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 Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:39 pm
Akihiko laughed, putting his sun glasses back on before looking directly at Tanaka. "He's pissed because I'm dancing which means he has to be ready to play the song I'm dancing to. See, I thought that it would be best if I "spiced" things up a little. Nothing much. I've already promised to re-record and re-release an older single that I did for a dance game... I may had the song onto the second Koyasu Akihiko collection... it's still undecided of course. But the point is that, tonight needed something to transition between you and Izzy and my performance. Something that was fun. So I decided a dance number and spent most of the morning recalling the PV choreography."
As the cab pulled up to the club and Narcissus got his first look at the fans already lined up outside, waiting to get in, he a little surprised.
"This didn't yesterday..." the young tiger whispered, glancing at his friend with a tiny bit of worry. "Getting through them is going to be... fun..." he said sarcastically.
"Oh..." Akihiko helped up a hand, one finger pointing at Michi. "And don't try to egg me on. Yes I've the same talent. It's just been a bit suppressed. I haven't been in the right mindset for a while and you know it." he warned before flashing a hint of a teasing smile... and stepping out of the cab.
The screams were almost instantaneous.
Narcissus waved, waiting for Michi to get out of the cab as well. Some girls started screaming at 'TANAKA!!!' and this put a hint of a smile on the young Koyasu's face.
He wondered if Izzy had gotten a similar reception.
Then... he wondered if Izzy would even speak to him...
But none of these thoughts were betrayed on his face as he jogged across the street, continuing to wave at the fans before getting into the club itself.
"Baka!"
It was the first thing Akihiko heard... and then his cousin was in his face.
"You had me running around trying to find you a damn beach and THEN you make a security nightmare?!" Takagi fumed, pointing toward the stage. "There. I borrowed it. Driftwood and all."
"I can't dance on sand." Narcissus said, walking up to the stage and looking over everything.
Yuuji slapped a hand to his forehead. "You're not dancing!"
"Yes I am." he replied, hopping up onto the stage and drawing a line in the sand. "I need the area inside this cleared... but the rest is good." Akihiko flashed a smile at his cousin... "Also... I have a secret favor to ask of you."
But that only made Yuuji groan.
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:39 pm
Let the Memories of the Evening be...
the first think that you think of------------------------------------------------}:-  Tanaka Michi
Physical Therapist
Fingertips...walking up your spine...a tongue sliding right behind..
"Oh great...so that's why he's late. Fun. Well you get to deal with Yammi then. I'm staying well away from that." answered Michi knowing that the guitarist was already nursing those cracked ribs. "So....you're going to do something fun first. What are you going to cut from the other songs you're doing? How many songs are Izzy and I doing tonight?"
Michi sucked in air. "The place was packed yesterday too. But we had a lot of stars on the second floor last night so the line wasn't allowed as close to the building so the limos could arrive. At least that's what one of the security guys told me earlier. So we didn't get to see it. Tonight must mostly be...fans."
"Well if you've got it then start using it." Michi smirked and yes he was still egging Akihiko on because he could! But then Akihiko got out of the car and Michi almost wanted to hide. All those fans....geesh and the knew it was him this time! Michi hurried out of the cab and waved at the girls that screamed at him trying to keep a big smile on his face. This was hard to get used to!
Once inside, Michi could breath again, "They screamed my name. That was weird!"
But...when Michi looked around he was surprised to see the Beach on stage. "Wow! Wait, Akihiko...why not dance on stage 2? It doesn't have the sand." Michi was right because there was only enough sand and one special tarp system so it couldn't be used on both stages.
Jaz glanced at the group, "We've still got the Returner set over there. So since Izzy is doing that number tonight we figured he'd sing on that stage. But sure, it could be used for a dance number too." added Jaz as he carried a piece of driftwood over to a better spot.
Izzy was on stage two looking at the second floor. Then he started walking around to various points on the stage. He obviously was in thought about his performance as he moved from spot to spot.
-:{------------------------------------------------when you open up your smile and see me.
...Dark Star.
Ore blinked when Ishihara You's name was mentioned. For a moment, his heart pounded with a happy patter from hearing the man's adventure. "Oh..my...so you had a encounter with Ishihara You. He's quite a gentleman. I've waited on him in the upper bar before." The last part was a slight lie but he couldn't mention his real knowledge of the man. And he certainly didn't mention any of You's special talents or those other things he wished he could learn from the Shark. "I hope he's doing ok. It sounds like he's got a very demanding job."
