[For a few days at the start of the month, Hiyori's world has stopped. Jun's disappearance plunged him into a deep despair, one potent enough for Esikko to feel through their connection. This was the end: not just the end of his cozy little domestic life, but the end to his hopes and dreams. He'd have to sacrifice his future to save Jun's, and that meant "Hiyori Tomoe" the idol was no more. He'd never return to his unit, his fans, his home or his blood family. He'd become, effectively, a ghost. Those were his dreary thoughts.
Until he made a discovery that changed everything. When he realized the string on his finger didn't connect to Jun's statue, he experienced a greater rush of relief than he'd ever felt in his life. And just like that, it was over. The despair for his future, all the doom and gloom. He was still lonely, especially at night, but the overwhelming despair emanating from his end of the connection had simply diminished down to nothing. Difficult times still lay ahead, but for now he has plans to make and people to see. And not just "people," but friends!
Esikko-kun, Esikko-kun! You're not doing anything important, are you? Let's go have fun!
When they meet, Hiyori's wearing a sunny smile. All the more radiant, perhaps, for how despondent he looked the last time they met. Full of energy, he drags Esikko around the resort, pointing out different seasonal foods and festivities along the way. Look, that shop has Halloween cake pops shaped like Jack-o-lanterns! Has Esikko ever tried a cake pop before? Neither has Hiyori, so they both should get one! (He'll pay for everything, don't worry.) And look, Basking Robbins has new autumn flavors, including pumpkin pie flavor! But they have regular chocolate, too, of course, if Esikko wants that. (This is followed by an anecdote about the time Nagisa ate too much chocolate ice cream and developed a cavity, causing Ibara to decide to brush his teeth from then on.)
After the sweets tour comes looking at seasonal decorations. Then comes looking at costumes, then Mating Season. It's not a real "date" at the Golden Peacock if it doesn't include a trip to Mating Season, right? Hiyori strides up to the front desk and makes his specifications known, being very clear about what he wants. The staff says they'll have no problem accommodating him, and after paying for the room, he tugs his "date" away, gripping Esikko's cool hand in his warm one.]
This way! Come on~♪
[They're guided to a pod which meets his requirements. One with ample seating, a big screen mounted to the wall, and two different machines: one a standard karaoke machine, and the other speaker that can hook up to his phone. On the table sits the song selector, a room service menu, and a tambourine. A classic, normal setup, at least if you ignore stuff like the condoms also sitting out on the table. But this is the Golden Peacock, and after being here so long, Hiyori hardly bats an eyelash at those. He looks around the room once, then nods, seemingly satisfied.]
Looks good!
[The grip on Esikko's hand goes slack. He sits down, crossing his legs beneath the table and picking up the menu.]
We'll need water to keep our voices in shape, but unless you want more snacks, we could skip ordering stuff and go right to singing. Even Esikko-kun's appetite for sweets must have a limit, right?
It's nice, honestly, compared to how Esikko had seen him the first time. He can feel the difference, in their shared link, and in the tug of his hand from place to place. He knows that this sort of energy is coming from what he can only call delusion, himself, but— with a lot of careful measuring of the control of his own emotions, he keeps that negativity down, and focuses instead on Hiyori's apparent recovery.
Because that's what this is, right? He's cheered up in some weird way, and now he's going to not worry so much, and everything will be fine?
With his hand finally free, Esikko takes a moment to take in the scenery. He's never been to anything like karaoke— he's only ever sung for himself, for his little brother, and for Leo— and even if he had, this technology is strange and new, regardless. Machines and speakers and screens... )
Slow down, won't you? ( A little overwhelmed, but still having fun of his own, he sits down next to Hiyori, eyes sliding over to the menu in his hands. He can't lie— even after eating tons of sweets earlier, the pictures of them on the menu make him want more... But he knows better. There's no way he'd be able to eat a bite, even when it comes to sweets. )
Mm, maybe just something to drink? ( So that he can have an excuse to focus on if he gets too embarrassed, or so that his mouth won't end up dry. He scrunches his eyebrows a little, a concerned flick of his eyes to Hiyori's face trying to read what he's really thinking, but it provides no context at all. He's not even sure if he should bother. As long as he's happy... )
But, you know, I don't know how I can sing anything if I don't know many songs to begin with...
