems... rather unbothered by Yurika dropping the act, however. "Aqua." She says, turning to Yurika, the sun illuminating her face. "I'm Aqua." There's something... almost angelic about her face, with her eyes closed and her lips smiling. "It's nice to meet you, Captain Misumaru."
That bright smile continues. "You must be starving after being lost in the jungle so long. Would you allow me to prepare you a meal? It's the least I could do."
<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.
Closing her eyes oh so elegantly, Yurika takes another deep breath from her rose. She's heard this language before - could it be? Has she finally met the one? Has she finally met someone...
That she can gush over the myriad language of loves wiht? Surely someone this wealthy and successful has all sorts of triumphs - clearly, Yurika can learn so much from Aqua's way of life, how perfect and radiant a maiden she is! But it's clear...she needs to know for sure that this girl has what it takes - that she's not just barking up the wrong tree. So the act continues!
"...Ah, yes, you are a woman of culture aplenty! Though many may bury a rose in the false varnish of lacquer, it's a vain attempt to deny that we and our love alike are bound by mortality. Sad! But it only means the blaze of love burns ever hotter. Ah, but don't you worry. I wouldn't dare burden a noble lady like yourself - I'm hardly hungry at a-"
*ggggbbbybybhhbhggbbb* goes the Yurika tum. Utterly going pale. Oh gods she's starving.
"A...ahahah, on second thought. M...maybe a dinner here would help revitalize me onwards, since I am a very busy woman indeed-!"
-----------------
~and boy does she appreciate the ensuing dinner~. The princely demeanor is put through incredible strain now that she's going at Aqua's prepared banquet. "N-no way did you just prepare all of this stuff lickedy split like that - HOW and it all tastes so GOOD oh my god you're not serious that I can just have this because Prospector's gonna be miffed at me if I run up a bill on a luxury resort feast but I can't stooop it's so goooood I'm sorry Aquaaaa I'm not a very good prince charming waah aumf aumf aumf."
-absolutely hopeless.
<Pose Tracker> Aqua Crimson has posed.
As Yurika gets more into the act, Aqua seems all the more smitten. She rushes forward to take Yurika's hand in both of hers. "I knew you'd understand!" Her cheeks are slightly flush. "It's the moment a rose is cut that signifies the beauty. To try and preserve it after that is simply... morbid."
Yurika's denial causes a flash of... concern across her face, only for her stomach to speak true. Aqua giggles at that too. "It's no trouble for a gallant soldier like yourself. Please, allow me..."
%----
As Yurika devours the food, Aqua sits opposite to her with her head rested on her hands, with a cup of tea in front of herthat she's barely touched. Instead, she seems simply enamored by the act of Yurika eating. "Oh thank goodness! I'm so glad you like it. Please, eat all you like!" She smiles gently.
As Yurika seems to declare herself a poor Prince Charming, Aqua shakes her head. "Yes, you are. You're everything I ever dreamed of. Gallant, romantic..." She lets out a wistful sigh. "I've longed for this for so long." Her hand twitches, just for a moment. "I've been alone here ever since my father and mother died... All alone, waiting for my Prince to come to my side."
<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.
Eyes closed in between healthy helping-herself handfuls of alarmingly fresh lobster and impeccably breaded and sauteed cauliflour, Yurika gives that appeased little 'mm mm, mhm mhm!' at the spot-on language of romance and fantasy Aqua enjoys so much. "I think we're a lot more alike than you may know, Aqua. If anything, I have a lot to learn from you. The precious meet-cute ability, your absolutely perfect poise, your unimaginably tasty food and enviable lifestyle, and the wistful yet not-too imposing revelation of your troubles...it's. It's really perfect! It's exactly what I wish I could do if I wanted to win someone ov-"
The spinning icon emerges over Yurika's face. Wait a minute. Aqua's doing all of the perfect and ideal romantic gestures that'd send anyone off their feet and secure their hand in eloping love and harmony. Check. Aqua is doing all of those things for Yurika. Check.
Extremely suddenly, Yurika's stiff as a board, face vivid red, eyes practically bulging out, lips worrying tightly together. What?! "What is...what is this feeling...w-what's happening? ...I...it doesn't make any sense for you to go to this much of a length just to show me you can do this for other people, to show me how to do this myself. A-after all I just met you! You're really...you're actually...?!"
Hands flying up to her own face, eyes going scribbly and unfocused, Yurika shakily sips down her cup of tea - then absolutely chugs it in one gulp, hoping the heat stabilizes her. "Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh. This is- it's just so sudden-!" Saying it that way only drives Yurika further into a frenzy - that's exactly what she wanted to say to someone who pushed their way into her life! She finally re-balances her gaze on Aqua, who's only been all smiles and warmth for her.
She remembers what Sheryl said - that Yurika's role isn't to be an idol, that most classically girlish role, but to be a captain - a leader and source of security. "...I...I thought it was unfair...I...somehow I just could not get people to...confess to me or anything...I can't cook, I get breathless and embarrassed when I sing, and kind of never even liked dressing up all that ladylike. You...it's a natural thing for you...but the stuff that comes easily for me is...charging forward, making the day mine, keeping everyone's heads together with total certainty. ...A-Aqua, I...all this is a lot to take in. I...I feel like I can barely move, I'm so overwhelmed thinking on things I've never thought of before!"
Fidget. Squirm. Creak. It's an uncanny feeling, having your perspectives shifted so dramatically, that it genuinely is hard for Yurika to move a muscle, her brain at an intense war with itself on who she even is anymore. What her role is meant to be. How she moves forward if the way she's assumed she has to-
Wriggle. Stiffen. ...Yes. It's so difficult to move at all. The turbulent feelings of a strained woman are truly-
Push push push push sway sway. "...H...huh? ...I...I can't move. I can't move at all! I'm trying to move my arms and legs and just nothing's happening in the-!" Yurika's desperation in her sudden bout of paralysis overtakes every other thought in her overworked brain, and she still can't get herself up - all her trying just sends her toppling from her seat onto her side! Sweat beading up, pupils contracting, she struggles to take in a breath, gasping out...as the toxin laced in her tea creeps through dangerously across her body. "W...what's happening to m- what did you do to me?!"
Crisis mode creeps in abruptly. Training kicks in. At the fleet academy mostly for rich and well connected kids with powerful parents, one thing she did learn was what to do when poisoned - and it's standard protocol (among said rich nepotism babies) to keep a little emergency pager close to hand - at the very least, Yurika can still move her wrist enough to bump into her belt, sending a crisis signal to the distant Nadesico...