[Assuming Lacus should be easy to find, considering the pink hair and Haro and all. He remembers them mentioning performing together on the network, but that could have easily just stayed as like... vague things that went nowhere, but with the unsettling silence over the island...
Might as well go see if she's serious, too.
So Haruka appears, looking more then a little bit wary, but! He's trying.]
Lacus Clyne-san, could I talk with you for a moment?
[ Through the week, the lingering threat had been fairly easy to ignore. Lacus is always wary of assassination attempts anyway, so nothing had really been off from a normal vacation... but today? Today is unsettling and foreboding. The winds are changing and a storm is on its way.
When Haruka finds Lacus, she's wearing a terse expression unlike her usual smile. She nods. ]
Yes, of course. And you can call me Lacus, that's fine. What was it?
[Just Lacus... well, alright. He can work with that.]
There's something wrong with today.
[And from the tense look on her face, it's obvious she's picked it up to and isn't a fan.]
And... I know it's a little cheesy, but... after the party and everything today, I don't want everyone to just...
[He gestures vaguely in a way hope gets across "I don't want everyone to be miserable and go berserk because this shit is fucked up".]
So I thought maybe lifting the mood would be a good idea? And we did talk about performing together, so... this would be a good time, if we could pull it off? At least, I think so... Idols are supposed to bring people happiness.
[ Lacus has sung through a great many hard times. On spaceships engaged in active combat, in the shelter as their home was being flooded away above them, always always singing songs of prayer and wish. Her songs have been used and abused as propaganda, taken away from her and given to another, and still...
Even though singing to influence people has started to feel odd, she wants to sing. That's her honest feelings.
After a brief pause, she nods. ]
Song can double as prayer - at least, I've always thought so. We may not be able to put on a sparkly stage under these circumstances, nor is it the time for upbeat escapism, but... Yes, I'd like to sing for all who would like to listen.
[Singing for someone else's happiness or for the sake of singing itself is something Haruka had to learn, after being raised to treat his fans like poison, to look down on them and keep his heart closed to the people who wanted to hear him...
Something like this is far beyond what he's used to, but he learned what an idol can be capable of and how they can bring people smiles, so... Might as well.
It'll be a guerilla live, like IDOLiSH7's debut and TRIGGER's comeback. Unplanned and spur of the moment, but for the people who will listen and not the selfish wants of somebody else.
Maybe this train of thought is too deep, but with the unnatural stillness... He's more then a little worried and looking for something he can do.]
It's doing what we can do in the moment, at least.
[He nods, though there is the topic of what songs they can even sing together... He knows what Lacus said she normally sings, so he has an idea.]
We definitely don't have enough time to write our own song, but... there's a duet I sang with one of my group members that you might like? And I can teach you it as best as I can.
[ Writing a song just for this island sounds lovely, Lacus has to admit. All her songs were written for conflicts and people that have no bearing on their current situation, so to create something for this group and for their hopes and wishes for this island... If the weekend doesn't bring disaster, they should think about it.
But for now... ]
Let's try it. I was never part of a group, so all my songs are solo acts, but I think splitting them up for duet singing wouldn't be too difficult either...
But I'm a fast learner, so I hope that your song is in my range!
I think it might be? It's one of our more lowkey songs...
[And it's a love song, which?? Ballads usually are, right?]
One of my group members wrote it for us, so hopefully it's not too bad.
[Still, let's just have him write out the lyrics for her, marking off which lines were his and which were Minami's and going over the tempo! This is where the movie magic montage goes.]
[ Lacus reads the lyrics several times. In this fleeting moment, even if it goes against fate, today, I continue to pray...
She doesn't know what was on Haruka's friends' mind as he wrote this, but she thinks she can feel the emotion oozing off it. It certainly reaches her, and it resounds the sentiments she would like to convey. Casting off destiny, and offering a wish for a better tomorrow...
