holyspirits | W5 CYOA - Zhongli, Akihiko, Laurence, Ali Zoph

[ Those of you headed up ride an elevator up to the top deck. Even though the ship is huge enough that the promenade deck didn't feel super cramped, it's definitely more spacious up here.

There are still a few shops, and a bar, but most of the deck is taken up by multiple massive swimming pools with big colorful slides. There are four hotubs in the back and several people all over, everywhere. It's like this, and you are currently at the back elevators! ]

[It's really surprising that nobody is stopping them while they carry literal guns.]

Alright, let's sweep this deck and see what we find. Shops?

[The pools and hot tubs are open so they can check as they go.]

[Looking at the map Akihiko kind of wishes wonders if maybe they should have split one-by-one after all]

It'd be a start. Someone over there might have heard about clients sweeping with huge wins today.

[Depends on how subtle the Idol is, really]

[ It's not surprising at all that no one minds your guns! Largely because everyone single one of the high school girls around you is also carrying a gun. (But not the bipedal animals or robots.)

The two of you head past the pools to scope them out as you go. There are a lot of girls splashing around in the pool as you pass, their guns all set aside in storage lockers nearby... but none of them look like the description of The Idol to you.

At the front of the ship is the Solarium Bistro, a big café with a cute gift shop attached. Similarly, not really seeing anyone that could be The Idol, but... The staff are really honed in on trying to get your business. You don't pay for admission so you'd better be shopping around.

Besides, what does anyone really do on a cruise but buy overpriced shit and eat at 500 buffets and cafes? A server steps up to greet you, his gun swung around to his back so it's not in the way when he needs to take orders! ]

Table for two? Or can I get you some drinks to go?

[He doesn't even get to start to politely refuse, because he knows that voice. All pretense of the mission at hand is immediately forgotten as he stares at the young man in front of him.]

...Chance?

[Logically he knows this isn't the same person. Chance is back at home, alive and well. But still, Ali can't help but stare as tears start to well up at the corners of his eyes.]

[Akihiko had been looking around, trying to catch anyone who looks like the Idol, so he didn't notice what got Ali misty-eyed. When he notices he's tearing up, he leans towards Ali]

Are you alright?

[ He looks a little. alarmed that you are near tears, but tries to play it off. For money! ]

That's me. Hey, I'm more popular than I thought. Tell that to my boss, okay? Clearly I deserve a raise if you're that happy to see me.

Soooo... Two? Did you want a booth?

Yeah, sure.

[He has to bite on his lip and discreetly wipe the tears away. Just like with Iris before, this isn't his son, this is someone who happens to look like him.

And yet.]

You'll be our server, right?

[...huh. Akihiko isn't sure he caught onto why the reaction, but he won't press the issue. Instead, he nods to their new server]

Have you been here all day?

Trying to figure out when I get off work? Sorry, flattery won't lower the prices.

I don't think I've got your usuals memorized yet, but there's still time. Do you already know what you want?

[ You didn't answer him about whether you want a table or a booth, but you're also still engaging so he just leads you to an open booth. Everyone likes booths better, right? He hands you menus.

It's like a typical burger joint, but everything is crazy expensive. ]

[Booths are absolutely better, it's true. But Ali is quick on his feet, so even when they order drinks he'll pull Chance into this cover story.]

We're actually waiting for our third friend, but they haven't shown up yet. Have you seen someone with grey hair, teal eyes, and green halo that looks kind of like graffiti? They're a little short and on the thin side too.

[Akihiko glances at Ali, catching on, and adds:]

They got to the ship before us, but this is way too big. We didn't think things through because they said they'd have our buying money for today--

[He looks at the prices and winces]

--and we really will need it.

[With some luck, implying that knowing the location of this person is a hugely important step for them to spend a whole lot of money will be encouragement to jog his memory!]

Mm, that does sound familiar. Think they've been in here a couple of times. They always order the deluxe super special ultra king meal. And a coke.

Which is probably not something I should tell you.

[ but knowing The Idol is a big spender does put him a little bit at ease after basically being told that you two DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY AND CAN'T AFFORD THIS. ]

Maybe you want to text them or make sure they're coming before you order?

