intro ♚ july

[boardmaster]

WELCOME TO CAISSA

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE ♟ Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo

Your Carriers and the floor nannies in your rooms relay, in unison and in the curt voice of Secretary Alexandre Verdoni, a public service announcement informing all Heroes of the Delphine Grand Ball, a masquerade hosted by the Gammonian Embassy to celebrate the Heroes’ successful defeat of Noir in the Lasker Incident and the safe arrival of international foccer superstar, Ryder Wreckham. It will be held tonight at 6 PM at the White Rose Multipurpose Function Building. There will be dancing, a live orchestra, a buffet and flowing drinks, and plenty of Blanc’s finest to schmooze with, so don’t miss it! The abrupt and lavish invitation might rattle the new arrivals, but those who’ve been here longer don’t seem surprised, and many don’t look very pleased, either.

Masks and formal wear are both said to be an absolute must, but if you’re strapped for cash or festive spirit, you could get away with wearing a clean Hero uniform. But why would you when Gammon’s elites are willing to provide Heroes with complementary masks, suits and dresses precisely for the occasion? And if you need any help with your clothes, hair, makeup, or date, don’t hesitate to ask your friends or the Hall of Glory’s maids and butlers for help.

As you get ready for the ball, your floor nannies may flip through a few radio stations to set the mood; one of them just so happens to be airing Voices from the Other Tide, a popular radio show based in Lasker’s The Shield. Its target audience is comprised of international refugees and immigrant communities, so you may have caught the show before during your stay in Lasker or your visits to Sparrow Towns all over the country.

Rocco Ricci: You are listening to Voices from the Other Tide! This fine Delphine evening, the suns are shining, the moons are just about to change color, and do YOU know where your trains are? I’m your host, Rocco Ricci, coming to you live from the center of The Shield! We’ve been looking at the fallout of the latest chapter in the war with Noir, the railway attacks that happened a few weeks ago right here in the heart of our very own city. I have with me today Nokoru Nokozaki, and it’s about that time. Time to let the survivors have their say, eh? What do you say, Nokozaki?

Nokoru Nokozaki: Ah, I’d like to say thank you for inviting me, and thank you very much for doing this show. I apologize if I am not able to give many clear answers, it was a very confusing time. A very confusing trip. I still don’t know how I survived, to be honest.

Ricci: Don’t sweat it, no sweat, eh? I’ll be asking all the questions and giving you half the answers, all you need to do is work with me and give our listeners a taste of what it was like, getting trapped in the middle of all that. Explosions and magic fireworks and what was that I heard, the Blanc military running around like chickens with their heads up their—

Nokozaki: Yes, thank you very much. It was a normal trip, to visit family in the— in The Shield, I believe you call this? I am not a refugee, but I know many who tried to settle in what we call the Blackest Empire, and tried to start again in the Lawless Lands, and failed. They came here, looking for something. I came here to see how they lived.

Ricci: Right, right, that’s how it always goes, isn’t it? Better bacon, better wallpaper, it’s what we’re all here for. Why, back when I was a— [ a sudden whine of feedback ] … Thank you, thank you, I’ll have that mic back. A recap for our listeners, a train with some 800 refugees was attacked and destroyed by Noir infiltrators just a couple weeks ago! Nokozaki here is one of the very few survivors. My condolences. Condolences.

Nokozaki: Thank you… It was lucky for me, I was in the mines in Shatranj. I have endurance, you know, I can walk very long distances without food, without water. No shelter. In the mountains we passed through, there is only bad weather. And when they blew up the train cars, we had to walk home on our own. Ah, but not home, you understand.

Ricci: I sure do. What was it, there was a rumor you came back with Commander de Lisbrand of the Blanc brass? There’s a firecracker if I’ve ever seen one — not that I’ve clapped my own eyes on her yet, may I be blessed — word has it she was stranded up in the mountains all on her lonesome for a while when Noir blew the whole army off the map, and she walked her fine self back to civilization! Why, we could do a whole segment on that alone!

