My Self-SummarySince the Interastral Peace Corporation wouldn’t mean much to most people here, let’s just say I help people all over the universe. I love what I do, but I’m usually a lot busier than this.
I’m not sure what to do with all this free time on my hands. Let’s be friends.
My Future Plans
Having fun, I guess? I feel like anything bigger than that might end up ruined.
My Talents
Business Operations, Investing, Animal Care and Video Games.
Favorite Books, Movies, Music, and Food
Math and Science textbooks, Business reports, stock market analyses. No opinions on the other stuff.
My Ideal Partner
Someone who values trust, honesty and clear communication. This is at the foundation of any good business partnership.
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softstoneheart) wrote2024-03-02 04:15 pm
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[Said of matter-of-factly. He isn't lying. Also, he doesn't wear pearls!
Though he could certainly afford them.
He does smile when she says that thing about digging her heels in.]
Now that's the spirit~♪
[Though his voice is lacking any genuine cheer. Jin Mingming said that restricting your intimate life to people from home probably doesn't prolong your existence in the resort. Which means what, exactly? That he and Jun are in danger of disappearing and becoming two more stone statues, presumably. Should he tell her that he lies awake at night worrying about that?
Nope. Absolutely not. He'll just focus on this university thing they're headed towards instead!]
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[ she scoffs, still annoyed by it all. Dispelling the theory that it's sex energy should have been a relief, but now it raises even more bothersome questions. ]
That's stupid.
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[Topaz isn't the only one annoyed. Not that it's Jin Mingming's fault. According to her, she was just brought here as a pawn like the rest of them. And she couldn't even use her wish to go back home because she used it to save her daughter's life.]
At first I thought it was for blackmail. I guess it's possible they just like to watch the footage instead of spreading it around, though. If so, they're creeps! ♪ But we already knew that, didn't we?
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[ Her face scrunches up at the realization that her rhetorical question had more realistic answers than she'd like. ]
I guess it's more of a why question. As long as we keep doing what they want us to do, and they get energy out of it... there's no reason to care enough to watch.
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["As long as we keep doing what they want us to do," she says. If they all banded together and refused to do anything, would that have any effect? But it's hopeless, he knows. They can't work together and unite against a common enemy when some people don't even want to go home. When some people don't even have morals, and kill people just to get "cards," as he told Topaz about earlier...
He shakes off those thoughts as best he can, however, stopping in front of the double doors up ahead.]
Is this it?
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[ But she'll leave that aside as they close in on the doors leading to the university. ]
Yup! These are the ones.
[ Dramatically, she throws them open, revealing a changing area similar to a school locker room, with racks of uniforms and teacher outfits in various styles and levels of modesty.
From the windows beyond the changing area, appears to be a quad like one would find on any other college campus, complete with its own coffee stand, a few snacks, and of course, other class buildings.
Her expression brightens, as if she's home. At the very least, it's a nice break from the debauchery of the rest of the resort. ]
The arts building with the music practice rooms is this way. The only thing is we've gotta change into school clothes.
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It really is a school!
[Albeit one you have to enter through a locker room. His schools all had shoe lockers at the entrance, of course, but this seems a bit weird. In a few words, she explains that away, however, and surprisingly he just nods.]
Ah, so that's how it works. Makes sense!
[Though then he adds:]
That's sort of odd for a university, though. Those don't tend to have uniform policies where I'm from. They should've called it Ugly Duckling Academy if you ask me.
[Still, he's already walking towards the uniforms, thumbing through the selection. Which definitely includes some options that wouldn't have passed the dress code at any of his schools. Eyeing one of the short skirts, he asks:]
They do teach regular music classes, then? Not just classes on how to look cute while you pretend to play music?
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The music classrooms have instruments in them, but I dunno if they're like, actually good, or just for show. But we can find out.
[ She snags one of those skirts that wouldn't pass dress code and pulls it on over her workout shorts, which peek out from under the skirt hem. While it isn't modest enough for a real school, it gives off a vibe of an athletic student from a school anime rather than porn.
She waffles over what to do with the top: a button down or blazer would be proper, but there's also track jackets that go with phys ed uniforms... ]
I'm sure the uniforms and teacher costumes are a fetish thing, but we can't get in unless we pick something to wear so...
[ she holds up options for what to wear on top. ]
Pick one.
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[He thinks about that for a moment and says,]
I guess that shouldn't be any issue for me. I'm the one who raised Jun-kun into a proper idol, after all. And I even mentored our rivals during the Summer Live ♪
[He arches an eyebrow slightly when she grabs the skirt—a bold choice!—and there's a split second where he thinks she's started changing right next to him. But nope, she's putting it on over her shorts. Stylish!
