Pop Idol Princess Tomo [Mochizuki Base Camp] - [Open]

[Tanuki Rinko]

Tomo lightly grumbled as the make-up woman fussed with his face and the costume designer messed with the hem of his dress. "Why in the hell am I doing this again?" His mother, Minako, gave him a warm smile. "Language mister. You've been spending too much time with that potty-mouth daughter of Takaki Masao, Raiden rest his soul. As for your question, you are doing this because that darling little toad, Yo, asked to see you put on a few of your old performances." The cross-dressing man shooed the costume women away so he could fully address his mother. "And since when have you started listening to frogs?" Minako approached her son and lightly tightened the bow around his neck. "Toad dear. Contract animals are to be respected. You know this." Tomo hung his head dejectedly, not appreciating the tone his mother held. He was twenty-three, he didn't need to be lectured.

Tomo lifted his head again, giving his mother pleading eyes. "But why can't I simply perform in my regular clothes?" He held up his arms, looking over his body. "I mean, there's no way this is the old costume I used when I was a teen. I've grown since then." His mother nodded. "Indeed. But if you were going to put on a show for Yo, you might as well put on a show for the village." A man's voice chimed in from behind Tomo. "We Mochizuki love to make money whenever we can." Tomo's pink lips puckered as he turned to face his father. The man was right, the Mochizuki Troupe never passes up a chance to perform for money. But was it really worth Tomo losing what little masculinity he had obtained with age? "Couldn't we simply have Tama take my place? She can still fit into the old costume." The man gave a hearty laugh before patting his son on the shoulder. "Yes, but we all know she's far too masculine for this role." Tomo sighed in resignation. Sad, but true.

With no way out, Tomo took his place backstage, slipping a stray blue hair into his blonde wig. He tugged lightly at his corset as he quietly sang a scale, making sure he could still perform even with the restricting clothes. He could hear the murmur of the audience gathering in the tent. He blushed lightly at the thought of people he knew possibly mixed in the crowd, Saeko, Kahako, Kiri, Ayumu, just to name a few. However, perhaps he would get lucky, and no one would realize it was him. The costume and make-up crew had done a spectacular job of hiding any shred of manliness from view. However, he knew all too well that the programs would clearly state that he was the star. His headset, which was cleverly disguised as a headband, crackled to life. "Mochi-san, you'll be on in five minutes." Tomo placed a finger on the flower near his ear. "Roger." Tomo rolled his ankle lightly, forgetting how painful heels were. Another call from the headset informed Tomo that it was showtime.

Putting on his best fake smile, Tomo clicked onto the scene, waving to the crowd as he took center stage. He smiled cutely and spoke in a slightly higher voice than normal. "Are you ready?" The crowd, filled mostly with girls, screamed in response. A few of the males that had come seemed to liven up when they saw Tomo. The actor gave a girly chuckle and winked. "Cue the music!" The opening song was also the name of the production, Something Missing. It was the story of a pop idol who felt she was missing something in her life, and so sold her soul to a Youkai in hopes that she could fill the void. What resulted was more turmoil, as the Youkai stripped away her voice. Without it, the idol was forced to become a kunoichi in order to survive. She was given a tutor, an Empathetic man who had lost his hearing during a mission. They struggled together, learning, growing, and eventually foiling a plot to kill the Raikage.

Tomo blushed as his co-star, Kotaro, slipped in close. Luckily the script called for the Mochizuki's cheeks to be nice and rosy, so he didn't break character. Next up was the kiss scene, and as Tomo closed his eyes and lightly puckered his lips, many thoughts flooded his mind. This was the same man Tomo had kissed over six years ago, in this same production, and the Mochizuki still didn't know how Kotaro felt about all this. Did he care that he was kissing a dude? The young man could feel Kotaro closing in, but dared not open his eyes. It's for the show. It's for the show. It's for the show. Tomo himself didn't so much care about kissing a man, as he cared that he had a large audience watching him lock lips with someone. As the actors finally kissed, a large squeal rang through the tent. Girls and some women began whooping and hollering, causing Tomo's blush to intensify. Darn fangirls.

