#Happy Birthday Honoka | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lonelypond · 5 months

Text

fOOLs

NicoMaki, KotoUmi, HonoUmi, KotoHonoUmi, Love Live, 6.6K, 1/1

Summary: An experimental play, A Midsummer Night's Dream mischief mixing with μ's and chess. Kotori and Umi are clashing. Kotori uses magic to mess up everyone's night. Nico has to fix it all before dawn or become Nozomi's pet. Eli is confused. Maki is helpful in the least helpful way. But she has a keyboard. Honoka and Rin bound their way through. Hanayo is a little lost. And very hungry.

fOOls

Act I, sc i

Two women are rushing the front door, they collide, glare at each other. The shorter steps back, glares, then bulls forward again at the same time, juggling an overstuffed bag and a stack of things. The taller one finally sighs and opens the door.

Nico: (curt) Thanks.

Maki (shrugs),

Nico puts her papers down on the center table, taking up all the space, calling to the barista.

Nico: All the coffee please.

Nozomi: You’re not our only customer, Nico-chi.

Nico: I’m your most likely to be famous customer working an impossible deadline so all the coffee please.

Maki (standing at counter): There’s a line. I’m first. I’ll take a macchiato.

Nico: Give her nothing (shoves past with hip)

Maki: I’m sorry, but technically that’s an assault.

Nico: It’s a check. Sit Nico in the penalty box.

Maki steps back.

Nozomi: Please treat people less rudely.

Nico: Nico treats everyone the same.

Maki: Henry Higgins.

Nico: Who?

Maki: My Fair Lady. Professor Higgins. Treat a duchess like a shopgirl and a shopgirl like a duchess.

Nozomi (leans over counter): Nico-chi, aren’t you the great American hope for theatre. How could you not know that?

Nico: Professor First in Line here just surprised me, that’s all.Nico is very familiar with all musicals. “I could have danced all night” is a total bop.

Maki: What the hell does that mean besides you throw slang at every thing?

Nico: It means gets stuck in your head, gets your feet moving, spins you through an incandescent, irreplaceable, irrepresible musical moment. (grabs Maki’s hand and spins her. Maki falls into a chair, clutches her bag to her chest and glares.)

Nozomi pushes the biggest mug they have over the counter.

Nozomi: Here, Nico, stop harassing the new customers.

Nico: If she comes back, can …

Nozomi: One macchiato.

Maki works her way cautiously to the counter, obviously avoiding Nico, who continues to hum, suddenly breaking out into song. Maki rushes back to her seat, deliberately turning her chair away from Nico.

Door opens, Eli Ayase rushes in very abrupt, very focused, pushes through Nico like she doesn’t see her.

Nico: Hey!

Eli: Quad espresso

Nozomi: Love the suit. Why are you in such a rush?

Eli: I save time by not sharing my life with strangers.

Nico: (snorts) (moves into Maki’s vicinity, spreads out paperwork)

Nozomi: ooohh, the icy type.

RIn and Hanayo and Honoka fall through the door, followed by Umi. Nozomi immediately drops her focus from Eli.

Nozomi: Hey, you shouldn’t be here. She’s due in any minute.

Honoka: The sign said ‘Open!”

Nico: I don’t think she’s talking to you.

Eli (looks at watch): Can I get my drink, please?

Honoka: Hey, Rin, what do you want?

Rin: Coconut milk cause I’m a nutty cat.

Hanayo (giggles and pets Rin’s head): You’re so cute.

Honoka: Okay, she’ll take a coconut milk and I’ll have something super tall and sugary and…

Nozomi ignores them all, moves from the counter to confront Umi.

Nozomi: Did you hear me?

Umi: Yes. But I no longer come and go at her whims.

Nozomi: She’s going to whim you right into another dimension.

Eli (approaches behind Nozomi, taps on shoulder): Is there a manager I can complain to?

Nozomi: (over her shoulder) Yes, me. I’ll take your phone number.

Nico snickers and taps Maki.

Nico: Just watch.

Maki: I’d rather not.

Nico: But Nozomi is relentless when it comes to torturing the women who end up on her radar.

Maki (arch): And I should care…

Nico: Because it’s god tier drama, with a side of revenge porn for dessert.

Nozomi: (glares at Nico): Just porn, Nico-chi, no revenge necessary, I never get complaints.

Nico: Or second dates.

Nozomi: I don’t recycle, not plastics, not playthings.

Nico whistles. Maki turns to her.

Maki: Is this a friend of yours?

Nico: Is a friend someone you hope doesn’t spill a hot drink on you?

Maki: That’s not the dictionary definition, no.

