1303/Behind The Scenes

Behind The Scenes
Date of Scene:	01 April 2016
Location:	Uminari City - Central Harbor
Synopsis:	Mikoto sneaks in backstage after a secret concert performed by Ikuto and Utau, determined to meet with Ikuto and get to the bottom of all of this.
Cast of Characters:	Utau Hoshina, Mikoto Nakajima, Ikuto Tsukiyomi

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Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau and Ikuto had just finished another concert - this time it was a secret concert where only a select few of the public were given special invites. Not only were potential audience members screened, but the location itself was kept secret, carefully hidden in one of the many warehouses at the docks. It was a lovely concert, featuring a special edition of only a select number of duet songs by Utau and Ikuto.

    The performance had ended as always, with a cheering, adoring crowd. And for Easter, that cumulated in once again another fine catch of lovely X-eggs, albeit a slightly smaller batch this time, but hopefully of better quality.

    As the performance ends, the lights stay dark a few moments longer as Utau does her best to collect some of the X-eggs under cover of the partial darkness, lit up only by the occasional flash of strobe lights. Small black wings form on her shoulder blades as she chara changes with Iru.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Not having spotted any other heroes in the arena tonight, Mikoto keeps quiet when the egg-harvesting starts. She herself is unhurt by it, of course, but it still rankles that she has to let it pass by. Getting to Ikuto is far more important to her, however.

As the crowd begins to thin, she starts making her way towards the dressing rooms. If anyone asks where she's going, she'll claim she's looking for a toilet, and got turned around in the hubbub.

Her fingers flex as she clutches Carnwennan's amulet-form, hanging around her neck, and she stifles the urge to get up and fight. There will be other days to deal with that.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Even with the concert over, Ikuto standing out of sight backstage, he still does his job. For his own part, Ikuto's violin glows brightly purple as he adds his strength to Utau's. Her extracting them, his violin controlling them. He tries to draw the eggs over to her so that she might find it easier to collect them. He's dressed in the same sort of finery that he was at the last concert... and his eyes are just as dead.

    Little does any of the stage crew know that there's a tiny little invader backstage. The advantage is his, since few can see him. Yoru sneaks behind the curtain, just as he and Mikoto had planned, and makes for one of the amplifiers. It's not the biggest thing on the stage, but it's still much bigger than he is. Yoru pushes the back as hard as he can, but it's near impossible to budge. Even still, he keeps trying. "Nrrrrrrgh... c'mon, tip over-nya..." he pants, shoving the thing with all his might.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau is likewise, not terribly thrilled at having to perform and win the hearts of hundreds of adoring fans, only to be forced to steal their dreams and potential futures in thanks for it all. However, it cannot be helped. She's long ago accepted her fate. But it doesn't mean she wont continue to try and free Ikuto from this hopelessness.

    When the performance ends, she simply nods to Ikuto. "I'm heading to the dressing room." And then she and Iru head back. It seems that Eru is still hidden in her egg, still moping over the events of some time back - and no doubt, her continued disapproval of what Utau is doing even now.

    As she passes the amplifier, Iru grins at Yoru, "Need a hand?"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto makes her way through the crowd, finally ending up close to the dressing rooms, and waits patiently for the moment of distraction Yoru had promised. She's ready to move on a moment's notice, and Uncle John is not far off, keeping watch on the stagehands and security.

The moment she gets the signal, she'll slip inside to look for Ikuto. With luck he'll be in the dressing room, or not far...

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Ikuto nods to Utau as she passes, but has no reaction apart from that. That's what he'd told her, right? That a large part of his mind goes to channeling the violin's power, pretty much at all times. So he's not likely to be very... interactive. Maybe it's worrying to see him like that... but Ikuto had told her not to worry, right...?"

    He remains where he is, violin glowing brightly, until as many of the X-Eggs as possible are collected. And once the violin stops glowing, he wobbles on his feet. One of the stagehands quickly catches him. "All right you. Go sit down. I'm not carrying you," the stagehand states. Ikuto heads to a dressing room backstage. Sits in a chair. And waits for his next command.

    Back on stage, Yoru s trying hard to push over the amplifier, when a voice startles him. "NYAAA!" Flail! He looks in Iru's direction, tailfur fluffed out as he expects to have to fight her. But instead... she offers help? the fur onhis tail stops bristling, and he nods. "Yeah! I didn't think this would be so heavy-nya." He'll wait 'till Iru's in position to push the amplifier, he counts out, "One.... two... THREE!" He starts to push on three.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau is busy on stage only a moment later, helping to take down the microphones and stageset if only to keep herself a bit busy. She notices the blank stare in Ikuto's eyes and as always, it worries her. But there's not much she can do about it..Well, hopefully Mikoto will be able to talk to him at least. Perhaps he will respond to her?

