5th Act - The GRAND Opening!

[pipers_son]

Who: Come one and all!
Where: Goldenrod
When: Throughout April 30th - May 3rd
Summary: The Eve's Garden Circus is officially open for business! When it comes to a circus, what better group to put the 'grand' in 'Grand Opening'?
Rating: PG
Log:

It's that time everyone's been waiting for! Time to put that nasty train robbery behind everyone. After all, haven't you heard?




Throughout the streets of Goldenrod, folks will find all sorts of colorful characters and Pokemon about. Fliers and the like have been regular this last month or so, but the advertising is in full force today just to make it EXTRA apparent that today is the day. Another hint is all the air traffic in the skies- various Flying-type Pokemon that make up the Circus' transportation service. Who knows? Maybe you're one of those using it today!

And of course, who can miss the colorful spectacle that is the circus itself? Past the entrance gate (which will let you onto the circus grounds for a miniscule fee) are dozens and dozens of stalls and little tents. Looming over them is the main tent itself, a monstrosity of bright welcoming colors. There are all sorts of things amongst their ranks, but it's generally fairly easy to find what you're looking for as Pidgey of a feather flock together and all that... From games of all sorts like the usual carnival games to more of a retro arcade, to a set of shops with local crafts and maybe something from the foreign trainers.... Of course, there's also all sorts of food stalls and even shacks for more filling stuff.

With all that alone, you could probably keep busy for most of the day! But surely you aren't forgetting the Big Act?

Yep, the big acts in the Big Top. Times are posted both at the front gate, on fliers you can pick up here and there, and by the entrance to the large tent. For each day, there will be three shows! Better hope you can snag a ticket before they get sold out... Although maybe you'll get lucky for the next show. Or the next day....

Either way, it promises to be a fun few days!

Comments

[konpeitoqueen]

But what does SHSL mean, if not 'you're better than anyone else in your field'?

[Saionji's honest about that. What do you mean you're not any better? That's basically the reason why they're from Hope's Peak. The reason for their title.]

And while it's true that not everyone is that way... those who are can't be chased away. And even if acting different won't get rid of them, it makes you less of a lightning rod for their antics!

[She tosses her hair back, briefly looking away as the water droplets wet the floor.] If you start looking less like a bleeding heart, you'll fare much better, no matter who you are.

[codeforhope]

That's not what I meant. I'm...not saying you and I both aren't the top in our fields, but...we're still both just people. I don't think being better at one certain thing makes you a better person.

[He then hesitates, shifting in his seat.]

I-....I mean....I guess it....depends on how you look at it.

[Well....he had been going rather well for a moment there at least, speaking up and everything!]

....That's easier said than done.

[konpeitoqueen]

[You tried. Gold star, Chihiro.]

Perhaps not a better ally, but those with more talent have more to contribute to the world, don't they? So, if you contribute more, doesn't that make you a better person? Things like kindness and friendship are such subjective, flimsy things... inventions and art pieces, music and scriptures- such products and skills are much more validating than being what people think is a 'better person'.

[So yeah, being a therapist doesn't count as an SHSL, lol sorry]

I mean, sometimes it's obvious people have skills in subjective things like leadership... but skill doesn't equal being a 'better person' by what seems to be your definition. [How did this become a huge rant about the workings of talent in this society...?]

That's how I see it, anyway.

[codeforhope]

[He's trying so hard, he really is. He definitely prefers this conversation over Saionji needling him, and yet....well, it's definitely veering into an unexpected direction, that's for sure.

For a long time he thinks that over, one hand holding the doll, and the other the pamphlet.]

Material things...inventions, art...even computer programs are important. The people that make them are important. ..But don't things like that always....eventually go away?

People might not remember you for what kind of person you were. You could be the best in the world at a certain skill....and have a terrible, toxic personality. Not...not that you'll ever be known for that. What people care about are the things you can do with your talents. People...don't look past that, sometimes...

[Chihiro stares pointedly into his lap, his eyes fixated on the Banette doll.]

So I...I guess you're right, in some ways. You'll always be remembered for what you make, if that's what you're good at. ...but it's what you do with your talents that matters. ...One day, someone will eventually come along that can perform the same exact skill much better than you can.

[His shoulders sag slightly, but it's barely noticeable in the slight gloom outside as the sun begins to set over the horizon.]

Once that happens, you're eventually forgotten about. Unless you...have the ability to make sure you're not forgotten. To...to....make yourself heard, somehow.

