interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK I: NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

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☆TRACK I: NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

Who: Every single one of you.
What: Interstellar's first log, and an awards ceremony for jerks you don't know!
When: October 2nd.
Where: A fancy ballroom in neutral territory.
Warnings: Could be anything.

“Oh, it's been getting so hard,
Living with the things you do to me;
My dreams are getting so strange,
I'd like to tell you everything I see.

I see a man at the back as a matter of fact,
His eyes are as red as the sun.
And the girl in the corner lets no one ignore her,
‘Cause she thinks she's the passionate one.”

☆NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

It’s the seasonal Vista Music Industry Award Gala, and attendance is mandatory. You and your band have been touring non-stop for the last two months, hitting locations all over Americana, performing and doing press appearances. This event is set less than three days after your return home, but it’s been made clear that further rest will have to wait.

Though Halloween technically isn’t until the end of the month, the gathering has a formal masquerade theme - masquerade that is, not costume. Dressing up as a mummy or a clown isn’t going to cut it. Themed formal wear is expected, and your image consultants have been pestering you about your choices for the last 48 hours. Whether or not you listen to them, how you dress feels incredibly important. At least if you let the consultants fuss over you, you can be sure it’ll be something press friendly.

Various awards are being given out, but none of them are for you. The media in attendance are starting to bubble with enthusiasm for the ‘rising stars’ of the industry, however, so this could be a moment to shine. Labels besides Pride and Virgo are also in attendance, but who cares about those guys? They seem to be a mere footnote in comparison to the buzz around the heavy hitters.

There’s food, alcohol, dancing, stage performances by notable musicians of both Pride and Virgo, and then the formal awards ceremony in the evening. Yes, you are expected to sit through them. Do try to look like you’re interested, the media is watching.

☆PRIDE RECORDS

Lesedi Santiago doesn’t always make a big deal about introductions - or at least, that’s the impression you get when she just kind of shows up in your group limousine unannounced on your way over to the party. Deep into pre-drinking a bottle of gin, she doesn’t talk with you so much as talk at you, regaling your band with weird stories about the industry while completely ignoring the fact that her presence is more intimidating than comforting. You’re not sure if it’s intentional, but at least she’s a good story teller - her speech doesn’t seem to be at all affected by the quantity of booze she’s already consumed, which is kind of bizarre if you think about it too deeply. You’re not inclined to.

You’ve all met her before, here and there, in a series of bombastic encounters. Her interest in pontificating at you and the other new label inductees seems to fade immediately upon entering the ballroom, as she quickly becomes distracted with more high profile guests. Her attention fixates on Edward Blanch from time to time, but she declines to address him specifically. If you want to get some of her one on one attention, now could be your chance - just make sure you go in ready. Handling Miss Santiago can be a bit of an...experience.

Veteran Pride members are in attendance as well, but most of them are not very good company. Their reactions vary from ‘frat members greeting a new pledge’ to ‘disinterested shoulder pats’, and ultimately it will seem your attention is better received by the other newbies. Maybe even the Virgo Entertainment stiffs, at that.

Because, of course, that crew is here as well. Lesedi suggested you “show them who’s boss,” but you’re not necessarily sure what that’s supposed to mean.

☆VIRGO ENTERTAINMENT

Tonight's event is one of considerable speculation: it marks Edward Blanche's first public appearance after a considerable period of isolation. He's a private man, a mystery and an enigma to the public, and that just seems to make him all the more intoxicating. The Managers and security staff are out in full force, and if you know what's good for you, you'll be dressed to the nines. Your image consultant will be almost desperate to do the work for you, like they're afraid of what might happen to their careers if you embarass the label on their watch.

Personal style is important, but everything in your gut tells you that your nose has got to be clean this time, or trouble is sure to follow. For many of you, this will be the first time you'll ever have seen your CEO in person, and as such, the first time he'll encounter you one on one. If you're going to brown nose, now's the time - but make sure you choose your words carefully, and don't waste his time. Blanche has little patience for it.

There are veteran musicians of the Virgo label in attendance, ones with dozens of awards to their names, but they seem to have little interest in speaking with you. Some are politely avoidant while others and just rudely dismissive, but none of them really give an answer for why they just aren't interested. It's not totally surprising - Virgo's interior politics are harsh.