    She's about to continue on to her own dressing room, when Ikuto starts to wobble a bit. Eyes widen and she rushes to his side. "Ikuto!" but it seems that one of the stagehands catch him first. She sighs, turning away, "Yes, please rest. I'll handle the rest." For a while longer, Utau is busy having to collect the rest of the X-eggs, piling them into large bags. They're pretty light, but they take up considerable space.

    As for Iru, she barely pays attention to her as she heads backstage to load them in the storage room for now. Iru for her part, just grins wickedly at Yoru, and nods, helping him to push the amplifier right on cue! fortunately, between the two of them, they are able to knock the amplifier over, resounding in a large CRASH! and probably a spark of electricity if it manages to interfere with cables and other plug-ins.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
With various stagehands and others rushing to deal with the sudden accident, Mikoto makes her move.

The best way to be invisible is to look like you belong there, so that's what she does. She doesn't try to sneak in, she just picks up a clipboard and walks in, casually making notes on the paper as she goes.

Once she's backstage, she starts looking for Ikuto, starting with the dressing rooms.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Yoru crows a victory call when the amplifer goes over. "YEAH! We did it-nya!" And then suddenly stagehands are coming over! "Uh-oh... scram!" he suggests to Iru, just before he makes to do just that himself. He's going for the dressing rooms too, looking for Mikoto as he does.

    Ikuto is in one of the dressing rooms, yes. He's doing absolutely nothing. He's not primping, he's not getting makeup off. He'd just... sitting in a chair, with his hands folded in his lap. His violin is nowhere to be seen.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Iru grins and winks at Yoru, "Well, that was fun!" she nods and scrambles away, even though it's not likely many of the people here will be able to see either one of them. Even so, there are a few members of Easter who can, so it's best to play it safe!

    As for Utau, she is pretty busy stocking X-eggs, ensuring they're all packed in boxes and ready to go. Yukari Sanjou is there of course, chatting about the performance and how she and Ikuto did such a great job for once, totally unaware of what else is going on. Utau however, doesnt seem to be listenning and with a sigh, she gets up, and walks out of the room. "Utau! Where are you going?" Yukari calls after her, but she knows better than to harass Utau after such a long day and so she lets her go.

    The blonde walks slowly down the hallway, quietly noting the little 'distraction' and she lingers a moment in the hallways, keeping an eye on Ikuto's dressing room but not entering yet. She knows perfectly well what's going on 'behind the scenes', but she also knows that Mikoto would probably like some 'private time' with Ikuto. Afterall, they are 'In Love', an experience that Utau longs for herself, and yet now realizes she may never get the opportunity..

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
it doesn't take Mikoto too terribly long to find Ikuto's dressing room. Or, well, sitting room, as it appears to be at the moment. She takes a quick glance around the room for the violin, before walking over towards him.

As she reaches Ikuto, she drops to one knee before him and looks up into his eyes. "Ikuto? Are you okay? It's me."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Ikuto's eyes are just this side of unfocused, and show little spark in them. Glassy, but their catchlights are gone totally. It's as though there's nothing behind his eyes. He has no reaction to Mikoto's presence at first. It takes him a few moments to move, to acknowledge her. But then he angles his head down, to meet her gaze. His words, though, might be somewhat surprising.

    "...Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in this area."

    His voice is flat and hollow, and possesses no life. He sounds like a machine.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau continues to patrol outside the dressing room, making sure they are not disturbed. Fortunately, mostly everyone is busy cleaning up and putting equipment away. Soon it feels pretty lonely out here in the darkenned hallways, and not even Iru is at her side right now, busy playing around with Yoru somewhere, no doubt.

    She leans against the door a little, trying to see if she can hear what they're talking about, but it seems Ikuto is giving her a hard time. Utau is again distracted as one of the stage hands comes down the hall, searching for Ikuto. She's kept busy a moment longer, interjecting with him as he gives her a couple of autographs for Ikuto to sign, probably from his friends in the audience, or kids. Who knows?

    "Fine, I'll bring it to him, you can go back to work now.." Fortunately the stage hand leaves her and she steps up to Ikuto's door, hesitating a moment longer, not wanting to interrupt at the wrong time.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto nods briefly. "Yes, that's correct." Then she turns the clipboard around to show what she's written on it:

The undersigned is hereby authorized to go wherever she wishes under any and all circumstances.

It is, of course, signed with her name.