Nico: Then, not friend.

Meanwhile Rin and Honoka have ended up behind the counter.

Rin: I worked as a barista. I can make coffee.

Honoka: Looks pretty simple. We just pull this here and…

(loud whooshing noise, cloud of steam)

Nozomi whirls.

Nozomi: Touch nothing.

Returns to counter, picks up Rin and Honoka and dumps them on the other side, pulls four espresso shots for Eli.

Nozomi: Here. Bet it’s good. Everything I do is.

Eli: I just need hot and strong.

Nozomi: Exactly.

Eli: (slides card through, ignores Nozomi).

Door opens, Kotori steps through, everyone but Nozomi and Umi freeze.

Nozomi: Boss.

Kotori (in the softest, gentlest voice as she crosses in Umi’s face): Bitch.

Umi: I’m not the one with a (points to Nozomi) procurer.

Nozomi: Fancy. Cool kids say wingwoman.

Umi: (glares) She’s married.

Nozomi: That’s more a you problem than a me problem.

Kotori: I don’t want to fight, Umi. Can you feel that storm Umi? That’s what happens when we fight. All the world feels it, all the world storms, all the world.

Umi: Once you told me all the world loved when we loved.

Kotori: And they do.

Umi: You didn’t say they would all love you.

Kotori: (hand on shoulder, or something) Isn’t it easy to do, Umi-chan?

Moment, audience is very aware of everyone frozen, holding their breath, even Nozomi.

Umi: Too easy. (steps back, breaks the spell, everyone comes to)

Eli (taps Kotori on the shoulder): If you’re the owner, I have a complaint but no time to register it right now. But I’ll be back.

Kotori: (waves Eli off, her attention on an Umi who has turned her back to her and approached Nico)

Umi: Hello, Yazawa.

Nico: Sonoda.

Umi: Are you still in search of a collaborator?

Nico (shoots to her feet): Are you interested? (smooths down shirt or skirt or…) Of course, Nico has other offers, but…

Umi: (pulls a notebook out of her bag) Can you do anything with this?

Kotori is watching, closely.

Nico flips through…

Nico: Yeah, maybe...might need some music, but Nico’s connected...you don’t look like a poet.

Umi: What does a poet look like?

Nico (gives Umi and once over and glances back at Maki who is untucked, biting on a pencil or some other nervous habit, twisting her hair, and working on a score): Messier.

Umi: I leave that for my emotions.

Nico (chuckles): Good one. Now sit down and sell me on this phrase.

Kotori fades back to the counter.

Nozomi: I like Nico.

Kotori (pouts)

Nozomi: What about those two? (points at Rin and Honoka who are doing some kind of stupid, messy physical challenge)

Kotori: Oh, that would be far too messy for Umi…(baited pause, exchange of glance) perfect.

Kotori opens her bag and takes out some fabric and thread, waves a hand, throws a weave, a quick flash of light and a light gauze mask is laid over her hand.

Kotori: and now we move some pawns…(points at Honoka, snaps at door)

Honoka (rushes Umi and Nico’s table): are you working on a show? Because I’m an actress.

Eli (comes back in, furious): This is the worst tasting thing I have ever had.

Kotori snaps again, light fun, everyone freezes.

Kotori (with a giggle): I’ll do Umi; you do Madame Angry Hot.

Nozomi: Gladly.

Bit of stage business where Eli and Umi are both masked; Kotori possibly leads Umi in a dance; Nozomi possibly gropes Eli before she pauses with a mischievous look and moves her to Maki’s table.

Honoka is eagerly leaning into Umi’s view at the freeze and when Kotori steps back, continues.

Honoka: I need something to post. I’m alllll out of ideas and I promised my followers I’d post something new every week so if you’ve got any ideas…

Umi: How breathtakingly beautiful you are. What’s your name?

Nico: Really, I’d say she's kinda cute.

Umi (shakes head): No, a fresh breath of beauty like 1000 sakura petals released on a breath of wind to flutter with hope in the air, transversing the globe, never sullied by the ground, always lifting our dreams.

Honoka: ooohh, that’s fancy. Now could you say it like regular people?

(A moment)

Umi: Like a flower that never lands on earth, you hold all my hopes in the palm of your petal like hand, your fingers caressing my dreams as they guard them. (raised Honoka’s hand to her lips)

Honoka (turns to Nico): Write that down.

Nico: I’m not your secretary.

(Maki snorts which triggers a ‘lovestruck’ Eli out of her trance where she was staring at Maki)

Eli: My queen.

Maki: (jumps, startled) Who are you?

Eli: a mere pawn.

Nico can’t decide who to glare at more.

