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Caelus stretched as he sat down on the couch in the parlor car and pulled out his phone, he was able to buy some new gear for his new form. The path of harmony offered some new options to explore in combat. Though a new light cone and relic set don’t come cheap and he was starting to hurt on credits. Guess that made sense since he had to prepare and keep up to date with 3 sets for all his forms. Maybe he should ask some of the other trailblazers for ideas on how to make money. Though Himiko would probably be a little judgy, Dan Heng would just tell him to manage his money better, and March, well she probably is not doing much better money wise with her splurging. Guess he could ask Welt. Just his luck as well as Welt enters the Parlor car as well.
“Hey Welt, you got a moment,” asked Caelus.
“Of course, how can I help you,” responded Welt as he took a seat on the same couch as Cealus.
“It’s — a bit embarrassing but I’m a little strapped for credits. Like I’m not in the red or anything but preparing stuff for all my forms ain’t cheap, especially light cones. Do you have any ideas on making a lot of credits,” asked Caelus, rubbing the back of his head and giving an awkward smile.
Welt got surprisingly serious. A long pause took hold of the parlor car. “Your strap for credits?”
Caelus was taken off guard and looked around before responding. “Uhm yeah —- is that really bad,” asked Caelus with a gulp.
Welt let out a laugh as he looked down. “And you want effective ways of making credits? How much effort are you willing to put in,”responded Welt dead serious.
“I uh —,” stated Caelus nervously.
“How serious will you work?! Will you do whatever it takes,” interrupted Welt with a surprising amount of energy.
“Yes, I am willing to work hard for the credits I need,” responded Caelus as he stood at attention.
“Hmm, good. Follow me,” smiled Welt with a proud smile signaling Caelus to follow him to his room.
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“Now Caelus, what I’m about to show you is a secret money making technique. One I once used when I was a much younger man. Though it is a technique I couldn’t use at my current age, however you are in your prime and I can coach you. That is — if you’re brave enough” explained Welt giving Caelus a questioning look.
“I said I’d do it, just tell me it already Welt,” responded Caelus exasperated.
“Hmph, take a look at this,” smirked Welt, taking out his phone and pulling up a photo.
The image was of a younger Welt, a blond man with long hair that looked like Luocha, and a man with short white hair, all in idol dresses. Caelus' eyes darken as he looked at the image.
“Am I that desperate for credits,” muttered Caelus.
“It is quite — lucrative,” added Welt as he and Caelus met eyes. ‘Though you’ll need some support and some backup. I know of one guy who we could recruit, but the others would be up to you,” followed up Welt. “It may not be a question you wish to ponder but if you're going to walk the path on an idol. You're going to have to ask yourself — which of your male friends do you think would look best in a skirt or dress, and how likely do you think you could convince them to do that,” stated Welt with a hard look.
Caelus gulped and licked his lips. “I’ve got some ideas — though, this is not an easy question to ask someone. But is it — is it true that it is really lucrative,” gulped Caelus.
Welt nodded and gave Caelus a comforting pat on the shoulders.. “If you're willing to put the work in.’
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Arlan was working on some reports as Peppy ran beside him. He was just wrapping up when he spotted Welt. Arlan saluted the man.
“Mr. Welt, welcome back to the Herta Space Station, what do I owe the honor sir,” stated Arlan.
“Thank you Arlan, relax. I'm here just for a small visit. I did have a question for you,” respond Welt.
“Of course, sir. What can I do for you,” asked Arlan.
“Are you still looking to help Asta with funding supplies for the space station,” asked Welt.
“Of course, I would do anything for Madam Asta,” stated Arlan.
“Perfect,” smirked Welt.
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Argenti was traveling through deep space to his new beautiful stop on his path of beauty when he heard a blip from his phone.
“Oh it from that beautiful boy on the astral express,” chimed Argenti happily. “Now let’s see — oh ho ho, how beautiful. Next stop Belebog,” cheered Argenti.
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Gepard was off today and was doing his off duty patrol and made his way to the Neverwinter Workshop. He hummed one of his sister Serval’s songs but quickly stopped himself as he cringed at the quality. If he actually sat down and practiced he probably would be able to improve but he can’t just bring himself to do it, finding it kind of embarrassing when he compared himself to Serval. He calls out as he enters the shop.
“Hey sister I got your message what —- up,” stated Gepard as he paused and took in the audience in the room. Obviously there was Serval, but Caelus and Welt from the Astral Express were here. It was nice to see them here but there was a distraction that had his focus. As there were two people he didn’t recognize. A knight with red hair and a young lad with dark skin and scar on his face.
“Geppy, just the person I was looking for,” smirked Serval, quickly putting an arm around his shoulder and in the same move locked the front door. “Are friends from the Astral Express, were just explaining this great idea to fundraise and I was just thinking how great of a fit you would be,” stated Serval in her voice that obviously shows she was hiding something. She has always been a bad liar.
“Sister, what are you planning, and who are these strangers” asked Gepard.
“No reason to bury the lead. The knight is Argenti and this is Arlan. They are here for the same reason we came to visit you. We are here to recruit you to our money making plan. You have a very good look and while your vocal prospects are below average we can work with that. You have a strong work ethic that will make training effective,” stated Welt with a glint in his eye as he observed Gepard.
