GODLY AUDIENCES - AI MIZUNO

[divus]

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WEEK 2, MONDAY

[divus]

[As Ai enters the parlor, she'll find that the bowl of rice is on a table and half-eaten, so at least Beauty had time for a snack before the mask went back on. There's a table set up with two chairs, tea for both of them and cute little snacks. A vase of white roses sits on the table as well, and from their place in their chair Beauty turns and extends a hand toward Ai.]

Welcome. Mizuno-chan.

[in_a_bottle]

[She shows up holding a drying-out rose, which she sets down before shaking their hand.]

I was told you wanted to speak to me.

[divus]

[They perk up suddenly.]

You spoke with Senri-kun! I did, I did. [They lean forward suddenly, hands folded over one of their knees.] I've wanted to meet you for some time. Are you settling in well?

[in_a_bottle]

As much as anyone else is.

[She doesn't pull back, but she looks like she might, even if she puts on a practised smile.]

After all, even if you're having trouble, you can't give up if you came to win, right?

[divus]

[Interesting...]

Of course not. We never would have extended an offer to anyone we thought might give up early on, even if we didn't exactly expect the game to begin like this. And as an idol I'm sure you have your own goals and experiences in mind?

[in_a_bottle]

Of course.

[She looks away with a small sigh.]

The others back home... well, I thought they were dedicated, but for at least one of them, that just means "stuck in her ways." I don't know if I can keep us rising on my own, even if I'm giving it my all. And when this offer popped up, I thought it was just another thing I could try. You never reject an avenue that'll help.

[divus]

So it was a business strategy. [The god brings a hand to their mouth, curled under their chin as they think.] How many are there in your group? It must take a lot of effort to keep everyone organized.

[in_a_bottle]

Seven of us. We're numbered, zero to six. Iron Frill was five girls, so it's not much different... well, is five girls. All the girls I knew have graduated, though. It's a whole new lineup now.

[divus]

Forgive me, I don't know as much about idols as I'd like. But may I ask why you stayed with a group rather than trying to branch out on your own? Is it that much harder?

[in_a_bottle]

Solo idols are kind of passé nowadays, at least that's what marketing says. With a group, there's always someone a fan likes best or wants to support the most. Idols these days sell their personality as much as their music, and fans feel close to the ones they like and want to help them achieve their dreams. It's that kind of thing.

[divus]

That sounds very familiar, actually. [That's terrifying, but anyway.] If you do win, would you continue with music? Or with the freedom you'd receive would you try for something else?

[You know. Coming back to life and all that. Beauty's never met an actual zombie before, so this is a very intriguing line of thought.]

[in_a_bottle]

I don't know what else I'd do. This is what I dedicated my life to. And my unlife, as stupid as it is. But I just want to be able to live again without having to be afraid that someone's going to see and then bring a mob with torches down on the mansion. My family, my group members, everyone who remembered me only for how I died in front of thousands of people -- if you can all do anything, I had to go for it. That's why.

[divus]

[...well.]

I can see why Merriment took interest in you. [There's another assessing look.] And you should receive the opportunity to live again...a life taken so short is hardly fair.

What about the rest of the girls?

WEEK 3, TUESDAY

[divus]

[In the studio today, Ai will enter and find that there's a small god in pink seated on the floor of the dance studio. The cupcake's next to them with a few bites taken out of it, but as they see Ai they bounce to their feet.]

Mizuno-san! Hey!

[in_a_bottle]

[Ai waves.]

Good morning! I was going to practise in here, but I thought I'd talk to you first. I hear this place is yours.

[divus]

Sure is! Looking at it now I sort of wish I'd made it a little bigger, but I think it's doable. I didn't think there'd be so many of you that're musical types though.

[It's a nice thing, actually.]

[in_a_bottle]

I think it's a common dream, even if not everyone goes for it in their life.

[divus]

Was it always yours? Being an idol takes a lot of work.

[in_a_bottle]

I'm glad someone understands that. It's something I work every minute of my life for. Sometimes literally, since now I don't really need to sleep.

[divus]

You're still working on it here even while the game's going?

[in_a_bottle]

Only amateurs let themselves get rusty. Every fan in the audience is someone you'll be letting down if you aren't doing your best.

[divus]

I get that. [Like. That definitely makes sense.] It's just kind of impressive you're still so dedicated even with all of these distractions. I think that's great.

[in_a_bottle]

Do you mean the people or the constant threat of death?

[divus]

Both. Is one worse than the other?

[in_a_bottle]

Wouldn't it be? A lot of these people... Even if we're competing, I understand them, I think.