"So you see, I'm not unauthorized. Now, I want to talk to Ikuto."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Ikuto's not really saying too much, so there's not a whole lot that would indicate 'the wrong time', so there's that. He's still quite firmly being that flat, unemotional persona he shows when he's channeling that violin.

    He pauses though, as he views the 'authorization'. Blinks. He seems to be somewhat confused. He looks back to her. "I am Ikuto. What do you wish to say?" He hasn't called the guards yet, at least.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau waits impatiently outside the room a moment longer and sighs as she hears little activity going on inside. What are they waiting for? This is supposed to be their tearful reunion! And although Utau feels a bit bitter, heck even jealous that she could never experience what they had, she decides finally that maybe they just need a push in the right direction!

    And with that, she knocks rapidly on the door, clearing her throat. "Ikuto! I have a delivery from some of your fans! I'm coming in!" she tries the door, finding to her relief that it is unlocked, although she probably could have found a key if she wanted.

    Then finally she steps in, glancing sidelong at Mikoto with a brief nod, before slapping the autographs on the dressing table.

    "Really, Ikuto.." She sighs, frustrated with him, clearly. But she makes sure to close and lock the door behind her before she continues. "It's been a long time since you've seen her. Is that all you can say? She's missed you, was worried about you. Does this meeting not spark even the slightest emotion!?"

    Perhaps it is Eru whom she is channeling right now, because the little angel has finally popped out of her shell for a bit.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto looks up briefly as Utau enters, then relaxes a little as she realizes it isn't a guard or anyone else who's likely to repor her presence.

"Ikuto. Wake the heck up. Please." She tries to keep her voice down, to avoid alerting anyone outside the dressing room.

If she had her way, she'd just grab him and teleport out. But with him in this state, she daren't.

"Listen to me. Come on."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
    Utau's arrival draws Ikuto's gaze up, and he pauses again. Blinks. Her words bring a look of confusion, a raised brow. Then he looks at Mikoto again, as she speaks up. Something's there, just beyond his reach. He remembers her... but it's not clear how or why. He can't reach it, the whine in his head is far too loud...

    But he tries anyway. Something makes him chase the tail of that thought. Where is it? Where does he remember her from. He feels like he can trust her. Wake up? But he's awake. He's not sleeping. What does she mean...?

A wince, as a pain shoots through his skull. Ow. That hurt. And it just hurts more when he tries to think past it.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau also stares long and hard at Ikuto, having been convinced that if anyone could break the spell it would be his lady love..Of course, she knows next to nothing about love, except that she now suffered a broken heart from a little emotion that was cut short before it could bloom..

    "Ikuto. Wake up! Mikoto LOVES you! Don't you remember that? She would risk her life for you.." Yep, she is definitely channeling Eru right now, and those little angel wings that now sprout from her shoulderblades confirm it.

    She leans forward, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I know it hurts, whatever they're doing to you, but you have to be strong. Come back to us..Remember who we are. Remember the ones who love you!"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto clenches her fists, so tight that her nails dig into her palms, almost enough to draw blood. "What in the Sankt Kaiser's name did they do to you, Ikuto?"

She stares at him for a minute, as if simple eye contact might break through and connect their minds, somehow.

Then she gets inspired - probably by what Utau says. After all, it left him dumbfounded when she did it before. And isn't it kind of traditional?

She reaches up to cup his cheeks gently in her hands... leans forward... and her lips meet his, a simple, soft kiss, sweet and chaste. "Please," she whispers. "Please come back to me."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Utau's words push through more, and Ikuto tries to remember. It hurts. God, does it hurt. The whine beats down relentlessly in his head, shattering fragile thoughts like glass. But he can pick up things. Bits and pieces, here and there. A face, before the whine shatters it. A conversation, before the whine breaks the words into garbled pieces. Through it all the wince is still there. He's trying...

And then there's that kiss...

Ikuto's eyes go wide, and he draws in a breath. He tenses.

For a split second, he remembers. Everything. Utau. Mikoto. Amu taking possession of Yoru. Trying to make Kazuomi believe he didn't have Yoru anymore. And... the blow to the back of his neck that dropped him...

Elsewhere, though, this is being monitored. And those monitoring don't like what they see. Dials are turned up... and the whine grows louder. And there will soon be to people coming to see what's caused it.

As for Ikuto, this would have been shocking even if he hadn't been in this state. For all his act that he's such a horrible filthy person, he's... really not. It's just that, an act. The shock is palpable. If she's still looking, Mikoto might see his eyes return to normal...

The voices. He knows them. He leans back, looking at the two of them as if surprised to see them. And damned if he isn't blushing. Hell of a way to 'wake up'! "...Mikoto? Utau?"

