2022-07-03: A Song in Virtual

• Log: A Song in Virtual
• Cast: Arriety Hearn, Ranka Lee
• Where: Nadesico
• Date: 3rd July 2022
• Summary: Arriety and Ranka use the Nadesico's VR facilities for some vocal recreation.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

Arriety's been working around the clock after bringing a certain space pirate to the infirmary; she had to go and check on Eight as well, worried as she is about her condition, and it isn't until much later at night that...

She ends up at the Nadesico, as part of /some/ other errand between the two ships currently parked at the Orbital Ring. She looks a bit exhausted, but is taking time to sit herself down at the cafeteria and... she's taking a knife to split apart some nappa cabbage, which still looks like work, but seems to have become some kind of relaxation for her.

Still, she should take a break.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ever since she found out that Arriety was in the Orbital ring, she's been busy at work. Is it vocalist practice??? Or...

As Arriety chops the nappa cabbage, someone tip toes in behind her, arms full. Myrmekes might spy her first, as she hoists her arms up, and puts a finger to her lips.

Tip toe. Tip toe. Tip toe.

The largest plastic cake holder the Nadesico has is set down. Inside is a Sachertorte. Two eclairs. A pile of cronuts. She sets it down with her snacks. Then puts a finger to her lips again.

Then ducks down.

When she reappears, she's come through the other entrance of the cafeteria as Arriety to keep her eyes facing away from Myrme. "Arriety! Ms. Howmei told me you'd come aboard - and said I could take the rest of the day off to see you."

Though then she gives her a look of concern. "Are you alright? You look a bit worn around the edges..."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

Tip toe. Tip toe. Arriety's so tired she doesn't spot it immediately, but Myrme...

Myrme definitely starts to light up, excitedly, even as she munches on a roll of USB cable. (She had to pop it into her mouth the other way after getting it wrong the first time.) And then-- the cake holder is placed down, and Myrme is in heaven! Oh, beautiful, delicious cakes!

And then Ranka, master of stealth, reppears on the other side and Arriety completely falls for it. (They have a psychic link, but when it comes to being indulged in food, Myrme is capable of some extremely sneaky feats even on that wavelength.)

"Oh... hey, Ranka," Arriety smiles, looking tired, definitely. "Yeah... I've been running around a lot. Just prepping this cabbage to make some more kimchi. It's kinda relaxing...?"

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

There was perhaps no need to apologize for Ai-kun's headbutt, but on her honor as a part-time server, Myrme made an order and she's abiding by it as an apology.

Ranka though gives Arriety a sympathetic look with her eyes, maintaining a smile. "I can imagine. It's been awful for the crew of the Ra Mari."

As she says prepping the cabbage is relaxing. Ranka just joins her at the table, sitting down on the other side of her. "No need to stop if it's helping you relax. Though, if you ever want to try some of our other facilities for relaxation. I don't mind showing you around. There's a few I make use of myself when things get rough..."

Her head cants to the side, as her eyes move sideways, "... in fact there might be one that's really good for a duet."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

"I'm trying to not blame myself. I'm not blaming myself," Arriety half-tries to reassure herself. "I can't be everywhere at once, and everyone else is quite capable of taking care of themselves too. And that we got together to help so quickly... that's something too."

But it's not everything, because Arriety still feels awful that she couldn't be there, and that's something she needs to process, no matter how many facts she throws in the way of it.

"Oh, I haven't even thought about that... that makes sense," Arriety nods. "You mentioned the... um, like, the garden-looking spaces? To be honest, I'm kind of bad at directions, so I haven't wandered around that much."

She smiles at the idea of a duet. "... that sounds good. Let me clean up here."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka hears what Arriety is saying, but that awful feeling is palpable. "If you were there I know you'd have done everything you could..." Ranka looks off to the side, "...I might as well have not even been there. All I did was huddle in the observation deck and have a good cry."

With a bob of her head, she nods, "Oh right! Lucine's room! That's actually in the crew quarters - she converted her own room into that." Ranka though sets about trying to help her clean up, before she'd lead her on...

... eventually...

They enter a room that's mostly empty, save a pedestal at the center and an array of helmets. "So this... is what I do on my breaks. It's... well... it might be easier to just show you... you just put one of those on."