Wouldn't want to serve up something you can't pay for.

[Yikes.

Ali does his best to look annoyed, like in the way a teenager would pout.]

They're not answering their texts...I can't believe we skipped school for this.

I can't believe they convinced us to let them come alone in the first place.

[Akihiko mutters, like he's upset and in disbelief, and then raises his head]

Wait, did they already came here today...? They better not have come here before us to eat and then leave us abandoned.

[He's really, really trying to make his annoyance convincing. Is it working? He doesn't know. He's never really tried acting as a hobby!]

[ I only have two icons, but his expression drops a bit. Becomes more... skeptical. He doesn't necessarily think you're trying to run a scam here, but he does think it's possible you got SUPER DITCHED by your friend. And have no money.

Especially because, now that he thinks about it... ]

They... were in here earlier, yeah... So why would they come meet you here again?

[ He believes you that The Idol is your friend. Probably... But maybe you're two broke bitches trying to dine and dash. ]

[Well. They didn't order at least.]

C'mon Aki, let's go find them.

[Maybe if they scoot now they won't get in trouble. Ali scoots out of his spot and gives the biggest lost puppydog face as he asks Chance a question.]

Do you know which way they went? We'll go grab 'em and come back.

[When Akihiko hears the Idol was here earlier, his face sours]

Damn it!

[That's easier to fake -- because it's genuine. It's easier to figure out where someone will come to. Since the Idol already was here, they won't come back, probably]

They better not have spent all of our money. I didn't come all the way to this ship to be ditched.

[ WELL. Akihiko's reaction makes them INCREASINGLY DOUBTFUL you guys are actually friends. Other girls are starting to glance over from their own tables, wondering what is going ON over there. ]

Haven't left my post all day, so I'm not sure exactly where they are. Don't exactly keep the security cameras by the grill. I hear they're a big spender in the casino, but they can't spend all of their time there... No one can.

... But for pretty obvious privacy reasons we can't go around letting anyone into the Security room to go spying on other guests.

Never know who could be dangerous, right?

Yeah yeah, c'mon. Let's get going then.

[They're BROKE and their info doesn't help much, other than knowing that Idol is here today. They'll have to look on their own.

But before they leave, Ali stops and looks at Chance for a moment.]

Give your dad a hug when you get home, ok? Dad's love that stuff.

[Ali misses being able to hug his kids.]

Security room? What?

[Akihiko shakes his head like he's dismissing the thought of trying to use the camera is a ludicruously excessive thing to do to find a presumed friend. The casinos...Ray and Zhongli probably have that under control, he hopes. No need to hurry to get down to the bottom deck.

Still, he pats Ali on the back, comfortingly]

...you sure you're okay? You have been distracted for a while.

What dad?

[ He isn't even being passive aggressive here he's just kind of like. Sorry. My what. Who are you.

Anyway he looks a little bewildered by Akihiko being unfamiliar with... the concept of security rooms? With cruise ships having security rooms? But he is NOT GONNA LET THAT RUIN HIS DAY and kind of just ushers you out of your seats and then brushes past you a little rudely to go greet some new customers.

You have been ushered out of the cafe and giftshop area, and have already checked the pools... But hey, you do know that if nothing else, the security rooms EXIST? Could be a good place to find out where The Idol is. Or something to sabotage to get eyes off of you.

Alternatively, there are other decks and other areas to check. ]

[ow ow OW OW

Yeah time to walk away from the restaurant. His heart can only handle so much.

Once they're out of earshot Ali will whisper something to Akihiko.]

I think it's time to put the maid uniforms on.

[Time to go 'clean' the security room!]

It is. We'll need our own supplies. They must be somewhere...

[If they appeared in such a sensitive place without at least a cleaning rag some may suspect!]

I know places. Change first.

[Honestly his can go right over his other outfit for a rapid change later. He steps into a stall in the bathroom, slips the maid outfit on, then goes out to wait for Akihiko.

While waiting, he's keeping an eye out for cleaning carts. Are there any around?]

TOP DECK

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