Charles Patricius

[Bloodedge]

Suddenly, a very memorable moment in Takao's career was mentioned. He did spend a decent chunk of time wearing beat-up old clothes just to dissuade the paparazzi from photographing him on a daily basis, and it worked wonders. "Haha! It took them weeks just to give up, but it was so worthwhile in the end. I haven't had that much time to myself since Air Gear released," he said. Takao seemed quite satisfied as he recalled those days, until of course... Miko made another suggestion. He'd be better off sneaking into... her house? He paused right then and there, tilting his head and staring at the girl. That was a very strange thing to suggest, and something he, as a celebrity, was best avoiding in most cases. Here and now, he'd at least grant a response. "Still not very careful about the way you word things, huh? You can't just recommend something like that! I'll be in the tabloids for the next year over a scandal," he chided. With that said, it became clear why their group was in Osaka at all. Dealings with the Ashikaga corporation did not surprise him with Miko being the target, so the other two being connected was not too ridiculous either. Free housing and the like also wasn't surprising from that family. "Sou ka. That's really random and unexpected. I hear the schools are pretty good here, and that's pretty much a guaranteed career path for current and future families... though I didn't know they recruited actively. Anyway, we'll get you guys hooked up with those pins. You need the new model," he said, ending with attention on Miko once more.

While Hiroshi and Rita each worked toward the end of a ramen bowl, Rita shared her view on the Nara women and their differences. She agreed to her own volatile nature, further expressing the crucial points about her sister and niece, the latter of whom Hiroshi could certainly agree about. "This 'Risa' woman, your sister, is one I can only take your word on. Everything else is consistent with my own observations thus far. Given their connection, I assume Miko's mother will be made very observable. Hmm... I suppose you are my employer for now as well, so observations of the full trio are well within reach. Interesting. Now, I would urge you not to think too badly of those destructive tendencies. Some of the finest things are assembled in the wake of destruction; it is often the optimal route proceeding growth. You also claim to be the most open to influence. If that is true, you would be calling yourself the prime target of direct study. That would also be interesting," Hiroshi asserted. While considering these thoughts, he continued casually sipping beer from a can. Rita mentioned her baking and paired it with an offer, effectively presenting a main form of study. If a cake were made this same day and tested, Hiroshi would effectively have a marker for her current alchemical prowess, with very little variable. As such, he couldn't turn down the offer at all. "I would be remiss to reject you. Admittedly, it would sate many of my current curiosities if I could sample a few bites."

[Apollymi]

Takao's words brought a smile to Miko's face, she remembered his antics and knew the kind of freedom he sought. The truth was, he'd probably find a trip or four to the magical world quite relieving when he finally got around to having one. Miko thought so at least, "I suppose it's hard to find free time when people are always hounding you," Ai mentioned, not envying this man his famous status and understanding why someone like Miko would only want to be part of anything on the fringe. Still, it seemed like she was in much deeper than appearances would let on. Which was precisely what Kaguya was thinking while she watched the changes in Miko's countenance when Takao mentioned how odd her words sounded to him. All the while Miko was having one of those, invasive thoughts, 'Keep looking at me like that and we're going to find out something!' she thought that light in her eyes dancing at the intensity. He claimed there would be some sort of scandal and sure it could happen but there was something underlying his tone in that made it a reasonable suggestion to his near demand for her, "I'm not a words person, if I have to add worry over how I sound saying things to my list... no one would ever hear my voice. That is what you..." she pointed to Takao, and "You are for," she finished by pointing at Kaguya. "I still think it's a better idea than causing a riot at a high school," she said firmly. Ah well that was fine. All would be well, "Yeah, I've just been trying to enjoy the rest of my spring break, but I might have forgotten some important things, of course I will accept a new pin. I also need your help with something," she said to Takao looking sheepish, some of her habits were always obvious and when she'd let a deadline get a bit too close she found herself hesitantly asking for help while she internally freaked out about it, her index fingers were tapping together as well.

In that same moment, Kaguya's mind was processing information. Several key phrases uttered by Miko had the lass staring at her for several seconds. Yes, she'd pointed to her and declared that she was there for words, but that wasn't just it. No one would hear her voice. Playing with the words would make her voiceless... the Voiceless Sound. Kaguya's face made an o while the other's continued to talk. "It's me. I'm deaf, or blind or... I don't know, just dumb. But that has to be it, but why didn't I recognize it?" she was questioning herself aloud. "Ara? Kaya-chan you alright over there?" Shutara asked with a brow raised. "Yeah, fine... Miko, I have a question and I need you to answer it directly," Kaguya said rather ominously, making Miko look towards the other girl like she was a bit frightened. Kaguya never called her by her name like that, she hadn't in literal years. To do so now, meant that this was a bit and realtime event. 'She's on to us!'