Nokozaki: Is that not what we are doing? I assumed… I was to talk about my experiences marching with the Lady de Lisbrand, they are calling it the Iron March, I hear? She was not alone, but trapped in the mountain with a very small number of soldiers. And us, we were in the car with them when the bomb went off, but we did not know what had happened then. Only after we returned to Lasker…

Ricci: Oh, we know all about the Iron March! Is it true you all had to survive on rock moss and wild mountain cat?! Our listeners have gone wild with speculation! [ some rustling and clearing of throat ] But of course, of course you’re quite traumatized, I’m sure. A very difficult time. This is just one of many, many stories we’ve heard coming out of the Sorokina Mountains in recent days, and many more of them feature our Lady de Lisbrand. Stay tuned for some important upcoming guests, several of whom are still searching for family members gone missing in the chaos…

Despite the flurry of preparations and rumors flying about the ball in every alleyway, not everyone is interested in Delphine’s most prestigious event. Many of Caissa’s most eligible maidens have never danced at something so public! Some otherwise upstanding citizens just can’t be bothered to go, especially since they’re not the ones getting sponsored for free clothes. What’s the point in dropping half a year’s worth in wages on a fancy suit and tie or a ball gown?

For those who don’t wish to have anything to do with Blanc’s upper echelon or its martial celebrations, Uptown Caissa is abuzz with the biggest civilian event of the month: Festivale de la Ceinturonne, named after the sparkling, silver galaxy you can see on clear, summer night skies.

How about you, Hero? Which celebration will you choose? Or perhaps you'd like to double dip?

TWO ♟ Delphine Grand Ball

As two men in dapper suits greet you with synchronized bows and throw open the doors to the grand ballroom, the mellow strains of a live orchestral waltz flow out, filling the extravagant hall with the sound of soulful strings and whimsical woodwinds. Beautifully-dressed dancers move in pairs on the marble floor, swaying and gliding under a brilliant, crystal sky of chandeliers. The large, open arches that line the west side of the hall are decorated with massive velvet curtains that billow gently in the night breeze and hide both shyer dancers and small tables of finger foods. Young, passionate couples and colleagues in cahoots alike—sometimes it’s hard to distinguish the two—throng the balconies outside, enjoying the clear starred sky and the glow of Oubliette close at hand.

The crown jewel of the evening is, of course, the exquisitely bedecked and room-length tables laden with high-class food and drink the likes of which neither you nor the vast majority of ordinary Caissans have ever seen or heard. And they keep bringing out more! No spot on the table is to be left bare for the remainder of the evening! (Gerald, Hall of Glory Head Butler, highly recommends the champagne!) Some tables, however, might hold familiar dishes from French and British—er, Blanc and Gammonian cuisine. Most eye-catching are the tiered displays of pastel marshmallow cups and the tall and ornate fondue fountains of cascading chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. They’re a homage to the mallow-colored moon of Delphine, the goddess of love, and tradition suggests you share a mallow with someone you care about.

Blanc’s richest and most influential are all present and accounted for. If they’re not waltzing or eating caviar, then they will be conversing among themselves over exquisite wine. Some try to catch the attention of Ryder, whose giant and suspiciously realistic fur coat and suit look wholly inappropriate for the weather. He smokes an expensive-looking pipe encrusted with diamonds while a small, diligent bodyguard serves as his very own footrest. Prime Minister Thierry Toussaint mingles with the noblest of families, his mask adorned with feathers that fall nearly to the floor. Both individuals are as sought after as they are difficult to approach… You’d have better luck simply mingling with other VIPs and soliciting their opinions.

Most are full of hot air and idle gossip, but some express open discontent with Ryder’s views; must be that speech he made a while ago. Others take issue with the Prime Minister’s handling of affairs; still others have whispered doubts of Secretary Verdoni’s loyalties to share with you; Commander de Lisbrand does not escape scrutiny either, despite not being present. There’s also talk of the new wave of Blanc leadership, though you can never quite get a name to go with the ambitious rumors. However, you will notice that, despite their poisonous tongues, Blanc’s best and brightest seem to be quite taken with you!

This is your chance. What you say to the VIPs can influence their opinions of Blanc’s leadership, the Lasker incident, and Blanc’s course of action from here on out, for better or for worse. (You are allowed to control the unnamed VIP NPCs. What did you tell them?)

