Charles Patricius

[Apollymi]

As Kaguya sang she felt a magical resonance akin to soul activation. It was quite the strange experience, especially in the world where the magically adept were few and far between. Beyond this she wasn't being released. No. pulled up to the stage. She felt at home in public spaces she was far from the type to turn down a front row seat in such a situation, especially while hearing such an enchanting voice. Ai, Shutara and Miko also walked up, with Miko and Shutara hanging out below the stage really close to the front. Miko because she would never join on the stage and Shutara because she was willing to let others be part of the show and continue to keep Miko company while her friends joined in a new experiece.

It didn't get around anyone's notice the strength of those last few notes sang by Dreameater. Miko herself was transfixed her brows furrowing. "Why would he end an opener like that?!" she said incredulously. "He's been pushing the limits lately, his openers now, are just as intense as his closers used to be," Shutara said observationally. "Sure you don't want to join your friends?" she checked with the girl. "I came to watch the show... not to be part of it," Miko answered with a smile on her face. She didn't envy her friends, she was happy they were getting to meet someone they enjoyed. Happier still that no real questions had been asked of her yet. Perhaps they could make it through the whole of this concert without her having to reveal her one remaining secret.

Of course she was pleased by that sound though. It was an amazing sound it sent shivers up and down her spine but it also seemed to upset the girl quite a bit. It was so much vocal stress... While she considered this, Ai and Kaguya were being treated to the sound of Dreameater's normal speaking voice. As for his words, Kaguya could only scoff. "I don't know many who'd turn it down. I don't mind hanging out for a bit... it really was great, thanks for having me~" she said teasingly, turning over her microphone. "I go where she goes, for reasons, but I don't mind helping out a bit either," Ai managed, trying not to seem like the absolute super fan she was. Just the same, Kaguya caught the look on Miko's face which made the girl give her the thumbs up but that little scowl of hers didn't properly disappear as her eyes shifted again. There were quite a few questions she needed to ask Miko... Just the same the two girls found it easy to dance around together happily in the company of one of their favorite stars.

[Bloodedge]

Once they were onstage and talking, Dreameater received some unnecessary return gratitude from the black-haired girl. He shook his head calmly, but had nothing much to say about it. It seemed both girls were interested in joining the show. Of course, he couldn't be surprised the other two didn't join them onstage, if only due to one's absence. No matter; that wasn't to be expected anyway. Whatever the case, he still had a plan to enact. Kaguya had experienced a sample size of his shows' duet experiences, but... Ai hadn't been so keen to join. That had to change.

With these things in mind, Dreameater focused most of his attention on the blonde young woman. "Don't mind helping... How about singing? You didn't seem comfortable with the idea when I handed over the mic earlier, but... I like to think I've got a song for everyone to shine with. What do you say? Dream a little~" he suggested. With a few small strums of his guitar, Dreameater even activated a bit of background music through the stadium speakers. Strangely, but perhaps recognizable to some, the first instrumental was... a violin. "Hmm, yeah. A few are coming to mind for you. This one stands out though," he said. Dreameater hadn't taken the microphone from Kaguya yet. Before doing so or even turning them on again, he wondered if Ai could be convinced to take it instead.

[Apollymi]

The two who remained were oddly placed. For her part in it, Miko let her eyes shift for just a moment, "You didn't have to stay with me, Shu-nee. You could have gone too... Just because I don't want to be part of the show, doesn't mean you can't," she said knowing that these shows were this young woman's life in some way. A smile appeared on Shutara's face as this girl who she thought of as a little sister kept encouraging others, even those older than her to pursue things that interested them. Still, it wasn't necessary... "Well, I've been in a bunch of these types of situations already, so I want to keep you company," she said lowering her voice to address the rest of the statement. "Besides, you're always a part of the show, even if you sit out~" she teased the other girl gently only to place her hand atop the other girl's head. She was still waiting for the day that Iino Miko took the stage and became a new star. She hoped for exciting hair to go along with her musical prowess but... that was apparently a pipe dream of sorts. But... Shutara was a fan of Dreameater and knew that concert would be the best. She always dared to dream. Still there was a startup of a certain son which made Miko smile happily violins were a bit rarer but she played them pretty often for some particular musical stylings. 'Oh? She loves this song... he hasn't gotten rusty since I last saw him♪~' Miko thought happily.

