[The stars that illuminated the night sky looked like tiny specks of fairy dust sparkling. On top of that, there wasn't a cloud in sight, making this the perfect night to relax and stare at the glistening stars. Coming from a sheltered home, Hanamaru has always read about stargazing from her books, but she's never actually gone and looked out at the stars. She was definitely not going to let this chance go to waste!
But Hanamaru didn't want to do this by herself, she wanted to enjoy the lovely sights with someone else. Specifically, her best friend who is just as dazzling as the stars; Ruby.
Luckily, the temple that she lives in is fairly cleared out but she makes sure to have a blanket for the two of them to sit on, along with a couple of snacks. As she looks up at the night sky, a very audible 'zuraaaa' escapes from her mouth and and glances back over at her friend with an excited smile.]
Ruby-chan, I'm so excited! Have you ever gone star gazing before?
[ooc: If I need to change anything or do something different, feel free to let me know! ♥]
[Making costumes for all nine members of Aqours is a pretty taxing chore. They've all got to be designed, they need to match yet be distinct, and that isn't even getting into the trouble of making all of them! Then they've got to be fitted, altered as needed, they need to rehearse in the new outfits... it's no wonder that You winds up working late when there's a show fast approaching.
Luckily, she isn't doing it alone.
You sits up from the sewing machine, holding up Yoshiko's dress by the shoulders so she can see how everything falls.] Phew... I think I'm just about done!
Thanks for staying up with me to get these finished, Ruby-chan. Your sister doesn't mind if you stay the night?
[ it really is a perfect night to stargaze. one of the best things about living in a country town is that you can see so many more stars than you can in a big city... it's really nice.
with plenty of nappo bread, gummy candy and other snacks to share, they've reached their chosen observation area. before ruby sets down the blanket, she looks up at the sky as well. ]
I used to do it all the time with Sis... But she's been pretty busy lately.
[ her smile drops a bit at the thought, but she quickly tries to shake it away as she meets hanamaru's eyes with her own smile. she can't be sad - this is a night to be spent with her best friend. ]
B-But I'm glad I can watch them with you, Hanamaru-chan. I think you'll really like it!
Edited (when ya miss the capitalization days after you do the tag) 2017-10-22 23:07 (UTC)
[ it really is a lot of work, but it seems much more manageable when there's two sets of hands working. ruby and you have managed to find a rhythm in designing and sewing, and the costumes that they've made together always end up much more polished than ones they work on alone.
to make outfits like this... it's a dream come true. ]
Mm. [ she nods. ] As long as Sis knows where I am, it's okay.
[ it's not like you is a stranger, after all. and since this is work for aqours and not just something casual, that made dia even more inclined to allow it. still, thinking about it makes her look a little nervous for a moment. ]
But... this is the first time I'm staying over at a friend's house - besides Hanamaru-chan, I mean.
[Hanamaru's own smile begins to somewhat fade seeing Ruby's. It also worried her that Dia has been busy recently. She could easily see her getting burried in her work, or possibly even overworking herself.]
I hope that Dia-san gets a break soon. She deserves one from all the hard work that she does.
[She does immediately begin to cheer up at Ruby's response.]
Me too! I'm really happy that I get to experience this for the first time with you. [Her eyes look over towards the sky, there's a shimmer in them as she stares at the shining stars.] Do you think we'll see a shooting star?! We so have to make a wish, zura!!
[Satisfied with it for now, You stands up to hang the finished garment on the clothing rack with the others that they've finished. As soon as she's not holding the thing, she gives a large, exaggerated yawn with a stretch over her head.] Geez, I'm really beat! [She puts her hands on the small of her back and bends backwards to stretch it.] Bending over a sewing machine really kinda makes you stiff, huh...
[The admission that this is Ruby's first time spending the night at a friend's house makes You smile. She's a little sheltered, maybe, but that doesn't mean she's not up for things in her own way.] Oh man, if it's your first time staying at a friend's, I'll have to make sure you have a good time!
Need any help finishing up? I'll make us a midnight snack after you're all done!
