True! Or sometimes people's brains need time to adjust! My world doesn't have magic at all, so when I saw that for the first time here, it took me a moment to accept it wasn't just an illusion.
Of course, I haven't introduced myself! I'm ✨~Hiyori Tomoe~✨! The one and only~💕
"Eve" is one of my idol units back home, so that's where that name comes from. We're a dazzling duo: me, and my partner! Drawn by our sweet whisper, you might just fall into our trap~💕
We can make a tea date in a minute! First, one picture coming right up! ☺️
[Unlike Natori, he doesn't spend half an hour preening himself. He always looks good, and he already groomed himself earlier, so there's no need! But he does run a comb briefly through his hair and throw on a lavender cardigan, posing cutely on his bed. He smiles and winks at the camera, then snaps the photo and sends. No shame, just confidence!]
Well, does your world not have magic, or have you simply not been exposed to it? Most people back home would agree with you!
Oh, you must be Reira-chan's friend! [Not just because he's introduced himself as the one and only Hiyori, which would be sort of silly if there were multiple here, but because the digging into how the resort functions would line up.] And an idol! While my true career is that of an exorcist, I've also been in some romance movies, so we're a little day job-adjacent! And I do mean real romance movies, not the film productions that this place organized. I was actually the lead in the film adaptations of the Sparkling Detective Akeboshi Koutarou series, so we're naming ourselves similarly too!
[But more importantly: he now has a name and a face, and so around the same time that he hits send on the last text, a simple paper doll comes floating over to Hiyori wherever his bed may be in the resort. On one side is the copyright page for a book called My Master, My Master, and Me Volume 48. On the other is Natori's extremely neat handwriting, with space beneath for room to write back.]
P.S.: If you want to chat more privately, you can write something on this doll. Hold it in your hand and think of my sparkling face and it will come find me. --Natori
I do think it's the former, but I suppose you're right: there's nothing to say there's not some underground group of people who can use magic. Us land-dwellers couldn't hope to understand, but they have their own secret society down there - you see that sort of thing in manga, children's books and movies!
[Actually, his canon does have an underground population of secret molepeople unbeknownst to him (hi Mayoi). Though they can't do magic.]
Ah, Reira-chan! Yep, I know her. She was a popular singer back home, too, it sounds like.
And you'd know all about the entertainment business, too, I see! I haven't heard of that particular one, but I just *love* detective shows.
I mostly do variety, but I was thinking of branching out into regular acting, since several of us idols do both. Now if I need career advice, I know exactly who to call! ☺️✨
[Then, seeing something in his periphery, he looks up from the type screen.
And then gives a great big jolt when he sees that paper doll floating through the air near him. What on Earth is this?
He inches away from it at first, before he tentatively, tentatively, reaches out a hand towards it. When his fingers graze the paper without being cut or anything, he plucks it from the air and holds it between his hands.
Well, there's one way to prove the guy wasn't kidding about his exorcist powers. This strikes him as a neat ability, and one that should prove useful given the House's constant surveillance. Not that anyone's ever tried to punish him despite the numerous times he's talked about the House's crimes and the possibility of rebellion over the Network...
He studies both the page and the message, before getting up and grabbing a pen from his desk. Time to test it!]
Clever! That seems nice and handy. And it means you get to see my lovely handwriting!
Let me know when you'd like to meet for teatime.
— Hiyori Tomoe A.k.a "Eve"!
[The "Hiyori Tomoe" isn't just normal handwriting, but his signature.]
I like the idea for storytelling purposes, but I do want to make it clear that I live above ground! Well, back home, anyway. Evidently even having fans amongst the receptionists isn't enough to get a room out of the basement.
[what is happening in enstars.]
Oh, I hope you get a chance to see it! Sparkling Detective Akeboshi Koutarou is a historical romance mystery series! If you like period pieces, gorgeous costume work, and dramatic suspense, I think you would enjoy it. My costars worked very hard on it, so please support us if you can ✨
I'm afraid I can't sing at all, so I'm doomed to stay on this side of the industry! But I have had the opportunity to work against some idols who crossed over, and I've always been very impressed with their dedication and work! In the meantime, I'll be cheering you and Reira-chan on from the sidelines!