[And by his tone of voice, Chihiro is making it clear that he's not certain that he's one of those people. AND HE'S TELLING SAIONJI WHY...well, who knows. She's here, she brought it up, and well now it's happening and he can't stop.]

[konpeitoqueen]

That's just how this world works. The sooner people get it, the better.

[Not that it'll... really be that much better. Such a world- she both understands why it exists, and also hates it.] Izumo-no-Okuni, for example. She's the founder of kabuki, which became kabuki buyo, which evolved further into nihon buyo dancing in general- in other words, my SHSL.

But no one knows how she really acted! No one can even agree on when she died. The Edo period was when facts were twisted by literary licenses that a time for peace allowed for... and yet, she's remembered always. Not for her personality, but for her talent. At first, that almost seems unfair. What about the women working under her? What about those who came after? What if they were as good as her? What if they were better? Because she was the first who caused a whole wave of dancing to spread throughout the country, she's the only one remembered.

It's better that way though. [History is important, and should be protected- some things, at all costs. But...] The fact that she began classical Japanese dancing is something important to be remembered for the rest of time! And the art itself, even more so. But, if we bog ourselves down over and over with the pursuits of the past... then how is the present supposed to function?

[She's getting somewhere.] If the people of the Edo period spent all their time obsessing over the events of the Sengoku Era, no one would commit the time to spread kabuki through the country. When you're forgotten, the most important reason why is because the future has to move on and can't account for anyone.

So! You can try to be remembered, but in the end, whether you are or not isn't important. The most important thing is to protect and live for yourself in the now. Which is why you need to learn to have less of a bleeding heart, or you'll only end up drowning in grievances before you're even close to dead.

[codeforhope]

[Chihiro listens quietly as Saionji talks, leaning back against the bench. In that entire speech there was something profound, which gives him cause to nod slowly in agreement. ...And once she's gotten to her point, he's reminded that this still was about him. He sighs again.]

..My SHSL is...well, I'm a programmer. Computers.

[She told him hers, so he figured he'd return the favor. Not that he's going to delve too further, since there are reasons for him to keep silent about the projects he formerly worked on before ending up in this place.]

It's something I'm very good at. It's...one thing I always feel like I....have a reason to be proud of. Not many other people can do what I can...I hope one day I can make some sort of impact that can be remembered.

[Not that his "bleeding heart" will ever be likely to change. Not completely, at least. And not right away, either. And of course, he's not going to be remembered if he continues to hide behind a lie all his life.

But that's something to be dealt with another time.]

....thank you. ...for apologizing, by the way.

[RIGHT he'd been....meaning to say that from the start. Considering what happened at prom, and....well, whatever has happened tonight, it looks like she's gotten way more karma than she can handle.]

[konpeitoqueen]

[Once you start caring fuck all about what other people feel and only live for yourself, that kind of philosophy just sneaks its way into your head. Totally normal.]

SHSL Programmer, huh? [...Programs... Big Sis Nanami- things were really falling into place. How she's an AI... and Chihiro is apparently her family. Did Chihiro create her, then? Hell, did he even remember doing that?]

Well, you're an SHSL! So even if you don't in our world, you have the potential over others to do it here. Not that you'll be able to do it if you keep letting people take advantage of you. [Not going to drop that anytime soon.]

It's nothing. Nanami told me to, anyway. [She doesn't feel... too bad about what she did, still. Not bad enough to stop herself from telling him she was kinda ordered to do this. She's still remarkably nice right now for her standards, though.]

[codeforhope]

[Again, she does have some sort of a point. Not that he can help it, but he won't try to deny that she isn't right, either.]

R...right.

...Nanami-san told you to..?

[Huh....perhaps that should make the apology seem a little more meaningless, but Saionji did listen and apologize, even if she was sortof made to. He appreciates Nanami standing up for him as well, but something about that stings a little, deep down. Something about it he either can't put his finger on, or won't.]

I...I see. ...Well, hopefully....hopefully that won't happen again.

[As abrasive as Saionji is, he'd much rather not make her an enemy. He's still careful about what he says and how he says it, as meek and as quiet as ever.]

[konpeitoqueen]

[It's a bit hard not to make her an enemy, especially with how much Chihiro is reminding her of Tsumiki, but-

Goddammit, this is all Nanami's fault, she's made her soft.]

Well, I need to go get my hair fixed now. [That is certainly the truth.] I'll be taking my leave.

[And it's a bit rude in how she just turns and walks away, without even a shit-eating grin and half-hearted 'byeeee~!' But... it could've gone worse?]