One of the newer places built for Otogakure, the Opulus Crystallium is a large outdoor stage where performances are held. The entrance has an alcove in which a large crystal statue of a beautiful woman, holding a harp similar to the Otokage's stands in it, smiling upon all who enter the area. The stage has a large half dome that almost looks like a giant shell made of light blue crystal, which music travels off of in a precise manner, filling the area with song. It is also used as a place for plays, operas, and other acts.
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:52 am
♪ ♫ ♪Mirakuruuta Sora♫ ♪ ♫ ♫ ♪ Otokage ♫ ♪
"Collect and treasure every memory and never count the cost."
As the gentle breeze blew through the area, golden tresses swayed about in the wind. With harp in hand, the Otokage approached the large statue of a woman holding a harp similar to his. "Well mother, it seems like it's going to be another wonderful day!" Of course, not able to reply to Miraku, the statue remained silent, smiling softly at him. With a cheerful smile, the Otokage went around the alcove holding the crystal sculpture and began walking down the steps of the Opulus Crystallium. It was hard to believe that it wasn't long ago that he built it, and many things in Otogakure before that.
Standing upon the stage was like eating a delicious sweet. The sensation never wore off, and it made you feel like nothing could stand in your way. As he looked out upon the empty crystal benches, the Otokage wondered if the populace would be interested in a music festival to go along with the upcoming season. It certainly would liven things up around this place. Closing his eyes, Miraku strummed his harp gently, the tune being produced melodic in key. After a brief pause, the Otokage began to play, filling the whole area with his song. As the notes traveled along the large half-domed crystal structure, they resonated with the benches of the same material. The tune spoke of springtime, when the plants were born anew, and life began to stir.
"A reflection sometimes exposes more reality than the object it echoes."
Pink and white furry ears twitched as the young feline sat up, aqua blue eyes wide as she looked around. She had fallen asleep outside in a tree... Again. She couldn't help it though! It was just so warm and cozy and... Her mouth opened, stretching to reveal pointed canines as she gave a soft, almost mewing yawn. She brought a gloved hand up, right eye closing as she rubbed the back of her slender, fur covered fingers across it, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes. Soft pink nose twitched before she yawned again, shaking her head this time as she slowly shifted on the branch she had perched herself on, moving to lay on her stomach before she pushed up onto her hands and knees, back arching as she stretched up, raising up onto her toes. Slender, white furred body slowly twisted and shifted as she rolled her shoulders, long tail lightly swaying as she walked her hands back to where she could sit back, almost as if she were sitting on her haunches like her more animalistic cousins. She ran her tongue along the roof of her mouth and lips, tail coming to wrap around her ankles and wrists as she looked about lazily. What had caused her to wake up?
Ears swiveled atop her head as she listened for the sound, blinking as she heard it. It was coming from the Crystallium... That she had been napping next to. Her mouth opened slightly as she leaned over slightly, as if trying to look through the crystal walls of the dome like structure to see who it was that was within playing. Her ears stood straight as she listened, the tip of her tail flicking slightly. Whoever it was, they were very good. Very very good... The young female moved now, shifting forward as she pushed off of the branch with her hands and back feet, her slender body stretching as she leaped from the branch to land, hands first with a soft exhale of air, then back feet touching, tail swaying as she started forward on all fours at first, taking only a few steps before standing upright, brushing her hands together to get the dirt and grass from them. Her hips swayed slightly as she walked, causing her long tail to sway in time with her steps.
Her ears twitched and swiveled as she came up closer to the dome, swiveling back to lay against her head as she snuck around the backside of it, not knowing who was playing, she didn't want to frighten them into stopping. She put her hands to the crystal walls of the stadium, leaning back slightly as she felt the vibrations of the sounds through the crystal. Blinking, she looked toward the opening, still not yet able to see the person inside. Looking around, as if looking for someone, the female dropped down, moving once more on her hands and back feet, slinking around as silently as the species of great cat that her family was akin to. Her tail was kept down as she moved around to the front of the stadium, keeping close to the front of the stage and hopefully hidden. She stopped as she came to the middle of the front, crouching as she looked up, not yet moving to where she could see anything yet. Her ears raised, aqua eyes blinking as she brought her hands forward, hesitating a moment before reaching up and placing them on the edge of the stage. Slowly she sat up, her ears swiveling back against her head as she raised up just enough to get her eyes above the rim of the stage so she could see who it was that was playing.
As she saw the Otokage, her ears perked up, and she gave a soft gasp of surprise and glee, her tail starting to swish back and forth happily. So it had been him playing! She smiled, settling a bit as she watched and listened to him play, a soft purr starting to rumble in her throat.
"Collect and treasure every memory and never count the cost."
Miraku continued to sing, his voice filling the Opulus Crystallium with song. As he drew to a close, he glanced down to see the small girl watching his performance. Looking down with a soft smile, the Otokage recognized the young Reyne. "Ah, Hoshi-chan. It's a pleasure to see you. I hope you enjoyed the performance" Taking his eyes away from the girl, he looked out upon the empty seats, picturing them filled with citizens of Otogakure no Sato.
