#idolparty1

[idolparty]

Anger | ??? [Re: Chiemi]

That was disorienting, Lucas thought.

For what felt like an eternity, that's all he could think. A deeper, subconscious part of his psyche might have been asking those existential questions that inevitably plague someone whose worldview was just shattered over their head. Those thoughts were buried under a heaping pile of emotions he struggled to grapple with.

"So what now?"

Lucas cast his eyes downward, finally loosening his fingers from his clenched fists. He stared intensely towards the small charm in his palm as a wave of emotions came rushing back to him. Lucas gasped for air as if he'd been punched in the gut by a heavyweight boxing champ, his hand searching for something, anything to grasp onto to steady himself. He clutched the end of the nearest table.

For a moment, he grew still again.

Then he lunged towards Chiemi, grabbing her roughly by the shoulders and nearly shoving her to the ground. His eyes burned like a madman's, desperation written clearly across his face.

"Where did-- where did she go? Tell me where Saya is, TELL ME THAT SHE'S SAFE! I don't care what day it is, or where we are, and I certainly don't give a rat's ass about... whatever the hell just happened, all I want you to tell me is that she's okay right now."

Lucas let go of her shoulders, scowling with an air of antipathy that somehow made him look very much unlike himself.

"If you think Zeus a madman, you won't want to see what I'm capable of."

...

'Did you get into another fight today?'

'No,' Lucas replied.

'You're a terrible liar, Kou-kun.'

'...Or maybe you're too good of one,' he whispered under his breath.

'Nice dig,' she admitted. 'You're starting to learn, huh? Look, your glasses are cracked.'

'I noticed,' he answered curtly.

'How long are you going to give me the cold shoulder?'

'Until you stop.'

'Stop what?'

'Until you stop dying.'

'Okay, okay, I'll stop, I promise.'

'Really?'

'You can't be dying if you're dead,' she prodded with a snicker.

He laughed. Somehow, it hurt.

'Why do you keep doing that? Don't you care about your own life?! Why do you treat it like it's just a joke? It's not a joke to me! It's not funny!'

'Not with that attitude,' she continued with a grin.

He laughed again. Then he felt warm tears roll down his cheek.

'This... this isn't fair.'

'Maybe not,' she admitted. 'I'm sorry.'

[idolparty]

S01E10 | THE IDIOT WHO SUMMONED THE APOCALYPSE

[ ... ] You always hear about the idiot who summoned the apocalypse for whatever selfish reasons, but you don’t really hear about the people who were there when it happened. Probably because they died from the guy’s sheer stupidity.  By stupidity, you mean the end of all humanity that he unleashed on everyone. This was turning out to be the worst Halloween weekend ever.  Limo Man still has Zeus pinned to the ground, but you can read his lips. He’s still going. (And still has his stupid sunglasses on, what the hell man.) Someone yells out, begging him to stop. The light from outside spills in through the glass walls. In fact, a pillar light starts to shine from where Zeus is on the ground. The pillar grows larger and larger until the light engulfs the whole room.  Right before it hits you, everything starts to float and move in slow motion. You were half expecting the noise from that one movie to start playing. If this was still a show, the production value on this episode must have been through the roof.  You shut your eyes and brace for impact.  ... but it never comes.  . . . When you open your eyes again, the sky is bright, streaming through the glass walls. Everyone’s slowly waking up around you and everyone’s equally disorientated, thank god.  Someone clears their throat and you look up, spotting an outstretched hand. Its Chiemi. She looks genuinely concerned for your wellbeing - who knew.  “Are you doing okay? That whole explosion... It was intense.”  Before you can respond -  “Can’t believe it took us three weeks to find you guys.” 

[idolparty]

S01E09 | AND THEN THE EARTH STOOD STILL

The projection feed then cut and everything was as per normal. Two teams were gone now, leaving it down to the final five units. Whatever could Bintang throw at everyone next.  Each week that you trained; did it really mean anything? It just seemed so... out of place. What was initially a ‘quirky’ and ‘different’ reality show, slowly turned more sinister with the disappearance of a host. The murmurs of the staff and the fact that some of them, even, were placing bets on if Hera were alive or not. Evidently, there were some parties who were taking things a bit more lightly than others.  Everyone was making it out like they were off to leave already - people are ‘dead,’ okay, bye. Back to the room, to await the next training session. It was all routine and just so same-old, same-old. And sad.  Zeus must’ve seen the lack of reaction. He was so desperate for activity, reactions - a showman always wants an attentive audience, even if they react negatively. This was still being televised, wasn’t it? How’s the ratings holding up?  “Um...” Zeus clapped his hands together. “I... That’s all, everyone. You can-...” He was holding back. Did he... not want to send everyone back? We were done here, right? Wrap it up, old man. He chewed on his lower lip. Something was on his mind. Was he going to do something? “Look, I can... uh. Alright, so...” He scrambled for one of his books and started flipping through it, searching for something. “Okay, things’re... Haha, we’re gonna make things interesting again.” Zeus grinned, holding up the book with one hand and splaying out the fingers of his other hand. Waving it up and down, it looked like...  “...”  At this point, you weren’t able to understand him. Between all the ‘um’s and ‘er’s, also all the... chanting? And whispers? And... ... Wait...  Wait... Someone calls out Zeus’ name. He doesn’t hear. Someone yells out his name instead. He still doesn’t respond.  Limo Man takes a run at Zeus and tackles him to the ground, but the damage has been done. The ground shakes and lights flash from outside. You’re panicking - what’s... what...? This is all for show, right?  The lights above you explode one by one, sending shards of glass everywhere. You and the rest of your fellow competitors run for it, taking shelter beneath tables in the far corner.  For a show called Idol Party, you were more than ready to head for the door. 

