well, it's a bit chaotic. her sudden hiatus had definitely lost her a bit of her fanbase and she'd have to put in some extra work to make up that lost time. the first few days back at the studio was full of meetings with managers, with her musicians, with her outfitters and make-uppers and so many people she was pretty sure she was going to drown in them. maybe going back to this career was a bad move.
... no, she could make this work. she'd resolved her own issues with this! for the most part, maybe.
it was a mercy when she staggered back to her own dressing room late that evening. she takes a moment to clap her cheeks--that was a looong day. now to pack up stuff and head back to her apartment.
oh, but with one new big difference to her old idol life. ]
Naoto-kuuun--! [ it's not a whine, honest, it's. it's a long drawn out sigh of relief! it's only slightly petulant, swear. she tugs her newest and closest member of her security team in her dressing room. oh, she'd had to pull a few strings to facilitate this hire, but it was absolutely worth it. ] Jeez, I thought the manager would never shut up. He worries too much. I can win back my old spot again, easy! [ ... hopefully. idol rankings can be a bit cutthroat really. ]
We ought to go out for drinks after this to de-stress! [ wink wink. ]
[Security duty is… monotonous. Still, Naoto is but one member of the team, and that allows her enough free time to pursue a small case or two on the side. And while the job itself is dull in a vacuum, the time she spends with Rise more than makes up for it. Maybe it's not the kind of lifestyle she'd like to keep long term; it's different — and it can feel overwhelming for someone as introverted as Naoto — but in sum, it's not bad at all.
Anyway, "Naoto-kuuun" has basically become her Bat-Signal, and it's doesn't take a master detective to figure out what kind of mood Rise is in. Naoto can't really blame her, either. Apparently the idol business is also chalk full of red tape and blustering fools. Who would have known.
If Naoto was feeling less sympathetic, she might say something like "it wouldn't do to underestimate your competition" in response to the not!whining, but she's learned that nitpicking points doesn't help when someone is trying to vent and/or wind down.]
Well, I… don't see why not. [She straightens her hat; another thing she's learned is that Rise is a well-above-average tugger.] They took a lot of your time today, and I know you've been working hard. Was there someplace in particular you had in mind?
[ her competition are a bunch of wimpy cute girls!!... and so is she. just with the lil substitution of 'wimp' for 'kickass'.
not to badmouth her fellow idols, anyway, she likes to be on decent terms with them. but anyway--! ]
Oh, I know more than a few places. C'mon, girl, we ought to go clubbing! It's friday. Obviously it's time to party. [ is it friday? whatever, it's friday now!
she opens her standing wardrobe of dresses with a flourish. now the question would be what to wear... ]
Or is there a place you like? Let's visit your favorite bar. I'll treat you to drinks~
[It's like Tuesday or something, but Naoto isn't about to correct her. There's action every night of the week, as far as she's aware. Rise also kind of brings action wherever she goes. (A personality thing even more than an idol thing.)
Naoto trails her and observes the outfits from over her shoulder.]
Heh, will you? If that's the case…
[Roughly 100% of the clubs and bars she knows were introduced to her by Rise, but shhh.]
Mm. I'm afraid I don't recall the name, but I was fond of the private establishment we visited on the night of my arrival. I found the ambiance to more pleasant than most.
[Translation: the staff and the patrons were chill and didn't treat them like a sideshow. Plus private clubs tended to have private rooms available for VIPs, ahem.]
[ tuesday, friday, what's the difference? they both end in -day. it's always 5:00 somewhere. Rise distractedly grabs a brush from the counter and starts undoing her pigtails to multitaskingly primp a little more while rifling through hangers with the other hand. ]
Ahha, that one? It's like... the Blue Chamber or something, right? [ ... it's some color and some noun, she's sure of that. ] If that's the one, we're going to have to go a little classier!
