1138/Nice to see you too!

Nice to see you too!
Date of Scene:	03 March 2016
Location:	Mitakihara - Easter Corp. Skyscraper
Synopsis:	Utau is finally reunited with her brother, but something doesn't seem quite right..
Cast of Characters:	Utau Hoshina, Ikuto Tsukiyomi

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Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Since returning to Japan, Utau's put in a lot of extra practice time in rehearsing for her big concert. Unfortunately, after a few chance meetings with Kukai, and various failed attempts to locate Ikuto, she was starting to lag behind in her rehearsals..And Yukari was getting impatient with her.

    Standing at the bar in the practice room with her dance instructor, Utau's movements are particularly slow and sloppy today, to the point where the instructor throws up his hands in frustration. "That's it! Take a 15 minute break!" He yells and storms off.

    Moments later, Yukari Sanjou enters the room, looking ready to pull her hair out. "What's going on, Utau? This is totally unacceptable behavior..The concert is coming up in only a few weeks, and you're nowhere near ready!" In spite of her best efforts, Utau ignores her, staring out of the window longingly. Ahh, if only Ikuto were here, she could do anything.

    Yukari is the next to storm out of the room, flinging her hands in the air in exasperation. "Teenagers.." She sighs.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Maybe Utau will see it. She'll probably hear it, at least. Steps going past the dance room, in the hall outside. Slow, methodical steps. If one is the sort to count between them, there is exactly the same amount of time between each step. That's an almost mechanical level of precision. Faked? Maybe. But if she chooses to look, a flash of blue hair is glimpsed as someone passes. Short, fluffy blue hair. Precisely that color... his color!

    Ikuto walks past the door, on his way somewhere. Where? Who knows? He doesn't seem to care. But he's always been stoic. His violin is slung over a shoulder in its white case. And he wears a pair of glasses. Maybe a little odd; when did he need glasses?

    Aside from that he's wearing clothing a little more formal than he usually does. Generally he's just wearing button-down shirts or polo shirts. Now he's wearing a crisp white dress shirt, a dusty blue-green blazer over it, and a pair of black pants. His boots are gone, replaced by the shiny black dress loafers that had made those sharp, staccato taps in the hall outside Utau's dance room.

    He is, however, not alone. Before and behind him, one suited enforcer each walks. It looks like he's being escorted somewhere...

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    It is by sheer chance that Utau happens to turn around and glance at the doorway at precisely the same moment that Ikuto passes by. Wait..Blue hair..A violin..Could it be..?

    "I...Ikuto?" she calls out to him, but he's already gone! "Wait!" and she darts out the room, running after him. The glasses are noted, and at any other time she might have found those strange and out of place. However, right now, she's more concerned with the fact that she hasn't seen him in a really REALLY long time.

    She quickens her pace as she follows after him, noticing the two suited men. But that's nothing out of the ordinary; Utau is often surrounded by body guards. What is strange, is that they are escorting him inside Easter headquarters. What's going on?

    "Hold on!" she calls out as she runs towards them.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    The two enforcers stop to see what the trouble is, and Ikuto follows suit. Strangely enough though, Ikuto doesn't turn. He stands there, silent and still. As if he's merely waiting in line. Waiting his turn to board a subway, or get something at a counter.

    The enforcers turn, however, and the one closest to her inquires politely, "Miss Hoshina. Is there something we can do for you?"

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau narrows her eyes as she looks upon the two enforcers, pointing an accusatory finger at them both. "What's the meaning of this? Where are you taking him?"

    She peers over at Ikuto who remains silent, dressed up in some kind of formal suit. Where's he heading, to a recital? Come to think of it, Utau had recently come across a promotionary poster featuring Ikuto, due to perform some violin solo. But..There's something odd about him. He's always been quiet, stoic even. Now he's not even responding. Oh, he's probably just exhausted, like she is.

    Not waiting for a response from the two enforcers, Utau rushes up to Ikuto, attempting to grab him by the upper arms as she faces him. "Ikuto! Where have you been? I...I missed you so much!!" And then..Then she wraps her arms around him attempting to give him a desperate, heartfelt hug, half expecting the usual evasive treatment she's grown used to from her stand-offish big brother.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    "We've been asked to bring him to the laboratory level," one of the enforcers replies. Utau's tantrums are legendary, and he doesn't want to be on the receiving end of one. It's not that they're afraid she'll scream. It's that LOOK. That 'I am plotting your demise and it will be a very creative one that will leave you begging for death' look. Nobody wants that levelled at them.

    As for Ikuto? He is again unresponsive as Utau hugs him. On the other hand, he's not pushing her away, or making excuses to escape. Should she look up? His eyes are absolutely dead. There's no light there. His expression is slack, and he almost seems to not be able to open his eyes all the way.

    He must be tired, yes. Has to be the reason, right?

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Yeah, damn straight! She gives them a defiant look, letting them know that she's likely to raise hell if they tick her off! However, the response she gets from them might just upset her just as well.