THREE ♟ Wish Upon A Star

Maybe you looked at the people around you, the ones you’d be dancing and schmoozing and seen with in the papers the morning after, and thought, ”Not happening.” Perhaps the ballroom is too grand, the people too snazzy, or the music too classy; it makes your head spin right round. Some fresh air and eavesdropping on the veranda may just clear your head.

On the way out, you may notice a certain someone sitting at one of the veranda tables, surrounded by paperwork and a delicately stacked pile of beignets. Shouldn’t Secretary Verdoni allow himself to celebrate for once in his life? Upon closer (and discreet) inspection, it looks as if the paperwork is exclusively composed of reports on the Lasker incident. Does Verdoni look increasingly unhappy the deeper he digs into the stack? It’s also possible his face is just stuck that way.

It may be best to leave him to his work; though trying to engage him in conversation will lead to:

Verdoni Do I look like I have the time to speak with you? [ he says briskly, but relents quickly ] Perhaps just a moment. The situation in Lasker is improving, thanks to your efforts. Well done. Your work in reaching out to residents of The Shield has eased tensions, though it’s still a long ways away from what I’d consider good. Of course, our work is never done. [ his gaze flicks back to the paperwork before him; it’s clear by ‘our’ he means ‘my’ ] That’s not even getting into the reports I’ve been hearing from Petrosian. People disappearing, strange things in the river… it may be nothing, but keep your eyes open.

Should you leave the premises entirely and walk on through Uptown Caissa, you’ll find the chance to experience an entirely different aspect of Blanc culture. Around this time of the year, the week-long Festivale de la Ceinturonne is taking place in the streets and skies of the capital: the people of Caissa are heavily encouraged to write poetry about their dreams and desires so as to receive blessings from Delphine, goddess of love and the arts. These small wishes are folded and tied to trees around the Oubliette Temple Shrine.

Many commoners appear cheerful as they gather and offer their wishes to Delphine. The bright, star-shaped lanterns hanging from buildings and trees create a mellow atmosphere and attract crowds of lovey-dovey couples around who seem too happy to have wishes at all. Maybe you feel up to taking a peek at some of the local merchandise: colored cookies and good luck charms lovingly made in bird and mermaid shapes, or well-coveted couple bracelets with two parts that make one whole. But be careful! Losing your bracelet is said to bring bad luck!

The streets are also absolutely bustling with errant performers of all kinds, many of whom tell their own versions of the story of la Ceinturonne: said to be the sash of Delphine herself stretched across the sky in a river of stars, it separates the famous doomed couple of legend. The bluebird Ilatar and the mermaid weaver Geva are said to have been cursed by Delphine for their carelessness, and may only meet once a year at the mouth of the great river. Some performers may be looking for helping hands to play roles in the story! Let your inner thespian shine!

But not everyone can be happy, even once a year: the rumblings of civil unrest in Lasker have increased in volume ever since the train attacks. Many of the aforementioned street performers this year seem to have added a political or darker bend to our annual tale of great romance: in some versions, Ilatar and Geva backstab Delphine outright, while in others, the river itself turns against the lovers, and so on and so forth. A great deal of graffiti has been smeared over the pristine walls behind the temple, lambasting the Prime Minister for selling his country to the Gammonian and Noir old money.

If you wish to quell the unrest, you may put on counter performances, clean the graffiti, or invent your own, more creative means of quieting the people. Be advised, though: Blanc’s masses have had their eyes opened, and it will take some fancy footwork to close them again.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's July intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Comments

rin tohsaka | ota!

[defenceless]

♟ share a mallow
[someone should have told rin that it's not polite to throw food away after you've only eaten one bite of it. she stands at a long table full of luxurious refreshments, clearly distressed. ... by the, er, looks of things, a pastel marshmallow cup is at fault? her jaw moves, and she's chewing slowly, then swallowing.

then, complaining—in a hissed voice hopefully to herself but whoops you can hear it anyway, nice job rin.]

Th-That's so sweet—! Ugh, it's... sickeningly sugary...

[help a girl out. she has half of a mallow cup in her hand, and this is bound to be sticky if nobody comes to her rescue...]