And with that marvelous exchange of saliva, the show came to a close. After the curtain call, Tomo gave an exasperated sigh. Now came the part he hated the most, the cast meet. It was bad enough he had to parade himself on stage dressed as a woman, but now he had to interact with people...while dressed as a woman. But it was part of the job, and Tomo begrudgenly exited the tent and came around front. There were a few girls waiting around for autographs, some for Tomo, others probably for Kotaro. The man scanned the crowds, looking to see if there was anyone he recognized. Hopefully if he spotted them, he could slip by without them noticing.

Or at least that was the plan before two girls screamed loudly. "TOMO-SAMA!!!" The man did his best not to show his emotions, annoyance and slight anger. Instead, he gave a smile and looked to the girls now rushing over to him. "Tomo-sama! Please sign this!" Tomo looked at the object in her hands. He was shocked to see that it was a book edition of the play he'd just performed. Kimiki and her merchandise. Keeping his fake smile, Tomo nodded, responding cheerfully. "Yes, of course." He pulled a thin brush from a hidden pocket on his costume. Tomo had recently mastered the art of creating ink with his chakra. After some intense training with two rock-heads, the Mochizuki had taken the lessons from his Earth jutsu training and applied it to his other specialties. Swishing his name on an empty space of the book, the girls squealed.

Yo​

As this was going on, a small green toad with a crown and rapier approached the cross-dressing man. "That was exquisite Tomo-sama! You were a breathtaking sight. You are an inspiration to us all." Tomo gave Yo a smile, but secretly imagined strangling the small creature. Who else would be around to embarrass the lad?

[WC: 1,171]
[MFT]

OoC: I am going on vacation, so if you do join this, don't expect a response until September 16th.

Note: This thread is not meant to allow people to leave, enter, or go missing. Attempting to do so will be ignored and will be voided as the topic subject does not fit the criteria to do so.

 

[Takaki Saeko]

The problem with being a jaded hipster is this: when engaging in the all-consuming pursuit of snark, it’s hard to simply enjoy anything anymore. Take the production I’m watching. We all know the plot of “Something Missing.” Vapid prig sells her soul to the devil for reasons, finds out the deal isn’t all she bargained for, and then wins her humanity back by nurturing a mutually supportive relationship with a disabled dude with PTSD and possibly Hepatitis. I’m of the mindset that the devil is actually the character I’m going to empathize with most. In fact, I wouldn’t even be here watching this if not for the fact that Tomo’s the headliner.

He and I go back a few threads, and our relationship is a rocky hellscape paved with bad intentions. But at least I didn’t rape him, and as a result he promised me a date. After his chuunin exam. After some cockamamie mission that Ayumu’s sending me on tomorrow. After the stars align properly so Venus rims Uranus. At this point, there are so many conditionals that it might never happen. Does he do this with all women who’re interested in him? Am I just another fangirl? I don’t even like musicals, dammit!

While waiting for the show to start, I crane my neck to see if there’s anyone else I know sitting in the audience. I’m being antisocial and have deliberately avoided being near anyone I know, but that’s just my broken brain. I think I catch a glimpse of Kahako and Ayumu sitting a few rows down. I’d be tempted to yell at Ayumu to stop trying to put his arm around Kahako’s shoulders, if not for the fact that I’d attract unwanted attention from Hito Kiri, who’s busy shitting up the front row with his glittery Technicolor dreamcoat and oversize Chanel sunglasses. The last thing I want is to end up doing shots of Goldschlager with Hatoful Boyfriend after the show, because that never ends well for either of us.

To distract myself, I casually flip through the program. It’s loaded with ads and short on content, but at least I can see Tomo’s name on there, along with some other guy I don’t know. That doesn’t make sense, though. “Something Missing” has a male and female main character duo. That is, unless the Mochizuki Troupe decided to change character genders, or someone’s cross-playing. Before I can puzzle this out further, the overture starts and it’s everyone’s cue to shut the hell up.