Nico: DId everyone’s brain die from food poisoning?

Nozomi: Just a little (looks at Kotori) Spring in the air.

Nico (deciding to glare most at Eli): So why’s no one noticing Nico. Nico is very noticeable..

Maki: Annoyingly so…(knocks down Eli’s hand) hey, hands off...I’m moving.

Eli: And I shall follow.

Nico and Maki in unison: Oh my god.

Act I, sc ii

Nico and Maki rush in again, hitting the door at the same time, Nico with an even bigger pile of things.

Nico: Where’s your stalker?

Maki: I don’t know. Let me help you.

Nico: I don’t know. Can you?

Maki glares down at Nico, mutters something.

Nico: What was that?

Maki (opens door) probably nothing can.

Nico: Charming.

Maki continues to hold door, watching Nico throw her pile on the same table, and call out to Nozomi, once again behind the counter.

Nico: Make it a vat.

Nozomi: Sounds medieval.

Nico: Make it a liter.

Nozomi: Sounds European.

Nico (Charges the counter): Make it IMMEDIATELY.

Nozomi shakes her head, laughing.

Nozomi: Always so Nico Nico Needy.

Nico: Hey, lips off my catch phrase.

Nozomi: How about….

Nico just stares down Nozomi, Maki behind her, and Nozomi shrugs.

Nozomi: Your loss.

Nico: Look at me, continuing to be STD free.

Nozomi: Ha! I did you a favor yesterday. There’s a reason your friend there has the icicle follower not you.

Nico: How is that a favor for Nico?

Nozomi: When Kotori acts out, it tends to go badly for everyone involved.

Nico: I stay out of domestic disputes.

Maki: Can I have a caramel macchiato today.

Nico: (turns) Are you going through the menu in order?

Maki: Maybe.

Nico: Why?

Eli rushes in, a little more undone than the day before. Throws herself at the counter, pushing Nico to the side, and much louder than polite.

Eli: I’ll have what my queen is having and pay for both.

Nico (grabs drink, moves to table): Loser.

Maki: I don’t need you to…

Eli (flips so she’s facing Maki): It is my pleasure.

Maki: (to Nozomi): I really don’t want her to pay.

Nozomi: Okay.

Eli (with card out, tapping on the counter): I insist. And there’s a big tip for you.

Nozomi: (shrugs): what’s a pawn to do?

Maki: No one even plays chess here. If there was a board, it turned to dust from disuse.

Nico: Knight on A3.

Maki stares at Nico.

Nico; (shrugs) My little brother’s a fan. So Nico learned to think several moves ahead.

Rin and Honoka fall through the door, followed by Umi

Rin: What are we talking about.

Nico: Nothing.

Maki: (to Eli, as Maki moves behind Nico) Go away.

Nozomi: (with an odd look at Nico) Chess.

Honoka: Oh, I know chess. (strikes a pose) King Me.

Umi has moved closer to Honoka. Umi is still wearing the mask.

Nozomi: No, the one with the queen.

(Next three comments overlap)

Umi: You can be my queen.

Nico: Enough with queens.

Honoka: Like a drag queen?

Nozomi: One night in Bangkok.

Rin: Bang COCK.

Nico: Oh my god.

Maki: I am going to forget I was ever here. And all of you. Wiped from existence in my memory.

Nozomi: (crumples with laughter): I get my kicks below...

Nico: (through forced teeth): no one wants to know.

Rin: Is it a rooster? Is it a prick? Isn’t that weird, going to gas station and thinking about that all the time when you stick the nozzle in.

Nico: I don’t think people think about that all the time.

Rin: Isn’t that why they designed it that way?

Nozomi is practically on the floor,

Nico: No.

Umi approaches the counter.

Umi: Please mix up your finest… (glances to Honoka)

Honoka: (perking up at the thought of sustenance) Unicorn Sparklefruit. And a cookie. Can I get a cookie.

Umi: (Very gravely): You must have all the cookies. All the cookies for my Queen, Nozomi.

NICO: NO QUEENS.

Maki: (hisses) Be less dramatic.

Nico: I’m getting a dripping guillotine tattoo. Let them eat cookies.

Maki: You mean cake.

Nico: I mean that’s annoying (pointing to Umi fluttering eyelashes at Honoka, who is juggling cookies and tossing them at Rin).

Maki: Fair.

Nico: Thank you.

Kotori (walks in, with a giggling Hanayo on her arm) straight up to Umi, speaks once again, in the softest voice imaginable) Bitch

Umi: I already know your name.

Nico (stares): woah

Umi: Come with me, Honoka. We should find someplace private.