Right, right! There's water, but there's also "spooky soda"! Ah, and they have tea too, of course. What fine weather~♪
[There's even an option for melon soda floats somewhere in there (spiked or non-spiked). Ice cream on top of soda, imagine that. When Esikko brings up potential difficulty finding a song to sing, though, Hiyori puts down the menu and switches his attention to that topic.]
True! We all hail from different worlds, and each one is bound to have different songs. But seeing as that's the case, maybe they have songs from all across the universe in their library. It doesn't hurt to check! I already know some of the songs I want to sing, though.
[His own, which are stored on his phone. But he leans across the table to look at the song selector anyway.
As he does so, there are no obvious signs of internal struggle playing out on his face. He looks happy, looks cheerful, because he is those things—though if Esikko were to dig deep into his emotions, he'd find the happiness is underpinned by sadness and fear. Hiyori doesn't know for sure where he's going once he "leaves" this place, and he knows the weeks spent isolating himself while he succumbs to his suit are going to be awful. Above all else, it hurts to say goodbye. To Esikko, and to his other friends.
But he's keeping those feelings well-buried. He hasn't always been the best at controlling his emotional responses here (hence the cruel things he said to Esikko while they were fighting), but he does have practice keeping the darkness at bay before it can cloud his sunny smile. And that's exactly what he does now. So they can have a fun day together, and so Esikko will remember the Hiyori Tomoe who smiled.
As for the song selector, the screen lists three categories available this month:
[He smiles like these categories make perfect sense to him. Many of the things that used to annoy him about the resort he now takes in stride, even finds amusing. Now that he sees an end to his time here, much of his prior irritation has melted away, the resort no longer a prison but a playground. There's that, and seeing things through his persona's eyes helped to give him a fresh perspective.]
Singing Halloween songs does sound fun. I'm guessing you don't know too many of those, though. I could show you some, or we could skip straight to singing songs from our worlds. I'll let you choose!
( If anything, that underlying sadness and fear makes it all feel that much more real. Like Hiyori really is just trying to cope. Like this is the best way he's found to deal with things, and maybe Esikko can be some sort of help for him. So he focuses on what's in front of him right now, eyes flicking to the screen to observe the categories. They all... Sound completely ridiculous?!
But he's not sure what to expect, either. With a furrowing of his brow, he taps at his own lip, taking a little too long to decide. But when he finally does: )
Spooky Scary Terrifying Tunes...? I guess. To be perfectly honest, I don't know many songs at all, you know, my world or not. There's... one that Leo showed me, I suppose.
( He could try that. If he gets a little loosened up, and so he also points to the menu's cute little melon soda float, eyes sparkling despite his intense expression. )
Also, I want to try this.
( So serious...! He's locked in. )
So, why don't you show me some of these "Halloween" songs after we order the drinks?
["Spooky scary tunes it is!" he's about to chime, finger hovering over the button on the screen. But the mention of Leo catches his attention, eyes darting up and sparking with interest. His smile softens, then, and he says:]
Esikko-kun remembered his song even though it's been ages, huh? Now I must hear that cover.
[Leo's solo almost certainly won't be available on the karaoke machine (it'd be a bit creepy if it was). But that's fine: he'll gladly listen to Esikko sing it a capella. Being able to share that memory is enough for him. And speaking of Leo...
Well, first thing's first. His eyes flicker down to the menu page, smile widening at Esikko's choice of beverage and at his clear determination, before nodding.]
Great, then it's settled!
[He makes the call without wasting any time, always in his element when demanding stuff. "I'll just have iced tea, please! But he'll have one melon soda float!"
Then, once that's taken care of:]
Speaking of Leo-kun, there's something I meant to give you. I really should've shown you a while ago, but...
[But Leo's disappearance coincided with him realizing the truth about Esikko, and then he was trying to avoid him. He doesn't say that, though, and just reaches into his bag.]