    "Wait..what? Laboratory level? What for!? What's the meaning of all of this?!" Yeah, looks like she might just throw a tantrum either way. Whatever's going on here has her upset already!

    Glancing back at Ikuto, she's surprised when he doesn't resist, but even more surprised when she sees the dead look in his eyes. What's this? He seems so...Empty. Her initial excitement at seeing him is quickly replaced by concern and worry.

    "Ikuto? What's wrong with him? Have you been working him to death.? He seems..I dunno, exhausted!" yes, it must be sheer exhaustion, they're probably working him to death. She thought they had banished his violin playing, but perhaps they're making him play himself to death, the way they're making Utau sing herself to death.

    Even so..She's got a bad feeling about this, for some reason. Something's..Not quite right. Utau tries her hardest to push those queasy feelings away, not wanting to believe the worst about this.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    The enforcer in the front almost visibly sweatdrops. "They're measuring energy output, that's all," he tries to soothe Utau. "Not to worry. He's being taken care of well. Aren't you?" A look to Ikuto. "Ease your sister's mind a little, will you?"

    "...Yes." A slow blink. "You have no need to worry, Utau. This is necessary." His voice is soft and quiet, as it always is. But the air of bitterness that usually haunts them is gone. And they sound a little like... well, let's just say it wouldn't be out of place to hear that tone on the other end of a phone when one's call 'cannot be completed as dialed'.

    The two enforcers look at each other worriedly. Clearly they're hoping this does it. They don't really know what's been going on with Ikuto either. All they know is he's been compliant. Less trouble for them. Which means less chance of getting reprimanded or fired.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau frowns. She knows her brother, even if he doesn't always make sense, even to her. "Energy output, huh. You've been overworking him too long." But more than that, she cant shake the feeling that there's more to it than that.

    Glancing back at Ikuto, she frowns again when he answers almost robotically, compliantly. TOO compliant. Where's that air of defiance she's used to? Even if they express it in different ways..?

    "Leave us. I need to speak with my brother. Alone. I'm sure you can measure his energy outputs later." She folds her arms as she glares threateningly at the to enforcers.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Another look between the two enforcers, this one almost panicked. "He's important. Director-san wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize his productivity," one of the enforcers offers, trying to placate the girl. And yes, as cold as that sounds, that's probably true. If Ikuto's completely out of energy he can't work. And if he can't work, he's of no use. So it's unlikely he'd be flogged TOO hard. Figuratively speaking.

    The request gets a sound from the other enforcer, a sort of, "Bu..." Like he was going to interrupt. "We really can't do that, Miss Hoshina... we've got orders to bring him to the lab..." But there's a very distinct hedging to the tone...

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau glares at the two of them. She doesn't have a lot of time before she has to return to practice, herself. "Seriously, what's the hurry? Am I not allowed even five minutes alone with my brother? I dont think that's asking too much. Heck, I'll bring him to the lab myself if I must!"

    She really doesn't like this, but she hasn't seen Ikuto in so long. As if she's gonna just let him go like that. "If he's been overworked, then I'm sure having a five minute break to chat with his sister is exactly what he needs!"

    Now Utau is the one to get impatient. She's probably putting a lot of people - Ikuto included - in trouble, but she's waited far too long to let him slip through her fingers again!

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Again the two enforcers look between each other. It's a clear 'WHAT DO?!' look. The situation is getting desperate for them. They really didn't want to risk the diva's wrath. But Ikuto's not going anywhere. Besides that, if they keep refusing, Utau will keep arguing. And she'll keep them a lot longer than her promised 'five minutes'.

    Ultimately they choose the path of least resistance. "...Just... not too long, please, Miss Hoshina." With a rather panicked look, the enforcers begin to leave the hallway, slowly.

    And all that time, Ikuto doesn't speak to defend himself, doesn't respond. Not until one of the enforcers speaks directly to him. "Don't keep the technicians waiting too long, Ikuto."

    "Understood."

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    "Hmph!" She glares at the enforcers as they finally give in to her..Err..Charm? "Fine..I wont take too much of his 'precious' time! Now, run along or I'll have to take up more of your time!" grr. Damn straight!

    She waits until the enforcers are finally gone, before she looks back at Ikuto, even dares to attempt to remove those weird glasses from his face so she can get a better look at his eyes. "Ikuto? They're gone now. Tell me, what's wrong? You seem really..Out of it. More than just exhaustion. Have they treated you badly? I mean, more than usual..?" Sure, they always work the siblings hard, but this..?

    "And that violin..Are they allowing you to play now?" It should be a good thing that they've given back his greatest love - the love of music. However, it seems a bitter victory somehow.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Ikuto finally turns his eyes to Utau, when she removes his glasses. He doesn't try to stop her or retrieve the glasses from her. It's the same Ikuto, yes. No mistaking that. His hair is the same, his scent is the same. His eyes, though. They're the same color, yes. But they're just the same without the glasses on. If he's tired, he must be really tired...