...Sadly, it's only for a moment.

Then he's curling up in his chair, gripping the sides of his head, emitting a choked sound of pain. "...The... tone..." he manages.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau clenches at her skirt, watching Ikuto tensely. For a moment he seems to hear her, really listen, but is it enough? And then, Mikoto leans forward and..Kisses him. Eru squeaks, peeking from behind Utau's shoulder, her halo positively glowing.

    "It's true love! Ikuto and Mikoto! How lovely!" she swoons.

    And Utau has to turn away for a moment or two, blushing profusely at the blatant display of love between the two of them. It's something she's only ever dreamed of, and a kiss that she nearly shared with someone. But he was just a bad penny, waiting to break her heart. Perhaps? Perhaps not? Who knows, but for now, that pain is still in her heart.

    After a moment, Utau chances to glance back at the pair of them, and notices a change in Ikuto's features. There's a spark of life in his eyes once again. But it's brief. He calls their names and she leans forward, a flicker of hope in her eyes.

    "Ikuto..? Do you remember now?" then suddenly he's curling and cringing in pain. She narrows her eyes, peering around, straining her ears to hear that tone, but hears nothing. "Mikoto. You have to get him out of this place. Whatever this tone is...They must be doing something to him. You must get him somewhere safe! Only then can you break their control!"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto keeps hold of him, not wanting to lose that contact, even as he struggles against the distant controller.

"Fight it," she whispers, desperate. "Please, Ikuto-kun, you're stronger than them, better than them!"

She racks her mind, hunting for something to try to block the control signal, but she doesn't know enough about how they're doing it. All she has is the bare hints that he's given. The violin is nowhere in sight, and that was her only clue to how it was getting to him.

<~Carnwennan. Scan for telepathic signals, dark energy wavelengths, anything pushing at him... full spectrum. We've got to get a grip on this!~>

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Ikuto shakes his head at Utau's words of taking him away from here, trying to stand. He quite literally falls over the chair in the process, and he doesn't get far. He tries to shake free of Mikoto's grip, the movement frightened, frantic. Then he pauses, to take a breath. "N-no...!" he insists. "They'll... find you... You won't be... safe with me...!" He'd continue the charade that he'd asked for this... but right now he needs to get them away from here, before the enforcers come to find out why his energy levels are fluctuating again.

Carnwennan might be able to pick it up, faintly. It's an odd signal, probably contributing to the faintness. It's a sound wave, but resonating on a magical frequency. For some reason Ikuto's mind is susceptible to it. Blocking it would take a lot of energy, and the only way to stop it would be to find the source.

Ikuto shakes his head again. "...G-go...! Before they... find you here...!" A fight breaking out here would be a bad thing, after all, for a number of reasons...

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau's eyes widen, her heart breaking as she sees Ikuto in so much pain. "No! I cant give up now! We're so close! Run away with Mikoto, leave Easter to me! I promise, I'll work extra hard, hard enough that they wont need you anymore to collect X-eggs. So please!"

    She looks at Mikoto. "Take him away from all of this. Give him a better future than this. At least he has you, you can protect him, cant you?"

    Finally, Utau glares back at Ikuto rather stubbornly, shaking her head. "I'm not giving up on you, I wont let them hurt you anymore!" She has no intention of fighting, but she has no intention of letting Ikuto suffer anymore, either.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
"Safe without you isn't living, Ikuto-kun!" Mikoto whispers. "It's just not worth it!"

She has to try to block the signal, to protect him, despite knowing that she's unlikely to be able to improvise a strong enough block for long enough to matter.

A brief glance at Utau, and she nods. "Whoever is doing this to him needs to hurt," she mutters.

Standing, she reaches down to take Ikuto's hand in hers and pull on him. "Come on. We're leaving."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
It's the last thing Ikuto wanted-- Mikoto and Utau in danger. Mikoto would be hunted until they found him. And God only knows what they'd put Utau through for letting him go. He has no choice... he wants to go, to leave here. But he can't let them do this. Not for him. He's not worth the trouble they'd be put through. There's only one thing he can do...

He stops fighting. There will be another time for fighting. He'll get another chance, he's sure of it. But it can't be like this...

The thoughts that were keeping the whine at bay dissolve, and the increased volume fills his head, pushing everything away. The wince fades immediately, and he merely wobbles when pulled at. He stands, however. Though he doesn't move. His eyes are back to that glassy, unfocused look, nothing behind them.

And just after that, footsteps are heard outside the door, and a knock sounds. "DL? Are you all right?" someone asks, through the door. "We've been asked to come and check on you. The techs said they saw something the matter."

