Voice Test (Canon is AKB0048)

[heartstodiamonds]

I didn't expect that you'd pick me, Mun. My time on the stage is done, after all. And there are so many others that you could play. Weren't you considering Yuuko? Or Makoto? And little Sontata's already been given an account and taken to a game. All these generations of understudies and successors, and the manager is who you want to play? Maybe we're closer in age, you and I, but I doubt the similarities run deeper.

You're flighty. You'll need to be far more serious if you're going to be playing me. You'll need to be sharp. You'll need to be mature. You'll need to be patient.

What? Yes, patient. Wait for the season to be over, and then see if this idea is still as exciting as you've thought. I keep my cards close to my chest. You might learn something valuable if you hold out until the end.

Comments

[seasidecherry]

Tsubasa-san? I...I know I'd really be glad to see you. It's been a rough time where I've been. Don't worry, I'm okay! I'm keeping everything you and the successors and Ushiyama-sensei have taught me in mind.

...but it would still be nice to know you're around.

[thegluethatbinds]

Patience is a virtue, but don't hold out for too long. You might end up wasting your hand at a good opportunity.

[heartstodiamonds]

Nagisa? I had heard that you were sent to a strange city. I'm glad to see that you're in good spirits, then. These places aren't usually nice.

Maybe I'll be joining you there, if everything works out.

[heartstodiamonds]

The games aren't going anywhere. One more month, and we'll know what we need to know.

There's a friend I'm hoping to see again.

[seasidecherry]

To tell you the truth, I hadn't really gotten a chance to settle into Hinoto-Ri before I got swept off to somewhere a whole lot worse than that.

I'm still okay and nothing really - [she breaks out into nervous laughter] - no.

That's not true. It's not a nice place there. It's scary and it's run by a lot of really bad people. But that's why I've been trying really hard to keep my own spirits up, even if it's been hard or if it's gotten scary. I remembered the concert back on Tundrastar and how even one or two songs could help a little. And they have, I think.

[lastmeteor]

Hey, keep talkin' like that, and you'll really sound old....

They teach you all that stuffy crap in manager school or something?

[heartstodiamonds]

I see...

AKB0048 brings light and hope to the dark places. Maybe that's part of the reason that you're there. You're very talented, Nagisa. Still.... [She frowns, a bit worried.] is anyone watching out for you?

[heartstodiamonds]

I apprenticed under other members of AKB0048's administration, thank you.

I've stopped worrying about my age. I don't have time for that. These girls need someone to watch them from above. Who better than "Mariko?"

[lastmeteor]

I'm joking, yeesh....oh, well!

Just don't get a nosebleed from all the way up there, okay? Touch back down every once in a while, and you might see some more stuff you missed.

[heartstodiamonds]

I'll touch back down when the fighting is done. There's too much at stake for me to stop now.

[seasidecherry]

I had a dream the night before I was sent to the Tower that said that everyone who was being sent there was going for a reason. Maybe that is part of it.

[Nagisa nods, then she frowns a bit.]

I'm trying to stay close to everyone from the city, at least. Or at least stick to the safer parts of the Tower. The dorms and the cafeteria are usually safe, though there's a music room I've used to practice in a few times.

I can't give up on my dream either. Being part of 0048 isn't something I stopped just because I'm not on Akibastar right now.

[heartstodiamonds]

A dream... [Well, there's something she'll know to expect, if sent that way.]

That's good. I wouldn't want any of you facing a place like that alone. [And then she smiles a bit.] That's a dream too important to put on hold, no matter where you end up. I wonder... is your kirara still with you?

[seasidecherry]

I'm not alone, though. Because everyone's still with me, in my heart. Like -

[She starts to sing the chorus of Sasae, and her Kirara answers that question on its own, coming out and glowing as she sings.]

[heartstodiamonds]

[That's a good answer. Her smile softens, and after the first line of the chorus, she sings along.]

'We're watching that star, with every one of us here, is our support...'

...Good, then. Hm, you seem to be doing just fine. But I'll try to hurry along to Hinoto-Ri, regardless.

[thegluethatbinds]

Any particular game your handler is scouting out?

That's nice. Familiar faces are pleasant to see, even in unfortunate circumstances.

[heartstodiamonds]

She's considering Destiny Strings. Which is an improvement over the horror games that she usually favors, so I can't complain.

I'll have at least one familiar face there. And if that other face I'm hoping to see is there, too... well. Again, I'd have no complaints.

[seasidecherry]

[Nagisa's eyes widen, and there's a delighted sparkle in them as she finishes out the the chorus. Her Kirara seems just as delighted, spinning around the pair of them and chirping when they finish. It clearly approves.]

Thank you, Tsubasa-san. I...it'll help, having someone from home there. In the meantime, I'll keep on doing my best.

[She puts out her hand, finger and thumb extended in the familiar pre-concert huddle position.]

Always thankful, calm, kind, and just. Don't stop smiling, and be happy!

[thegluethatbinds]

Yeah, I heard those horror games have a low survival rate. I'm lucky my handler's not considering anything like that for, at least for the time being. I think I've had enough excitement to last for awhile.

I wish you all the best, both you and your friend. I haven't introduced myself either yet.

[He extends a hand to her to shake.]

Agent Coulson from SHIELD. Pleasure to meet you.

[heartstodiamonds]

I'd expect no less from you than your best!

[...oh, and how can she resist that, after the little moment of song that they shared? Her smile widens, she leans in, and hooks her thumb and forefinger with Nagisa's, repeating the words along with her.]

...If this keeps up, I'm going to wind up on stage and singing again, aren't I?

[heartstodiamonds]

Really? I've heard that you tend to survive just fine, but you're rarely in a proper state afterwards. Hm. No games in your future? And here I was about to ask.

[She gives a little nod.] Thank you. [And then accepts his hand and shakes it firmly.]

Tsubasa Katagiri, manager and producer of AKB0048. Likewise.