He goes back to the uniforms, not lingering too long on the skirts. Would he look good in them? Undoubtedly, but there are more practical choices! He wants something that'll look cute and feel like a real uniform, and it isn't long before he finds something that fits the bill. At the same time as he grabs it off the rack, she asks for his opinion on tops, and he eyes her choices for a minute before pointing a thumb at the blazer.]
Why not go with that one? Then we'll match! ♪
[He holds his own selection. What did he choose, you ask?
A classic blazer-and-button-down combo with tartan pants, is what. Sort of like he wore at Reimei, but the pink lapels drew his eye. He's sure he'll look ~*pretty*~ in it!]
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I mean, do we really want people HERE teaching us stuff? If it's not about what makes this place tick, I'm not interested.
[ Normally she doesn't care about uniforms. The lack of individuality and the fact they're expected of her doesn't sit well with her. But matching with a friend sounds fun. And the pink lapels ARE pretty.
The proposal's compelling enough to convince her to change her skirt so they can match properly. ]
I wasn't really a fan of uniforms when I had to wear them for work, but these are cute, and matching with you feels way more fun.
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[He pauses dramatically, then makes a heart shape with his fingers.]
Heart! And! Soul! ~♪
[Get it? Since the staff are a bunch of soulless automatons??
He didn't mean to make her change skirts. But she's a grown woman who can make her own choices, and she'll still look cute in this one, so he supposes it's no problem. He smiles warmly and says:]
Yep, I feel the same way. We'll look just like classmates~♪
[And then he glances around nearby. Of course there are no separate men and women's changing areas, but the rows of lockers offer at least some privacy. No biggie!]
I'll get changed over there.
[And then he heads behind the nearest row.
Getting changed only takes a minute. He folds his clothes before putting them in the locker, though there's a pause once he opens the door and sees what's already inside. Supplies for locker room sex? You guessed it! But the locker looks clean, at least, so he'll leave his clothes and just ignore those.
He steps out from behind the row and leans against one of the lockers, fully dressed for his university debut.]
All set! ♪
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A heart and soul... they kinda feel like things this place doesn't care much about.
[ He was told what mattered were connections that would have otherwise been impossible, which means the possible ones tied to their hearts and souls mean nothing to this place. It doesn't sit well with her, somehow a relief that her connection to Aventurine is hers alone, but also unsettling that The House will threaten that bond in favor of ones that have value to itself.
But not all connections across universes is bad. And the second shot at school with Hiyori is actually fun. ]
Classmates, huh? When I was in school, I was so focused on studies, I didn't get to know anyone, so this is a first for me.
[ She takes her time stowing her own clothes in another locker and claps when Hiyori emerges from the other side. ]
You look great!
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Like a no-good man who's only after one thing~♪
[Their bodies. Not their hearts. Their hearts are just another tool to exploit them with. Like they did when they triggered those suit effects Topaz mentioned—the ones that made her feel all cuddly and lovey-dovey. It's all just an attempt to get them to bed more people.
But then what about those other effects? Like the Clubs ones that make a person feel as though they're losing their mind? Or the Spades ones, which make a person feel violent? Wouldn't those just get in the way of sex?
It's all a headache. He's been here for months, and he still hasn't figured the place out.
But now isn't the time to lament that fact. For the afternoon, they're not hostages; they're just "classmates." And of course, friends!
Which is apparently a type of relationship Topaz has never had. He blinks when he hears that, before smiling trying for an encouraging smile.]
Then I'm happy to be your first school friend! It's possible to learn things and still have friends. It's all about balance~♪
[In reality, his school life wasn't terribly normal either, so he's not the best person to lecture on that. But oh well.
He gets changed, he shows off his outfit, and then he cheerfully returns the compliment.]
Yep, so do you! And now it's time to rush off to our next class!
[Then he pauses.]
Though I guess we don't really have any class scheduled. So maybe I can be a transfer student, and you can be the serious class rep who's giving me a tour of the school. How does that sound? ♪
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Balance, huh? I can't say I had much of that, either.
[ All those vacations she never took, the fact she uses her sleep time to continue working... she's never had a balanced life. But at least now she can pretend to have one? Except for one problem. ]
Like... roleplaying? I gotta warn you, I'm not the best actress...
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[He chirps. Of course she doesn't have balance. She's like Anzu-chan and Ibara!
But this place is like an endless vacation. One that neither of them wanted or asked for, and where the tour bus is helmed by a drunk driver who might just careen over a cliff at any point, but there's not much work to do! So off they go on their little school tour.]