[idolparty]

S01E09 | ALL STAR SHUFFLE: THE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

[ ... ]  Saya, Genpachi, Rochelle and Sanaa feel the ground collapse from under them - and down they go. Their screams fade and your eyes drift to the projection, as per usual. The fact you were so used to it all was kind of... well, it was a thing, now.  The projection flickers to life and you see things from a first-person view point. Whoever it is, they’re rather tall. They groan as they get to their feet, eyeing a fallen Sanaa. With a gasp, they rush to her aid, helping her back into her wheelchair. Distantly, you can hear anguished yelling - the person whips around and sees Saya and Genpachi, struggling to stand. Could something be broken? Are they badly injured?  ... Is this insured by Bintang?  Saya raises a fist to the sky and screams, angry beyond belief. Genpachi screams as well, more out of fear. The sky... wait, the sky?  They’re not in Malaysia anymore, are they?  What the hell’s going on? Is there anything you can do? Saya’s yelling something about being prepared - she picks up a sword and deems it a weapon. Even swings it around a few times for good measure. Genpachi flails about and manages to find a submachine gun. Being the gentleman he is, he gives it to Sanaa. The person who’s eyes you’re seeing through - Rochelle, it seems, grabs a frying pan for herself. Genpachi finally settles on taking a discarded electric guitar. He plucks at its strings and it sounds with a muffled twang.  And then they come, with shuffled steps.  Shuffling steps that get faster.  [ ... ]  From Rochelle’s viewpoint, you can see everyone taking off sprinting. Her hands grab at the back of Sanaa’s chair and she pushes with all her might. Everyone’s running for their lives from whatever... those things are.  “Zombies!” Genpachi screams.  Oh, so that’s clears that up. Out of the corner of Rochelle’s line of sight, you see what looks to be a zombie... wearing the clothes of a one Ms. Miriam. You knew she was old, but not that old. Damn.  ... wait, a zombified... Karen? Are the rest of them...?  Rochelle’s head whips back and true enough, a fallen pair of Lilys are stumbling after the two - and they’re picking up speed. How can Lily C. run in those heels? Even while dead?  There’s a yelp and this time, its Saya. She’s been cornered by two - no, three zombies. But she’s refusing to go down without a fight. Genpachi struggles to bat them away with his guitar, but its to no avail. Saya falls to the ground. Without missing a beat, Sanaa urges everyone to keep moving. If all of the zombies are ‘fallen’ competitors - you don’t want to see Saya of all people when she ‘gets back up.’  Adrenaline powers Genpachi to move even faster than before, his eyes wild and full of disbelief. He did not just see his producer get turned into a living dead youth. Sanaa urges everyone to keep moving, her voice trembling. She seems to choke back a sob.  The three of them keep moving for what feels like hours. This entire place, its barren and empty. Almost like a desert. Of all things, it feels very... deliberate. They were dumped here for a good reason, weren’t they?. They were dumped here because there wasn’t going to be a way out.  They stop and ponder their choices. To keep going and keep evading - but for how long? Or to stop and succumb to their fate? There are some tears shed after much deliberation - but whatever it is, you don’t hear. The audio cuts out just then,of all times. You don’t hear their decision.  Neither do you hear their screams of terror when Rochelle is suddenly attacked from behind. Sanaa’s mouth opens and closes while Genpachi locks up completely. Your line of sight drops to the ground. Was there a camera attached to Rochelle this whole time? Is that how you’ve been seeing things? The view glitches and for the briefest moment, you see what looks to be a HUD.  Genpachi and Sanaa make a break for it, their fate unknown. They are tailed by a zombie - the one who probably attacked Rochelle. That zombie though, she looks angry and... familiar... Before you can confirm your suspicions, the words GAME OVER flash on the screen. The view pans back and you catch sight of a boy and girl, each of them holding game controllers. Their shoulders slump, having lost, apparently. She sighs and scratches the back of her neck. ... wait, is she wearing a shrine maiden outfit?

