Summer 1 - Greetings and Welcome - Action

[kollomods]

[ It's a mild sunny day when the first group of guests make land at Norrhamn. A gentle breeze rustle the birch trees and tangle in the bunting that's hung across the buildings in celebration of this very special occasion. Aina has been busy gathering up guests over the last few hours and now the ferry is approaching the port, waves breaking gently against the bow.

Olivia is waiting on the jetty, clipboard hugged close to her body. She's excited and nervous all at once, anxious to get to meet these people that she's read so much about, the faces behind the pleading letters. This is the first day her new job becomes hands on. Hopefully she'll be good at it.

As the ferry lands and lets the guests off, Olivia raises a hand in a cheerful greeting. ]

Hello! Welcome to Norrhamn!

Comments

[traceofeffort]

[A | open | docks]
[Lisa had been inclined to sleep on the ferry; if they were picking up more passengers than just her, it'd be a bit of a trip. But she'd gotten to talking, as she tended to, and while she wouldn't quite say she'd made friends, it'd been fun, and she felt awake despite being in one place for a little while. So when the ferry docks, she steps outside and takes a deep breath of fresh air, actually feeling like she's on vacation despite everything, even as she reflexively bends her knees to make sure the bass slung over her shoulder doesn't clip the door.

This place feels a little foreign to her sensibilities, but she could get used to it. And the lady waving is probably the reason she's here seeing it at all; she smiles, pushing the tiny knot of nervous energy off to the side. Setting suitcase and bass aside for a moment in a safe place, she steps a bit closer.]

Hello! Um, I'm Lisa. Thank you, ma'am! It's... I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this looks like a tranquil place.

[She looks like she's trying hard to make a good impression. She just got here, it'd be terrible to be sent back now. Once she finishes talking to Olivia, she'll hang out for a bit longer, taking in the sights and letting herself unwind a bit.]

[B | open | Pike Cabin]
[It's a little bit later by the time Lisa reaches her cabin. That's taking her a moment to process in and of itself, given she's used to just having her own room, but it shouldn't be too bad! If she can manage time with her various and unique band members, she can manage a roommate. Probably.

Popping the door open and leaving it that way, she sets her things down and proceeds to check on her bass before anything else - it may be the most important thing she owns. It seems fine, and after a second, she nods to herself and starts to tune it. Without an amplifier it's probably hard to hear, but she takes a few minutes to get it tuned and play a few notes just to reassure herself. It's not a standout instrument, but that's okay. Roselia needs it - needs her - all the same.

As she plays, she's not so focused that she isn't watching the door, but it'll take her a second to manage conversation. More so if she finds herself humming of her vocal parts. Or actually singing it. Both are at least slightly likely.]

[notrosesshadow]

[Martha narrowly avoided the bass as she took a slow circle to see what was around.]

Woah there. I'm sorry! Nice instrument!

[traceofeffort]

[Seeing the woman going by it, Lisa goes back over to pick up her bass. She doesn't mind its weight anymore, honestly; better to keep an eye on it anyway. For that matter, she should probably put it back in its case, but she was so excited before, she just forgot. Oops.]

It's okay! And thanks, I'm kind of proud of it.

[It isn't anything super special, but it's hers, and more importantly, it's something that can bring her closer to people.]

[notrosesshadow]

[Martha's lips curve into a smile.] You should be. I never had time to play an instrument as a kid. I mean, minus the requisite piano lessons every kids seems to get at some point. Didn't really stick though.

[traceofeffort]

I can't remember if I ever did piano... I had a friend as a girl whose father was big into music, and she and I have always been musicians. Well. I play, she sings.

[With her bass safely back in its travel back, she slings it over her shoulder, before nodding, with a softer smile as she thinks of what she left behind.]

Yukina is amazing. She insists I'm good, too, but I'm just happy to be able to play together. I have to put in a lot of hours to keep up.

[notrosesshadow]

Isn't that the way of it? [Martha laughs in return.] I put in a ton of hours in med school and there was this one other colleague who just seemed to get it. I found out later he put in just as many hours as I did. Sometimes it's hard to notice.

[She nods back to the bass] I'd love to hear you play sometime after we've all settled in.

[traceofeffort]

It is, and I know she works just as hard. But I took a few years away from music, so when I tried to pick it back up, I felt like I had to work hard just to get back to where I was. Now I'm good again, but the rest of Roselia - my band - is still pretty far ahead of me. [Some days it feels like Sayo pushes herself even harder... but there's reasons for that.]

I'd love to play! I need to practice anyway, I can't go back and be less ready than I left! I'd never hear the end of it.

[notrosesshadow]

Martha laughs again.

"Practicing on vacation? That's quite some dedication."

b!

[oracledriven]

[It's not exactly the thrumming of an unplugged bass that catches his attention --though it does sound odd; not exactly how he expected a guitar to sound-- ...it's the humming. Singing, even. Noel finds himself drawn in, trying to hear more of the words. There's just something about singing, about music maybe, that seems so interesting and strange to him.

It's only when he's practically in the doorway that he realizes he's being pretty rude, and...honestly seeming a little creepy.

He clears his throat gently to announce his presence. Then, after a moment, he adds:]

...Sorry to intrude. I was just wondering what you were singing.

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa's initial problem is that she can think of two or three songs off the top of her head she'd really like to work on, but they're all complicated - not suitable for warming up. She also can't play Hidamari Rhodonite alone without her face heating up from who they all determined Yukina is singing it to.

...but there's also nobody here to see that, so it's fine. Probably.