Onstage dashes a woman, and the ground beneath her feet quakes with rapturous epiphany. I’ve never seen her before, though I feel as if I should have. I’ve also never seen a goddess, though I feel as if I should have. If this is the magic of show-business at work then they’ve not only hooked me, they’ve dug the barb right into my throat. Now I’ve forgotten all about where Tomo is on the roster and can only concentrate on this gossamer summation of desire dappled with black lace. I’m so enraptured at this point that I couldn’t give less of a damn about the plot or its obvious, gaping flaws. Sure, I’d love to see a production where the main duo kills the Raikage and ushers in a purge, but that’s for another production, and for less celestially-inclined actresses. By the time the final kiss rolls around, I’m squealing like an idiot, and the only thing that prevents me from having to commit seppuku from the shame of it all is the fact that nearly the entire house is also drowning in dishonor.

When things calm down after curtains, I’m almost tempted to grab Kiri and head off to the bar, but there’s an opportunity to meet the cast. The thought of getting up close with the blonde starlet is both unreasonably exciting and unreasonably terrifying. But I need to at least get her real name. I’ll give her a tax break. Backstage, I hear someone trill Tomo’s name. Tomo? But he didn’t even show up on stage, unless it was for some bit part that I missed…

It hits me then. My jaw almost dislocates from the shock of it all. No wonder she looked eerily familiar.

Actually, it’s a huge relief. Tomo’s a known quantity. I’ve seen his junk and he’s seen mine. That level of familiarity is a rare bond that transcends every known form of social anxiety, and for that I’m grateful. But now I’m also conflicted. He’s a smashing hot guy, but he’s also a divinely-featured woman. I don’t know what to do. But I do know that he’ll pay for breaking my brain. Don’t think you won’t pay, Tomo.

“I can’t decide if I want you to dress like this some of the time, or all of the time,” I say.

Seems like the toad agrees, too. After that incident with the smoke bombs I finally got their working papers and they’re legit Mochizuki roadies. As long as they pay their taxes to the Raikage, they’re citizens of Cloud.

“Did you put him up to this, toad?” I ask. “Good job! I might deign to kiss you for that,” I whisper.

 

[Ryu Hime]

What’s a performance like this without carnival food? Like many other venders, Amegatsu rented a spot in the Mochizuki Camp area to set up a stall. Amegatsu’s stall was very simple; it was a wooden table with a sign that read snow cones. On the table were a box of paper cones, paper bowls and an assortment of bottles labeled with various flavors. Some people was not sure if he was open or not because he had no visible product. One individual, not noticing the absence of a cooler to contain the shaved ice, orders a small cherry snow cone. Amegatsu takes a paper cone out of the box, does a few one-handed seals and creates a rose of snow within the cone. He then takes the flavoring and carefully adds it to the snow. Evenly he adds the flavoring in order to keep a consistent shade of red all around. It was like an art show after the show. Not to long after the first order there was a crowd of people gathering around his stall; there to buy and to watch. Amegatsu was more than willing to entertain. Someone orders a large snow cone. He grabs a bowl and does a few one-handed seals. On the table He makes a housecat, but unlike normal snow creations this one moved about. Amegatsu mimics the artistic abilities of the Toujigikou; while they make living art out of clay, he does so out of snow. Amegatsu is even able to make them explode with an arctic blast, but obviously this one was safe. The snowy feline does a nice stretch with front paws out and butt in the air. It then gives a yawn, climbs in and curls up into the bowl as if to rest. Amegatsu then processed to flavor it with orange flavoring.

 

[Tanuki Rinko]

Tomo blushed at the sound of Saeko's voice. Crap. Though he already worried that she was in the crowd earlier, he was still hoping that she had stayed home instead. She didn't really seem the sort to come to a play. But Tomo should have known better. Saeko does what she wants, when she wants, whether it makes sense or not. He had to remind himself not to break character. His regular fans knew him as an overly kind man, or woman based on the role, who is calm and collected at all times. But something about the lovely Takaki made it hard for him to concentrate. It could be her scent, as the deep spices that seemed to make it up were strong, in a good way. However, it was probably because it was hard not to see her naked visage in his mind's eye.

As Tomo tried to recover from his inward nosebleed, Saeko addressed Yo. At the mention of a kiss if he'd set this up, the toadling gave a goofy grin. "Why, fair maiden. It would bring me greaaat pleasure to receive a peck from those voluptuous lips!" He turned to the woman and puckered his lips, standing on his tippy-toes to try and get closer. Tomo's eyes shot to the creature's mouth, and he lifted his heeled foot as if to kick him. However, he wavered, as punting an animal would ruin his image forever. His eye twitched as he held his foot, trying to run through possible ways he could interrupt this possible lip lock.

