[What a hooligan... Eichi opens his eyes at that, and while the smile remains, there's a bit of a sharper edge to it as he tilts his head, inspecting Rei thoughtfully.
There are a lot of things to consider to that offer.
He hasn't practiced. He has no songs to pull from, though he's paid enough attention that he thinks he could probably wing one from Rei's show. He doesn't know how his body would hold out, to dance onstage.
(Is this the right time?
Shouldn't he be doing other things?)]
Incorrigible as ever, I see. This is no longer a school function, you know. My presence onstage will not "up your appeal", or whatever it is you are looking for here.
If I were to be looking for anything at all, it most certainly wouldn't be that. I don't believe you can satisfy my type of audience?
[PEW PEW SHOTS FIRED
but no, Rei is grinning regardless, sharp - but not without amusement. in general he likes causing trouble and this would also manage to get eichi out of his space juuuust that little bit more.]
It is merely an offer.
[from the monster of the night to the angel with a really fucking dark heart]
He'll show he can charm Rei's sort of audience--even if it means dabbling in the type of song he doesn't typically sing, and dancing the types of steps he hasn't practiced, he thinks he can do it. He observed, after all--he's an expert at observing, and that's enough.
He folds his arms.
No time like the present to surprise the world, right? This means he'll have to put a lot of his plans into play a lot sooner; he'll have to ride the popularity of it, if (when) he doesn't fail here.
That's fine, though. He's always liked a challenge.]
Well. I suppose it suits my purposes well enough, and I do not see what it is the benefit could be to you--at least, nothing that could cause too much harm.
[To himself, he means.
Naturally he doesn't really understand Rei's motivations, because "causing chaos" isn't really the sort of thing he's a big fan of, though he does like making a splash. He's loosened up a bit about "order over all", but... Rei's reasoning still isn't the sort of thing that comes easily to him.
He still assumes Rei's benefiting somehow from this--but he doesn't care.]
Purposes, benefits, harm - is this a spontaneous decision or are you still playing a chess game by yourself? How terribly lonely.
[He says, as if he's not going up on the stage right along with Eichi? As if this wasn't Rei's idea in the first place?
Well, he normally likes to have some sort of bigger lesson behind his mischief - it'll be something that he can tell his beloved children in the future, that sort of thing - but there's none of that going through his mind. No, this is just a moment where he feels like having a little bit of fine.
Call it the moonlight and old ties igniting his blood and maybe he'll be excused?
Either way, he's laughing faintly as he adjusts his stage costume.]
I'd simply appreciate it if you didn't put me in the same category as you - this just sounded like a rather entertaining pastime.
[He's always playing a chess game by himself, but he certainly doesn't see it as lonely at all.]
Thank you for the compliment.
[As for the rest... well, Rei will be Rei he supposes; this is the sort of attitude that lost him his throne, but Eichi can't say that.
Eichi's attitude lost him his own throne as well. Instead--]
Is there something for me to wear in here? [He's dressed nicely enough, but he's certainly not dressed for idol work, to dazzle and charm. He finds it hard to believe Rei will have anything at all that could be fitting for him, but... it's worth a try, perhaps.]
[That manages to get Rei to smile a bit, amused at the question.]
The point of a dressing room is to dress, is it not? You and I are of the same build more or less, go ahead and take your pick.
[A gesture to the rack of clothes!
That definitely do not even remotely suit Eichi's aesthetic. Welcome to faux fur, pleather, 2many belts hell. Almost everything is also in shades of gray, black, red and purple with gold accent accessories too.
And here's Rei, crossing his arms and smiling like this is the funniest thing he's encountered all day. His smirk might be saying something along the lines of "did you expect to get into my pants tonight or is this a pleasant surprise"]
[If anything... it's been very, very obvious to Eichi when the metaphorical gauntlet has been thrown. Like knights of old, tossing down their heavy metal gloves, insulting the honor of those who they challenged...
Well, Eichi knows as well as anyone else that even if he doesn't have honor, he has to at least protect the facsimile of it.
No Tenshouin worth his salt would back down from a challenge, and nor would any idol.]
So I suppose it is up to me to pick up the gauntlet after all... [But that is just said quietly and musingly, and then he's going through the clothing rack with quick, deft movements and laser focus. For all of his games of cat and mouse, he does know the basics of his trade.
And he knows fully well that not a single piece of this clothing is tailored to his aesthetic.