[idolparty]

CRAZY NIGHT | ZEUS

Zeus waved his hands, as if that were going to keep everyone quiet. To be honest, it seemed pretty dead for the most part. There was a massive lack of activity and he just took that to be a sign for things to move forward.  He himself, felt totally dead. Save for, well... these books. All he had been doing after all, was reading all sorts of strange books. Compendiums. Textbooks. Tales in so-called ‘old tongues.’ Its amazing what they sell on the internet.  What he had gathered, is that even if Hera was... god forbid, no longer, he could still contact her. Or at least find the body. She was his biggest concern. This competition could go to hell.  He coughed. No, wait, these innocents don’t deserve to go to hell. There isn’t a need.  Zeus had learned that pure determination, the wrong thought - a pinch of pixie dust and some degree of skill could bring forward almost anything. And suddenly imagining the room engulfed in flame wouldn’t do much for the ratings.  (Or would it?) His thoughts getting away from him, he finally conceded -  “Okay, okay. We’re done here. Elimination. Let’s go.” He clapped his hands together. “Chop chop. Halloween elimination. Let’s get spooky.”

[idolparty]

pass it forward | saya | elista | re: genpachi, lucas

In most circumstances, there was no way Saya would have accepted such a hug. It was awkward, after all; strangers had no business being in her personal bubble. But… this wasn’t most circumstances. Genpachi want hugging her as a stranger, but as an idol. A teammate. Even though they’d lost, even though it was without a shadow of doubt her fault.

It was a strange feeling, but if she had to assign words to it… nice. Appreciative.

“… alright. Let’s give all those viewers something to talk about. Maybe a few nightmares.”

(It was quiet, more resigned than anything cheerful sounding, but… she laughed.)

But before any hell could be raised, there was one last lose end that needed trimming. With a nod, Saya crossed the crowd of the remaining units, heading right towards— who else— Lucas. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be throwing another phone at him…

And hey, instead of throwing anything at him, she was slipping something into his hand, something small that she’d been keeping in her pocket. Only someone standing close would be able to see that it was specifically an omamori, or would have heard the words she gave him afterwards.

“If I see you again before the finale, I’ll kick your ass.”

Thank you so much, Saya.

[idolparty]

Denial | Elimination Station [Re: World]

"There has to be some mistake, right?"

Lucas shook his head with a strangely hollow laugh. His body shook uncontrollably, forcing him to shove his hands into his pockets to keep them from jittering.

"The votes were-- the votes were clear. I'm the one that's going home this week. Don't you, don't you remember our name? It's Meteor's Dawn, Zeus. I know you've been out of it lately, but, but you have to remember that at least. This is much worse than 'Lukass and Fukna'!"

Saya had given him so much shit for that mistake, and he was sure to hear about it from all of his friends back home! Lucas would never live that one down. Another painfully hollow laugh.

"Now that we've all had a good laugh about it, shared some tender emotions, enjoyed a little bit of drama, I think it's about time we wrap up this little charade, don't you think?"

He clutched his chest, feeling an overwhelming wave of conflicting emotions. Lucas believed in those words wholeheartedly, so why was he running so short on breath? Why wouldn't his hands stop shaking, and why did he notice the distinct taste of iron in his mouth?

"Why?"

Memories leaked back into his mind, a slow trickle at first, the first crack in the dam. Then the crack grew and the trickle became a stream, and the stream a flood. Lucas held his hands to his head, as if putting his thumb to the dam.

...

'She's sick? That's not true.'

Lucas puffed his cheeks out, pouting childishly. He took a small step away from his father, reaching for his mother's sleeve.

'We were playing soccer yesterday. Then we ate cake, like a whole of it! She laughed when I almost puked it out, but it was my celebration cake so I swallowed it down.'

His mother pulled her hand towards her chest, leaving Lucas scrambling to hold onto the side of her skirt. Tears began to well up in his eyes, so he pushed his comically large glasses closer to his face to cover it.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry I ate cake before dinner. I know I'm not supposed to. I'm sorry. Please stop joking, I, I don't think it's funny anymore. I'm really sorry I ate cake before dinner, and I'm sorry I was up so late... I'll stop, I promise! Just stop kidding around like this, okay?'

Lucas was starting to feel the cake come back up in his throat. He couldn't help but curse his weak stomach at times like this, but why now? Why wasn't his mother comforting him like she always would, and why did his heart hurt so much?

'Why?'

[idolparty]

this is the end | genpachi | reaction | re: thi-an, saya

It was hard for Hiroaki to swallow the fact that he had lost. He had come so far - that much he was proud of, since better people had already been kicked off before him - but he wasn't ready to leave yet.

Back to a life of uncertainty, of dirty alleyways and dancing in dimly lit bars. Perhaps that was were he was destined to be. Just a taste of true unadulterated stardom was more than he had ever expected.

The young man smiled softly at Thi-an as she offered some parting words. He hoped that she would do well.

Of course, that wasn't to say he wasn't angry at Saya for causing all of this.

"If you'd just been quiet...!"

He was ready to give her a piece of his mind after all of that shouting she'd done. She never seemed to stop shouting. Until, well, she did, and then she had a strange look on her face, an emotion he had never seen her make.

Was it sadness?

Hiroaki's bunched fists loosened, and then those hands rested on Saya's shoulders, and then his arms wrapped around her in a hug. He was good at hugs; hopefully she wouldn't mind.

"I couldn't have asked for a better partner."

It was easy to tell his voice was genuine. He let her go.

"It's not over yet. How about we give them a show-stopper they'll regret making our last?"