Luckily screams rang through the area. "KOTARO-SAMAAAAAAAAAA!" Girls and women, as well as a few men, flocked to the co-star. He was the image of manly perfection. Not too butch, but not overly feminine. He could change his features at will, from sensitive and soft, to indifferent and strong. Crowds poured in from everywhere in the camp as they clambered to meet the man and receive an autograph. Yo peeked over at the man and gave Saeko an apologetic glance. "I'm afraid, dear maiden, I must ask for a rain check." The toad hopped off. "Sign my cape serah!"

Tomo sighed in relief, but his gaze came back to Kotaro. He really was the ideal man. The Mochizuki's eyes drooped slightly as his mind wandered and wondered. Wouldn't Saeko prefer someone like that? A man that could meet her strength and perseverance? He glanced to Saeko. What does she see that I don't? Tomo snorted as a small smile spread on his lips. In the end, did it matter? He need to be thankful that someone wanted to be around him. He was over-thinking things, as usual. His smile broadened as he closed his eyes. With the attention of all others in the camp elsewhere, Tomo forgot himself. "I'm surprised you swing that way. You seem so enraptured by the D." His eyes shot open, and his face turned beet red. Such a comment was rarely spoken aloud. He began to mutter as his flustered nature surfaced. "Um. Wow no. I-I ...that was. Yeah no. Sorry. I shouldn't have said that." He frantically shifted his eyes back and forth, forcing himself not to look at Saeko and what he assumed was a face filled with rage. "Y-you can go visit Kotaro-san. I'll just be over here cultivating mushrooms." He pointed behind himself before twirling around and attempting to leave his embarrassment behind.

---Meanwhile---​

The crowds around Amegatsu's stand rushed off as the name Kotaro was yelled through the camp, leaving the Chuunin alone with his ice cat. However, this loneliness was disrupted by a small, pink-haired girl with pigtails. She approached Amegatsu's stand, a clipboard in hand, and narrowed her eyes. "What in Raiden's name are you doing here? Only troupe members are authorized to set up vendors within the Base Camp." Despite her preteen appearance, the girl's voice oozed authority. She gave an exasperated sigh. "Ugh. It was that dumb Tanuki, wasn't it? He probably roped you in by making you pay a fee right? Well that guy is a swindler. Why would we allow outside people to set up shop in our own home? Some of our members make their livelihoods working the stands. I'm going to have to ask you to pack it up. You're just lucky you didn't get any business while the performance was going on, or I would have to confiscate your funds." She wrote something on her clipboard before returning her grey eyes to the guy. "Oh, and don't try to resist. You won't like me if you resist. You may have a snow army, but we have a Tama."

[WC: 779]
[MFT]

 

[Takaki Saeko]

I can’t help but roll my eyes at Tomo’s sudden crisis of faith. So what if I’m about to peck a frog on the lips? It’s an animal, for Saito’s sake. If I really wanted to get lewd by amphibian standards I’d need to possess a cloaca, and there’s no way on Raiden’s green Earth that I’d tolerate having to raise a hundred little tadpoles. Or, for that matter, shitting where I piss where I fuck.

Still, I confess, it feels good to see him perturbed like this. It means that he wants to be the one locking lips with me instead. Tomo still feels like he has some claim over my person. And though I could wax for hours about how retardedly chauvinist that is, in my darkest, most secret of hearts, I’m pleased. No sane woman wants to be an object, but we all want to be desired. Even…chosen.

I never get to see if I contract salmonella from Yo, however, because the press of fangirls attacking the other actor threatens to endanger the tent’s structural integrity, not to mention poor Kotaro’s virtue. Yo, despite being an amphibian, is a dedicated roadie and won’t let that happen no matter how much he might want to dabble with a primate. I chuckle and blow a kiss in the creature’s direction. I hope one day he’ll find a suitable mate, because (I quote Kiri on this) “she-toads are SO desirable!”

As I turn back to see if Tomo wants to go out, he makes the mistake of speaking.