While Miko entertained happy musical thoughts, Kaguya and Ai were both part of a stage show. One of whom had her gratitude shifted which caused her to shrug. No one could accuse her of being stuck up when everyone always shirked her gratitude. Moving on, she got to witness the more active use of Dreameater's magic. He was convincing Ai to participate in a more active way. It was quite a difficult task, Ai never wanted to sing at Karaoke and tended to stop if she was caught doing it. She claimed she was far from a good singer, but that wasn't entirely true. She wasn't shy or anything like that, simply put she knew there to be better options for musical prowess. When asked about singing and being looked at directly she blushed a little placing a hand on her back of her head, "Eh? Well, I'm not tone deaf or anything but... I don't usually do 'singing' that often," she said. Still the start up of those violins made her recognize the song a bit. "Ah, but that is my favorite song... how'd you do that?" she asked immediately. Behind him Kaguya was looking at Ai and mouthing the words 'He's magic.' she said wordlessly but Miko seemed to have a knack for finding hidden gems in this ruined world of theirs. Of course she'd have something to say about Ai's naysaying as well. "You're always still invited to sing, you don't have a bad voice so dreaming is fine...we encourage that sort of thing~" she said teasingly. Who the we was... was left up in the air, but she shrugged looking back at Dreameater. "I guess, I can't really turn down singing my favorite song with one of my favorite artists..." she said while rubbing the back of her head.

[Bloodedge]

Luckily for Dreameater, the blonde did have some confidence in her own voice. That was an excellent start. "You'll be great; I promise. All it takes is the right song~♪" he claimed. When the violin instrumental began, it appeared the right song had indeed been chosen. As for how he did it, Dreameater shrugged. "It's just a vibe~" he claimed. Ai agreed to participate while Dreameater smiled and waved at numerous fans who were crowding the stage's edge. She was going to be incredible. With that in mind, he enabled both microphones and gestured with a nod from Kaguya to Ai. She was going to need that second microphone very soon. First, Dreameater stepped back and leaned forward, granting an opening for almost any proximity while retaining the ability to strum his guitar.

"I lie here paralytic,
Inside this soul♪
Screaming for you till...
My throat is numb!♪
I wanna break out~♪
I need a way out!♪
I don't believe that it's gonna be this way!♪
The worst is~
The waiting!♪
In this world I'm SUFFOCATING!♪"

With the second song of the night beginning properly, Dreameater was leaning into his guitar and moving around the stage, a healthy bounce in every step as he intended to dance around Kaguya. The general appearance of this show would be a shifting one, as his movements, while being closest to Kaguya, still implied an approach toward Ai... as if he were entrapped by one and pining for the other.

[Apollymi]

Ai wasn't the sort of individual who normally thought to sing, but that didn't mean she thought herself horrible. It just wasn't something she thought herself great at. Regardless, Dreameater had a way of talking to people which was quite encouraging. There was a strange warmth in Ai's chest when he claimed she'd be great which reminded her of a certain other thing she'd have to do something about later. "Just a vibe, huh?" she muttered knowing better. As if to punctuate this, Kaguya was still behind him, making creepy finger gestures and quiet whispering, 'He's magic~' with wiggly eyebrows. Of course, with the song settled and the microphone handed over to its appropriate user another song began. Both girls found themselves standing apart from each other, gently dancing to the music as they would have always done. Kaguya for her part in this, found it very easy to fall into Dreameater's antics, playing the role of villain in their combined piece. Or rather, devil, not that she minded. And Ai for her part in this seemed to find it very easy to dance while extending a hand to the lad seemingly pining. The whole of the crowd took in this image including a certain bun wearing punk.

"Oh? They're naturals... with contrasting looks. This is starting to look like something that was planned in advance~" Shutara commented, of course, this was exactly the thing buzzing around the internet presently. A smirk came to Miko's face as she took in the music noting the screamed lyrics the same way she always did with a furrowed brow. What she did have to offer, when her mind properly rejoined the conversation was a simple understanding. "Ai-nee and Kaya-sen live opposite kinds of lives. They are probably the best for the dichotomy of the song. He couldn't have picked a better pair," she said beaming at her friends. "This is such a great show♪!~" the lass squealed. Still she was a bit worried. If he was doing all of this, just between the first two songs, how would his voice hold up for the concert itself. Miko worried about Dreameater, in a deep way, especially after so long of not laying eyes on him.

