Half an hour past the first performance concludes, the party continues on merrily, with everyone enjoying themselves to the fullest--and when the time reaches exactly 20:30, the lights suddenly begin to dim. It almost seems as though there’s a slight haze hanging over the stage, from which two figures emerge, making their way to the front of the stage; with a sweep of their hands and calm smiles upon their features, they offer a bow to their audience.
“Good evening, everyone.”
“We do hope you’re having a frightfully good time tonight.
Are you ready to be dazzled again?”
“Amazed?”
“Filled with wonder?”
“Then--” The two boys now speak in unison, the smiles upon their faces growing wider and less stoic-seeming, “we welcome you, Hive City, to a festive Halloween celebration!”
“Now then, are you ready to start dancing again?” The taller one, whose long violet hair cascades in waves down his shoulder and along his front, allows the crowd a moment to cheer before he nods excitedly and continues, “We’ve been introduced already, but just in case you’ve gotten too lost in the fun, we’ll remind you again! I am Kamui Gakupo--”
“--And I am Eichi Tenshouin.” The shorter of the two smiles brightly, a look that’s reflected in eyes almost shining with excitement, “We’re certainly hoping you’ll enjoy yourselves to the fullest as we perform for you tonight. You’re all looking so lively already, but I’d love to see everyone smiling even further.”
“Before we begin, though--you heard it from our lovely opening act, and we’d like to thank Marie and Callie for a very wonderful start--but take care not to get rowdy out there!”
“That’s right. We’re here to enjoy ourselves to the fullest, and it would break our hearts to see any one of your lovely faces become sad tonight. We’d like to stun and amaze you with our performance tonight, isn’t that right, Gakupo?”
“Yes, you’re right, Eichi! But everyone looks well beyond excited now--are you all ready to begin?”
The crowd cheers as he pauses, and the two boys look to each other with broad smiles before winking at the crowd.
“Well, then we won’t keep you waiting any longer.”
“So tonight--”
“--on this night of a frightful celebration--”
“--we’ll begin!”
The lights within the party dim again, brightening a spotlight across the stage for them as the two boys begin to move, and the music once again begins…
▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
Hello there! This is Gakupo-mun, with a few OOC notes at the end!
First, Eichi-mun and I give a big shoutout to my wife to Bansai-mun, and as well to the IC business of Hive City Records, since these boys are under Bansai’s care!
Second, while I intended to have a sweet full illustration of the boy’s outfits to put up top there, I got caught up in so many things it didn’t get completed, so what you saw linked up there is all I could share (rip). This is the reference, just in case anyone is curious!
And finally, thank you Battler-mun for letting us do this! We’re really grateful!
It had sure been a fright when Battler heard of Eichi’s sudden collapse after his and Gakupo’s presentation. Thankfully the medical team was able to quickly tend to him, but the worried expressions on everyone involved told Battler that it hadn’t just been a dizzy spell.
The sorcerer is not very acquainted with medicine (that’d have been Dr. Nanjo’s expertise), but he’s acquainted with respecting others’ wishes. Everyone involved, Eichi included, implored him not to make the incident public beyond the small circle in the know. Battler has enough good sense to understand the worry public figures have with their health state and how that may affect their careers, but he feels like he could do more to the poor boy.
And in fact, he can.
A couple days after the party, he decides to visit the young idol at his apartment in P-4. He rings the doorbell, waiting patiently for someone to open the door. Will Eichi receive him well?
He arrives no sooner or later than he had promised, carrying a small cake he picked up along the way. The apartment door could well be unlocked, but he doesn’t try it, instead knocking and waiting patiently for Eichi to answer.
His expression lights up as soon as he hears the boy’s approach, and he bows slightly in greeting as the door opens. “Good afternoon. How have you been?”
The Spirit sat idle in a cafe chair, the drink she ordered untouched, as she still wasn’t feeling up to testing to many of the drinks or foods yet and just wanted to give the place some business. Leaning back in the chair, she let a soft song come from her while tuning out of the world.
He seemed... familiar. The blonde hair, the striking blue eyes. It was as if the android had heard the same description described to her several times...
Wait a second.
“Waitー Um, sir?” Miku stepped forward. trying to wave the boy down to get his attention. She was almost certain this was the right person. “Is your name Eichi?” She asked, curious synthetic eyes taking his features in. “A friend of Gakupo’s...?”
( ⚡ ) As soon as Tsumugi had found out that Natsume was here too, Tsumugi was elated. He felt far more at ease now, knowing a precious friend was here with him-- his tense movements returning to their more relaxed and aloof state he normally carried himself with.
Yet, he would turn rigid again, as he focused onto an all too familiar figure. “...Eichi-kun?”
“Keeping friends close, and enemies cLOSER?” The magician laughed--the concept of the emperor having friends was the most amusing joke. “A magician of my esteem has higher sights to sEE and better things to do, than to be sitting side-by-side with the likes of yOU.”
He was prepared for what would happen once their performance ended.
Eichi stood tall and strong the entire time, even as they made their exits off the back of the stage--until the second nobody could see them anymore. That was the point he could no longer keep himself standing tall. His body finally gave in, legs almost seeming like they had suddenly become gelatin, but Gakupo caught him before he had any chance of hitting the ground.
Between then and now, things had seemed almost like a blur; he had let the party’s head, Battler, know what’s going on, and Gakupo had found himself amazed and how it felt like they were in a safe medical facility despite the fact that they hadn’t even left the premises. The power of some of the others living here was really astounding.
That wasn’t his concern now, though.
Now, he was sitting besides Eichi, trying to keep his brows from furrowing in concern because he knows very well how the other doesn’t enjoy this sort of situation. It wasn’t like anyone would find them and come barging in and start a fuss (the only ones who knew were Battler, himself, Daylen, and Bansai after all), but something like that wouldn’t be much comfort to Eichi, would it.
“Are you--” Gakupo begins to speak, but Eichi’s coughing fit as he tries to sit up causes him to stop, gently easing the other boy back into the conjured bed. “Eichi-kun... please, take it easy for now. I’m sure your body needs time to rest, as do you. I’m here by your side, so...”
