recolle | [ OPEN ] my only wish this year

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persona 5: goro akechi

[ OPEN ] my only wish this year

WHO: anyone and everyone who's willing to help out with a Winter Live! ♥
WHERE: all around Recollé, eventually on a stage set up in Recollé Plaza!
WHEN: assorted prompts from the beginning of December to the live taking place on December 22nd!
WHAT: Spotty connection to the outside world have led to a few outside hands being needed to assist with Blue Star Live: A Holiday Celebration. It's just gratuitous idol shit, my guys.
WARNINGS: nothing! if this changes, please let me know so I can lock it down

i. attention please...!
PREPARATIONS, BUSY WORK, WHAT HAVE YOU -

There were a couple of different ways to hear about it: maybe you read about the event in dire need of help somewhere in the paper, maybe you heard whispers about it through word of mouth, maybe you encountered Anya herself fretting over not having enough hands and bodies to be able to support the event. Either way, it seems like the Holiday Live has been rather... short-staffed.

Yet even with that, it's hard to believe when you arrive at the stage that's being built or at the studio where the main preparations are being put together. There are plenty of bodies milling about and they're going to put you to work. Could you carry these boxes of mistletoe? Careful, there might be some of the bat variety floating around too. Know anything about sewing? Well you better learn and get to work on these costumes! Everyone needs help - lighting, decorating, painting the set, not to mention the fact that there are some people who desperately need you to be on stage. Haha, what? Did you sign up for that? Well good luck saying no!

ii. five, six, seven, eight...!
DANCING, SINGING, YOUR NAME IN LIGHTS -

Every great show requires some preparation beforehand, doesn't it? No one sees all the effort that goes into it, but it's not like anyone wakes up one day and suddenly has the dance skills of a god, right? .... or maybe you do, thanks to Retrospec! Either way, dance rooms have been booked at the Dancinerate Studio for practice for all sorts of sets and practice rooms at the University Music Department have been borrowed for the same purpose. It's okay, we all have some trouble with nailing those difficult steps and high notes. Here's the time to iron out all those little wrinkles.

Maybe it's even dress rehearsal and you're all in costume, been set up with your mic, and you're ready to go show them what you've got! How does it go? Well? Are you a born nature? Or is it a little rough? Trip over some wires? Blinded by the lights? At least that's... uh, what rehearsal's for...?

iii. the show must go on...!
CONCERT NIGHT IS HERE -

The night of December 22nd comes swiftly indeed. It's the real deal. Welcome to the Holiday Live! The stage somehow managed to come together in time, beautiful snowy landscape sets painted alongside a makeshift ice castle. The tech crew and stagehands are both hard at work to make those transitions seamless, picture perfect after hours of rehearsal. Everything is ready to set you - yes, you - up for success, regardless of how you're participating in the live tonight. Go out there and break a leg!

For anyone who finds themselves in the audience tonight, don't forget to drop some extra cash on that merchandise. There are endless pen lights available being sold and while there are some official ones for the celebrities present, there are also more customized pen lights, banners, and signs that were made at the hands of Anya to thank everyone who volunteered to join in. Please help yourself to showing support to everyone who came through tonight!

Right by the merch booth, there also appears to be a little prop mailbox present. Write a letter to Santa's Helpers it prompts. Why not indulge in a little bit of fanmail?

[ OOC: Hello, hello! Welcome to the log set up for winter idol shenanigans, also known as Blue Star Live set ICly on December 22nd. Please take these prompts strictly as set-ups for ideas and locations, not anything binding at all. Let your heart go crazy! Even if you didn't make OOC plans to participate, feel free to drop in and use this as a mingle that lasts through the whole month. The more, the merrier! And what a merry time of year, right?

If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me by PMing this journal or my plurk at

evergrace. Thanks! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i

[ Mao had immediately said yes when Anya reached out to him for help. He'd never be able to say no to her regardless but the chance to participate in a proper idol live, even just a little... sure, he'd helped with her debut at ReCon but this felt so much bigger in scale. Is this what it used to be like?

Right now, he kind of hopes not. He's picking his way along the parts of the stage's fly system that have been lowered to nearly stage height, attaching beautiful and delicate snowflakes one by one with fishing line. His hands are freezing from working on the cold metal and it seems like everybody else has found a more glamorous task to work on, so he's got his earbuds on and is bobbing his head at he works. From the look of things, though, he's going to need a really long playlist to get through all this without at least one more set of hands. ]

ii

[ Mao still hasn't found a way to tell Anya about his idol past and since he's pretty sure no one else has, he's not confident in the middle of planning for a huge performance like this is the right time to do it. That's why if he has anything to say about it, he's just going to be providing his guitar skills to back up anyone who wants live music instead of something recorded. That is, until someone sets a mic stand up in front of him and tells him the musicians are going to provide backing vocals, too, unless they're absolutely terrible. Despite his best attempts to protest, it's discovered that Mao is not terrible, so now he's standing at a piano on one of the university's practice rooms with a bunch of other relative amateurs, working their way through some harmonies. Are you one of the lucky ones there with him? Are you eavesdropping and going to catch him on the way out? Or are you going to let him live his life in peace, pretending he's not enjoying this? ]

iii

[ Mao hasn't exactly made a big deal out of the fact that he's performing tonight, so seeing a few pieces of merchandise with his name on it at the booth on the way in tonight was something of a shock. It means he's searching the crowd now as he performs, though, trying to see if there's a familiar face out there with a lightstick or paper fan just for him. He's not getting his hopes up, though, so anybody out there who isn't his mother is going to get a huge grin from him. How did you know?