“I —- appreciate the compliment, sir. But I don’t know about this. You haven’t even told me about—” responded Gepard, confused about the context of this situation.
“We want to recruit you to be an idol group,” interjected Caelus with a serious look with a hint of embarrassment. “Please Geprad, I need your help, I need someone like you.”
“You’re going to be an idol lil bro, you’re going to be so cute in your skirts” shouted Serval excitedly.
“W-What,” stammer Gepard.
“You’ll be another beautiful piece of the team,” laughed the red head man.
“I-I can't, I'm the captain of the Silvermane guards,” fired back Gepard.
“We already spoke with Bronya, she already approved saying you need a vacation,” smirked Welt.
“E-Even still. I-I think we should get my consent for this,” stammered Gepard only to be stopped when Caelus approached and put one hand on his shoulder.
“Gepard, please. I’ll owe you a trailblazer favor, but you have to understand that I need someone — of like mind,” stated Caelus directly making eye contact. He eyes dark as he points his head to the other men in the room.”I’m desperate.”
“Look — I understand your plight but,” stated Gepard looking away only to be interrupted by Lynx entering the room.
“Big Bro I heard you're performing, I’m going to be cheering you all the way,” smiled Lynx with one of the biggest smiles he has seen on her face.
Gepard and Caelus shared a dark look and the defeated nod. “I — now understand,” sighed Gepard. They let out a sigh and the group was formed.
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Welt looked over the boys he would be managing with pride. His coaching has been top notch, but to be fair he was the best of his group, so obviously he would coach his mentees well. Caelus was a clear leader for the group, and since gaining the access to the path of harmony his sense of rhythm has been boosted. The others just need to sync their movement to his. He’ll trust Himiko, Robin, and Serval who were gracious enough to agree to assist him in this project for wardrobe and coaching. As for the others Arlan is good at following Caelus lead and he’ll look good come debut the issue is that he isn’t very expressive. Robin had to coach him a lot to express more openly. Though he puts in a lot of effort when Asta visits. Which is quite often with how pumped she is for the performance. Argenti was outstanding in looks and able to match the vocal and dance performances. But he runs to the beat of his own drum and getting him to follow another lead has been a struggle. Between Himiko and himself they have to remain quite vigilant in making sure he doesn’t upstage the others. While Gepard was the opposite, he is still cringing during his vocal and dance performances but he is close to his cringe overwhelming him and just accepting his situation. Serval has been — helpful in getting him past the cringe barrier. Welt is well aware how it feels before you break past your limits. As he felt as he went through the same exact thing before his debut, but he’ll thank him, one day hopefully. But he is the best as following Caedus lead and once dressed he will be quite popular. I’m sure he will be a popular oshi among the Silvermane Guard, maybe even a kami oshi. Welt spotted Himoko, Robin, and Serval entering with the dress bags.
“Alright boys, take 5,” called out Welt as the boys stopped their dance and went for water bottles and seats as they wiped sweat from their brows. “Now let's see what the ladies have come up with for your debut.”
Argenti smiled, Arlan went mid no real response, Gepard was cringing as Caelus put a comforting hand on his shoulder. The dresses were halter style that would end at each of the boy’s thighs right above the knee. White with a few black outlines, each accented by each boy’s signature color. Each has a bow at their collar and thigh highs with that said color that lead to white and black heeled booties. Separately were wrist length gloves with fluff. Caelus' colors were Gray and Yellow, Argenti had red of course, Gepard was a light blue, and Arlan had black and darker blue than Gepard. (for reference look up the Hololive Gen 4 Idol dresses to get an idea for what it looks like. I did my best to explain it.) Himiko helped Caelus and Arlan into theirs, Serval was practically dragging her brother into his, and Robin was smiling as she assisted Argenti. Now dressed the boys finally look the part, and with the depressed look Gepard had it seems the cringe barrier has been crossed. Everything's coming together perfectly.
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The debut went as well as you expected. Asta was in full fangirl mode garbed in a fan made group jacket with a headband with penlights leading chants. Serval was smirking as Lynx led the Silvermane guard to cheer on Gepard. Dan Heng was disappointed in Caelus while March cheered out loud. Argenti had no one leading his fans but he was winning over several already as penlights across the crowd turned red. Of course there were some just gawking and others had their own reaction. But Welt smiled backstage.
-Some of the spectators watching the performance-
“Now this is an interesting development,” smirked Sampo. “Doubt they have planned a merch line, I smell a payday!”
“Oi Miss Nat, while you are looking so intensely,” asked Hook.
“Oh nothing just — admiring,” smirked Natasha. “I must say I’m just seeing the young captain in a new light. Maybe I should invite him for some tea next time he patrols in the underworld.”
“OOOHH,” shouted Guinaifen. “I’m going to get so many clicks on this post about it.”
“Not sure I thought about this when I said make memories, kid,” stated Kafka. “But enjoy every second of it.” She stated as she raise a glass while Blade who sat next to her frowned at the performance
Further back stood a blond man. “Hmph, I see you’ve brought out the forbidden technique. Hmph, this means war. I won’t be outdone Welt. I was the true talent of our squad and I won’t let you out do me Welt,” smirked Luocha. “I best head out and scout.”