With one cat making its way out of a bag, different set of adults was enjoying company and hypothetical conversation. It seemed there was a certain truth being accepted about Rtia's observation of her immediate family. "Sou ka, you really sound like one of those independent study types, who spent all of college locked in a lab," she murmured finding it somewhat amusing. She knew several different forms of people and definitely only found such traits endearing. What was more, he claimed that her own destructive tendencies didn't need to be disparaged. "That sounds oddly encouraging. I really don't know how to explain it. I just know it isn't normal to make sudden and drastic changes as a coping mechanism which I am currently doing, but you make it sound like it's a great idea and I want to believe in that..." Rita said a bit of sullenness appearing just around her eyes. It was a nice thought, that she wasn't just spiralling out of control and harming herself and her image just to feel better. Moving on, the thought of cake was something addressed and she couldn't do anything but smile. "Yes! I can't eat the whole thing myself and I couldn't sleep yesterday so I ended up making another one even though I gave two away yesterday!~" she said as she stood. She picked up the remained of that case of beers while getting rid of the trash from her meal. "Come on up," she offered the man an entrance into her newly unpacked apartment upstairs. It was simply decorated, clean but with dozens of shots of nature up on the walls. A few framed pictures of Rita with her friends and parents were placed on shelves as she headed inside. She slipped out of her shoes at the door and dropped the beers on the coffee table. "Make yourself at home," she mentioned heading for the kitchen. Once inside she pulled a well decorated cake out of the fridge. It was covered in freshly chopped strawberries and a whipped topping which smoothly decorated the whole thing. She brought it, and a couple of small serving plates to her coffee table in her front room and prepared to cut it. She'd do so revealing a perfectly spongey cake with light icing and little chunks of fresh strawberry within. the centeral layer. Once both slices were ont he serving plates she offered one with a fork. Pleased beyond reason to dig in. The frosting was a mix of buttercream and fresh wipped cream and the cake itself was simple vanilla.

[Bloodedge]

"Incredibly hard," Takao agreed following Ai's assertion. "At a certain point, you can't even do your own shopping, or go to a public pool or... anything, really. It's a form of imprisonment sometimes," he added. Still, Takao didn't seem downtrodden at all. Being famous had its downsides, but so did every other lifestyle out there. He only wanted for the occasional bit of reprieve, though it was in no way a necessity. Whatever the case, Miko decided to double-down on her lacking capacity for words, diverting it all to him and Kaguya. She was right, though; a home trip was a much safer alternative to high school riots. "Well it'd still be better than going out west to a school. I've had a visit cancelled because... yeah, it's not good to be a teen over there apparently. Also, words or no words, careful you're not out here making accidental propositions. People will think all sorts of things~" he reiterated. Takao had been on the receiving end of many invitations to some girls' homes over the years; it basically came with the job. In this case, he didn't seem entirely unwilling to hear it out. "Now, what's this you need my..." Takao had little choice but to pause his question there. It seemed Kaguya had been doing some thinking this entire time. Since she'd been here, she had only addressed Miko in a single, familiar way. The way she spoke now implied a level of disturbance that didn't bode well for atmosphere, nor for the brunette's ability to escape a coming situation. Takao had a good idea what this was. "Welp... I tried~"

All the while, Hiroshi was being observed just as he observed Rita. She had a fair grasp on him as an entity without much interaction occurring between them. He and his people didn't expect as much from most humans. "I do, in fact, spend a great deal of my time in a lab delving into my research and experiments. Most times, it isn't worthwhile to leave. There are however a few instances in which a conscious specimen presents itself. Such times are when anatomical studies are more fruitful. So long as you are unopposed, I will be studying you rather closely," he asserted. Whatever Rita took from that declaration, he would actually be observing her with or without any prior consent. In fact, her consent only played a role in the execution and extent of any experimentation. Her choices and self-destruction would be viewed minimally, lumped in with a similar observation he intended to make on alcohol throughout the night. For starters, he would first be joining Rita in a trip upstairs, where she seemed to live now. Hiroshi respected the idea of living quarters connected to one's workplace, thinking it was the epitome of efficiency. Once upstairs and at the receiving end of hospitality, the tall male seated himself in the center of a couch to watch the presentation of a well-constructed cake ─ one that was such even by an elf's standards. He took several moments to view it before doing anything else, appraising it for all aspects of quality. "Hmm. It is as I thought. The moisture content is something I've never seen, as is the consistency throughout. Also, this creamlike surface is completely foreign to me. Even with my knowledge base, I can't quite discern what went into it. Let's see..." In the middle of his rambling, Hiroshi took a small forkful of cake, just to take a sample. The frosting was mindboggling ─ confusing at best and unfathomable at worst. If he were any more shocked, he'd have literal sparkles in his eyes... or perhaps he already did. "Umai! What is this actually? I've never sampled a thing like this in my life, long as it's been! Is this what..." Hiroshi managed to stop himself before outing himself as someone from another world. Pausing, he straightened his posture, cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. "Mm. Apologies. I nearly lost my composure, but this is something beyond my understanding."