You know that big storage room on the first floor, right? That's where everyone's possessions get moved after their rooms are cleared out. Someone here gave me a gift that lets me sneak in there whenever I like, so when someone like Rinne-senpai or Leo-kun disappears, I always go looking for their things afterward. Though that place is so huge, and it's absolutely filled with toys and assorted junk, so it takes me forever to find anything. Which is horribly inconvenient!
[He shakes his head to himself. But then he withdraws a small stack of rumpled papers, neatly held together with a clip. The papers appear to be... sheet music!]
But I did eventually find these, and I just know they're Leo-kun's. They're compositions he was working on! Some might even be from that song he was writing you. Er, what was that called again...? "Tsubame, First Movement"!
( He doesn't agree or disagree to performing for Hiyori with that one in particular— but that'll be a later occurrence. After all, they are here to make use of the songs available to them on this fancy little machine, right? Even if he doesn't know a single one, he figures he can learn things quickly enough with a listen or two.
It's continuing talk about Leo that gets him to snap out of his distracted daze, though. Glancing over, he's surprised to see Hiyori hold up papers, and he scoots closer to take a look, one hand held out as if he wants permission to hold them. Either way, he'll just look them over.
He can't understand a thing, of course, because he doesn't know how to read music like this. But he can recognize Leo's scribbling, and he can see his thought process in the way he writes each note, sometimes leaning, sometimes perfect, sometimes frantic... It's like he's still here. )
I don't think that's right. ( He doesn't speak Japanese, but he feels like the impression of a Swallow that carries across that translation isn't quite accurate. ) In any case, though... Since I've had others search for things, I never really looked through it myself. I had no idea it would have captured things like this...
[He must've just had birds on the brain. He's worried about his own birds, even though he knows people like Bakugo and Baizhu and Kleken will visit them in his absence. They're like children to him.
But back to the sheet music. He nods and confirms:]
Yep, you can find all kinds of stuff! I doubt I would've made it past the guards without that gift I have, but other people have their own methods. I know Reign-kun cast some kind of spell on the guards to make them all loopy, and then Loki-kun knows how to shapeshift and teleport. If you ever want in there, I'm sure he could help you out. Or you could use your own magic!
[Funny that Hiyori isn't offering to go in there with Esikko himself, though. Especially considering the gift he apparently has? But he continues to chatter away.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@Esikko
Until he made a discovery that changed everything. When he realized the string on his finger didn't connect to Jun's statue, he experienced a greater rush of relief than he'd ever felt in his life. And just like that, it was over. The despair for his future, all the doom and gloom. He was still lonely, especially at night, but the overwhelming despair emanating from his end of the connection had simply diminished down to nothing. Difficult times still lay ahead, but for now he has plans to make and people to see. And not just "people," but friends!
Esikko-kun, Esikko-kun! You're not doing anything important, are you? Let's go have fun!
When they meet, Hiyori's wearing a sunny smile. All the more radiant, perhaps, for how despondent he looked the last time they met. Full of energy, he drags Esikko around the resort, pointing out different seasonal foods and festivities along the way. Look, that shop has Halloween cake pops shaped like Jack-o-lanterns! Has Esikko ever tried a cake pop before? Neither has Hiyori, so they both should get one! (He'll pay for everything, don't worry.) And look, Basking Robbins has new autumn flavors, including pumpkin pie flavor! But they have regular chocolate, too, of course, if Esikko wants that. (This is followed by an anecdote about the time Nagisa ate too much chocolate ice cream and developed a cavity, causing Ibara to decide to brush his teeth from then on.)
After the sweets tour comes looking at seasonal decorations. Then comes looking at costumes, then Mating Season. It's not a real "date" at the Golden Peacock if it doesn't include a trip to Mating Season, right? Hiyori strides up to the front desk and makes his specifications known, being very clear about what he wants. The staff says they'll have no problem accommodating him, and after paying for the room, he tugs his "date" away, gripping Esikko's cool hand in his warm one.]