[ a break would also mean that they get to spend more time together, but that goes unsaid. as long as her sister is doing her best, ruby will support her.
her eyes follow to look at the twinkling night sky, and her smile relaxes a little more. ]
Maybe! That would be really lucky... [ though being here with hanamaru is already a wish come true. ] What about constellations? Do you know stuff about them?
[ yoshiko's outfit looks amazing, as expected. ruby is just finishing up the frill stitching on mari's skirt and she'll be done as well, but she pauses to smile at you. ]
We've been working for awhile... I think my legs fell asleep.
[ she's a little worried about getting up... she doesn't want to trip (spoilers: she's going to anyway). but the prospect of a midnight snack is exciting - she was never allowed to eat before bed at home. ]
[Another stretch, this time over her head, and then forward. She reflexively goes through the range of motions she'd do to loosen up before and after diving practice. It's not a full stretch routine, though, and she's done in about a minute before wandering over to Ruby.] Haha, you're going to have really bad pins and needles, I bet!
You did a really great job with Mari-san's dress! I love the detail work on her skirt. Here, I'll help clean while you're finishing. Share the work and it goes twice as fast, right?
[She'll just begin putting away the needle and fabric. It's her home, after all, so she knows where it's all supposed to go.]
Maybe since we're here together, our luck will increase! [At her question, Hanamaru contemplates, trying to recall all the books that she's read through.]
I know a little bit about them from what I've read, zura! Like, how our birthday signs are based off of the constellations.
[Her eyes narrow a bit as she focuses on the stars, trying to see if she can make out any familiar constellations.]
Do you know anything about constellations, Ruby-chan?
[You, thankfully, has finished putting something away when Ruby topples to the floor.] --whoa! [She's there at the younger girl's side in a moment.] Hey, you okay? You didn't hit anything, right?
[On first glance, it doesn't look like Ruby hurt anything, so You just exhales in relief.] I guess your legs really were asleep, huh.
--here, stretch your legs out, okay? I'll show you some stretches to get the blood flowing in no time!
[ this happens a lot, so she's used to the general pain that comes with hitting the ground. her legs still feel like jelly, though... usually she just waits for it to go away. maybe you's method will help. ]
Haha, no idea! But it can't hurt, right? [She says just as cheerfully.
You takes Ruby's lower legs in her hands, giving a quick squeeze of her calves-- a fast sports massage, the sort she remembers giving to other girls on the diving team when they got cramps.] Here, try flexing your foot up, okay? Do it back and forth a bit.
Uh, it's probably going to feel real weird as all the blood rushes back.
[ she squeaks a little at the touch, but doesn't shy away from it. you's hands are warm... and even though the massage is fast, it feels nice. she does as instructed, flexing her foot. ]
Like that?
[ a shiver runs down her spine as the blood rushes back, just as you said, but it only lasts a moment. she flexes her toes, and thankfully feels everything! ]
Ya-ha! I thought that'd work! [You grins at her, straightening up and bringing her hands back.] Just keep working it like that back and forth for a little until the pins and needles go away.
[She stands up from her crouch, stretching her arms over her head before offering one down to Ruby.] When you're ready! No rush in standing. Don't want you to just go right back down to the floor, right?
[ she's embarrassed, but her words aren't without a small smile. you is really understanding... there are a lot of people that don't have patience for ruby's crybaby nature, but she's glad that she can count on friends like her to help.
she smiles a little brighter as she takes you's offered hand, finally standing to full height. ]
They're gone! Thanks, You-chan!
[ oh... she switched honorifics without asking... and slaps her hands over her mouth with a squeak. ]
[That grin grows all the wider.] See? What'd I tell you! [Though she's not expecting the change in honorific.
For a second, You's visibly surprised about it, but then the smile is back and even wider.
Ruby's normally so polite about that sort of thing, that it makes her feel a little warm and fuzzy at the slip-up.] Aww... geez, I'm kinda jealous of Dia-san, having such a cute sister! [Head pats. They are happening.]
[ there's a moment where she's terrified that she's offended You or done something too weird, but the older girl's smile melts her anxiety away. she still finds her cheeks warming in a blush, but she doesn't feel ashamed by it. combined with the head pat, pretty darn happy. ]
O-Okay... Okay! I will!
