Welcome to Rosavelle!

[royaldecreemods]

INVITATION

You're going about your day when you notice an envelope that most certainly wasn't there before. It's beautiful, if a little old-fashioned: pale pink paper, sealed with a pressed flower instead of wax and your name written in looping cursive that shimmers faintly in the light.
Inside, the letter begins;

Dearest friend—
Goodness, I hope that isn't too forward. We've not met, after all. But I have been told that when one writes an invitation, it's important to sound sincere.

My name is Calanthe Rosabella Petalia de Amoré. I am the Crown Princess of Rosavelle. It's a little island kingdom far, far away - so far that it may not exist quite in the same world as yours.

I know this must sound terribly strange, but I'm writing because I need your help. You see, my coronation is approaching soon, and Rosavelle's magic - the Everbloom - responds to the strength of one's heart. It's said that a ruler must understand love to truly awaken it. Not just romance, mind you, but all kinds of love: friendship, kindness, care.

The trouble is… I'm not very good at it. I've read so many books about love, but real people don't seem to follow the same rules the novels do.

That is why I'm writing to you. The Everbloom - our most ancient and wondrous magic - has granted me the means to reach across worlds. I'm inviting a handful of remarkable individuals, like you, to Rosavelle to help me learn. Not only to teach me what love means to you, but to help me see how it can bloom between friends, companions, and strangers alike.

I promise you'll be treated as an honored guest.

... It goes on like that for a while, whole paragraphs assuring you that you can leave whenever you want, no time will pass back in your world, the Everbloom's magic will keep you safe, etc etc… honestly it gets to the point that it starts to sound less like an invitation and more like a contract. But then, mercifully, the writer finds their footing again:

If you'll come, I'd be so very grateful. I know this is a strange request, and you owe me nothing - but still, I hope you'll consider it. Rosavelle is beautiful this time of year, and it is my hope that seeing it alongside fresh eyes will allow me to see it more clearly as well.

With all my thanks (and my hopes!)—
Princess Calanthe Rosabella Petalia de Amoré

Maybe you accept right away or maybe you dismiss it as a prank or something equally unimportant. No matter what you think when you first read it, your mind eventually turns back to that invite and your find yourself thinking that it might not be a bad idea…

And once you do, you feel the world going soft and sweet around you, the scent of blooming flowers filling your nose - and before you can quite process what's happening, you realize you've accepted.

ARRIVAL

You arrive in a haze of soft, rosy light. For a moment, everything is weightless - the air around you hums faintly, thick with warmth and the heady scent of flowers. When the haze fades, you find yourself standing beneath a vast glass dome that stretches impossibly high overhead. The light filtering through its pink-tinted panes paints everything in gentle rose and gold and petals drift through the air like drifting snow.

You are standing in the Everbloom's Greenhouse. The walls curve upward in graceful arches, every pane glimmering faintly and the air is warm, fragrant, and shimmering with faint motes of magic. Flowering vines climb the supports, colorful blossoms of all kinds spill from hanging baskets, and everywhere you look there's flowers, flowers, flowers.

At its heart stands the Everbloom, a colossal tree the likes of which you've never seen before. Its smooth trunk is faintly luminous and the canopy stretches so high that you can't see where it ends, vanishing into a haze of golden light and drifting petals. The air around it hums softly with power and for a moment, all you can do is stare up at it in awe.

A moment later, movement stirs: castle attendants glide forward in elegant uniforms, carrying towels, refreshments, and generally doing their best to make sure everyone's arrived safely. After all, you're not alone. Around you, other figures begin to appear - some blinking in wonder, some already steady on their feet. Each seems as out of place as you, drawn from distant worlds and disparate lives but under the rosy light they all seem to come together like flowers gathered into the same bouquet.

Those who stumble are gently guided toward a bench cushioned with flowering moss. Cool towels and drinks infused with rose and mint are offered freely. Eventually, once it seems like everyone's arrived and mostly gotten their bearings, one of the attendants - a lady-in-waiting as you'll eventually find out - speaks up.