This way! Come on~♪
[They're guided to a pod which meets his requirements. One with ample seating, a big screen mounted to the wall, and two different machines: one a standard karaoke machine, and the other speaker that can hook up to his phone. On the table sits the song selector, a room service menu, and a tambourine. A classic, normal setup, at least if you ignore stuff like the condoms also sitting out on the table. But this is the Golden Peacock, and after being here so long, Hiyori hardly bats an eyelash at those. He looks around the room once, then nods, seemingly satisfied.]
Looks good!
[The grip on Esikko's hand goes slack. He sits down, crossing his legs beneath the table and picking up the menu.]
We'll need water to keep our voices in shape, but unless you want more snacks, we could skip ordering stuff and go right to singing. Even Esikko-kun's appetite for sweets must have a limit, right?
no subject
It's nice, honestly, compared to how Esikko had seen him the first time. He can feel the difference, in their shared link, and in the tug of his hand from place to place. He knows that this sort of energy is coming from what he can only call delusion, himself, but— with a lot of careful measuring of the control of his own emotions, he keeps that negativity down, and focuses instead on Hiyori's apparent recovery.
Because that's what this is, right? He's cheered up in some weird way, and now he's going to not worry so much, and everything will be fine?
With his hand finally free, Esikko takes a moment to take in the scenery. He's never been to anything like karaoke— he's only ever sung for himself, for his little brother, and for Leo— and even if he had, this technology is strange and new, regardless. Machines and speakers and screens... )
Slow down, won't you? ( A little overwhelmed, but still having fun of his own, he sits down next to Hiyori, eyes sliding over to the menu in his hands. He can't lie— even after eating tons of sweets earlier, the pictures of them on the menu make him want more... But he knows better. There's no way he'd be able to eat a bite, even when it comes to sweets. )
Mm, maybe just something to drink? ( So that he can have an excuse to focus on if he gets too embarrassed, or so that his mouth won't end up dry. He scrunches his eyebrows a little, a concerned flick of his eyes to Hiyori's face trying to read what he's really thinking, but it provides no context at all. He's not even sure if he should bother. As long as he's happy... )
But, you know, I don't know how I can sing anything if I don't know many songs to begin with...
no subject
[There's even an option for melon soda floats somewhere in there (spiked or non-spiked). Ice cream on top of soda, imagine that. When Esikko brings up potential difficulty finding a song to sing, though, Hiyori puts down the menu and switches his attention to that topic.]
True! We all hail from different worlds, and each one is bound to have different songs. But seeing as that's the case, maybe they have songs from all across the universe in their library. It doesn't hurt to check! I already know some of the songs I want to sing, though.
[His own, which are stored on his phone. But he leans across the table to look at the song selector anyway.
As he does so, there are no obvious signs of internal struggle playing out on his face. He looks happy, looks cheerful, because he is those things—though if Esikko were to dig deep into his emotions, he'd find the happiness is underpinned by sadness and fear. Hiyori doesn't know for sure where he's going once he "leaves" this place, and he knows the weeks spent isolating himself while he succumbs to his suit are going to be awful. Above all else, it hurts to say goodbye. To Esikko, and to his other friends.
But he's keeping those feelings well-buried. He hasn't always been the best at controlling his emotional responses here (hence the cruel things he said to Esikko while they were fighting), but he does have practice keeping the darkness at bay before it can cloud his sunny smile. And that's exactly what he does now. So they can have a fun day together, and so Esikko will remember the Hiyori Tomoe who smiled.
As for the song selector, the screen lists three categories available this month:
â–º Spooky Scary Terrifying Tunes
â–º Steamy Slow Jams
â–º Spooky Sexy Scary Songs]
Yep, it's just what I thought!
[He smiles like these categories make perfect sense to him. Many of the things that used to annoy him about the resort he now takes in stride, even finds amusing. Now that he sees an end to his time here, much of his prior irritation has melted away, the resort no longer a prison but a playground. There's that, and seeing things through his persona's eyes helped to give him a fresh perspective.]