[ it makes her feel a little closer to her fellow costume designer, and that's nice. ]
[Eeeeee, she's "You-chan" now. You can't help but laugh a little, reaching up to scratch at the back of her head, her cheeks turning slightly warm. Ruby's so naturally skittish and so very polite, so she really feels like they've gotten a friendship upgrade here!] Yeah, let's go get something to eat, Ruby-chan!
[She leads her out of the cluttered room where they've been working, filled with swathes of fabric and half-made costumes, down the hall.] We gotta be a little quiet though, okay? My mom's probably sleeping.
Whatcha in the mood for? We've got a ton of mikan that Chika-chan brought over, but I can make us something if you want. We've probably got enough for Niceoodles!
[ There's multiple reasons why Yoshiko's helping Ruby out with the costumes today. One, the live show's coming up. But two, the last time Aqours went to pick out fabric, Yoshiko saw a few clothing patterns that would be a perfect fit for a fallen angel like herself. The ruffles! The dramatic silhouette! Sewing should be easy, right? Right!
Except no. Sewing is not easy. And poor Ruby's had to put up with Yoshiko's general incompetence all throughout the process. Taking measurements and cutting out the patterns were the easy part. But now, that some of the smaller details need to be hand sewn on...it's going badly. ]
Ruby-chaaaaaan! Do we have any bandages left?
[ She's bleeding a little. Again. This is like the fifth time Yoshiko's poked herself hard enough to bleed. The jury's out on whether this is her incompetence or her unluckiness winning out. ]
[ incompetent as she may be, Ruby knows that Yoshiko is trying her best - she can't even consider being mad or impatient with that in mind. she really wanted to help, and her company has been making time fly, but their actual progress has taken a bit of a nosedive. Ruby had stepped out of the room to get a few more supplies, but she quickly changes gears when she hears her friend yell out. ]
Y-Yes! Did you prick yourself again?
[ Ruby comes dashing back into the room, armed with a fistful of cotton balls in one hand and a box of cute band-aids. she plops down next to her friend, setting the supplies in front of her. ]
[ By the time Ruby enters the room, Yoshiko has her finger firmly jammed in her mouth as she sucks on it a little, trying to stop the bleeding. There's a pause before she removes it from her mouth and gingerly shows Ruby.
Yeah, that's a bleeding finger, all right. The wound itself is small, but it's bleeding a surprising amount. Yoshiko looks over at Ruby with a pitiful frown before she spots the band-aids in question. ]
Ruby-chan...do you have any band-aids more fitting for a fallen angel?
[ These are cute. Which, of course Ruby would have cute band-aids, but a part of Yoshiko's hoping that Ruby would at least have a band-aid that's kind of close to black. ]
[ she almost wonders if she should scold Yoshiko for sucking on it, but decides not to. a bleeding finger is bad enough, so she tenderly takes her friend's hand into hers and presses a cotton ball to the prick to put pressure on it and stop the bleeding. ]
These are the only ones I have... But a fallen angel can be cute, right?
[ she fishes through the box with one hand while holding the cotton ball with the other, managing to pull out a light purple one. this is the best she can do, man. ]
Fallen angels aren't cute! [ Yoshiko whines, as Ruby presses the cotton ball to her finger. ] A fallen angel has a dignified gracefulness, a being so beautiful that heaven couldn't stand it!
[ She attempts to strike her 'v-shape over her face' pose, almost knocks over the box of bandaids while doing so, and then quickly puts her hands back to her side. ]
...but I suppose that in such dire circumstances such as this, dignity must be overlooked.
[ her whining just makes Ruby giggle. she's heard this time and time again, and knows that Yoshiko will eventually concede to the situation. it's cute in it's own way, in her opinion. ]
I think you could be the first cute fallen angel. And... um... band-aids show that you're tough, right?
[ she's trying. with steady hands, she removes the cotton ball and unwraps the bandage, curling it around her finger. Ruby is clumsy at many things, but precision work is something she excels in. ]
Most fell wounds obtained in battle aren't confined to just the finger, [ Yoshiko points out. Band-aids do show that you're tough, but band-aids on the face or on the elbows show that you're a lot tougher than band-aids on the finger.
