interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK VII: IN REACHING OUT PT. 1

Entry tags:

☆TRACK VII: IN REACHING OUT PT. 1

Who: Everyone in Pride and Virgo HQ.
What: Ghosts need your help.
When: The evening of January 30th, 2055
Where: Pride and Virgo HQ.
Warnings: Phantasmal violence, possibly some real violence.

“Hold your colours against the wall,
When they take everything away,
Hold your colours against the wall,
With me (soaking through)”

☆IN REACHING OUT

Starting around the 20th of January, the heavy lockdown and supervision of the musicians of both labels will begin to fade. While they still require escorts to be out and about, the guards that have been routinely stalking them around their own homes and HQs will be gradually phased out, until it is just the regular managers and security remaining. Sweet deal, right? Over a month after the hysteria of the ill-fated solstice party, things seem to be finally letting up a little. Whether because you've played nice for long enough, or whether their attentions are being directed elsewhere, it isn't clear.

Either way, this is the also the start of some increasingly familiar paranormal activity. All the way back to the first tour of this generation of musicians, members of both Pride and Virgo have found themselves haunted by strange and inexplicable happenings. Starting on the 23rd, these happenings begin to flare up again - lights switching on and off, TVs starting on their own, and even things falling off of shelves unprovoked. (These minor happenings can be made up by you and don't need to be mod designated - however, they should not be anything that would be threatening or dangerous to the characters.) For some people this will be completely new, and for others it may even be faintly nostalgic.

This will continue until the night of the 30th, when things finally seem to come into swing. The hauntings will become more pointed and explicit. The details are specific to each HQ, and there and you can make yourself open to an NPC haunting down below.

☆PRIDE RECORDS

About halfway through the evening on the 30th, Predator will begin prowling the halls of Pride HQ. At first it won't be clear for what, but after catching a few snippets of conversation (this can be handwaved) characters will have a change to realize that they are looking for the ghosts that have been causing a fuss recently. How crazy this will sound to you will probably depend on how new you are. They will actively shake down random musicians they meet for information about what they've seen the last couple days. As usual, Jenny is leading the pack, with Cass and Donny (nsfw) providing back up muscle.

Provided you lie well or tell them the truth, they will move along fairly quickly. If you start shit with them, they will probably rough you up a little. Any major confrontations with them will be handled on the companion OOC post, and a few top levels may appear over here that can be tagged into in limited amounts.

Beyond those activities, Pride members will feel various effects based on their EMOTIONAL ALIGNMENTS:

► ALL: Their connection and desire to create music will be especially heightened. They will find themselves subconsciously beginning to tap out rhythms, hum, peck at instruments, or straight up sing things even when it would otherwise be totally inappropriate. Strong emotions will cause them to want to sing and play to each other. They may also feel very strongly that they want to dance, to a particularly addictive beat that seems to emanate from the air. It may shift and change as the night goes on, but at any given moment everyone will hear the same rhythm. It sounds like particularly great percussion.

► LOVE & DUTY: They will have no extra special effects, but they will feel this urge to create music even more strongly than the rest, as it seems to be focused on them as they are not being directly targeted by any other sensations. When Hope and Passion musicians hear music made by these characters, they will feel stronger, like energy is being gifted to them.

► HOPE: Characters of this alignment will feel increasingly like they are being drawn somewhere, or like someone is calling for them, but they can't quite make out the direction it's coming from. The aspect of hope will be empowered within them, and they will find themselves unusually trusting towards the other characters, as if they only have the most optimistic outcomes in mind. Beyond this, they may feel dazed or confused by the sensations they are feeling. They may also experience strange visions, or the sensation of being another person they are not (and not just their true self this time, someone else completely).

► PASSION: Characters of passion will be targeted by the 'hauntings' much more directly than the others. More than random acts, the hauntings around them seem like someone is actively trying to communicate with them. Sometimes it will even feel like someone is trying to speak in their heads, though they won't quite be able to make it out. Passion characters who request haunting instances will get the most major effects.

