[open] they're playin' my song, I know I'm gonna be okay

[babbylon]

Who: Gilgamesh and everybody! Seriously, everyone's welcome to tag in.
When: Shortly following the Heroes' return from the dungeon.
Where: Carnival Phantasm, Caissa
What: It's a threeway mingle for Caissa's hottest businesses: Carnival Phantasm, Independent Action, and Heaven's Feel. Come get a taste of each!
Rating: General audiences, most likely.

Welcome to Caissa!



CARNIVAL PHANTASM

[Today, Carnival Phantasm has its doors open to the public. The fake sakura tree in the room seemed to be blooming through the power of some magic and the combination of sakura petals and glitter added to the festive atmosphere. Irisviel was quite serious when she meant for the place to have a party, fantastical feel. The smell of tea wafted through the air, the music played gently in the background and everything was set for Caissa's First Maid and Butler Cafe.

In the welcoming area would be the stations for Heaven's Feel and Independent Action that were set up for Gilgamesh's and Caren's businesses. A sign up sheet was also present on the wall for anyone interested for jobs at the cafe.

The proprietor herself was dressed in her maid outfit, flitting between the welcoming area, seating area and kitchen. She was also making sure that her platoon of maids and butlers were doing well and the customers were satisfied. If anyone was causing trouble, Irisviel would descend upon them and rain down the punishment of the heavens (in other words, throw them out or let Nobunaga get to them).

At the back of the cafe was a small stage. Whenever a substantial crowd of people had gathered during the festivities, Irisviel would step forward with a microphone and make a short speech addressing them all.

"Hello everyone, thank you for coming and supporting Carnival Phantasm! This wouldn't have been possible without the help of Caren and Gilgamesh, so please patronize Independent Action and Heaven's Feel as well. So please enjoy the food and drink, challenge your maids and butlers to a round of games or take a picture—I guarantee that Carnival Phantasm will take you away from the real world for a brief moment to somewhere fantastical! Kyu~~n. ♡"

And so the festivities would continue.]

INDEPENDENT ACTION

[Caren's station in the Carnival Phantasm may seem to be understated compared to the others. Instead of fancy glitter or anything similar, she's gone with an understated look. Crates have been placed around, and while some of them are clearly for atmosphere (they have rocks if anyone peeks inside) there are others that hold containers for tea, new tea pots, flasks, and various assorted items. What’s with those strange looking flowers...?

There is a tea station set up in front of the crates, with seating area around it. All tea samples are free! While they rotate throughout the day with other teas (Manatea and Enchantea being the most notable), there are the teas that are made for Carnival Phantasm and Heaven's Feel. Dirtea is made with Carnvial Phantasm in mind, which is a vanilla oolong that cleanses your heart and mind. Connectivitea was made for Heaven’s Feel, and is a black tea and chai blend, with cinnamon, cloves, and has golden glittery hearts that make the tea into a golden experience.]

HEAVEN'S FEEL

[Gilgamesh has gone all out for his station, suited to his ostentatious personality. He's cordoned off a section with golden streamers and designated it as a "speed dating" area, so those interested can fill out their own cards and get matched on the spot with their fellows! Tasty cakes and pastries are provided free of charge, and there are also a few representatives floating around to offer information about the business. Naturally, Gilgamesh is on call to assist with any and all needs, dressed in a stunning number of his own.

But it's not all romance! Anyone seeking friendships, business partners, and beneficial alliances are encouraged to make use of their services and sign up. Every so often Gilgamesh can be seen hosting fun games, too, such as musical chairs and trivia. Although much of the trivia curiously seems to be centered around Gilgamesh himself...

Gilgamesh is easily the most boisterous among the three, so if you're not doing anything, expect to get pulled over into his general sphere of influence.]

(( More info about the featured businesses can be found on their respective pages, as linked. Don't forget to fill out a card with Heaven's Feel while you're there! Just to clarify, this log takes place at Carnival Phantasm; all businesses are represented in the same area, so feel free to tag among the stations however you please! Get out there and mingle, guys!

As a final note, all business are also open to hiring! If you're interested in employment, just check out those pages and sign right up. ))

Comments

OTA

[seventhgen]

[i]

[Aigis is very dutifully serving as needed, wearing a traditional maid costume if anyone's ever seen one. In fact, contrary to the linked image, she's very good about holding trays and not dropping anything, calculating the way to shift the weight to best move around nigh-instantaneously.

She does seem to be mildly troubled, or at least thinking of something, all night. Until at last it comes out, and she turns to the nearest person whether customer or coworker and asks:]

Why does my uniform include stockings?

I was under the impression that their purpose is to tease a viewer with the expectation of what is underneath them, but my legs are made of metal and armor. They aren't very tantalizing.

[iii]

[Aigis has actually not filled out a card. Oops. To do so would be cheating on Minato, after all!

That hasn't stopped her from just randomly sitting down in the speed dating area, though. She's still in her maid uniform.] Hello there!

I

[maidhem]

I don't know who told you that,

[Felicia chimed up from behind, distracted from her admiration of all of the pretty cakes now by the young lady who was trying to wear stockings over armor for some reason.

She didn't even try to make sense of it.]

Stockings are a necessary part of the uniform because they help you keep warm in the winter and preserve your dignity. It's embarrassing to be so exposed-- although the public baths where you can relax with people of the same gender is the exception.

But....see?

[Felicia picked up the hem of her long skirt a few inches, just so the other woman could see the stockings she was wearing underneath it.]

It's really pretty normal. Lots of girls wear them!

