Happiness Spiral

[sickhackbassist]

KIkuri Hiroi | Bocchi the Rock

Your friendly neighborhood drunk bassist.

Psychedelic rock is in her blood.

Anxiety ridden to the core, but she gets over it...

...with the power of, you guessed it, booze.

Sadly sobering up means realizing the future is bleak, and thus begins the unhealthy spiral.

Lived in a 52 year old apartment prior to arriving.

Terrible with IOU's & basic living habits. Miracle she made it this far

Despite everything she's got a heart of gold & incredibly talented.

Give her a chance and she might just help perk up your mood.

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[sunsage]

@sickhackbassist the wheel decided: HOT GRILL SUMMER / ANDROID HELL (accidentally spun the wheel twice)

"What's a 'rave'?" He piles more grilled fruits onto his plate before dropping a good heaping of them onto the girl's plate as well. "You know I'm pretty old, right? I try to keep on top of the mortal trends and all, but you guys keep making up new things all the time."

Not that some of the inventions weren't cool, like videogames and plush toys, but that's beside the point.

[sickhackbassist]

"Ah you don't know what a rave is? I guess it makes sense. I don't think I learned that anyone really back then you know, had that kind of thing." Or maybe they did and all of it was kept super secret. It'd certainly be something that'd keep everyone on their toes...

"So you see a rave is where a bunch of people get together with loud music. Buncha lights, some drinks, a big dance floor. It's a real good party for anyone that really just wants to let go for an evening. We could hit one up if ya' feeling it."

[inablinkgone]

“Y-yeah… s-sorry…” Till does seem to gain more confidence as Kikuri gets closer to talk to him, although his face turns a bit pink when her smile shows off her cute snaggletooth.

“I’m… I’m honestly really n-nervous… This audience isn’t actually all that different than the one that I’m used to… but I haven’t had a great time performin’. In the past—” He cuts himself off. He can see that she’s already worried, and he can’t imagine telling her about the time he was shot on stage would help alleviate her fears. “Y’know what? Nevermind…”

Till jumps to his feet suddenly, his movements energetic like he’s trying to pump himself up.

“You’re right, Kikuri! This is a good thing—we can actually help fight for once! We’re gonna kick their ugly asses with the hot blood of music!”

He takes Kikuri’s hand and pulls her up with him.

“And I’ve always wanted t’ hear your music. You write your own stuff, right? C-can we… p-play one of your s-songs…?”

[sickhackbassist]

"Y-Yeah exactly! We can stand up for ourselves without needing to bumble around by playing one of my so-"

"He wanted to what." Was the only thought that ran through her mind as he took her hands, Kikuri's eyes widening in embarrassment and amazement.

"W-Wait you wanna play one of my songs?!" It probably shouldn't have been too surprising. After all plenty of people played the band's songs on the internet and those covers. But that was in a place where there wasn't a chance of something wrong happening. Here was a little different.

"I mean I don't MIND if you want to. A-Are you sure you want to? Not that I doubt you couldn't pull it off. I'm just worried is all."

[sickhackbassist]

"Ah youth..."

[sickhackbassist]

Now she felt somehow worse that a high school student had to take care of someone in college. Granted no one else was around to see it happen and an initial impression on Uzi really didn't seem like the type of person to shout about this to the high heavens. Which meant she could keep whatever social standards the bassist held up for herself a secret...

"Ah I really hope you wouldn't have found a corpse. Especially mine. That might've been a little awkward to explain to anyone else who wanted to know what happened." And of course like she said the conscience for sure. Someone that young didn't need to live with something like that because of Kikuri's own fumbling.

"I uh couldn't tell you. I remember classes ending that's for sure. I played a bit in the back when everyone left and when I looked outside again it was already pitch black. Kinda amazing that no one saw me really."

But at the same time it made perfect sense for everyone to forget her in there.

"That's all I remember. I don't think I took a nap. But I guess somethin' happened that made me have you find me that way."

[bitemedotmp3]

Uzi stares for a moment, wondering if she should say anything. Once again, her conscience wins out, and she frowns.