Other notable guests include Lesedi Santiago and the rest of the Pride Records entourage. Though you may have acquaintances, or even friends, who have been snatched up by the other side, it's even more likely that you have enemies. Everything about your Virgo upbringing makes you feel like you should hold a certain contempt for their ilk - people in this label think of them as classless at best and crass maniacs at worst.

Did you hear about that disgusting stunt one of their front runners pulled on stage last week? Revolting.

☆THE TWIST

Some of you may remember strange events from the past few weeks. Misplaced objects, malfunctioning technology, nostalgic phantom music - it feels a lot like the last portion of your tour was haunted. Now that you're back home, all of that seems to be flaring up again. You can practically feel the otherworldly presences passing through the room, even if nobody besides your tour group seems to notice. Even though they aren't knocking glasses off tables and flickering lights like last time, their presence is somehow even more apparent.

Your programming makes one thing clear: don't make a public fuss about this. Ignore it, everything's fine. The second part only goes so far. Especially when, at some point or another, you'll be shaken by the feeling that one of these ghosts has walked straight through you. For that moment, you feel like a totally different person. At this point, one of four memory regain effects will occur:

► REMEMBER LOVE: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to one of the greatest loves of your past life. Can be either romantic, platonic, or familial. It must be about a person and not a place or activity, though.

► REMEMBER DUTY: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you held a great sense of duty or loyalty to in your past life. It could be a person, a cause, a country, or anything in between.

► REMEMBER PASSION: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you were passionate about to the point of anger or determination in your past life. Not enjoyment of, but something that drove you, or one of the things most likely to make you throw a punch.

► REMEMBER HOPE: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you dreamed about making come true, or an important hope you had for the future in your past life. This covers any kind of positive goal or ambition for you or the world around you.

The feeling will quickly fade, leaving you as the person you've been made into once again. Only now you have something new: the first fragment of a life you can't remember having lived. The CEOs and managers will react to this eventually, and you're probably going to get sent home early. This, however, will be covered with a top level further into the log.

“I'm reaching out for something,
Touching nothing's all I ever do.
Oh, I softly call you over;
When you appear there's nothing left of you.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You look like shit.

[If she hadn't been coming from the bathroom Nariko might not have noticed Luci either, she was so tucked away. But it's just impossible to ignore the look on the woman's face and, oddly enough, how it pulls at a little something in the back of Nariko's head. It's quickly shut down - she needs to make sure Luci is alright! - but it is there for just an extra second.]

Need some real air?

[Of course, getting a manager or finding Luci's bandmates might make more sense but, hey, maybe she just needs to get out of this place for a bit. If they both go then the blame can be split fifty-fifty.]

Well we can't all be made of plastic, now can we?

[This isn't Yuffie or even Xanxus. It's some other bird from some other Pride band. Luci straightens up.]

Great idea-- [She pulls out her cigarette case, mounts one between her lips and goes searching for her lighter.]

Cosmic Indulgence, yeah?

Yep! And you're the lead of Junkyard Carnival.

[They're both leads, at that, so wasn't there a measure of artistic irony to be had, there? She puts herself next to Luci, keeps a polite distance.] Can I have one of those and pay you back later?

[She doesn't smoke often, it's not good for her voice, but just once every other moon isn't unforgivable.]

You can have one and pay me now. [Luci grinned, took the cigarette out of her mouth and tapped her lips. So what if someone was watching? This Nariko chick's press photos didn't do her justice.] I don't even taste like an ashtray yet.

Not even five minutes, that has to be a new record. [It's impressive. Nariko leans in, delivers her form of payment innocently at first, almost too light until she steps in a little, indulges in pressing herself against the other woman just slightly and ...

Pulls away, because who doesn't love a little teasing.] I think I'd be fine even if you did taste like one. [Oh, she should probably move away! But another second won't hurt. She can't remember the last time someone was actually this interesting, so this whole experience needs to be savored.]

What can I say? I don't bother warming up when I'm already ready to go. [Luci grins until Nariko lands, letting the other singer set the pace. She doesn't need Camila or worse-- Santiago-- breathing down her neck about harassing the talent. So it's a little bit of a surprise when Nariko actually initiates more contact, though Luci is not complaining at all. There's some fire in this one for sure.]

Well well, you've got some tooth, don't you? [Luci smirks, opens her cigarette case, and holds one up for Nariko to take-- with her mouth, if she likes.] People call me Lucifer, but you, Nariko, can definitely call me Luci.