"I doubt you're the cause of all these tragedies. You've just had bad luck. Tragic bad luck but all the same. So it's about time things turned around to give you something good." Oreo smiled and picked up a spoonful of the chowder and fed it to Naoko. "Oh so you don't? Or have you not looked online? I bet you do have a fan club and it's just unofficial because you've never endorsed it." Oreo was pretty certain that even a smaller star like Naoko had fans. He just probably never looked at himself that way before. "I bet you're more popular than you realize." he winked then paused when Naoko spoke about the first floor.
"Ah... well...mm.. it's only lonely during the day. But...since you're my customer, we can go up to that piano. I just need to talk to the receptionist to get a pass." Oreo didn't think that Soto would refuse the request considering Oreo wasn't a trouble maker. "But first shouldn't we finish the rest of these?" There was still a little chowder left, some rolls and manjuu waiting to be eaten.
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:56 pm
"You just like making Yuuji's life easier." Akihiko replied to Michi before rolling his eyes. "I'll dance on stage 2 then. Mmm... the disco ball will be needed, Jaz-san so if that can be incorporated, it'll help." the musician pointed to various spotlights and started saying what colors he wanted to come from where... though he did wait for Jaz to finish with the driftwood.
Narcissus wondered if he could sit on it without it breaking...
"What is so secret you want me to do exactly?" his cousin asked once there was a lull in the conversation.
Blue eyes averted their gaze from everyone else as he whispered in Yuuji's ear.
"Wait what?!" Takagi asked, looking at the younger man in shock. "You've never..."
"Just do it. Give me the ticket numbers, three of them, during my stage talk. But they need to be randomly selected. Got it?" Akihiko asked softly before shoving Yuuji down to sit on the piece of driftwood!
When it didn't break, Narcissus smiled. "Good. I can sit on it." he said, helping his shocked cousin back to his feet. "Now... Michi-kun!" the musician shouted out. "Do you want to do two or three songs? I'm not taking anything away from my set. Just adding. I really need to run through the new song though..."
Once Michi told him what he needed to know, Akihiko quite literally jogged across the stage and over the small bit that connected it to stage 2, so he could talk to Izzy.
"With "Returner"... are you wanting me to sing with you or just play for you? I thought the song would fit well as your last song... but that's only because then I don't have to get back on stage again." Narcissus spoke, seemingly back to his normal self once more.
Then again... what was normal for Akihiko?
Amber eyes blinked and Naoko tilted his head to the side slightly, "You know Ishihara-san? Well I suppose he's doing good... he's at my boss's house right now giving Shou-san's nephew his first lessons. Well, I mean he's tutoring the boy since it'll be hard for him to be in school and go touring with us too. Ishihara-san's a really nice guy though. Obsessed with fish it seems." the blond laughed softly.
Opening his mouth, Naoko happily ate the new bite of chowder. "Hai. Let's eat and then I can play drunken piano for you." the pianist laughed again, "Gomen gomen... I'm not drunk. Far from it. Though I have played drunk before... it was... awkward. My hands just didn't quite press down hard enough on the keys... or they pressed too hard and this godawful sound came out."
He didn't say anything about him being popular though... because popularity confused him. He was a pianist. He wasn't a vocalist.
Then again... with his kimono line and the plan to launch a solo album soon...
Maybe things would turn around a bit after all?
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:53 am
What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:-  Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
Izzy was off in his own world on stage 2 as the other men were talking on stage 1
"Yes as a matter of fact I do." Michi winked at Yuuji then smirked at Akihiko before heading off to see Nikki who was waving him over.
"Ok...the disco ball. That's fine we've still got the old and new systems hooked together with the Premonition System." Jaz smiled as he said that word because the engineer was very happy that Shou was letting him continue to use it. Jaz was so eager for after teh show, I wanted to geek over the system and figure out how they could build an area sized one. He was practically giddy with the idea!
Michi looked back over from Nikki to Akihiko and said, "How about 2 just to keep things like yesterday. I don't have an entire discography of albums like you do to pull stuff from."
Jaz then poked at Narcissus and Yuuji, "Do you think that Shou would mind if I played Ko-kun's techo music during the break? It was really fun and kept the place hopping. It's about 6 minutes of music. I was actually able to get a solid disc of the live music through the system last night. Probably better than the video quality you got on the cameras since it was pulling from all the feeds. I hadn't thought of that aspect of the system but I guess at Shou's last show where he used this it was already set up to pull to disc." He pulled out a gold disc and held it up to the light. "It's a mini master actually. I'd probably have to pay Shou for the disc because well it is our live stuff and his."