She has to fight down a few emotions before they can get to the tempo part. ]
... I think your friend and I may have a fair bit in common. I think this is the appropriate song to sing today.
Minami always writes from his heart, even if he tries to play it all cool. He's more sensitive then you'd think, looking at him.
[Even if he tries to downplay his wants and desires, Haruka knows how important songwriting is to him and he knows the passion he puts into every song he does.
It makes him glad they managed to drag him to Northmeir, especially when someone from an entirely different world wants to sing his songs. When he sees him again (if he sees him again), he'll have to tell him, even if he probably wouldn't believe Haruka.
This is what he wanted. For his music to reach people, and Haruka's glad he can manage it for him, even if he's all alone.]
Alright, let's practice. Then we'll go show everyone what we're capable of, and... hopefully it helps.
[ Mr. Minami... Lacus quietly thanks him for writing lyrics that could reach her even across universes. It's a bit sad that she can't ask him for permission or advice regarding performing his song, but given the limited audience and extraordinary situation, it should be easy enough to forgive.
Haruka will find that Lacus memorizes melody and lyrics with extreme ease - a lot of her practice questions are about inflection, harmonizing and the way they should position themselves relative to the audience.
She's focused and serious the whole time, but when they finally take a break, her expression lights up. ]
So that's what it's like to be a group act? It'd be a bit of an image change for me, but I'm now thinking that I should have tried it while I was still active.
[The speed Lacus learns is a relief - it means they might actually pull off a performance that's good and not just embarrassing for the two of them. She's a professional, but her question gets Haruka to pause as he thinks it over.]
It's easier to make it as a group act, in the industry where I'm from. I wasn't expecting to end up with one, but... I think how it is will depend on who your group members are.
[The start of ZOOL wasn't exactly smooth sailing - there were no issues with their production, because they had the backing of an industry giant, but the four of them all got along like oil and water at first.]
If you don't like them, it's awful. If they're just coworkers and everyone can be professional, it's not that bad, but... if they're people you could call your friends, or that you care about it's... pretty okay.
[A definite understatement, but it feels awkward to talk about how much the rest of ZOOL means to him, even after everything they've gone through so far.]
So I'd only really recommend it if you knew your group members would have your back.
[ Even with the way Haruka is trying to be subtle about it, it's easy enough to tell that 'pretty okay' is actually the mark of great fondness. She's glad to hear it. A song such as the one they're practicing right now should be sung by a group that is fully united for it. ]
It sounds like you've made all kinds of experiences in the industry so far. I'm glad you seem happy with your current partners.
[ She takes a sip of the bottled water she's gotten herself, since staying hydrated during practice is important. ]
There is very little chance that I'll ever stand on stage again back home anyway, so for me it's just thought play.
Itâs been⌠eventful. Iâve been around the industry since I was young. A lot can happen in just a year, too.
[Well. Younger.
He seems surprised by at her comment about her not going back on stage again, even though itâs not a completely alien thought to Haruka. Plenty of people decide to step down from music, for any number of reasons. Hell, ZOOL wasnât even supposed to make it this long, but theyâve stuck together through stubbornness and spite.
Still, even if it might be rude to question, he canât help his curiosity.]
[ She nods, not bothered by the questions at all. ]
I'm retired already.
[ There's a large number of circumstances that led to this and she has to take a second to decide which part she'll cite as a reason here. ]
My career was on hold to begin with due to the aftermath of the war, but recently... Well, the name of "Lacus Clyne, the idol" has been used for propaganda purposes too much for me to really want to take it back.
[War propaganda... It seems unfathomable, but he supposes it isn't. The media will always influence the hearts and minds of others, even if he knows that the war Lacus is talking about is probably not that simple.
Almost everyone here is beyond human. He can't imagine the conflicts they get into are all that simple or understandable to someone like him.]
Well, you should sing for the people you know will appreciate it, and if that's just your friends and family... that doesn't make your songs any less important.
[...]
