first stage :: video :: open to both courts!

[truecaptain]

[Kanata had thought long and hard about what she wanted to say. There were a lot of jumbled thoughts and feelings running through her right now, but she'd finally settled on it. What would the thirteenth Acchan have done? What would Takamina do? That's where her thoughts stayed rooted.

So when she finally turns the video on it's to a girl with heart-shaped highlights in her hair and eyes (although the latter isn't apparent at first as her eyes are closed.]

My name is Kanata Shinonome of the idol group AKB0048. I've been a member, mm, for some time now. Nearly three years... And, somehow, during that time I've become captain to the understudies of our group. It's my duty to do whatever I can to support the other members and all of our fans. Even here, being captain is just as important. Even if I were alone, I'd stand by what 0048 does.

[She pauses and opens her eyes with a breath.]

AKB0048 brings our song, our hopes, ours dreams to everyone. No matter who they are, we want them to be able to express theirs freely as well. We want to create the "wonderland" of everyone's dreams... That's why... Seelie? Unseelie? Our song expands beyond titles and species-- [She looks momentarily amused]-- really.

And as long as I'm here, I'm going to pass on the hope they've given me! So if you ever hear it, listen, okay? I know it's difficult and difficult things seemed to have happened recently, but I have to believe in it. 0048's never given up and so I won't for the people here either... After all... no matter how deep the river is, or how fast the current-- the river bank is there on the side to catch you!

Comments

audio

[caditquaestio]

...or crush your bones as the current pushes you on. Yes.

audio

[truecaptain]

[ The instantaneous response is to fight back, but she's more practiced in this then she had been a while ago. The smile doesn't falter.
]
Mm, but a river is also there to bride shelter and life. It can be dangerous and full of trials, but if you don't give in you'll make it.

[caditquaestio]

Or you might take a boat. A boat will do you better.

[ But wait...! ]

Or a horse, if the water doesn't run strong, and there's been no flood - investigate the metaphor for me: do we speak of floods?

[truecaptain]

But sometimes you don't have a boat and have to face the river on your own.

[ She shakes her head. ]It's the lyrics to one of our song. The river could flood, I guess. It's considered a "river of trials," so if something becomes too big a burden it could. But that's why you have to keep going.

[caditquaestio]

How... [ Naive. ]

Light-hearted. Though I think your song should make mention of boats. Safe singing and the likes.

[truecaptain]

It's not light-hearted. River is one of her most powerful songs.

[ In her opinion. ] I think it's fine the way it is. You have to overcome the river on your own. That's the idea behind it.

[caditquaestio]

...ideas. Yes. If only life delivered on its theory.

But never you mind that: you're a troubadour, yes?

private voice; 2 week late answer because he was horribly fond of Chieri but he's useless until then

[bythewaves]

There was another here who spoke those words - one Sono Chieri. Did you know her? She was a bright light in a dark time. But beware - the days grow darker, and after recent... events, there are few in the courts who can be trusted. On either side.

private voice;

[truecaptain]

Mm, I know Chieri. She's a dear companion of mine and we've done a lot together. [ But she shakes her head. ]Even if things grow darker, I'll sing. We can't let the hope of light extinguish even when it's dark.

private voice;

[bythewaves]

Welcome to the Drabwurld then - from one who found a rare moment of joy in Chieri's song. You are brave and bright - may your light never find a cause to dim! Only be careful.

private voice;

[truecaptain]

Thank you. I know things can be dangerous anywhere, but that's not something we don't know anything about. Even so, as long as everyone's here there's nothing to worry about.

private voice;

[bythewaves]

Mm, you will be alone here, little star. Without your companions... it can be a lonely and dangerous road. This is war, Kanata Shinonome [ he says it slowly, to make sure he pronounces it right, his lilting accent turning her name into a song ] - a terrible cruel one, where the rulers play us as pawns on their boards.

private voice;

[truecaptain]

You're wrong.

[ It's said evenly, firmly. This was something she knew well, no matter where she was. ]

I know what war is. My father was a soldier. It's thanks to him that I was able to come this far. The other members of AKB0048 might not be here, but I'm not alone. There was a time I might have said I was... But everyone is together. Worlds and universes can't keep your feelings apart. I'm not going to give up when I know there's something I can do.

[video]

[chaoticwhimsy]

[Lumina is still figuring out the lockets so the image is a bit sideways but she can't resist responding to this. The child just looks...amused?]

Do you really think the world is noble enough that you'll be able to get them to just...listen to you?

[video]

[truecaptain]

You say that like I'm asking people to follow us. If they hear our song, then maybe they could take a minute to listen. It's not noble to enjoy music.

[video]

[chaoticwhimsy]

It is if you're expecting both sides to do it at the same time.

[Which was the impression she got, at least.]

[video]

[truecaptain]

Music isn't important to only one group of people.

[video]

[chaoticwhimsy]

But is it more important than whatever wrong they happen to be fighting over at the time?

[video]

[truecaptain]

Listening to our song isn't about choosing a side to fight on. People will choose to fight whether or not we sing, but maybe hearing it will help them somehow.

text

[earthsend]

[On one hand, Enma didn't particularly like talking to people, let alone girls (they were intimidating and scary). On the other, he's kind of curious about how songs are suppose to do anything]

How does singing help?

text

[truecaptain]

[ Well, there's certainly a complicated answer to this, but the honest one is much more simple. ]

[ Have you ever heard a song that made you smile no matter how bad your day was? ]

Re: text

[earthsend]

[Enma has to think about this for a moment]

Dunno. We can't afford to buy a tv or radio.

Re: text

[truecaptain]

You don't need either of those for that anymore.

Re: text

[earthsend]

But it's best if you want to listen to new things.

text

[truecaptain]

There's plenty of people who enjoy music here you could ask.