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau nods silently to Mikoto. Yes, that's the idea! Get him out of here! Someplace safe..Unfortunately she doesnt know what's causing this signal, or whatever it is. Somehow, she has to find it and destroy it! "Ikuto, where's your violin? Is the signal coming from there?"

    She starts searching around his room, but stops when she realizes how easy that would be. "No..They would control him from someplace well hidden. There must be something else, a control room.."

    Mikoto tugs on him to stand up, to run away with him and she nods. "Yes! Get him out of here! I'll figure out some kind of diversion!" and then...There's knocking at the door. Utau freezes. No! Not now!

    "what do you want? We're busy in here, having a private conversation. Ikuto just has a headache and I'm trying to give him a head massage to make him feel better. Please leave!"

    Her heart beats rapidly. Utau knows that there's a chance they'll see through that, that they might burst in here. Security's probably ramped up, and it'll be hard to escape now.

    Dammit!

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto falls silent while Utau tries to send the guards away. Now she's getting worried, she'd hoped she could get through to Ikuto, but it seems it isn't going to be quite so easy.

It's time to think fast, and be cunning. Teleporting out is the first thing that comes to mind. But it takes time, even if not a lot. And distance doesn't seem to affect whatever's controlling Ikuto. So it wouldn't actually get him away from whatever's doing this to him. No, she'll need to track it to its source and find some way to deal with it there.

"Remember," she hisses, her mind made up. "There have been no unauthorized persons present."

And then she ducks into the closet and slides the door shut!

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Mikoto's suddenly in the closet, and it's just Ikuto and Utau. He goes back to his chair and sits, and Utau is free to position herself to look like she's actually massaging his temples if she wishes. He will sit quiet if she does.

As it turns out Mikoto's hidden herself not a moment too soon. The door is swiftly unlocked and a suited enforcer comes in. Looks around. Then looks at Ikuto. "I got notification that there was a problem." Then the enforcer looks at Utau. "Is everythigng all right?" Ikuto remains silent, as he wasn't asked the question.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau sighs, watching as Mikoto scrambles for the closet. She moves over to behind Ikuto and starts to massage his head, trying to appear busy when the guards rush in. She glares at them, looking quite irritated at the intrusion.

    "What notification? Neither of us called for security. Everything here is fine! Probably just faulty wiring or something. Now leave us be, before I lose my patience!"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
In the closet, Mikoto tries to hold her breath to keep as quiet as possible. Surely, they can hear her heart racing, pounding in her chest? No, she tells herself, that's stupid, but her heart declines to listen to such reason.

Go away, she thinks viciously at the security goons. Can't you see I'm trying to help him?

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Utau's hostility has always been a great weapon, particularly in times like this. The enforcer has probably heard stories about Ikuto's fearsome diva sister, because when she snaps out those words, the enforcer flinches as if she's taken a swing! With a quiet clearing of throat, the enforcer replies, "Well, um..." Cough. "I'll... ask them to do a diagnostic on their equipment then..." The enforcer turns as if about to leave... but then pauses. Casts a gaze around the room. That gaze stops... on the closet. Peeeeeeeers. Ultimately...

The enforcer turns to leave, shutting the door behind.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau continues to give the enforcer the death glare, unblinking, until he turns and leaves. ~Good riddance~ she thinks. However, she doesn't move a muscle until she hears the enforcers' footsteps fading completely.

    Finally, drawing a deep breath, she walks over to the closet, slowly openning it. "That was close. We need to get him out of here, before they come back. If we try to interfere with Ikuto's mind control they'll continue to suspect. I just wish I knew what they're doing to him and how to stop it..."

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
As the closet door opens, it reveals Mikoto in a defensive stance, ready to engage in hand-to-hand combat with a sneaky guard! Fortunately for her it's 'just' Utau.

"We're clear for now?" she murmurs, then nods in reply. "I'm not sure how it works... I think they're projecting something into his head, but... blocking it isn't going to be easy, and until we can do that..."

She isn't giving up on him. She's just acknowledging that it isn't going to be a simple solution.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau nods softly to Mikoto, listenning to her theories with a soft frown. "So..They're emitting some sort of frequency into his mind that only he can hear for some reason..?" she shakes her head. This is..So sick and twisted! How DARE they torture her brother like this!?

    "Then the only way to free him for sure, is to find that instrument, and destroy it. However, I've no idea where to start looking, unless of course it's hidden in the laboratory. They seemed to be taking him there for regular...'Testing'." Her eyes darken at that thought, "So this is what they were doing all along."

