☆TRACK V: I WILL TWIST THE KNIFE PT. 1

[interdimanagers]

Who: Everyone that isn't an opt out!
What: Naomi Rivers throws a terrible holiday party.
When: December 7th, 2054
Where: Naomi's ocean side mansion.
Warnings: Violence, poisoning, various murder attempts, mind control, general uncomfortable lack of consent. Also, probably drug use. Maybe sex? Who knows what you'll get up to.

“I will burn for you; Feel pain for you. I will twist the knife and bleed my aching heart, And tear it apart.” ☆I WILL TWIST THE KNIFE The first two hours of the solstice party are surprisingly normal. Members of both labels arrive by private sky shuttle, and are invited into the ballroom for food and drink. It’s even more surprising when both Lesedi Santiago and Edward Blanche arrive as well, and spent most of that first period speaking quietly in a nearby lounge area. Lesedi’s body guards and Juno watch the space around them, keeping anyone of lesser important from interrupting what looks to be quite the serious discussion. After food, the ballroom stage is taken over by a number of increasingly impressive entertainment pieces. It seems to be obligatory for everyone to stay and watch (not that it’s a struggle – the talent involved is unmistakeable), but not long into it Lesedi and Edward can be seen disappearing outside together, and show no immediate signs of returning. And that’s when Naomi Rivers takes the stage. To the Virgo that have heard it before, the song is more viscerally familiar than anything you’ve only heard once should be, and it awakens the ideas that were implanted there the night before. You have a job to do here, tonight. One that is only fair – almost righteous. Lesedi Santiago and her ilk will suffer for her transgressions. The performances end, and everyone is released out to the rest of the grounds, to mingle and celebrate at their leisure. While things may seem civil on the surface, beneath that something dark is brewing. You gradually begin to notice that almost none of the more veteran members of either label are present. ► BALLROOM: The central nexus of the party, the ballroom is the location of the buffet table, the stage, and the dance floor. There will be music available all night, even after the official “performances” have ended. There are tables set up around the edges of the room for eating and relaxing. ► LOUNGE: Where Lesedi and Edward were having their meeting earlier, the lounge is filled with comfortable chairs, classic art, and a large, ornate fireplace. If you figure out who to ask, there are a number of chemical vices available to all guests. ► BALCONIES: There is a generous series of balconies that line the exterior of the upper floor. The ocean can be seen from one side and the gardens can be seen from the other. ► GUEST ROOMS: Down the halls from the ballroom there are a few generous guest bedrooms that have been left open for use. ► GARDENS: Out towards the back there are a wide variety of plants, and a well kept stone path and manmade waterfall. The plant life is on the sedate side due to the winter, but it’s still green. ► OUTDOOR POOL: There’s a pool out front with a shallow and a deep end. The water is clear and artificially warmed. ☆OOC CONSIDERATIONS Please remember that any attempted assassinations are meant to remain covert, and if your character is incapable of being stealthy then you must assume that any attempts you make are happening towards the end of the evening – let’s say around 11PM. The spell compelling people to do this does not want a riot or a bloodbath – what it wants is for people to die before the rest of the group can realize that anything is even going on. Of course, this isn’t exactly going to work out, but if you are finding yourself getting into the realm of intense physical violence you might want to stop and slow down a little. Virgo members that didn’t hear the song the night before are free from any compulsions, and so are all members of Pride. If non-mind controlled characters start clueing in to what’s going on and start trying to evacuate in large numbers, that is where you’ll want to wrap up threads and wait for Part 2 of the log, which will contain the end results and will be triggered by any large amount of chaos. If any characters attempt to escape earlier in the evening, they’ll find that the shuttles have all been grounded, and wandering in the woodland nearby just seems to result in them getting lost and ending up back at the mansion. It’s a real pickle. If you’ve got any question about what’s going on please leave them on the original plot post and they’ll get answered! The opt out event will be posted ASAP. “I will lie for you; Beg and steal for you. I will crawl on hands and knees until you see: You're just like me.”