Honoka (mouth full of cookies): ooohh, just give me a minute. Hey, Rin, I thought you were going to come as PussyKate.

Rin: (glances around) This might not be the crowd.

Honoka (Grabs Rin): Hey, everyone, you’re okay with my buddy here being herself right.

Eli: (with a lean toward Maki): I only feel like myself now, when I’m looking at you.

Maki: No. (heads to bathroom)

Umi: And I only felt like myself yesterday, for the first time, when I saw you, Honoka, and how you glowed as bright as the sun over a summer noon. Winter melted, and overleapt Spring, and your heat melted all of the ice that had scarred my heart.

Honoka (wide, worried eyes): Did it hurt?

Umi (grabs Honoka, drags toward bathroom) Come with me, my love.

Kotori, with Hanayo, heads to Nozomi, Nico watches Maki disappear, glares at Eli, then sigh/vents as Umi disappears too.

Nico: So what’s this ‘PussyKate?’ You roller derby or something?

Rin: No, that would be cool though, wouldn’t it?

Hanayo (through a mouthful of cookies, becoming a little interested in Rin as Kotori is now paying no attention to her): It might be a little scary.

Rin (pulls Hanayo to her feet, whips her round as best can be done wheel-less): Nah, it’d be superfun.

Hanayo: SOMEBODY SAVE ME!

Rin (just laughs and whirls her partner)

Nozomi: That does look superfun. C’mon, Nico, I haven’t seen you dance in ages.

Nico: That’s because this isn’t a club, no DJ, just coffee, which Nico needs a refill of…

Nozomi pulls Nico to her feet: Dance, first.

Nico becomes immoveable, arms crossed, very out of sorts, Eli wakes up from another trance, discovers Maki has gone and begins to look around the room. Nozomi grabs her.

Nozomi: You’re very buttoned up.

Eli: Control is essential. Emotions stain and strain and….

Nozomi: Sounds like laundry and buttons and…(snaps top 3 or so buttons from Eli’s shirt) More freedom solves that, you can move, emotions can fly out into the world (spins Eli)

Eli: My Queen is probably lonely.

Kotori (sitting on counter, very prim, very pretty, very not pleased): Now why can’t Umi be like that?

We hear (if we can’t see) Eli singing something silly like “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” or “Witchcraft” or “Heart and Soul” or…?

Nozomi: Have you asked her?

Kotori huffs; Nico’s still glaring.

Kotori: She spends her time with…

Nico: And you spend your time with (gesture to Hanayo, still dancing with Rin) Have you read any of your wife’s poems?

Nozomi: Ooh, a quiz, this will go well.

Kotori (with a hair toss): No, she won’t share them.

Nico: They’re full of...longing. Of love. Of loveliness. All of this she finds in a very particular person, who always seems to be shattering and slipping away from her, like scattered clouds across a liquid moon. (Nico pauses, taps counter or something) That’s a quote.

Kotori: Umi’s?

Nico nods.

Maki has come back, shoving Eli and ends up in the middle of Rin and Hanayo, who are still dancing. Umi and Honoka come out of the bathroom, Umi all over Honoka, who is grinning goofily.

Kotori: Why don’t I know that?

Nico (shrugs): Who were you paying attention to? Umi or whatever willowy, whispering wisp wandered by?

Nozomi is leaning over the counter: Nico…

Nico: No, Nico is not going to be quiet. (she picks up Umi’s book) It’s so beautiful and you (points at Kotori, then Umi) scorn her, shame her, when you should be sweeping away her tears.

Maki has frozen, is watching Nico.

Honoka has released from Umi, to pick RIn up.

Honoka: C’mon, Rin, let’s get your suit.

Eli: Maki, let me buy you the best…

Kotori: STOP.

Everyone freezes but Kotori, Nico, and Nozomi.

Kotori: Show me.

Nico: What?

Nozomi: Oh, Nico-chi…

Nico: (snaps) Shut up.

Kotori: (approaches Nico, with Umi’s book, slaps Nico with it): Show me this fondness of feelings, this wealth of wonder, this salve of sorrow. Here are your actors.

Nico: Are you crazy?

Kotori (looking a little crazy): I am the Queen. Empowered. Ruling. (quick snap, magic effect) And if you don’t do this, I will make you crawl lower than either the blonde or Umi for Nozomi here. Check, little knight.

Nozomi: ooh, a pet. I’ve always wanted a pet just this tall (holds up hand to Nico’s head).

Kotori (wild light in her eyes, freezes Nico) Pet. (goes to Honoka and Rin): Come back real.

Honoka and Rin head out the main door; Kotori goes back to Nico.