Ranka inputs something on the pedestal, and puts a helmet on herself - as the room suddenly closes itself off. Assuming Arriety follows her lead, the helmet is heavy at first, and makes it near impossible to see, and hear... but then there's a rush of light and...

... they're both in a 20th century karaoke booth. There's a line of couches. The smell of snacks lined up. A karaoke machine, and lighting overhead. They're also in whatever their personal image of themselves in this setting would be.

Ranka's in this outfit, as if it were handmade cosplay: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/macross/images/a/ad/UtaMinmay.png/revision/latest?cb=20190528122850

"Ta-da~!" Ranka says as she puts a V by the side of her face and strikes a pose, "What do you think? We have a lot of twentieth century routines. Last week I even simulated a prom for me to sing at."

The helmet now feels almost so light as to be non existent in a trick of perception, they can both hear perfectly, see perfectly, smell perfectly... it's a really good simulation.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

As they're packing up, Arriety feels like she senses an enormous round bean collapsed behind the counter, having stuffed herself silly with all the snacks. ... hmm. Must just be her imagination.

Behind the counter, Myrme lets out a soft 'blorf' as she finishes the rest of the plastic cake holder. "Mmm... plasticy."

... eventually ...

"Oh, is this like... VR?" Arriety asks as she looks towards the helmets, and looks at Ranka putting one on. She slips one of them in turn, and there's a somewhat dazzling array of lights that's overwhelming, and suddenly...

"W-whoa, what is this?" Arriety stammers, looking around and-- looking at Ranka as she appears in a very fancy outfit that she recognises as Minmay's. Arriety herself is dressed in a white, black and blue half handmade, half-storebought idol outfit, but...

It doesn't have sleeves, with a sleeveless top with ribbons on it. And her arms... the unpleasant-looking burn scars are in full sight, from her fingertips to her upper arms.

"W-wait, wait..." Arriety starts to sound stressed out. "Oh no, I-- I don't know how this works, how do I cover..." She didn't really want Ranka to find out like this. She turns around very rapidly, awkwardly tucking both her arms so she's hiding them at the front of her body.

"... sorry for showing you something really unpleasant..."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka can feel Arriety's stress building and suddenly walks over to her. She sees the burn scars, but she doesn't remark. There's just a look in her eyes. And then, she says quietly, "Omoikane. Please help her out. Sleeves for her outfit."

< O K ! >

In the blink of an eye, Arriety's outfit shimmers, as the storebought idol outfit suddenly has sleeves which fit the same style. Omoikane really likes music, and idols, so this is a simple thing for him to do.

Ranka sits down beside Arriety, and puts out her hands on hers, and assuming she allows it, squeezes her hands. "No this is on me. I shouldn't have tried to make it a surprise. If I'd explained it beforehand. I'm sorry."

There's a hesitant smile that forms, "It's not unpleasant though. Not to me. ...Because it's you."

She's seen Grace with her arms burned, the flesh melting off the circuitry within. While it was difficult for her at the time, it's steeled her to accept these signs of trauma. Not all the harm done to everyone is on the inside. Some is forward facing.

"But I understand why it's unpleasant to you. So we don't have to talk about it. And you don't have to show it. We can just have a good time."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka can feel Arriety's stress building and suddenly walks over to her. She sees the burn scars, but she doesn't remark. There's just a look in her eyes. And then, she says quietly, "Omoikane. Please help her out. Sleeves for her outfit."

< O K ! >

In the blink of an eye, Arriety's outfit shimmers, as the storebought idol outfit suddenly has sleeves which fit the same style. Omoikane really likes music, and idols, so this is a simple thing for him to do.

Ranka sits down beside Arriety, and puts out her hands on hers, and assuming she allows it, squeezes her hands. "No this is on me. I shouldn't have tried to make it a surprise. If I'd explained it beforehand. I'm sorry."

There's a hesitant smile that forms, "It's not unpleasant though. Not to me. ...Because it's you."

She's seen Grace with her arms burned, the flesh melting off the circuitry within. While it was difficult for her at the time, it's steeled her to accept these signs of trauma. Not all the harm done to everyone is on the inside. Some is forward facing.

"But I understand why it's unpleasant to you. So we don't have to talk about it. And you don't have to show it. We can just have a good time."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

Blessed Omoikane! Arriety gains sleeves and gloves -- thinner white gloves that match the outfit rather than the particularly thick ones she seems to wear all the time -- and turns back towards Ranka as she holds her hands out and squeezes hers.