Then Jaz laughed, "It's a real driftwood log. I'm sure it can hold you!" But he was cut short when Yammi entered the building through the front door. He had in his hands a couple of shirts and grumpy look on his face, "Who let the fans park their butts so close to the entrance today!? He grumbled and then walked over to the bar and spread out the t-shirts, "Jaz, bring me a marker."
"What? Did some girls want you to sign some shirts?"
"Yeah...One of them tugged it right off her body and tossed it to me." Yammi grumbled again as Jaz brought him the marker.
"You're being a softy."
"Hey look when a girly gives a man a great view like that, it's hard not to appreciate it. Good thing she had a coat to cover herself." growled Yammi as he started writing on the shirt.
Jaz glanced back at the rest of the band, who had actually ran over to look at the t-shirt. "Hey! One of these isn't a Narcissus shirt its actually from our Indie tour!" said the bassist as he picked up the shirt.
"Oh so that's why you wanted to sign it, Yammi." Jaz smirked and patted his shoulder.
When Akihiko jogged over to Izzy, he glanced up and then for a moment he seemed in thought, "Umm.... if we sing it together, the fans probably would really enjoy it. But you're the one with a large set afterwards so what do you think you can handle." Right now, Izzy seemed focused on making the show a success. He was trying to clear his head of all the other issues so he wouldn't seem off tonight.
He wasn't sure how Akihiko really was feeling inside but Michi probably had been the best choice to talk to him. He was still a little angry but he couldn't change Akihiko overnight. " So you like the stage set up for tonight?" He avoided their previous conversation because they really didn't need drama messing up the synergy of the show.
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
"Well...not really know him. I mean he was a guest upstairs one night. I doubt he'd remember my name." Oreo laughed and said, "I remember most of the customers' names of the ones I meet. Oh ...nice...so he's a tutor. Sounds like he has a diverse skill set." Seriously diverse. thought Oreo wondering why a person like Ishihara You would be tutoring a child. He doubted that the man was there to kill the boy. And obviously Naoko had no idea of the man's dark side. It concerned him a little but he couldn't just tell Naoko to beware.
"Ok....drunken piano. Is that sort of like that drunken monkey style of martial arts?" The thought amused Oreo as he took up a bread roll and ate a bite. "I bet your music sounded perfect to your drunken ears and made everyone else still wish that they had your talent even while you were playing drunk."
Oreo really was having a good time. This seemed sort of like a normal meeting for lunch like one would have in a cafe. He hadn't something this normal in a very long time and it felt really good just to be able to sit without expectation of anything else and enough the conversation.
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:20 am
Naoko rolled his amber eyes, "No, it's nothing like that. It's me making a fool of myself is what it is." the blond joked, taking another manjuu and biting into it's soft fluffy bun. "Yeah well my talent isn't anything as good as Narcissus-san's talent... but one day... one day I'll be better than him. I just have to keep practicing every day until it happens." he said with a smirk, gaze focused on the manjuu in his hands. "And it'll happen. Mark my words." Naoko said, pointing at Oreo with the manjuu before taking another bite. "So, what kind of music do you like, Oreo-san?"
Narcissus took note of what had happened with Yammi and the t-shirt... filing that interesting tidbit away for later.
A fourth to add to the three...
But his focus returned to Izzy and the musician smiled. "Hai. It's set perfectly. Both are really. Much better than I thought it would be... I can even sing sitting down now!" he added, pointing to the large piece of driftwood. "I can sing with you. It's no problem if I add one or two extra songs. Besides, I'm nowhere near as tired today as I was yesterday so..." Narcissus paced the stage, hands on his hips as he took everything in. "Tomorrow night I'm thinking of singing a song with Michi-kun, though he doesn't know it yet. You're both my openers and are being showcased after all... it'd look like I was playing favorites just singing with you." Akihiko said with a teasing wink.
Yes... he would smile and be happy and focus... and inside he would continue to seethe in anger and try to find the balance his soul craved. He would take Izzy's words to heart and try to remedy his own mistakes... but he wouldn't let his walls drop for single fans. No... for them he would stay Narcissus because even now, being Akihiko one-on-one with a fan scared the hell out of him.
