aerodynamic | INBOX for purgastory

[ the way that this is probably more his speed than either tsukasa or mafuyu's musical vibe given the way his eyes immediately widen. his fingers tap on the guitar in time with the music, and he's listening closely.

the song's not even over but he's grabbing his notebook again to write something and hold it up in front of tsukasa's face. ]

You need to send me this when we get home.

[Tsukasa laughs brightly at that, grinning.

Of course he's delighted that Yosuke likes it--but he also thought it would be more up Yosuke's alley in general.]

Gladly! I'll send you all of their songs!

Saki is the one who composes their songs, you know. And their lead vocalist, Ichika, is the one who writes the lyrics!

[He is practically effusive with pride as he gushes.]

That'd be great, thanks.
She's talented though. Was she composing these when she was on bed rest or did this come after? I like the lyrics, too.
And when do I get to hear some of your stuff anyway?

No, no, she only began composing when they formed their band. That only makes her work all the more impressive, of course! She picked it up very quickly!

[Saki is soooo cool.

A beat.

He tilts his head, thoughtful at that.]

My stuff, hm... we don't tend to record most of our music since it's performed on stage. [and they aren't exactly on Broadway.] Let me think...

[He scrolls through his phone, contemplative.]

Oh! I do have some recordings of some of our practices, for critiquing purposes. I could share one of those?

[ the way his eyebrows raise really says he's very much impressed. he would probably really like saki if he met her, just based on that alone. ]

That's kinda amazing. Actually? More than kinda.
I know you're more of a theater guy, but I guess I was just wondering if you had anything. I wouldn't say no to a recording.

[ he's curious mostly. ]

[heheheheh.]

Yes, of course! Because she is absolutely amazing!

[His amazing, super awesome, unbeatable little sister........

... anyway! Right.

He can pull up a recent recording of a full, proper performance of their song, holding out his phone so Yosuke can watch.]

This is from a practice dress rehearsal. We've been trying to incorporate more ballet-adjacent movements recently, given that is what we've been learning at Morinomiya.

[ he scoots a little closer, hooking his chin onto tsukasa's shoulder to watch the phone and give it his undivided attention.

the vibe shift is so blatantly obvious it's really him going "huh." while this plays out. he doesn't say anything (write, whatever) while this is going, but judging by his expression he's very much taking mental notes. ]

THIS was a practice???
Morinomiya's that opera academy right?
It feels kinda intense.

[Hmmm...?]

Yes, of course.

[Tsukasa drags the bar back on the recorded video on his phone so he can point to a very specific moment in the video.]

You can see here--Rui and I are not in sync at all. And here, Nene is too far forward on the stage.

[This is, as probably can be expected from Tsukasa, the minutiae that only matters to an extreme perfectionist.]

But yes, you could say that about Morinomiya. They are the pinnacle of musical excellence in Japan! They are famous for pushing those who make it in--which is already a small number--to the absolute limits while they study there!

... To be frank, it is really all we can do to keep up.

[ he watches again and seems to be paying more attention. ]

At the beginning there's a few parts that're rushed together when you're trying to move across the stage so it looks a little less fluid than what's going on in the front. And at the end after the flames come up, the space between you and the girl behind you isn't quite as even as the two on the other side. It makes that ripply turn thing just slightly more delayed than you want, I think.

[ he has yet to realize he's a dancer (of which i typo'd danger at first.), but he does know rhythm and spacial awareness just by nature of who he is. ]

How long were you working on that one? You guys are only studying there for a few months you said?

[He's a danger too (to Ryuji--).

But Tsukasa nods eagerly as he reads Yosuke's notes, beaming.]

Yes, yes, precisely! You have a good eye for this!

[He lowers the volume on his phone to replay the video without disrupting their conversation. Presumably, it's to look at the things Yosuke pointed out, but his eyes linger on Emu and Rui and Nene, fond and a little wistful.]

