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!
[Being urged closer is one thing. It's a thing Niki fully expects, actually—they've always been like that, looking to the other whenever they're upset, uncomfortable, and basically everything in between, so Niki moves closer without a second thought, even while he starts to pick foods out to put on his own plate.
But this isn't the only reason he lets his guard down. It's also because, like... In Prez's own home? In front of Prez and Malkuth? On a work day!?! He thought he was safe here!
When Rinne starts pulling at his clothes, Niki jumps enough to bump the small table.]
Gyaaah?! [He was a fool! He was such a fool!] This is not New Year's entertainment! This is not how we party!
[Niki struggles, but in matters of strength, Rinne will always be the stronger one, so... clothes might be coming off.]
I trusted you! But all you ever do is use me for my body and my wallet!
[Niki doesn't actually feel that way, of course, but it's his natural instinct to make a scene. Or, rather, make the scene worse. Sorry.]
[ good way to keep mom and dad from fighting is turning on a terrible movie (though she feels for the plot anyway; forbidden love will always tug at her heartstrings)... malkuth doesn't quite settle as it plays, only getting up to set the kettle onto the backburner once it whistles, and she takes the glass of wine with her to rest against the counter.
-- good thing too cause damn their antics begin again. did she miss this part too. probably. it's funnier when she's drained half her glass anyway, and it's not as much of a worry as it might've been so many months ago. ]
Mind your manners, Rinne, you can do that once I'm gone. [ sorry niki she can only delay the inevitable ] Do you three wanna compete with some of Karteria's best singers and see who comes out on top in the future? We can bring the locals into it and have some fun.
[ while infecting the populace with peacock's song... something out of her pocket though, so it doesn't disrupt their activities... ]
( months ago, takasugi might have been leaning away from the blatant display of sexual harassment. now, it's just another tuesday, so he remains seated.
... well.
it may be more that the subject matter of the movie catches his eye, syntrofos flat on the shifting table and drink in hand again to take extremely generous sips to the point of him already needing a refill. this scene where they're standing in the morning garden, footsteps marring the snow without so much as even looking at each other is crazy. )
The rich CEO just needs to craft a situation his love interest can't back out of. Trap the both of them in a room where leaving it would expose them, maybe.
( said to no one in particular, as he dangles his empty glass.
sorry for ignoring your question, malkuth... and your distress, niki. )
[The two men talk about nothing and everything all at once — it's a very French arthouse sort of film where everyone is sexy and depressed. It draws you in. It makes you cry. If Rinne paid more attention to it, he might. But to the movie, Niki, and Malkuth, Rinne's not really listening either. Niki's sweater is already on the floor. His thermal wear is still on, though, and Rinne's not actually about to show everybody Niki's skin. He wrestles with the weaker man, his grip tight around the wrists.]
Pass. If someone's gotta win, then someone's gotta lose. I'm all for using what I got, but rigging the game ain't how Rinne-kun likes to play. We don't got a reason to make someone cry to their mommy. I don't mind giving cheaters a taste of their own medicine, though!
[Rinne's also a liar. It really depends.]
Who cares who's the best one, anyway? So long as the crowd's having fun, that's all that matters, right?
[Says the guy who wants to be the world's number one idol.
Anyway, Rinne has long since let go of Niki. He needs a hand free to dab a finger into a distracted Takasugi's inkwell and poke a dot on the man's cheek. Like so:]
Boop.
Edited (typo. also, more. ONE LAST EDIT.) Date: 2026-01-03 02:52 pm (UTC)
[Niki stops wiggling when Rinne lets go. (He was doing a lot of wiggling.) He sits back up and grabs his sweater with a huff, stuffing it into his lap instead of putting it back on.]
[But when he sees what Rinne does... Niki decides to do the same. He dips his finger into the inkwell and reaches across Rinne to dab it on Prez's cheek.]
Boop.
[...and then he repeats the gesture again, but rather than lean across Rinne again, he stops at Rinne and dabs his cheek, too.]