Comments

[blindfoldcode]

[This has been on fucking weird night. Kido has been noticing everyone acting weird, and for someone who's not good with people to begin with?

She needs air. She doesn't realize that she's ducking between people who aren't even reacting to her, her eyes flashing between red and grey. It's not until she's outside that her eyes finally go grey for good and she sighs in the garden, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. She doesn't really expect to be bothered out here--when she sees him, she blinks.]

Hey?

[hanginginthere]

[the cool air doesn't seem to be doing much for him. he breathes it in, but it feels like it's biting at his lungs, the wind itself whispering how he shouldn't be just sitting outside like a coward-

he looks up sharply at the voice. who...?]

...hey.

[blindfoldcode]

[It's a Pride musician! Look at that. What luck? Kido watches him a moment before she lights her cigarette, which she really needs to give up.]

Sorry if you were looking for privacy. [She ain't moving.]

[hanginginthere]

[Shen wrinkles his nose. ew. cigarette.]

Just wanted somewhere quiet. It's too much in there.

[too much of what, he doesn't specify - but he is studying her closely. she's...not Virgo.

which means what's in there is still here.]/small>

[blindfoldcode]

I can do quiet. [She's gonna have a hell of a time kicking the habit when she gets her memories back. She seats herself on a bench by a hedge.] You won't even know I'm here.

[hanginginthere]

Except from the smoke.

[sitting on the edge of the planter, it's not difficult for him to draw his legs up to his chest. it's a good thing he didn't wear a skirt or dress, but then, he's always valued freedom of movement. wrapping his arms around his legs is enough as it is.]

[blindfoldcode]

Huh? [It takes her a second to realize what he's saying before she looks startle and drops the cigarette, crushing it under her heel.] Sorry. Didn't realize it bothered you. It's too much for me in there, too. [And smoking helps calm her down. Or at least she thinks it does. She's not sure.]

[hanginginthere]

[Shen lets out an unhappy little huff of air as she extinguishes it. the least she could do, really. he was here first. typical Pride, acting as if it's their domain when Virgo's the one putting all this on, and now she's dirtying the place, too?

it almost makes him want to vomit. he swallows it down - for the moment.]

So why'd they make you come?

[blindfoldcode]

I always get dragged to these things. Trucy and Pinkie do better than I do, usually. But I have to at least show up... [She shrugs.] It's fun for a little while, at least. [But she's a huge introvert. She should try to be more polite here, she thinks. She already came off as super rude and that doesn't sit right with her.]

Name's Kido.

[hanginginthere]

[if he had any doubts that she was Pride, naming her bandmates seals it. System Crash. a band without any real substance or even style, nothing to it...]

...'mShen. Bai Shen.

[blindfoldcode]

[WOW OKAY FIGHT HER HER BAND IS FULL OF AMAZING PEOPLE AND SHE WILL LITERALLY FIGHT YOU MEET HER IN THE PIT?]

How'd you get dragged in?

[hanginginthere]

[to that? he shrugs a little.]

I wanted to practice. Nyla said no. [a beat, and he reaches to adjust his collar] She said I could wear what I wanted, though. [so he did. if he knew how, he would preen.]

[blindfoldcode]

Lucky. Wish Jin would let me get away with that. [She's half expecting to be dragged back to the penthouse by her ear one day.]

[hanginginthere]

She trusts me. [is that a hint of a smirk on his face?] I don't cause trouble. [except- well, none of that was his fault. he was trying to help...

...a member of Pride. and where did that get him? upset, distressed, and nothing but empty thanks. he huffs again, letting go of his legs and standing up to stretch a little.

he really should do something about all of it. make an example...]

[blindfoldcode]

[Yeah Kido does nothing but cause trouble and when he says that a frown sets on her face--she's never going to forget the feeling of being in that machine as long as she lives. She pulls her suit jacket a little tighter around her.]