For a second it feels kind of strange to practice in this unfamiliar space, but by the time she's a few notes in, that fades away. She's not out of practice, she just isn't at the level she wants to be, so she finds her groove quickly. It's right as she's hitting a chorus Noel ends up wandering in, but he seems interested so she doesn't stop right away. She's been humming Yukina's vocal parts to keep herself in time, but then, softly-]

A single drop of a smile- [-then humming again, with a little different pitch-] -I'll accept- hmm? Oh, hey.

[The cleared throat doesn't surprise her, but this isn't a music-making trip, so better not to be rude. Her fingers reach down to still the strings, and she smiles up at Noel after a second. Her cheeks are still a little red, but that's fading as she's distracted from thinking about the lyrics.]

It's okay! I don't mind. It's called Hidamari Rhodonite. It's... kind of a love song? I'm used to singing the backup vocals, so you probably couldn't tell, sorry.

[oracledriven]

[He shakes his head at the apology -- it's not totally necessary.] I wasn't listening to the lyrics as much, but I like the melody.

[Or harmony? Music words are hard. Sound nice. Very good. Wow.]

Did you write it?

[traceofeffort]

Ah, yeah, I like the tune too. The backup part sounds better when Sayo is with me, but it's a very catchy song anyway.

[Her face goes a little more red at the question.]

I... not really? I helped a little, but it's mostly Yukina. She's the vocalist for our band, Roselia. We kind of joke about where the inspiration for this song came from. Usually I'm the subject of that joke.

[oracledriven]

A band, huh? [Right. Noel doesn't know much about music --at all-- but he can imagine that the song would sound a lot different with other instruments and other people singing.

Judging from the redness in her face, he kind of assumes she means that her friends think the song is about her. She might be embarrassed, but it's kind of neat, too, that someone is inspired to sing about you.]

So you're more of a muse than a writer?

[He's not trying to tease -- it's honestly pretty cool.]

[traceofeffort]

It's the only way I can explain the bass solo. And I help write sometimes! Yukina just didn't need me for this one. Most of our music is harder than this, too - more rock than pop. I have all our singles on my phone, I'll have to let you listen later. The five of us together have a powerful sound, but alone, I'm just Lisa.

[She'd love nothing more than to put on a real show, but with just her, that'll be hard. Still, she can be proud of what she can do.]

a

[norrhamn_residents]

Ah, Lisa! Lisa, Lisa...

[ Olivia mumbles, flipping through the small bundle of papers in her clipboard — more to come soon, hopefully — until she finds what she's looking for. ]

There it is! Lisa Imai. Welcome to Norrhamn! I hope you'll be able to recharge your batteries here!

[traceofeffort]

[Look at that, actual notes and everything. Not that there seemed to be too many people on the ferry, so that might explain the number of files that'd actually fit on a clipboard.]

I'm hoping so, ma'am. It's not like I have a huge load of stress or anything, I just... want to give people my best.

[norrhamn_residents]

[ In a couple of months she might need a wheel barrow. ]

Please, call me Olivia. [ She smiles. ] And we don't judge. If you need a break you get one, no matter the reasons.

[traceofeffort]

Yes, ma- er, Olivia. [Saying the name on its own is strange to her tongue for a moment, but she manages. Probably whatever is helping Olivia understand her at all right now.[

I... Maybe it's presumptive of me, but I hope the people that really need it can get that, too. But I'll definitely take it for myself. I didn't even tell anyone I was leaving - they'd have tried to either come with me or tail me. It'd be too much right now. So... thank you.

[norrhamn_residents]

We try to reach as many as we can... as many as we can fit, at the very least.

[ If the cabins ever fill up, they'll uh... think of something. ]

And you're welcome. Please let me know if you have any questions, or if there's anything you need. I'm here to help.

[traceofeffort]

There's a lot of island here! It'll take a while for that to happen, I think.

I think I'll be okay for a while, as long as nobody minds my bass practice. Is there somewhere out of the way and covered I can use? Other than my cabin, but I should make sure everyone around me is okay with it first.

[norrhamn_residents]

Hmn... you're always welcome to practice in the community center if you'd like and I'm sure Ingvar wouldn't mind some musical company in the shop. If you're looking for privacy we do have wind shelters at the beach, but... well.

[ She hesitates for just a beat, doesn't want anyone to get the wrong idea of this place on their first day. At the same time, it feels really important to inform the guests. ]

Be careful around there. Especially if you're playing music.

b

[thefavorite]

[ This isn't his cabin, but Dewey is always drawn in by music. So when he hears it while walking past, he pauses, lingering by the open door a few moments.

Eventually, he speaks up. ]

Hey.

[ He pauses a beat before pressing on - ]

What are you playing?

[traceofeffort]

[Once she's had time to warm up, Lisa decides to ramp it up since she doesn't want to stay inside all day. With a deep breath, she blasts into LOUDER, letting herself go crazy and keeping the presence of mind to hum Yukina's part to keep herself in time. She's even satisfied with how it's going, which is a nice change of pace.

She sees, rather than hears, the person coming into the cabin, smiling just a little as she comes out of the solo and winds down, letting her own last note fade into the space without Rinko's keyboard.]

Hey there! Ah, it's called LOUDER. It'd sound better with the rest of my band, but I figured I'd make sure my bass made the trip okay.

Out exploring? Or looking for something?

[thefavorite]

[ He gives a smile in response. ]

Oh, I'm just exploring, and I heard the music.

That must be nice, though, having a band.

[traceofeffort]

It is pretty cool! My friends and I are working hard to be the best. But it's fun! At least, I think it's fun. And we're getting better all the time!

Find anything interesting yet?