♟ share a dance
[it happens with little to no warning. rin approaches a fellow hero in her dress and mask, her long hair streaming down her back adorned only with a few decorations. she offers a hand to you wherever you are across the ballroom, politely asking,]

May I have this dance?

[with the perfect composure of an elegant young woman.

or, perhaps you catch her first, hero? rin may be briefly surprised by any requests to dance with her, but she'll quickly nod her head. (even if she dislikes you or hates your guts—what's up with that?!)]

... Of course.

[is it strange how, sooner or later, you end up dancing very close to some of the gossiping elites? don't think too much about it.]

♟ share a... wildcard
[want to get a little tipsy off expensive wine? relentlessly charm some vips? spend some quality moments out on the balcony? rack your brains to think up hopes and dreams to write down, wonder wth couple bracelets are, or put on elaborate counter performances of the story of star-crossed lovers?

rin is up for anything, and she'll be out at the festivale de la ceinturonne later, too! feel free to just tag in, or pm/reach me on plurk at nasuporn if you want to plot specifics!]

dance dance

[sealeted]

Oh.

[Hakuno blinks at the invitation, before quickly nodding. Her dress seemed to be made specifically for ease in moving across the dance floor, after all, and she enjoys speaking with Rin, usually. Surely she'll enjoy dancing just as much?]

Certainly, if you don't mind taking the lead. I'm, uh, less than experienced, as you might imagine.

[defenceless]

[that's the spirit, hakuno.]

You don't have to worry about it. [rin narrows her eyes at her and smirks over her shoulder, in a way that manages to be both inviting and somewhat... callous...? sorry!

but she's like this.]

I expected that I would be leading.

[sealeted]

[Rin is still trailing astronomically behind Gilgamesh in those terms. She's fine.]

Well, then I'll do my best to properly follow. Thanks.

mallows

[quaria]

[ After Rin audibly complains about her sweet mallow cup, Setsuna approaches. He's not wearing the Hero uniform for once, instead in a dark blue attire complete with a mask that reassembles a knight's helm. It might take a bit to recognize him, but that fluffy black hair of his is at least easy to distinguish.

As for Rin, well, her voice is more than enough for him. And the way she pouts. Yeah, he knows those tsundere ojousama moves anywhere. ]

Try the dark chocolate fountain. It might off-set or at least lessen the sweetness. I believe they arranged the bitterness in order.

[ He turns to face the array of chocolate fountains, the colors differing according to how sweet or how bitter they are. The milk chocolate ones are the lightest in texture. ]

[defenceless]

[rin doesn't recognize setsuna immediately—there are enough dark-haired men behind masquerade masks for her to give herself a moment or two—but, of course, when he talks his identity is unmistakable. she blushes deeply, flustered at being caught at less than her best by him.]

Ah... I-It's not so bad. [stammering, she attempts to cover for her poor manners.] I was only joking. I'll eat it—to do otherwise is wasting it.

note!

[defenceless]

(( I'm continuing threads on this post, if you would like to! ))

dancing

[cutiepanther]

[ Having been around long enough to make a name as a Hero (even if she still wished people would stop drawing certain things in her likeness) and as well... pretty as she can be, it's no wonder that Maki's had to turn down a few offers to dance so far.

She had to be a little surprised though, pushing up the cat-like mask as she looked down at the other girl's hand who had just offered it to her. The face of course isn't familiar, not that mask helps any but... Maki blushes just a tiny, using her hand to twirl a strand of her red hair around it. ]

S-Sure.

[ It couldn't hurt to get to know someone new. And Maki is skilled in dancing, thanks to the endless lessons from a professional. And for one reason or another Maki is actually excited to be asked to dance, but she doesn't think too hard on why.

So she takes Rin's hand, and follows her to the dance floor, letting her decide which position she'd like to take. Either way Maki could adjust, to lead or follow as it were. ]

[defenceless]

[given maki's just a little taller, rin openly allows her to lead. it might be clear in how she pauses momentarily to wait for her once they're out on the floor, keeping their hands lightly interlinked when she holds up her gold mask to her face with the other. rin isn't blushing—in fact, she's near-silent, smiling—but she thinks it's cute maki is. to be honest, asking for dances is the equivalent of so much eavesdropping for her here, but she doesn't necessarily mind presenting something for the stuffy elites to watch while they grumble.

she has no idea if two girls dancing together is as rare in caissa as it is at home, although rin, of course, could care less.

rin fails to even chide her for being too nervous. patiently, she stands, ready to have an arm wrapped around her or be drawn into a twirl, however maki wished to direct them. it was all fun.]

b!