Yeah, that might have something to do with it. I've never been great at keeping up the act.

[hanginginthere]

Why do you act?

[why not just be- better? is all of Pride pretending to be good people, but the moment others' backs are turned?...Shen licks his lips, thinking of the girl Garnet 'saved'.

maybe she didn't.]

[blindfoldcode]

Because if I don't, I lose my family. Tiger's just a kid, so I've gotta try to set an example at least, you know? And Trucy gets worried when I get myself into trouble. [She shrugs.]

I'm not good at being good, but I'm older. So I have to try to at least try to not be the world's worst example. And if I get fired--

[Her fists clench. She hasn't seen or heard from Sayaka since then. She's texted her a hundred times.]

I'm trying to stick with them.

[hanginginthere]

[it sounds like it's only a matter of time, really. and it'd probably be better for all of them if it was sooner. and...what way to be an example to someone than to be an example of what happens if you can only act?

they're musicians. not actors.

he sits back down- this time, next to her. there's only a few inches of space.]

What if you can't?

[blindfoldcode]

[That's not a train of thought she wants to think on.

Also he's very close. She looks a little uneasy, and if he's watching her, her eyes flash red, just briefly. Just for a second.]

I promised I would. I have to.

[hanginginthere]

[he is.

he doesn't look away, leaning back on his hands.]

I heard they broke up a band not long before I came in, just- fired some of the members and put the others in other ones. What if that happens?

[blindfoldcode]

[They flash again. She can't help it. It's a distressing thought, she wants to not be a part of this conversation.

She wants to disappear.]

So long as we keep making money, it won't happen. We're popular enough. We keep making music. We wouldn't if they broke us up.

[hanginginthere]

[eyes aren't supposed to be red. or- change colors at all. Shen's breath quickens a little, but all he does is nod.] You're probably right. [he looks out towards the gardens again, reaching to rub his face with a hand] I guess I'm just worried...

[



that he'll miss.

because the hand on the side furthest from her? is holding one of the knives. and he, abruptly? is twisting around to jam it in to her torso.

all too late, he realizes he should probably have tried to cover her mouth.]

[blindfoldcode]

[Probably.

Kido is about to answer him--it's nice of him to worry, but they've got it under control. They stuck together this long. They'll keep sticking it out--

But then there is pain. Bright, blinding pain. Her eyes widen, the flashing gone, just red, and there's a moment of silent shock. It seems to last forever in her mind.

This wasn't how she expected to die. She thought she was safe from getting shanked on the street. She really thought that part of her life was behind her. She grabs onto his arm, honestly if only to try to stay stable--

And then she screams. It's really a shame that no one but Shen can hear it. Because it would cause some serious alarm.]

[hanginginthere]

[there's a part of Shen that recoils at this. that's horrified and screaming, no, no! that part of him may as well be deaf, dumb, and mute- for it can do nothing as he pushes forwards, grabbing on to her as she does him, trying to cover her mouth with his hand and twists.

there's an intensity to his face, but no pleasure. with the way he's baring his teeth, it could very well be him the one in pain, but- no. no, he needs to do this, needs to make sure she's gone and gone and gone and gone-]

[blindfoldcode]

[She's choking on air when he twists, every muscle in her body pulling tight, tears in her eyes. Her scream is now at least muffled by his hand--though he's the only one who can hear it. She doesn't understand. She doesn't get it. Sure she's not the greatest person in the world. She's having trouble kicking smoking, and she drinks when she really shouldn't and she's been considering much less acceptable drugs but--

Does she have to die for it? Christ.

Her body is dragging itself down with her weight and suddenly there's a worse fear that pops into her head. Some of her band is here. Some of her band is here and there's someone who just stabbed her. Tiger and Molly, she knows she saw them. Pinkie, too, maybe?

Her thoughts are rushing in a panic. How many times did she promise Trucy she wouldn't disappear?

She might be a disaster but she doesn't want to die. She slips from the bench, though.]