"Ah! Yuuji-kun said there was someone here to interview all of us so we need to take five or ten minutes to answer their questions. It's supposed to be on tv tonight before the show."
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 12:42 pm
What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
Izzy smiled a little while Akihiko talked about the set. He knew it was Shou's set minus the boat. Where else could Yuuji have procured a beach so quickly. At least, they hadn't burned their capital completely with Shou. Izzy wanted that relationship to remain one of good friends. In fact, he was trying to figure out a way to do something nice for Shou considering how much he had saved their asses other days. "Alright so I guess that means we'll have to do at least one run though so we know who's doing which part. Do you want to start on that now?"
Izzy doubted that Akihiko was as happy as he let on but he tried not to dwell on it. He couldn't change the man. Akihiko had to do that himself. "Ah...an interview. Mm...sure but as long as it's short. We've quite a bit to do still." He really wasn't interested in doing an interview while so much else was going on. But he knew that it would promote the show. Izzy had no idea that Akihiko had something up his sleeve for tonight. If he had known he'd probably been asking more questions. But right now he just wanted to get through the show.
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
"Mm...my kind of music. Oh...well I used to like world music and techno music. Something I could just flow and dance to at a club. Not that I had much time to go to the clubs but it kept me awake doing other things. Sometimes I'd listen to Pop or Rock. I don't really have any favorite bands. I guess I'm kind of a generic sort when it comes to music." he shrugged his shoulders because he didn't have much of a better answer.
"I like concerts. Just finding a band that I'm passionate enough about is the problem." That and the fact he was stuck down in the Pit. "Do you have any other hobbies? I used to collect garage kits and build them then paint them. It was a lot of fun for me." He popped the last bit of the bread roll into his mouth and considered that last thought. He imagined that all of his figures were long gone now. Something he probably shouldn't think about too deeply or he'd become angry. Anger wasn't a good choice in the Pit. He had learned that early on. So he kept a smile on his face and chewed that bite slowly as if his anger would be sucked down when he swallowed it.
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:34 pm
Akihiko nodded, "Soon as Yammi and the rest of the band is set up we'll run through 'Returner'. Then while I'm working on my dance number, you and Michi-kun can talk to the interviewer. I'm sure he won't mind sticking around to wait until I'm finished to talk to me."
Blue eyes flickered over to stage one, seeing that the keyboardist was there and the drummer... but Yammi was still busy with shirts.
"Oi! Yammi-kun! Hayaku!" Narcissus shouted across the room.
Of course the musician hadn't even taken his coat and sunglasses off yet... which was what he began doing while waiting for the guitarist to finish. Coat in hand, Akihiko looked back to Izzy and just stared at him for a moment.
Then the young tiger smiled slightly and turned, heading off the stage to deposit his glasses and coat in the dressing room properly.
Upon returning, Narcissus grabbed a microphone stand and carried it over to stage 2. "I'm using a stand for our duet. I can pretend it's you." the musician teased with a wink.
One day... he'd use Izzy as his mic stand...
One day...
"Mmmm.... it's technically your song with this set... so I think it would be more proper to have you pick what parts you want to sing. I mean, I know it's my song originally but you gave it a second life." the young Koyasu smiled, making sure the microphone was set up properly.
"Hobbies..." Naoko let that thought mill around in his head for a long time. "I... I don't do anything else besides play piano and design kimono..." he whispered, suddenly feeling very inferior.
He didn't have any hobbies!
That couldn't be normal!
"I mean... I'm not very technologically minded... and I prefer to walk instead of drive a car anywhere if I can help it." one purple nail tapped his lips as he thought deeper about this seemingly simple question. "I was horrible in school so I don't really like reading... I can cook but it's more out of necessity than anything else... The sad thing is, it isn't as if I don't have time for a hobby... I just don't have one." Naoko laughed at the absurdity of it all. "Garage kits? Did you have a favorite?" he asked, curious about this man's hobbies.
After all, Shou didn't seem to have any hobbies either... nor did Sai. The pianist knew that Narcissus counted cooking as his hobby... and Ishihara had commented that reading was his... did Yamada have any hobbies?
Now the blond was curious!
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:00 pm
What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
"Ok...that sounds good." Izzy glanced over at Yammi who was holding up the shirt. "Maybe you shouldn't' have told him to hurry."