A part of her is anxious, as if worried Ranka can feel the deformity on her fingers, on her palm. She pushes through it, as Ranka hesitantly smiles and says that it's not unpleasant. Because it's her.

The Korean girl looks down, just a bit guilty. "... to be honest ... I've been trying to not hide it so much around close friends. It helps with how I feel about myself too. I just-- haven't quite worked up the courage in public, so it took me by surprise, since I wasn't sure what the VR was doing."

She smiles just a bit more wanly. "... maybe next time, I'll have a bit more courage. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. There was just... the time didn't feel right. Right now, though, this is okay." She draws in a deep breath, and looks around and takes a mic as she moves closer to the karaoke machine.

"What's on first?"

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

"It's okay. You should be the one to decide who knows - when you show it. Only you. And if you don't have the courage - you should let yourself feel weak, without shame."

Ranka's eyes slide downward to Arriety's lap as she says, "I'd be the worst hypocrite in the world if I didn't think that was okay."

There's a shake of her head. "It's fine. Promise. If it makes you feel better... most people don't know about my memory problems either. I don't want people to think I'm fragile."

Arriety says, 'who's on first' and Ranka stands up, "I'll warm us up."

While she doesn't say it, she wants to give Arriety time to recover, so Ranka steps up, and after a thought, gets this thought and... decides there's something she can do to put her at ease.

"Omoikane. Run Aimo."

< O K ! >

With a sort of electronic enthusiasm, the walls of the room shift, as if the projectors of the Karaoke booth got a bit better than the times would allow. There's a backdrop of a blue sky along the walls. The fresh scent of trees, despite still being enclosed in this space. The distant bird calls. As Ranka grips her orange Salamander phone, it elongages into a microphone, as she stands up front...

... it's cheating perhaps, the karaoke machine isn't playing. There's no melody other than her vocals, which reverberate beautiful within this enclosed space, with what feels like nigh perfect acoustics.

BGM Change: Aimo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FCHfwZMkmw

"Aimo aimo nedel lushe "Noina miria endel prodea "Photomi."

"Here we are in a warm sea: look up and breathe."

"Lulei luleia "Skylarks soar like lapping waves over me. "Lulei luleia "You are the gentle child of all greenery."

"Aimo aimo nedel lushe "Noina miria endel prodea "Photomi."

"Here we are in a warm sea: look up and breathe."

The song just radiates warmth, and comfort. It has a feeling of that of a lullaby, or a love song in just how it resonates with someone - trying to reach into one's heart and bring ease on a level that almost feels like it transcends mere sound waves.

When she's finished, there's no need to wait for the melody to wind down - because she is the melody. There's just silence for a bit, then a soft declaration, "I did tell you I'd let you hear it, one day."

The song she sang when she was alone. The song stuck in her memory.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

Something about Ranka's words fill Arriety with relief -- it's her decision, when and where she should be able to show it; and if she doesn't have the energy to do it... then she doesn't have to. "... mm," she nods warmly.

"... yeah. It's... the way some people reach towards pity that kinda hurts -- and it isn't easy to correct them, since they're not doing it maliciously."

Ranka's going first, and Aimo plays; the skies open, and even the VR simulation can manifest the pleasnt scent of trees, the bird calls... Arriety finds the phone turning into a mic cute.

And she doesn't mind an unplugged performance -- but the song... even if Arriety can't understand the language of the song, there's something so very... warm and touching. Something that inspires a gentle, pleasant frisson on her, causes her to close her eyes.

"... that's an amazing song," Arriety whispers, in awe. "I feel a lot more relaxed just listening to it."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

"It does. It hurts a lot. My big brother lied to me for years... and I know he meant well but..." She shakes her head, "... that makes it harder, not easier."

After her performance though, Ranka smiles her way, "It does that. It's why I liked singing it by myself. It helped... put my thoughts, feelings in order. It felt soothing too, warm and comforting... like even though I was alone, I wasn't either."

Why did she sing it alone for so long though? Why didn't she let anyone hear it until recently?

Because someone might get hurt

Ranka heads back towards her seat, "Okay! Your turn for some warm up. I figure that's best before we try a duet."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

Ranka's big brother... lied? Arriety doesn't know who it might be, but... having a close sibling lie to you for years -- that's a kind of betrayal Arriety herself might not be ready for.

