imeeji_frontstage | (no subject)

Who: everyone
Where: GAME TOWER
When: Day 8, morning

[ as the GAME ALERT goes off on idols' phones and pulls up the map app, the monitors in the lobby of the game tower similarly flare to life, showing the face of a white-haired man with eerily green eyes and matching painted nails, leaning very close to the camera and waving with both hands. the elevators are open and waiting, with the floor indicator lights over the doors showing unit names instead of numbers. trying to enter another unit's elevator just won't work, for whatever reason. there are more monitors inside the elevators, in case any of you were worried about missing this guy's intro spiel on the ride up. ]

Good morning, everyone! Thank you for tuning in~! As you may have seen on our website, today we'll be collaborating with some very special, very exciting guests-

[ he steps back, and the camera pans out until the top half of his figure is relegated to one of the bottom corners of the display, to make room for a large screen; he gestures at it with a fling of both arms, and logos with each of the units' names fill the screen. ]

-My very own juniors from Imeeji Idol Productions!

[ as he keeps talking, the logos fade out and change to a slideshow of pictures of the characters in Imeeji, some group shots, some solo, all candid shots from their past few days here, expertly taken (and in some cases possibly edited a little). ]

As some of you probably already know, it's only been a short time since I graduated from being an idol, so this will be my first time on this end of the "host and idol" interaction! Since it's an important occasion, I arranged for a special theme for today's program- mahjong! Ja-jannnn!

[ he gesticulates at the screen again, and the last shot of someone's face is replaced by this image. ]

But the goal of this game isn't building sets like your standard riichi. These tiles are just simple tools for our idols to use to show us their resolve! Their compassion! Their devotion! And most of all, their luck!

[ the camera angle switches to one where his torso is centered in the frame when he claps his hands, and he smiles brightly from the monitor. ]

But they're not the only ones who'll be working hard! Remember, everyone - idols thrive on love! That's why, please support them with everything you have! The only way the unit you hold in your heart the most can beat the others is if you cheer them on with all your love!

And with that, leeeeeet's go~☆!

[ the screens flick off and the elevator doors open, not to the large stage, but to individual rooms. as soon as you step into your unit's room, the instructions will appear on your phones. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Their voice is a low snarl, breaking into a shout]

Are you seriously trying to say that because there were only bad choices, it's nobody's fault for choosing to be worse? If this game means anything it's that we only have each other to rely on!

We went low 'cause we wanted to say "fuck you" to this place. To the assholes who run it -- to the ones who pit us against each other like goddamn animals. They're the ones we should be pointin' at.

But I'm not run around blamin' the people who wanted to protect their units. What about the people who mighta only got shitty choices? Huh?

Then they can say as much.

[They make a curt gesture, encompassing those gathered.]

But that's not the case across the board, as you can hear for yourself.

[ goddamn people you are making it really hard to be righteously angry at the right people!!!

he actually does just fall silent for a moment, face twisting and fists clenching to his side -- like he wants to punch something and he can't punch the game runner and he doesn't feel right punching Cardigan here, but there's definitely a need to vent out ]

So you just wanna know -- why?

Of course I want to know why! Just because we don't have control over what this place does to us doesn't mean our choices don't matter!

[ shortly, his voice rough still; ]

Alright. I just didn't want this to start spirallin' outta control more than it already has.

[Bites their lip, their eyes bright. After a dragged out moment, they master themselves, looking up at Majima, locking eyes]

I don't want anyone to walk away from this and think what they did was meaningless.

[ he doesn't falter from their gaze, meeting it with his own ]

I know. I'm sayin' you shouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture here either. In the end we got bigger fish to fry than the ones floppin' around in the pan with us.

[scowls]

That's not going to happen anytime soon.

Good. In my opinion -- that's the important thing.

[Sigh!]

You should be at least a little angry, Oni.

[But their levels have de-escalated down to irritated]

[ a laugh. it's sharp, more of a bark than anything; ]

Ya think I'm not? I grab everyone who runs this goddamn place and see how funny they think it'd be if I tore 'em apart and threw all their body parts in a nice little box.

[Rubs their face briskly! Hands a bit jittery now that the adrenaline is fading.]

Mm... [They're a bit??? Hesitant??] —Want to do a vid later? [They can probably find something to tear up]

[ his breath rushes out like he's been holding it in. ]

Fuck yeah. I gotta do -- somethin'. Can't just sit around.

Yeah.

[It would be an exaggeration to say they sag in relief, but some of the tension seeps out, softening their posture.]

Later. My teammate doesn't have eyes still.

Get 'em fixed up. I can meet ya later.