"Uh, you're really flippant about the whole could-have-been-murdered thing. Are you sure you're good?"

Last time she's gonna ask. If Kikuri insists, then at least Uzi can say she tried her best if she does end up dismembered. Maybe the girl's just a space-case, or maybe something's wrong. In any case, Uzi can't devote too much of her time to it; she's not a hero, she's just a normal girl in unfortunate (and weirdly-hot) circumstances.

Lips pursed, she listens to Kikuri's story. Something doesn't add up, but she isn't really sure what it is. Who just passes out randomly for no reason? Either she's lying, or...

"Maybe you should go to a doctor later," she says. "Get your blood sugar checked or something. No guarantees the next person who finds you is as cool and nice as I am, so better to avoid the trouble altogether, right? Before you end up a news story."

That's probably all she can do for now. Uzi sighs, lifting herself off the seat. "You didn't make a mess in there or anything, did you? Not technically supposed to be in here this late, and Mr. Vickers is gonna be pissed if he finds out. If he can be bothered to be pissed, anyway."

She shrugs. "You, uh, need an escort anywhere? As long as it's not super far, at least."

[sickhackbassist]

"I mean it ain't great no. But I got a lot more worried about then that." Such was the life of a student like herself. Sure dying wasn't a great thing to think about but wasting money and being put in a far worse position just because her grades plummeted was even scarier. Even if Kikuri probably should've been taking better self-care of herself...

"A-Ah I probably don't need too much of an escort. Really once I relax myself a bit I'll be more then fine to get back to my dorm."

Though Uzi's words did manage to strike a cord then she initially thought. There wasn't a guarantee even if they were in the same class or in the bassists. It really was a miracle she managed to make it out of this without something drastic happening to her...

"...Did they ever find the bodies that were missing? N-Not that I care I just was curious. I haven't really been able to keep up with every little thing with them looking into it."

[3moreseasons]

Art's all about practice. Drawing, music, it's all the same. It's not a bad thing for you to broaden your horizons a bit, either.

"Yeah, sometimes it can be hard to concentrate when there's too much going on," you say. Your body flinches slightly as Kikuri's touch, but you don't mention it. "Where I came from, all the down time we had was... it was usually quiet. I don't think anyone wanted to really do anything between Caine's adventures."

Cotes ward is quiet today. The weather is nice, but the NPCs seem to be keeping to themselves for whatever reason. That's fine by you; you don't care for huge crowds, but hopefully at least a few of them will notice Kikuri's playing. It would be a little sad if no one else was around to appreciate it, right?

"Oh, Caine is... Well, he was the AI that ran the place where I came from. Kind of like the Stars, I guess. He'd make these adventures for us to go on to keep us busy. So we didn't... go crazy, I guess."

At least that's how Ragatha described it, and it seemed as good an explanation as any. You don't really like to talk about the Circus much, if you can help it. Thankfully, you don't have to for very long.

"Oh, we're here," you say, looking up.

As always, Beotkkot is beautiful. Springtime envelops the glade, bathing it in warmth and dotting the area with leafy trees and flowering plants. It's one of those places you come to get away from it all, and you already have a spot you like. It's right under a tree towards the edge, close enough to enjoy the area but far enough that you're not in the thick of it when people start gathering.

"Uh, is here good?" you say, taking a seat. "Let me know if you'd rather go somewhere else... but this should be good, right?"

[sickhackbassist]

"Sounds like a lot." Or maybe that was an understatement of just how much the bassist was trying to understand. Another version of the stars entirely sounded like a complete way to go absolutely insane. But maybe that's why their partner in crime seemed so "calm" about most of this. Because wherever they came from the majority had experienced something like this already...

"I mean I wouldn't know what to do if someone was throwing on me into crazy situations like that. Hell even when I throw myself into something weird I have to wonder how I got there in the first place."

And who would be willing to help her out of it...

"But this spot is perfect! You'd be a natural at finding things like this out for others." Kikuri said before taking a seat right across, stretching out her back and almost falling over in the process as her hands reached over to her case.