But that's fine, isn't it? Instead of whites and blues... it's fine if he goes with blacks and reds, and accepts his role here and now as a fallen angle. He passes up the gray, the purple, anything that could have remotely been similar to his tastes. If he's going to do this, he's going to go fully the other extreme, and stick to black and red completely.
He's not afraid of this--not this, and not Rei's smile.]
[Normally Rei isn't the type to play mind games but he thinks it's fine to have some fun every once in a while. Even the elderly need a good laugh on occasion.
Which is why he's not bothering to restrain his smile as Eichi picks through the rack.]
To have the former top idol of Yumenosaki's fine suddenly wearing the garb of monsters and devils....
Hey Tenshouin-kun, did you fall from heaven?
[A cant of his head, red eyes bright with amusement.]
Lucifer over fallen stars... You'd rather fall to Hell than to earth?
[Honestly.
He thought he was supposed to be the devil here, Eichi, what the fuck.
Regardless he doesn't really have an issue with the undressing but he's polite enough that he'll occupy himself with something else while Eichi changes.
A text to Kaoru:
Don't be mad at me when you hear the news. it got a little out of hand ♥
He might be making a small prediction for the future.]
[no not really, he's going for classy and slightly vampiric here.]
... When one's existence is fleeting, it becomes more prominent in one's thoughts, I suppose.
[He's not going to be remembered fondly, he already knows that.
He may as well make sure he'll be remembered at all.
Either way, he puts the finishing touches on the clothing, and it fits well enough, if not precisely tailored as their outfits typically are, and then he turns and spreads his arms for Rei.]
Well? [A slight smile, more showmanship than anything.] Does Lucifer pass costume inspection?
But Rei considers that for a moment and - immediately pushes it away. For a man (monster?) accused too often of loving too many too much, he'd really rather not open the opportunity to feel sympathy for someone who royally fucked over not only him but his friends.
... But it's difficult.
Unlike someone else here, he's not an actual demon.
It's easier to think about costumes.]
... Well.
[He gives Eichi a very obvious once-over, followed by a shrug.]
It's passing.
[no it's fine (not feenay tho) eichi looks good, even rei can't lie about that. idol boys are idol boys.]
But fine is good. Eichi knows very well that he looks just fine, because idol boys will be idols boys; he just offers a bit of a smile in response to that and allows his arms to drop, nodding simply.]
Very well then. And which of your songs would you like to perform?
[He watched them all--
He thinks he's got a pretty good grasp on anything they performed. (The true terror of Tenshouin Eichi is that he's so capable of learning so much, just by observing.)]
It's disgusting to think that Eichi is giving Rei the option - as if Rei could say anything in his repertoire, even the new song that he and Kaoru debuted a few days ago, and Eichi would be able to take up the mantle.
How unbearably annoying.
Which is probably why he responds with:]
I'm the one who gets to perform them all the time...
[are you seriously telling him that eichi's favorite undead song isn't Milk Tea.
regardless, Rei is sighing slightly, even as he tilts his head.]
An encore... You know only the most diehard of fans are probably still out there waiting for a glimpse of myself or Kaoru-kun?
[ . . . well.]
I suppose they'll have you to thank.
[Another shrug before Rei finds himself smiling. This will absolutely stir the pot. Who knows what could happen if the press were to get ahold of this?
[He didn't say anything about that being his favorite, he's just going for the symbolism here like his pretentious ass always wants to do.
Rei opens the door for him...
And Eichi goes.
He goes with a flourish, he ends up onstage, and... he's happy. He's sincerely happy, because it's been so long since he's been on stage, and being an idol, performing until his heart gives out--
Of course he can. He used to be the Top Idol of Yumenosaki after all and even though they certainly had a bunch of bizarre people in their midst - thinks the unofficial leader of the Oddballs - there were plenty of sincerely gifted performers. And among them, the Emperor.
Rei can't quite forget that this song wasn't even meant for Eichi - and yet he's managing Kaoru's part without missing a step.
People start to return after they begin, confused at first and then excited - overjoyed even. The shock at Eichi taking Kaoru's place is almost comical when they realize Rei went up there with a different blond.
But then Rei steps forward and in the ultimate act of Suspense:]
Well, that was fun. Good night, may the darkness guide you home.
[And with that, the curtains close again.
His heart's racing - from the troublemaking, from the performing, from the anticipation of what comes next - and he can't deny that he feels so very Alive.]
[Eichi would probably have more to say about Rei's dramatic performance, but... well, Eichi hasn't performed on stage in quite awhile. He takes a step offstage when the curtain falls, and then another, and one more--and then it's to lean against the wall, coughing into his hand.