[Timed to arrive alongside the text again (Natori can clearly tell when the dolls are about to arrive, and is holding off on hitting send until they do) a fresh doll comes back to Hiyori. This one has scraps of the last page of a chapter of some sort of torrid romance between a princess and a demon lord on the head and arms. In half of the blank space available, again leaving room for a reply:]
I only arrived fairly recently, so there are a few things I want to look into to get a sense of what we're dealing with. If you're worried about being monitored it'll be safer to chat somewhere with magical protections. I've warded my room if you want to chat there.
[Also, Natori had written his name in katakana, but it's not fair for him to have Hiyori's signature and not vice-versa, right? So another doll immediately follows the previous one, this one made from a page of another erotic novel that had too much text on both sides to be good for passing notes back and forth. In the space available, Natori returns his own autograph. No additional commentary.]
Makes sense! It'd be hard to be a movie star if you're always caked in dirt and dust from living below ground.
I'm sorry to hear they gave you a low rank, though. It's possible to move up, but it takes some time.
I've known royals who were assigned a low rank here, if that makes you feel any better. I'm sure *that* was a hard adjustment.
[Idek at this point. Hiyori's childhood friend might be a test tube baby and his roommate's village is Wakanda. Stuff just happens.]
Yep, I do like those things! That sounds like a lovely change of pace from the usual programming here. You must have arrived during that whole movie business, so I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.
Thanks, your support means a lot to us! ☺️💕 I'll let you know when our first concert is scheduled. There should be other talented performers taking the stage, too. Including my own partner!
[And now onto the other part of their messaging.
Goodness. Though there's still something a little uncanny about the paper dolls, they're also fun, convenient and cute! Though the text printed on this one is less "fun and cute" than "silly and trashy." That too is fine, though, since it means the book's owner can comfortably use it as scrap paper without feeling bad. As for the message itself...
Can Natori really guarantee the wards work against the House's spying? He is a newbie, meaning he hasn't seen all that they're capable of. Whether or not he can, Hiyori's never been punished for speaking out against the House or the resort, despite doing so frequently. (He's seldom one for keeping his mouth shut.) So either way, he's game.]
Nice penmanship!
And nice thinking with the wards. That's one handy ability you have.
Very well — let me know when you desire my company, and I'll be on over. If you want to test those wards, I can tell you all sorts of elicit things. I'll "spill the tea," as they say!
And in return, you can tell me all about what you meant when you said the House was an ayakashi. Then it's a nice, fair exchange between two good-looking stars. Does that sound alright?
You know, that does put things in a little more perspective! Maybe it's a good reminder to be humble, no matter what life throws my way........
[He's never had to share a bathroom in his life. That's really the only issue. ]
Haha, yes, I've noticed this place is rather single-minded. I want to be clear that all of the Akeboshi Koutarou movies-- and truthfully all of my work!-- are accessible for teenagers and young adults.
I heard about the concert! Reira-chan said you were planning on timing it sometime around when a batch of new arrivals come, right? [She was also the one who told him about the pattern of new arrivals, and mentioned Hiyori in the same breath as someone who was looking into the way the hotel operates.] What a nice way to welcome them that will be ✨ Your partner from Eve is here as well?
[That seems... Difficult, maybe, depending on the kind of relationship they have. Natori was wondering how the new arrivals without anyone from back home would handle this place, unless they happened to have a high sex drive and were comfortable hooking up with strangers. Maybe it was just as awkward if the person you knew was someone you worked closely with, who you now have to see in a different light? (He's pretty reserved in his private life, no matter what it looks like as a romance movie star.)
The next doll looks like a title page for yet another erotic novel (an isekai with some very problematic depictions of slavery). Natori has a lot of trashy books to source for spell components.]
It's a date ♥️ [He hand draws the heart and everything.] I'll reach out again soon.
[little does he know he'll have to redo all of his wards as soon as the hotel becomes a cruise, and without his handy stack of gifted shitty books to cannibalize!!]
[Hiyori has, despite being noble-born, but only with his two roommates in the ES dorms. Not with an entire three floors' worth of hotel guests, half of whom are sex-crazed "career residents." All he can say is thank goodness he wasn't given a low rank...]
Yep, I figured! My work is the same, of course. We do give fanservice, but we have fans of all ages who cheer for us~💕
[Just ignore the questionable dance moves and lyrics about fucking. Shhh.]
Yep, he's been here all along!
We first ran into each other at a clothing store 2 days after being kidnapped. I was incredibly relieved and hugged him out of gratitude, since I thought he was part of a search party sent to rescue me. That didn't turn out to be the case at all, though.