Yammi looked up and obviously was grumping even though it wasn't loud enough to hear. "If you want me to hurry, then get your butt over here and sign this t-shirt. I wanna give it back to that girl outside! so she ain't running around in just a coat and jeans!" he yelled back to Narcissus who was grabbing a microphone on stage two.
"Umm...no you're not using me as a microphone stand. That's not an option!" Izzy's fingers started to wag at that wink. Spoiled Tiger. He smiled a bit even though he had been mad it was hard to stay mad for too long with his lover." Ok...Ok...mm...well I guess I did give it a second life but I still want your help.......mmm...Maybe you should help Yammi out while I get the sheets." His eyes glanced over to the grouchy guitarist who obviously wasn't budging from his spot yet.
Izzy walked over to side and grabbed the sheet music looking over them. Once Akihiko was done with Yammi, he walked over to his partner and said, "Well we should share the chorus.... mm....But what would give the best effect for the rest of the song?"
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
"Ok....well that's ok. You're really busy so a hobby might not something you could do. As long as what you do is rewarding right?" Oreo smiled because he didn't want Naoko to feel bad about that. "I wouldn't say I'm technically minded either but I'd rather drive when I can. However, I like to take the trains too."
Oreo glanced at the purple nail and smiled, "You've such pretty hands and I like the nail polish. You'd make an adorable girl if you tried." he winked finally getting in the words that he was requested although it was a bit confusing to him as to why. "But...as for the reading part. I loved to read. Just lying in bed with a book and the quiet..." He sighed slightly but then laughed at Naoko's question. "The harder the kit the better. I really like the detailed ones like the Amano Yoshitaka Vampire Hunter D and then he did an Elric of Melnibone. Ah..but I was never able to get his Guin model. So I guess Vampire Hunter D was my favorite. I've put together a few mechs and fantasy characters from various anime. It's been awhile since I've had a chance to work on one." This was the most he had mentioned about his outside of the pit life in a long time. A part of himself that he rarely mentioned. No one really cared about talking about things they couldn't have anymore. Sometimes he wondered if that life ever existed but days like this reminded him that life once was better...better until he was betrayed.
He glanced down at the food to see that it was almost all gone. "You want to go up and see that piano now?" asked Oreo realizing that if he spoke too long about his past, he might have a difficult night with his clients. If he didn't think to hard about the world outside, he could tolerate this world's cage and survive.
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:42 pm
Amber eyes blinked in sudden confusion and he looked at his painted nails. "I..." the pianist curled his fingers into a lose fist, hiding his nails before speaking. "I get that a lot... sometimes I think it would've been better if I was born a woman but... I realize that wouldn't change my problems. Well no, it might've... since I always seem to attract the crazy gay guys..." Naoko cracked a smile at this, laughing softly at himself. "Demo... See there's this contest I'm in... a 'become more manly' contest basically... between myself and another musician named Azriel-san. Matsumoto Izo, our boss, is going to choose who he thinks looks more manly at the end of the month. Shou-san's going to judge too. I... really want to beat Azriel-san but... he's more manly than I am. I mean, I think a part of me forgot how to be manly, you know?" he took a deep breath, tapping his lip again as he formed his thoughts into words. "It's like... I'm comfortable looking like a woman, you know? But at the same time I'm not a woman and I know that... Guess it's my brother's fault for dressing me in lacy dresses as a kid... but... that's why I'm making kimono, you know? Because I like them. I like the feel of them and how they flow... how graceful they are... I guess I sometimes wish I was that graceful too... I don't really want to be a woman though... Guess I just have a cross-dressing fetish, ne?" the blond laughed again, finishing his manjuu.
Then he pursed his lips, thinking. "Ano... when's your birthday, Oreo-san? I'd like to get you something you enjoy so... maybe I can get you a garage kit... and get one for myself and then we can compare how they look! Too bad we didn't meet before Christmas or I would've gotten you one for the holidays."
Amber eyes focused on the food. "We must've been hungry... okay yeah, let's go upstairs and I'll play for you. You can tell me if you'd ever go to a concert of mine... or if my music just sucks all around." the blond teased, standing up and picking his coat, scarf, and gloves off the nearby chair. Then he turned and reached a hand out to Oreo. "Ikimasho ka?"
"Wait, when was I having to sign this too?!" Narcissus shouted over to Yammi before grumbling himself and flat out just jumping off the stage.
The fact that he didn't hurt himself or fall over was probably a miracle, and he half jogged over to where his guitarist was signing the shirt.