[Bloodedge]

The dichotomy of these two for the chosen song couldn't have been better indeed. Just the same, everything seemed to resonate properly from the very beginning, just as Dreameater hoped and felt it would. Movements were even spot-on. There was no plan, no thoughts about how the stage performance would go... only feeling. When the stars aligned as such, Dreameater had his best concerts, at least in terms of his own experience throughout. In due time, he reached out in conjunction with Ai. Doing so caused their hands to touch just briefly. That small connection caused what he believed to be a perfect transition into the pre-chorus.

"Feel your presence,
Filling up my lungs with oxygen!♪
I take you iiiin~♪
I've diii-iii-iiied~♫"

In that very moment, Dreameater broke away from both girls, taking center stage while being just a little toward one side. His guitar continued controlling electronics throughout the stadium. One major spotlight was on the man himself, but in a moment... another would be on Ai.

"RE-BIIIIRTHING NOW!
I wanna live for love,
Wanna live... for YOOOUU AND MEEEEEEE~♫"

[Apollymi]

The stage performance became more intense. To the masses, this looked to be a prefabricated event, something which obviously had choreography and perfectly placed body movements. To the people on stage however, this was simply about moving as it felt right to do, and... happening to be in exactly the right place at the right time. The 'vibe' as it was called seemed to be something easily spread to other people. Dreameater was an infectious individual. His voice reaching the masses as one member of the crowd in particular had her brow twitch. The brown haired lass was transfixed once more, absorbing the imagery and all of the associated pieces with absolute glee, but also an underlying anger. "Why would he sing those notes like that... he's pushing so hard," she murmured. Pitch perfect as she was, there was a thing to note about the way the song went. For only the second song, this was a lot of stress. He could have chosen another, could have slowed it down or given his range a bit of rest. She supposed the addition of Ai, who touched hands with Dreameater for just a second before her broke out was enough to give him a bit of time... At the same time, Ai was so familiar with this song, and felt it in that warmth in her chest, that it was easy for her to reproduce the song like it's original singer did.

"Breeeathe♪~ for the first time now♪~
I come alive somehow♫~"

Ai would have her gaze shift slightly. Never before had her voice sounded so appealing to herself. Perhaps there really was something to what he said. At the same time, Shutara could only nod approvingly. "Oh? Great looking and Nice voice too... are you planning to make a girl band or something?~" she teased with a little smirk. "Iia, but I definitely wouldn't hang out with someone whose voice I don't like. All my friends are great like that~" Miko said complimenting everyone she called her friend in a single go. She was happy to see Ai gaining a bit of confidence, Dreameater's music often brought out the best in people. And now the whole crowd was getting to see it, as two relative newbies added to an already stellar performance. Both the girls on the stage continued to dance as well, easily keeping pace with the track and keeping up the visuals of a person caught between two things. Actually the symbolism of this song was interesting to consider, if you happened to know multiple times such a dichotomy played out.

[Bloodedge]

Once more, things worked just as Dreameater expected. He had a feeling Ai was going to be incredible, and lo... she was as of that very first added note. Ah, but the sort of excitement Dreameater gained from this moment would only further annoy one Iino Miko over time. He was soon circling around centerstage, openly inviting Ai to join him.

"RE-BIIIIRTHING NOW!
I wanna live my life,
Wanna give... you EEEVERYTHIIIIIIIING~♫"

Dreameater and everyone else present would eventually be hearing more from the blonde on stage. For now, however, Dreameater would have a short solo following Ai's second addition. Miko wasn't going to have a chance to relax soon, or for very long at all. Already, Dreameater was prepared to extend himself ─ something he'd been doing for several months without... too much of an issue.

"RIGHT NOW~!♪
RIGHT NOOOW~!♫"

With that, he'd make another alteration to the song's normal flow. It felt right to give Ai a bigger role, and the perfect fit for that role... felt like the second verse. He wasn't sure why; he never was. He could only be sure it felt right, so with an open-handed gesture and a sly wink, he fell silent. If the crowd didn't like the loss of their star's voice for a verse, he'd probably just add an extra song to the overall list... but he had a feeling they'd enjoy this change.

[Apollymi]

The annoyance of Miko was being mediated by her own excitement. It was always great to see one of these shows. Greater still to see Dreameater enjoying himself and her friends doing the same. There would only be a few minor twitches in the girl's face as she heard the voice of the lad stretching quite a bit to fulfill those notes. Still as he danced around centerstage, it was obvious what he was trying to add to the show, Ai found herself added to the mix, leaving Kaguya in the shadows, where she figured she would be once all this hit fever pitch.

