discomposer | golden peacock inbox

[Better than airing out his smelly feet in their room whenever he comes over!]

That's what you're worried about? Why not simply choose a meeting spot? Or perhaps they can visit you!

[Finding Leo matches and sending them directly to his room... it's like DoorDash, only sleazier.

Then when he hears that next bit, his eyebrows slowly raise.]

Hm? You wrote your solo with Eichi-kun in mind?

No, why would I do that? But figuring out what someone "like Tenshi" would like isn't that hard if the similarity is at least enough that you're remarking on it. It's probably not an exact match, but parts of that song should have been close enough to the things that would speak to that brand of loneliness. But unless everyone you're talking about has the exact same type, other songs I've written would probably be better for other people.

[ So the reason he asked about "what kind of loneliness" was halfway to narrow down what would work best. ]

I also figured someone like Tenshi would also probably want "something not shared before". Anyway, people visiting me is probably easiest for me!

Edited 2024-12-18 21:33 (UTC)

Is that all you meant?

[He loses the surprise.]

Well, you were right on the money. A song for a princess all alone in her big castle should suit him and Eichi-kun just fine~♪ Though I already know that if I said that, Eichi-kun would just say, "Hm? But I'm not a princess, though? You really are losing your sanity," since he's never been any fun.

[He leans back on the couch. Their prediction about the song being suitable for Esikko will turn out to be right later, but as for the question of what to send to others...]

You must have plenty of other songs, so I guess we could tailor it based on the person. Is there any type you don't have a song for? I'm just curious, since I always thought you had a song for everything.

I've written that guy songs before, I know what his tastes are. And I halfway based it off of you 'cause you wouldn't have said it like a warning if it weren't significant.

[ His One Thing is musi; Leo finds it easiest to communicate like that. He tips his head into the back of the couch, looking at the ceiling thoughtfully. ]

Hm, among Knights discography for sure there's plenty I don't. But that isn't all I've written. You didn't say enough about the other prince for me to have a guess, but a "cute idol" girl...the best song is one I didn't write for my voice. Naru's the one who relates best there, don't you think?

It's just an obvious resemblance, that's all! I met his child self once, and that version seemed even more like Eichi-kun, since he hadn't started dyeing his hair yet. I guess that's not really relevant, though. As for the other prince, he's more like a lazy lion! But I know he cares about his kingdom. And he's fond of Jun-kun, so maybe something that fits Jun-kun's image would work best. Something that shows strength, wildness, and resilience! ♪

[At least he thinks that's what Leona likes about Jun. He doesn't know for sure, but he can hedge a guess.

In response to the bit about Naru, he says:]

True! I may be the cutest idol, but Arashi-chan would understand a girl's heart better. Her or Anzu-chan.

[And then he joins Leo in staring off into space.

This is another reminder that Leo has no one from his unit here, even if that would be a mixed blessing at best. It's also another cruel reminder of how long they've been away from home. After a pause, he admits:]

Sometimes I still take pictures of cute things I saw in stores or at cafes, so I can share them in the Pretty 5 groupchat. But then I always remember they're not here, and it wouldn't reach them if I did send it. I guess that's what they mean when they say old habits die hard. Even though I haven't been in the circle for that long.

That's the kinda thing Naru would send to our group chat! Suo was always trying to organize work stuff in there, and Rittsu would send blurry pictures of various things that looked like aliens to me, and Sena sends lots of Florence scenery. But, Naru sends her favorite things in addition to promptly giving Suo responses about work.

[ Leo sends massive image spam of sheet music whenever he's finished something he wants them to do or Ritsu to help play so he's perhaps worse. ]

...anyway, I'd already begun chat sessions with each of them for their latest solos before I got here. I'm the one who pens everything, but it's pointless to write something they don't feel a vibe with for their unique solos. It has to be something they feel accurately represents their hearts, that they wanna belt out and then go, that's who I am! When it comes to the four of them I'm confident I could work that out with almost no oversight, but...I wanna always be sure it's what they want to be singing, in matters like those. There were mostly just finishing touches to put on all of them, but I can't run the finished products by 'em now, nor any of the other pieces for their voices.