Still, she remains still as Ruby wraps the band-aid around her finger. Once it's stuck there, Yoshiko wiggles her hand slightly, then gives Ruby a smile and a nod. ]
Perfect work, Ruby-chan! It's wrapped on there pretty good.
[ Ruby smiles, but her mind wanders for a moment - whenever she had gotten papercuts or pricks on her finger in the past, Dia had given it a small kiss to help the pain go away. it always made her feel better, but doing that with Yoshiko would be weird, wouldn't it? they're close friends, but it's not like they're sisters...
so why does she want to do it?
the pinkish tinge on her cheeks as she thinks about it is undeniable, but she tries to snap out of it. they still have a job to finish, after all. ]
U-um! We should... uh... keep working, right? We're almost done with the-!
[ in her fluster, she clambers to her feet... and almost immediately slips on a piece of fabric and crashes onto the ground with a squeak. ow. ]
[ Yoshiko considers almost all of Aqours to be her little demons. But when she's blushing like this, Ruby might be one of the cutest. Yoshiko doesn't really have any clue what she's blushing about, and is about to ask...before poor Ruby wipes out and crashes. ]
Ruby-chan! [ and almost instantly her deep alto drops and she goes back to her higher-pitched Yoshiko voice. She gets to her feet and hurries over, offering Ruby a hand to help her up. ]
[ doing her best to put on a brave face, she sniffles and wipes away the tears that are beginning to build in her eyes. she can't let herself be embarrassed like this, but the blush on her cheeks isn't going away. maybe if she smiles through it, it'll be better. ]
Mm... I'm okay! I-It doesn't hurt!
[ jk, she fell on her wrist and it actually hurts a little. she rubs it absentmindedly, hoping that Yoshiko won't notice. ]
[ unfortunately for Ruby, Yoshiko does notice. As Ruby starts to rub at her wrist, Yoshiko frowns a little. ]
Then why're you rubbing at your wrist? [ She points out, like it's obvious. ] Come on, we should ice it.
[ Is that what you do to hurt wrists? Yoshiko doesn't know, but it sounds like a good suggestion so that's what she says they're doing. It doesn't really occur to Yoshiko that Ruby's taking her injury a lot better than Yoshiko did when she stabbed her finger with a needle. ]
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stargazing rubymaru?!
But Hanamaru didn't want to do this by herself, she wanted to enjoy the lovely sights with someone else. Specifically, her best friend who is just as dazzling as the stars; Ruby.
Luckily, the temple that she lives in is fairly cleared out but she makes sure to have a blanket for the two of them to sit on, along with a couple of snacks. As she looks up at the night sky, a very audible 'zuraaaa' escapes from her mouth and and glances back over at her friend with an excited smile.]
Ruby-chan, I'm so excited! Have you ever gone star gazing before?
[ooc: If I need to change anything or do something different, feel free to let me know! ♥]
costume buddies!
Luckily, she isn't doing it alone.
You sits up from the sewing machine, holding up Yoshiko's dress by the shoulders so she can see how everything falls.] Phew... I think I'm just about done!
Thanks for staying up with me to get these finished, Ruby-chan. Your sister doesn't mind if you stay the night?
hell yeaaaaaaah
with plenty of nappo bread, gummy candy and other snacks to share, they've reached their chosen observation area. before ruby sets down the blanket, she looks up at the sky as well. ]
I used to do it all the time with Sis... But she's been pretty busy lately.
[ her smile drops a bit at the thought, but she quickly tries to shake it away as she meets hanamaru's eyes with her own smile. she can't be sad - this is a night to be spent with her best friend. ]
B-But I'm glad I can watch them with you, Hanamaru-chan. I think you'll really like it!
💪 heck yeah
[ it really is a lot of work, but it seems much more manageable when there's two sets of hands working. ruby and you have managed to find a rhythm in designing and sewing, and the costumes that they've made together always end up much more polished than ones they work on alone.
to make outfits like this... it's a dream come true. ]
Mm. [ she nods. ] As long as Sis knows where I am, it's okay.
