Gyah! My ear! [Niki shakes his head. He doesn't want to jostle his bags too much, so that's about all he can do to fight back right now.] There's no time to fall for Prez, I wanna eat! I've been preparing for this for a while!
[Seriously! Cooking here was more challenging than back home, but he'd worked really hard on this!]
Besides, Prez is being so professional right now, it's actually kinda scary. I feel like he might actually dock our pay for breaking into his home. Not that it was hard to do or anything.
[ As he pours them three glasses and one teacup of wine (sorry) with a flourish: ]
You know how the saying goes, Niki — tu casa es mi casa! And tu money es mi money. [ He doesn't know Spanish. ] Prez, skip the evals and gimme my New Year numis!
malkuth's tugging on rinne's tail very lightly though. stop that, complaining and trying to get niki to drink both. ]
Praise is all the sweeter when you're made to wait for it, Rinne, and I'm sure Takasugi has plenty of it for the both of you. Besides, aren't surprises fun?
[ and who has the best surprises if not takasugi? ]
He's doing actual work for once, so let him play at being our boss and wait like a good boy. [ sorry for the potshot takasugi. ] This is the cool side that your fans get to see exclusively... I'm a little jealous.
[ and, more importantly, excited to see what lucky kanji she won't be able to understand. ]
Ahh? And you don't think this is? Me and Niki didn't haul our manager's juicy ass and your damn osechi up this street just for you to make January 1st a working holiday!
[He's not serving Prez his drink. Someone more useful will have to do it.]
[It's okay, Niki will handle it!! He'd been busying himself with removing the containers of food from the bags—for the ones familiar with osechi, the containers are not quite as nice as they usually would be, but you know... They have to take what they can get here sometimes!
But also... sippy cup...
Admittedly, Niki isn't so sure why his cup is different, but because it was Malkuth who grabbed it, he doesn't feel like he should complain? He doesn't want to be rude. He simply takes it when Rinne offers it. Then he picks up a glass for Takasugi, too.]
Why do you have to say it like that...? [He really doesn't want to be hearing about anyone's ass... Especially first thing in the morning!] Besides, did you see the way he scribbled on that paper just now? I don't think now's the time to question him! I've always got bad luck with fortunes, but evaluations are actually something we have control over!
[Please... He wants to win. So he sets Takasugi's glass on his table in front of him, like the experienced waiter he is. He doesn't even try to take a peek at what he's writing. He's so polite!]
guess who's getting even better marks on his evaluation? ... maybe. it's still a mystery as to what he's been drafting, but is it above takasugi to pick favorites in the moment and elevate them to a higher tier? absolutely not. be wary, the rest of you. he tucks the thin of his cold shoulders and collarbone deeper within the oversized cardigan as he scoots forward, claws pinching the sides of his glass to let cold wine slide down his throat with no hesitation whatsoever. )
Mmh. But, osechi you said? Here, in Karteria? Now that's an interesting surprise.
( he's licking the corner of his mouth now, a stupid boyish smile on his face. )
We don't even have the environment here to grow half the vegetables required, but if you were in charge, Shiina-kun, it's sure to be a stunning setup. Consider me excited. In fact, tell me you managed to grab us some sea bream roe.
[Wow, he didn't hesitate to drink at all... That can't be a good sign!
But Rinne is right—it is a special occasion, and Niki isn't one to spoil the mood on such an important day. So... he takes a sip of his own wine, too. Because of his condition, he isn't too worried about drinking first thing in the morning, anyway.]
You're just flattering me. [But Niki's smile says he's happy to be flattered!] I had to make a bunch of substitutions. It'll probably be different from what you know, but I still think it'll be pretty tasty!
Honestly, the seafood was actually the easy part. They don't really like to eat a lot of it here, but people still fish, so I had a lot to experiment with. Nahaha, that just means more for us~♪.
( big broad circles across another page now, while downing more of his glass. he's never been shy about his love of alcohol. )
And besides, seafood's my favorite. Here. I'll start clearing this table of my work so there'll be room to use the smaller plates from the cupboard at least. It's too cold to want to get out of this blanket.
( and there are other reasons not to want to move, takasugi setting the pen down flat to start nearly stacking his mess with black hands. )
[ so no one wants her tea...? sad sad mommy. malkuth automatically retrieves three small plates when he mentions them, holding them out to rinne to take over with a little wiggle of her hand. she's apparently not joining them -- in eating or at the table, considering how comfortable she's making herself at the counter instead. ]
More for you three, anyway. I don't think it'll agree with my stomach.