"... I ... wish I could say I had a song that does that for me," Arriety scratches her cheek gently. "I kinda just scan through what I feel like... but it doesn't feel like I've got 'the' song, just like that."

After some deliberation, Arriety comes up with an idea, finding something familiar to both of them. "... I found a translation online, but I haven't tried this before. So this is going to be my own kind of practice. See how it fits."

She presses the button, and the music starts -- it's Sheryl Nome, Sagittarius 9pm. Don't be late. But after the opener builds and she starts singing...

She's singing in Korean.

The lyrics aren't official; they're someone else's words, someone who spent a lot of time fitting them well into the song. Some of the lines have to be carried differently; Arriety brings a lot of enunciation with a language that by all rights isn't native for her, but something she's been pursuing in so many regards, because her parents and grandparents loved a country she still has never seen before.

And she wants to know what that love is.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

"Well. Maybe you'll find one. Or if not... I can lend you mine from time to time."

She used to be hesitant to give it out like that... not so much anymore now that she's recorded a copy for Emilia.

Ranka puts her hands in her lap, her microphone returning to squishy orange salamander cell phone. "Sure! A place like this is a good place to experiment!" Ranka's face perks up as the melody for Sagittarius 9 pm. Don't be late. However, the moment the first word comes out, it's Korean.

And Ranka doesn't know a word of it, however she does know the song. And so Ranka's hands tap to the beat. Her mouth moves with the words she does know, without actually speaking them. After a moment, she brings up her cell phone, and it elongates again, this time into a wand like glow stick that shines a cerulean blue, like the representations of the stars at Sheryl's concerts.

And waves it in support.

This sort of thing doesn't put her off at all, she's certainly heard songs in other languages, and still enjoyed them following along the translations. The subtitles are in her head this time though.

When she's finished, Ranka actually claps for her. "That was beautiful! A fantastic cover of Sheryl's song!" She doesn't have to understand Korean, to know that.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

Arriety looks just a little embarrassed, as she finishes and lets out a 'whew'. It was a little rough at some spots, with how she has to kinda stretch some parts and shrink others... but that's language for you.

"Your song earlier made me remember... when I was little, and I didn't know Japanese or English that well," Arriety explains. "But I heard songs from the radio, from TV, at the supermarket... and I remember the way they inspired me even though I don't understand a word of them."

She scratches her cheek bashfully. "And it's kinda nice, that some people are working hard to bring songs in other languages, isn't it? Music transcending language... there's something really meaningful in that, I feel."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

The clapping stops, and Ranka listens to Arriety talking about how she didn't know Japanese or English that well when she was little... and how songs in other languages inspired her. And there's just this big smile as she nods, "Mmm!"

Ranka thinks for a moment, then says to her, "On the boards, there's a section of Sheryl's fan club that doesn't understand a word of her music without the translations her fans put online. Yet they still go to her concerts, enjoy her music. Have a blast. Post enthusiastically about it. Make their own covers. I have to turn the translation filter on to understand them but - it's clear. They really love Sheryl. And they really love her music."

Ranka's head cants to the side as she brushes the side of one of her dogear like hair with a hand almost shyly, "And I just think that's amazing. How much music inspires them." This part is hard to convey, she's always worried someone will laugh at them, "I think one day... I'd like to create music that touches everyone around me. Not even just... people. Even things that don't have ears to hear."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

"Oh, wow... there's a lot of fan club spaces even I'm not aware of, huh," Arriety smiles as she listens to Ranka. "Making covers... or at least singing other people's translated lyrics. I feel like I could get into that, honestly."

She watches the way Ranka brushes her hair with her hand, and smiles. "... I... actually get what you mean. I mean, I grew up with Minae really close to me. She's a Super AI -- she's... basically one of my best friends, and family, and my guardian all in one. She 'hears', but she doesn't 'hear' in the same way you and I do. Recently, I've been thinking about how to share my passion for cooking with her, since she doesn't eat. We..."

She gestures. "We focused on scent instead, since she can smell food. Finding the kinds of foods she enjoys smelling, and what she thinks of them. I even want to try seeing if Ruri and Omoikane can synthesise food."

A longer pause. "Everyone... perceives the world in their own way, and I think about that a lot. About making sure as many people are able to enjoy things, in the way that they can, too."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

"You should join us on the boards." A beat, "Well part of the boards. There's always a side of fandom that's..." Ranka just does this small wave of her hand. She doesn't really want to talk about that negative side of fandom. They're still fans it's just... they're a bit inappropriate.