[Apollymi]

Dreameater, or rather Takao as he was known among his friends likened fame to a strange form of imprisonment. Ai could understand his words and so could Kaguya as both experienced their own forms of being locked up in ways that kept them from simply doing what they wished to do or acting in ways they wished to act. In some ways it was part of the human condition, still she didn't envy him. "That sounds dreadful, and your attitude is strangely good regardless," she commented. Perhaps they'd simply caught him on a good day. She was already seeing a much better attitude from their younger friend since encountering her again. "I don't think I talk to enough people to accidentally proposition anyone. I don't think I should be held responsible for people twisting words to suit their feelings either, but I'll keep it in mind..." she said aloud. Within it was a different story. 'It would be blatantly obvious if I was propositioning someone!' claimed the internal voice which was true enough in this case for Miko to not try and argue with herself. It would seem that Kaguya had broken, such was expected at this point, Ai upon hearing what she said sighed. "Looks like I won the bet... secret career~" she claimed with a grin. "Ai-sen, don't tease. I also really need you guys to stop placing bets on me," Miko muttered. Ah, and there was the plea for help which she still needed but wasn't being answered because she needed to answer Kaguya's question. "Iia, I already figured I'd end up having to tell them when I brought them. I just couldn't do it before because it was kind of unbelievable," mentioned Miko. Shutara gave a bit of a smirk and chuckled. "Welp it's sort of like a band-aid. You should just rip it off. Such is my general advice about all forms of confession... in case anyone needs that information~" she mentioned her advice for both girls to hear. "Hai, I'll keep it in mind. Also can you not talk to me so seriously, Kaya-sen, it makes me anxious..." Miko managed while Kaguya looked directly into her face.

"No, you're Miko right now," Kaguya said. "I do appreciate the advice though, Shu-neesama~" she offered a little wink to the adult woman. "Miko... are you Museion?" she asked while staring at the girl directly with menacing aura around her. A blink occurred and Miko closed her eyes taking a deep breath. There really wasn't any way around it. "Yes." she said just that one word. And in that same moment Kaguya snapped starting a tirade of her own. "I knew I recognized that voice. And I've been hearing it so much the last few days it was driving me fucking crazy. Ah, but then there was the casino last night and the pitch seemed like it was too perfect but I realized something... no one has ever heard Museion sing live so... I wouldn't recognize your voice unless I heard it differently. But you never leave voicemails and you never record Karaoke either... but I accidentally got a clip while trying to take pictures yesterday at the casino~" Kaguya said. And what did she produce for said playback. A clip from a video she'd taken of Miko the previous night, singing while standing atop a roulette table and it sounded just like the recordings she was used to. "That's it. I've been gushing over you to your face for years! No wonder you never had anything to say about Museion's music... it's yours! Apparently there is no need to introduce me to my favorite celebrity we've been hanging out since middle school." she said. All the while Miko was simply tapping her fingers together looking quite anxious. "What was I supposed to say? I was scared and I couldn't have explained myself. Who is going to believe the socially anxious neurotic short girl is a responsible for their favorite music? And even if you did entertain it, I would have had to prove it and I couldn't really do that either, gomennasai. I wasn't malicious it just wasn't anything i could handle. It just wasn't something I could talk about. I still don't really like talking about it. I was also technically under an NDA, but it seems like convergence is something that is going to happen in all aspects of my life. I did plan to tell you if we hadn't ended up... here. I almost confessed during never have I ever," Miko offered looking to the other girl's eyes with emphasis on the word here. Kaguya looked and understood. She had to remember the important things, her friend had spent over 300 years in the magical world growing up a second time. She didn't know they'd ever come back and had likely grieved her own music especially while not being able to play a piano. She sighed. "I'm not actually mad, just a little annoyed that you still don't seem to realize how the rest of us see you. Legalities aside, you didn't have to hide from us... well, maybe don't tell Chi-chan. But... I am owed like dozens of autographs and several live performances...." she said her eyes narrowing at the other girl. Now that she'd made the connection, so many instances and conversations made so much more sense. It was unsettling how obvious something could be once you knew about it.

And it seemed identities were being confirmed by everyone. Somoene like Hiroshi could be easily understood by any human with enough life experience. Elves of Alaya didn't understand the difference between them and the human's of Gaia but he was learning rather quickly. He even confirmed his student type which only led to a chuckle. "Well, research is necessary to understand new things. I figure you're the type to make your observations regardless, so I won't comment and you can ask questions if you like..." she said with a smile. It'd been a long time before today since any new person had taken such an interest in her life. She couldn't exactly shun the attention even if she didn't fully understand why she wanted it. It was odd though, she'd invited him to her house and he seemed to take making himself at home to an extreme. He took up residence in the middle of her couch and oddly she found this fine though it would have been more normal for two people to put more space between themselves. Even so she didn't comment and instead cut the cake and presented him his piece while taking up her own. He had observations to make, as he seemed to do with everything and claimed the frosting wasn't something he'd seen before. Odd, "Sou ka, well this kind of cake is usually a holiday treat but I like the way it tastes a bit too much," she mused happily. Of course, she'd be watching to hear his commentary and what commentary it was. She could swear she saw the man's eyes shift for a second as he tasted the cake and frosting for the first time. It was such a legitimate reaction from such a well put together man she couldn't help but giggle. "Tehehe!~ Ah, that's a great amount of reaction. Not scary or anything... there's no need to apologize. I quite like when people enjoy my cooking. It's my take on buttercream. A cake this light is supposed to be made with just whipped cream as its frosting, but... I like it a bit denser than that. It's a pretty standard recipe for the frosting the cake is also pretty simple, with a few minor tweaks for it to be the way I like it best. I do whip them up by hand but that is a matter of control I simply can't let go of, but others tend to like their stand mixers and the like," she mentioned. Legitimately this man seemed as if he'd never had such a cake before. "I could show you how to make one like this if you were interested," she made him an open offer since he seemed to like it so much. Her own husband had shown no interest in such things, though he had eaten them.