Edited 2024-12-19 02:19 (UTC)

Her approach sounds like my approach! I'm always sharing cute things, and things that deserve love! Like pictures of Mary, and pictures of myself! ♪ Then Ibara's texts are almost all business, and then Nagisa-kun's can be somewhat cryptic. But they're still cute! And sometimes he sends random things like his grocery list, which is also cute! ♪

[They're fresh in his mind, those group texts are. He got his phone back recently and spent tons of time achingly pouring over old conversations. And since his phone's been mysteriously found, does that mean Leo's could be found, too? But he shelves that thought for now and focuses on the music discussion.

Or actually, he doesn't need to shelve it, because the two topics dovetail together nicely!]

I'm sorry your work's been hindered. But I do have some good news. Not only can I sing you the finished lyrics to my own solo, but I have music to go along with it! Let me just run into the other room real quick and I'll show you ♪

[He gets up from the couch.]

Did you compose it here, or did you have some of it done already?

[ He can wait like a good kid if there's a song at the end, although Leo is kicking his heels like...well, a kid. He's a dork. ]

The demo was done, but I was still tweaking the lyrics a bit. Then it got shelved for a while so we could prepare for SS. But now, it's been reborn...♪

[He said he'd go into "the other room," but that's a leftover habit from talking about his own suite. In truth there's more than just one other room; this place is huge and there are several. But it isn't long before he returns, carrying his phone with him. The very same one from canon, with the same phone case! (Not that Leo would probably remember an insignificant detail like that.)

Rather than sit back down, he stands in the center of the carpet, swiping at the screen to pull up the audio file. Once he finds it, he places his phone in the portable speaker conveniently located near the couch—having a fancy suite with the latest tech sure is nice, even if it's only temporary. And then he walks back to the same position as before, meeting Leo's eyes with a smile.]

First, let me tell you what it's called. This song is called...

[He pauses, and then dramatically proclaims:]

"Accept My Love!" ♪ That's the title, but it's also my wish! Ready to hear it?

[ He absolutely does not recognize the phone but he can make the connection given the circumstances - as usual, though, Leo is way more interested in the music than he is anything else. ]

Of course! Lemme hear it from the top!

[ He won't interrupt, since it's music. ]

[In keeping with the season, Leo looks like a child waiting to meet Santa. It's cute, and Hiyori appreciates it! This song is a little more "Valentine's Day" than "Christmas," but no matter. He'll deliver the gift of music, and the gift of love!]

Very well! Then let my words sink deep into your heart, and let my smile become your smile! ♪

[He puts on the music. As the instrumental comes on, he takes a breath, preparing to sing his heart out and perform his most dazzling self. And then, he sings!]

♪~♪~♪

[The song reveals itself to be a seductive number one could tango to. He doesn't tango, but he does dance, swaying with the music and keeping his eyes locked on his lone audience member. As for those lyrics he tweaked?

They're heavy. How ironic, after the conversation they had about crushing someone with the weight of their emotions. The lyrics don't speak of a gentle sort of love, one that kindly asks to be returned. There are no nascent fluttery feelings, just all-consuming need. The very first line demands the listener not take their eyes off him, and the refrain about accepting is love is both a plea and a demand. There's no room for rejection. He won't allow it, and why should he? His love is more limitless than the sun, promising to cure all loneliness and grief. The answer to fans' prayers—literally, he sings. Let your lonely heart overflow, and he'll fill the emptiness with love.

As he told Leo, he really did sing the song once already to someone. That boy was ungrateful and unappreciative. A poor audience member, though the way he blushed furiously was sort of cute. He doesn't expect Leo to react that way, nor does he want him to.

And yet he holds nothing back.

If anything, he ups the fanservice compared to when he sang for Fuuta, especially towards the end. During that earlier performance, he divided his attention between Fuuta and their crowd of onlookers. This one, however, is all for Leo. The one he's promising to love is Leo, not just with his words, but with his body. He dances towards the couch, an arm outstretched as though seeking to grasp Leo's hand or cheek. It's not the only thing his hands do. He slides them down his body, places one over his heart, brings fingers up to his lips and blows kisses. There's plenty of hip-wiggling. If you asked him about all this, he'd say it's just the sort of fanservice the song calls for!