“…You seem so enraptured by the D.”

I must look like I’m having a stroke about now. I can’t stop grimacing, and words not good formed mouth now talk.

Tomo flushes deep cochineal, so deeply so that he briefly goes to the other end of the visual wavelength and turns cyan.

In truth, I was about to slap him, but the sheer weight of his embarrassment is enough to swing me the other way around. For all of his faults, Tomo has a sweet naiveté that can bypass any defense. Then again, what in the nine hells of Buddhism does he mean when he says he’ll be cultivating mushrooms? He turns and tries to slink away. I reach out and grasp his hand.

“No. I don’t want to glom Kotaro-san. He did a great job, but I wanted to see you.”

I look away, and it’s my cheeks’ turn to go red.

“In truth, I don’t like musicals, and I think that those people who sing show tunes all the time are actually really fucking annoying. If I hear Kiri belt out ‘Seasons of Love’ one more time I’ll crush his nuts for five hundred twenty-five thousand six-hundred minutes. I…was actually kind of afraid that…that our interests would be sort of incompatible with each other. After all, this is your career when you’re not killing people in the Raikage's name, and it’s just as important to your identity as counting beans is to mine. But I really enjoyed myself tonight, and I think you’re beautiful as a man or as a woman. I want to come back to other shows of yours. If…if you’ll let me.”

Jesus Saito, I think I’ve said too much.

Okay, I really DON'T need to explain where the 525,600 minutes thing comes from, do I?

 

[Ryu Hime]

Luck had nothing to do with it; Amegatsu was closed prior and during the performance. “That might be a reason why I was allowed to set up shop.” Amegatsu points to the container which people puts their money for the snow cones. On the container was a sign that said all proceeds go to the local orphanage. Amegatsu wasn’t working to make a profit like some of the other venders; he was working for a charity. Often gypsies are accused as thieves; this is his way of proving the stereotype wrong. “I also have this.” He pulls out a contract that specifies where and when he can sale his goods. Explains that all funds are to be given to the Orphanage and that Amegatsu was responsible to pay rent up front. The contract was signed by a false Mochizuki name and the owner of the orphanage and Amegatsu himself. “If this was an attempt to swindle us out of money, I think very poorly of the man.” He looks at the container and sighs. He barely made anything; to close up shop now would be painful. He was supposed to work another two hours.

 

[Ryu Hime]

[Topic left due to inactivity]

 

[Tanuki Rinko]

Tomo was ready to leave the area for good, maybe avoid Saeko for a few years to give her time to cool down. Perhaps once he'd performed some outstanding service to Raikage Saito and was honored as some kind of hero, then he could approach her again without receiving a fist to the teeth. However, a hand grasping his halted his exit, and he turned to see an embarrassed Saeko. She expressed her true feelings about the entire situation, and Tomo's glossy lips spread into a smile. It was rather exhilarating receiving these words from a woman such as her. They were real, more real than any he'd been given before. He closed his eyes and let the moment wash over him.

With the faintest of chuckles, Tomo returned his eyes to Saeko. "I'm more thrilled than you could ever know to hear that." He lifted Saeko's hand and placed his other atop it. "But remember, don't change who you are solely because of me. Be yourself, just as I will. There's plenty in the world for us to do. We couldn't possibly have nothing in common." Feeling a bit embarrassed from the physical contact, Tomo lowered her hand before releasing it. With cheeks rosy, not just from his makeup, he gave a light cough before continued. "But if you really did enjoy the show, you are more than welcome to continue to return and watch them." His smile shifted to a more awkward expression. "And lucky for you, there are equal female and male roles that I play. You'll be able to get your fill of both." He scratched the back of his head, not sure where next this moment would lead.