We're studying and training there for three months. We've been working on this for the past two weeks or so, just to apply what we've learned. Self-study, I suppose you could say! It wasn't ever intended on being performed for anyone but the Virtual Singers, so they could also give us their critiques.

[ yeah listen we aren't talking about ryuji right now. but he stays right where he is to watch the video again, humming in acknowledgment. ]

You think? It's just an opinion...
Self-study doesn't sound so bad. When you say Virtual Singers you mean like Miku right? It's kinda cool having a group who can give you pointers to be your best.

[ he sees the wistful look though. ]

This must be the rest of your troupe then.

[ tell him more about your friends. ]

Yes! Miku and Kaito, Len and Rin and Meiko and Luka! All of them help us out a great deal.

[The same line-up as Mafuyu's, just. So... very, very different, personality-wise.

But Tsukasa sees the opening for what it is, beaming. He pauses the video to point everyone out.

The pink-haired girl:]

This here is Emu! She is the one who initially brought us all together, and she remains an unstoppable force of good cheer and smiles!

And this is Nene, our diva and Songstress! [Miss green hair...] She is a truly remarkable singer and actress! I am constantly competing to make certain she doesn't steal my thunder when we take the stage together.

And this is Rui, our esteemed director. [Tsukasa taps the purple-haired guy on the screen fondly.] He is... really remarkable. The effects, the stage layout, the choreography... Rui is the one who comes up with all of it. The things he can do feel almost like magic sometimes.

[ yes, these are in fact familiar names and he seems to be considering this as he nods. ]

So you all have your own roles to making the troupe come together. I can see how the competition's tough but also how you can only be as good as each person.
What would they say your role is, you think?

[Their favorite clown--

But no, he answers promptly:]

I am, of course, their ever-reliable leader and star actor!

[ the one-man circus of it all. ]

The leader even though it was Emu who brought you guys together?

[ he's not doubting this, he's just sitting here like "how." then again, he assumes it has to do with the sekai. ]

[That's such a valid question and the real answer is that he's self-proclaimed... and then it became true...]

Well, yes! Emu is many things, including a force of nature, but she isn't exactly the sort to make decisions for the group or act in a leaderly manner.

I'm afraid there was no choice but for me to take on the mantle magnanimously.

[Soooo magnanimous.

Again, self-proclaimed leader.]

[ yeah okay this makes more sense. so much, in fact, that he pauses enough to reach up and pull lightly on his hair. stop being so full of yourself, weirdo. ]

[Oh help.

He squawks, flailing at that tugging.]

Hey! What was that for?!

[ he's just laughing like an asshole, sorry. ]

So what I'm actually hearing is that you decided to do this yourself and none of them thought of a good reason to disagree.

Hey!! It was obvious I was best suited to be the leader!!

[It was absolutely not.

He had to grow into it. Lord knows he had to really, really grow into it--]

[ bud, he knows you. he is not sure it's as obvious as you think. ]

I don't know. Even if it feels obvious that doesn't mean it's an immediate thing.
We all decided Yu was our leader just because he had his Persona first, but that doesn't mean it was that straightforward.

Hmph! I can't believe you'd undermine me like this! Aren't we friends? Does this mean you don't immediately see my shining leadership qualities?!

[Tsukasa is so easy to rile up in some ways.]

[ yeah. yeah he's noticed this and that's what makes it funny, sorry, tsukasa. ]

Hmmmmmmm I dunno man. What makes a leader, exactly?

[He perks up immediately, forgetting he was being teased.]

A leader is reliable, dazzling and the sort of presence that everyone looks to when they need a steadying rock! They are the sort to do anything for the people who are depending on them, and of course are entirely unimpeachable! And really, really cool, too!

[Nailed it.]

[

okay the problem is HE CAN'T EVEN DISAGREE? damnit, this is exactly how he would describe his own leader, so his expression withers a little. ]

Okay... well... yeah, okay, when you put it THAT WAY...
They usually are really cool and really dependable.

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