It's just a different stage, but you can still bring them light.
[ Lacus exhales softly, more of a pleased sigh than anything else. ]
That's exactly how I see it.
[ From the beginning, her song had been a political tool to her father. This wasn't an issue because Lacus deeply respects his views and efforts, but... It's only now that she's singing only for herself and her own sentiments.
There is value in that, mixed up with all the nostalgia she feels about performing officially. ]
[ It's an hour or two after the execution that Lacus sets out to find Haruka somewhere on the island. She's talked to other people and collected her own thoughts first, but Haruka's one of her friends here who seems to be from a very normal walk of life. She'd like to know how he's doing, even if he hadn't witnessed the death in person. ]
[Maybe he shouldn't be surprised at Lacus seeking him out, but he still is for just a moment. Still, Lacus is actually kind, and she's not someone he feels he needs to be on edge around.]
Yeah, sure.
[He was decidedly not at the execution earlier, because he knows his limits.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 1;
Might as well go see if she's serious, too.
So Haruka appears, looking more then a little bit wary, but! He's trying.]
Lacus Clyne-san, could I talk with you for a moment?
no subject
When Haruka finds Lacus, she's wearing a terse expression unlike her usual smile. She nods. ]
Yes, of course. And you can call me Lacus, that's fine. What was it?
no subject
There's something wrong with today.
[And from the tense look on her face, it's obvious she's picked it up to and isn't a fan.]
And... I know it's a little cheesy, but... after the party and everything today, I don't want everyone to just...
[He gestures vaguely in a way hope gets across "I don't want everyone to be miserable and go berserk because this shit is fucked up".]
So I thought maybe lifting the mood would be a good idea? And we did talk about performing together, so... this would be a good time, if we could pull it off? At least, I think so... Idols are supposed to bring people happiness.
no subject
Even though singing to influence people has started to feel odd, she wants to sing. That's her honest feelings.
After a brief pause, she nods. ]
Song can double as prayer - at least, I've always thought so. We may not be able to put on a sparkly stage under these circumstances, nor is it the time for upbeat escapism, but... Yes, I'd like to sing for all who would like to listen.
no subject
Something like this is far beyond what he's used to, but he learned what an idol can be capable of and how they can bring people smiles, so... Might as well.
It'll be a guerilla live, like IDOLiSH7's debut and TRIGGER's comeback. Unplanned and spur of the moment, but for the people who will listen and not the selfish wants of somebody else.
Maybe this train of thought is too deep, but with the unnatural stillness... He's more then a little worried and looking for something he can do.]
It's doing what we can do in the moment, at least.
[He nods, though there is the topic of what songs they can even sing together... He knows what Lacus said she normally sings, so he has an idea.]
We definitely don't have enough time to write our own song, but... there's a duet I sang with one of my group members that you might like? And I can teach you it as best as I can.
no subject
But for now... ]
Let's try it. I was never part of a group, so all my songs are solo acts, but I think splitting them up for duet singing wouldn't be too difficult either...
But I'm a fast learner, so I hope that your song is in my range!
no subject
[And it's a love song, which?? Ballads usually are, right?]
One of my group members wrote it for us, so hopefully it's not too bad.
[Still, let's just have him write out the lyrics for her, marking off which lines were his and which were Minami's and going over the tempo! This is where the movie magic montage goes.]
no subject
She doesn't know what was on Haruka's friends' mind as he wrote this, but she thinks she can feel the emotion oozing off it. It certainly reaches her, and it resounds the sentiments she would like to convey. Casting off destiny, and offering a wish for a better tomorrow...
She has to fight down a few emotions before they can get to the tempo part. ]
... I think your friend and I may have a fair bit in common. I think this is the appropriate song to sing today.
No, rather... I want to sing this song.
no subject
[Even if he tries to downplay his wants and desires, Haruka knows how important songwriting is to him and he knows the passion he puts into every song he does.