I

[seventhgen]

[Aigis turns to see who had spoken from behind her. It's a girl whose face she doesn't recognize, but she seems to look like another hero.] I see... is that even the case if I don't have any particular need for warmth in the winter or the preservation of my dignity?

I'm not embarrassed if I'm not wearing any clothing.

[maidhem]

[This girl must be from a strange culture, Felicia decided. Almost every woman she'd ever met had been sensitive about being seen unclothed, and they all banded together to throw out the men-- even Lord Corrin-- who happened to wander into the hotsprings when it wasn't their turn.]

Well, [Felicia began,] Do you like looking cute like that? Even if you're not embarrassed without them, how do they make you feel?

[seventhgen]

Hmmm... [Aigis seems to think, tapping a white-gloved finger against her chin in what is very much a pensive pose, almost stereotypically so.] I do like looking at this, but it may be because I feel that like this, I'm aesthetically pleasing to others?

Perhaps I should try to enjoy these clothes for their own inherent value.

Sorry this took so long. A fall bug bit me something fierce.

[maidhem]

[Felicia couldn't help but smile at those words.]

Sometimes that's all you need. Confidence can be as cute as any shoes or skirts you wear-- and, as long as you feel 'cute', then you're going to be 'cute'!

...Does that even make sense

I hope you're feeling better!

[seventhgen]

[Again, Aigis thinks.] I think so?

You're saying that regardless of my actual appearance, the confidence itself becomes attractive in its own way?

But what if I were to be very not cute, while simultaneously believing myself to be?

It's not perfect, but mostly is good enough!

[maidhem]

I think you'd still be pretty cute.

[There was no hint of teasing at all in her smile-- her sentiments were genuine. After all, funny looking dogs and babies were cute-- why couldn't someone else not conventionally 'cute' still be 'cute'.]

[seventhgen]

[The smile Aigis gives her in response is full and genuine.] Thank you! I'll be sure to keep that in mind!

Even if I'm a machine, I can still be considered cute!

I

[notsolomon]

[This isn't the place that William would normally be in. It seems a bit... decadent, a maid cafe. But at the same time, he's curious and so here he is, looking at one of the menus when he's asked the most bizarre question.

And he turns and sees that it is his roommate. In one of those uniforms. And it is a bit strange when he thinks about it. A robot in a dress.]

I would assume that they did not want to discriminate and there are people with a variety of tastes after all.

[seventhgen]

[She hasn't spoken much with her new roommate until now, so why not get started? Aigis looks down at herself, white-gloved hands grabbing at her skirt.] I see... then perhaps they thought it would be appealing to some people if I wore it, even with my body how it is?

William-san, do you think it looks good?

[notsolomon]

[This is totally the place to have an actual conversation.]

There are all sorts of people as I said. And I think being a machine should hardly get in the way of such things.

[He pauses for a beat, feeling awkward.]

Yes, it does look very nice on you. It's quite... fetching.

[seventhgen]

[Awkwardness? What awkwardness? When he says that, Aigis just beams at him, a very human-looking smile.] Thank you! I'm very happy to hear that.

If that's the case, then I'll gladly continue to wear the stockings!

[notsolomon]

[Victorian Sensibilities probably don't help in his case.

But that is a nice smile, so he can't help but smile in return.]

As long as that is what you wish. Though I back home, from what I understand, all women where them anyways. So you certainly can't go wrong with them.

[seventhgen]

Oh? All women wear them, where you're from?

[A slow blink.] ...but then doesn't that diminish their uniqueness?

[notsolomon]

Well no, because most women are wearing longer skirts than that and not showing much leg. Or even ankle ideally.

[Let's not get into Victorian prudery here.]

So it's actually a bit novel to me.

[seventhgen]

Hmm. I don't understand. If skirts are long enough to preclude showing them, then what is the purpose of them? Are they not meant to tease and tittilate?

[i] im sorry for nothing

[ateaist]

[Oh...this must be the robot-turned-human girl she met a while back. Nobunaga takes a moment to actually look her over, interested in seeing now that she is in fact all metal.

Still, to answer her question;]

Isn't it obvious? Even robots can be moe.

[seventhgen]

Moe?

[Aigis just blinks at her. Metal or not, it's a very human expression of puzzlement on her face.]

...I don't understand what that means.

[ateaist]

It's...hm. I don't think cute really does it justice.

[She puts a hand to her chin, thinking it over briefly.]

Say Aigis, what makes your heart flutter? Robotic or not.

[She might be too poetic for such a literal minded robot...]

[seventhgen]

What makes my heart flutter? [Aigis closes her eyes for a moment as she thinks, and then opens them with a decisive nod.] If my heart were to flutter, that would indicate potentially severe malfunctions! I would need to undergo emergency maintenance right away.

[ateaist]

Err...hrm.

[Okay, never mind...

Or at the very least, before she tries to explain further-]

Does a machine like you have feelings...? If not, there's no point in trying to ask.

[She doesn't mean to be rude.

She just is by default.]

[seventhgen]

[Look, it's your fault for phrasing it in a metaphorical way that could be misinterpreted.

Aigis frowns, her expression turning more somber.] I... believe I have feelings. I feel happy, and angry, and sad. I don't always understand what I feel, however; I've only been feeling things for a year or so now.

Does that help?

1/2

[ateaist]

I see...so you're simply a rookie! Wahah! Well, that's fine...

To put it another way, it's like your heart soars and takes flight when it--!!

[ateaist]

...ah, I'm doing it again. Darn it.

It appears in this case, my way with words is working against me...

[She puts a hand to her chin in thought.]

Literal...literal...it's like a rising, emotional feeling that generates an extreme amount of joy. You may even feel compelled to hold or protect the source of your affection.

That is moe. Do you understand?