[ and she whips all the frillier idol fare off to the side to bare the 2nd tier of outfits underneath. which... are maybe about the same low cut, but in darker colors than pop-idol pink. the essential little black dresses. ]
[Google is a useful tool for any detective. Naoto refers to her phone, flipping through it while pretending not to be distracted by Rise's cute-as-hell clothes and the additional prospect of seeing her in them.
Naoto does remember a kind of understated blue motif, come to think of it. The address… ah, there's the place.]
The "Sapphire Lounge." A bit of a ways downtown, I'm afraid. I would be more than happy to pay for half of the taxi fair.
[She prefers to avoid mooching off of Rise when she can avoid it. Not like she's short for cash, anyway.]
Hmm... you could do that, but I wanted to be the one to take you out tonight. [ she wanted to impress her new cute bodyguard, darn it. never mind that they're already friends and Naoto knows already how unimpressive she can be, but it's the thought that counts. she considers this for a moment while unhooking a slinky black number from the rack. ] If you really want to, though!
[ hmm, she really hasn't worn this one in ages. it probably doesn't even exactly suit her but it might just suit... ]
Naoto-kun--! I just realized! You need something to change to, right? [ she holds it up to Naoto, shutting one eye as if that would help her measure it against her. it's perfect!! in her opinion. ]
[It takes almost a comical amount of time for Naoto to put two and two together. Bemused, her eyes shift between Rise and the dress. It's true that she doesn't have anything to wear out, but…
Oh. [Then the blush hits like a water balloon exploding in her face.]
Er, Rise-san… are you certain that will even fit?
[The logical conclusion is that she's going to have to try it on, yeah. Also kiiiind of embarrassing that it has to be one of Rise's older dresses for there to be a chance it'll fit – but hey, Naoto can't help being her small self.]
That's the million-yen question, isn't it? Not to worry, I can do a bit of tailoring on the fly. [ she nods at a small array of sewing supplies on the desk. ] I have someone do my outfits for me, but I'm pretty good at quick adjustments, too.
Besides...
[ side-eyein' Naoto. with her seated, Naoto's measurements are riiight at eye-level. ] If anything, the top will be too tight for you. [ nice, tho. ]
[Right, the one place where she isn't so small. God works in mysterious ways. But yeah she is going to try very, very hard to be a chill adult concerning this subject. Ganbatte.
Naoto gives the ceiling a brief glance then holds out her hand, somewhat reminiscent of a nervous student prepared to receive an F paper.]
[Naoto slowly lowers her outstretched hand. It's come to this already, has it. Fine. Fine! She's totally fine with doing this. They're just trying on some clothes, no big.
Anyway, she's gonna need to borrow one or two of Rise's hangers for this, because while her work clothes aren't super expensive or anything, she still doesn't want to just chuck them on the floor. She undoes her tie first, then slips off her jacket. Undershirt and pants follow until she's chilling there in her dark, plain-ish underwear. Then the hand raises again to accept the dress.]
[ hellooo there. oh god her friend is so pretty and hot. if someone had scouted Naoto out to be an idol, they'd...
well, they wouldn't get far since she's pretty sure Naoto isn't into this biz, but she's definitely gorgeous enough to participate. in Rise's opinion, anyway. maybe she could be a model. Rise practically wants to take a pic on her cell right now.
... so she does, even before offering the dress. no self-control, this girl. ]
So cute, Naoto-kun. Though your underthings could stand to be cuter. What if you pick someone up at the bar? [ nevermind that she decided this outing on impulse, this still counts. ]
["I would not do this for anyone else" nice Naoto, you know how to pick 'em, way to go. She hurriedly accepts the dress – as in basically rips it right out of Rise's hands – and spins so that she's facing the other direction.
Anyway, yeah, Naoto would remind Rise that there's usually not much point wearing sexy underwear to work, but she doesn't really want sexy underwear to remain as the pervading topic. All of this business is distracting enough that she spends a few seconds too long trying to put the dress on backwards. Dammit, dammit.]
"Picking someone up" will not be my goal, I'm afraid.