☆VIRGO ENTERTAINMENT

Soon after things start to get extra weird on the 30th, Juno and a couple Virgo veterans (Anansi and a man you recognize as a popular folk artist named Brett Hogan) will start wandering the halls. They will pull individuals aside for questioning in private rooms, asking about the strange occurrences. They will not attempt to rough anyone up, but excessively resistance or attempts at violence towards them may result in characters being locked in their rooms for the rest of the night.

All three of them seem particularly hard to lie to for some reason, tonight. It's possible, but while you make the effort to do so, the words seem to be on the verge of falling out of your mouth. Juno seems to have something very particular in mind as she searches the HQ, like she can see something you can't. There will also be top levels for these guys appearing.

Beyond those activities, Pride members will feel various effects based on their EMOTIONAL ALIGNMENTS:

► ALL: Their connection and desire to create music will be especially heightened. They will find themselves subconsciously beginning to tap out rhythms, hum, peck at instruments, or straight up sing things even when it would otherwise be totally inappropriate. Strong emotions will cause them to want to sing and play to each other. They may also feel very strongly that they want to dance, to a particularly addictive tune that seems to emanate from the air. It may shift and change as the night goes on, but at any given moment everyone will hear the same song. It sounds like someone riffing expertly on a guitar.

► HOPE & PASSION: They will have no extra special effects, but they will feel this urge to create music even more strongly than the rest, as it seems to be focused on them as they are not being directly targeted by any other sensations. When Love and Duty musicians hear music made by these characters, they will feel stronger, like energy is being gifted to them.

► LOVE: Characters of this alignment will feel increasingly like they are being drawn somewhere, or like someone is calling for them, but they can't quite make out the direction it's coming from. The aspect of love will be empowered within them, and they will find themselves unusually loving, connected, and emotionally open to others, even if this would usually be out of character. (This can also mean they are more inclined to get physically intimate, if you want to.) Beyond this, they may feel dazed or confused by the sensations they are feeling. They may also experience strange visions, or the sensation of being another person they are not (and not just their true self this time, someone else completely).

► DUTY: Characters of duty will be targeted by the 'hauntings' much more directly than the others. More than random acts, the hauntings around them seem like someone is actively trying to communicate with them. Sometimes it will even feel like someone is trying to speak in their heads, though they won't quite be able to make it out. Duty characters who request haunting instances will get the most major effects.

☆PLOT NOTE

This will be a two part event, and the second part will be posted in a few days and will only include those that choose to help the spirits. This can be discussed OOC. Any alignment can assist, though the Passions from Pride and the Duties from Virgo will be the most directly pursued because they will be the easiest for the spirits to communicate with. Realize that participating is serious business, though: there are good odds the characters will be caught eventually, and there will be consequences. Do not volunteer your characters for this plot if you don't want them to suffer potential physical or mental trauma.

“Fading gently, soaking through,
And starting not to show at all.
In reaching out and into you, 
nothing else could touch me.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

a

[ Marty's guitar has been following him everywhere. Or rather, he's taken it everywhere. He feels such a strong attachment to it, it's almost ridiculous. The wanting to do anything: play, write, sing until his voice is literally gone, is so incredibly strong today that it's driving him crazy. It's like no matter how much he does, this weird craving just can't be sated. Marty absolutely loves it though. The inspiration, the passion he feels.

You might catch him jamming out somewhere, anywhere, to some oldies tunes, which...for some reason, are his favorite. That probably explains the really cheesy 80's mullet he's rocking, and the one ear that's pierced. ]

It's not too hard to figure out, you see it every day
And those that were the farthest out have gone the other way
You see them on the freeway, it don't look like a lot of fun
But don't you try to fight it, an idea whose time has come!

