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

[On Ivan's phone, one of his game apps informs him that he's been sent a challenge by a nearby player.

So which of the other party attendees currently glued to their phone is sporting a berserker avatar? Go on, guess.]

[ With the noise all around, Ivan nearly misses that little notification chime. A challenge? Who else is playing? He looks up for anyone on their phone and spots Krieg. He shouldn't be surprised after seeing the berserker. It's been awhile since Ivan has been able to play any local challenges as he limits who he actually fights with for his sanity. Virgo Entertainment employees (known by their email accounts) get an instant acceptance, which he may or may not have gotten before leaving on tour.

Challenge: Accepted.

Ivan's avatar is a ninja, of course, sporting a large fuuma shuriken. ]

[Krieg's obviously surprised when the acceptance comes through. Having run into so many stiffs around here, he honestly was expecting to be met with radio silence. He looks up casually to see if he can spot whoever it is he blindly shot off the challenge message to...but he doesn't think to look anywhere behind himself. Sorry, Ivan.

Still, he responds in kind.

Krieg has gotten quite a bit of work into this game during downtime along the tour route, so he's not exactly a pushover, giving Ivan a run for his money. In the end, though, puzzle games aren't exactly his usual fodder, and it shows when the heat gets turned up by the end of the game.

Oh well.

GG, he emotes.]

[ Ivan is used to being overlooked and unnoticed by others. It helps his mysterious image promoted by his manager, but it can also be a little frustrating at times. (This is not such a time, however.)

GG comes a reply back. It feels good to be playing against someone besides his bandmates again, even if it's just a puzzle game. Given that the internet is working in their favor for now, Ivan shoots off another message.

Invite: co-op challenge?

There are some puzzles that can only be solved by teamwork, and Krieg was on tour too when the newest co-op puzzles came out. ]

[Huh.

Krieg slouches back in his chair and accepts the invitation, with some hesitation. He has exactly none of the co-op part of the game completed, so if this stranger doesn't mind helping him catch up...]

[ For a fellow Virgo and doing something while at this gala, Ivan is glad to help catch him up. Ivan selects the first co-op level once he sees that Krieg hasn't passed any of them. There is a mini tutorial in the first few puzzles telling them who controls what pieces and how to proceed.

They go quickly once they actually start playing because Ivan has already passed these. Still, they are worth doing because there are special items that can only be unlocked in co-op. ]

[It's all too easy to burn away the minutes piddling around on a phone game, and Krieg is more than happy to bring his best to the table as they get to harder levels.

At one point, the RNG rewards decide to gift him with a giant, gore-ridden battle-axe for his berserker. In attempt to keep from making a scene, he mutes his excitement, but the way his body language changes when he switches from slouching to sitting straight up speaks volumes.

He equips it immediately so his new ninja buddy can check it out.]

[ And they have a good chunk of the gala to burn. Ivan keeps the pace going until he sees that the berserker has left for a moment. Did the internet give out? Does Krieg have something to do now? Ivan sighs to himself and glances to where Krieg sits to see him still intently looking at his phone. Huh.

Then Krieg's avatar reappears sporting a new battle-axe, and it all makes sense. Ivan quickly sends off a message to him.

It looks good ( ﾟ▽ﾟ) ]

[thanks!

i wouldn't have been able to get it without your help

There's a short pause before he sends another message:

hey, where are you? you're at this dumb party too, right?]

[ Instead of sending a message, Ivan turns in his chair and says simply, ]

I've been right behind you, Mr. Krieg.

[ He might be recognized as the polite, quiet shamisen player from Flowers Over Bones. Either way, unless he's been told otherwise by someone, he generally uses titles. (Sometimes he forgets to not use them.) ]

[It's not at all the response he was expecting, which is to say: he jumps a good inch off of his chair with a startled yelp, dropping his phone.

He turns his head to get a proper look at Ivan before sighing, leaning over to pick his phone up off the ground.]

Someone's gonna end the night with their lights knocked out if people don't stop sneaking up on me.

[Krieg is, by default, kind of jumpy when he's by himself, but the tiredness just makes it worse.]

[ Oops. He did it again. ]

Sorry. I somehow do that to people all the time.

[ Ivan gives a small smile and shows his phone with the ninja avatar. ]

But your berserker really does look good with that weapon. I'm glad you were able to get it.

[He glances at the phone, then back to him. He smiles, even if it's not entirely visible.]

Thanks. I was getting tired of that warhammer, but nothing I found in single-player caught my eye. It's nice to finally get an upgrade. You got any good drops?

Edited 2015-10-09 20:49 (UTC)

I got some items that give temporary power ups but nothing really rare.

[ There's supposed to be a really neat ninja scarf that can slow down pieces (and thus makes your moves look "faster." However, Ivan doesn't know which level it's hiding in. ]

Hm. Ever use them? I have a huge stockpile of buffs useless for my class.

[You know, if Ivan wants any.]

Defense. The thing about being a ninja class is that it really hurts when you get hit.

[ He gives a small laugh. How many times has he been one hit KO'ed? More times than he'd like to admit. Most of the time he can out speed them, but when he can't or if they have too much defense of their own, he runs into trouble. ]

If you have any of those, I'll take them.

Several, actually.

[Several stacks of them, more accurately. His build would suffer from having a high defense, since he gets different buffs depending on how low his HP is.

Krieg sends them over in a trade. All of them.]

[ Ivan gladly accepts and throws in a few stacks of exp boosters. (He doesn't feel right not trading something back.) They're not super rare, but they can be very valuable. ]

Save those for the boss and special event puzzles.

Hey, thanks. [He really didn't need to, but! They'll definitely get used, especially in comparison to those defense buffs.] How many boards do you think we'll get through before we're done with this boring party?

It'll depend on how long our internet can last. Too many people are uploading pictures and video at the same time.

[ Now if they were playing with a Ninplaybox handheld, they'd be able to just do so locally, but since they need the internet... ]

Maybe the next world before the awards ceremony starts.

[Krieg lets out an amused snort.]

We should probably be paying attention by then anyway, or at least pretending we are. Up for it?

[ At the very least they can't let the press know that they are bored silly and would rather be playing music than watching others get awards for their music. ]

I am if you are.

[ Ivan's already sending over another request for co-op play. ]

[God, if he could only rock out instead, he'd be so much happier. But puzzle phone games will have to do.]

Definitely.

[Invitation accepted.]

[ Then let's get to it! From this point on, the puzzles are harder and take longer to solve. Teamwork is key, but given that they've gotten this far together, they should have a better idea on how the other plays.

Ivan thinks they need to meet again after the awards ceremony and continue their conquest of the puzzles. They're both Virgo, after all. They need to stick together. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

☆TRACK I: NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

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