[femmefailtale]

[Operation 'ask any girl who seems even remotely bored' to dance had been an unusual success.]

[Meliora was surprised by this but took it as a stroke of good luck... until Rin had danced them both closer towards the elites and their gossip. She's too perceptive not to notice that they're in earshot of the classy types chatting it up about this and that and who-trusts-who and who needs to go... leaving her with the choice between enjoying the moment or saying something about it.]

Aha. So it's like that. [She whispers it quietly, making sure those nobles didn't have a chance to catch on.] Should have known, a girl accepting a dance before even learning my name. I like your style.

[defenceless]

[meliora is just enough of a new face that her dance partner has the audacity to look offended. she juts back, raising one eyebrow in displeasure.]

Excuse me?!

wildcard

[sediments]

Rin!

[ Irresponsibly late, Bolin comes running into the ball with slightly out of breath and looking incredibly beleaguered. He'd been overwhelmed almost the instant that he stepped inside, the grandeur of it so shocking and unusual after having been trapped in a dark closet. He's clutching his mask in one hand, not even having bothered to put it on, trying to see through the crowds of beautiful people to find the girl that he'd essentially stood up.

It's a quite a relief when he finally spots her, her face turned away from him and he feels guilty even as he walks up to her. ]

Hey, Rin. I'm really sorry— the weirdest thing happened...

[defenceless]

[is that...?

her head perks up from the flute of wine she'd been nursing, ears tuned to what she thought was bolin's voice. when he approaches her at her back, mollifying her with excuses, she's definitely sure it's him.

she's not happy. he did keep her waiting, didn't he? she was beginning to worry she would end up deserted for the rest of the night, while he danced with other girls or just forgot about her— being alone has given her plenty of time to concoct a suitable punishment for bolin, and before she whirls around, she's determined to show him she is upset and he made a mistake, bucko.

instead, she instantly focuses on his black eye, throwing all would-be anger to the wind.]

B-Bolin! What happened to you?!

[she's on him in seconds, body to body, which is quite the tempting prospect when she's dressed so beautifully, her mask dropped out of the way.]

dance

[sommer]

[ Rin looks so overly serious and tryhard with her offer that Anna can't interpret it any other way than to think the other girl is joking around, which is why Anna waves her hand around and responds in a fake noblewoman accent. ]

Ohohoho, why, you may, my dear!

[ She had to make it weird. ]

[defenceless]

[who's responsible for making it weird, though, rin or anna? tryhard could basically be her middle name, so it's valid to joke around...

not that she appreciates it too much. rin snatches her hand and pulls her out to the dance floor with a frown.]

You don't have to make a scene...

[she hisses that over her shoulder, but perhaps it would have made more sense to tell anna that while they were still on the sidelines.]

i hope youre ready for archer hell | mallows

[guerrilla]

[It's been hilarious watching this girl try to eat a mallow cup, it truly has. And when Robin sees she has a plight on her hands - !]

So throw it out? You don't have to eat it, you know.

[He immediately decides to make it worse.]

i am always ready

[defenceless]

[rin whips around so fast it sends her hair flying, glaring at him even through her mask.]

Who asked you for your opinion?!

[rude, robin. you're supposed to act like she's not making a scene...]

let's go wild card

[showsnopiety]

[Somehow, this became kind of a wine off. Not whining, though they were watching and listening to some gossiping. But Caren had had a glass of wine. Rin had a glass of wine.

And one the other had finished, the other had to have another one. Caren was cheating a bit-she was used to having alcohol, at least watered down, for some time now. Rin was a bit taller and had more...curves...so they might have evened out.

There had been a lot of silence. Mostly because when one of them bad been about ready to say something to the other, someone would come up to one, or the other, and there might be a request to dance or a question asked, or some sort of nonsense.

But now....Caren rubs her finger against the glass, watching as one of the VIPs go by.]