"Oh! Wow! I didn't realize. I thought they were a different kind of full conversion cyborg." Ranka puts a finger to her chin, "That's very interesting. If she's okay with talking about it, I'll have to ask her what experiencing music is like for her one day. Omoikane loves music a lot, but he likely experiences it differently from Minae. I can't assume all Super AIs think, or feel the same after all."

Ranka seems delighted about how she helped Minae experience food, "Oh that's clever! I don't think I would have thought about that."

Ranka doesn't even realize how she's currently being manipulated /by/ Grace using scent to evoke memories she can't even access. "And huh! Maybe they can! Omoikane and Ruri can do all kinds of amazing things."

Ranka though nods at her, and her smile just softens as she thinks about how thoughtful that is of her. "Yeah. I don't have much experience with that. As I didn't have many friends growing up." Just one really, "So in the future... if I do make it as an idol, can I call on you to consult on things like that? I think it'd be nice to reach everyone I can."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

"Yeah, I will," Arriety nods with a smile. "It's a bit hard, since the Ra Mari goes out to pockets of space so often and it's just total radio silence... it's nice when I can get to a big place and get connected again." A longer pause, though. "Ah... bad eggs? I mean, I think I understand what you mean."

The topic of Minae and music comes up, and she smiles. "She's got her own preferences for music, I know that much, but it'd be neat for sure. Sometimes we argue about what we like, and that's pretty fun too... not just the reasons why we like something, but why we might not, too."

She does wonder if they can taste food in VR... she'll have to try it out. And Ranka asks her an important question. If she makes it as an idol... can she call on her to consult on things like that?

Arriety looks charmed with a smile. "You know, I've recently went with Minae to Orbit Base and Nouvelle Tokyo to offer counseling for Super AIs that aren't getting along. Hearing you say that too, to consult on how to make sure your music reaches as many people... I wonder if I'm starting to realise what my calling is?" A pause. "The answer is yes, of course!"

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

"Ah I know what you mean. The Nadesico goes out of contact often but... believe it or not, it's advanced enough that it's easier to reestablish contact? I'm really grateful for that..." Ranka looks away, "... I think if I were on a Federation ship my big brother would fly out there if I went dark for too long."

What is the deal with her big brother???

"Y-Yeah. Though, I don't want to look down on them. They're still fans. And many of them are probably just lonely, or awkward."

Someone is probably going to have to help this girl establish some actual boundaries if she ever breaks big as an idol. That person is probably going to be Brera.

"It sounds like you're really close. I'm actually a little jealous. I didn't grow up with anyone like that in my life."

Ozma was already of adult age when she was a kid, and she was more like an adopted daughter - it's just he in no way feels comfortable thinking of himself as her parent, and the feeling is mutual. Thus he became her big brother instead.

Ranka though looks delighted as Arriety says she's found her calling in Super AIs and accessibility. And that she /can/ call on her. She claps her hands together, as her hair flaps up on each side. Her heart is worn so much on her sleeve, she couldn't hide being happy if she tried, "Amazing! I'm so glad! You're incredible Arriety!"

She /does/ worry about Arriety out there as a pilot but... she's trying her best not to think about it the worst case scenarios. She just has to believe that all of her friends will be alright.

"I'll have to talk to Minae about this too. And Omoikane of course."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

"Yeah... the Ra Mari's a bit more standard fare for Federation ships, and Londo Bell's missions end up with us inspecting faraway pockets of space, so I'm really glad for-- um, offline games, I guess," Arriety chuckles faintly.

... her big brother flying there if she went dark too long, though...

"Kinda reminds me of Annie, honestly..." Arriety can't help but laugh. Hmm. Not looking down on them... "I get they're coming from a place of hurt, but... on something like a forum, it's best to be able to protect yourself too. Being lonely isn't an excuse to act poorly."

Arriety Hearn: Future Forum Moderator!

Ranka's beaming causes her to flush in turn, though. "Eheh... I'm still working things out, of course, but... it feels... good, to have a clue where I might want to go. I was pretty scared about it, after high school ended... what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. In that way... I also admire how you already know you want to be an idol, you know?"

She puffs up a little. "Shall we have that duet?"