[Bloodedge]

Ai thought Takao had a good attitude about the imprisonment of fame. She had not, in fact, caught him on a good day; he simply didn't think too much on the negative side of it. "It's not like my life will change if I decide to be bent out of shape about it. It's got ups and downs, just like anyone else's life," he said with a shrug. It would have been nice to move on from there to whatever Miko apparently needed help with. Takao even thought it would be possible to do so, but Kaguya had other plans. She intended to take the proverbial stage and place Miko atop it with an interrogator's lamp overhead. The secret identity of Museion had been learned by four new people today, and there was nothing to be done about it. Seiya took a moment to run off while an interrogation took place, seeming frantic in a search for something. All the while, Takao stood silently under the assumption that tension would break eventually. It felt like quite a few minutes passed before silence fell, but when it did... Takao had a question to finish. "Well, now that that cat's out of the bag... you said you needed something? I'm guessing that's something besides saving, 'cause it's a little too late for that. It wasn't really working anyway~" he interjected.

Meanwhile, Hiroshi's first cake-eating experience on Gaia was certainly one for the record books. Apart from his existing studies, he now needed to find out what sorts of ingredients were being used on Gaia. They had all the potential for alchemical transcendence from their current primitive understanding. If he could harness this potential and get a few individuals on the right path to success, this world could flourish in ways even Alaya could not. Once Rita spoke of something called buttercream, he knew there were more studies and experiments ahead in this life. Alas, as to not out endanger the group's secret again, he would not question the mysterious substance in Rita's presence. He would, however, take her offer to learn a few things by observation... after another taste test or five allowed him a bit more time to decipher the mysteries of this confection. "I grow more interested by the bite. It is unusual that I can't figure out what the base materials of something like this are. In my experience, a cake has none of these qualities in such pure form. What we called cake where I'm from were all... a bit denser, less aerated, and far drier than this. Interest doesn't even begin to cover what I have presently. If this is how they are supposed to be... No, there shouldn't be an if. This is how they should be. Whenever I visit my home again, there will be much for the others to learn."

[Apollymi]

Ai was hearing out Takao and his outlook was interesting. She could understand given his legitimate personality why someone like Miko felt comfortable being close to him. "Sure, but it's still a good outlook. Never underestimate the goodness of an outlook~" Ai mentioned pleasantly. Speaking of the goodness of a moment, Miko and Kaguya came to a distinct understanding, with Kaguya's final words allowing Miko to breathe a sigh of relief. That could have been much more awkward if it was left to fester. "Oi oi, don't go looking like you were going to pass out. You can't be the way that you are and be that sort of nervous about normal conversations Mi-chan~" she mentioned. "Fine stop stressing me out, I am already having such a week," Miko said seemingly exasperated. Though Kaguya knew the girl to have a snap trigger, it was always good to see she was still adjusting. And afterwards they'd move on, what did Miko actually need help with? These were the words of Takao since he couldn't help. "I never really ask anyone to save me in the first place. All of you do it of your own accord. I just accept it, thanks for trying," she said feeling pouty once more. "I... am working on the beat music mini-game for Industrial Illusions and I... might have forgotten to finish it. And I am not home so I need a piano to get a feel for the songs before I record my other input types. Could I borrow one from you for a day or two? I plan to get it done overnight so it wouldn't be for too long. I also have some ideas for some other songs I was planning on finishing up the compositions for as well," Miko explained the situation with relative ease and much fewer missing gaps, besides if her friends knew more of the people she was hanging out with, it would be less stressful for everyone involved. Now she was staring at Takao with that little light dancing in her eyes knowing she was potentially able to do something with her leftover creativity. Actually, she still felt like she might be able to write something with words this time.

Meanwhile, Rita was getting some very firm praise for what she considered a very normal confection. The cake she'd given him wasn't one of the fanciest, it's ingredients were easily obtainable and the processes were relatively simple. She did them by hand but most people wouldn't have done so and could have gotten relatively similar results. She couldn't help but chuckle still, Hiroshi was enjoying his dessert and that was all that mattered. "Oh? That's such high praise. If cakes are dense, it's usually a matter of them being over worked or not having enough leavening agents. As for the ingredients list it's pretty simple, butter flour, eggs, sugar, milk, a bit of vanilla extract and those leavening agents. There is a process to the whole thing, but it isn't anything too crazy. Obviously there are also strawberries and whipped cream but those can be exchanged for other things, so can the base of the cake once you understand the process," she mentioned of the process itself. Baking was a hobby for her, though it was a craft that required exactness, it wasn't something that required a great deal of understanding, just a bit of patience could make most people make a decent cake. "It's interesting though, you speak of home like it's a co-op and everyone is sharing information and techniques," she said alerting him to the way he sounded. It'd been quite a while since someone outside of her family took interest in something she found herself capable of being passionate about, it was quite a relief to know she wasn't just attracting killers and teen boys into conversations with her.