[ it's not like you is a stranger, after all. and since this is work for aqours and not just something casual, that made dia even more inclined to allow it. still, thinking about it makes her look a little nervous for a moment. ]
But... this is the first time I'm staying over at a friend's house - besides Hanamaru-chan, I mean.
no subject
I hope that Dia-san gets a break soon. She deserves one from all the hard work that she does.
[She does immediately begin to cheer up at Ruby's response.]
Me too! I'm really happy that I get to experience this for the first time with you. [Her eyes look over towards the sky, there's a shimmer in them as she stares at the shining stars.] Do you think we'll see a shooting star?! We so have to make a wish, zura!!
no subject
[The admission that this is Ruby's first time spending the night at a friend's house makes You smile. She's a little sheltered, maybe, but that doesn't mean she's not up for things in her own way.] Oh man, if it's your first time staying at a friend's, I'll have to make sure you have a good time!
Need any help finishing up? I'll make us a midnight snack after you're all done!
no subject
[ a break would also mean that they get to spend more time together, but that goes unsaid. as long as her sister is doing her best, ruby will support her.
her eyes follow to look at the twinkling night sky, and her smile relaxes a little more. ]
Maybe! That would be really lucky... [ though being here with hanamaru is already a wish come true. ] What about constellations? Do you know stuff about them?
no subject
We've been working for awhile... I think my legs fell asleep.
[ she's a little worried about getting up... she doesn't want to trip (spoilers: she's going to anyway). but the prospect of a midnight snack is exciting - she was never allowed to eat before bed at home. ]
I think it's just cleaning up! I'm almost done.
no subject
You did a really great job with Mari-san's dress! I love the detail work on her skirt. Here, I'll help clean while you're finishing. Share the work and it goes twice as fast, right?
[She'll just begin putting away the needle and fabric. It's her home, after all, so she knows where it's all supposed to go.]
no subject
I know a little bit about them from what I've read, zura! Like, how our birthday signs are based off of the constellations.
[Her eyes narrow a bit as she focuses on the stars, trying to see if she can make out any familiar constellations.]
Do you know anything about constellations, Ruby-chan?
no subject
[ now she really doesn't want to stand! but she tries not to think about it, nodding nervously. ]
Y-Yeah! Thanks...
[ unfortunately, she finishes the stitching in no time at all. she has to stand to help you clean up...
...and like clockwork, she slips and falls on the ground with a squeak. good thing there's carpet! ]
no subject
[On first glance, it doesn't look like Ruby hurt anything, so You just exhales in relief.] I guess your legs really were asleep, huh.
--here, stretch your legs out, okay? I'll show you some stretches to get the blood flowing in no time!
no subject
[ this happens a lot, so she's used to the general pain that comes with hitting the ground. her legs still feel like jelly, though... usually she just waits for it to go away. maybe you's method will help. ]
Will that really work?
no subject
You takes Ruby's lower legs in her hands, giving a quick squeeze of her calves-- a fast sports massage, the sort she remembers giving to other girls on the diving team when they got cramps.] Here, try flexing your foot up, okay? Do it back and forth a bit.
Uh, it's probably going to feel real weird as all the blood rushes back.
no subject
Like that?
[ a shiver runs down her spine as the blood rushes back, just as you said, but it only lasts a moment. she flexes her toes, and thankfully feels everything! ]
I think it's better!
no subject
[She stands up from her crouch, stretching her arms over her head before offering one down to Ruby.] When you're ready! No rush in standing. Don't want you to just go right back down to the floor, right?
no subject
[ she's embarrassed, but her words aren't without a small smile. you is really understanding... there are a lot of people that don't have patience for ruby's crybaby nature, but she's glad that she can count on friends like her to help.
she smiles a little brighter as she takes you's offered hand, finally standing to full height. ]
They're gone! Thanks, You-chan!
[ oh... she switched honorifics without asking... and slaps her hands over her mouth with a squeak. ]
no subject
For a second, You's visibly surprised about it, but then the smile is back and even wider.
Ruby's normally so polite about that sort of thing, that it makes her feel a little warm and fuzzy at the slip-up.] Aww... geez, I'm kinda jealous of Dia-san, having such a cute sister! [Head pats. They are happening.]
You can call me "chan" if you want. I don't mind!
no subject
O-Okay... Okay! I will!