"Yare yare... Who knows though... maybe you'll get a better look later tonight, ne?" Akihiko teased Yammi, resisting the urge to poke him in the ribs. "After all... she seems like a groupie to me... maybe she could nurse your ribs back to health."
After signing the shirt, Narcissus put an arm around Yammi's shoulders and whispered to him. "Be nice if you got lucky with a hot fan tonight, ne?" he asked with a wink before heading back toward the stage... walking this time.
Akihiko was back up there pretty quick, standing at Izzy's side and staring at the sheet music.
"Mmmm... I think me singing the first verse has more impact... from our relationship point of view. The second verse fits you much better too. But can your voice go high enough right there?" Akihiko was analyzing his own lyrics through the trials he and his partner had been through. The mention of 'calling out' and 'searching for you' in the first verse reminded him a lot of losing Ishi to the tsunami... but the part in the second verse about 'disappearing' and being able to 'smile' when they met again... it certainly reminded the musician of the time when he couldn't remember the love shared between them.
"As for the chorus... both together... but then when the chorus repeats I think you should sing by yourself until 'mou ichido'... then I can come in and sing with you again. How's that sound, Ruki?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:54 am
What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
"Because you sent me new music to learn this morning Mister! That's why you're signing this. And besides. Looks kind of funny if all the band signs but you." He handed over the shirt to Narcissus then still was smirking over the older Indie shirt. "Boy she has worn this a lot. Look there's a hole....Man...and she still wants it signed."
"Get lucky? Him?" laughed Nozuma, the drummer as he turned to walk back to the stage.
"Hey!" growled Yammi as he took the teasing from Nozuma and Narcissus in stride. He turned and walked back out side to return the shirts to the girl. "Well at least I've got one fan here tonight." he grumbled and on stage Izzy just chuckled.
"So what were you talking to Yammi about down there?" Izzy asked, "You were being naughty weren't you." That wasn't a question. It was fact.
"But then he glanced over the sheet music and listened to Akihiko's ideas. "Mm....ok...high enough...here?" He pointed to the sheet music then thought about it. He thought he had done it right before when he had sung the song. Maybe he was off? Well I guess since we've a chance to run through it here we can see if I sound right. It sounds alright to me. Do we need to do the interview now? Or after this practice? Looks like Yammi's coming back inside."
The grouchy guitarist actually was smirking like a cat for a moment and lighting a cigarette as he was walking towards stage 1.
"I wonder what the fan said to him to get that smile." That grin surprised Izzy because Yammi wasn't a smiling sort of guy unless he was in a really good mood.
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
So...that's why he was told to tell Naoko that. There was some sort of contest going on! Oh...so that's why he was given that comment. He smirked at the thought. It wasn't very fair on poor Naoko. He wasn't sure that Naoko could become manly in short time but he could give advice, "So what sort of prize do you get if you win? Sounds like you're going to defeat yourself before you even try. If you decided to do this contest, then you need to challenge this Azriel-san head on. It's no fair to let him just win so easy. That doesn't give much respect to the competition...right? I think if you want to challenge him properly you should examine what makes a man. In Japan, that can be many things, like accomplishments in your career. Well, and this budding business you have with kimono. That is an entrepreneurial skill that you should bring to the forefront. If you are managing the business and designing the ideas you've got something to show. For example, you can present to the judges your business success, supply chain, expected revenue figures. Mm...a good solid business presentation. And then mm...look in the phone book for executive business coaching. Those sort of coaches can help you with business as well as presenting and how to be forceful and talk to other business people."
Then he smiled, "My birthday is April 19. So several months away." He wouldn't say no to the gift, but he really didn't have any of the supplies or paints to even build one in the Pit. "Oh it's ok. I couldn't have exactly gotten out to get you something at this time of the year. It's always busy. I work quite a bit."
But then he stood up glancing at the empty plates. He wouldn't waste food not when the Pit's was pretty bad for the pets, "Waste not want not. Sure....Ikimashou!" He took Naoko's hand and followed him out of the room then took him back to the counter and spoke to the receptionist, who immediately sent the request to Soto.
Below, Soto glanced at the request and pondered it for a moment before giving his approval.
"Here is the pass." said the receptionist while handing Oreo a badge to take upstairs. Soon they were on the elevator...and up to level one where the black piano waited quietly in a far corner of the club.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:03 pm
Akihiko's blue eyes narrowed slightly, "Why do you assume I was being naughty? Then again..." he shrugged, making it near impossible to tell just what he had been doing in truth.