In reality, he might be testing him, or perhaps even taking his frustrations out. In his heart he can't help but wonder, Why is this okay? Why is it okay for him to slip into his idol persona now, but not use that other persona he mentioned in their text convo? Leo said it had to do with closeness, that he understands people by listening to their songs. But doesn't he get it? When he sings, it's almost always as the idol, Hiyori Tomoe. When he performs, he's in "that" persona.

Being an idol isn't about being your unvarnished self and forcing other people to love it. Being an idol is about becoming someone lovable.

Maybe Leo doesn't understand just how scarce a resource love can be. It can be snatched and taken away, blown away by the wind just like he sings about in his solo. Of course Leo wouldn't understand. He loves everyone! In that sense, he effortlessly does what Hiyori's trying to do with this song. And isn't that the difference between those so-called geniuses that Eichi admired, and everyone else on Earth?

He dances during the interlude, his heavy (and frankly pretty unsexy) Christmas sweater causing him to sweat from the exertion. But it doesn't matter. His voice is absolutely booming during the final chorus, as he sings with all of his passion, all of his frustration, and yes, all of his love. He places one knee on the couch so he can lean over Leo, bowing his head until his springy hair brushes Leo's forehead, right in time for him to sing that "Entrust yourself to me" line. And then...]

Tatatara tatatatara tatatarata! ♪

[It's over.

There's a sheen of sweat covering his forehead and a faint flush to his cheeks as he draws back. He hops off the couch and turns off the music before it can go to the next song. And then he straightens up, hands on his hips as he smiles innocently and says:]

And that's my new solo! ♪

[ Leo absolutely is not getting flustered like Fuuta did, but then this was kind of set up as "hearing Hiyori's new solo". He assumes, automatically and perhaps incorrectly (?) that when he was asked to hear it he's being asked as the composer, the one who writes everything Knights does and who has penned songs for other units when asked or needed. So he's listening critically - though not unkindly or anything here, he does like the song and Leo's incapable of sitting still to anything, so his fingers tap out the beat on his knee. The music is probably set in stone, but Leo likes to think about how he'd do things anyway - it's fun to work things through in his head as he hears a new song, to pick it apart and then put it back together in different arrangements in his mind even if it goes nowhere at all.

The choreography, too, he's looking at as a fellow idol. There's his semi-usual bright smile and at the very least his gaze is focused because if there's one thing Leo can always give his full attention, it's music.

...Although it's sort of split and not entirely on Hiyori when he's also thinking about the moving parts of the performance, playing the sounding board more than the audience in his own thought here. Hiyori gets close and Leo beams up at him and claps at the end, laughing a little. ]

Tatatatara~! I like that part. ♪ I think I can hear the influence of this place on it, though I never heard any other version, so that could just be me reading it toooootally wrong here? I feel like it's a marked step up in the choreography, too, in terms of what you're willing to put into it. ♪ Has Nami been working on his solo, too? If he has, I'll have to hunt him down later and shake it outta him.

[ Leo really does apparently feel it is illegal that they could have been hiding music from him, go figure. He doesn't mind any other kind of secret, as he said - he hadn't much cared about Rinne keeping them, either, and he sometimes keeps things to himself, but... ]

Thank you, thank you~♪

[He smiles warmly while Leo claps for him. What else can he do except be satisfied with that response? He was taking out his frustrations, but he didn't expect that to come through. It'd be a problem if it did, rather. And he definitely didn't expect to fluster Leo, so he's not disappointed about that. He sits back down on the couch.

Though he does say, in response to the "I think I can hear the influence" part:]

Oh, no, this and that are completely separate.

[Whatever that means.

The sweat under his collar is a bit uncomfortable, but that's his fault and he'll endure it. In response to the question about Jun, he replies:]

Yep, he should've been! I've heard him practice it before. Neither one of us wants to get rusty, so we try not to skip practice even now that our shuffle unit's on hold. And Jun-kun always keeps up his exercise regimen, too.