[ the sea? absolutely fantastic to hang around. the fish in it? well. ]
Anyway, evaluations should be based fairly on effort and growth, not personal feelings. Keep that in mind when you're finishing them up, Takasugi. And don't bother trying to fluff mine out any -- I'm the newest hire, so I'm really not expecting much.
[ nothing that he hasn't already told her directly, anyway. they've all credited her for things she still doesn't feel fully responsible for... and she's thankful for that belief, easy as it is to step around or brush aside in her mind. ]
[ Rinne takes the plates obediently like a good boy who will get a perfect score at his evaluations and places them where they should be. This will totally get him his otoshidama, right? ]
You're the one who's doing the most work here, though. None of us can do the boring shit, so someone's gotta. [ Like, Rinne could, but he'd rather play mahjong for five hours than do that... ] Niki cooks, cleans, and takes care of me. All I do is dance and dick around, kyahahaha!
[ This is just not true. He slides into the kotatsu next to Takasugi — he of all people should know why he's stuck here. ]
It's too bad there's nothin' on the radio or TV. We could be watching SS right now. I'd force Niki to watch it with me every year‐ Hey, Niki! Hurry up and gimme osechi!
What's an SS? A variety show, or a news bulletin of sorts?
( a television...
he never really needed one with his personal computer display in his awesome office at the huge tower he built for his company in SAITAMA. but maybe a tv could work in here, takasugi thinks as he leans back only to bump into rinne's shoulder as he moves his project to the floor, out of the way of the quilt and the table setting.
and, sitting next to him only means he's going to snug in a little closer, you know? such was the fate of whoever decided to sit next to takasugi first. his tail gently brushes against rinne’s while he rests his chin a hand. )
I could always project something out of Mini Arahabaki if you want it that badly.
When you say it like that, I almost feel like I wanna give you the food last.
[So demanding! But despite his complaint, Niki brings the now-uncovered containers over anyway.]
You don't have anything to worry about, Miss Manager! I'm not really stuck on tradition, especially when it comes to food. If Prez is gonna be all professional, then it's up to the bees to break the rules~♪
[There are still some other things to prepare, but Niki takes a moment to gesture to the food in front of them.]
See? We've got meat, veggies, and desserts, too. [He sounds so proud. He arguably went overboard!] But Rinne-kun's right. It does feel weird not having idol shows to watch.
You three are the heart, soul, and reason 3kon exists. All I do is direct your energy. [ a beat, before she trots over to peer with interest at the food. ] But I guess that is hard work when you're dealing with a river.
[ forget the veggies she's reaching for a dessert-- ]
An end of the year idol show... All kinds of performances, an accumulation of their experiences, their fans' love and support... That sounds fun to watch. What can you project?
( reaching for a utensil, so he can start loading his plate with little bits of mashed fish, omelette, and maybe even a vegetable or two... )
Whatever short-form content is on the network, recordings of our practice sessions, some edited promotional materials, aaand... a couple boring soap operas I stuffed into it to bother my AI.
( yeah. that's about the gist of it... maybe. unless there's traces of what the original arahabaki has seen in there somewhere. )
I'm speaking factually. I don't mind the boring work you three can't do, [ or don't want to do, ] but it's not half as exhausting as practicing choreography and songs you're totally unfamiliar with, dealing with the public so hands on the way you three do, and making sure your concerts go on without a hitch you can't improvise around. And that first point includes your own additions, not just the stuff Niki can teach you both from home.
[ they work hard. very, very hard, and a little paperwork is really nothing to her. she points her fork back. ]
I'm proud of you three. Even in the few months I've known you, I can tell you've improved leaps and bounds from the performance I caught, and that you've really earned the fans you have in both the locals and our fellow Augmented. What I do is just what every Feather does back in a Wing, frankly. [ and they don't even have the luxury of "putting themselves down"!!! ] Anyway, do you have Afternoon Affairs? I missed the last two weeks and I have to know the secret Edmund is keeping from Abigail.
[ it sounded juicy. like her lady in waiting being his mistress and the mother of "his sister's" child they had to take in. ]
You know, I could debate you on whether what you do is truly exhausting or not, but I’m starting to think Amagi-kun has a point. I should have set the work aside immediately so we could focus on what's really interesting here: the celebration. That's not to say I'm not glad to hear your praise or anything, but...