Otherwise, despite his best efforts to stay and help with the stage breakdown at the end of the night, he'll be shooed away by people who are far more prepared and far less exhausted, so Mao will be easy to find on the plaza, sitting somewhere with the snow brushed off, his guitar at his feet and a bottle of water in his hand. He's just not ready to go home yet. ]

[ sena's going to eavesdrop, of course. he knows that mao is gonna be at the live at some point, but he certainly didn't expect the singing like in a choir. isn't he more of a rockstar?

but anyways. when mao steps out of the music conservatory after a long day of vocal practice, sena's going to grab him by the collar of his shirt all of a sudden and pulls him down the hall wordlessly. welp, sorry mao. it's really nothing personal. ]

[ Mao considered the fact that Mizuki might hear him here, but what was he supposed to do, say he couldn't come to practice because his friend might hear? Was it even a big deal?

Somehow, Mizuki's reaction says it's a way bigger deal than Mao thought. He stumbles a little but follows because what else is he going to go? ]

Dude, what? What did I do?

[ sena leads him to another corridor and lets him go, crossing his arms over his chest in a huff. ]

What are you doing there just singing? I thought you're only going to do maintenance work at the Live.

[ Mao backs away as soon as he's released, but only far enough to make sure he's not going to get grabbed again right away. ]

So did I but they needed instruments to back up one of the acts and it just... kind of spiraled from there. Why, do I sound bad? Nobody said anything but I don't want to screw this up for anybody.

[ Or embarrass himself, but that's kind of second to not making a mess for his friends. ]

What? No. You... sound great, actually.

[ as expected from a character voiced by yuki kaji, goddamn ]

Does that mean you're not going to -- [ mimics a guitar-playing motion ] out there? I thought you're more into that than just singing acapella like that.

[ Oh. That's a surprise, but a good one. Mao's struck silent for a moment. ]

... Really? Thanks. [ He doesn't mean to smile quite that broadly but Mizuki knows what he's talking about, it's literally what he does, so it means a lot. ]

And no, I'm doing that too. The acapella here's just for practice so we can focus on the vocals, we're gonna be singing with music in the show.

Oh, that's... That's good.

[ because it's just weird to see mao singing without an instrument, you know? he looks more like a frontman in a band than a preppy idol, to be honest. ]

But did they really have to let you in here again? You're too young for college, Mao. Enjoy your life to the fullest or something.

[ That wouldn't be the worst thing, except in this case where Mao's still trying to figure out how to best blend into the background on stage. It's a work in progress. ]

It's not like I'm taking a class, y'know. I could bail if I wanted to... but Anya'd be disappointed and that'd get in the way of the enjoying my life part a lot.

You got that right.

[ about not wanting to disappoint anya at all costs because sena is all too aware that he'd done her dirty it's

disgusting

but anyway - ]

So are you done for today? I can drive you home if you want. Come on.

She doesn't ask for a lot, really, and all things considered it seems like the least I could do.

[ Mao knows Mizuki and Anya get along but that still seems like a weird thing to say. He's not going to push, though, especially not after getting offered a ride home. ]

On your bike? Isn't is kinda cold for that?

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

[ HUFFS, and grabs mao's hand ]

Let's get a move on already. It's late.

I'm not, I'm just aski--

[ Is he really being dragged by his hand like a kid?

... Is he really not stopping Mizuki? ]

I'm coming! And, uh, thanks.

[Oh, Mao had better believe that Izumi's out in the crowd with glowsticks in both hands to cheer him on. Who told him? Mao did, of course, and who would he be to not support his closest friend?

It may be impossible to run backstage, but he stays after the show anyway, knowing that Mao will turn up sooner or later. He's easy to notice from a distance, so upon spotting him, Izumi runs (yes, runs) over toward him with a bright smile.]

Maoooo! You were amazing!

[He'd be a little embarrassed to hug him, given that he's in high school, so instead, he holds a hand up for a high five.]

You really looked like a star up there!

[ Izumi's one of the only people Mao made certain to tell but he never expected him to be so... enthusiastic about it. He even has glow sticks! It's infectious and carries Mao through his performance and into the time after.