But... it could happen? Or maybe being picked up? I mean, I'm gonna be real surprised if nobody at least tries. [ look at her hot amazing cool friend. anyone who wouldn't like to tap that doesn't have their head screwed on straight, and Rise isn't exempt.
... also yeah she does realize that the cell pic is a pretty dick move there. Rise clasps her hands together as she hits on the perfect idea to make it up. ]
Oooh, or I might have some sexy lingerie to loan too, if you'd like. I just don't know about bras, though. [ AHEM. ]
[Sure, she could use a little help. Figuring out the right way the dress goes is a good start, at least, and after Naoto steps into it, she shuffles backwards a little so that Rise can assist with the parts she can't see.
Soooo, what were they talking about again? Sexy lingerie? Fuck.
No, hold on, there was something else. Picking people up? Getting picked up?]
I have difficulty sometimes simply conversing with strangers. That I would become intimate with one, based solely on occurrences over a single evening, seems very unlikely. [yo....lo.......]
[ ... well, yes, on second thought Naoto really isn't that kind of person.
STILL, THOUGH. she considers this as she laces up the back of the bodice. ] Well, how about... just, you know, meeting someone new? Say you see a cute stranger and they ask you to dance or even out on a date! You don't need fancy undies for that, but a small glimpse can't hurt. Like--
[ oh, she knows all about showing and hiding and the aesthetics of tantalizing sneak peeks. Rise undoes the first few buttons of her own blouse, teasingly revealing the edge of a scallop-laced slip underneath. she poses with an imaginary drink in her hand. ]
[Naoto has to tilt her head a bit to watch, and once Rise is through, she isn't immediately sure whether she's glad to have beared witness to the demonstration. On one hand, whoa, that definitely was effective. On the other–]
I believe I could practice something like that a thousand times without ever really getting it down. [She looks down for a second and rubs some of the dress's fabric between her fingers.]
Well... probably, yeah. I mean, there's something to be said about practice, too?
--So does this mean Project Fancy Undies is a no-go? [ what... what is with that name. what, so she wanted to dress her friend in fancy lingerie as well as fancy dress, is that a crime. ]
Really now! [ ..... she might have to specify 'a few', or Rise might just get carried away with dress-up for the rest of the night. ]
W-well, as an idol, you know I have no shortage of outfits! [ and she immediately starts searching through her rack. ] I mean, like I said before, sizes and bodices might be a problem. But I can handle any small modifications!... Hmm, only 'small' probably isn't the word for it. [ it's not envy, it's just a perfectly platonic thing to notice about her friend. ]
Mm, I think little adjustments would be best. I mean, I'd hate to work on something, have you put it on, and then have it totally fall apart at the seams or something. [ ..... now that she mentions it, she doesn't exactly look as if she hates the idea at all. wow, what an interesting thought.
she's not a pervert really, or is she? ]
Anyway! I think this dress works well on you, but how about a touch of make-up, too?
[The evidence supporting Rise's status as a pervert is quickly building though she isn't wrong that it would be hot; Naoto is definitely too flustered to be making any kind of case, though. Why does her heart start beating fast just when they're talking about this stuff??
Naoto clears her throat again.]
Y-Yes, I agree. [She looks down for a second.] As far as makeup is concerned, I would… also need to borrow from you, I'm afraid. That and I'm used to using only the very basics.
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well, it's a bit chaotic. her sudden hiatus had definitely lost her a bit of her fanbase and she'd have to put in some extra work to make up that lost time. the first few days back at the studio was full of meetings with managers, with her musicians, with her outfitters and make-uppers and so many people she was pretty sure she was going to drown in them. maybe going back to this career was a bad move.