( but it's really more his taste to just do what seems fun in the moment.
he gently nudges rinne in the chest with an elbow as his drink-free hand digs into his pocket for his syntrofos. once found, takasugi then points it like a remote at the little robot sitting in a corner of the living area. its takes a minute for its core systems to boot-up, those hollow red "eyes" flashing briefly as they buzz back to life. )
Also, didn't I just say I only stuffed him with boring dramas? Mini Arahabaki, play whatever seems to be trending at the moment.
( as scattered light shoots out of its optics across the far well behind them, a dramatic tune churns out from the hidden speakers. )
Edited (can't keep track of what he says) Date: 2026-01-03 02:21 am (UTC)
[Rinne freezes for a minute, temporarily unsure of what to do now that there's color in his cheeks. Prez touched his chest... Not that he minds, but he'd be embarrassed even if Niki did it. Actually, Niki should scoot closer so he feels less embarrassed. Rinne is forcing him to do that now.
The drama projected by Mini Arahabaki is about a dancer and a rich businesman who can't kiss due to the Karterians Hays code. Not because they're gay, but because Karteria's censors are just a bunch of prudes. There's some tension, but nothing really happens because they're also related. They have to be. With how close they are on screen, the higher ups would sooner pull the movie out of theaters if they weren't. Even worse: this isn't the director's cut.]
God, this sucks. [But Rinne snorts, amused by how terrible it is. He reaches for the food Niki is in the middle of prepping with a grubby hand.] Afternoon Affairs is fine on a weekend, and watchin' Prez go tsundere's cute, but... These Karterians really don't know how to party, huh?
Well, whatever. On paper, any idol should kill to be on SS. It's the big idol competition they do to ring in the new year. But if a competition's rigged from the start, our New Year celebration's just exploitation...
Either way, we're out of commission for the season, so we can't be on stage now even if we wanted to. But I still want some entertainment, so Niki should show us what he's born with and start stripping!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 03:17 am (UTC)( it's either true or just nonsense, but the way he speaks with such confidence could lead someone to believe it's the former. a mystery for sure.
those vibrant pinks of his redirect back to the pages, while his right hand raises as if waiting for a drink to be served. )
But I'm writing your end-of-the-year evaluations in the form of new years' cards, so look forward to it.
( someone's clearly in a good mood this morning, to be acting like their boss again so blatantly. )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 07:14 am (UTC)[Seriously! Cooking here was more challenging than back home, but he'd worked really hard on this!]
Besides, Prez is being so professional right now, it's actually kinda scary. I feel like he might actually dock our pay for breaking into his home. Not that it was hard to do or anything.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 07:42 am (UTC)You know how the saying goes, Niki — tu casa es mi casa! And tu money es mi money. [ He doesn't know Spanish. ] Prez, skip the evals and gimme my New Year numis!
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 10:54 am (UTC)After I went to the trouble of thinking of something fun to do to honor our achievements from last year?
No. You can have that after.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 11:27 am (UTC)[What happened to their fun CEO?! He's supposed to be the cool one!]
This year blows. I got turned into a furry, banned from the casino, evaluated when I don't even know my KPIs...
[Sliding the cup of wine towards Niki.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 11:43 am (UTC)malkuth's tugging on rinne's tail very lightly though. stop that, complaining and trying to get niki to drink both. ]
Praise is all the sweeter when you're made to wait for it, Rinne, and I'm sure Takasugi has plenty of it for the both of you. Besides, aren't surprises fun?
[ and who has the best surprises if not takasugi? ]
He's doing actual work for once, so let him play at being our boss and wait like a good boy. [ sorry for the potshot takasugi. ] This is the cool side that your fans get to see exclusively... I'm a little jealous.
[ and, more importantly, excited to see what lucky kanji she won't be able to understand. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 12:05 pm (UTC)[The pout is practically in his voice as he whines and hugs his fluffy, fluffy tail.]
Well, no one can stop Prez from doing shit he wants to do...
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 12:30 pm (UTC)[ his kidnapping... the way she had to apologize to her real job on the way. she can take an absence for once, it's not like she slacks off. ]
... Besides, it's not your fault you were banned. I'll make it up to you somehow this year, okay? Promise.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 01:04 pm (UTC)Hmm... It's not like I blame you, though? How could I ever be mad at my goddess of victory?