Kotori: Now show me. Here are your actors. I can command them to do your bidding.

Nico: Just let Nico handle it.

Nozomi: You don’t want magic.

Nico: Nico has her own magic (opens the book).

Kotori (for the third time, as if sealing a spell) Show me.

Act II, sc i

Nico and Maki meet at the door of the coffeeshop, Maki juggling a keyboard. Nico glares, Maki stares pointedly, Nico after a moment, sighs and opens the door. Maki nods happily as if a decision has been made.

Nico: What’s that thing? A prop.

Maki: Keyboard. You need music.

Nico: Nico sings. Don’t need anything but Nico.

Maki: I’ll play. You have poetry, right? People like lyrics better, you know, with the music added in.

Nico: Poetry’s fine.

Maki (sets up on table): Music’s better.

Nozomi: Are we getting a DJ?

Nico: We are getting exactly what Nico says. And Nico didn’t say piano. (to Nozomi) Now, get me something that’ll make me buzz. (to Maki) And put that thing away.

Maki is setting up, ignoring Nico, playing something. She walks over, grabs the book out of Nico’s hands, reads a page, and starts humming.

Nico: HEY!

Maki (shrugs)

Nozomi (in a REALLY bad fake whisper) Nico-chi, that one’s hot enough you should just let her do whatever she wants.

Nico: She’d be hotter if she did what Nico wants.

Maki (raises an eyebrow, continues to play, half smirking)

Eli bounds in, having switched to ballet clothes, some dance sequence across the room, down on one knee with a grand gesture in front of Maki): You play a siren song as I dash against your granite heart.

Nico: (leans against counter as she grabs her drink) Got anything that will knock dancing and dazed out?

Nozomi: Can’t take the competition?

Nico: (quick gesture indicating NICO!, shakes head) Whole different league, hon.

Nozomi snorts.

Rin, Honoka, and Hanayo fall in, followed by Umi, obviously fawning over Honoka, who now has a collar and dog ears, Rin is either in a cat fursuit or ears and a tail and makeup, depending on budget and costumer.

Nico: Give ‘em an hour and they change species.

Nozomi: Some nights are like that.

Maki: (howls)

Eli: (has approached counter) Two espressos, one for me, one for my…

Nico grabs Eli by the tutu, ruffle, or something: Just step off, TinkerSwell, maybe Billy Joel’s a tea drinker.

Maki: Actually, I am.

Nico: See. Get Baryishnikov a muzzle. And Rachmaninoff some tea.

MAki: Maki.

Nico: (shakes head)

Meanwhile, Honoka has been playfully butting her head against Umi, who is liberally petting her. And Hanayo has approached the counter.

Hanyo: Milk please, and a hot chocolate.

Nozomi: Hot chocolate. Hey, do you like hot chocolate, Eli-chi?

Eli: Love it in the winter.

Kotori enters, hears winter, snaps fingers, and suddenly the temperature drops. Nico, with her cardigan, is really the only one dressed for it. Kotori once again, approaches Umi, pulls out a leash, snaps it on Honoka’s collar, and whispers in the softest voice possible: Bitch.

Umi: And she’s a beauty.

Kotori: I was referring to you.

Hanayo hops up happily, Rin following, Honoka is picking up on the tension and getting nervous

Umi: Still true. Excuse me, I have business. And you gave her to me. (puts her hand on Kotori’s to prevent her pulling the leash and kneels to free Honoka)

Hanayo: Hi, Kotori!

Kotori: (side glance, very dismissive) I’m done with you.

Honoka and Rin bump noses, Rin hisses as Kotori jerks back from Umi, Rin slashes at Honoka, and then Honoka gives chase, half dragging Kotori, who ends up in a heap on the floor, Hanayo has fallen too.

Nozomi: Your actors have assembled.

Nico: (head in hands): Yeah.

Eli is once again staring at Maki in a trance like state, Maki pointedly turned to ignore her.

Maki begins to sing one of Umi’s poems.

Sakura soft touch Fluttering my pulse, my heart Whipped by a bare branch

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, sharp and cruel

Umi: Did you compose that?

Maki: Yes.

Umi: It’s lovely. You really understand the melancholy, there’s the yearning in minor.

Maki: (Nods, looks at Nico): Yearning.

Umi (pulls out a pen): Let me work that into something. Can you add some bright? For the lightness of Spring.

They consult over a paper; Eli is crying, has possibly tried to hug Maki and been shoved off. Meanwhile, Honoka has rushed to Kotori and Rin has rushed to Hanayo.

Honoka and Rin (with big, bright, caring eyes): I’m so sorry. Are you okay?