[Jun is so diligent about practice, in fact, that he once turned down Monika's offer of sex because he had to get to practice (unbeknownst to Hiyori). That's his hard-working junior!]

Edited 2024-12-19 20:12 (UTC)

So what was it, then?

[ Leo's curious enough to ask but doesn't bother to specify, figuring it's enough for Hiyori to go on as he pulls his legs up to sit cross-legged instead. Leo doesn't practice a ton himself but he is notoriously difficult to herd into practices back home as well. ]

What was what? You'll have to be more specific.

[He's not trying to be difficult. Leo said he heard an influence, but what exactly did that sound like?]

I figured that you'd worked the lyrics over some since coming here. Was I wrong, or was it just like that back home, too?

[ It was more the vibe, the heavy vibe - but then, he wonders how this solo contrasts against the others in Eden. It's not like Leo has any way to know what those were about, which now that he thinks of it he's kind of annoyed by. Back home he'd have gotten to hear hundreds of thousands of new songs by now. ]

Oh, that?

[Suddenly he looks like he gets it.]

I thought you were talking about the more fanservicey parts, like I needed this place's help to sing or dance that way, so I got a bit testy! Everyone treats me like some huge prude, just because I don't want to share Jun-kun with fifty other people who may or may not be diseased, but that sort of fanservice has been part of our unit since the very beginning.

[(This is not the only reason people treat him like a prude here.)]

As for the lyrics, I already had a draft of those back at home. But I guess you could say I was influenced by what this place isn't like.

[That is, a place where love can bloom.]

And I won't pretend being in love hasn't changed my delivery, too. But it was also influenced by some other things. And most importantly, it's a song for my fans! And I always keep them in my hearts, no matter how long it's been.

No, when I said "influence" I meant the lyrics, the tone, the delivery. Every new experience gives you a better basis on which to connect with other people, and a new depth to any form of art. It was a compliment and an acknowledgement! For the choreography, yeah, Eve is like that - but there's like...

[ He waves his hands around vaguely. ]

It's the same thing. I feel like there's something more comfortable about how you move. It's nothing to do with being a prude or not - I don't really care about that sort of classification, and I don't think I ever said anything about it anyway? It's not like I'm talking about being more comfortable with sex appeal, either. Or that it was this place that got you that extra little bit so much as the time and space with Nami, probably?

[ This sounds like a weird art debate better had with Shu, who would absolutely not wanna have it given the context. ]

It kind of makes me happy to see.

[Ah, yes. This is one of those times where he remembers Leo is someone who Thinks Deeply about stuff, after all. (Sometimes, anyway!)]

That does sound like what the Red Cardinal lady said. By meeting new people and having intimate experiences with them, we change our fate.

[He's not going to argue that the people he's met here (or even his experiences with the people from home) haven't changed his life or his outlook. But have they changed the way he sings? That, he was less sure of. It seems like something that could become a problem, if he does get to go home and if he's diverged too much from how he was singing there. But it's also very low on his list of concerns.

What he says about him and Jun is even more surprising, though. Hiyori tilts his head a little.]

Even when we're not performing together, you can tell something like that, huh?

[That they've gotten more intimate, or that he's become "more comfortable" as a result of that intimacy. It's an observation he hadn't expected, but Leo says he's happy, so he smiles.]

I might've been influenced by Jun-kun, but I'm sure Jun-kun's been even more influenced by me! So we should test his performance next. Last I heard, he was out shopping for ingredients. But it's been a little while since he left, so maybe he's also doing some Christmas shopping?

[ He thinks deeply about important things!! Like music! And people he loves! And The War (TM) but we try not to think about that one too deeply. Hiyori's been spending more time with Leo here than back home so he's gotten to see more of the serious moments just by means of talking a lot.

...however, he has also had to talk to Leo about things like evil sex clones, if I recall correctly, and phallus shaped pastries. So like, it evens out in there somewhere? Probably? ]

It's not something you have to perform together for, though I wanna see that, too! Are there any new Eve songs I don't know?