Looking back to the young Reyne, the Otokage smiled once more. "What can I do for you today, Hoshi?" He was curious if she was looking for a mission to do, or was just there to listen to him play. It was always nice to have those he cared for within range to have a conversation with.
"A reflection sometimes exposes more reality than the object it echoes."
She continued to purr as she listened to the Otokage play, her aqua blue eyes closing as she smiled, swaying back and forth slightly with the melody. As it ended, her eyes fluttered back open, raising to look up at the man's soft, sky blue orbs. Her smile widened, her ears perking up as he spoke to her, saying he hoped she enjoyed the music. She gave a soft giggle, nodding as she stood, pushing down against the stage as she lifted herself up, a leg coming up to put her foot against it as she hoisted herself onto the stage. She purred, bounding over to the Otokage and stopping in front of him to sit back on her haunches, her long pink tail swaying back and forth. "Nya! Oh yes! It was very very nice Otokage-kun!" She looked back at the empty seats as she saw his gaze shift before she looked back at him again, "Are you going to play for the village? I bet they would love to hear it!" she remarked, her head tilting to the side slightly as she watched him.
The young man's appearance was rather deceiving, he was actually the village leader, and their strongest Shinobi! In a way, she loved the man, sort of like a family member loves one another, not in that whole... lovey way. Anyway! As he asked her what he could do for her, she blinked, her left ear swiveling to the side and lowering slightly, "Uhm... I don't know. I was sleeping and heard you playing. But! If there's anything that needs to be done, I can do it!" She smiled at him, showing her fanged teeth, her eyes closing as she did so momentarily before cracking back open, her pupils slitted due to the brightness of the outside, the sun causing her aqua eyes to sparkle slightly.
"Collect and treasure every memory and never count the cost."
As he listened to the genin speak, the Otokage couldn't help but smile. She had merely been sleeping, and was awoken by his music playing. "I apologize for waking you from your catnap, Hoshi. As for what you can do, there are missions that I could give you. You are a genin, and need to start somewhere if you are to ascend the ranks." Of course Miraku had no doubt that Hoshi would do well, but he was not joking when it came to the needs of doing jobs for the village.
Miraku began to walk from the stage, and made his way out to the front of the Opulus Crystallium to stand in front fo the statue of his mother once again. As he stared upon the work of art, he pondered if he would be able to make her proud in the afterlife with all the work he has done. Another thought that had occurred to him was what to give Hoshi as a task. There were plenty of villagers that needed assistance, it just came down to what would be the most beneficial to bother her and the villager.
"A reflection sometimes exposes more reality than the object it echoes."
Hoshi shook her head, her ears swiveling back before perking forward again as the Otokage apologized for waking her, "Nya~! It's alright Otokage-kun! It was only suppose to be a short nap anyway. Besides, I really like listening to you play." She seemed to sit a little straighter as he spoke about what she could do. He had a point... She did need to start working more so she could get stronger and become a ninja that not only the Otokage and the village could be proud of, but that her family could as well. That was why she was here, or at least partly why she was here, right?! She nodded her head, ears swiveling back as the Otokage stood. Her tail wrapped around her ankles and wrists as the man started walking, and for a moment, the female seemed unsure of whether to follow or not. Looking from the chair he had been in to his now slowly retreating form, her ears lowered against her head before perking up as she bounded forward, standing upright and hopping off of the stage after him.
"What missions are there for me to do Otokage-kun?" she asked softly as they walked. When she saw him stop at the statue of the woman, she paused, hanging back a bit. Her ears swiveled back, flattening against her head as she watched him. He had an almost far away look on his face, and the young girl felt it best to not interrupt his moment. Her tail hung low, curling up a bit as it neared the ground to keep out of the dirt, swaying slightly back and forth. Her ears swiveled forward again, right one flicking and moving to the side and lowering a bit as she watched and waited for the Otokage.
"Collect and treasure every memory and never count the cost."
The Otokage looked to Hoshi, and then smiled. "Well, I know this task would probably not be one of your more...preferred options, but there is a need for a dog walker at the moment in Jaguar's Square. Aside from that, I would have to go back to my office to get a list of what is available." He smiled, knowing that she knew she could do it, even if there was a little friction on the issue. That would be something though. A cat walking a dog.
Turning back to face the statue of his mother, Miraku did a short prayer, making the necessary motions for it. With that, he began to walk towards his office, knowing that with the slip of paper he handed to Hoshi, she would be granted the leash of the dog she would be walking. It was thankfully only a corgi. That shouldn't be too terribly hard to handle.
"A reflection sometimes exposes more reality than the object it echoes."
She perked up as the Otokage gave her her first mission, her ears standing straight as she grinned widely. "Yes sir!" she exclaimed happily, taking the slip of paper from him before turning and bounding away excitedly. Yes, she was going to have to walk a dog... and while she wasn't the fondest of dogs, her being a cat and all, she didn't overly dislike them... She just hoped that it was a good dog, and not some big mean thing that hated cats.
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