"You are most welcome to Rosavelle," she says, dipping into a polite bow. "Their Princess will be hosting a banquet this evening to greet you all properly. Until then, please take your time to get settled and familiar with your surroundings. If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask."

For now, you're free to mingle. This is your chance to get your bearings, meet your fellow arrivals, and explore your surroundings. Beyond the main atrium, you can glimpse winding paths lined with blooming hedges and fat, colorful blossoms. Somewhere in the distance, you can faintly hear birdsong. You feel a little tug somewhere in your chest and if you follow it, you might just come across a flowerbed somewhere in the Greenhouse that you somehow know as your own.

After some time to mingle and acclimate, the attendants return, clapping their hands gently to draw attention.

"It's nearly time to prepare for the evening banquet! If you'll come with us, we'll see to your attire."

DRESS UP

You're led from the warmth of the greenhouse through a series of winding marble corridors until you're ushered through a set of grand double doors into a suite of guest rooms bustling with motion. Tailors, stylists, and attendants hurry between privacy screens, racks of lavish garments and trays piled high with glittering jewelry. Silks and satins gleam and lace and velvet catch the light in soft waves of color.

Tailors and stylists bustle about, armed with measuring tapes, pins, and brushes. The staff are cheerfully firm about making sure everyone looks their best for the banquet but nobody's forced into anything they don't want; the attendants listen to everyone's preferences and somehow find something flattering for even the most reluctant participant. Whether you comply with good humor or grumble through the process, it's impossible not to get swept up in the flurry of preparation. … of course, if you're determined to be a grump about the whole thing, you're welcome to wait outside until everyone's dressed up nicely.

The attendants encourage everyone to chatter as they work or even to lend a hand to another guest struggling with their ensemble. Maybe it's out of curiosity - the staff are polite, professional, but it's clear that dressing guests from other worlds is a novelty they want to enjoy.

As final adjustments are made and mirrors fill with transformed reflections, the bustle slowly quiets. Attendants exchange satisfied looks, then guide the group once more through the corridors. The faint strains of music drift down the corridors until at last, you find yourself before the towering double doors of the Azurite Banquet Hall, carved from the stone it takes its name from. The lady in waiting pauses just long enough to smooth a wrinkle here, adjust a collar there, and make sure everyone is present before pushing the doors open.

BANQUET

The Azurite Banquet Hall glows with warm candlelight reflected in polished marble floors and the air inside smells of wine and roses. Long tables stretch the length of the hall, each one dressed in embroidered runners and heaped with platters of food that look almost too beautiful to eat and in the corner, a string quartet plays a soft, lilting melody.

At the head of the room stands your host, Princess Calanthe Rosabella Petalia de Amoré. Draped in pale gold, they look every bit the part of a royal... though the slightly nervous way they adjust their posture speaks of someone not entirely at ease in the spotlight. When they catch sight of the assembled guests, though, they brighten a bit. Their hands are clasped too tightly around their wine glass, but their voice is bright and earnest.

"Ah - good evening, everyone! I - well, goodness, where does one even begin?

First of all, thank you. Truly, thank you all for coming here - to Rosavelle, and to me. I know this must all seem terribly strange - one moment you were in your own world, and the next you're here. It's strange to me too, you know. I've been imagining this for weeks, and yet somehow it still doesn't feel quite real.
Ah - oh! I suppose I should introduce myself properly. My name is Calanthe Rosabella Petalia de Amoré. I am the Crown Princess of Rosavelle, soon to be its sovereign, though I admit that still feels a little surreal to say aloud.

I invited you here because - well, I imagine all of you read your invitations. The Everbloom, our kingdom's oldest and most sacred magic, is bound to the heart and mine is… embarrassingly, quite uneducated in such matters. I couldn't imagine anyone in this world I could burden with such a problem and so I thought - perhaps - those who come from other worlds might help me."