"Breeeeathe♪~ for the first time now♪~
I come alive somehow♫~"

For Ai's part in this she didn't feel out of place at all. It was quite odd, being in the presence of someone who just made you feel better about yourself and confident in your own abilities, to such an extent. She didn't know she needed that kind of boost, and would be in for a rather rude awakening very soon, as the whole next verse was tossed her way. That sly wink made her eyes widen, they were mid-performance and she wanted to panic. In fact she was inside her own mind. 'WHAT THE HELL THIS IS NOT HOW THIS IS SUPPOSED TO GO. WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME!?' but in the same second that this panic settled it disappeared. Miko watched this and smiled her encouragement at her friend. "I didn't know that was what that looked like from the outside," she said knowing pure panic when she saw it.

"I lie here lifeless♫~
In this cocoon♫~
Sheeedding the skin 'cause♪~
I'm ready to♪~"

She knew all the words. Everyone did to their favorite song. At the same time, Kaguya and Miko both appreciated Ai's ability to pick up the verse managing to make it sound legitimate to the piece while using her own voice. 'Not getting out of Karaoke anymore, Ai-nee~' Kaguya thought happy for their friend. Of course, she kept dancing no need to be just standing around on stage. All the while Ai seemed to be getting really into the song itself. "Yo, she threw herself right in. That's awesome!~" Shutara said excitedly. Miko could only nod as well... it was a nice conversion and as far as she could tell no one was displeased by the change. Well except for the obviously panicked Ai.

[Bloodedge]

He knew the blonde was freaking out internally upon being put on the spot. Even so, Dreameater thought it was the best possible choice for the show... and for the girl herself. She felt like the sort who needed an excuse to express herself, even if it meant nothing in the moment. If she felt strongly about the situation, he'd be sure to make amends later. Ah, but that was later. Now was time for a show, and for the crowd to hear that voice of hers at its best! During her segment, Dreameater was once again dancing closer to Kaguya. Bodies were brushed against one another in a way that was just barely politically correct enough for the younger audience members, but... in that, there was purpose. By the time Ai finished the bar, Dreameater was quickly darting from Kaguya toward her.

"I wanna break out~♪
I found a way out!♪
I don't believe that it's gonna be this way!♪
The worst is~
The waiting!♪
In this world I'm SUFFOCATING!♪"

Maybe he intended to leave Ai the entire verse, or maybe this was the intention all along. Whatever the truth of it all was, he inserted himself midway through the second verse while marching toward Ai with purpose, as if charging headlong into a lover's long-awaited embrace. He wouldn't stop until they were quite close to one another. At that time, the pre-chorus would begin anew.

"Feel your presence,
Filling up my lungs with oxygen!♪
I take you iiiin~♪
I've diii-iii-iiied~♫"

[Apollymi]

And at the halfway point it would seem that a certain amount of pull had returned. Kaguya was dancing as she claimed she would be doing for the duration. Of course in doing so, she'd find Dreameater drawn back in. That dance between them wasn't extended, but was close, exciting and just shy of erotic. Actually, she had a word for that... 'Tempting. Don't start~' she smiled in a manner which exuded the sort of danger she gave off in general, but the show continued on. At the same time, Miko was watching again, 'Hot! That's fucking hot!~' she thought immediately which covered that impulsive bit of drool which happened whenever she found something delectable. "Hoh? They're really selling it up there. These shows just keep getting better!~" Shutara seemed excited enough not to notice the change in Miko's thought processes.

All the same, did Ai need an excuse? Well, a bit. She was the oldest of the group, and by virtue of her own responsibilities the most mature. She'd all but reserved herself to let everyone else blossom and have fun. She participated and was even happy in her inclusion but her own place was odd. Here and now, she was definitely sure of herself, and more than that, happy to be doing something new and exciting. With Dreameater so close again, singing the pre-chorus another smile came to Ai's face, she supposed when she picked it back up there should be something to do so she went for the chorus when it was time. Why he decided to include her in this... she didn't know but she'd make the most of it.