Kotori: (just stares)

Hanayo: You’re so sweet.

Rin helps her up. Honoka is holding a hand out to help Kotori.

Honoka: Please let me…(stops, it’s a strange mood Honoka can’t read)

Kotori (after a pause, reaches up): Okay.

Nozomi: Well, this is interesting.

Nico: I don’t have time for interesting. (stares at Maki) Turns out, I’m directing a musical.

Act II, sc ii

Nico: standing over Maki on the keyboard; Rin, Honoka, and Hanayo are reading scripts, Umi is sitting taking notes, Eli is too close to Maki, Nozomi is pouring out espresso shots, Kotori is sitting on the counter, pouting.

Nico: You can’t just turn this into a musical. Nico is trying to prove a point. An important point…

Maki: Isn’t Nico a genius? I thought I heard that 5 minutes ago.

Nozomi: Ooohh, Nico-chi, that sounds like another bet? Can you lose two in one night?

Nico: (rushes counter, looks like she might hit something, throws back an espresso shot)

Eli (leans in, all flirty) I can sing.

Maki: You can go.

Nico: seconded.

Nozomi: Nah, I like the eye candy.

Nico (rolls eyes): Pervert

Nozomi: Is it Tuesday?

Nico: No.

Nozomi: Then yes, pervert.

Nico (shakes head)

Kotori: I’m bored.

Nico: You’re speaking out of turn.

Kotori (sighs): so over that, but… (snaps fingers)

Honoka, RIn, and Hanayo speak like they’re being fast forwarded.

Honoka: I can sing.

Rin: Dancing, we got to have dancing or this isn’t a party.

Hanayo: I don’t understand what’s happening.

Kotori beckons them with a gesture, waving a hand over the espresso shots remaining: Thirst.

They drink.

Nico looks concerned. Kotori examines the rest of the room, as Nozomi pours out three more shots. She points at Maki, Umi, and Eli.

Kotori: Thirst

Maki steps forward, Nico grabs her wrist,

Nico (speaks without looking at Maki): Stay. Nico needs you.

Eli, with a reluctant look at Maki, steps forward, takes a drink.

Umi: You have no power over me.

Kotori: Who lets love go to waste?

Umi: Only the cruel.

Kotori (jumps down, grabs Honoka, stares in her eyes) This is my penalty for speaking out of turn. Plus, (she looks at where Hanayo and Rin have joined hands) I need a new toy. (takes a shot)

Nico looks at the third shot like it’s a bomb, still holding onto Maki’s wrist.

Nico: Play something for me.

Maki (confused) Okay.

Eli has taken her shot and is looking confused, Nozomi watches for a moment, then grabs the third shot and Eli’s ponytail.

Nozomi: What the hell (downs shot)

Maki: what’s happening?

Nico: Chaos. Gods colliding. Love and disaster.

Maki: sounds like a musical to me.

Nico: Get over it.

Maki: (Plays and sings)

Love and disaster Faster and faster Crashing and crashing Why you bashing Love and disaster Bringing me you

Maki winks:

Don’t drink the potion RIn’s with the motion

(RIn hops up and dances)

(Umi steps over to the piano)

Cruel wind, cutting yourself Can’t you see the sun Still shines And you’ll cry for it As you speed by

Kotori, Honoka following, approaches Nico.

Kotori: You’re running out of time. Dawn dissolves dreams.

Nico: Poet for a poet.

Kotori: No. She hates me.

Honoka: Nobody should hate anybody.

Umi whispers: I don’t (as Honoka continues).

Honoka: I know what dawn does; it takes the stars away, like waking up your computer from a screensaver.

Kotori: Not poetry.

Honoka: (Takes Kotori’s hand) I only dream during the day because at night I keep reaching for the stars. Want to go see my favorites? (there has to be an earnest goodwill about Honoka that can’t be dented no matter what happens)

Umi: (writing): Stars too often called Diamond. They only tempt not Cut or Burn like you

Nico: (whirls) Write me a dream song.

Hanayo: Write me a rice song.

Umi: Rice?

Rin: You can’t eat a song. Wouldn’t you rather order a pizza or donuts?

Eli: They don’t deliver donuts.

Nozomi: There's a Fusion bistro that’s open a two minute walk away.

Rin: C’mon, let’s go. Can’t act on an empty stomach anyway.

Hanayo: (sadly) No rice song?

Umi: (shrugs)

Maki (plays): Rice is nice, even cooked twice, breakfast and base, for food it’s an ace

RIn: Ooohh, such a cool song, now let’s go get some.