... suddenly, they look sheepish.

"That said, ah - there is a small complication. It is. Um. Frowned upon by most scholars to interfere with the affairs of other worlds, even with the best of intentions and I fear it would cause quite a stir if word got out. So for the time being, we'll need to keep your origins a secret. Please don't worry, though - we've arranged everything you'll need. Over the next month, we'll be teaching you about Rosavelle and all its customs so that when you venture out for the Wilting festival, you'll feel quite at home.

I realize that's rather a lot to ask, and I'm - well, I'm deeply grateful for your patience. I promise to do my best to make this worth your while.

So, once again, thank you. For answering my invitation. For being here, together, tonight.

Now then-"

They raise their glass, cheeks pink but eyes bright.

"To new beginnings, and to the bonds we have yet to form. May they bloom as beautifully as the flowers of Rosavelle... oh, that sounded quite good, didn't it? A toast - to all of you!"

As the toast echoes through the hall, the music swells again - a graceful waltz this time - and attendants sweep forward to usher guests toward the buffet tables.

There's something for every palate: platters of lemon-butter shrimp and rosemary-crusted fish, seared scallops on saffron rice and fillets of calendula-cured salmon alongside oysters resting in crushed ice and lobsters cracked open beside dishes of herb butter. It's not all seafood, either - whole roasted ducks glazed in something fruity dot the table, alongside lamb, chicken and a mouthwatering roast beef.

Between the platters, bowls of vegetables offer roasted root vegetables glistening with sweet glaze, delicate salads strewn with edible petals, caramelized carrots, blistered cherry tomatoes and crisp greens grown. And, of course, baskets of warm, golden bread wait beside whipped butter and creamy sauces.

If you're in the mood for sweets, there's desserts in dizzying abundance: sugared fruit tarts, meringues shaped like blossoms, chocolate soufflés dusted with candied violet, and pastries of all kinds filled with custard, chocolate and all manner of fruity, flowery fillings.

A side table gleams with crystal decanters and goblets: bottles of wine, deeply colored mead and delicate floral liqueurs seem to be the alcoholic offerings but there's carafes of chilled fruit water steeped with mint for anyone who's not inclined towards spirits.

If you're feeling bold, the cleared space near the musicians makes a perfect dance floor. Perhaps you find yourself drawn into a dance, or perhaps you linger at the buffet, trading stories with a stranger over a shared plate of sugared pastries. Or maybe you'll take the opportunity to introduce yourself to your host now they've made an appearance.

Eventually, as the night wears thin, the quartet's melody softens to a gentle hum. Candlelight flickers low. The attendants appear once more, smiling as they begin to guide everyone toward the final stop of the evening.

HOUSEWARMING

The banquet winds to a gentle close and ne by one, the guests are gathered once more by the castle attendants who lead the way through dimly glowing corridors. The halls are quieter now, the rosy light of evening filtering through stained glass in sleepy shades of pink and gold. Everyone is lead through the castles and out into the grounds, their splendor only a little dulled by the darkness starting to settle over the castle.

"Your lodgings are just ahead," the lady in waiting says, her voice hushed out of respect for the hour. "You've each been assigned to a house - named for the flowers that chose you."

Slowly but surely, everyone's names are called and each person is supplied a heavy brass key to a house named for a flower you may have seen blooming somewhere today. When they speak the name of your house, something in you stirs with faint, inexplicable recognition, like you know it already - or maybe it knows you.

In any case, the barracks themselves are nothing like the name implies: warm, inviting, and softly lit by enchanted lanterns. Each house has its own cozy common area where low couches and plush chairs are gathered around softly glowing hearths. A long table in the center has been set with some late-night comforts, in case you somehow have any room left in your belly - plates of fruit and pastries, steaming pots of tea, and rich cocoa dusted with rose sugar.