[ she's so glad to be across the way now... it gives her a better angle for taking fun pictures, so don't mind her living vicariously through them with her syntrofos. she'll make a collage later!!! ]
You three would have some stiff competition even among our peers, you know. But I'll think of how to make it more fun than just a simple contest and circle back.
[ so in the end, she's still working somehow today... this is a her problem. ]
But if Niki's the only unmarked one, does that mean he's the most likely to win? I think you should even the score.
[ Rinne's a bad influence, but Niki's a minx. Well no, he's a fox. This is why he gets no sympathy as Rinne points and laughs at him, giddily nudging Takasugi with his elbow all the while. ]
Kyahahaha! Looks like you got your just desserts, Niki!
[ It's okay that he's out of the running... for now. Look at how cute Niki is. The alcohol is definitely helping with that. ]
[ which she will, once she's fetched the bottle to refill takasugi's cup -- and top off the other two while she's at it, settling back down to place more desserts on her plate.
...
and some vegetables too, she guesses. ]
Also, don't even think of putting your fingerprints on me. I still have a job to get back to after all.
Not to worry. If anything, going overboard just means we can't eat until we clean our hands. Make sure to wipe them clean before you eat anything, you two, or you might end up with an unpleasant surprise tomorrow.
( not to be the other voice of reason even as the alcohol works its way into his system, but the soft pink across takasugi's cheeks says enough: he's enjoying himself.
"karteria's best idol", though. given the way their faces are marked, it seems like he, the one with the least experience, could end up right at the top. and considering how karteria's last hero was treated, maybe that's for the best. if they eventually find themselves front and center in the eyes of those with power, then all the better that takasugi be the one to endure the full brunt of it. that way the other two can flourish properly under malkuth's wing, and he can...
takasugi rubs that thought and his clawed fingertips against a cloth napkin before stabbing a piece of meat himself. then he fills his cheeks with warm omelette and chews thoroughly. tentatively, even. what rings hollow between his ribs hasn't given him much of an appetite lately, but. everything looks so good. )
Oh, you don't have to worry about me, Prez. I can eat things that other people can't, so I'll probably be okay.
[He says that so proudly, but isn't that kind of alarming?!
Noticing the way Takasugi hums, though...]
Is it good? If you like it, you should eat even more. [Without asking or waiting for permission, Niki picks out a couple of other foods and casually places them on Takasugi's plate.] You should eat until you can't eat anymore. It's a celebration, after all~.
[Takasugi doesn't seem hungry to him, exactly... But Niki still gets the feeling that he should eat. So, he tugs on Rinne's sleeve.]
Right, Rinne-kun?
[Niki doesn't say it directly, but the implication is there: help him fill Prez's plate?]
Yeah. We're having a party, so we should just do what feels good. And nothing's better than Niki's cooking!
[ He uses his clean hand to pick up pink, juicy slices of salmon with his chopsticks and put them on Takasugi's plate. They look fresh and tasty. In fact, why not take a page from Niki? He picks up the next mouthwatering piece from the box and holds it near Takasugi's mouth. His hand is slow, but deliberately so. ]
( really? feeding him by hand right in front of their manager? as if he'd say no.
after a quick swallow of wine to clear his throat, takasugi opens wide, all teeth and eyes twinkling in amusement. )
Ahhhh.
( he tries to be gentle as teeth tear straight through pink flesh to chew, takasugi taking the whole morsel in his mouth. there's no likely scenario where this can embarrass him, probably. if anything, he’d be content with any of them doing this as long as the drink continues to flow, a hand still cupped firmly around his glass. )
[Rinne doesn't even get to the salmon. Determined, he parries. Shwing!]
Oh, oh! The samurai wants a showdown, huh? [Their chopsticks clash again.] It ain't all sunshine and roses here, Prez. If your cute ass wants to eat, you gotta work for it!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 09:37 am (UTC)But this isn't the only reason he lets his guard down. It's also because, like... In Prez's own home? In front of Prez and Malkuth? On a work day!?! He thought he was safe here!