[ it makes her feel a little closer to her fellow costume designer, and that's nice. ]
Let's go have a snack, You-chan!
no subject
[She leads her out of the cluttered room where they've been working, filled with swathes of fabric and half-made costumes, down the hall.] We gotta be a little quiet though, okay? My mom's probably sleeping.
Whatcha in the mood for? We've got a ton of mikan that Chika-chan brought over, but I can make us something if you want. We've probably got enough for Niceoodles!
yohane learns how to use a needle
Except no. Sewing is not easy. And poor Ruby's had to put up with Yoshiko's general incompetence all throughout the process. Taking measurements and cutting out the patterns were the easy part. But now, that some of the smaller details need to be hand sewn on...it's going badly. ]
Ruby-chaaaaaan! Do we have any bandages left?
[ She's bleeding a little. Again. This is like the fifth time Yoshiko's poked herself hard enough to bleed. The jury's out on whether this is her incompetence or her unluckiness winning out. ]
no subject
Y-Yes! Did you prick yourself again?
[ Ruby comes dashing back into the room, armed with a fistful of cotton balls in one hand and a box of cute band-aids. she plops down next to her friend, setting the supplies in front of her. ]
Can I see...?
no subject
Yeah, that's a bleeding finger, all right. The wound itself is small, but it's bleeding a surprising amount. Yoshiko looks over at Ruby with a pitiful frown before she spots the band-aids in question. ]
Ruby-chan...do you have any band-aids more fitting for a fallen angel?
[ These are cute. Which, of course Ruby would have cute band-aids, but a part of Yoshiko's hoping that Ruby would at least have a band-aid that's kind of close to black. ]
no subject
These are the only ones I have... But a fallen angel can be cute, right?
[ she fishes through the box with one hand while holding the cotton ball with the other, managing to pull out a light purple one. this is the best she can do, man. ]
What about this one?
no subject
[ She attempts to strike her 'v-shape over her face' pose, almost knocks over the box of bandaids while doing so, and then quickly puts her hands back to her side. ]
...but I suppose that in such dire circumstances such as this, dignity must be overlooked.
[ she'll take the cute purple one. ]
no subject
I think you could be the first cute fallen angel. And... um... band-aids show that you're tough, right?
[ she's trying. with steady hands, she removes the cotton ball and unwraps the bandage, curling it around her finger. Ruby is clumsy at many things, but precision work is something she excels in. ]
Does that feel okay?
no subject
Still, she remains still as Ruby wraps the band-aid around her finger. Once it's stuck there, Yoshiko wiggles her hand slightly, then gives Ruby a smile and a nod. ]
Perfect work, Ruby-chan! It's wrapped on there pretty good.
no subject
[ Ruby smiles, but her mind wanders for a moment - whenever she had gotten papercuts or pricks on her finger in the past, Dia had given it a small kiss to help the pain go away. it always made her feel better, but doing that with Yoshiko would be weird, wouldn't it? they're close friends, but it's not like they're sisters...
so why does she want to do it?
the pinkish tinge on her cheeks as she thinks about it is undeniable, but she tries to snap out of it. they still have a job to finish, after all. ]
U-um! We should... uh... keep working, right? We're almost done with the-!
[ in her fluster, she clambers to her feet... and almost immediately slips on a piece of fabric and crashes onto the ground with a squeak. ow. ]
no subject
Ruby-chan! [ and almost instantly her deep alto drops and she goes back to her higher-pitched Yoshiko voice. She gets to her feet and hurries over, offering Ruby a hand to help her up. ]
Are you okay?
no subject
Mm... I'm okay! I-It doesn't hurt!
[ jk, she fell on her wrist and it actually hurts a little. she rubs it absentmindedly, hoping that Yoshiko won't notice. ]
no subject
Then why're you rubbing at your wrist? [ She points out, like it's obvious. ] Come on, we should ice it.
[ Is that what you do to hurt wrists? Yoshiko doesn't know, but it sounds like a good suggestion so that's what she says they're doing. It doesn't really occur to Yoshiko that Ruby's taking her injury a lot better than Yoshiko did when she stabbed her finger with a needle. ]