The attendants leave you to settle in for the night, with a promise that the barracks staff will prepare meals from tomorrow onwards but mostly, you'll be left to your own devices. You could just track down your room and crash for the night but now seems as good a time as any to get to know your new housemates.

(CODE)

Comments

Gold Ship | Umamusume: Pretty Derby (anime) | Geranium

[goldship]

Arrival:

[ Gold Ship kind of thought the letter was some sort of elaborate prank as payback for her one usual tricks, really. Initially the presentation made her think it was an invitation to another league, a French one maybe with how fancy it was, but nope. A plea for help from some far away magic Princess needing coaching in love and relationships. Okay, sure, go to Gold Ship since she's so great at that, this had to be a dig from someone that knew. Nothing worth getting worked up over though, Gold Ship tried to put it out of her mind but for some reason she keeps thinking back on it for about a week.

One day when she finds herself in the starting gate at a race it just won't leave her head. The tone of it was pretty serious and besides, after reading and rereading she had to conclude that the only people she knew with handwriting that nice weren't the type to pull that sort of prank. Imagine if it was actually real though! A magic princess who needs a helping hand? Could be fun, she'd do it if it were real. And like that she's whisked away.

Cue a very confused horse girl done up in her racing gear, looking around what is very clearly NOT the racetrack. ]

... Eh?!

[ She's so very articulate. Thankfully for everyone this whole situation is such a shock that she's quiet and well behaved whilst the attendants... attend. Once all is said and done though Gold Ship's Gold Shipness starts to come up to the surface. ]

Wow! Who woulda thought this kinda thing was real! [ She laughs Loudly and Obnoxiously, folding her hands behind her head as carefree as possible. ] Like some kinda manga. This sure beats getting hit by a truck though.

[ She pauses mid follow-up laugh, eyes opening wide, her ears twitching. Suddenly she's looking at the people around her. ]

Y'all are real, right? This isn't my brain tryin' to protect me from the horrors? Pretty sure I stopped jaywalking...

Banquet:

[ Gold Ship is a knock out in a dress. She knows it, she tries not the flaunt it, to the point of wearing her headgear to most formal events. The attendants were very, very insistent she ditch said headgear and let her hair down literally and figuratively. The normal Gold Ship instinct is to kick and argue but she understands the assignment, this is kind of serious business right now, so she compromised. Put her in a suit she said, the place could use some masculine energy. Why not something cavalry in style, it'd be oddly fitting said an attendant. What the heck is a cavalry, Golshi asked.

Which is how she ends up at the banquet in a dashing red number. With "riding" gloves and "riding" boots, for motorcycles she guesses? They did not explain what a cavalry is to her! At least they made holes in the hat for her ears. And true to her word, her hair is down! Flowing freely down her back, her bangs framing her face. She's kinda handsome actually! And well behaved! Throughout the entire speech! She's quiet and listens attentively, but that toast? That may as well be the starting bell. ]

A)

[ Golshi shamelessly sprints to the buffet tables and proceeds to pile on food with seemingly reckless but well practiced abandon. Some fish here, a bit of beef there, rice, also rice, some carrots, more carrots, a few more carrots, bread doesn't sound half bad. This is a dangerous time to be in her way, she isn't trying to trample anyone but accidents happen. More likely though is the clash of utensils as you and her grasp the same particularly choice looking cut of meat (or carrrot). Gold Ship's eyes narrow, her ears twitch, and she chuckles Menacingly. ]

Oh-ho? You're challenging me, huh? Pretty gutsy starting up a fight this quickly, but I respect guts!