[Bloodedge]

What Miko needed from the musician was, interestingly enough, something actually music-related. She had a project, but no catalyst with which to complete it. He'd been in that situation more times than he could properly count, so commiseration was immediate. "Yikes. Don't worry; I know exactly what that's like. Uhh... let's see, I've got to remember what I brought with me," he muttered. Hand to chin, Takao recalled the list of instruments kept on this tour. He didn't have much room left for old things after the most recent visit to KaibaCorp, but he surely had at least one keyboard. Actually, that may have been the only one currently in his possession. "Err, what I have might be a little weird. You know I don't bother much with keyboards, so the one I have is... well... it's Kaiba tech. The keys are set to play full chords, and I'm not even sure if there's a setting to make it play normally if that's a bother. I've just been messing around with it as is when my fingers need a break. That work for you?" he wondered.

Ever the studious individual, Hiroshi dedicated the full power of his ears to Rita during her baking explanation. All the while, he could do naught but wonder. What sort of milk was used on this planet? What exactly did she mean by vanilla extract ─ what methods did they have in this world for extractions? What was this 'whipped cream' phenomenon, and what was the base cream being mentioned? Most importantly, what was the process for bringing it all together? There were so many variables and just as many possible results, his mind was buzzing with all the potentials. "Fascinating. You speak casually as a master would to an acolyte ─ as if the matter is simple to you while it is entirely unknown to the listener. An admirable trait. You also have a way of showing a different ─ and in my opinion, better ─ side of yourself in moments like this. Your energy has taken on new qualities," Hiroshi explained briefly. "As for my home... yes, it is something like that. To teach and to learn is to form a powerful relationship with one's student or mentor. The future is established at the end of a path carved by inherited knowledge and the wisdom of future travelers. That is essentially the belief of my people."

[Apollymi]

Miko needed a keyboard, that was something interesting to witness. Both Kaguya and Ai were aware of the girl's long term life in another world and coming home she needed time with her instrument of choice to help complete a project. There was no doubt after she clarified her secret identity that her works were necessary and that everyone would benefit from hearing them. And it was also interesting watching her interact with another person who shared one of her passions. Miko, felt relieved that Takao could commiserate and knew he would help her if he could. "I knew you'd get it. And I've already moved past the worried phase, I had that yesterday. I really am trying not to procrastinate this time..." she murmured. Takao was familiar enough with her to know of her manic based habits, but while she stared at him hopefully it seemed a more normal keyboard was out of the question currently. What Takao described was Kaiba Tech... a keyboard which had entire chords on each key instead of singular notes. It was something he only played around with and he didn't know if that function could be cancelled, but to Miko that sounded rather interesting. "It plays chords instead of singular notes?" she said giving it quiet consideration. "That is awesome. It has the potential to make it much easier to progress certain trickier ranges and... it will definitely make it easier for me to manipulate certain kinds of variations even though my hands and wingspan are quite small for the amount I play. I wouldn't be held to a single key or needing switch pedals. I also wouldn't have to break between my own key switches... I could play the full range of my voice on a single keyboard in the same range as my middle. It'd be... " she paused and looked up. "Show me, Takushi!~!" she had sparkles in her eyes. She'd even reverted fully into a more childish way of talking about Takao, such was the level of her excitement. Fuck the work she needed to see this keyboard and wanted to place her hands on the keys and test all her theories and play all the things she'd envisioned while on the other side in a world with only pipe organs! "And just like that musical nerd has returned." said Kaguya with a smirk on her face. "You know what, a lot of things make so much more sense now..." Ai commented as well. Whatever Miko was about to do, she was about to dive in they could both tell by the look on her face.

Meanwhile, Miko's mentor was busy learning about cake baking from someone who did it as a hobby of enthusiasm. And in response he had more observations to offer. She spoke about baking from a position from a more expert individual even to an uninitiated person and she gave off good energy while doing it. "More of those observations that sound like compliments~" she noted sipping from her beer before going back to her cake. What was more he explained the nature of his upbringing a bit more. Without any real specifics cooperative living was indeed what he was used to. "Sou ka, that's interesting, but getting new information must be rare living like that. You have to depend on the next generation sharing the interest and wanting to expand on topics," she said giving it a genuine amount of consideration but not in a way that could be seen as judgmental that simply wasn't in her nature. "Still, if you'd like I can definitely show you how to bake a cake, like this one.. I already have the ingredients as I tend to bake when I am stressed or happy or any other random reason," she said seeming a bit abashed. The truth was, her long term lack of doing it before was simply due to lack of motivation. She had all the spare time in the world now.