... Well.
It was fun while it lasted, but he should have known that not being in practice wouldn't do his already poor body any favors, really.
(And it truly was fun while it lasted. The lights, the gleam, the song, the steps...even being up there with Rei. He knows Rei hates him, but... he doesn't hate Rei.
He can't hate anyone who truly dazzles as an idol should.)]
[Given Rei's frequent tiredness and inability to be of any use physically under direct sunlight, it surprises him a little to find Eichi coughing, succumbing to weakness in the dark of the night.
Oh, how the turntables.
Regardless, Rei is at least impressed that he managed to last that long given the nature of performance. UNDEAD has never been a dance-heavy unit, not like Knights or Ryuseitai, but they're still active enough. And given that they were steps that Eichi hadn't actually done before...
He almost feels bad.
Regardless, he steps forward because unfortunately he is a vampire with a heart and reaches out to place a hand on Eichi's shoulder.]
[Oh how the turntables indeed... Eichi looks a little wry to have someone he's pretty sure despises him show him some pity, but...here they are.
He coughs again.]
Certainly.
[When he straightens, he can feel his breath rattling in his lungs; if he was more unused to it, it'd be frightening, but by now it's pretty commonplace. He's pale, but the smile stays affixed to his face.]
Carry on. Your little stunt is through, and so is the show. There is certainly no need for you to linger here to watch a fallen angel fall a little further.
[If Rei were to pick any one person that he hated, it would probably be Eichi, that's true.
That's supposing that Rei is really capable of feeling hatred. His biggest weakness is forever that he has trouble leaving things as they are, to the point that Eichi said that it would destroy him. Considering this moment, that's probably not incorrect.
He pauses for about half a second, sighing. That's probably an inkling of how he really feels.
Before it's replaced with an almost rolling of his eyes, with stepping forward and dipping just enough to sweep Eichi right off his feet.
If he's going to be forced to carry the Emperor, he'd rather it at least be slightly humiliating for him too.]
If you keep falling, you'll eventually enter the domain of demons and I'd rather not have you.
Only one of us was meant to die in darkness and obscurity.
Eichi doesn't like it when things are outside of his own control. It may be a mess when he's left to fend for himself when he's ill, but at least he's used to that. At least he can control that. But Rei scooping him up in a frankly humiliating princess carry is--]
What-- put me down! I never asked you to carry me, as far as I recall--!
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There are a lot of things to consider to that offer.
He hasn't practiced. He has no songs to pull from, though he's paid enough attention that he thinks he could probably wing one from Rei's show. He doesn't know how his body would hold out, to dance onstage.
(Is this the right time?
Shouldn't he be doing other things?)]
Incorrigible as ever, I see. This is no longer a school function, you know. My presence onstage will not "up your appeal", or whatever it is you are looking for here.
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[PEW PEW SHOTS FIRED
but no, Rei is grinning regardless, sharp - but not without amusement. in general he likes causing trouble and this would also manage to get eichi out of his space juuuust that little bit more.]
It is merely an offer.
[from the monster of the night to the angel with a really fucking dark heart]
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[SHOTS FIRED AND ACCEPTED, PREPARE FOR BATTLE.
He'll show he can charm Rei's sort of audience--even if it means dabbling in the type of song he doesn't typically sing, and dancing the types of steps he hasn't practiced, he thinks he can do it. He observed, after all--he's an expert at observing, and that's enough.
He folds his arms.
No time like the present to surprise the world, right? This means he'll have to put a lot of his plans into play a lot sooner; he'll have to ride the popularity of it, if (when) he doesn't fail here.
That's fine, though. He's always liked a challenge.]
Well. I suppose it suits my purposes well enough, and I do not see what it is the benefit could be to you--at least, nothing that could cause too much harm.
[To himself, he means.
Naturally he doesn't really understand Rei's motivations, because "causing chaos" isn't really the sort of thing he's a big fan of, though he does like making a splash. He's loosened up a bit about "order over all", but... Rei's reasoning still isn't the sort of thing that comes easily to him.
He still assumes Rei's benefiting somehow from this--but he doesn't care.]
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[He says, as if he's not going up on the stage right along with Eichi? As if this wasn't Rei's idea in the first place?
Well, he normally likes to have some sort of bigger lesson behind his mischief - it'll be something that he can tell his beloved children in the future, that sort of thing - but there's none of that going through his mind. No, this is just a moment where he feels like having a little bit of fine.