[ She probably doesn't want to actually tussle over this, but she's Gold Ship. She's been sitting back too long, it's time for chaos. ]

B)

[ With some food in her Gold Ship's set about to making herself the life of the party. Sweeping through the guests she's quick to introduce herself, Loudly, swiping the hat from her head and bowing properly in introduction to anyone that crosses her path. She's seen enough butler cafes, consumed enough media, and hung out with enough high class gals at Tracen to know how this should work. ]

The { Impeachable, Vorpal, Impeachable, Unsinkable, Frabjous } Captain Gold Ship, at your service~

[ Said with a wink and a grin that tiptoes the line of charming and mischievous. The adjective changes from person to person. She holds that charming facade for all of a few seconds before she's straightening up and laughing with nice good nature. She replaces the hat on her head before folding her hands behind said head, letting her posture slouch a little as her grin settles on mischievous. ]

So! You as out of your depth here as me? Ya know, with the whole magic and royalty stuff.

Housewarming:

[ You can lead a horse to comfortable chairs and tea and she sure as heck is going to take advantage of both. Once in the Geranium barrack Gold Ship is quick to pour herself a cup of tea, all careful almost graceful movements. And then she proceeds to Gold Ship. Throwing herself into a chair and proceeding to put her still very much boot wearing feet up on the table with satisfied sigh. ]

Gotta hand it to these people, they sure know how to make ya feel welcome! [ Her tail swishes happily behind her as she sips the tea. She pauses though, considering her cup thoughtfully. ] Huh... think if we asked they could get us some chili oil for this stuff?

[ Yeah, you live with this now. Sorry. ]

Banquet - A

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin's been causing enough trouble and at this point? Now his stomach is causing him trouble. He's been in a sour mood ever since he arrived here and nothing appears to be getting done about it. If Their Highness is going to insist upon uprooting them and requesting their help in a topic Darin is woefully ignorant of, he's at least going to enjoy the food.]

[When their utensils clash, Darin's gaze snaps up.]

Listen, I'm having a hell of a day, so if you respect guts, respect mine and let me feed it!

[He makes a sharp tug on the meat with supernatural strength; a bit more power than he'd usually use. He'd normally hide it but at this point, he's just too damn hungry!]

[goldship]

[ A CHALLENGER. Over food. Yeah, Golshi won't back down from this.

The horse ears sticking out from her hat pin back and her eyes narrow as she responds to Darin's tug with a sharp one of her own. She can feel how strong he is so she has no issue putting her full Freak Horse Strength™ behind the movement. ]

Oi, oi! Try askin' nicely ya punk.

[ She grits her teeth in a competitive snarl. ]

Captain Goldship ain't about to let your rudititude slide!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin's eyebrow arches when there's a much stronger tug back. What the hell? What was up with this girl?]

[But then she calls him a punk and that raised eyebrow sets to twitching. Darin jerks the slab of meat back harder with enough force to attempt to tug Goldship off of her hoovesfeet.]

Oh a Captain? Oh man, where are my manners? Forgive me, Captain. But if you would allow this poor, humble, Master Smith to make one request, I would kindly as you to shove it and off in that order!

[Darin drops his back foot onto the beautiful floor and plants himself like an immovable mountain. So much for hiding his powers, he's way too hungry and this woman is absolutely getting on his very final nerve.]

[...Wait, is that her hair or are those ears?]

housewarming

[adelfos]

[So this is the kind of person he's to reside with the foreseeable future...

...well, it certainly won't be dull around here.

Hades raises an eyebrow at the question, not seeming to quite believe it.]

For the tea...?

[goldship]

For the tea!

[ She raises her cup in an affirmative salute. ]

And coffee, if they got coffee here. It's better for you than sugar!

[adelfos]

I assume taste is no issue for you?

housewarming

[batlan]

[ Ororon appears unfazed. he always appears unfazed, but nevermind. one of his ears appears to be twitching in time with the swish-swish of her tail. ]

They seem more fond of floral flavors than chilies, here.

[ he sips his cocoa, which could benefit from chili oil, in his opinion. he doesn't know he's being a chaos enabler, but that wouldn't stop him. ]

Hm... I should make some.