When Rinne starts pulling at his clothes, Niki jumps enough to bump the small table.]
Gyaaah?! [He was a fool! He was such a fool!] This is not New Year's entertainment! This is not how we party!
[Niki struggles, but in matters of strength, Rinne will always be the stronger one, so... clothes might be coming off.]
I trusted you! But all you ever do is use me for my body and my wallet!
[Niki doesn't actually feel that way, of course, but it's his natural instinct to make a scene. Or, rather, make the scene worse. Sorry.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 01:46 pm (UTC)-- good thing too cause damn their antics begin again. did she miss this part too. probably. it's funnier when she's drained half her glass anyway, and it's not as much of a worry as it might've been so many months ago. ]
Mind your manners, Rinne, you can do that once I'm gone. [ sorry niki she can only delay the inevitable ] Do you three wanna compete with some of Karteria's best singers and see who comes out on top in the future? We can bring the locals into it and have some fun.
[ while infecting the populace with peacock's song... something out of her pocket though, so it doesn't disrupt their activities... ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 02:24 pm (UTC)... well.
it may be more that the subject matter of the movie catches his eye, syntrofos flat on the shifting table and drink in hand again to take extremely generous sips to the point of him already needing a refill. this scene where they're standing in the morning garden, footsteps marring the snow without so much as even looking at each other is crazy. )
The rich CEO just needs to craft a situation his love interest can't back out of. Trap the both of them in a room where leaving it would expose them, maybe.
( said to no one in particular, as he dangles his empty glass.
sorry for ignoring your question, malkuth... and your distress, niki. )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 02:46 pm (UTC)Pass. If someone's gotta win, then someone's gotta lose. I'm all for using what I got, but rigging the game ain't how Rinne-kun likes to play. We don't got a reason to make someone cry to their mommy. I don't mind giving cheaters a taste of their own medicine, though!
[Rinne's also a liar. It really depends.]
Who cares who's the best one, anyway? So long as the crowd's having fun, that's all that matters, right?
[Says the guy who wants to be the world's number one idol.
Anyway, Rinne has long since let go of Niki. He needs a hand free to dab a finger into a distracted Takasugi's inkwell and poke a dot on the man's cheek. Like so:]
Boop.
1/2
Date: 2026-01-03 03:45 pm (UTC)I feel so violated...
[He really didn't have to say that!]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 03:47 pm (UTC)Boop.
[...and then he repeats the gesture again, but rather than lean across Rinne again, he stops at Rinne and dabs his cheek, too.]
Boop!
[You'd think he would learn!]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 04:39 pm (UTC)he's not about to be left out of it either, so.
a black finger into the inkwell, just to smear it across the smudge niki made on rinne's cheek. the great shape of an X. )
Hahah. You're supposed to do this to the one who loses, so looks like you're out of the running for Karteria's Best Idol.
( so he was listening... )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 04:53 pm (UTC)You three would have some stiff competition even among our peers, you know. But I'll think of how to make it more fun than just a simple contest and circle back.
[ so in the end, she's still working somehow today... this is a her problem. ]
But if Niki's the only unmarked one, does that mean he's the most likely to win? I think you should even the score.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 05:09 pm (UTC)( just smearing his whole hand on niki's cheek as his ears perk up. what happened to eating? )
Malkuth, pour me a refill while you're at it, would you?
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 05:36 pm (UTC)Kyahahaha! Looks like you got your just desserts, Niki!
[ It's okay that he's out of the running... for now. Look at how cute Niki is. The alcohol is definitely helping with that. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 12:22 am (UTC)[HIS FACE... He can feel the ink drying!!
Despite what he says, though, his expression softens immediately.]
But I do love desserts... ♪
[That's not what that means!! And perhaps even worse than that, he stuffs a piece of meat into his mouth instead of something sweet. What a disaster.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 12:38 am (UTC)[ which she will, once she's fetched the bottle to refill takasugi's cup -- and top off the other two while she's at it, settling back down to place more desserts on her plate.
