[ Learning one of their future songs from Mayoi... that's a comfort he wasn't expecting, and he gives him an eager nod in response.
The next question, though, is odd. Probably not as odd as whatever question Mayoi is about to ask, but enough that Tatsumi blinks and tilts his head before responding. ]
[ Ah, a difficult subject. Tatsumi is silent for a long moment before he responds. ]
It the time it seemed as though we were receiving at least some support. Other groups invited us to share their stages with them, and our performances were met with a great deal of applause. We even did well in our duel against Knights.
But it seems asking our fans to support us and Crazy:B was too much. In the end we didn't receive a single vote.
[ ... But, of course, Mayoi should know all of that - so why is he asking now? ]
[Especially if that answer makes Mayoi stop in his tracks and stare at Tatsumi with abject surprise. That's ...actually worse than his version of the events, and he didn't think that was possible. They had at least...]
...You would not make up such a thing- I...
[Whoof. Give him a second.]
F-For Hiiro-san ...we won. We won the MDM and made a name for ourselves. A few others here also corroborate that story.
[ 'We won' gets a blink from Tatsumi, though he has something to say about Mayoi's followup comment. ]
That's... not what I recall. We weren't fired. Eichi-san said that he liked our strategy-- [ Tatsumi's thin tone should convey what he thinks about that. ] --and encouraged us to stay with Starmaker, even though ALKALOID was technically disbanded. But we certainly didn't win.
[That makes Mayoi go white as a sheet. It's probably ...one of the things he fears the most (among a few other things, of course), so to hear it said like it was truth. He closes his eyes a moment and takes a deep breath. The chill, winter air helps ground him]
We ...We made it as far as that final stage. We were successful in our struggle to save them, and in the end, it was Crazy:B who shined on that stage, far brighter than us.
[It's ...bittersweet, if Mayoi is honest. He remembers feeling like they had accomplished their goal at their own expense, and so they reaped what they had sewn. It had made things difficult for them afterwards, but even so, they had been allowed to stay a unit.]
[ Yup, that's the reaction Tatsumi expected, and he steps closer to rest a reassuring hand on Mayoi's shoulder. He remembers the anxiety of waiting for the MDM results to post, the awful dread of realizing ALKALOID didn't even have an entry on the results screen, the quiet distress of exchanging a glance with Mayoi when they both realized what it mean moments before Aira and Hiiro.
But that, apparently, is not what Mayoi remembers, and the realization has Tatsumi feeling suddenly adrift. It had been a horrible moment, but they had gone through it together. So why... ]
That means that, for some reason, you, Hiiro-san, and I all remember the MDM very differently.
["Disbanded" is still ringing in his ears, honestly. Had... had they no Lives together after the MDM? Had even the concept of Aira's autumn project just vanished into the ether in Tatsumi's version of events? What about the further stuff? Like the SS? All of it...]
[Tatsumi's hand on his shoulder brings him back. He nods before finally looking up at him.]
Yes ...Of. Of all the memory discrepancies shared between us, the MDM seems to be the one event most of us can't agree on. There are other things, too. Ah, Hiiro is missing the event I mentioned before, the one with Aira-san, but he recalls more after that fact.
This place has tampered with us in unsettling ways, Tatsumi-san, and we're not yet sure why.
[ Unsettling ways indeed, and the mystery hanging over it makes that unsettled feeling intensify. And never mind how upsetting is to think that one of his most important memories, even if it's a bad one, might not even be real. Since, after all... ]
I suppose if most people agree with Hiiro's version of events, that's most likely how it really happened.
[ That's not really any comfort, but maybe Mayoi will get some relief from knowing that the 'disbanded' option is perhaps less likely than the alternative. ]
[It should be relieving, but Mayoi is someone who does not have a complacent, optimistic bone in his body. He runs under the assumption of a worse case scenario at all times, because the moment he grows comfortable, he risks slipping up and losing everything.]