[goldship]

[ This guy's talking her language, she sits up a little straighter with a gleam in her eye. Chili oil isn't just tasty, it's uh, useful, for her activities. ]

I wouldn't be complainin' if ya did! Variety's the spice of spice.

[ That's not the saying. She knows. She doesn't care. What she does care about however is the sudden realization that this person has EARS, not horse ears but very much not human ears. Ones she mistakes for decorative accessories until they start twitching. Which makes her own ears perk up with interest. ]

Hey. You know you got something on your head?

[ Subtle, Golshi. Real subtle. ]

[batlan]

I do?

[ Ororon has long considered his ears a natural extension of his head - because they are, and that tends to be true of others on Teyvat as well - so of course he's going to start feeling around up there for something that doesn't belong. hair, fur, and hood are all quickly accounted for. ]

Hm... sometimes it takes me awhile to notice...

[ having escaped from the formalwear as soon as he could, Ororon is back in his own torn clothing, and the fruitless head search has mussed his hair right back up. one may get the impression strange things get stuck on him more often than 'sometimes' implies. ]

Banquet, B

[nyx_it]

[Well that's... new. People really do not bow to her. They never have, and likely never will. Except for this moment. Her mind sort of blanks, and, Vetra hesitates, processing.]

[She finally holds out a three-fingered hand.]

Vetra.

[It feels uncomfortably inadequate without a rank or title, but it is what it is, and she'll act like it's fine.]

[Oh - okay, the other is relaxing, so she can too. Her shoulders slouching ever so slightly, while the rest of her sort of stands taller.]

Yeah... Does it show that much?

[goldship]

[ Look with how everyone arrived Vetra surely stuck out, Golshi didn't think too much of it with everything else.

But now here she is shaking hands with a a three fingered scaled person who she has to look up at. It's the latter that's the weirdest part, honestly, Gold Ship's not used to not being the tallest person in a room. ]

A little bit, but I wouldn't sweat it. Folks like us are in the majority I'm guessing.

[ She shrugs in that way only the most carefree of slackers can manage. ]

Just means we'll all be adjustin' at the same pace. Kinda comforting in a weird way, dontcha think Vetty?

[ Sorry, Vetra. You're going to end up with nicknames. ]

[nyx_it]

[She has that effect on new people - surprised to look up to speak to her. Sometimes, it pays off. Unbalances them. But here, she's not looking to make that kind of name for herself.]

That's good, at least. Hate to stand out more than I already do.

[It's getting painfully obvious she might very well be the only nonhuman here (in appearance, anyway).]

As long as nobody throws us out for some kind of ... weird social incident. [Her mandible flares, then clicks a few times against her jaw.] Vetty?

housewarming

[lovelikeyou]

I think they probably could!

[ Rose takes a seat as well, nearby. She doesn't imitate Gold Ship's posture, but she also doesn't comment on it. Her attention is on her ears, not her boots. ]

Are you half-human and half-horse? Like in those human stories? I didn't think those were real!

[goldship]

[ Poor Gold Ship just kind of. Blinks rapidly, her ears twitching. To her that's a weird way to word that question! (She will remain in denial about horses until she meets one. ) ]

Yup, I'm an umamusume, a horse girl.

[ She at least knows she's somewhat of an oddity, she sure as heck hasn't seen any others like her in the group of arrivals. ]

We're all over where I'm from. Can't tell ya if my mom was a human or not though, my family's a state secret.

[ That's what she meant by half-human. Right? Right?! ]

[lovelikeyou]

Umamusume. [ She repeats. She's careful to pronounce it right, though she does it without any trouble. ] Our Earth doesn't have anything like that! Horses and humans are totally different things!

[ How neat, though! It's nice that they can get along with humans like that...but, humans are like that a lot of the time, aren't they? Not always, she's too old to still think that. But more than anyone else she knows.