So long as we got our own playground, I got no complaints♪
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 02:46 pm (UTC)( "good boy"? he crosses something off on a page several times for emphasis. )
I was saving the rest of that bottle for a special occasion, you know. Saving it.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 06:11 pm (UTC)Ahh? And you don't think this is? Me and Niki didn't haul our manager's juicy ass and your damn osechi up this street just for you to make January 1st a working holiday!
[He's not serving Prez his drink. Someone more useful will have to do it.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 12:31 am (UTC)But also... sippy cup...
Admittedly, Niki isn't so sure why his cup is different, but because it was Malkuth who grabbed it, he doesn't feel like he should complain? He doesn't want to be rude. He simply takes it when Rinne offers it. Then he picks up a glass for Takasugi, too.]
Why do you have to say it like that...? [He really doesn't want to be hearing about anyone's ass... Especially first thing in the morning!] Besides, did you see the way he scribbled on that paper just now? I don't think now's the time to question him! I've always got bad luck with fortunes, but evaluations are actually something we have control over!
[Please... He wants to win. So he sets Takasugi's glass on his table in front of him, like the experienced waiter he is. He doesn't even try to take a peek at what he's writing. He's so polite!]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 01:30 am (UTC)guess who's getting even better marks on his evaluation? ... maybe. it's still a mystery as to what he's been drafting, but is it above takasugi to pick favorites in the moment and elevate them to a higher tier? absolutely not. be wary, the rest of you. he tucks the thin of his cold shoulders and collarbone deeper within the oversized cardigan as he scoots forward, claws pinching the sides of his glass to let cold wine slide down his throat with no hesitation whatsoever. )
Mmh. But, osechi you said? Here, in Karteria? Now that's an interesting surprise.
( he's licking the corner of his mouth now, a stupid boyish smile on his face. )
We don't even have the environment here to grow half the vegetables required, but if you were in charge, Shiina-kun, it's sure to be a stunning setup. Consider me excited. In fact, tell me you managed to grab us some sea bream roe.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 06:20 am (UTC)But Rinne is right—it is a special occasion, and Niki isn't one to spoil the mood on such an important day. So... he takes a sip of his own wine, too. Because of his condition, he isn't too worried about drinking first thing in the morning, anyway.]
You're just flattering me. [But Niki's smile says he's happy to be flattered!] I had to make a bunch of substitutions. It'll probably be different from what you know, but I still think it'll be pretty tasty!
Honestly, the seafood was actually the easy part. They don't really like to eat a lot of it here, but people still fish, so I had a lot to experiment with. Nahaha, that just means more for us~♪.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 10:26 am (UTC)( big broad circles across another page now, while downing more of his glass. he's never been shy about his love of alcohol. )
And besides, seafood's my favorite. Here. I'll start clearing this table of my work so there'll be room to use the smaller plates from the cupboard at least. It's too cold to want to get out of this blanket.
( and there are other reasons not to want to move, takasugi setting the pen down flat to start nearly stacking his mess with black hands. )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 07:39 pm (UTC)More for you three, anyway. I don't think it'll agree with my stomach.
[ the sea? absolutely fantastic to hang around. the fish in it? well. ]
Anyway, evaluations should be based fairly on effort and growth, not personal feelings. Keep that in mind when you're finishing them up, Takasugi. And don't bother trying to fluff mine out any -- I'm the newest hire, so I'm really not expecting much.
[ nothing that he hasn't already told her directly, anyway. they've all credited her for things she still doesn't feel fully responsible for... and she's thankful for that belief, easy as it is to step around or brush aside in her mind. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 09:17 pm (UTC)You're the one who's doing the most work here, though. None of us can do the boring shit, so someone's gotta. [ Like, Rinne could, but he'd rather play mahjong for five hours than do that... ] Niki cooks, cleans, and takes care of me. All I do is dance and dick around, kyahahaha!
[ This is just not true. He slides into the kotatsu next to Takasugi — he of all people should know why he's stuck here. ]
It's too bad there's nothin' on the radio or TV. We could be watching SS right now. I'd force Niki to watch it with me every year‐ Hey, Niki! Hurry up and gimme osechi!