Call it the moonlight and old ties igniting his blood and maybe he'll be excused?
Either way, he's laughing faintly as he adjusts his stage costume.]
I'd simply appreciate it if you didn't put me in the same category as you - this just sounded like a rather entertaining pastime.
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Thank you for the compliment.
[As for the rest... well, Rei will be Rei he supposes; this is the sort of attitude that lost him his throne, but Eichi can't say that.
Eichi's attitude lost him his own throne as well. Instead--]
Is there something for me to wear in here? [He's dressed nicely enough, but he's certainly not dressed for idol work, to dazzle and charm. He finds it hard to believe Rei will have anything at all that could be fitting for him, but... it's worth a try, perhaps.]
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The point of a dressing room is to dress, is it not? You and I are of the same build more or less, go ahead and take your pick.
[A gesture to the rack of clothes!
That definitely do not even remotely suit Eichi's aesthetic. Welcome to faux fur, pleather, 2many belts hell. Almost everything is also in shades of gray, black, red and purple with gold accent accessories too.
And here's Rei, crossing his arms and smiling like this is the funniest thing he's encountered all day. His smirk might be saying something along the lines of "did you expect to get into my pants tonight or is this a pleasant surprise"]
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Well, Eichi knows as well as anyone else that even if he doesn't have honor, he has to at least protect the facsimile of it.
No Tenshouin worth his salt would back down from a challenge, and nor would any idol.]
So I suppose it is up to me to pick up the gauntlet after all... [But that is just said quietly and musingly, and then he's going through the clothing rack with quick, deft movements and laser focus. For all of his games of cat and mouse, he does know the basics of his trade.
And he knows fully well that not a single piece of this clothing is tailored to his aesthetic.
But that's fine, isn't it? Instead of whites and blues... it's fine if he goes with blacks and reds, and accepts his role here and now as a fallen angle. He passes up the gray, the purple, anything that could have remotely been similar to his tastes. If he's going to do this, he's going to go fully the other extreme, and stick to black and red completely.
He's not afraid of this--not this, and not Rei's smile.]
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Which is why he's not bothering to restrain his smile as Eichi picks through the rack.]
To have the former top idol of Yumenosaki's fine suddenly wearing the garb of monsters and devils....
Hey Tenshouin-kun, did you fall from heaven?
[A cant of his head, red eyes bright with amusement.]
Not unlike Lucifer?
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Eichi pauses from his picking through the clothing to arch an eyebrow at Rei at that, smile momentarily gone if only so he can look bemused instead.
He's not sure if he should be flattered or not, honestly.......]
Well, there are worse things to be than a fallen angel of music, I suppose. Better to be Lucifer than a fallen star.
[THANKS FOR THAT THOUGH.
He'll just yank a few items from the rack very certainly, and then... well, then he starts to undress.
It is a dressing room, after all.]
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[Honestly.
He thought he was supposed to be the devil here, Eichi, what the fuck.
Regardless he doesn't really have an issue with the undressing but he's polite enough that he'll occupy himself with something else while Eichi changes.
A text to Kaoru:
Don't be mad at me when you hear the news. it got a little out of hand ♥
He might be making a small prediction for the future.]
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If I am going to fall, it may as well be the sort of fall others will always speak of, with awe and hushed voices.
[aka may as well go big or go home.
Eichi's definitely avoiding wearing like 99% of the leather Rei's got here.]
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Your willingness to succumb to infamy over neutrality could almost be considered a concerning thing.
[not that he cares or whatever]
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you'd hunger for attention even after you're gone.
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... When one's existence is fleeting, it becomes more prominent in one's thoughts, I suppose.
[He's not going to be remembered fondly, he already knows that.
He may as well make sure he'll be remembered at all.
Either way, he puts the finishing touches on the clothing, and it fits well enough, if not precisely tailored as their outfits typically are, and then he turns and spreads his arms for Rei.]
Well? [A slight smile, more showmanship than anything.] Does Lucifer pass costume inspection?
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But Rei considers that for a moment and - immediately pushes it away. For a man (monster?) accused too often of loving too many too much, he'd really rather not open the opportunity to feel sympathy for someone who royally fucked over not only him but his friends.
... But it's difficult.
Unlike someone else here, he's not an actual demon.
It's easier to think about costumes.]
... Well.
[He gives Eichi a very obvious once-over, followed by a shrug.]
It's passing.
[no it's fine (not feenay tho) eichi looks good, even rei can't lie about that. idol boys are idol boys.]