It makes him glad they managed to drag him to Northmeir, especially when someone from an entirely different world wants to sing his songs. When he sees him again (if he sees him again), he'll have to tell him, even if he probably wouldn't believe Haruka.
This is what he wanted. For his music to reach people, and Haruka's glad he can manage it for him, even if he's all alone.]
Alright, let's practice. Then we'll go show everyone what we're capable of, and... hopefully it helps.
no subject
[ Mr. Minami... Lacus quietly thanks him for writing lyrics that could reach her even across universes. It's a bit sad that she can't ask him for permission or advice regarding performing his song, but given the limited audience and extraordinary situation, it should be easy enough to forgive.
Haruka will find that Lacus memorizes melody and lyrics with extreme ease - a lot of her practice questions are about inflection, harmonizing and the way they should position themselves relative to the audience.
She's focused and serious the whole time, but when they finally take a break, her expression lights up. ]
So that's what it's like to be a group act? It'd be a bit of an image change for me, but I'm now thinking that I should have tried it while I was still active.
no subject
It's easier to make it as a group act, in the industry where I'm from. I wasn't expecting to end up with one, but... I think how it is will depend on who your group members are.
[The start of ZOOL wasn't exactly smooth sailing - there were no issues with their production, because they had the backing of an industry giant, but the four of them all got along like oil and water at first.]
If you don't like them, it's awful. If they're just coworkers and everyone can be professional, it's not that bad, but... if they're people you could call your friends, or that you care about it's... pretty okay.
[A definite understatement, but it feels awkward to talk about how much the rest of ZOOL means to him, even after everything they've gone through so far.]
So I'd only really recommend it if you knew your group members would have your back.
no subject
It sounds like you've made all kinds of experiences in the industry so far. I'm glad you seem happy with your current partners.
[ She takes a sip of the bottled water she's gotten herself, since staying hydrated during practice is important. ]
There is very little chance that I'll ever stand on stage again back home anyway, so for me it's just thought play.
no subject
[Well. Younger.
He seems surprised by at her comment about her not going back on stage again, even though itâs not a completely alien thought to Haruka. Plenty of people decide to step down from music, for any number of reasons. Hell, ZOOL wasnât even supposed to make it this long, but theyâve stuck together through stubbornness and spite.
Still, even if it might be rude to question, he canât help his curiosity.]
Why not? Are you retiring?
no subject
I'm retired already.
[ There's a large number of circumstances that led to this and she has to take a second to decide which part she'll cite as a reason here. ]
My career was on hold to begin with due to the aftermath of the war, but recently... Well, the name of "Lacus Clyne, the idol" has been used for propaganda purposes too much for me to really want to take it back.
My song is just for the people close to me now.
no subject
Almost everyone here is beyond human. He can't imagine the conflicts they get into are all that simple or understandable to someone like him.]
Well, you should sing for the people you know will appreciate it, and if that's just your friends and family... that doesn't make your songs any less important.
[...]
It's just a different stage, but you can still bring them light.
no subject
That's exactly how I see it.
[ From the beginning, her song had been a political tool to her father. This wasn't an issue because Lacus deeply respects his views and efforts, but... It's only now that she's singing only for herself and her own sentiments.
There is value in that, mixed up with all the nostalgia she feels about performing officially. ]
week 2; after execution
Haruka... Would you like to speak for a moment?
no subject
Yeah, sure.
[He was decidedly not at the execution earlier, because he knows his limits.]
Is there something you need?
no subject
[ Not being at the execution does not protect one for knowing that a death occurred, after all. ]
You haven't had to deal with something like this before, right?
no subject
[It is what it is, even if that means things are awful.]
Are you dealing with everything okay?
no subject
[ It's never going to be okay, or easy, but Lacus thinks she's pretty well-equipped to deal with it. ]
It's not... as unusual and out there for me as it is for you, but resignation is never a good thing. I try not to be numb to it.