[The invitation is there and she takes it, figuratively and literally, when she rights herself there's a bit more space between them, it's a little more respectable, but only just that. She grins, feels more than a bit of pride, but instinct says not to let it go to her head - not just yet.]

I'm truly honored, and I'll remember it if you star in any of my less innocent dreams. ['Tooth' might be the word, but 'impulsive' is another. She should probably try to be a little less crass, something that only crosses her mind when the words are out. Oh, well. They're easy to make up for.] I'm assuming you've got a light somewhere in all that impressive clothing?

[Luci chuckles, dark and brief. This talk of 'less innocent dreams' is apparently amusing and completely welcome.]

I've got you covered, darling. [She pops open a zippo with an inverted pentagram engraved on the front with practiced ease, and lights Nariko's cigarette before dealing with her own.]

Your manager going to get her knickers in a bunch over that stunt? I thought I saw about six cellphones out.

[The design on it makes her grin, obviously Luci's got a theme going, at least she maintains it well.] Anyone who wants to get upset about something that small obviously doesn't know what I'm actually capable of. [Nariko kissed a lot of people - not romantically, and certainly not in a half-charged manner as she had with Luci, but still! - it seemed a ridiculous thing to waste energy on.] Even if I get in trouble I'll take the licks, it was worth it.

[Inhale, exhale: Man, she missed this.] Besides, I'd do just about anything short of setting Ms. Santiago on fire if it made all of this a little more entertaining.

Flattery will get you everywhere. [Luci says with a grin, though she's clearly pleased by the assessment of her kissing skills. She thinks she could come to like this Nariko of Cosmic Indulgence.]

Funny thing about 'mandatory fun', it's rarely fun. [She's not about to invoke the gorgon's name if she can help it. Something about Santiago made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.] But the aftermath... that's at least within our control.

Something exists after this existential hell? I'll be able to get back to what I love at some point? [She does a good job of looking utterly amazed at this 'revelation', but switches back to moderate amusement in the following instant.] You've got a point, although if I'm not careful Garnet will drag me out of here before anyone can even say 'after party'. She never lets me have any fun.

[Probably thanks to Nariko's ability to find too much of it. But that is so beside the point.] Not even flattery can't get me out from under Mom's watchful stare.

Isn't that the point of managers? To make sure you do nothing but what you're paid to do? [Luci casts a nervous glance around for Camila. She's never been able to figure out why, but that woman gives her more heebie-jeebies than anyone. Period. Logic tells her that she doesn't have to be afraid of anybody or anything-- she's a star, a God.]

[But Camila, and Santiago? Every time she thinks about having a go at them, her skin crawls from the neck down.]

I mean, there's fun and then there's just... fun. [Luci sighs and tries to shake the thoughts from her head.] How are we supposed to produce anything that speaks to people, really inspires them, if we don't even know what's outside our own buses?

I'm more concerned about my bandmate than my manager, Mr. Kim isn't so bad. [He didn't like her diverging from the 'Art!!!!' too much but the fact of the matter was that Nariko always came back with the start of something after she was left to run off her own leash. Mr. Kim likely understood that in the way Luci was clearly describing.]

But to answer your question: We do that by sneaking out of said buses, and having the time of our lives as hard and fast as possible. [That, of all things, isn't actually meant to be sexual! What a miracle. She flicks ash into the tree's pot. It's probably fake anyway.] It's all about deciding what's worth the inevitable punishment. And then writing a song about it later on.

[At least, that's how Nariko's got it worked out.]

Sure, but it's the fact that we have to sneak out of said buses that has me... [She trails off and takes a drag on her cigarette. The thought almost disintegrates in her mind, and the words are gone. The only thing left feels like bone under flesh cut away: I am of Rebellion.]

Punishment is nothing. They won't take performing away, they'll try to keep me on the bus, they try to take my pay away, but even they know that's not why I'm here.

[Yes, their leashes are far too short, and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If it was maybe just one manager or Santiago being far more strict than Blanche? That's one thing. But it isn't. It's so much more than that, it's also such a big thing that, really, is it any wonder her focus shorts out and instead centers on Luci?

For some reason she thinks back to the moment she saw Luci all panicked and clearly out of herself, the self Nariko hadn't even known until afterward.] And why are you here?

[And why does that feel like an odd question to ask in the first place?]