His gaze returned to the sheet music and there was a bit of a frown on his face. "It's not that you didn't hit the note... I just want to make sure you can do it tonight is all. I've confidence in you, Ruki." but then his attention was diverted and Akihiko sighed slightly, "You do your interview after we run through the song. I'll do mine after I run through my dance number too. As for what the fan said... I wouldn't doubt he made an after show date."
Walking over to where the band was set up, he told Yammi and the others that they needed to run through Returner at least once. A few seconds later he was back on stage 2, hands on his mic.
And so they started.
Naoko pondered over those words as he and Oreo headed upstairs. "You know... I suppose that's right. I mean, I've got people putting the kimono together and handling the business side of things... but they're all my designs. But I suppose that would work... showcasing my achievements... though there's no way in hell I'm wearing a suit and tie." he teased, wagging a finger at Oreo.
Once upstairs, the blond sat down at the piano, his lithe fingers stroking over the keys slowly as he got a feel for the instrument itself. He tested a few keys, making sure it was in tune.
Then he started to play.
It was something he'd written what seemed like an age ago... before he knew Jun was in the hospital... before his brother had left him.
But he didn't sing the words he'd written for the song.
No...
Naoko just let the piano speak for him.
(((OOC: Naoko is playing the piano version of "Scarlet" from "Ayashi no Ceres")))
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:58 pm
What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
"Because you re inherently naughty. It's a part of your DNA I've come to learn over time." Izzy smirked because he was certain that Akihiko had done something but what that was he still hadn't a clue. "Oh....is that so? I hope he can manage a date with his ribs." Izzy laughed then shook his head as he walked over and put on his ear pieces. "No wonder he's grinning."
Soon they ran through the song, Izzy was able to reach that higher note but it was close to the height of his range. He'd probably need training with a voice instructor to stretch his range any further than that. At the end of it, Yammi glanced over at Izzy and Narcissus, "Sounds pretty good to me, Izzy. You guys need to sync up a little more but yeah it's the first time you've sung together right?"
Izzy nodded as he put his hands on his hips. "Yeah, and mm...I've got to get my brain in the right mood too." Izzy's singing really shined when he was moody more so than projecting the mood he had to be in the right mood. "Can we go through it again after the interview and your dance practice?" Izzy asked glancing back at Akihiko as he turned on his heel to face the man. "I think the costumes will help create the mood too. What do you think?"
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
"Ha...I didn't expect you to wear a suit and tie, but wear a kimono that is respectable for a man. if you want to showcase achievements then look the part." he chuckled watching that wagging finger. Very cute. "No frills or nail polish. Tone down the hair to a style that fits the men's kimono fashion. Go to a reputable kimono store and learn the proper men's etiquette while wearing one. So everything is polished. If there is an older judge or someone who understands fashion in the bunch then they probably know how to wear a real kimono. Mm...so if you go that route...develop a good presentation from samples to figures. Know your numbers and present with confidence. If I had your books I could probably run a financial outlook for you but you need to be able to read it."
Oreo probably could floor the judges with manliness. The man just had that air. He really knew business and probably would have gotten along with Sai because it seemed they both had something in common.
Oreo leaned against the wall and just listened to Naoko play. It was beautiful to his ears and just watching Naoko he could tell that this was where the younger man's passion was invested. He would have closed his eyes and just enjoyed but he was curious to see those fingers fly over the keys Oreo couldn't say how talented Naoko was because he had no skill of his own however, when Naoko finished he clapped and walked over, "Beautiful...." Just one word before he leaned in and gave the man a light but gentle kiss to the lips.
"Compare to me, you're a genius. My skill....is this." He leaned over Naoko and with two fingers played Chopsticks barely getting the timing right. "I think you sound like Heaven. And I couldn't achieve it within my life time."
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:26 pm
Naoko smiled slightly, looking up at Oreo after he had finished his song. "But would you have time to run a financial outlook for me? I mean... I could ask my brother to do it... but that might be cheating. I want to win this fair and square on my own." the blond blushed just a tiny bit. "Arigatou, Oreo-san... I don't get to play for people one-on-one very much... I know! Sit down beside me."
Naoko scooted over, patting the bench beside him. "I'll teach you how to play something with me, ne?" he took one of Oreo's hands and spread the fingers out over the keys. The slowly he ran the man through the easier part of 'Heart and Soul'... just the part with the chords. Once Oreo got the hang of it, Naoko started playing the melody in time with Oreo's chords.
