yumemigaoka | ★ my genius, flawless idol for life

[the beat's pretty good. He can understand why Ai-doll's as big an idol as she is... Oh right, he wanted to get something for his sister, didn't he? Though he's not sure how to bring something like that up-

Least of all when he's in the middle of a fight.

He narrowly blocks a swing aimed at his face, both blades going up parallel in front of him before he pushes the Torment away with a kick. It takes a bit of time before he recognizes it as a song that Sara had sent him before with a cheerful 'Listen to this!'. But... Singing along? He's not that confident (yet) and focuses instead on taking out Torments, unknowingly following along with the beat of the music as he attacks]

[ Ai-Doll prides herself on being easy to work with — it's one of her selling points, even! — but anytime she sees a Dreamer click into rhythm with her as she performs, it always feels just as exciting and satisfying as the first time it'd happened. On the other side, her music can only do so much but here and with other Dreamers, it's as magic as magic gets. No wonder she can't stop coming back. ]

On your right and then up top!

[ He probably would've managed those hits himself with how speedy he is but she did say she'd be the support, right? ]

[Tycoon turns to see a Torment launch an attack that he blocks with one blade. From there, he flips the blade in his free hand around so he's no longer holding it in a reverse grip and uses that to pierce the Torment who's attack he just blocked-]

Eh-?

[The original plan might have been to push the Torment he was currently attacking back, moving out of the way of the Torment coming down from above them, but Tycoon's footing slips on the ice. He's barely able to recover his balance so that he doesn't fall on top of the Torment, but it robs him of his momentum. His blade neither fully pierces his original target nor is he able to fully step out of the way of the attack coming from above him.

He's knocked to the ground with an 'oof!', barely managing to roll out of the way of another attack with a startled gasp. Tycoon was on such a good streak too...]

[ The instant Tycoon goes down, there's a break in the song. The music plays on without interruption but Ai-Doll's voice drops out. Only a second later, she's stepping in between him and the attacking Torment... which explains where the music went, at least. The attack swings down and she brings up her staff, catching it the brunt of it with the length of the handle. It's hard enough that it sends her skidding back on the ice an inch or so but she braces herself and manages to shove back and regain some ground. ]

Can you stand?

[ She doesn't even glance around as she says it. All the playfulness has gone from her voice — this is Dreamer Ai-Doll when she's all business. ]

[he picks up on the break in the song before he realizes that the attack that he had been braced for hasn't landed. It becomes readily apparent why when he cracks open an eye and spots Ai-Doll standing over him protectively]

Sorry.. [he staggers to his feet before raising his weapons again, prepared to fight again] I’m okay.

[and he's just jumping back into battle, weapons flashing again as he tries to get back into the swing of things. He's a little shaky - spooked, probably - but not enough to have him retreat while there are still enemies about]

[ As she watches him rise, the serious look on her face eases back into a smile. Not as playful or light as before but a little warmer still. Once again, it's Dreamer Ai-Doll rather than Ai the DU's idol as she had been just a moment ago. ]

So long as you're okay, then that's—

[ Oh! And off he goes. That was a quicker recovery than she'd been expecting and her smile gradually eases back to its prior brightness. Definitely okay. ]

Then let's get back on tempo!

[ She dodges a sneaky attack from an incoming Torment and blasts it back before picking the song back up. If Tycoon's doing his best, so will she! ]

[once the music starts up again, his movement steadies out. It looks like it's easier to focus on combat with a steady beat in his ear... Or maybe that was just Dreamer Ai-Doll's magic at work. But with both of them working together to fight the Torments it isn't much longer before the enemy mob has been sufficiently broken apart. The few remaining Torments start to make a retreat once the stronger ones had been cut down.

Tycoon stays on his feet in defensive posture for a few seconds longer before- He doesn't quite collapse but only just barely. Tycoon staggers before crumpling into a sitting position. There's a second where he sits there, a little dazed before he turns his attention back to Ai-Doll. Sitting down, he actually does have to look up at her where usually the opposite is true]

Sorry, I probably should be paying closer attention to where I was stepping.

Heehee. No need to apologize.