"Last time I found something like this might've been back when I was still taking classes. Unless I did when I was far too drunk to remember."

[inablinkgone]

Fiddling with his amp, trying to make sure the output is good, Till doesn’t see Kikuri right away. Tired and his nerves already shot to hell, he can’t help the embarrassing noise that escapes him at her call of his name.

“ACK-!” He squeaks, a whole octave higher than normal, his heart stopping for a minute before he turns to face his friend. He tries to return her smile, but even Till can tell that it doesn’t look very convincing.

“Ah, K-K-K-Kikuri-! W-wish we could c-catch up under better c-circumstances, b-but… I… I g-guess I’m g-good… How’re y-you doin’…?”

A brief pause, and immediately the thin veneer Till was holding up breaks apart.

“Aw hell… Who’m I kiddin’…?”

“I’m- I think I’m gonna fuckin’ pass out…”

[sickhackbassist]

"Ah that's good! I'm good too!..." The bassist said with pure "confidence" before the awkward pause between the two of them, only pulling back once Till broke apart as well.

"...Wait where was all the confidence a second ago?! We need that Till back not the "fuckin' pass out" one!"

It was expected of him to have stage freight. Coupled with the fact that they could be attacked by someone as well due to their music attracting what is causing the problems in the first place it was almost a miracle Kikuri wasn't passing out in the moment either. No doubt the alcohol doing the heavy lifting here.

"Look look come here." Kikuri ran on over, kneeling down and flashing a half confident, half worried smile as best she could. "We're gonna do great out there alright? Sure our audience this time is uh...well...you know."

Violent. A little bit...

"...But that doesn't mean we can't give it our all right? There's people out there that need us! And if this is how we do that then we're gonna rock their socks off. Don't you agree?'

[sickhackbassist]

"Alrighty think that's all prepped up now..."

The idea of putting on a concert without most of her bandmates did seem just a little off putting at first. Although once she heard people who could sing could actually make a difference the bassist did manage to muster up enough effort to do such a thing in the first place. Of course she couldn't do it alone, which meant calling the first few people she could think of to actually help out.

"Till~~! There you are!" The bassist shouted from the area behind the stage, her usual demeanor trying to hide all the pent up fear that was growing underneath.

"How's it hangin'? Got everything ya' need to do this?"

@inablinkgone

[bitemedotmp3]

"Ok, good. Good. I don't really know what I'd do if you were that bad. Call an ambulance, I guess," she says. "I'm not trying to... draw attention to myself, you know? I don't make it a habit of helping strangers."

It doesn't take them too long to get to the campus workshop, and thankfully no one's around to ask either of them any questions when Uzi lets her in.

"Heads up, it probably hasn't been washed recently. Just gets dirty quickly, so not really a point to it, you know?" she calls.

Dirty's probably an understatement, but beggars can't be choosers. Uzi takes a seat at one of the large tables, drumming her fingers on the wood. Now that she's here, she's itching to do some more work on her personal projects, but now's not the time for that. If she starts working, she'll be here until the sun comes up, and then she'll really regret it.

"Oh, you're in college?" she calls back. "I kinda thought... nevermind. I'm still in high school. Senior, though. Maybe I'll see you around next year."

Probably not, though. She's just saying it to be nice; they probably travel in different circles. Kikuri with the band kids and Uzi with... vampires. Man, high school is rough.

She shakes her head. "You're fine, I was just heading back to my dorm. Didn't really have any plans," she lies. "But you've heard about all the crazy shit going on, right? And by crazy shit, I mean the murders? Figured you were either dead or about to be dead, so either way it didn't feel right to just leave you there. Bad for my conscience, you know?"

What time is it, anyways? Whatever. Uzi looks up at Kikuri, frowning. "So, what were you doing in there, anyways? You, uh, guitar too hard or something?"

[sickhackbassist]

Now she felt somehow worse that a high school student had to take care of someone in college. Granted no one else was around to see it happen and an initial impression on Uzi really didn't seem like the type of person to shout about this to the high heavens. Which meant she could keep whatever social standards the bassist held up for herself a secret...