I worry a lot as his partner, of course. Honestly, there have been sleepless nights where I worried myself sick about him. But it's thanks to him that I never get too lonely. We live together, help each other, share everything, and remind each other where we came from. So as long as we have each other, there's no way we'll lose ourselves here.
[Hopefully Natori can handle lovey-dovey talk a little better than Matoba, who Hiyori's currently terrorizing in another thread.
Boy, the material for these paper dolls keeps getting worse. But since he doesn't like it, he'll just ignore it! Problem solved!]
Great! I'll be on the lookout for these paper dolls. They might be made from garbage, but they're charming and cute!
[Of course Matoba can't handle lovey-dovey talk. Matoba has zero sense of romance and never had a feeling he didn't immediately strangle. Not that Natori is bitter.]
I'm glad you can be there for each other. Having someone who can keep you grounded is important, in a place like this. As much as you have to worry about someone you care about being stuck here, it's easier to get through it if you can lean on each other.
[Not just in a moral support way-- since, as established, they're definitely in an ayakashi realm (and the hotel itself is an ayakashi), the most important thing is guarding your heart against weaknesses that the ayakashi can feed off of. It's easier to keep ahold of yourself if you have someone to remind you who you're supposed to be.
Two dolls this time! One of them has more text than most of the previous dolls have, and has no handwriting on it at all. The other one says:]
Waste not, want not!
Hold onto the blank one as an emergency contact-- if you need something exorcism-related, feel free to use it to reach out. It's an easier way to get in contact with me than the PDA.
[And he leaves it there. He won't ask if Natori has anyone like that here himself, since that might just make him feel lonelier if the answer is "no."
He wasn't expecting to receive two dolls this time! Did Natori have an extra-long message to send him that wouldn't fit on just one? No, turns out the answer is something different: one of the dolls is an "emergency contact." For times when he needs something exorcised! Handy.
He'll just ignore the PDA comment. What does that stand for? Who knows!]
Thanks a bunch!
A lot of people charge for their services here, just so you know. But if you don't want chips, I'd be happy to pay you in other things. Like songs, or by treating you to a meal!
Or I could give you some information on the resort, since I've been here quite a while. I'm willing to do that anyway, though. So just let me know when, and we can both play "detective."
[Natori's perfectly fine to abandon the PDA (as he will continue to call it, taking no constructive criticism) half of the conversation; he's not worried about running out of these terrible books any time soon.]
Haha, isn't it the standard everywhere for people to charge for their services? Though I guess it would be nice if people could suspend that sort of thing in the name of working together! With that in mind, I'll kindly take you up on your offer to do an information exchange. I'll be in touch soon.
[and yet: instead he ghosts until the cruise. flaky exorcists.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
paperpusher) wrote2025-06-08 09:26 am
no subject
Of course, I haven't introduced myself! I'm ✨~Hiyori Tomoe~✨! The one and only~💕
"Eve" is one of my idol units back home, so that's where that name comes from. We're a dazzling duo: me, and my partner! Drawn by our sweet whisper, you might just fall into our trap~💕
We can make a tea date in a minute! First, one picture coming right up! ☺️
[Unlike Natori, he doesn't spend half an hour preening himself. He always looks good, and he already groomed himself earlier, so there's no need! But he does run a comb briefly through his hair and throw on a lavender cardigan, posing cutely on his bed. He smiles and winks at the camera, then snaps the photo and sends. No shame, just confidence!]
no subject
Oh, you must be Reira-chan's friend! [Not just because he's introduced himself as the one and only Hiyori, which would be sort of silly if there were multiple here, but because the digging into how the resort functions would line up.] And an idol! While my true career is that of an exorcist, I've also been in some romance movies, so we're a little day job-adjacent! And I do mean real romance movies, not the film productions that this place organized. I was actually the lead in the film adaptations of the Sparkling Detective Akeboshi Koutarou series, so we're naming ourselves similarly too!
[But more importantly: he now has a name and a face, and so around the same time that he hits send on the last text, a simple paper doll comes floating over to Hiyori wherever his bed may be in the resort. On one side is the copyright page for a book called My Master, My Master, and Me Volume 48. On the other is Natori's extremely neat handwriting, with space beneath for room to write back.]
P.S.: If you want to chat more privately, you can write something on this doll. Hold it in your hand and think of my sparkling face and it will come find me. --Natori
no subject
I do think it's the former, but I suppose you're right: there's nothing to say there's not some underground group of people who can use magic. Us land-dwellers couldn't hope to understand, but they have their own secret society down there - you see that sort of thing in manga, children's books and movies!