Then just play yourself! ♪ That scenario I described isn't too far off from how things really are. I'm the one who's new to this school, and you're definitely the class rep type~
[He starts making his way out of the locker room, peering down the adjacent hall.]
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[ The hall he's looking down leads to one of the school buildings. She indicates to another building across a campus quad right out of an American film.
On the way to the music building, they pass they neatly trimmed patches of lush grass for picnics or outdoor study sessions and lush trees for shade, and even a coffee stand for students and staff that need their caffeine boost.
For a place to study music, it's quiet: not a single muffled note comes from any of the practice rooms down the hall. ]
I think the classrooms are this way...
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He tries to peer into the practice rooms as they pass, keeping an eye out for things like speakers and floor-length mirrors. He can't get much of a glimpse from out in the hall, though.]
That's some pretty good soundproofing ♪
[A joke. He has a feeling they can't hear any music because no one's playing any, not because the soundproofing is good.]
Me and Jun-kun had our very own practice room at our old school. Hopefully this new one will treat us just as well~♪
[He follows her towards the classrooms, chatting goofily. He gets distracted by the sight of a bulletin board on the way, however. This must be where after-school clubs, special classes, and school events are advertised! He steps right up to it, giving one of the flyers a read.
And then squints at the text, his forehead creasing.]
Now that's an odd name for a seminar.
[Is that a description for Edging 101: How to Postpone and Prolong Your Pleasure for a More Explosive Finish? You bet it is!]
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[ just in case he assumes she's confessing to something lewd. ]
If it does work, then the music practice rooms would be a safer space for "getting ice cream."
[ A phrase she'll use as a replacement for "exchanging information." ]
Edge— why would they have classes like this in a performance arts building?
[ Flustered and annoyed, she walks faster through the hall until a flash of light through a classroom door catches her eye. Peering inside, the light source is the reflection from a large mirror lining the wall facing the door. The classroom itself is a large space with wooden floors. Poles for pole dancing are erected in intervals throughout the classroom. ]
I think we're getting warmer? Have a look.
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Not to worry, I understand completely! Just typical boss-employee stuff~♪
[He's teasing her. Though he doesn't think she's lying. Whatever she may feel for her boss, she's the type to have business on the brain more often than not. And her next words make it clear what she really considers those practice rooms to be useful for.]
I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully they smell better than the last ice cream place did.
[It'd be nice if he didn't have to tell her about any murders ever again. But as long as they're still being held captive, the need for clandestine convos won't go away. Also, in a few months' time he will have another murder to tell her about. Fun!
Now, would he rather be discussing murder in one of the practice rooms, or attending the class on Edging 101? Tough call, especially considering he still doesn't completely understand what edging is! But this is obviously a description of that sort of class, which is so not what they're here for.]
Beats me! I'm just a new student~♪
[He'll pretend he knows nothing about this school and why they might be advertising sex classes. He's the free-spirited transfer student, she's the helpful class rep! That's the game here! And so he'll follow after her without trying to read the other flyers or lingering any longer on the thought of Edging 101 (nor will he consider questions like "Is there an Edging 201"?).
She stops outside one of the rooms, and he peers inside, his eyes immediately drawn to the floor-length mirrors. Now there's the sort of thing he's been looking for. He turns to her with a smile and says,]
Yep, you're right! I'll have a look inside if you don't mind.
[And then he steps into the room, his uniform-clad figure reflected in the giant mirror on the wall. Yep, as he thought, he's looking good!]
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[ This resort isn't the first life or death situation they were in. She was just about to start her part in one back in her universe. This could have been a break from that. And then it wasn't. ]
And the practice rooms just smell like wood and paper. They're not smelly at all.
[ She's more than happy to ignore the edging class and any continuing edging classes to check out the practice room. ]
Go for it. Hopefully if there's rooms like this, there'll be some without poles.
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[Yes, he has a spray bottle of air freshener just in case he gets called to the gym. Gotta protect his sensitive nose!
He takes a moment to admire himself in the mirror. The uniform really does look a lot like Reimei's (except cuter, thanks to all the pink!), which gives him a nostalgic feeling. So does walking into an empty rehearsal room.
Though of course Eve's personal practice room at Reimei didn't have poles in it. Idols don't typically dance on poles(save for Wataru in that fantasy performance of Eccentric Party Night), but he can guess what sort of dancing the resort wants them to do. Rather than acknowledge that, though, he'll continue to play the role of naive student!]
It's an interesting feature! My only concern is whether one of us might knock into it. But not me, of course, since I'm always perfectly coordinated~♪ I'm more worried about Jun-kun, since he's still a rookie!
[He walks around the pole, gazing up at the ceiling to examine the sound tech.]