[ She's polite enough to stoop, carefully straightening her skirt as she does so, just so he doesn't have to strain his neck back to look at her as they talk. The music has trailed out for something soft and tinkly — not quite a real tune or something that Ai-Doll would sing to, but just enough of a sustained melody that she can pick things back up should things go awry again.

But Tycoon's done a good job. She'd be surprised if any more lurking Torments took a shot at them. ]

That was a really good fight from where I was standing, anyway. You're not used to taking point on a big group like that, are you? Not by yourself, anyway. But you managed it.

Heh... [he ducks his head in embarrassment at the praise before looking at her again]

Thanks to your support. It's a lot easier to fight knowing someone's there to help you if something goes wrong.

[tiredly, he adds cheerfully;] That's our senior Dreamers for you. I feel like I understand why nee-chan's always raving about your singles now.

Heehee, it's what we're here to do. You guys are the ones doing the hard work of learning and figuring things out so it's up to us to support you every step of the way. Then one day, you'll be the ones looking out for Dreamers learning the ropes just like you guys were.

[ Is it hard to imagine when you're still fumbling through things? Ai doesn't remember. Not just because it's been so long but because she'd set her sights so high so early that she'd committed to faking it until she made it. She'd needed to pay back Odette and Akira for what they did for her — ifs and buts and the question of whether or not she was good enough never even came into the equation. ]

So keep working hard and I'll keep doing everything I can to support you, okay?

[He can't help but stare a little wide eyed at Ai-Doll after the... Motivational speech? It's probably because she's in Mentor Mode, but it makes Tycoon feel a little uneasy nonetheless.

Tycoon swallows then pushes himself, carefully, back onto his feet. His weapons disappear in a shower of green sparkles before he dusts himself off]

So- [voice crack- He coughs to clear his throat then tries again] Sorry, um... So, what brings you out here anyway? I know we need to do patrols but...

Hmm.

[ Now that's a suspicious pause, especially from Ai of all people. She straightens up as well, brushing her skirt down as she goes and gives Tycoon a little smile. ]

Call it... half patrol, half investigation. I got a little curious... or I guess I should say, I've been curious about something for a while but I wasn't sure how to go about looking into it. So it's just my good luck you're here today, as it turns out.

[ Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaam. ]

...

[he's curious at the pause but doesn't pick up on how suspicious it is. Or, at least, he doesn't want to make assumptions about Ai-Doll's intentions-

But then she starts beaming at him in a way that's all too familiar. The way his tail puffs up to nearly double it's original volume should be indicative enough of how Tycoon has just realized he's probably in danger. He's gotten a little bit better though, not shrinking back nearly as much as he did the first time Ai-Doll turned that beaming smile on him!]

E-eh? Is that... so... Um...

I don't know how much help I'll be? But if it's something I can do, I don't mind.

[ Ai takes in the look on his face... and then giggles, her own softening a little in turn. ]

Ah, I promise it's not a huge deal! Really, it's more something I was hoping you could tell me.

[ Her expression turns a little more sober, even if her smile is still fixed in place. ]

You helped out with saving Mio-chan, right?

[he relaxes slightly as she softens that beaming smile]

...

[Tycoon fidgets slightly with the accessory attached to his waist before answering. What did Mio's now gone Distortion have to do with Ai-Doll being here?]

You could say that... [a laugh] Even though Chaosbringer did most of the work.

Aah, that sounds like our Zeke-kun alright. Such an overachiever.

[ She laughs, her voice fond and proud. Zeke's been out from under her guidance for long enough that she can't even pretend he's one of hers anymore like with Amane, but she'll never stop being proud of just how far he's come.

But that's a topic for a nicer day. ]

But the important part is... you remember what being that deep into her dream felt like, right? I think it'd be hard to forget.

[...]

[he gapes a little, at a loss of words. To describe it? At being asked at all? Who knows. Tycoon abruptly looks away, frowning, before slowly looking back at Ai-Doll]

A little bit... [a nervous little 'heh'] Yeah, 'hard to forget' is a way of putting it.

So you'd know for sure if you'd felt it before or since. Right?