"Re-biiiiiirthing now♪~
I wanna live for love♪~
Wanna live for you and meeeeee♪~"

[Bloodedge]

One thing of note was the strange expression on Kaguya's face during their moments of closeness. Listeners who appeared on stage often lost their composure, but this one... was more akin to the slightly older women who occasionally joined him ─ the women who were very experienced in expressing more... carnal desires. That girl was of a dangerous sort to be seemingly within Dreameater's age range. Alas, their time was fleeting. Closer and closer, Dreameater drew to Ai. He clearly didn't intend to stay away from her for very long. For the duration of this song, they weren't two people singing on a stage. No, they were an item, a destined pair seeking one another, despite any and all interruptions.

"Breeeeathe for the first time now~♪
I come alive somehow~!♫"

Still, they became even closer. The gentle dancing motions that came naturally with performance belied a strong connection for the show's sake. The crowd could imagine the star-crossed pair finally reconnected as bodies brushed against one another, primarily around legs and arms unless Ai herself enabled anything further. This may have been Dreameater's concert, but... it was her show now.

[Apollymi]

"There you are~" Miko murmured looking at the dangerous look on Kaguya's face. She'd gotten quite used to that sort of thing since Kaguya made her way to the magical world. Even so, it was relieving and interesting to see her being so much herself outside of the small group that normally saw her. "Oh? That's a dangerous kind of look, don't expect to get maneater vibes from a high schooler~" Shutara said seemingly pleased. In her own experience, it took a few more years for girls to become that comfortable with themselves. It was something worthy of congratulations, if she remembered. Well, even if she was, it kind of just played well against the innocence and light beaming through the blonde singing by the time Dreameater returned to her.

"Reeee-birthing now♪~
I wanna live my life♪~
Wanna give you everything~♫"

The truest form of duet was upon them and Ai left herself open to quite a bit in Dreameater's case. It wasn't nearly the salicious sort of look that he'd been given by Kaguya but still rather welcoming in its openness. She couldn't help but continue to sing her heart out with him. Spinning around him in close proximity leaving them back to back for upcoming bars as it felt like it was the most right thing to do. This wasn't her show but it seemed pretty flexible and she had a pretty good feel for it now. "Ai-sen's having fun too. It's good... she's usually aiming for more mature than everyone else~" Miko observed. Her two oldest friends were having quite a good time.

[Bloodedge]

"Breeeeathe for the first time now~♪
I come alive somehow~!♫"

Upon concluding his final role as a backup singer for Ai, Dreameater became only more excited. It was almost time for the song's most intense verse, which happened to be favored by Dreameater due to its superior quality as a duet. He couldn't wait for that moment. Better still, the movements between Ai and himself resulted in the pair placing their backs against one another. Things couldn't have been made better! Dreameater had full freedom to strum his guitar while leaning and rubbing into Ai's back. To the audience, the two would be as close as humanly possible... while being so very far away at the same time.

"Tell me when I'm gonna live again!♪
Tell me when I'm gonna breathe you in!♫"

[Apollymi]

The song continued and there was excitement visible on Dreameater's face, at least for everyone who knew what to look for. Shutara could only happily chuckle knowing the young man on stage was hyping himself up even more as time went on. Of course, he'd be way too pleased by what was happening. Kaguya also knew the best part of the song was yet to come and she continued to dance and urge her friend on, though appearing to be the tempting dark the pair was overcoming. Fine, she liked a little villainy... Meanwhile with her back rubbing against the taller young man's Ai came to know that he was quite the broad shouldered individual, but that wasn't a matter of great importance not at the moment anyway.

"Tell me when I'm gonna feel iiiin-side♫~
Tell me when I'm gonna feel aaaaaaa-live♫~"

But as the song hit its major windup a furrowing of Iino Miko's brows occurred. Surely Dreameater wouldn't be about to do the thing she could feel in her soul. She was scowling directly at him, warning him with every fiber of her being against his current action. Surely he wasn't about to push this duet section even farther past its existing vocal range. He couldn't be trusted, and she could feel in every fiber of her being, given his own excitement and her friend finally coming out of her shell, that she was going to end up blowing a gasket. That guitar solo had a bit to go... and then, well the crowd would likely be in for something spectacular. Ai would find herself turning sometime after that guitar solo singing directly into the face of the other lad, their closeness finally complete for the audience.

"Tell me when I'm gonna live again♫~
Tell me when this fear will end♪~
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside♫~
Tell me when I'll feel aaaaa-live♫~"