When a man dresses with so much glitter and flash, you have to wonder what's wrong in his life.

[She nods at the gentleman in question. That maybe a way to start a conversation where they're not punching each other? Maybe.]

[defenceless]

[rin would have to be drunk to tolerate caren's presence... and she is more than a little tipsy, past what she expected. it isn't that she doesn't know how to hold her alcohol—though she's inexperienced with drinking, as well—but that she's sipped from so many flutes of champagne, by now. predictably, she's been asked for dance after dance, and rin usually entertains most of the requests.

... she probably still isn't very pleasant company, however. her blue eyes dart to the man in question and rin shrugs.]

To the contrary, it's when a man dresses in nothing like that at all that I think you have to be the most suspicious... It's like Kirei.

[a familiar name comes out without her realizing it.]

Kirei can dress like that if he wants to. But a man who's just weird doesn't care to look anything but weird, either.

wildcard

[rollin]

[ Two things. One, this shell bra slips off his nonexistent chest too easily and also, embarrassing. Two, ]

Why do I have to be the mermaid!?

[ He did his best to memorize and practice all his lines, but he can't hide the fact that he has some qualms about this plan. Especially when Rin can make a pretty sassy mermaid herself! ]

[defenceless]

[she's showing off some of that sassiness now, in fact, when she places one hand at her hip and reaches out with the other towards yata, holding her palm open. there are more enjoyable situations either of them could be in than being forced into putting on a play, but complaining will only make a scene.]

Well, then let me play the mermaid!

[she speaks over the so-called director, not really caring what he says. it's better than embarrassing themselves? they're supposed to make a good impression on the people as heroes, not a bad one.]

I-I'll wear it...!

[arguably, the crowd would be happier with that sight...?]

♟ mallows - DON'T WASTE FOOD

[locktouches]

[niles is on the case. hopefully rin doesn't scare too easily, because niles is right behind her in an instant.]

I hope you're planning on finishing that.

[his voice is light and jovial but there's definitely something serious in his eyes when he looks at the food and then at rin.]

I can think of at least three groups of people who would literally kill you to get at any of the food you have, or will half-eat this evening.

WOW

[defenceless]

[rin is so surprised by the sound of his voice that she fumbles the marshmallow cup. failing to drop it, she glares at niles as though she's offended—and promptly blanches when she notices how serious he is.]

Of course I'm going to finish it...! I'm not so unrefined! I'm not stupid.

wildcard

[yaoihand]

[ A paper in his hand, Kija (who's still in the white hanfu he had went to the ball in) finds himself as a loss for what to do. The temple priests had told him to write a simple poem - it could be about what he hoped would happen, or what he wanted to do with his life, or about anything, really. With such a broad range of things he could write about, Kija finds himself quite stuck.

So he goes glancing through the poems written by other people, for a rough idea on just how a poem is supposed to go. He never dwelled in the arts as a child, focusing instead on training his body. It's all foreign territory.

One poem catches his eye. Or, it would be more right to say it completely baffles him. Kija reads it aloud with bewilderment in his tone. His refined way of speech doesn't seem to fit the crude subject matter at all. ]

"There was a young fellow named perkin
Who was always jerkin his gherkin
His father said perkin
Stop jerkin your gherkin
Your gherkins fer ferkin not jerkin"

[ Looks like some of Caissa's naughtier poets are using their creativity for evil! The shrine-goers around him give him a bit of the stink-eye, and this only confuses Kija further. ]

I do not understand. What does this mean ...?

[defenceless]

[rin won't be much help. still, she welcomes herself up close to kija easily (close enough, you could say, to press against him in her golden gown) and cranes her neck to read the poem as well. she can't help it—his beautiful reading of... frankly perplexing words grabbed her attention.

—oh, without asking, she'll reach over with a hand and rest it next to his on the slip of paper, holding it straight.]

Ah. [unfortunately, she has no idea. her brow furrows.] It must mean something. Maybe if we read it again, it'll become clearer.

[so, rin proceeds to recite the same poem—slowly—in a slightly imperious and feminine tone. this causes even more people to look at them like they're filthy. someone offers as an angry aside,]

Hey. You two will get more thrills if you jerked his gherkin, just saying.