He meets Izumi's high five readily, then grabs his hand and pulls him in for a quick, one armed bro hug. Sorry for being embarrassing, Izumi; Mao's still pretty high on the adrenaline of it all and he's gonna get a little carried away. ]

Hey, thank you! It wasn't really... you really think?

[ He may be excited and feeling like it was one of the best nights of his life, but that doesn't mean it actually went well. He values Izumi's opinion a ton, though, so hearing that from him means a lot. ]

[Bro hugs are great and all, but since Mao pulled him in anyway, don't mind Izumi enthusiastically pulling him into a real hug. He isn't past dejectedly draping on Mao every so often, but even though hugs are usually a little out of his realm, this deserves it (even if he originally wasn't going to give one....)! He pulls back rather quickly, but his grin is still far brighter than usual.]

Really, I mean it! I wouldn't lie about something like that. I always knew you could sing, but that was something else!

[ Oh! That's unexpected, but it's nice and Mao leans into it. It's a special occasion, after all, so hugs are allowed, plus who knows how long Izumi's been out here waiting in the cold. Mao doesn't linger in the hug either but the brilliance of Izumi's smile warms him just the same. ]

I didn't think you were lying, I just... I don't know what to say other than thanks. [ He scratches at the back of his head a little and shrugs. ] I'm really glad you had a good time, though! I saw you out there.

Thanks is good enough, isn't it?

[It really is a little unusual to see him quite so chipper, but hey, what's the harm in it? Maybe the cheery idol music was infectious.

Still grinning, Izumi reaches into his bag to pull out the glow sticks he'd been using.]

Really? I thought you'd get embarrassed if I made a fan, so I waved these as high as I could! They're hard not to notice, right?

Is it? I don't know, I've never had anything like this to say thank you for before but it means a lot that you were here.

[ He wants to make sure whatever gratitude he's offering is enough to match how happy Izumi seems. Who knew this kind of music could have that effect?

Mao's face gets a little red at the sight of the glowsticks but he reaches out to touch one of them, too. Huh, they're really real. ]

Yeah, they definitely stood out, but I was looking for you anyway. I'm glad waving them around wasn't too embarrassing.

Aww, come on. You didn't think I wouldn't show up, right? I'm your biggest fan! Unless your mom and Misaki stole that title from me. They might fight me for it.

[He laughs a bit under his breath, waving the glowsticks back and forth before handing one off to Mao.]

I've never used any like this before today, but aren't they cool? You can change the colour and everything!

I knew you'd be here, I just... it's all just kind of surreal still. But I always knew I'd be able to find you in the crowd, even without glowsticks.

[ Mao laughs too, still riding the energy of the performance but also just pleased to see Izumi so cheerful. He takes the glowstick and turns it over in his hands a little. ]

They are! They're a lot nicer looking that I would've thought, and I didn't know that about the colors. How does that work?

Hey, you never know! There were more people than I thought, so I could have blended in pretty easily.

[Even though he does stand in out in general with his hair pulled back and a bunch of earrings in, Mao's comment is enough to make him feel.... important.]

There's a button on the bottom, and it cycles through a bunch of colours. I looked it up before the show started, and it seems like in idol shows in Japan and Korea, each performer or group has their own theme colour that you're supposed to use to show support for them. So you can guess why I chose the one I did.

Yeah, it was pretty crowded, but I still would've found you. Have a little more faith in me than that.

[ Even if he'd been in his usual school 'don't look at me' mode, Mao would've been able to spot him, but with his hair up, he's extra noticeable. The glowsticks were really just a bonus.

He flips the one he's holding over and fiddles with the button. Yellow, orange, pink, bright red, ahh, there's the darker red. His smile turns a little softer as he holds the stick up against his hair. ]

No idea. Had to just be a coincidence, right?

Maybe I should try to disguise myself a little better.

[He laughs just a bit under his breath, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear. Maybe he was jumping a little too much.

As Mao shuffles through the settings on the glowstick, Izumi holds his own up and does the same, entirely unsure which colour he'd choose for himself, if he ever needed one. Not that he would, but the thought does come to mind. Blue?]

Yeah, I just picked the one that I liked the best. [Clearly. It's nice to see Mao smile like this, so open and unguarded, and Izumi's smile softens in turn.] It matches really well.

Why, don't you want me to be able to see you? Don't make my life harder, man, I have enough friends who do that. You're the good one.

[ And he means it, even if his tone is gently teasing. It doesn't mean he doesn't still look out for Izumi when he needs it but he doesn't ask for anything and that's important to Mao.

He also stops on blue, holding it up level with Izumi's eyes. He flicks between a couple of options--a lighter sky shade, one that's nearly purple--before settling on a nice royal blue. ]

There, I think that'd be yours. Unless you want something else but I like the blue. [ It shines on his earrings a little in a way that looks really cool so Mao starts to reach for his phone. ] D'you mind if I take a picture? You should really see this.

[ OPEN ] my only wish this year

ota!

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