Rather than voice any of that, Rose shapeshifts her ears up to the top of her head and changes them for pink horse ears. She reaches up to feel at the result - wow, things sound different! ]

Banquet B

[veryfarfromme]

[There's something about being asked, point blank, about the weirdness of the whole situation that breaks something in Fixer. Just a bit. Enough to earn a harsh laugh. More of a rough exhale, really, buffeted by her air filters.]

You could say that much.

[...What was the first part of this conversation? Her head cocks at an angle, just her eyes visible to take in whatever this was. More parts of a spontaneous new reality.]

"Captain... Gold Ship". right. Well, call me Fixer.

[goldship]

[ Gold Ship almost feels a little annoyed, actually! Here she is stripped of her headgear while this other girl is in a full on helmet? Unfair!!!

But Golshi is killing this looks, so she can't be too bothered by it she decides. ]

Nice to meetcha, Fixit!

[ Not her name and she knows it. She cocks her own head the opposite way Fixer is, her ears flicking absently. ]

You uh, doing alright? Making sure to eat, yeah?

[ It's an honestly genuine concern! She can understand having reservations but there's no sense in going hungry! ]

[veryfarfromme]

[She had to give the tailors absolute Hell, but it paid off. Nobody's taking her breath away just yet.]

Ah. [That's how it is, huh? She's used to annoying remarks, she can handle this.]

Oh. Yeah, sure. I'm. Eating. Getting all my essential vitamins. At least, I was.

[Healer would have killed her herself if she hadn't. She made that explicitly plain.]

...Are... you?

arrival

[liedol]

Ah-

[ Ai starts a bit. She has the deer in headlights look of someone in the middle of wrestling with their fight or flight instinct. She was home one second and now she's here and the discontinuity has her on her toes. Not to mention... whoever all these strangers are. They all seem as confused as she feels, at least, though whether that's a good or bad thing remains to be seen. ]

Um- I'm pretty real, as far as I know! [ she laughs, but it's a little more strained than she might've liked. ] But I'm still trying to get my head around whether or not all the rest of this stuff is real.

[ Something this fantastical definitely has to be a dream. ]

[goldship]

[ Ai may in fact be the shortest human Gold Ship has ever met in her life so far. There's something funny about that that almost off-sets the general sense of confusion. ]

I see, I see. Hmm.

[ She crosses her arms and nods sagely. ]

Only one way to be sure we ain't dreaming then. You're gonna have to punch me.

[ SURELY SHE MEANS PINCH?

Uh. She's grinning and uncrossing her arms to pound her fist against her stomach.]

Right here. Hard as ya can.

[ Evidently she does not mean pinch. ]

[liedol]

. . .

I. Um. I don't think I should do that. [ For her sake more than Gold Ship's??? ] I mean, I don't want anyone to think I'm picking on you or anything...!

[ That, and. Sure, she's got muscles from dancing and all the rest of it but in the grand scheme of things, she is assembled from twigs and tape. Chances are good that if she throws even a half-decent punch, she'll break her own first before Gold Ship feels a thing. ]

banquet b

[plangona]

[octavia is more than surprised when gold ship approaches her and bows along with the greeting, it was definitely unusual compared to what she is used to] I'm Octavia— and yeah you're not the only one. This sort of thing is like something straight out of fiction where I'm from.

[goldship]

You're tellin' me! The whole isekai thing is something out of a dorky manga or a sweets induced coma dream.

[ She laughs and bounces up onto the balls of her feet, because Gold Ship is just Pure Energy and has no chill setting. ]

But it's real! Food's too damn good an' if this was all in my head y'all would all have a lot more arms and probably tentacles too. [ what. ] Guess we can just think of it as a magic vacation, huh?

[plangona]

[octavia doesn't even know what most of that means. isekai? manga? she had no clue what that is but latter about it being a dream is more relatable for her... minus the whole thing about people having more arms and tentacles which she chalks up to being an exaggeration for a dream that would just be way out there]

Right? It definitely is something like that because yeah, the food is way too good and this is more than anything I'm even used to either.