[Bloodedge]

If Miko could either adjust to this different keyboard or find an option to normalize it, Takao had no issues parting with it for her sake. If she expressed the desire, he'd even make a point of acquiring a new device, provided she had need of it. Ah, but it seemed the others in this room would instead be treated to a true meeting of musicians. Miko had anything but an issue with the keyboard design. She expressed utmost excitement, and the more light shone in her eyes, the more Takao's body leaned inward in an excitable way. "See? This is the kind of stuff I was talking about with the guitar! Kaiba Seto is a god of innovation, and there's no getting around it! Oh! Oh! Imagine the next collab if you start using the new keyboard! We could make a song so complex, but so streamlined that no one would even realize how much craziness is going into it! C'mon, let's get to the bus!" he urged during that fit of excitement. Sadly, any departure would have to wait a few moments. Seiya hurriedly made his way back to Miko. In doing so, he tapped her arm repeatedly with an open hand, while his other hand tentatively held out a notepad opened to a page that contained... only Dreameater's autograph at a diagonal. On that page, there happened to be ample room for an equally large signature. . .

Speaking of signatures, Hiroshi found himself wondering what Rita's signature creation would be. Every true alchemist had such a thing, a claim to fame of sorts. Common sense from Alaya would make one believe this current cake fit the bill, but that didn't seem to be the case. Hiroshi's expectations were continuously growing. Those complimentary observations Rita claimed he made would only become more prevalent over time, considering all the facts she revealed. "It typically isn't my intention to deliver a compliment. I comment on the truth as I see it. As it happens, the truth about you is incredibly positive. I've nothing negative to comment thus far," he claimed, pausing thereafter to consider her views on elf society. There was a certain stagnation to be assumed, but... the long lives of his people couldn't be brought into the discussion, so Hiroshi could manage no retort. "Impressive observational ability. With the amount of mental capacity you've been showing, it comes as no surprise that you'd be gifted in an alchemical field. I am quite interested in this baking... though I am toying around with a few other studies at present. If you would show me the tricks of your baking, I could primarily observe and learn what I may. Is that acceptable?"

[Apollymi]

"Musical Nerds by the way... I've seen this movie a lot~" Shutara chimed in. Seeing two people together being some of the best versions of themselves as Takao leaned in the more excited that Miko became about the nature of that odd keyboard. "AAAAH! Imagine the sound, that man is definitely some kind of god to make something like that. I've been dying to play something for so long and an improvement like that is mind-blowing. I'll be able to keep up with guitar chord progressions, create harp line tones it'll be amazing and and and imagine the harmonies♫!~" she chirped. There was nothing more exciting to one Iino Miko than the potential to compose on a unique instrument. A keyboard the likes of which they were discussing was beyond any normal equipment and bordered upon the realm of magic, and with her enhanced senses, she was sure she could play it. She had to try. Ah, but even as calls for the bus were uttered, and as her friends got to speak with Shutara about the nerdiness of musicians another thing happened. Seiya had wandered off during her confession of her titular status and he'd returned. She'd be broken from her trance by a gentle tapping on her arm which came with the sounds of his movements which struck her senses and drew her attention. She looked at the signature on the notepad recognizing it instantly and then saw the large space. She blinked a few times, genuinely surprised by this occurrence. "You want my autograph, really?" she said voicing her obvious shock. Ah, but there was a certain truth to Miko and that was that she wouldn't say no to such a thing. She actually practiced something like that, in case she ever got over her extreme stage fright. And though she hadn't quite crossed that bridge yet, she didn't have it in her heart to do anything but give the boy what he wanted, a smile coming to her blushed face as she prepared to do so. "I need a pen," she said knowing exactly what she'd do.

While that kind of signature was being given, a certain kind of conversational signature was being given as well. "Finding out that you just have positive thoughts about me and it isn't being done as a form of acceptable manipulation only makes it more complimentary you know?" Rita clarified. Still, even in her adulthood she managed only to blush a slightly darker shade of her lightly intoxicated face. He claimed he wished to observe and continue on his other studies. She had no idea what those were, but if he just wanted to watch her put together a cake she could do so, "That will work and when it's done you can take it with you..." she said as she finished up her own slice and took the one from the table back towards her kitchen. There was a kitchen island he could sit at on one of the bar stools and she would put away that one cake and begin gathing ingredients and bowls for and tools for other things. Some needed to sit out. Others were already like a carton of farm fresh eggs sitting on her counter top. She had full fat milk, butter and cream all sitting out now to reach temperature while she went over to the sink to wash her hands and slip on her favorite apron, whiich she'd gone back to her former house for earlier.

[Bloodedge]

It would be safe for anyone to assume a new collaboration song, or even a duet album, was in its initial stages of production right this moment. Excitement was building on both ends. Creative energy was bursting at the seams, and Takao the Dreameater was mentally amassing an early form of lyrics. "You have to make it work! We've got to do a new one ASAP! I could even follow the end of today's show with something like... 'I'm awake, I'm alive' ─ something along those lines. It'll be awesome!" Takao chanted. Before their trip to the tour bus, Miko was stopped by Seiya for an autograph. She seemed willing to grant it, but had need of a pen. Seiya quickly began patting himself down for reasons unknown. It wasn't as if he would just randomly have a pen handy, but he didn't think it through fully. Luckily for him, Takao acquired a pen and offered it to Miko, or rather... Museion.