Nico: (frowns at Maki) Enough. (pushes Rin and Hanayo) You get food (points at Honoka) you get lost in the twinkle (shoves Nozomi and Eli) you help me set up a game board, push tables, out of the way, mark out squares, just half a board.

Maki: What kind of board?

NIco: A Nico plays musical chess board. Now write me a Dream song. So we can rehearse.

Umi: Do you want a waking song?

Nico: That depends on the story you want me to tell. (Nico sits next to Umi, book out) Isn’t this a nightmare? Do you wake up or change the dream and stay?

Maki plays a quick chord progression.

Maki: Isn’t waking better?

Nico: Never sleeping is probably best; that way you’re never blinded by what might be.

Maki: Then how do you find what you want?

Nico: You see what is.

Umi: What if what is is a tornado?

Nozomi: (staring at an Eli, who is stacking chairs) What if what is never looks at you?

Eli: What if what is is something you’re never good enough for?

Nico: (as if lecturing, Maki behind her) You just do what you can to survive.

Maki: (softly) What if what is is you?

Act III, sc. i

Nico is perched/standing on a chair; there are squares marked on the floor. Maki’s keyboard has been moved next to Nico.

Nico: All right, we are in Nico-Time now, my rules. Everyone (glares at Nozomi, then Kotori) has to do what Nico says. Nico has until dawn to rewin…(pause) the Dark Queen’s heart for her consort (Nico bows to Umi). For that…(Nico leaps down) Nico needs another King (moves Honoka not far from the corner where Umi is), some pawns (grabs Rin and Hanayo, sets them up), and two rooks (puts Eli and Nozomi in place, facing each other). Our royalty are dark, foggy, lost souls shadowed by their past, but the rest of you are bright with hope, potential, spark.

Maki: Violence on the board.

Nico (whirls): What did you say?

Maki: (shrugs): White has an overwhelming advantage.

Nico: Yes.

Nozomi: So we’re going to win? (giggles) Then her Majesty (sweeps a curtsey at Kotori) gets angry, you lose your bet, and I get a pet.

Maki: (glares) Nico’s a winner.

Nico: (wink) Now you get it.

Eil: What do I get?

Nico: What do you want?

Eli: (hands through hair, disheveling, much more undone than anyone has ever seen her) I want to…

Maki (hands hastily written music to Nico, begins to play)

Nico (points at Eli)

Eli: I want to not be the best, to be in with the rest To see what I want (faces Nozomi) and grab for it To be free (pushes off Nozomi) To leap (pauses two spaces away, then leaps left, shirt open, tank top underneath) To keep going

Honoka: Cool...just do it.

Rin: People always notice me.

Hanayo: (they are separated on the board) I’ve noticed you noticing me. No one does that.

Kotori: Bitch. (moves away) I did.

Umi: But only briefly. Only a sudden heat, growing nothing to grow cold. Steam that dissipates, no bond created.

Kotori: What’s a bond if it’s only a bridge that leaves a shadow but never connects? What’s a bond if you’re always looking away.

Umi: (turned away) All I can see is you.

Maki: (stops the music) They don’t even look at each other, let alone talk TO each other. What are you going to do?

Nico (jumps up again, waving arms like a conductor) Make them sing! (all eyes on her, a different kind of music plays as Nico tosses songs into the air)

Eli: What choice do I have?

Nozomi: (the quietest, most doubtful) Me?

Rin: I choose you.

Hanayo: (turns away) No one does.

Rin finds she can’t move.

Honoka: Magic...If it’s in the air, it’s in my hands. (Nico nods and makes a gesture toward Kotori, Honoka copies it) If it’s in my hands, I can command. Truth. (points to Umi) For her (points to self) For me.

Kotori (sole focus on Umi): I want all of you, every you, any you, anything you’ve touched, anyone you’ve touched…

Maki shudders.

Kotori looks like she’s holding a globe, spins it: All the world in you. All in my hands.

Umi: All my softness stripped, all the beauty gone in a cold wind that only cares what it takes with it.

Sakura soft touch Fluttering my pulse, my heart Whipped by a bare branch

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, sharp and cruel

Your wind can’t carry The weight of all the tears caught In my petal heart

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind is too You, wandering weak

No sakura spring For me, please, the wind leaves me Torn, scattered, dulled

Kotori whirls as Honoka reaches out to an Umi who is starting to sob. A snap prevents an embrace.