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto nods, clenching her fists in barely-contained fury. Somehow, she's managing to focus on it as a tactical problem, one of her games, despite her own emotional investment in the situation.

"It probably is. But getting in and getting at it... that's going to be a lot harder than this. And there's nothing that says they can't just build another if we wreck it."

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau sighs tiredly, flopping into a nearby chair. "So what, we cant save him until we destroy Easter? Is there no other way? They must have implanted something in him to control him like that. Or used magic..If there was a way to bring back his memories, maybe he could fight it. I think we may need extra help on this one."

    Unfortunately, Utau doesn't have a lot of allies in the magical community, and fewer friends outside of her fans who are not really 'friends', just admirers from afar. This is gonna be harder than she thought.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto does have allies, but there are fairly few she can actually trust with something like this. "I ... damnit. I want to just take him away from all this. I want to, so badly, Hoshino-san."

She turns her head to look at Ikuto. "We got through to him for a moment, there. So no, it isn't hopeless."

Frequency... sound... There's an idea teasing at the edge of her mind, percolating through, not quite there yet.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau nods, "Yes. We nearly did. He was starting to remember, was starting to break through. But then the pain got worse. Is there no way to save him without killing him?" her eyes narrow angirly, determined. Easter is a monster! But her thoughts are going the same way as Mikoto's perhaps, instantly recognizing the connection between sound and music.

    "You know, I use sound and music to influence peoples' emotions and draw out X-eggs from them. I wonder if it's somehow connected? I wonder if he has an X-egg inside him? X-eggs can destroy a person's dreams, make them feel full of hopelessness and despair."

    Unfortunately, Utau is not even aware of her own ability to purify people of X-eggs, although it doesn't mean Eru couldnt help her to do it. She is an angel afterall..

    "There's another theory I was considering. There's a song I used to sing to Ikuto as a child. It was a calming song. I wonder if that would be enough to jog his memory?"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
"Maybe," Mikoto muses. "If your music can control energy on that scale..." There's another idea chasing the first around inside her head, now, the two connecting together.

~(Carnwennan, record as much of that signal as possible. And Hoshino-san's as well, anything from her or her song.)~

The girl returns to her perch in front of Ikuto. "I think it could help, yes." She takes his hand and looks up into his eyes.

"Please... Ikuto-kun... love... come back to me."

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau nods again, confidently. "Of course. I can control negative energy on a pretty large scale, using Iru's chara change. It's how I draw out peoples' hearts eggs and corrupt them into X-eggs." She's not really boasting, although Utau is proud of her powers. Still, the way it comes out makes it sound more like she's proud of hurting so many people. She frowns a little as she realizes this a bit too late.

    "I mean, not that I wanted to corrupt peoples' dreams.." after a while, Utau just gives up, clenching her fists. "The point is..Let's just give this a go!" she holds out her hand, beckoning Eru to join her, who is of course all too eager to be at her side, especially after such a long time of separation. "Let's do this then..I just hope I'm doing the right thing.."

    For a moment, she seems uncertain, fearful of what harm it may do to Ikuto, but she has to try, right? When Eru chara-changes with her, small white angel wings sprout from her shoulder blades, strengthening her resolve as Eru's halo lights up. "Ahh, love is in the air..Let's reunite the lovers!" Drawing a deep breath, Utau begins to sing a sweet and gentle song, so unlike the hardcore songs she sings in her concerts:

    ~The dream bud flourishes and looks up at the bright sky
     filling our hearts with a tender fragrance.

    I can hear the rhythm of love,
     it has transcended the seasons and came to see me.~

    If I whisper 'I love you',
    will the whole world hear it?
     I lowered my head in embarrassment,
     but you took my hand and ran!`

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto holds Ikuto's hand tightly, and she looks up into his eyes, seeking some trace of the real Ikuto while Utau sings...

Please... break free of this...

As Utau sings, she finds herself humming along with the tune. She'd sing along if she knew the words.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Ikuto remains quiet in his chair as the girls discuss various ways to free him. He doesn't seem to hear them. Maybe he's purposely not listening, so he has no information to give if he's asked. Because like this, it's very possible that he doesn't have the ability to lie or omit the truth if asked directly...

However... then Utau begins to sing...

That song... it's gentle. And he remembers it. He blinks, hard, as if clearing his eyes of something. And tries to concentrate on the voice over the high-pitched tone in his head. And he shudders, as if shaking something off.

Again the light returns to his eyes, and he looks up as if surprised. And then he winces. He doesn't seem to have fallen back under the spell immediately after Utau's song ends, so there's that. But from the wince it's clear he's still hearing it. But what's the first thing out of his mouth?