    The questions draw a slow blink. "Nothing is wrong. My needs have been seen to." The question of the violin draws another pause. He blinks. "Yes." It's a very short answer. But at least it's a functional answer.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau stares intently at Ikuto, noticing how very very VERY tired he looks! It really concerns her. "You look really tired. Are you sure they haven't been overworking you?" staring at his eyes then at the glasses, with a sigh, Utau finally tucks them into the breast pocket of his jacket.

    His response seems even weirder. So..So formal, so lacking in emotion. "Ikuto, if there's something you want to tell me..." Utau seems pretty sad now, as she grabs him by the shoulders and shakes him a little. "Just tell me! Quit being so scared of these jerks! As long as we stick together we can survive here, somehow..I..."

    She lets go slowly, her arms hanging limply at her sides, head hung low. She hadn't seen him in so long, had almost forgotten what he was like, but surely he still possessed some defiance in his demeanor! But this? "I missed you so much. But I guess I didn't expect you to be happy to see me. I mean, you always pushed me away...Why are you so mean!!"

    Little tears well in her eyes. She knows she doesn't have much time, and sooner or later, Yukari will yell at her to continue her own practice sessions.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Ikuto may have always pushed her away in the past. Always tried to stay away from her. But he isn't going that here. Here and now? There's so little that's visible of the him that Utau might remember here. It wouldn't be a surprise if Utau would have actually preferred that to this. At least he showed some fire... some emotion. Had he really changed this much in the long time they'd been away? Had his fire dimmed? What had changed him?

    Then... those tears in Utau's eyes... tears she's too proud to let fall, even in front of Ikuto. His countenance changes, just a little. His eyes widen ever so slightly, his mouth opening as if in slight surprise. "...Utau."

    Suddenly there's a very slight wince from the boy, just a split second, and he emits a soft, "--Ghn." And then?

    The traces of emotion are gone, as if they were never there.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Indeed, Utau remembers the fire in his persona. At least in the Ikuto she once knew and loved. This new Ikuto is..Honestly, frightenning, heart breaking. What have they done to him? Sure, he allows her to hug him, but indeed, she may well have preferred when he pushed her away, if only because it's what she expected. But who is this near-stranger in front of her now?

    She narrows her eyes, fiercely brushing the tears away from her face. How..Weak. Crying in front of him like that. For a moment, Utau had lost it, but no more. He had once taught her to be tough, to be strong. Not to let them get to her, and this is no reason to change that. No, she will figure out what's wrong, somehow.

    And then, for a moment, she glimpses a hint of emotion in his voice. It's ever so slight, but something, whatever it is, is different in him. "Ikuto..?" But just as quickly, it's gone again. She frowns, taking a step back. "Has it really been so long? I didn't think you could change so much. And the violin? They're allowing you to play it now? Doesn't that make you happy?" She nods towards the violin case, wondering if she might glimpse that spark of emotion if she mentions it.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Ikuto tilts his head slightly as Utau speaks his name. But he doesn't answer verbally. Not until she speaks again, asks him if it's really been that long. "It has," he agrees quietly. Little does she know he's been keeping an eye on her from afar. Not that he'd tell her that, even if he was in his right mind.

    As for the violin? "Director-san would like me to play in your band at your next concert," he mentions. "The laboratory technicians have assured him that the productivity of such a venture would be more than double normal, and he wants to see this for himself."

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    "Oh..." She nods silently, still a little downcast at his strange behavior. Of course, Utau has no idea he's been watching her from afar, keeping an eye out for her. Perhaps it would have made her happier to know that he had his reasons for keeping his distance, but he was always very stoic, very mysterious even towards her.

    When he mentions that he will be playing in her band at her next concert, she lights right up, "Really? You're really going to be there? Oh, I'm so happy!" almost enough to forget his odd behavior. Almost.

    She's about to say more, to tell him how her brief trip out of Japan went, when her manager comes running up to her, furious, "Utau! Enough slacking off! Get back to work..Now!"

    It's enough to make her hair stand on end, and she's tempted to yell back at her, but..It seems her five minutes are up, and perhaps now she will have the motivation to practice hard for that concert. "Fine! I'm coming..." She starts to walk away, but pauses briefly, glancing over her shoulder. "Ikuto, I look forward to playing with you...You'd better be there!" he is given the briefest of smiles, before she runs off.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Ikuto nods once to Utau's statement. Or was that an ultimatum? With Utau, it's likely to be the latter! However, he responds, "I will." He pauses, turns to watch Utau go back to her practice. An echo of something thrums in his chest, and he frowns. But he hears it again... that sharp, high pitched whine. It drowns out all else but his orders. And his orders are 'go to the labs'.

    The frown slipping from his face like egg off a teflon-coated wall, he turns again, and heads in the direction of the labs. He can't help but feel like there's something he's trying to remember. Something important. But he can't, not past the whine in his head...