All the while, Hiroshi was experiencing deja vu. Rita even responded to his mannerisms in a similar way to his apprentice, both verbally and physically. It was rather interesting to see, and he could almost confuse her for the girl. On the other hand, he had very few interactions with that form thus far. Spiritually, however... the similarities were too powerful. "Hmm. That is a favorable reaction; I didn't expect it to be a preference. I suppose though, one could always consider it a form of manipulation, but which side is the one to question? Either party could be showing the other something they want seen, for the reaction they want to see. It falls to the individuals to determine whether they believe that to be the case," he rambled. Off to the kitchen they went, while Hiroshi randomly considered such thoughts that were just outside his norm. Such ways of thinking were favored by other Myouou, but... the Myouou were a group for a reason. Whatever the case, he would soon be looking at some very simple ingredients which were considered worthless in his original world. Surely those basic things didn't create something so powerful, right? He had to study this process.

[Apollymi]

The assumption of a collaboration was something which was made by Miko herself. She wasn't comfortable using music as a creative outlet in a purely sexual sense, but with the person she was made for creating that type of thing with... she had nothing but pure excitement to offer the idea. "Of course I'll make it work, might take a few minutes but I won't be conquered by a piano. Not even a super amazing techy one!~" Miko chanted. "Oh? So coming out of a nightmare, ka? I love it... it needs a mixed beat, something both fast and slow, like the feeling in your chest when you wake up abruptly!" she said thinking of the song he'd sung at the end of his last show and connecting it to the idea of waking. That gentle pitter-patter of a slightly erratic heartbeat could be used for something like that. With chords going it could be made to sound more like a string solo than one on piano but that was fine too. Ah, but before the excitement there was the moment. It was one which Miko had never thought she'd come to, but with Seiya searching his own form of a pen and Takao providing it, she could do nothing but accept a specific aspect of her life. Still a major secret but not nearly as quiet as someone like Miko would have liked. Today was the day... Museion grew into a proper individual and she did this by signing her name in the open space by Dreameater's. Well, as far as she was concerned they were a pair... that was fine. A practiced version of this name was given in flowy script with a star dotting the i in her name. With that done, she smiled at Seiya, giving the lad a wink. He'd been great fun to hang out with today and she didn't feel like she had to explain her stance on secrecy to him. "There you go Sei-chan~" she offered the lad as she handed the pen back to Takao. And with that she was right back to her excitement of a new instrument and a new song, it was something she'd missed for so long.

Meanwhile, a favorable reaction, had Hiroshi in the company of a woman much like his own apprentice. The truth of the connection in this family was something outside his knowledge, but it was also something outside the knowledge of the individual members so far. In truth, Rita could explain her stance on compliments with a bit less fluster than her niece could manage. "Both should, it would be good for everyone. Personally, as the one who is normally on the receiving end of such things... I'm not trying to put forward anything specific, I don't care if I get attention. I am just being myself as much as it is accepted or acceptable. But the more of me you see, and accept the easier it is to be that way. Like if we'd started talking and you'd expressed no interest in my hobbies, I wouldn't have talked about them," she said thoughtfully. "I don't know if that really makes sense...but it's like easier to open up," she added. Ah, but with all the ingredients out where they needed to be she turned on her oven to preheat and pulled out several small mixing bowls, measuring spoons, a whisk a shiv and a few other things. The first thing she did, was pull out a couple of pans and take a small amount of butter and spread it around only to take pieces of parchment paper and cut them to fit inside. "Preparation and order is key. Pan needs a bit of butter to keep it from sticking and the parchment as an extra layer to keep the outside soft. It's an extra step but I never skip it. Also you want it higher, this one will rise and you don't want it crunchy or losing shape," she mentioned. With the little bits prepared and off to the side, the practiced movements of a person who did a thing more times than life should allow became obvious. "Separate six eggs, it's something you can do pretty easily by feel once you understand it," she mentioned. As she plucked six of those farm fresh chicken eggs in sequence cracking them with one hand, dropping them into the other. She allowed the whites to fall into the bowl directly beneath that hand while, placing the yolks in a separate bowl.

[Bloodedge]

"A few minutes, huh? That's enough time to compose and perform at least one new song," Takao claimed, sparing no additional excitement. He could feel the production of a new song in the air, or perhaps more than a single song. While Takao busied himself with flowing creativity, Seiya had the joy of being the first receiver of Museion's autograph ─ right next to Dreameater's to boot. "Sugoi!" the boy chanted while looking over the obviously practiced signature, as if it were made ready just in case a long period of recluse ended one day. Before the excitement became too powerful, he at least managed to remember something important. "Oh, uh... arigatou gozaimasu! I'll treasure it!" the boy announced. With that, Seiya was once again running away from the group. It would be Takao who explained a few things while exiting the building, hellbent on reaching his tour bus. "You picked the best time for a grand reveal. Seiya's has strong ASD, and his mom says listening to music like ours is one of his calming rituals. He's been holding that notepad for months, hoping he'd eventually manage to get both autographs. You just made his year... and that's at a minimum," he explained.