"...Why are you two still here?" he asks. "Go, before someone catches you." His voice is taut with pain. No, until that tone goes away, wherever it's coming from, he's not going to be 'all right'. But he can have 'moments'.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau has not sung that song in a long time, since she was a little girl. However, the song brings back memories for her too, memories of warm carefree days under the summer sun, days when she and Ikuto and Tadase were closer, and things were not so scary. She even smiles a little as she sings.

    And then, the song ends far too soon, and for a moment, Ikuto has his memories back it seems - or at least there's the glimmer of light in his eyes. "It's working!" she exclaims happily..Until Ikuto makes a foolish remark again and she glares coldly at him, leaning forward..

    And slapping him sharply across the face. "Quit giving up so easily! We are risking everything to save you - you can at least do us the favor of trying to save yourself!"

    She glances back at Mikoto. "We must leave now, while we still can! But they'll be expecting us through the front door. If there is any difference in distance, then we can at least try to get as far away from here as possible." she looks around the room, spying the venilation shaft on the ceiling, "We could get out through there!" Utau is still unaware of any teleporting abilities Mikoto might have.

    "If he reverts, I'll keep on singing, as long as I can!"

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
A ventilation shaft. Such a cliche. "You really think we'll fit through there?" Mikoto asks Utau, uncertainly. She eyes it, measuring it out and comparing it to the known sizes of the three would-be escapees.

"I... isn't there a back way out? Not through the hall, maybe a loading dock or something?" Shorter path would be easier. And there might be a vehicle to steal.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
The slap across the face is surprising. It pushes his head to the side a bit, and he doesn't bother to straighten his stance back. Not until plans to escape with him are made. He can't. Not like this. They'll follow him wherever he is if he disappears from here. He can't lead Easter to Mikoto...

Damn that... whine...!

They've turned up the volume, it's so hard to think... but he tries. He has no choice. He can't let Easter hurt either of them...

Suddenly he's on his feet again, so fast he knocks the chair over. He's heading to the door, unlocking it, and running out into the hallway. Maybe he can find Yoru and figure out some way out of this...

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau nods and frowns. "It is a bit small..But I see no other options. If we go through the front door, don't you think someone would be waiting for us? Besides, there are security cameras everywhere. I'm pretty sure someone saw you coming in here, but not leaving. Which would explain why those two agents came searching for you..And stared right at your hiding place. They're on to us, I'm sure.."

    It's only then that Ikuto suddenly jumps up and runs away, faster than she can stop him, although she still runs out the door. "Ikuto! Stop!!" but it's too late. He can be fast and sneaky when he wants to be. She sighs, shaking his head.

    "Ugh..Dammit. Why'd he take off like that?" She doesn't wait for Mikoto to catch up with her, but peers down the hallway, then decides to go left, having heard footsteps echoing in that direction. Where did he go??

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto's wince is quite visible as Ikuto takes off. "Then we need to - Ikuto! Damnit!" She turns and breaks after him, hand reaching briefly for Carnwennan's amulet-form. No... not yet. Don't give the game away too soon.

Instead, she turns and follows Utau, hurrying down the hall to the left. With any luck Yoru will know to come to her instead of Ikuto, right now...

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
It's true. Even without Yoru, Ikuto's always been good at escaping. Tadase would probably say he's spent his life running away from one thing or another. Right now though, he can only run. The whine is so loud... he doesn't even know where he's going. All he knows is run. Keep running. But he stumbles, falls, as the whine gets to be too much to bear. He emits a choked gasp as the world abruptly goes white and then shatters like glass around him.

The footsteps ahead have stopped. But when the girls round the corner, it's not Ikuto, brainwashed or not, that they'll run into if they're not careful.

...It's Death Rebel.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau is so intent on finding Ikuto that she's almost forgotten about Mikoto behind her. It's only when Death Rebel makes her appearance that she holds out her arms, glancing sidelong at the other girl.

    "Mikoto-chan..You must leave this place! This guy is dangerous..He'll kill us! I'll try to buy you some time.." she sighs, so much for rescuing Ikuto. Glancing around, she searches desperately for Iru, realizing that she lost her back on the stage..

    Fortunately, Iru dashes around the other corner, rushing towards Utau, leaping into her hands. "Utau-chan! I'm here! Let's go!" With a smile and nod, Utau holds the chara in front of her.

    "My heart...Unlock!" Flashes of red light surround her, wrapping her in magical ribbons of energy, and bursting away in a shower of magenta butterflies. In her place stands Lunatic Pandora!

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Crap. Crap crap crap on a crap cracker, is Mikoto's thought as she spots Death Rebel. This is going to be one utterly effed up day.

