interstellar5555 | "Gli farò un'offerta che non potrà rifiutare."

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"Gli farò un'offerta che non potrà rifiutare."

Who: MANTICORE and Roy Mustang
What: the violence-worshipping band give the warm-up band's guitarist an offer he can't refuse.
When: 17ish?
Where: someplace a gig can take place. Vista City Mini Amphitheatre? idk
Warnings: language? probably?? SQUALO? idk will add as necessary

(( There are four main sections you can post your toplevels or tag in to:
- before Manticore's performance (watching Roy play, generic shenanigans, forcing him to stay onstage after his band's done),
- during (if you wanna play out making music and/or stage shenanigans!),
- after (the final verdict) and then, finally,
- dragging their catch back home and staging THE INITIATION CEREMONY. that's right MANTICORE is lowkey a frat house.
Have fun! Threadjacking encouraged and expected! Basically, go wild. ))

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[Jecht is a pretty simple guy. He flashes a thumbs-up in the gang's direction, then reaches out to grab Roy with a grin.]

You can't leave yet. Party's just getting started.

[ What felt like a death threat followed by a sudden performance with a hit band and now this? Roy was hoping to escape and down a bottle of water and probably a few shots with his band as soon as possible. He gives Jecht a forced crooked smile. ]

Are you inviting me to your after party?

You could say that. Maybe more than one. The guys were pretty impressed by your performance.

Thank you. That's very nice to hear from one of Pride's rising stars. I'm not at Orion's level yet but I intend to get there.

[ In different circumstances he would be grinning ear to ear but after his rough introduction to the band with Squalo's knife involved, he's being conservative for the moment. ]

See, here's the thing about being Pride -- we want you? We can get you. [Jecht's talking out his ass as far as he knows, but actually he wouldn't be surprised if that were true. Pride has a lot of clout, and if they tossed out a 'what if Virgo snaps him up' line or two...]

Question is, how's that strike you?

[ Jecht's proposal quickly becomes clear but naturally there's a reaction of disbelief at first and a lot of repeating Jecht's words in his head. Did he hear right? ]

You want me to join MANTICORE?

That's the topic of debate. [Jecht jerks his head back to the others where they're huddled, talking over this very thing.] But let's not kid ourselves. If they weren't gonna say yes they wouldn't be talkin' about it.

[Jecht knows his band better than they know themselves, maybe. At least in this respect.]

I'm not sure... Not that I'm not flattered. I would feel bad leaving Ignition Point behind. We haven't been together very long but I owe it to them to give it some thought before answering.

[Roy ducks his head a little and lowers his voice.]

Does Squalo always carry around a knife and enjoy threatening people with it?

Aaaah, he's...

[Harmless? Uh, Jecht has to reconsider that before he says it. Sure, Squalo's harmless to HIM. Jecht'd call most people harmless to him, same as he's a harmless guy despite his looks.]

Yeah, that's his style. Probably wouldn't have stabbed you though...

Probably? [Roy sighs. Everyone else in the band seems reasonable while Squalo is... something else.]

I wouldn't call it a style. If it's a stage persona I find it in poor taste. Doesn't it make you uncomfortable?

Y'ever heard the phrase 'all bark and no bite'? That's pretty much him. [At least as far as Jecht is concerned.] I've toured with crazy people back in the old days. Lots crazier than that. He's cool.

[ Roy sighs loudly in relief. ]

That's good to hear. -Very good to hear honestly. I'd be a fool to associate with someone who intends to knife me.

[ He attempts to chuckle but it comes out weak. Time to change the subject. He offers his hand to Jecht. ]

I should properly introduce myself. I'm Roy Mustang. Nice to meet you.

I know that. [Jecht casually slaps the man's hand with his own. Formal handshakes don't fly when you wear a shirt as infrequently as he does.] Checked out some of your work when I heard you were fronting for us.

Noticed pretty quick you were carrying them, too.

[ Roy scratches the back of his head a little bashfully. ]

I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm carrying the act. They all have a great deal of potential- they just haven't quite reached the level to deserve the spotlight on a huge stage like this yet.

[ That said... ] Mark keeps saying he's surprised I'm playing with them instead of a bigger gig. It seems that has caught up to us tonight.

You're up here, they're down their. Nothing says they won't make it up here someday. Just saying you're up here now. [Simple enough in Jecht's terms.]

[ Roy ducks his head and nods. He doesn't want to put anyone down. It's just the reality of their circumstance. ]

I found it easier to play with you today than it has been with my current band, honestly. I was focused on my own playing and looking for cues and inspiration from the rest of you. Usually I'm a little distracted thinking about the others keeping up.

Ain't seen any of your live performances so take it with a grain of salt, but I think it showed. [Jecht shrugs, not wanting to make too much of it. Sounds like Roy already gets what he's saying.]

If I do join MANTICORE, am I still allowed to visit my old band? [ He jokes though he really can't tell for sure with Squalo. ] I'd owe them dinner and a long talk.

Are you sure this isn't too soon after Orion left? I don't know how his fans will take to new blood so soon.

Might have to be supervised visits. Don't want 'em thinking they can pull the same stunt we did, right? [Jecht punches his palm, though he's just kidding around. It shows in how relaxed he is.]

You ain't gonna replace him. You're gonna be you.

I wouldn't dream of trying to replace him. The trouble is that some fans might think that really is my intention. I don't want to take away from MANTICORE's success by setting off some sort of boycott.

Trust us, we'll make that clear. It's in everyone's interest, so we'll get the label's backing. Plus the way we're going about it ought to help! [Jecht jerks a thumb in the direction of the crowd. Pulling this off at a gig, where people are recording and stuff, might have been the unintentionally smartest thing they've ever done.]

Good. [ That's another thing Roy can check off his concern list. ]

I should warn you, I have some side projects. I don't know how Pride will take to them but I'd like the support of whatever band I'm in. Some day I'd like to make it big as a solo act.

You back us, we'll back you. Give us a hundred percent and we'll let you put a hundred percent in on your stuff.

[That's something he'd fight the others to the death on if he had to. So long as a man gives his best, he has a right to do what he wants too. Whatever that is.]

[ Roy nods to him. ] All right. If the rest of the band wants me, then I'm in.

Smart man. It's easier if you don't fight it. [Not that JECHT was gonna force him, but they certainly might have tried to influence his decision more than a little...]

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"Gli farò un'offerta che non potrà rifiutare."

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