[Actually, his canon does have an underground population of secret molepeople unbeknownst to him (hi Mayoi). Though they can't do magic.]
Ah, Reira-chan! Yep, I know her. She was a popular singer back home, too, it sounds like.
And you'd know all about the entertainment business, too, I see! I haven't heard of that particular one, but I just *love* detective shows.
I mostly do variety, but I was thinking of branching out into regular acting, since several of us idols do both. Now if I need career advice, I know exactly who to call! ☺️✨
[Then, seeing something in his periphery, he looks up from the type screen.
And then gives a great big jolt when he sees that paper doll floating through the air near him. What on Earth is this?
He inches away from it at first, before he tentatively, tentatively, reaches out a hand towards it. When his fingers graze the paper without being cut or anything, he plucks it from the air and holds it between his hands.
Well, there's one way to prove the guy wasn't kidding about his exorcist powers. This strikes him as a neat ability, and one that should prove useful given the House's constant surveillance. Not that anyone's ever tried to punish him despite the numerous times he's talked about the House's crimes and the possibility of rebellion over the Network...
He studies both the page and the message, before getting up and grabbing a pen from his desk. Time to test it!]
Clever! That seems nice and handy. And it means you get to see my lovely handwriting!
Let me know when you'd like to meet for teatime.
— Hiyori Tomoe
A.k.a "Eve"!
[The "Hiyori Tomoe" isn't just normal handwriting, but his signature.]
no subject
[what is happening in enstars.]
Oh, I hope you get a chance to see it! Sparkling Detective Akeboshi Koutarou is a historical romance mystery series! If you like period pieces, gorgeous costume work, and dramatic suspense, I think you would enjoy it. My costars worked very hard on it, so please support us if you can ✨
I'm afraid I can't sing at all, so I'm doomed to stay on this side of the industry! But I have had the opportunity to work against some idols who crossed over, and I've always been very impressed with their dedication and work! In the meantime, I'll be cheering you and Reira-chan on from the sidelines!
[Timed to arrive alongside the text again (Natori can clearly tell when the dolls are about to arrive, and is holding off on hitting send until they do) a fresh doll comes back to Hiyori. This one has scraps of the last page of a chapter of some sort of torrid romance between a princess and a demon lord on the head and arms. In half of the blank space available, again leaving room for a reply:]
I only arrived fairly recently, so there are a few things I want to look into to get a sense of what we're dealing with. If you're worried about being monitored it'll be safer to chat somewhere with magical protections. I've warded my room if you want to chat there.
[Also, Natori had written his name in katakana, but it's not fair for him to have Hiyori's signature and not vice-versa, right? So another doll immediately follows the previous one, this one made from a page of another erotic novel that had too much text on both sides to be good for passing notes back and forth. In the space available, Natori returns his own autograph. No additional commentary.]
no subject
I'm sorry to hear they gave you a low rank, though. It's possible to move up, but it takes some time.
I've known royals who were assigned a low rank here, if that makes you feel any better. I'm sure *that* was a hard adjustment.
[Idek at this point. Hiyori's childhood friend might be a test tube baby and his roommate's village is Wakanda. Stuff just happens.]
Yep, I do like those things! That sounds like a lovely change of pace from the usual programming here. You must have arrived during that whole movie business, so I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.
Thanks, your support means a lot to us! ☺️💕 I'll let you know when our first concert is scheduled. There should be other talented performers taking the stage, too. Including my own partner!
[And now onto the other part of their messaging.
Goodness. Though there's still something a little uncanny about the paper dolls, they're also fun, convenient and cute! Though the text printed on this one is less "fun and cute" than "silly and trashy." That too is fine, though, since it means the book's owner can comfortably use it as scrap paper without feeling bad. As for the message itself...
Can Natori really guarantee the wards work against the House's spying? He is a newbie, meaning he hasn't seen all that they're capable of. Whether or not he can, Hiyori's never been punished for speaking out against the House or the resort, despite doing so frequently. (He's seldom one for keeping his mouth shut.) So either way, he's game.]
Nice penmanship!
And nice thinking with the wards. That's one handy ability you have.
Very well — let me know when you desire my company, and I'll be on over. If you want to test those wards, I can tell you all sorts of elicit things. I'll "spill the tea," as they say!