"Ah I really hope you wouldn't have found a corpse. Especially mine. That might've been a little awkward to explain to anyone else who wanted to know what happened." And of course like she said the conscience for sure. Someone that young didn't need to live with something like that because of Kikuri's own fumbling.

"I uh couldn't tell you. I remember classes ending that's for sure. I played a bit in the back when everyone left and when I looked outside again it was already pitch black. Kinda amazing that no one saw me really."

But at the same time it made perfect sense for everyone to forget her in there.

"That's all I remember. I don't think I took a nap. But I guess somethin' happened that made me have you find me that way."

[bitemedotmp3]

"Uh, yeah? Sometimes there are, like, documentaries and stuff- wait, that doesn't even fucking matter right now. Let's worry about getting you out of here first. Can you stand?" Uzi pants. God, she's really out of shape. She needs to start exercising or something before she embarrasses herself on a flight of stairs.

This isn't how she wanted to spend her night, but with the well-founded rumors of a campus killer, it would feel bad to just leave someone outside where they're vulnerable. Uzi wipes a bead of sweat from her brow, frowning as she sizes up the other girl. They're about the same height, aren't they? Maybe this isn't a college student? Whatever.

"Bathroom. Uh... sure. I know one that should still be open. You can walk on your own, right? I'll take you there," she says, waving the girl to follow.

Even with the missing people, the workshop on campus is still open late. People use it a lot less, which is great for Uzi, and her key will get them inside without any problems. It's not too far, either, so hopefully they just don't get killed before they get there.

"You remember your name?" says Uzi, glancing over her shoulder. "I mean, I sure hope so. I'm Uzi. If you don't remember your name, I'm taking you to a hospital instead."

[sickhackbassist]

"Of course I remember my name! I might not remember a few things but I don't have amnesia..." Even she would've been worried about that. Usually nights like that wouldn't last nearly as long to induce that level of problems for the bassist. Although she supposed there was always a chance it may reach that point. Kikuri just didn't want to believe it'd happen.

"Hiroi Kikuri. But you can just call me Kikuri Uzi." The girl said before wandering on past Uzi into the bathroom, faucet water splashing onto her face in a desperate attempt to wake herself up. "Music major. So you probably don't see me around nearly as much as some of the others."

Certainly not because she worried about bothering others...

"Sorry if I ruined the rest of your day trying to help me out. Really appreciate you not leaving me there though."

[dangoronin]

" Afraid not. Our nation is in isolation, there is very little outside influence. "

The description sounds interesting, Masa's eyes pick up light as he listens. It's easy to understand when she explains it like that. He'd like to know how it sounds.

" I have no musical skills really, I was taught when I was small but it was only small part of my studies and I had no talent for any of it so I retain no skill... "

" It makes sense. It is unfortunate you are here without your companions however... I hope you will see them soon again. "

[sickhackbassist]

"It happens!~~ I'm sure they'll show up one day or somethin'..." Not that she wanted any of her friends to be trapped in a place like this. But some familiar faces wouldn't hurt to see after so long.

"And that's really a bummer to hear. Not having the chance to really hone your skills? I mean if ya' didn't like it I get that but if not then well it's not the greatest situation."

Which came from a place that knew the sentiment all too well. It was already difficult for Kikuri to follow her dreams even before taking into account her difficulty socializing. But then add onto issues finding others with similar views and desires as herself and everything else that came along in starting a band. It was almost a miracle in the first place someone like her didn't crumble under pressure...

"...If you got the chance again, would you have given a bigger shot? To try your music skills out?"

[3moreseasons]

You can't imagine Kikuri being the quiet one, like you were. You haven't known her very long, but she's hard to miss. She probably changed over time, just like you did. She became a musician, and you became... Gangle.

"O-oh, yeah, nothing like that. This is just for me. For practice. So we can practice together, kinda," you say.

