Thanks for all the continual support, peeps.
I am touched by all the praise. ^_^
Anyway, here's more fluff~ Based on this picture.
And here we go~
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Turtles, Bunnies and a Sneaky Kitty(featuring a Sleepy Monkey)So this note rises a half-pitch here...Ai made a little mark on her notes, reminding herself where she was supposed to modulate her voice. Lying flat on her stomach, she rested her chin on the palm of one hand, her arm sinking slightly into the futon below her. Idly, she twirled her pen between her fingers, frowning slightly when it slipped and rolled off the edge of the futon.
The petite leader of Morning Musume eyed the errant pen lying just out of reach. She was comfortable where she was, and didn't really feel like getting up just to fetch the pen. She was on break, for all that she continued to work even during it.
The room was bright and open, light filtering in through the stained glass windows behind her. It was largely empty and sparsely furnished, given that no one actually lived there for any extended period of time. The only reason she was there, that all the other girls were there, was because of work. The mansion was owned by the company, and there was always one reason or another for them to be there for photoshoots and the like. If not for the unfortunate association with work, it would have been a rather nice place to relax in.
Speaking of relaxing, perhaps she should consider actually taking advantage of her break. Ai peered owlishly at her fallen pen, as if it would magically return to her hand by force of will. She never did like to be roused from a comfortable position if she could help it.
The shuffling sound of footsteps made her tilt her head up, and she instinctively brushed her hair out of her face as she did. What she wouldn't give to cut her hair again! But her manager had nearly had an apoplexy the last time she did, and to this day she was still being scolded for it whenever her manager ran out of things to nag at her about. It seemed as though she would never live it down for the rest of her life.
The door banged open unceremoniously, and an obviously sleepy Kamei Eri wandered in like a lost puppy, rubbing at her eyes and yawning widely. Ai smiled, her eye twitching involuntarily when she noticed that one of the straps on Eri's tank top had slipped dangerously off the girl's shoulder. Did Eri just walk through the hallway half-awake without even noticing that little detail?
Despite noticing that though, Ai did not get up to fix it for Eri. Maybe if they had been out amongst prying eyes, but there was no need when it was just them. Ai waggled her fingers in greeting, too lethargic to give a full wave. Eri yawned wider in response, then almost tripped over Ai's fallen pencil.
"Eh? Is this Ai-chan's?" Eri bent and retrieved the offending object. She placed the pen on the bridge of her nose, balancing it as she wobbled forward in Ai's general direction. Ai looked on with a bemused expression, content to let Eri do as she pleased. Well, as long as it didn't affect her negatively.
Fortunately, it did not. Eri managed to get to the futon without further incident, whilst still balancing the pen on her nose as she carefully sat down by the edge of the futon. "See what I did!" Eri cried out excitedly, puffing up proudly.
Ai laughed and nicked her pen off Eri's nose, but not before rapping Eri smartly on the head with said pen, and with a familiarly affectionate exclamation of "idiot!".
Eri grinned, rubbing at her head without protest. She blinked again, as if her sleepiness had suddenly caught up with her. Barely suppressing a yawn, Eri looked around for a blanket (it was still fairly chilly for the end of March), found two, and tossed one off to Ai as she wriggled into a comfortable cocoon under her blanket.
"Oyasumi~" Eri mumbled, dropping off between one breath and the next. Never let it be said that Eri could not sleep; she can, and definitely will, beat you in a race to Dreamland as and when she liked. So much for being a turtle.
Ai watched the process with something akin to amusement; she was fairly used to Eri's quirks by now. One did not spend 7 years working together in the same group with someone without learning a bit about their habits eventually. The towel Eri tossed at her had actually hit her in the face, but now it lay between her arms as her attention drifted back to her notes.
Pen in hand, her gaze wandered idly over the paper, and she only just managed to stop herself from chewing the end of her pen. Eri's long, slow breaths and peaceful aura was making her sleepy. All that yawning earlier had not helped either.
Perhaps it
was time for a nap. Break wasn't over for a while yet, and she had gotten up early for work today. A little rest would recharge her, and she did happen to be on a futon, with a blanket right there with her.
How convenient.With impeccable logic in hand, Ai made her decision, setting her notes aside and laying her pen down. She almost felt a pang of guilt for wasting time on a nap in the middle of the day, but quashed it with a quick glance over at the happily snoozing Eri. Perhaps Eri needed company in Dreamland too? Ai shook her head to clear it of such flights of fancy, throwing one arm over her eyes as she lay on her back, blanket drawn over her body.
Just a few minutes... She promised herself, allowing her body to relax, her breaths evening out into long, smooth cycles. She shifted unconsciously, fidgeting to get a good position. Part of the blanket slipped off her raised knee, but she was barely aware by then.
Her arm slid off her closed eyes, her chest rising and falling in a regular rhythm. Evidently, sleep came easily to turtles and tired people.
~*~*~
Reina was padding down the hallway when she noticed her fellow Rokkie and narcissist lurking suspiciously around the doorway to a room. Her curiosity sparked, the tsundere of the group wandered over to see what so intrigued the dear bunny.
Sayumi had one hand on her cheek, and as Reina drew close, she took her phone out and snapped a quick picture of whatever was in the room, squealing to herself. Reina raised an eyebrow, popping up at Sayumi's shoulder and startling the devil bunny.
"What's so -- oho!"
Leader and resident aho were asleep together on the same futon. Eri slept like a corpse, still and unmoving, almost the picture of elegant repose, if not for the imminent case of bed-head should said turtle wake up in the immediate future.
Reina snorted at Ai's sleeping posture, wondering how on earth Gaki-san ever put up with (and enjoyed!) sleeping next to the woman. Ai slept like a barbarian, blanket half thrown off, all knees and elbows sticking out at awkward angles, and certainly appearing anything but delicate and feminine.
Then again, Reina knew that Ai was anything but delicate and feminine. It was all a pose. With a wry look, she turned to Sayu, who was still squealing over how cute the picture was. Trust the resident narcissist to attach the 'cute' label exclusively to her best friend and the person she idolized. Reina could not imagine Sayu putting anyone else ahead of her...if she ever did...in the race for the ultimate ichiban kawaii of the world.
"What are you gonna do with the picture anyway?" Reina asked in idle curiosity, glancing back into the peaceful room. Ai seemed to be stirring, if only a little. Reina had to wonder if the woman was always such a restless sleeper.
"Keep it, I guess..." Sayumi finally looked up at her fellow Rokkie, who was leaning against the doorframe. Reina met her gaze, and smirked.
"Why don't you blog about it?"
Something lit up in Sayu's eyes; something between the fanatical gleam of a maniac blogger and the devilish twinkle of a born-again schemer. Cackling to herself, Sayu skipped down the hallway, already composing her next blog post on the phone.
Reina watched her go, then looked back at the snoozing pair. Ai was definitely moving around in her sleep now; whether it be natural tossing and turning, or an imminent awakening, Reina could not know. Either way, it was best to vacate the immediate area for the moment, especially after what she had so innocently suggested.
"Ai-chan
does read your blog, Sayu..."
Chuckling to herself, Reina slipped off and continued on her way, content to let any explosions erupt as they would in the near future. The things a girl had to do to ensure constant entertainment...
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Can you imagine Ai's reaction when she sees that post on Sayu's blog, complete with picture?
Topic: Estrea's Sandbox [6/4 - Treat] (Read 240695 times)