And in return, you can tell me all about what you meant when you said the House was an ayakashi. Then it's a nice, fair exchange between two good-looking stars. Does that sound alright?
no subject
[He's never had to share a bathroom in his life. That's really the only issue. ]
Haha, yes, I've noticed this place is rather single-minded. I want to be clear that all of the Akeboshi Koutarou movies-- and truthfully all of my work!-- are accessible for teenagers and young adults.
I heard about the concert! Reira-chan said you were planning on timing it sometime around when a batch of new arrivals come, right? [She was also the one who told him about the pattern of new arrivals, and mentioned Hiyori in the same breath as someone who was looking into the way the hotel operates.] What a nice way to welcome them that will be ✨ Your partner from Eve is here as well?
[That seems... Difficult, maybe, depending on the kind of relationship they have. Natori was wondering how the new arrivals without anyone from back home would handle this place, unless they happened to have a high sex drive and were comfortable hooking up with strangers. Maybe it was just as awkward if the person you knew was someone you worked closely with, who you now have to see in a different light? (He's pretty reserved in his private life, no matter what it looks like as a romance movie star.)
The next doll looks like a title page for yet another erotic novel (an isekai with some very problematic depictions of slavery). Natori has a lot of trashy books to source for spell components.]
It's a date ♥️ [He hand draws the heart and everything.] I'll reach out again soon.
[little does he know he'll have to redo all of his wards as soon as the hotel becomes a cruise, and without his handy stack of gifted shitty books to cannibalize!!]
no subject
Yep, I figured! My work is the same, of course. We do give fanservice, but we have fans of all ages who cheer for us~💕
[Just ignore the questionable dance moves and lyrics about fucking. Shhh.]
Yep, he's been here all along!
We first ran into each other at a clothing store 2 days after being kidnapped. I was incredibly relieved and hugged him out of gratitude, since I thought he was part of a search party sent to rescue me. That didn't turn out to be the case at all, though.
I worry a lot as his partner, of course. Honestly, there have been sleepless nights where I worried myself sick about him. But it's thanks to him that I never get too lonely. We live together, help each other, share everything, and remind each other where we came from. So as long as we have each other, there's no way we'll lose ourselves here.
[Hopefully Natori can handle lovey-dovey talk a little better than Matoba, who Hiyori's currently terrorizing in another thread.
Boy, the material for these paper dolls keeps getting worse. But since he doesn't like it, he'll just ignore it! Problem solved!]
Great! I'll be on the lookout for these paper dolls. They might be made from garbage, but they're charming and cute!
❤️
[He, too, can draw hearts.]
no subject
I'm glad you can be there for each other. Having someone who can keep you grounded is important, in a place like this. As much as you have to worry about someone you care about being stuck here, it's easier to get through it if you can lean on each other.
[Not just in a moral support way-- since, as established, they're definitely in an ayakashi realm (and the hotel itself is an ayakashi), the most important thing is guarding your heart against weaknesses that the ayakashi can feed off of. It's easier to keep ahold of yourself if you have someone to remind you who you're supposed to be.
Two dolls this time! One of them has more text than most of the previous dolls have, and has no handwriting on it at all. The other one says:]
Waste not, want not!
Hold onto the blank one as an emergency contact-- if you need something exorcism-related, feel free to use it to reach out. It's an easier way to get in contact with me than the PDA.
[He means the watch. 2005 problems.]
no subject
[And he leaves it there. He won't ask if Natori has anyone like that here himself, since that might just make him feel lonelier if the answer is "no."
He wasn't expecting to receive two dolls this time! Did Natori have an extra-long message to send him that wouldn't fit on just one? No, turns out the answer is something different: one of the dolls is an "emergency contact." For times when he needs something exorcised! Handy.
He'll just ignore the PDA comment. What does that stand for? Who knows!]
Thanks a bunch!
A lot of people charge for their services here, just so you know. But if you don't want chips, I'd be happy to pay you in other things. Like songs, or by treating you to a meal!
Or I could give you some information on the resort, since I've been here quite a while. I'm willing to do that anyway, though. So just let me know when, and we can both play "detective."
no subject
Haha, isn't it the standard everywhere for people to charge for their services? Though I guess it would be nice if people could suspend that sort of thing in the name of working together! With that in mind, I'll kindly take you up on your offer to do an information exchange. I'll be in touch soon.
[and yet: instead he ghosts until the cruise. flaky exorcists.]