Honestly, you've been wanting to make more friends. It's not like you don't love all your friends from the Circus, but it's not a bad thing to branch out. And being around humans who actually look like humans is probably good for eliminating the jealousy you feel.

"If you're okay with it, then... let's go," you say, grasping your bag.

Stepping out of your house with Kikuri behind you, you squint up at the sun. It's a nice day out in Cotes. The sun is out but it's not too hot, there are people but not too many, and there's a breeze that cools but doesn't scatter your stuff. You really couldn't ask for a better day.

"There's a nice place not too far from here, under the tree. I think it's called Beotkkot, but it's nice and quiet there," you say, turning to her. "Or we could go to the market town if you want to go where the people are. I'll let you pick, since I don't mind either way..."

[sickhackbassist]

"Practice yeah yeah. We do it all the time with music too!"

Though for Kikuri it usually was just finding somewhere that fit the mood for her session rather then anything else. Which in an odd twist of fate was far more quieter areas compared to rowdy bars or areas. Almost as if she really couldn't ever free herself from the real "start" to her career...

"Though that place under the tree is probably better." The bassist said before placing a hand on her friends shoulder "Sounds perfect for ya' to concentrate and for me to think up some good lyrics. A win-win for the two of us right?~~"

As long as nothing got in the way between her and the goal that is...

"Let's get a move on! You don't get a day like this often. Not without some storm ruining everything later on in the week."

[sunsage]

"Come on, girl." He huffs, now actually a little annoyed. Not that much, but still! "You get the snacks, and then you help me out on a little-"

He waves another donut that he already pulled out the bag around in some vague motion before tossing it into his mouth.

"-let's call it a reconnaissance mission. Since we won't be stealing anything probably so it's not a heist." He's not really selling this as a crimeless activity, which it technically is - all Wukong needs is for someone who can't be traced back to him to help him sneak somewhere he shouldn't be. How is that a crime?

(Don't answer that).

[sickhackbassist]

"Ooooh yeah yeah..." Most of his words flew right over her head as Kikuri's eyes hyper focused on the donut swinging back and forth in front of her. Food shouldn't have been so easy to work on her and yet here the bassist was, actually contemplating the clearly a crime "crimeless" activity just for this.

"I mean isn't there an easier way? I don't mind scoopin' things out but there's gotta be something that isn't, well, all this right?"

[paraunfinal]

"hm? ah. ángel," he supplies without much thought, his enthusiasm momentarily shot by her questioning. ".........it's nothing like that, nah. haven't had much worth celebrating in a while. doing quite the opposite, really."

oh brother, could he sound any more mopey? she didn't ask for a vent post!

mercifully, he's rescued by the bartender setting down their first bottle—his previous downer of an answer banished with a wave of his manicured hand and a forced smile.

"i mean! to new friendships, yeah? that's always something worth celebrating!" he hopes raising his freshly-poured glass is enough to distract her from the tonal whiplash. "besides, i could ask you the same, kikuri. what's one woman need five bottles for?"

[sickhackbassist]

"Ah that's too bad. But I get ya', sometimes things just don't work out and there's no parties to be had. It's why what's at the bottom of the bottle helps out so much!"

Or maybe it was just one of those things that only the bassist could really grasp in her odd wild mind. After all her happiness spiral truly was a cycle only someone of her caliber could really manage to pull off so consistently.

"Huh? Why five? Because I was gonna drink 'em all duh." The bassist said with the amount of energy that it should've been expected. "Just a little bit out of range to pay is all. And I'm not home to use a card either..."

[3moreseasons]

You can't quite figure out Kikuri's tone. Something like surprise, maybe with a bit of disbelief? She doesn't sound against the idea, at least.

"Well, only if you're okay with it. If you're not, I could always draw something else. It's just... well, it's a little embarrassing, but I'm not really used to drawing people anymore... I mean, human people. Back home, everyone was just a digital avatar, so I just want to get some practice."

You pull out your sketchbook, leafing through some of the half-filled pages. There's some other Spirale residents on them, as well as your friends from the Circus. It's been nice to draw again, and you hold out some of your drawings to Kikuri.

