Shin Megami Tensei Persona: Dissonant Strain (Private RP)

[Cinnonym]

"Uhh..." Eber paused, waiting for an acceptable lie to fly to his lips, "It was for Mori. He told me I had to write an essay in compensation for the cleaning I was supposed to do. Ishikawa-senpai received a similar punishment." He rummaged in his desk drawer and pulled out one chopstick and one pencil and began eating the lunch the boy had made for him.

 

[Rosen2012]

Karin was enthralled by Mizushima. Asking questions from where she shopped, what were her hobbies, to what products she used. Always careful to never let it slip her families financial situation. No no no, she wanted to impress Mizushima. Not make her think she was some scrubbing nobody.

"Oh!" She stopped when she saw the crowd, "We're here already. Time flies, huh...are you here with anyone? You could come over with me and my friends."

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Huh? Yeah, sure. Why not? I'm not here with anyone." what was it today? Maybe he was just far too excited about the competition, but she just kept agreeing to these things. There was still some time to linger about, so why not linger with people to help things move along?

----

Akinari's jaw had just given up and gone lax. "E...Eber-kun! Don't use a pencil!" why was it that every time Eber went to eat the same little sirens in his head set off? He riffled through his bag and took out another set of chopsticks. "Please...please use these."

 

[Rosen2012]

Karin lead Mizushima through the crowd until she found her friends. A group of kogals who also sported red and black colors, but who's look was a bit more put together. Karin introduced Mizushima before introducing her girlfriends.

For Karin today was a great day. Her brother be damned.


----


Kojiro had just made it to Seikai-Hana just in time. He could not be late for work. Ever. He was once and his boss nearly killed him. Oddly enough the one time he was late was due to his idiot sister. As soon as he was clocked in and his apron was on he set to work.

He actually enjoyed work. He enjoyed that feeling of earning something. And the steady rhythm of customers, carrying orders, and chatter kept his mind off of the things that weighed him down. In away it was as relaxing as fencing. Back and forth. From table to kitchen. From customer to customer.

He mind was too occupied to worry about Shadows, grandparents, siblings or school work. There was only the here and now, and for those few hours, he was stress free.

 

[Daren58]

Rin returned to her dorm room after class. She could barely recall anything after leaving the tunnels last night. 'Ugh I need a nap before I do anything else.' She kicked off her shoes as she closed the door to her room, and dropped her bag by her desk. She proceeded to fall on her bad as she reached it.

she rolled onto her left side and closed her eyes hoping sleep would come quickly. 'hm maybe when I wake up, I'll study a little or see how the others were doing.'

 

[Cinnonym]

Eber looked surprised that it seemed to be such a big deal, but he shrugged and accepted the extra pair of chopsticks, eating as quickly as usual. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until the food touched his tongue.

------

At the modeling auditions, you see a huge gathering for the event, almost one hundred percent women from age 15 to--you assume by looking at those horrible crows' feet--50. Men's auditions are taking place as well, in a separate room down the hall. You know because the lines seem to be mingling during the idle period before the test shoots begin.

While you and the gaggle of girls converse, an Okunote executive enters the hall, clearing his throat before announcing, "All right, girls, welcome to the try-outs! We will now be interviewing applicants one at a time, so please listen carefully for your name to be called and have your portfolio at the ready! We're very pleased to have such a turn out!"

He looked down at his clipboard and called the first girl inside. Looks like you'll have to wait your turn.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Akinari muttered something about needing to learn the Heimlich Maneuver. He started to eat, shaking his head. Maybe he should start giving him little increments of food at a time. At least that way he had less of a chance of choking.

"Um...So...is the study group already filled up?"

-----

"Oooh! It looks like it's starting." she nearly squealed with all the excitement. Though as more names were called she grew more nervous. There were a lot of people to compete with. She wasn't necessarily worried about the women over the age of twenty-five, but some of the girls were just gorgeous.

 

[Rosen2012]

Karin and her friends were equally as excited. They checked out the other girls and Mizushima as well to see where they stood. Karin's little group erupted into a fit when one of their names was called. They cheered the other girl on as she left. Telling her to keep her cool or she'd start to sweat, or too be careful not to trip. And not to let anyone intimidate her.

 

[Cinnonym]

There was an abrupt gagging noise as Eber attempted to breathe and swallow at the same time; he beat on his chest with a fist a couple times until his throat finally forced the food down so that he could remember what air tasted like.

"Ah--Well--Akinari-kun. I do not think you want to spend your day off Sunday simply studying..." He gave the other boy a somewhat awkward smile, wondering how he'd take the very subtle hint.

------

Twelve minutes later, Karin's friend ran out of the room crying, stumbling in her heels to collapse into her friends' comforting arms while her mascara positively leaked from her eyes.

"Mizushima Kumiko-san!" The man calling your name stands at the front of the line expectantly.

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Awww, but you guys are able to balance all that extracurricular stuff and school. I guess you're right though, I'm probably not capable of taking on that much." he chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. "It was rude of me to intrude."

---

'Oh God, what did they do to her? Wait...that's my name!' Kumiko felt her stomach drop. "You can do this." She took a deep breath. 'Or at least make it out of here without crying. You've got to act like you're meant to be here.' She calmed herself, smiled, and walked through the door.