---Meanwhile---​

Kimiki cocked an eyebrow at the jar that had been hidden from her view. Her expression then morphed into a glower as Amegatsu produced a contract from the orphanage. She clicked her tongue. "Kid, you got the wool pulled over your eyes real good. You dooooo realize that the Mochizuki Troupe adopts orphans, right? I think we're going to need to have a little chat with the orphanage head. Either he or she is an ignoramus, or someone was not only posing as a Mochizuki, but as the head of the orphanage too." She made a note on her clipboard for later. "And do you really feel justified in your actions? You're taking money that would feed our adopted children so you can validate yourself to other children that may never amount to anything. At least ours are working and productive members of society." She shook her head. "So yeah, still gonna need you to pack it up. Feel free to stay. Perhaps buy some merchandise to make up for the money you stole from our poor troupe children?" Using her pen, Kimiki pointed at the booth with the book version of the musical. "Or you could meet the cast." Her writing utensil shifted towards Tomo and Saeko. However, it seemed that the boy just wanted to head on home. It was understandable. Once he was all packed up and on his way, Kimiki went back to the main tent to help tear down the set.

[WC: 531]
[MFT]

My humblest apologies. Council work and real life has been taking up my Tomo posting time. I'll try to do better in the future if this thread still even continues. (and of course there is no explanation needed for 525,600 minutes, because everyone knows how to measure a year)

 

[Takaki Saeko]

"Oh Tomo," I say, feeling unabashed. "That sounds pretty hot. I'll make the time if you're on stage."

At this moment, I'm rapidly approaching the point in every thread of where I've got to decide whether to cut the string or tie it further into knots. There are some who always choose the former, but they end up living with the perpetual regret of lost opportunities and stunted possibilities. After all, if you ignore all the flags, the visual novel ends, you never see the hentai scenes, and you're out about five thousand yen. Then again, there are some who always muddle through the latter option, refusing to end on a high note and thus bringing everyone down. Precious memories turn into endurance contests, relationships turn into a slog, and you end up posting for months on end about eating ramen.

There's a third option, however: give the thread a little twang.

"Don't forget, you still owe me a date," I saw with my hands on my hips. "Normally I'd make you pay up right now, but I know you have to help your troupe with cleanup, and I've got to rest for a mission tomorrow. As soon as I come back, though, I'm coming to collect. Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

With that, I lean forward and plant a quick peck on Tomo's lips. I want to do more, but we're in public and he's got an idol image to maintain. I quickly whisper in his ear. "And if I think you're not being the goofy, gentle, wonderful person I fell for, I'll step on your taint."

With that, I turn three sixty and walk away. It's time to do shots with Kiri, and I'm pumped. I'm gonna drown that punk in Jagermeister.

[Going Missing. S-rank run time: 30 minutes.]

[Just kidding. TL - was fun!]

 

[Tanuki Rinko]

Tomo blushed at Saeko's sudden forwardness. It was a shift that didn't necessarily surprise him, but caught him off guard nonetheless. His mind wandered to his ecchi manga he kept under his bed, the one that he read for the story, but no one believed him. It was Naoru to Kana, an S&M goodie about a regular looking girl who finds herself playing the S to a hot guy from her class. The romance was rather interesting and complicated. It wasn't mushy or romantic, and instead showed a budding relationship between two unlikely classmates in a very real way. But Tomo couldn't deny that he found his heart racing when reading them, as well as shivers up his spin.

In fact, he got such a shiver when Saeko whispered in his ear a phrase almost exactly like the one uttered in chapter fifty-three. Tomo bit the inside of his lower lip in an attempt to keep himself from showing his excitement. Luckily his dress was puffy, hiding any indication that he was aroused. Saeko turned quickly and trotted off, leaving Tomo a bit hot and bothered. He both loved and hated these feelings. He was so sure of his logical nature, yet here he was getting horny like some teenage boy peeking at his first porno magazine.

Tomo shook his head and slapped his cheeks lightly. He needed to calm down. He was a man of tradition. Though the thought of letting their bodies mingle as one was something he'd dreamed about since that day in her apartment, he couldn't act upon it. Ideally he wished to marry before performing such an act, but he knew Saeko was...experienced. At least he thought she was. Was she? He pondered this for a moment. He felt like there was something he was forgetting, some sort of knowledge he knew when he was younger that gave him that impression. But whenever he'd try to focus on it, it would flit away into nothingness. A call from his cranky older sister pulled Tomo out of his thoughts, and he hurried to help his family. He smiled to himself. For once in his life, he was eager to go on a mission. Because now, as soon as he finished it, there would be someone special waiting for him.

[WC: 383]
[MFT]
[Topic Left]