To run and let Utau fight for her... it would be the strategic thing to do. It would keep her identity secure.

But is it the right thing to do?

Some would say no. The pragmatist, the Belkan, in her says yes.

Cursing under her breath, she pulls a cellphone from her pocket and tucks it into the back of Utau's costume. "If anyone gives you trouble, I blackmailed you into bringing me back here. Don't be too long, if you die Ikuto will kill me."

Her face twists into a grimace as she turns her back on the two and starts down the hall, looking out sharp for Yoru. "Come on, kitling," she mutters. "Time to be out of here..."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Death Rebel remains silent as Utau transforms before him. His expression isn't visible past that beaklike visor. But his head turns a little, focusing completely on her for a moment. And then he turns his attention visibly to Mikoto. It's as if he's processing something. Which he probably is.

Ultimately he steps past Utau-- his mind has flagged her an 'ally'-- and stands between Utau and Mikoto. Fortunately not before Mikoto tucks that cell phone there. He raises his scythe... and starts after her.

Speaking of Yoru, he turns a corner just as Mikoto's coming out, with Death Rebel following her. "Mikoto, Mikoto! I can't find Ikuto anywhere-nya! It's like he-- NYAAAA!" He cuts off abruptly as he catches sight of Death Rebel, and zooms down towards Mikoto, trying to burrow into a pocket.

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Utau smirks, "Go on, get out of here, Mikoto-chan..Go and find Ikuto, and bring him home.." Actually, she hasn't even seen Yoru yet, and has not yet realized the connection between him and Ikuto. Besides, she has a battle to fight and a friend to save right now. She simply nods to Mikoto as she gives her the cellphone..

    Then Death Rebel darts past her, raising his scythe threateningly towards Mikoto. Clearly, in her mind, it looks like he's gonna attack her and/or chase after her. Why wouldn't he?

    "Leave her alone!" she yells, "I'm your target now...Lunatic...Discord!" she spreads out her arms..And screams, uttering a perfect imitation of a microphone reverb, sending an ultrasonic wave of earshattering sound towards DR, attempting to disorient and possibly temporarily incapacitate him.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto takes a half-moment to make sure Yoru is securely tucked away in whatever pocket he's managed to find, and to hope that Death Rebel didn't see the little chara. Damnit, Utau, don't be stupid, she thinks. It isn't worth it...

Just in case, she conjures a shield in the layer between her shirt and her jacket. The glow might be visible... or not. Given how weak it is, it's likely to be hard to see unless something strikes it, but it might save her from one strike. Maybe.

And then she's running for the exit....

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
The soundwave hits Death Rebel and he stumbles to his knees, scythe clattering to the floor. It most certainly does disorient him, and he doesn't get up immediately. He raises a hand to his head, beside his birdlike visor, and then shakes his head. He rarely speaks. But here, he does just that.

"...What... where...?"

His voice is garbled. A moment later, he makes an odd noise, and then stands up again, looking more like he's been pulled to his feet, a little like a marionette, more so than he actually stood up.

On the bright side this means Mikoto is easily bought enough time to escape with Yoru. Said feline Chara has a death grip on the inside of her pocket. Good luck dislodging that! Well, not without lots of pettings!

Utau Hoshina has posed:
    Lunatic watches as Mikoto flees, relief washing over her. Well, she's safe for now, and with any luck, maybe she'll be able to find Ikuto too. Still, Lunatic has a bad, sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that Ikuto wont be leaving this place so easily.

    "It's over, Death Rebel. She's not your enemy. She's just a crazy fan who..Who blackmailed me into bringing her back here. Let her go." She demands in that bossy voice of hers.

    ~Good luck, Mikoto..It was good to meet you again..~ She turns away, alone with her thoughts for a moment, but still keeps an eye on Death Rebel, making sure he's not pursuing Mikoto, before she can relax completely.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
With regret in her heart and a scowl on her face, Mikoto keeps running, making her way towards the exit. With just a bit of luck she won't encounter any more guards along the way.

Once she's sure she's out of sight of Death Rebel, she slows to a walk, moderating her breathing. Nothing attracts the attention of a security guard more than someone running, because they're clearly a sign that something is wrong - and probably not supposed to be there.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Utau's words get Death Rebel's attention, and he looks to her. Though he turns his head then... and looks in the direction Mikoto disappeared in. It's a little odd. He's staring in that direction, not moving, not attacking. Just staring.

Finally though, he turns. This hunt was unsuccessful. So he heads for the backstage area instead of pursuing Mikoto further. And he'll end up disappearing somewhere along the way, around one of those corners...