Hiroshi was on the receiving end of another interesting thought process. Rita's lack of concern for how her mannerisms were perceived was... such an elflike thing to see from an outside perspective. Not only was she nigh unmistakably similar to his apprentice ─ she could have blended into his society perfectly. "It is interesting you would say that. Much like your earlier observation, I could easily say that mentality will produce the very same effect you avoid trying to cause. Already, I am naturally inclined to be more attentive, not less. It just so happens to be the case that interest was present before, and could only grow so much. I am prepared to make a great investment into observing you. If your intention is to keep 'opening up' as you put it, I will certainly observe the process. The same could of course be said of these unfamiliar baking methods. To separate an egg's yolk from its albumen is certainly an act done in the spirit of alchemy; you will completely alter its original purposes doing that."

[Apollymi]

"A few minutes, I just need time to processes and memorize~" Miko affirmed. And still no excitement was being spared. The idea of composing something on the instrument she loved for the first time in 300 years was tantalizing. And such a happiness would only be made better by the little exchange taking place before. Miko had obsessed over the idea that she might be famous. She'd practiced her autography obsessively as she did all things. Even after she decided that the idea of being famous wasn't for her initially in life. Still there was something about Seiya's reaction to receiving something a simple as her name signed by her own hand which made her heart palpitate oddly in her chest. "Sou, that feels interesting..." she murmured unconsciously rubbing her chest. Of course, Seiya thanked her and claimed he would cherish it. Miko blushed rather intensely, "Hai, I'm glad you got that one out of me," she offered the lad a bright smile. If someone was to get something out of her for the first time, it should be someone like Seiya. And soon after she'd be off with the group headed for Dreameater's tour bus. It was a place she'd been a few times before. "I didn't pick it... it picked me. I'm still not ready, I don't think. But I missed the music," Miko said. "But I am glad I could make him happy. I noticed we were quite alike in our oddities," Miko said of Seiya. She'd not meant to make his year or anything but if he took solace from their efforts then people like him were worth the effort of making sure her music got released.

At the same time, Hiroshi was busy watching the work of Rita while making observations. She had a distinctly elflike mannerism that he apparently enjoyed in addition to her likeness to his apprentice. His words processed through her mind as she finished separating the eggs. "Sou ka, never been given an explanation like that before. Still I don't seem to mind that from you, which is kind of odd, but I've decided not to think about it too much..." Rita mentioned with curiosity, present. As for the act of separating egg whites from egg yolks... "It's a pretty common practice in baking. In this case, the whites will be treated separately and added back in later," she mentioned as she finished up the end resulting in a bowl with six egg whites and a bowl with six egg yolks. The time this took had everything else at approximately the right temperature to continue. And the bowl that contained the egg yolks had a few more additions milk, butter. A whisk was used to mix these items together until they became smooth and incorporated. "I should also explain that baking from a general perspective requires specific ingredients. You can't adjust this kind of thing for lifestyle choices. Animal products are required," she said the gentle twitch of annoyance appearing in her brows as she remembered a certain roommate of hers wanting a cake but not realizing how little can be done when you take out the things that give it its texture and flavor. A smooth bowl was sat tot he side and another was being pulled forth to have dry ingredients measured into it next. Those egg white still sitting to the side.

[Bloodedge]

As they drew closer to the stadium's rear exit, it seemed Miko was coming to terms with her first autograph-signing experience. Museion had no shortage of fans, but Takao knew from experience that this was a different sort of moment. Seiya was a dedicated lad who deeply appreciated what these musical artists did for his life, so Takao knew Miko would be hearing a lot more from him in future. "You've got yourself a real loyalist now. He knows your secret; you'll never hear the end of him. But, he's a good guy. Take care of him~" Takao urged. Moments later, the group was approaching a large bus, black and blue in color with Dreameater's logo on its sides and rear. Takao opened the door and ushered the others up a few stairs. Inside, they would find multiple couches, guitars and small amplifiers, and a single keyboard. There was a small kitchen toward the back, right behind a bar. Farther back still was a full bedroom and connected bathroom, which let out near the front as well. "Tadaima! Welcome to... my home, I guess? Make yourselves comfortable, move in, take a nap ─ do whatever you want!"

Never stopping the consumption of beer, Hiroshi began work on his second can while stepping closer to Rita and more directly observing her work. He remained just distant enough to leave some wiggle room, but just close enough that he could make contact with Rita or the ingredients if he desired. "I find that even stranger. Both you and your niece have expressed a lack of experience with such things. Where I'm from, however, you would be the talk of the... town?" he said, hesitating at the end. Hiroshi wasn't originally sure whether he could say country, kingdom or something of the sort. Towns existed everywhere, luckily enough. More importantly, something else of interest was stated by Rita. She specified the necessity of animal products when baking in a way he'd thought mere days before. Could it be? Could this woman have been plagued by those vile creatures of this world? "Of course. By the way you say that, however, I'm reminded of something. Have you encountered those... vegan things before? Your words are similar to some thoughts I had when hearing about them."