Nico: A fondness of feeling, you can hear it in every note. And it upsets you. Awakes you. Makes you remember the moment…

Kotori: The moment

Umi: Your breath brushed me Your lips crushed me You rushed by me

Honoka: You pushed me Rushed me She blushed

Kotori: a flower flushed Kissing blue sky Blushes soft touch

Kotori: hand reaches out

Umi: Wind, storm, rain So fragile, here alone, Can your hands be A gentle touch A stroke of hope, A finger kiss

Kotori: But I want all of you, any you, every you (looks at Honoka) anyone, everyone you touch

Umi: But gentle

Honoka: You rush

Umi: To crush

Kotori: Just a brush (hand to mouth) soft as…

Umi and Honoka: Sakura

Eli: NO!

Nozomi: ...Zomi...Nozomi...and Eli. Let’s make our own music. (Nozomi looks poised to move)

Eli: NO! It’s just a spell, just a spell, a potion, a binding, winding us all in a snare

Nozomi: It could be more.

Rin: I’m real.

Kotori: I’m Queen.

Hanayo: I’m scared.

Umi: I’m mad.

Honoka: Magic, right? Let magic happen.

Eli: No. (Facing Nico): Break the spell.

Nico: Why?

Eli: This isn’t real.

Nozomi: It could be

RIn: As real as me

Honoka: As magic

Kotori: Break the spell.

Maki (plays) Dealer’s choice, Madness or Magic Real or rehearsed What’s your card?

Umi: Why do we always choose? Why can’t we include?

Maki: Make a choice.

Nico: But the bet.

Maki: Take a chance Be bold Be brave enough to

Eli: BREAK

Umi: THE

Kotori: SPELL

Nico winks at Maki: Then you forfeit.

Kotori Umi Eli: BREAK THE SPELL

Act III, sc. ii

Nico is standing staring at people. Maki is stopping her from moving toward either people or the door.

Nico: Make them stop. It was supposed to end better than this.

Maki: You won your bet. The rest is theirs.

Nico: So Nico moves on. Next project.

Maki: No, Nico stays.

Nico: But there’s nothing for Nico to stay for.

Maki: What about someone?

Nozomi: Ooohh, Nico-chi, how do you respond to that? A trap? A treasure?

Eli: And this is why there’s no real. You think love is a pirate game. A gamble.

Nozomi: Otherwise it’s not fun. See something pretty and gold (touches Eli’s hair), chase after it.

Eli: (pauses, then pulls back) I’m not a prize.

Nozomi (sighs): Have a coffee.

Eli: Only if we talk.

Honoka: Make me one!

Rin: Two for us.

Hanayo: Thank you, Rin-chan. It’s nice to be seen.

Nozomi: Anyone you want to treat, Kotori.

Kotori: (sotto voce) Bitch.

Umi: Petal beauty floats Let it touch you, spark of warmth Let it drift by, leave

This sakura spring For you: choose touch or tarnish Me, now that we’re here

Honoka joins in: Petal beauty floats Let it touch me, spark of warmth Don’t drift by and leave

(To Umi) This sakura spring You embrace this touch, choosing Us, now that we’re here

(With Umi) This sakura spring You embrace this touch, choosing Us, now that we’re here

Maki: (to Nico): You can trust this. It will work out.

Nico: Trust.

Maki: Trust us. Isn’t that always the lesson?

Trust Spring, Trust sakura, Trust Softness, trust sparks, trust truth Will blossom for us

Sakura softness Keeping my heart light, a kiss Melting sorrow’s snow

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

Nico (reaches a hand to Maki’s cheek): Like this.

Maki: (a nod)

Nico: Treasure.

Maki (shakes head): No. Sailing with no map. A challenge.

Nico (Laughs): Nico loves a challenge.

Maki: I know. (hands Nico the book) There’s one last poem.

Nico: No, there’s not.

Umi: It wrote itself.

Nozomi: Last of the magic.

Eli: We don’t need magic.

Rin: We need dancing (spins Hanayo)

Hanayo: We danced all night and it was never enough.

Honoka: (comes up behind Umi) Make the spell.

Kotori: (reaches hands out to Umi and Honoka): Take the chance.

Maki: (with a wink) Win your bet. (Sings)

Sakura softness Keeping my heart light, a kiss Melting sorrow’s snow

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

Nico: (sings as the couples/thruple close in)

Sakura softness Keeping my heart light, a kiss

(No surprise, but it should be a breathless build, a moment, everyone kisses, from a gentle kiss on a cheek to ?. Read the mood.)

And we get a group chorus:

Melting sorrow’s snow

All sakura spring For me, please, the wind always You, caressing me

A/N: I was going through my files, looking for something I could finish for Maki's birthday. And I found this, which I've already finished (phase one of a "Michelle writes a play" experiment). And I haven't posted it for no really good reason. So here you go, in honor of Maki's birthday. Enjoy. Thank you Maki for helping me find my voice. May you continue to inspire.

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