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But fine is good. Eichi knows very well that he looks just fine, because idol boys will be idols boys; he just offers a bit of a smile in response to that and allows his arms to drop, nodding simply.]
Very well then. And which of your songs would you like to perform?
[He watched them all--
He thinks he's got a pretty good grasp on anything they performed. (The true terror of Tenshouin Eichi is that he's so capable of learning so much, just by observing.)]
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It's disgusting to think that Eichi is giving Rei the option - as if Rei could say anything in his repertoire, even the new song that he and Kaoru debuted a few days ago, and Eichi would be able to take up the mantle.
How unbearably annoying.
Which is probably why he responds with:]
I'm the one who gets to perform them all the time...
Why don't you tell me your favorite?
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[Well, that's interesting. Eichi is quiet for a moment, musingly, and then... he nods decisively.]
Then let us perform the first of your number, as an encore. Nothing is quite so proper as coming full circle in the end.
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regardless, Rei is sighing slightly, even as he tilts his head.]
An encore... You know only the most diehard of fans are probably still out there waiting for a glimpse of myself or Kaoru-kun?
[ . . . well.]
I suppose they'll have you to thank.
[Another shrug before Rei finds himself smiling. This will absolutely stir the pot. Who knows what could happen if the press were to get ahold of this?
... oh well.
He opens the dressing room door for Eichi.]
After you.
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Rei opens the door for him...
And Eichi goes.
He goes with a flourish, he ends up onstage, and... he's happy. He's sincerely happy, because it's been so long since he's been on stage, and being an idol, performing until his heart gives out--
That's what warms his soul.]
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Of course he can. He used to be the Top Idol of Yumenosaki after all and even though they certainly had a bunch of bizarre people in their midst - thinks the unofficial leader of the Oddballs - there were plenty of sincerely gifted performers. And among them, the Emperor.
Rei can't quite forget that this song wasn't even meant for Eichi - and yet he's managing Kaoru's part without missing a step.
People start to return after they begin, confused at first and then excited - overjoyed even. The shock at Eichi taking Kaoru's place is almost comical when they realize Rei went up there with a different blond.
But then Rei steps forward and in the ultimate act of Suspense:]
Well, that was fun. Good night, may the darkness guide you home.
[And with that, the curtains close again.
His heart's racing - from the troublemaking, from the performing, from the anticipation of what comes next - and he can't deny that he feels so very Alive.]
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... Well.
It was fun while it lasted, but he should have known that not being in practice wouldn't do his already poor body any favors, really.
(And it truly was fun while it lasted. The lights, the gleam, the song, the steps...even being up there with Rei. He knows Rei hates him, but... he doesn't hate Rei.
He can't hate anyone who truly dazzles as an idol should.)]
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Oh, how the turntables.
Regardless, Rei is at least impressed that he managed to last that long given the nature of performance. UNDEAD has never been a dance-heavy unit, not like Knights or Ryuseitai, but they're still active enough. And given that they were steps that Eichi hadn't actually done before...
He almost feels bad.
Regardless, he steps forward because unfortunately he is a vampire with a heart and reaches out to place a hand on Eichi's shoulder.]
Can you make it back to the dressing room?
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He coughs again.]
Certainly.
[When he straightens, he can feel his breath rattling in his lungs; if he was more unused to it, it'd be frightening, but by now it's pretty commonplace. He's pale, but the smile stays affixed to his face.]
Carry on. Your little stunt is through, and so is the show. There is certainly no need for you to linger here to watch a fallen angel fall a little further.
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That's supposing that Rei is really capable of feeling hatred. His biggest weakness is forever that he has trouble leaving things as they are, to the point that Eichi said that it would destroy him. Considering this moment, that's probably not incorrect.
He pauses for about half a second, sighing. That's probably an inkling of how he really feels.
Before it's replaced with an almost rolling of his eyes, with stepping forward and dipping just enough to sweep Eichi right off his feet.
If he's going to be forced to carry the Emperor, he'd rather it at least be slightly humiliating for him too.]
If you keep falling, you'll eventually enter the domain of demons and I'd rather not have you.
Only one of us was meant to die in darkness and obscurity.
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That wipes the smile right out of his face.
Eichi doesn't like it when things are outside of his own control. It may be a mess when he's left to fend for himself when he's ill, but at least he's used to that. At least he can control that. But Rei scooping him up in a frankly humiliating princess carry is--]
What-- put me down! I never asked you to carry me, as far as I recall--!
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