[ Are they waiting for Jun? Leo is immediately wondering about ingredients for what and remembering he hasn't eaten in a while. If he waits around, will he get fed. Is that something he can bank on... ]

Or gotten caught up in something, I guess~? I feel like he's the kind of guy who stops to talk to friends pretty easily. At least, whenever I see him he's pretty cool just stopping to talk to me about whatever until whenever! [ Admittedly normally during these times Jun has historically gotten sidetracked with questions like "when is the last time you ate something". Rinne, Hiyori, and Jun have all asked that question many times here.

MAYBE LEO SHOULD START EATING THINGS ON A SCHEDULE, and yet this still hasn't even occurred to him in canon and only through the miracle of Knights deciding he needed an assigned babysitter (Sena) to force feed him among other things has gotten him anywhere near to that. ]

[After the Spades event, Hiyori can confidently say that he would not have sex with his clone. Certainly not that clone!]

We were going to do a new song for Valentine's Day, but then we got kidnapped. So nope, not really! At this rate, we might just have to record our next song here! I'm sure you could help with that, right?

[Composing a song for them probably beats succumbing to suit-induced depression!

Hiyori's still worried about that, and he can't help but feel another pang of worry when Leo suggests Jun might've gotten "caught up" in something. He tries not to vocalize these things too often; he's aware of how clingy he's gotten here, and he doesn't want to suffocate Jun with that heavy love they talked about. Between the two of them, he's also a lot more prone to getting in trouble than Jun is. But he can't help but fret anyway.

If Jun doesn't come back before too long, he'll just text him. He'll certainly be willing to share whatever he planned on cooking with Leo. For now, Hiyori elects to focus on something else—like the other thing Leo came here for!]

By the way, I still need to take your picture. Did you want to try on something cute, like a cozy sweater? Or should I just go for a close-up of your face?

[ Wow, can't believe Hiyori didn't update Leo on his clone feelings, clearly that was a highly important topic of conversation (it was not and Leo has since forgotten about so Hiyori can rest easy on that). ]

Can I keep the sweater if you dress me up in one? [ Leo is mostly kidding. Probably. ] Anyway, recording something new would be fun! When I wrote the new solos for the other Knights members we just had a bunch of chats so I had stuff to work with. It'd go like that, or if you guys had lyrics, I can always put them to music. It depends what you like better - having music to put lyrics to or the other way around.

[ He's so much more helpful with the music part. ]

[The clone tracked paint all over his carpet and slept with three people behind his back, leaving him with three additional cards in his deck and no clue who any of them came from. He feels slimy whenever he thinks about it. No more sex for that guy!

In response to the sweater question:]

Nope! ♪ You'll just have to wait until Christmas! Though if you want one before that, we could always go shopping together sometime. There are lots of stores selling Christmas sweaters. I'm sure Jun-kun can carry both our bags. He's carried bags for all of Pretty 5 before!

[Hiyori's passionate about his idol work (even if he can't truly do any here), but he's also passionate about shopping! And he's also passionate about getting Leo laid now, apparently, because someone has to be. But he does appreciate the offer to help them make music.]

I guess either one could work. First we'd need some sort of theme or motif, though. But I'll definitely consult with Jun-kun later. Why, if we manage to get a song produced, just think of how Ibara would react. I'd love to see the look on his face when we send him the file! I'll say to him, "This is a song me and Jun-kun! We're songwriters now! And the composer was none other than our dear friend Leo-kun~♪"

[ Amazing that Hiyori's clone made a mess with paint over his things before Leo somehow did, all things considered. As to passion, Leo absolutely never minds working on idol things so he's happy to be contracted to write music for as many songs as Eve wants, here.

It's not like he's writing anything for anyone else from home besides Knights at this point? And Hiyori's passion for getting Leo laid (help) is probably not that hard to work since he's easy and has already made things incredibly weird with the first person he's been introduced to, which is about what could be expected. Hiyori does not need to know about this future event. ]

I can work as an independent contractor whenever I like when it comes to music, so ya don't gotta worry about NewDi or anything, either. ♪ And okay, I'll just have you crop it then! I would be way too tempted to steal a soft sweater otherwise.

Edited 2024-12-20 06:45 (UTC)

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1/2 :')

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