[It makes him come off as a pessimist, but really he is just wired to be on edge at all times for his own survival.]
That has been the consensus as well, however I-I…
[He does not want to worry Tatsumi, though. So …he tries to be gentle about his opinion on that matter.]
I do not feel comfortable assuming that’s the case until we have proof. This place may yet toy with us further, we truly do not know, so. W-We can assume nothing. That is why …
[The next important order of business.]
Tatsumi-san should have woken with a palm sized gem of some sort on his person. Is that true?
[ Tatsumi, conversely, isn't exactly an optimist himself. He knows how to be practical, though, and knows that it's important to avoid catastrophizing. While he won't entirely trust the information, he's willing to take it as likely that Hiiro's recollection is correct.
The gemstone, though. Tatsumi nods, reaching into one of his pockets to withdraw the rock in question. It's diamond shaped, unsurprisingly, a vibrant teal color with flecks of gold throughout. Two of the corners are chipped and there's a crack right down the center, but it's otherwise in fine shape. ]
[They strike a good balance for a reason. Mayoi is content to let that subject go for now. The gem is far more impressive to them immediately.]
[Mayoi can’t help but lean in close to look at it once Tatsumi has it out. Now that they know what they mean, looking at them feels very intimate. That Tatsumi’s is still diamond shaped even after knowing ALKALOID was disbanded in his memories, it brings a certain amount of fondness to Mayoi. That bond truly was forged of steel, wasn’t it?]
[Very gently, Mayoi takes his hands, folding Tatsumi’s hand securely over the gem and then clasping it between Mayoi’s hands]
Keep it safe at all costs. Our… our lives are bound to these gems. Our bodies are capable of dying, but so long as this gem is safe, we will revive.
[There is a beat before Mayoi tightens his grip on Tatsumi’s hands.]
I-I know it sounds impossible- it should be, truly, but— A-Amagi-san has experienced it first hand.
[ Ah. Mayaoi isn't the sort of person to run hot, be it physically or emotionally, but in the sharp evening chill his hand is very warm against Tatsumi's skin. It has Tatsumi's expression softening, going from tense and thoughtful to warm and relaxed. He lifts his free hand to clasp Mayoi's in return.
But the tension comes back just a moment later, and Tatsumi's grip on Mayoi tightens. Dying and coming back? That's both extremely uncomfortable and extremely alarming to think about. But more importantly... ]
Does Hiiro-san know?
[ Because Rinne dying seems like the sort of thing that would make him fully lose his shit. ]
[Mayoi nods gently, though his eyes are turned away for now.]
Yes. I- I was not there when he found out, I think they had a very private conversation about the matter, but it is public knowledge in this town that Amagi-san died.
[And then he offers a small, humorless little smile.]
I imagine he felt his pride was not worth withholding such information from the rest of us, so he announced it at one of the town meetings.
[There is a small pause, and Mayoi looks decidedly uncomfortable.]
I have also sustained injuries that ...likely should have killed me, but did not.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
The next question, though, is odd. Probably not as odd as whatever question Mayoi is about to ask, but enough that Tatsumi blinks and tilts his head before responding. ]
Go ahead.
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How… how did the MDM end for Tatsumi-san?
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It the time it seemed as though we were receiving at least some support. Other groups invited us to share their stages with them, and our performances were met with a great deal of applause. We even did well in our duel against Knights.
But it seems asking our fans to support us and Crazy:B was too much. In the end we didn't receive a single vote.
[ ... But, of course, Mayoi should know all of that - so why is he asking now? ]
no subject
...You would not make up such a thing- I...
[Whoof. Give him a second.]
F-For Hiiro-san ...we won. We won the MDM and made a name for ourselves. A few others here also corroborate that story.
no subject
That's... not what I recall. We weren't fired. Eichi-san said that he liked our strategy-- [ Tatsumi's thin tone should convey what he thinks about that. ] --and encouraged us to stay with Starmaker, even though ALKALOID was technically disbanded. But we certainly didn't win.