[ Marty's is absolutely in it; he chomps down hard on his lip, he shuffles from one foot to another. He's always moving along with the music, not even caring how silly or weird he looks. ]

Don't tell me that I'm crazy
Don't tell me I'm nowhere
Take it from me
It's hip to be square!

b

[ Eventually, Marty's fingers will get so sore he's gotta put the guitar down for a while. But his mind is still buzzing, and he's desperate to unleash some of this creative energy somewhere. Whether you're with Defying Atmosphere, or another band entirely, he'll probably come up to you with his hands stuffed in his pockets. ]

Hey, you wanna try and write a song, or somethin'?

[ Marty's got the career of a lifetime, so he's going to stick to it thick or thin. As far as he's concerned, his life is dedicated to anything that has to do with music...and honestly? He's okay with that! Hopefully you are too, or he might get kind of pushy. ]

[Marty's not the only person who's up and out and can't seem to quite get all this creative energy out. Down in one of the coffee places, Rei's seemingly taking her ease, but the Flowers over Bone's violinist is anything but. She has a notepad in front of her, dozens of notes, scratched out lyrics and lines...and when Marty comes up to her she practically whirls to look at him.]

Oh! [Realizes he's not someone she knows...] Actually? Yes. That's what I've been trying to do for the last hour. Maybe working with someone would make it click better.

Oh man. Awesome! [ He wasn't expecting it to work. He'll happily help to pitch in and help though! ]

Okay! So, ah... [ Marty looks around, before plopping his butt down in a chair. This girl definitely wasn't in his band, but hey. There wasn't any harm in brainstorming with a fellow musician, right? Maybe he could come up with something good for Defying Atmosphere too. ] What's your song about?

[Well, since he's sitting and actively seems interested in doing what he'd suggested, Rei smiles genially and answers in a pretty cordial manner.]

It's about a man. A...I guess a prince.

[There's a sketch on her pad, of a gallant looking man. Turning it around she shares it with him.]

I'm trying to think of a good way to start. It's sort of a pop-symphonic sound I'm looking for, something epic to fit with his look.

[ This idea was kind of difficult, but he can appreciate a challenge, definitely. It was just hard to look at a prince in the eyes of someone else, y'know? Of him being dreamy, or whatever. ] Okay. So. [ Marty leans back in his chair, pressing a thumb to his lip. ] So what's this guy's background? Is his life as a prince hard, or kinda easy? Maybe you could use little details like that as an opening.

[ Marty leans forward again. ] Like say, if he's had a hard life at first for some reason, maybe try having the beginning sound more solid. Or if he had it easy, something real soft and flowy?

[Well fair enough. But Rei definitely doesn't think he's dreamy...] Hmm. That's a good thought. I've just been kind of making it up as I go. It's just a scribble I saw.

[Rubbing her chin, she starts tapping the pencil against the drawing.] I'm thinking maybe he's a kind of hero. So, he had a difficult life for sure. Maybe fighting a war or something.

[A beat.]

Oh, and I'm sorry. My name's Rei. I'm the violinist with Flowers over Bones.

See, there ya go! Where would you want him to be? Like if you could choose any kind of setting for this guy, where would he be? [ Marty taps the sketch a few times with his finger. ] What about an intergalactic war, or something? Unless it'd be hard to fit your instrument in there somewhere. [ Marty pauses for a moment.

Oh hey, introductions. Duh, Marty. ]

Nah, don't be! I'm Marty, from Defying Atmosphere. I just got signed on as the new lead guitar.

[ He smiles! ] Are you from Virgo? I can't remember half of the record companies and their bands, I gotta be honest.

Marty. [She smiles at him and waves her hands around the room.]

I am from Virgo, yes. We're in a Virgo establishment, after all and I doubt . I'm friends with your keyboardist, Meril, as well.

[As for the song though, something does click and she starts out a bit, a line coming to her.]

What if he was someone in a war for love?

Oh, hey. Right. [ He's still trying to get used to this stuff, apologies. ]

Ooh, so you know Meril? She's pretty nice, isn't she? Kinda hard to imagine only she and Greg were workin' in Defying Atmosphere for a while. Did you know the other band mates at all? [ Marty can't deny he's curious about what got the other people kicked off the band. That way he can learn what not to do, so he doesn't end up falling under the same stuff!