"Of course we can run through it again." Akihiko replied, stepping back from the microphone. "Wait... costumes? What exactly are you making me wear, Ruki? Dress me as a geisha and you'll live to regret it." he said sternly, though there was a hint of teasing in his blue eyes. "We should probably run through at least the chorus parts a few times, just to make sure we sync."
Narcissus was moving the microphone stands out of the way, since he planned to use stage 2 as a dance platform. "Ne, Yammi-san... did the song make sense? The one I sent you this morning I mean. I've got another song I'm going to want you to learn for tomorrow too to replace this one. Actually... I need to talk to Michi-kun about it too... I figure I should sing with both of you at least once." he added with a wink Izzy's way.
But then he started shooing his manager off the stage. "Go do your interview. Hayaku! Make sure Michi-kun does his too, ne?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:46 pm
What a shock, it was so surprising,
You looked so small and frail------------------------------------------------}:- Izzy Lucky
At times life can be so enlightening .uoy no nrut nac ti tuB
"I thought about it, But I'll save that for a time when we're alone." he grinned broadly and then said. Shou left some of the costumes here from last night for us to use tonight. Nikki is going to take care of them while they are here for our use. So if we need something we can use it. We could dress up as samurai!"
Yammi pulled the cigarette out of his mouth. "Yeah...it did after I sat on the can for awhile and deciphered it. So I'm guessing you want to practice that now." Then Yammi's head rose quickly, "WTF!? Another song!? Seriously...Wait you do realize how many songs between Shou-san and yourself I've been working into my head? We frigging memorized a whole set of Shou-san's tunes the other day...and then didn't even get to do half. And then we've got to whip out another new one tomorrow? " Yammi looked to the ceiling wanting to yell but stuffed the cigarette into his mouth instead.
"Hey Yammi...just think of the girl waiting outside...dude..." Nozuma mumbled teasingly from behind the drums.
Izzy had already walked off to do his interview while the men were yapping.
-:{------------------------------------------------I didn't know what to do
I grabbed the tiger by the tail!
"Well if you're not having to pay, then you can come visit me when you want, right? Just make an appointment...and you get to chose what you do with my time when you visit." he laughed, "Just like today."
He sat down beside Naoko and stretched out his fingers noting the cute blush. Oreo tried very hard to follow Naoko's lead. It took a little while for him to catch on to the whole thing but eventually he could play small pieces successfully. As long as they were easy parts. "Wow. I'm playing more than just chop sticks!" He laughed but every time he took his eyes off the keys to look at Naoko he screwed up. "You have to stop being such a beautiful distraction." Oreo winked then tried playing again.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:35 pm
Akihiko put his hands on his hips. "The only reason I ask you to do it, Yammi-san, is because I've faith in your skills and in your band's skills. Tomorrow I'll need you to know how to play 'Netsuretsu ANSWER'... provided of course Michi-kun thinks it's a good idea."
Sighing, Narcissus suddenly bent over at the waist and touched the floor with his fingertips, then he straightened and reached up high. He felt awkward... like his skin just didn't quite fit... but he'd get over it.
"Okay so... 'DELIGHT' now though. I need to... ah, chotto matte..." Narcissus jumped off the stage again, this time disappearing backstage to the side and then coming back with his fedora in hand. "If I'm practicing this, I'm getting all the steps right."
It took him a few moments to get the headset set up right, and then he nodded at Yammi.
And so practice resumed...
Though halfway through, Akihiko dropped his fedora... which only made him do the song again from the beginning.
The second time went without a hitch... so a third time was needed just to make sure it wasn't a fluke.
The third time was fine too so, nodding, Narcissus sat down on the edge of the stage. He had a bottle of water in hand and was sipping on it while wondering how Izzy and Michi were fairing with the interviews.
"Still cheating though..." Naoko replied honestly, his lithe fingers now resting in his lap. "I want to win by myself. Gomen... But... maybe I could ask your advice, ne? Like on what I'm wearing or practice my presentation with you?" he asked, looking up at Oreo at his side.
The other man's words though made the pianist blush slightly again. "Ano... I don't mean to be distracting... least not today." he said with a slight laugh, glancing at Oreo. "Being called 'beautiful' used to annoy me... guess I've gotten used to it..." of course this only made him head desk the piano. "Ahhhh...! I really am too girly!"
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