[Luci looks at Nariko, really hard, as though trying to spot some kind of motive behind her asking. No one's asked her in a long, long time why she gets up on stage and screams her lungs out. And no one probably sees that she feeds on the crowd screaming back, fainting, hands in the air-- breathing in life.]

...To inspire them. [She says with a faint smile.]

[Nariko's smile is not nearly so faint, it's actually quite blinding, filled with genuine admiration and, even more than that, fire.]

You are literally the most beautiful person in the world right now. [And she means it more than anything else, more than the sky being blue as often as it was black. It's the same rush she gets after a concert, this admiration for the whole world. Just repeating those words - to inspire them - makes her want to go and come up with more music.]

I can't wait to write a song about you.

[Ugh, right in the Achilles Heel. Luci positively glows with almost predatory delight-- she can't help it, she loves being adored as much as she loves being hated. A song is the sort of tribute she could really hold up and bask in every night. Oh she had her fan-bestowed zippos and love letters and panties and leather manacles that ended up all over the stage every night, but a song...]

You won't perform it until I can be in the crowd, right? [Luci shifts a little closer to Nariko-- seems natural.] Alec may bitch about how we're the best and everybody else sucks, but I don't play those reindeer games.

Of course, although with the way our schedules work let's hope that's sooner rather than later. [If anything, it might be something that she'd want Luci to hear first before she actually played it out on stage. And the mention of the 'rivalry' they're supposed to feel makes her eyes roll upward.] Good, you're pretty epic but I don't think I could handle it if you said my voice 'sucked'.

[Or, really, if any part of her band was genuinely insulted. Some messing around and teasing? That's fine. But you don't fuck with Nariko's own, it can't end well.]

I'd only say it if I wanted you to deck me. [Luci looks down subtly at Nariko's cigarette-- just wondering if she's wearing rings now that the thought about it.] And it has to be a pretty rough night for me to want a split lip.

[Or she has to want Nariko to hate her pretty good. But so far, that doesn't seem like it's going to be a thing.]

[So far is good, and about all they can control, and speaking of her cigarette, she takes another drag.] But if you're going to end up with a split lip it should at least be during an amazing bar fight or something. There has to be some kind of party after this we'd all be shitty performers if there wasn't.

[And hopefully it would be run by the non-prissy assholes.]

I haven't heard of one just yet. I imagine there must be, though. [She looks around for the rest of her band as she takes another drag.] Depends on whether the rest of the circus is coming with me.

[Well, maybe aside from Alec. But Yuffie and Xanxus? Luci feels she has to look out for them.]

What are they like?

[It's a - well, maybe it's a boring question? But she's genuinely curious. She's not as familiar with them as she should be and, really, what kinds of people choose to exist in small spaces with someone as dynamic as Luci? ... Also, this keeps them from having to go back just yet, so any reason can be a good reason.]

[She doesn't seem surprised by the question. Not everybody felt the need to know exactly who was who in their game-- but Luci felt that knowing meant that she was always on top. No surprises.]

They're all assholes, myself included. [She grins and blows smoke out from between her teeth.] Alec and I will argue over who carries the band until our souls fade-- he loves himself to the point where I feel I need to detox from just being around him, but he loves the music enough that I don't lose my patience. Yuffie and I cause more damage on the internet than we do in real life, and we do it together. We bond over the havoc, she holds my shoes when I crowd walk, I spot her when she flips off an amp. Pray you never meet Xanxus when he's sober, we have a jar that we put money into just so we have funds when he needs bail money. But we wouldn't bother if he couldn't lay the foundation we build our church on-- his bass lines are intense. Wakana insists we call her Princess, and while the others just give her the finger I indulge it. Nothing funnier than a Princess with zero clout who insists on decorum no one gives a shit about. But she can throw a tantrum on those drums and make it sound like a storm building overhead.

And me-- [Luci shrugs.] --I'm just the ringleader in the middle of the Devil's carnival.

I'd say probably more at the forefront, but that's just me.

[Because she thinks Luci is enough of them all to bring them together, a magnetic force and a subliminal demand that is consistent. But to Nariko that's what a lead, the voice is supposed to be, and in that moment she's a little jealous because the other woman's probably far more composed, in control than Nariko herself can ever be. ... There's a reason Mom is probably more the leader, the one everyone gathers under than they do Nariko.

But anyway.] Xanxus kind of sounds a little intimidating but otherwise, we should basically all go drinking together sometimes. Someone would break something but it could be worth it.

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