... no, she could make this work. she'd resolved her own issues with this! for the most part, maybe.
it was a mercy when she staggered back to her own dressing room late that evening. she takes a moment to clap her cheeks--that was a looong day. now to pack up stuff and head back to her apartment.
oh, but with one new big difference to her old idol life. ]
Naoto-kuuun--! [ it's not a whine, honest, it's. it's a long drawn out sigh of relief! it's only slightly petulant, swear. she tugs her newest and closest member of her security team in her dressing room. oh, she'd had to pull a few strings to facilitate this hire, but it was absolutely worth it. ] Jeez, I thought the manager would never shut up. He worries too much. I can win back my old spot again, easy! [ ... hopefully. idol rankings can be a bit cutthroat really. ]
We ought to go out for drinks after this to de-stress! [ wink wink. ]
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Anyway, "Naoto-kuuun" has basically become her Bat-Signal, and it's doesn't take a master detective to figure out what kind of mood Rise is in. Naoto can't really blame her, either. Apparently the idol business is also chalk full of red tape and blustering fools. Who would have known.
If Naoto was feeling less sympathetic, she might say something like "it wouldn't do to underestimate your competition" in response to the not!whining, but she's learned that nitpicking points doesn't help when someone is trying to vent and/or wind down.]
Well, I… don't see why not. [She straightens her hat; another thing she's learned is that Rise is a well-above-average tugger.] They took a lot of your time today, and I know you've been working hard. Was there someplace in particular you had in mind?
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not to badmouth her fellow idols, anyway, she likes to be on decent terms with them. but anyway--! ]
Oh, I know more than a few places. C'mon, girl, we ought to go clubbing! It's friday. Obviously it's time to party. [ is it friday? whatever, it's friday now!
she opens her standing wardrobe of dresses with a flourish. now the question would be what to wear... ]
Or is there a place you like? Let's visit your favorite bar. I'll treat you to drinks~
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Naoto trails her and observes the outfits from over her shoulder.]
Heh, will you? If that's the case…
[Roughly 100% of the clubs and bars she knows were introduced to her by Rise, but shhh.]
Mm. I'm afraid I don't recall the name, but I was fond of the private establishment we visited on the night of my arrival. I found the ambiance to more pleasant than most.
[Translation: the staff and the patrons were chill and didn't treat them like a sideshow. Plus private clubs tended to have private rooms available for VIPs, ahem.]
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Ahha, that one? It's like... the Blue Chamber or something, right? [ ... it's some color and some noun, she's sure of that. ] If that's the one, we're going to have to go a little classier!
[ and she whips all the frillier idol fare off to the side to bare the 2nd tier of outfits underneath. which... are maybe about the same low cut, but in darker colors than pop-idol pink. the essential little black dresses. ]
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Naoto does remember a kind of understated blue motif, come to think of it. The address… ah, there's the place.]
The "Sapphire Lounge." A bit of a ways downtown, I'm afraid. I would be more than happy to pay for half of the taxi fair.
[She prefers to avoid mooching off of Rise when she can avoid it. Not like she's short for cash, anyway.]
1/2
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Naoto-kun--! I just realized! You need something to change to, right? [ she holds it up to Naoto, shutting one eye as if that would help her measure it against her. it's perfect!! in her opinion. ]
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Oh. [Then the blush hits like a water balloon exploding in her face.]
Er, Rise-san… are you certain that will even fit?
[The logical conclusion is that she's going to have to try it on, yeah. Also kiiiind of embarrassing that it has to be one of Rise's older dresses for there to be a chance it'll fit – but hey, Naoto can't help being her small self.]
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Besides...
[ side-eyein' Naoto. with her seated, Naoto's measurements are riiight at eye-level. ] If anything, the top will be too tight for you. [ nice, tho. ]
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Naoto gives the ceiling a brief glance then holds out her hand, somewhat reminiscent of a nervous student prepared to receive an F paper.]
Shall I try it, then?
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a better idea might be-- ]
Of course!
Strip. [ BEAMS AT innocently while she starts undoing the lacy back of the dress's bodice. time to lace a bodyguard up. ]
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Anyway, she's gonna need to borrow one or two of Rise's hangers for this, because while her work clothes aren't super expensive or anything, she still doesn't want to just chuck them on the floor. She undoes her tie first, then slips off her jacket. Undershirt and pants follow until she's chilling there in her dark, plain-ish underwear. Then the hand raises again to accept the dress.]