It's good to get his head back into music though. Thinking about getting fired makes him nervous. ] A war for love, huh? [ He grins. ] You mean a Romeo and Juliet kind of thing? That'd work!

Maybe they could start a war because he wants to love...whoever it is. If you wanna make it intense?

She is pretty nice, yeah. [Rei smiles somewhat sadly at the mention of Defying Atmosphere's original lineup, nodding.] Gaige and I were friends. One of the originals. We...went out a couple of times. She was nice. In a quirky sort of way.

[As are most of the members...though back to the music, yes!]

And yeah, that's sort of exactly what I'm thinking. A war for love, or...maybe because of love? He's happy, with his someone, and a third party gets jealous. Is that too cliche?

[ Oh. Oh. Way to go, Marty. ] Oh, jesus. Sorry. I didn't mean to- [ He rubs the back of his neck. ] Get into shit that's not really my business or anything. Didn't know.

[ YES music good yes. ]

Nah, I don't think it's cliche! As long as you play it off right. Like...something big happens sometime. Like it's the climax of the song! [ He looks down and thinks for a moment, before shaking his head. ] But not have someone die, or stuff like that. It's gotta be something else.

Don't worry about it. That was a while ago. Just a date, no big.

[Seriously. No harm no foul, she's kind of in a committed...thing...anyway.]

Oh, and no I was thinking more...I dunno, rebirth. They should die, but that's not the climax. That's just the first stanza, because in the end they have to come back.

Right, right. [ Marty offers Rei a smile that's still...kind of sorry. ] Thanks, I guess. [ He's still gonna feel bad about this, though.

Back to music, back to music. He racks his brain, his brow furrowing. It might be just a song, but he's going to put all he can into this song, dammit. ] Maybe... [ Another little pause. ] What if the power of love brings 'em back? Like their love for each other's so strong even when they die, that it brings 'em back somehow?

[ That's so cliche that Marty kind of wants to throw up, though. ]

[She shrugs, but...well, actually, that doesn't work. Frowning, she shakes her head a few times and taps her pencil.] No, no that's...really stupid. I mean, every single play and story about that sort of thing with a happy ending involves the power of love returning them to life.

[A light comes on upstairs.]

What if it was a cycle like with the Norse Gods? Where everything repeats every so often. Like...maybe the death is the opening, and the buildup comes as they meet each other again. And that would make the climax...breaking the cycle?

[All of Virgo seems to just be full of music today, and, normally, Luce would find this unusual considering some theories she has. Yet the music is consuming her, too, and her laugh when she comes across Marty is more encouraging than anything.]

[Clapping along to the beat, she sways from side to side a bit with the song.]

[ Through the absolute chaos going through his head right now, Marty can hear someone clapping nearby! He focuses enough on reality to see a person standing by, a grin broke across her face as she sways back and forth. That's what really makes Marty feel happy. Having a thing for music is great, but it's even better when you find someone who's enjoying what you do.

If he can get her attention, Marty'll shoot her a devilish kind of grin. He'll stand on one of the tables nearby, nodding over to another one. ] You should play too!

[The devilish grin makes her smile right back, and the invitation brings out a laugh.]

I do bass! Stand up bass! [And guitar too, when it suits her, but no need to mention that just yet.] I don't think the table could hold it.

[ Ooh, that could make an interesting mix! ]

Screw the table! [ He waves it away, before looking back down to her. ] C'mon, you got your bass?

[ He offers down a hand, Aladdin-style. Only maybe he's not saying something like 'do you trust me?' but instead 'let's blow these people out of the water with absolutely no regrets!' ]

[Fortunately for Marty, Luce was coming back from some practice even if it was less 'practice' and more her trying to get rid of this burst of creative energy by even a little bit. Turning back, she gets the big heavy case and offers it up to him with a teasing grin.]

If you can get this up, you have a bass player.

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☆TRACK VII: IN REACHING OUT PT. 1

Marty McFly | Virgo | Duty

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