[ But Mayoi says 'for Hiiro', and so: ]
What do you recall, Mayoi-san?
no subject
[That makes Mayoi go white as a sheet. It's probably ...one of the things he fears the most (among a few other things, of course), so to hear it said like it was truth. He closes his eyes a moment and takes a deep breath. The chill, winter air helps ground him]
We ...We made it as far as that final stage. We were successful in our struggle to save them, and in the end, it was Crazy:B who shined on that stage, far brighter than us.
[It's ...bittersweet, if Mayoi is honest. He remembers feeling like they had accomplished their goal at their own expense, and so they reaped what they had sewn. It had made things difficult for them afterwards, but even so, they had been allowed to stay a unit.]
no subject
But that, apparently, is not what Mayoi remembers, and the realization has Tatsumi feeling suddenly adrift. It had been a horrible moment, but they had gone through it together. So why... ]
That means that, for some reason, you, Hiiro-san, and I all remember the MDM very differently.
no subject
[Tatsumi's hand on his shoulder brings him back. He nods before finally looking up at him.]
Yes ...Of. Of all the memory discrepancies shared between us, the MDM seems to be the one event most of us can't agree on. There are other things, too. Ah, Hiiro is missing the event I mentioned before, the one with Aira-san, but he recalls more after that fact.
This place has tampered with us in unsettling ways, Tatsumi-san, and we're not yet sure why.
no subject
I suppose if most people agree with Hiiro's version of events, that's most likely how it really happened.
[ That's not really any comfort, but maybe Mayoi will get some relief from knowing that the 'disbanded' option is perhaps less likely than the alternative. ]
no subject
[It makes him come off as a pessimist, but really he is just wired to be on edge at all times for his own survival.]
That has been the consensus as well, however I-I…
[He does not want to worry Tatsumi, though. So …he tries to be gentle about his opinion on that matter.]
I do not feel comfortable assuming that’s the case until we have proof. This place may yet toy with us further, we truly do not know, so. W-We can assume nothing. That is why …
[The next important order of business.]
Tatsumi-san should have woken with a palm sized gem of some sort on his person. Is that true?
no subject
The gemstone, though. Tatsumi nods, reaching into one of his pockets to withdraw the rock in question. It's diamond shaped, unsurprisingly, a vibrant teal color with flecks of gold throughout. Two of the corners are chipped and there's a crack right down the center, but it's otherwise in fine shape. ]
Is this what you mean?
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[Mayoi can’t help but lean in close to look at it once Tatsumi has it out. Now that they know what they mean, looking at them feels very intimate. That Tatsumi’s is still diamond shaped even after knowing ALKALOID was disbanded in his memories, it brings a certain amount of fondness to Mayoi. That bond truly was forged of steel, wasn’t it?]
[Very gently, Mayoi takes his hands, folding Tatsumi’s hand securely over the gem and then clasping it between Mayoi’s hands]
Keep it safe at all costs. Our… our lives are bound to these gems. Our bodies are capable of dying, but so long as this gem is safe, we will revive.
[There is a beat before Mayoi tightens his grip on Tatsumi’s hands.]
I-I know it sounds impossible- it should be, truly, but— A-Amagi-san has experienced it first hand.
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But the tension comes back just a moment later, and Tatsumi's grip on Mayoi tightens. Dying and coming back? That's both extremely uncomfortable and extremely alarming to think about. But more importantly... ]
Does Hiiro-san know?
[ Because Rinne dying seems like the sort of thing that would make him fully lose his shit. ]
no subject
Yes. I- I was not there when he found out, I think they had a very private conversation about the matter, but it is public knowledge in this town that Amagi-san died.
[And then he offers a small, humorless little smile.]
I imagine he felt his pride was not worth withholding such information from the rest of us, so he announced it at one of the town meetings.
[There is a small pause, and Mayoi looks decidedly uncomfortable.]
I have also sustained injuries that ...likely should have killed me, but did not.