"Uh, see? Just figure drawings. I kinda like to... draw candid stuff, i-if that makes sense. It feels more natural. So you do your thing, and I do mine."

It's not very exciting, which suits you fine. And you've been kind of curious about Kikuri's music, so this is a two birds kind of situation. But her last comment makes you blink as you return your things to your bag.

"Really? I think you look cute... I-I mean, you look fine!" you say, urgently trying not to make it weird. "A-anyways, if you really don't want to, I can draw something else. I'd just rather not sit around, if it's okay with you."

[sickhackbassist]

"A-Ah right you did mention that before." It still was a little weird to think about being an avatar in a virtual universe on top of being there against one's will. It truly did feel like one of those combinations you'd find in a movie or manga series to try and grab the attention of the reader. Yet the only difference was it being set in reality rather then fiction.

"It's nothing like that no. I just didn't really get a lot of attention back in school. Didn't matter what grade or class I always was the quiet one in the back. So anyone asking me anything was well, kind of a disaster."

The simplest way to put it. Without getting into all the nitty gritty of how strange her life ended up to get here in the first place...

"But I've gotten better at it! Probably why someone like you drawing me just doing my thing ain't too worrying. Nothing too fancy like all those photo shoots the big rockstars gotta go through all to just be thrown on the cover of some magazine for a few weeks."

[paraunfinal]

"wh- hey now! i said it's only yours i'm covering." tipsy miscommunication or not, this gal's readier to bleed him dry than his best friend back home ever was. and that's saying something! ángel repeats to the bartender (loud enough for any preying customers to hear), "only her, alright? as much as i'd love to provide for all the lovely people in this, uh... fine establishment."

now with that out of the way, even if she orders the most expensive drink on the menu, it's a monetary sacrifice he'll have to make after wasting everyone's ti--

"f-five bottles!?" it's almost a squeak. "i'm not here to rain on any parades, but..."

he doesn't know if encouraging that much drinking is, y'know, ethical. .............on the other hand, maybe she's got the right idea......

"tell you what. split the liquor and i'll buy you six."

[sickhackbassist]

"Oooh it's been awhile since I've done a halfsies situation!" Maybe back in college? Most of the time people just handed her off drinks rather then needing to go so a hoop like this. But it seemed far easier especially with how nice he was in the first place...

"Deal. Name's Kikuri by the way! Why'd you want to do that in the first place? You celebrating something?"

Because it absolutely wasn't her. Unless all the signs were flying right over the bassists head as she spoke.

[bitemedotmp3]

"I mean, doesn't amnesia come in short-term varieties too? I dunno, I'm not in any psych classes. But you see it all the time on TV or whatever," says Uzi, frowning.

But college students like to throw big ol' raging parties that Uzi will probably never be invited to, right? This girl probably came from one of those, not that it's any of her business. But she does sympathize with not wanting to draw any undue attention.

"Well... If you're sure, then we'll skip it. But at least let's get you out of the frickin' planter. Next person who wanders by might not be as nice as me."

Guess she's involving herself in this after all. Uzi sighs and grabs the girl's arm to try and get her upright while also trying not to get herself tangled in the sticks and shrubbery.

"God, frickin'- you're heavy, dude," she huffs, not nearly in a physical condition to try and pick up another human. "Where am I supposed to take you? Dorm? Bathroom? Taxi? Dumpster?"

[sickhackbassist]

"Oh, right I am still in the planter aren't I." It was something that completely passed her mind up until she brought it up as well. And taking far more effort then anyone was going to guess. But at the very least she fumbled out of it with her own help and Uzi's, still wondering if maybe there was some kind of amnesia sitting right up in her mind...

"Wait you can believe the stuff on TV? I thought all of that stuff usually came with one of those warnings about being fiction and the like."

Unless she got tossed into a world like that. Which definitely would've had more questions and answers for the aspiring bassist...

"B-But you can just take me to the bathroom. I'll uh, I'll wash up and I guess I can figure out what we should do from there."