 

[Cinnonym]

"No, do not feel that way. ...The next time, I promise you may come. I simply... want to talk it over with the rest of the group first. It only seems polite." Eber reached over to ruffle his hair friendly-like, and with a degree of comfort. "Your food is delicious as always."

------

The man looks pleased with your general appearance. Inside is a metal folding chair set in front of a panel of four judges--two male, two female. One of the women, practically ancient you notice, asks sharply to see your portfolio.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Akinari seemed pleased enough. He hadn't considered the others. He would just simply have to wait for an invite. His normal smile returned to his face. "I didn't think of that. Thanks!"

"And you missed today's run. Are you going to run twice as hard?" he teased.

---

Kumiko approached the elderly woman and politely handed over her portfolio in the old fashioned way; both hands on the item and with a slight bow. She walked back far enough to see all of her judges and for all of them to see her. This wasn't so bad...

"I'm Mizushima, Kumiko. Thank you for having me, it is a pleasure to meet you."

 

[Cinnonym]

He laughed aloud at that, rubbing his face, "Ah... Am I permitted to nap first?"

------

The group mulled over the photographs in the portfolio while their applicant stood patiently waiting. They critiqued it amongst themselves in low voices before one of the men turned to Kumiko again.

"And why have you decided to model for Okunote, Miss Mizushima?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

"You can nap. You need it." he pat Eber on the shoulder. "Let me know when you're awake again, okay? I'll let you sleep. And just because you missed a run, doesn't mean to over do it." he waved on his way out. "Sleep well!"

-----

"Are you kidding? I don't mean to gush, but your company has amazing products." she went on to talk about what the items did for her and gave them great praise. At least she did actually own a good share of the items from the company's make-up line. "I'd like to think that I wear them well. I would love to be one of the new faces for Okunote if you'll have me. I want to model for Okunote because I believe it is best to use someone who uses and truly appreciates the merchandise."

 

[Cinnonym]

"Thanks, Aki," he gestured with the empty bento as he left the room and sighed after he'd gone. He wasn't entirely sure how he was going to convince someone like Ishikawa to attend a legitimate study group... But he might be able to talk some of the others into throwing something together for appearance's sake. Perhaps form a legitimate club... He shrugged it off for now and collapsed back into bed fully-clothed, hoping to God sleep would return.

------

The judges seem delighted by your complimentary and tactful reply. One of the men says, "We'd like you to go ahead with your practice shoot. You may choose anything from the racks supplied for an outfit. Your prompt will be... ah..."

"'Put Life into your Looks'," the other man finishes for him. "Be... playful. And energetic. Compose an outfit and we'll see how you translate onto film in our environment."

You've been given a challenge!

 

[ShadowFolk]

'Playful? I can do playful.'

She chose a high-waist, boned skirt. It was teared, similar to the school uniform. It was a solid, powdery gray. Tucked into the skirt was a sleeveless, baby pink blouse that hugged her body with a charming ruffle at the neck. Buttons in the shape of hearts trailed down the front. Poking out of the bottom of the skirt as if it were playing a game of peek-a-boo was a thin lace petticoat, barely adding to the shape, but giving more of an accent to the gray. There was no shortage of bangles about her wrists and she found a tasteful ring to adorn her fingers. So her ears would not be lonely, Kumiko threw on simple studs as to not over power the outfit. Tight, black leggings were worn under the ensemble leaving the perfect gap of flesh before the eyes could reach the gray pumps. Childhood and Adolescence combined into an outfit that begged to be looked at.

Posing was something she didn't have to worry about. They wanted energy and playfulness? She could knock that out in five minutes in a PuriKura machine. Kumiko would do more than 'make love to the camera', she'd give it everything it could ever wish for.

 

[Cinnonym]

If nothing else, you can definitely tell that the camera man is quite impressed with your natural talent. He ends up using twice as many frames on you than he has for the other applicants, and only stops when he happens to glance down at his watch. He clears his throat, thanks you very much, and goes to the computer in the corner to pull up the new shots.

The judges discuss matters again amongst themselves and nod repeatedly. The woman on the end addresses you, "Mizushima-san, we will look over your film and give you a call Monday morning when we've made our decision. Thank you, you're dismissed."

 

[ShadowFolk]

She gave a deep bow to the group. "Thank you very much."

She left the building and as soon as she stepped outside, Kumiko gave a little victorious shout. She felt that she could at least made the top ten. She rushed to Karin outside, "Oh my God, that was great! I've never felt so...so...-" she squealed.

 

[Rosen2012]

Karin squealed and took her hands excitedly. "Oh my God you're like so lucky!!" Only a few of Karin's friends are left as they took the other girl off to cheer her up. "We should celebrate your victory!"

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Well, I haven't won yet, but what the hell! Why not!? Come on girls, we're going to a sweets cafe. My treat!" She dragged the girls out for a few hours to eat and chat.

'I have got to tell Daddy about this!' she dialed up her father, but the phone went directly to voice mail. He was busy, so she just left a message about how she thought things went.

Kumiko had a smile on her face even as she left the girls to headed back to the dorms on campus.