I would not do this for anyone else. [True fact.]
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[ hellooo there. oh god her friend is so pretty and hot. if someone had scouted Naoto out to be an idol, they'd...
well, they wouldn't get far since she's pretty sure Naoto isn't into this biz, but she's definitely gorgeous enough to participate. in Rise's opinion, anyway. maybe she could be a model. Rise practically wants to take a pic on her cell right now.
... so she does, even before offering the dress. no self-control, this girl. ]
So cute, Naoto-kun. Though your underthings could stand to be cuter. What if you pick someone up at the bar? [ nevermind that she decided this outing on impulse, this still counts. ]
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["I would not do this for anyone else" nice Naoto, you know how to pick 'em, way to go. She hurriedly accepts the dress – as in basically rips it right out of Rise's hands – and spins so that she's facing the other direction.
Anyway, yeah, Naoto would remind Rise that there's usually not much point wearing sexy underwear to work, but she doesn't really want sexy underwear to remain as the pervading topic. All of this business is distracting enough that she spends a few seconds too long trying to put the dress on backwards. Dammit, dammit.]
"Picking someone up" will not be my goal, I'm afraid.
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... also yeah she does realize that the cell pic is a pretty dick move there. Rise clasps her hands together as she hits on the perfect idea to make it up. ]
Oooh, or I might have some sexy lingerie to loan too, if you'd like. I just don't know about bras, though. [ AHEM. ]
Need help with that dress?
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[Sure, she could use a little help. Figuring out the right way the dress goes is a good start, at least, and after Naoto steps into it, she shuffles backwards a little so that Rise can assist with the parts she can't see.
Soooo, what were they talking about again? Sexy lingerie? Fuck.
No, hold on, there was something else. Picking people up? Getting picked up?]
I have difficulty sometimes simply conversing with strangers. That I would become intimate with one, based solely on occurrences over a single evening, seems very unlikely. [yo....lo.......]
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STILL, THOUGH. she considers this as she laces up the back of the bodice. ] Well, how about... just, you know, meeting someone new? Say you see a cute stranger and they ask you to dance or even out on a date! You don't need fancy undies for that, but a small glimpse can't hurt. Like--
[ oh, she knows all about showing and hiding and the aesthetics of tantalizing sneak peeks. Rise undoes the first few buttons of her own blouse, teasingly revealing the edge of a scallop-laced slip underneath. she poses with an imaginary drink in her hand. ]
Something like that...!
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I believe I could practice something like that a thousand times without ever really getting it down. [She looks down for a second and rubs some of the dress's fabric between her fingers.]
…Confidence likely plays a large role in that.
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--So does this mean Project Fancy Undies is a no-go? [ what... what is with that name. what, so she wanted to dress her friend in fancy lingerie as well as fancy dress, is that a crime. ]
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Project– [Nope. Nope, she's not calling it that.] I wouldn't, ah, wholly object to trying on a few things. There's no harm, really.
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W-well, as an idol, you know I have no shortage of outfits! [ and she immediately starts searching through her rack. ] I mean, like I said before, sizes and bodices might be a problem. But I can handle any small modifications!... Hmm, only 'small' probably isn't the word for it. [ it's not envy, it's just a perfectly platonic thing to notice about her friend. ]
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Rise-san… [Naoto blushes in an equally platonic way, then clears her throat.]
Er, perhaps start with items that would be easiest to… modify? If you are, indeed, so very set on doing this. [Is the sky blue, Naoto?]
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she's not a pervert really, or is she? ]
Anyway! I think this dress works well on you, but how about a touch of make-up, too?
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though she isn't wrong that it would be hot; Naoto is definitely too flustered to be making any kind of case, though. Why does her heart start beating fast just when they're talking about this stuff??Naoto clears her throat again.]
Y-Yes, I agree. [She looks down for a second.] As far as makeup is concerned, I would… also need to borrow from you, I'm afraid. That and I'm used to using only the very basics.
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