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 10:40 pm (UTC)( a television...
he never really needed one with his personal computer display in his awesome office at the huge tower he built for his company in SAITAMA. but maybe a tv could work in here, takasugi thinks as he leans back only to bump into rinne's shoulder as he moves his project to the floor, out of the way of the quilt and the table setting.
and, sitting next to him only means he's going to snug in a little closer, you know? such was the fate of whoever decided to sit next to takasugi first. his tail gently brushes against rinne’s while he rests his chin a hand. )
I could always project something out of Mini Arahabaki if you want it that badly.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 10:47 pm (UTC)[So demanding! But despite his complaint, Niki brings the now-uncovered containers over anyway.]
You don't have anything to worry about, Miss Manager! I'm not really stuck on tradition, especially when it comes to food. If Prez is gonna be all professional, then it's up to the bees to break the rules~♪
[There are still some other things to prepare, but Niki takes a moment to gesture to the food in front of them.]
See? We've got meat, veggies, and desserts, too. [He sounds so proud. He arguably went overboard!] But Rinne-kun's right. It does feel weird not having idol shows to watch.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 11:09 pm (UTC)[ forget the veggies she's reaching for a dessert-- ]
An end of the year idol show... All kinds of performances, an accumulation of their experiences, their fans' love and support... That sounds fun to watch. What can you project?
( 1 / 2 )
Date: 2026-01-02 11:39 pm (UTC)Whatever short-form content is on the network, recordings of our practice sessions, some edited promotional materials, aaand... a couple boring soap operas I stuffed into it to bother my AI.
( yeah. that's about the gist of it... maybe. unless there's traces of what the original arahabaki has seen in there somewhere. )
( 2 / 2 )
Date: 2026-01-02 11:40 pm (UTC)( pointing his fork at her from the floor. )
You'll make it spoil with that attitude.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 11:52 pm (UTC)I'm speaking factually. I don't mind the boring work you three can't do, [ or don't want to do, ] but it's not half as exhausting as practicing choreography and songs you're totally unfamiliar with, dealing with the public so hands on the way you three do, and making sure your concerts go on without a hitch you can't improvise around. And that first point includes your own additions, not just the stuff Niki can teach you both from home.
[ they work hard. very, very hard, and a little paperwork is really nothing to her. she points her fork back. ]
I'm proud of you three. Even in the few months I've known you, I can tell you've improved leaps and bounds from the performance I caught, and that you've really earned the fans you have in both the locals and our fellow Augmented. What I do is just what every Feather does back in a Wing, frankly. [ and they don't even have the luxury of "putting themselves down"!!! ] Anyway, do you have Afternoon Affairs? I missed the last two weeks and I have to know the secret Edmund is keeping from Abigail.
[ it sounded juicy. like her lady in waiting being his mistress and the mother of "his sister's" child they had to take in. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 02:15 am (UTC)( but it's really more his taste to just do what seems fun in the moment.
he gently nudges rinne in the chest with an elbow as his drink-free hand digs into his pocket for his syntrofos. once found, takasugi then points it like a remote at the little robot sitting in a corner of the living area. its takes a minute for its core systems to boot-up, those hollow red "eyes" flashing briefly as they buzz back to life. )
Also, didn't I just say I only stuffed him with boring dramas? Mini Arahabaki, play whatever seems to be trending at the moment.
( as scattered light shoots out of its optics across the far well behind them, a dramatic tune churns out from the hidden speakers. )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 05:50 am (UTC)The drama projected by Mini Arahabaki is about a dancer and a rich businesman who can't kiss due to the Karterians Hays code. Not because they're gay, but because Karteria's censors are just a bunch of prudes. There's some tension, but nothing really happens because they're also related. They have to be. With how close they are on screen, the higher ups would sooner pull the movie out of theaters if they weren't. Even worse: this isn't the director's cut.]
God, this sucks. [But Rinne snorts, amused by how terrible it is. He reaches for the food Niki is in the middle of prepping with a grubby hand.] Afternoon Affairs is fine on a weekend, and watchin' Prez go tsundere's cute, but... These Karterians really don't know how to party, huh?
Well, whatever. On paper, any idol should kill to be on SS. It's the big idol competition they do to ring in the new year. But if a competition's rigged from the start, our New Year celebration's just exploitation...
Either way, we're out of commission for the season, so we can't be on stage now even if we wanted to. But I still want some entertainment, so Niki should show us what he's born with and start stripping!
[Rinne starts undressing Niki.]
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