...
and some vegetables too, she guesses. ]
Also, don't even think of putting your fingerprints on me. I still have a job to get back to after all.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 01:10 am (UTC)( not to be the other voice of reason even as the alcohol works its way into his system, but the soft pink across takasugi's cheeks says enough: he's enjoying himself.
"karteria's best idol", though. given the way their faces are marked, it seems like he, the one with the least experience, could end up right at the top. and considering how karteria's last hero was treated, maybe that's for the best. if they eventually find themselves front and center in the eyes of those with power, then all the better that takasugi be the one to endure the full brunt of it. that way the other two can flourish properly under malkuth's wing, and he can...
takasugi rubs that thought and his clawed fingertips against a cloth napkin before stabbing a piece of meat himself. then he fills his cheeks with warm omelette and chews thoroughly. tentatively, even. what rings hollow between his ribs hasn't given him much of an appetite lately, but. everything looks so good. )
Mmh.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 02:07 am (UTC)[He says that so proudly, but isn't that kind of alarming?!
Noticing the way Takasugi hums, though...]
Is it good? If you like it, you should eat even more. [Without asking or waiting for permission, Niki picks out a couple of other foods and casually places them on Takasugi's plate.] You should eat until you can't eat anymore. It's a celebration, after all~.
[Takasugi doesn't seem hungry to him, exactly... But Niki still gets the feeling that he should eat. So, he tugs on Rinne's sleeve.]
Right, Rinne-kun?
[Niki doesn't say it directly, but the implication is there: help him fill Prez's plate?]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 04:21 am (UTC)[ He uses his clean hand to pick up pink, juicy slices of salmon with his chopsticks and put them on Takasugi's plate. They look fresh and tasty. In fact, why not take a page from Niki? He picks up the next mouthwatering piece from the box and holds it near Takasugi's mouth. His hand is slow, but deliberately so. ]
Say ahhh.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 04:46 am (UTC)after a quick swallow of wine to clear his throat, takasugi opens wide, all teeth and eyes twinkling in amusement. )
Ahhhh.
( he tries to be gentle as teeth tear straight through pink flesh to chew, takasugi taking the whole morsel in his mouth. there's no likely scenario where this can embarrass him, probably. if anything, he’d be content with any of them doing this as long as the drink continues to flow, a hand still cupped firmly around his glass. )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 06:57 am (UTC)[Sorry.
But before the fish even touches Takasugi's lips, Rinne brings the chopsticks back and drops the thick, tasty slice of salmon into his own mouth.]
Mmmm. Oh, that's good.
[He gets another piece from Takasugi's plate.]
( 1 / 2 )
Date: 2026-01-04 07:02 am (UTC)...............
..................
oh.
alright. well. )
( 2 / 2 )
Date: 2026-01-04 07:09 am (UTC)( hello? the frown is immediate.
there's a clacking noise as takasugi smacks his own pair of chopsticks against rinne's to try and snatch that piece back.
just because he's the favorite doesn't mean takasugi will stand for being bullied in his own home. )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 07:57 am (UTC)Oh, oh! The samurai wants a showdown, huh? [Their chopsticks clash again.] It ain't all sunshine and roses here, Prez. If your cute ass wants to eat, you gotta work for it!
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 09:46 am (UTC)I'm glad you like my food enough to steal it, I think, but can you please not play with it?! There's more than enough for everyone, you know?!
[Gosh!! Niki doesn't care for fighting, but he does have a solution to this, and it's...
To stick a piece of mochi into Rinne's mouth!]
Why are you causing trouble on evaluation day? It's like you want to get in trouble or something.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 10:51 am (UTC)[And busy chewing his food. At least he's backed off... for now. The mochi is chewy and sweet. It's nice.
Finally, he swallows.]
Ugh... Once Prez does our evals, he's got every right to kick us out. We gotta keep the party going, y'know?
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