Singing Halloween songs does sound fun. I'm guessing you don't know too many of those, though. I could show you some, or we could skip straight to singing songs from our worlds. I'll let you choose!
no subject
But he's not sure what to expect, either. With a furrowing of his brow, he taps at his own lip, taking a little too long to decide. But when he finally does: )
Spooky Scary Terrifying Tunes...? I guess. To be perfectly honest, I don't know many songs at all, you know, my world or not. There's... one that Leo showed me, I suppose.
( He could try that. If he gets a little loosened up, and so he also points to the menu's cute little melon soda float, eyes sparkling despite his intense expression. )
Also, I want to try this.
( So serious...! He's locked in. )
So, why don't you show me some of these "Halloween" songs after we order the drinks?
no subject
Esikko-kun remembered his song even though it's been ages, huh? Now I must hear that cover.
[Leo's solo almost certainly won't be available on the karaoke machine (it'd be a bit creepy if it was). But that's fine: he'll gladly listen to Esikko sing it a capella. Being able to share that memory is enough for him. And speaking of Leo...
Well, first thing's first. His eyes flicker down to the menu page, smile widening at Esikko's choice of beverage and at his clear determination, before nodding.]
Great, then it's settled!
[He makes the call without wasting any time, always in his element when demanding stuff. "I'll just have iced tea, please! But he'll have one melon soda float!"
Then, once that's taken care of:]
Speaking of Leo-kun, there's something I meant to give you. I really should've shown you a while ago, but...
[But Leo's disappearance coincided with him realizing the truth about Esikko, and then he was trying to avoid him. He doesn't say that, though, and just reaches into his bag.]
You know that big storage room on the first floor, right? That's where everyone's possessions get moved after their rooms are cleared out. Someone here gave me a gift that lets me sneak in there whenever I like, so when someone like Rinne-senpai or Leo-kun disappears, I always go looking for their things afterward. Though that place is so huge, and it's absolutely filled with toys and assorted junk, so it takes me forever to find anything. Which is horribly inconvenient!
[He shakes his head to himself. But then he withdraws a small stack of rumpled papers, neatly held together with a clip. The papers appear to be... sheet music!]
But I did eventually find these, and I just know they're Leo-kun's. They're compositions he was working on! Some might even be from that song he was writing you. Er, what was that called again...? "Tsubame, First Movement"!
[(It was Tsubaki.)]
no subject
It's continuing talk about Leo that gets him to snap out of his distracted daze, though. Glancing over, he's surprised to see Hiyori hold up papers, and he scoots closer to take a look, one hand held out as if he wants permission to hold them. Either way, he'll just look them over.
He can't understand a thing, of course, because he doesn't know how to read music like this. But he can recognize Leo's scribbling, and he can see his thought process in the way he writes each note, sometimes leaning, sometimes perfect, sometimes frantic... It's like he's still here. )
I don't think that's right. ( He doesn't speak Japanese, but he feels like the impression of a Swallow that carries across that translation isn't quite accurate. ) In any case, though... Since I've had others search for things, I never really looked through it myself. I had no idea it would have captured things like this...
( Or he might have looked, too. )
no subject
[He must've just had birds on the brain. He's worried about his own birds, even though he knows people like Bakugo and Baizhu and Kleken will visit them in his absence. They're like children to him.
But back to the sheet music. He nods and confirms:]
Yep, you can find all kinds of stuff! I doubt I would've made it past the guards without that gift I have, but other people have their own methods. I know Reign-kun cast some kind of spell on the guards to make them all loopy, and then Loki-kun knows how to shapeshift and teleport. If you ever want in there, I'm sure he could help you out. Or you could use your own magic!
[Funny that Hiyori isn't offering to go in there with Esikko himself, though. Especially considering the gift he apparently has? But he continues to chatter away.]
Two people asked me to look for Rinne-senpai's stuff. One was searching for a gift he'd given him, and the other was looking for an engagement ring. Rinne-senpai had three different fiancés, apparently. Like Leo-kun, he must've "loved everyone." [Said with a fond smile.] It took over a month to find any of that stuff, and I was there almost every night, but I did recover those things. Then it took even longer to turn up anything of Leo-kun's, but at last, I found this music. And since it's you he was writing a song for, I think you should have them.
[He holds the sheet music out for the taking.]