[ She doesn't even wait for a response before she goes on. ]

Because I've been wondering. The Vale just disappeared for a little while before everything happened with Mio-chan — I almost forgot about it with all the rest of it but... I've been wondering if maybe there's not a connection we're overlooking.

... Did it? But nothing like that happened before Ango-san's Distortion, right?

[he looks a little lost even with the explanation. Tycoon's been feeling a little more comfortable fighting in the Dream Sphere, but so far as knowledge was concerned...

...

It's not as if he has any reason to distrust Ai-Doll though. He just isn't sure what she meant by 'feeling'. Like the uncomfortable chill down one's spine when they feel like they're being stared at? The sinking feeling of knowing you've forgotten something?]

No... I'll do my best. Even if it's unrelated, it's better to get some sort of confirmation, right?

Mm. As far as we know.

[ That's what she says - but she's thinking about Dreamer Gilded and what Ford had said after waking up. The idea that Stabilization could have something to do with all this. And what had they all run around doing after the Vale first vanished?

It's not really anything close to being evidence. But it's enough to make her wary. ]

What I want you to do is pay as close attention as you can anytime you're over on this side - but especially here. If you can pick up anything or if it starts feeling strange like things did with Mio-chan then I want you to let me know straight away.

Edited 2023-12-28 07:15 (UTC)

[he blinks, confused]

Is that... [it had been overwhelming before, when he was in the middle of Mio's distortion so soon after arriving in Yumemigaoka... But he'd been through both Distortions, and if he compares his experiences, maybe that'll help narrow things down. Maybe.

It's all he could think to do at the moment]

All right. [a pause] Oh, should I just submit a report to the DU then?

Mhm! [ And just as quick as it'd gone, her smile's right back. ] Or you can come tell me yourself. If you just pass on a message that you're wanting to talk to me, I'll assume it's about this. I should be able to make some time for you easily.

[ especially for something as potentially important as this. ]

Don't feel like you've gotta go out of your way, obviously! Just... keep an eye out when you're doing your usual rounds, okay?

[oh, that's right, Ai-Doll's an actual idol (ha) in the Waking World, isn't she? He... Might have gotten chewed out by his sister when she was checking up on him one night. "How could you not recognize her?!" and "Is she as pretty in real life as she is on TV?!" among other things that Keiwa may or may not have tuned out or politely declined answering.

He's fiddling with the accessory on his belt again]

Um... [how do people just ask-??] You probably have enough people asking in the Waking World, let alone here in the Dream Sphere but... I wanted to send Nee-chan something for the holidays.

[then he shrinks back a little bit, ears folding down. Nope, Ai-Doll has enough to worry about as it is without people trying to get her autograph in the Dream Sphere] It's probably rude of me to try asking, nevermind...

[ ... Oh, hold on, that's so sweet? It's one thing for someone to ask on their own behalf but having Keiwa, who seems pretty tuned out from the other side of her career, ask with that guilty look on his face... come on. She's not gonna turn him down. It's Christmas, after all. ]

Heehee, do you want me to sign a few things for her? I don't mind at all. Especially not for a Christmas present.

[ That and... weirdly enough, people usually don't ask, at least not on this side. Maybe they all have the same thoughts that Keiwa does. ]

Do you have anything in particular I should sign? Or will anything do? I can write up a little Christmas card to, if it'd make her happy.

[he perks up - he might have been trying to think of a segue away from this actually - when Ai mentions she doesn't mind. You didn't hear it from Keiwa, but he had been so relieved when the cake-handshake event was restricted to only Yumemigaoka. Sara had some self-control, but he couldn't imagine how many of those cakes would pop up in their aunt's cafe following an attempt to secure a ticket. When Ai agrees, his face lights up, because it's guaranteed to be something that his sister would like (she said on multiple occasions that she'd like anything he got her but that was not the point-) but he's quickly overwhelmed at the questions]

Ah- no, thank you, it's- Well... I bought one of your Christmas singles for her so just that should be all right. You're probably busy enough as it is with the handshake events on top of everything else, I wouldn't want to trouble you.

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