☆MINGLE LOG: SOUTH VISTA MUSIC FEST

[interdimanagers]

Who: Everyone!
What: An open mingle log for everyone from everywhere.
When: November 18th-24th, 2054
Where: South Vista
Warnings: Could be anything!

☆THE FESTIVAL Welcome to the South Vista Music Fest! An enormous, weeklong festival with hundreds of bands performing nearly 24/7, the Music Fest is a quarter annual event that celebrates all manners of local talent, both big time and small time. Every band from Pride Records and Virgo Entertainment will have performances to do, including the freshly recruited – you better have your act together, because now is your time to shine! Player bands will be performing roughly once a day, with bands from the first app round predominantly with evening slots and the newest bands with predominantly afternoon slots. There is definitely a hierarchy to the scheduling - Pride and Virgo claim almost all of the prime performance times, while other labels are forced to deal with the leftovers. You've definitely been chosen by the winners of the music industry in these parts, that's for sure. Shuttles will be available to take people back to their relative HQs in their downtime, but they're also allowed to hang out and enjoy the festivities if that's what they prefer. Stuff is happening all day and night, so it's really just a question of how much you can party while still being conscious for your own show. Your managers will tell you that the company CEOs pay extra close attention to this event, so that you need to be on your best behaviour. The festival takes up a massive amount of floor area with multiple stages of various sizes and a large amount of glowy display screens. It's set up on the ground floor of the cityscape, meaning that the suspension roads and walkways above have been programmed to add to the ambient lighting all day and night. ► TRAILER PARK KIDS: For those that just want to chill, there is a massive VIP area reserved for labels to park various trailers for their musicians to hang out in during downtime - one for each band. They aren't quite as big as the tour buses, but they are comfortable and well stocked. Each is equipped with two beds and a bathroom/shower. Pretty much every local band you know of is here, including the notorious Predator. Nose around their trailer at your own risk. ► IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With at least six performances in a span of six days, there is plenty of time for shenanigans to go down both back and center stage. Time to show your mettle, and to hope that some asshole doesn't take all the best food items from the backstage catering tables before you can get to them. ► ATMOSPHERIC NOISE: If you dare brave the storm, there is a massive quantity of merch, vendor, and food booths available for your perusal. Many fans endeavor to spend as much time at Music Fest as possible, and so the space is very lived in, with large groups of people hanging out in well populated lounge areas. Depending on how popular you are, it may be difficult to get around without getting swarmed by your fans. ► DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER: And all the while, the strange memories continue. The label's newest members will have started to feel strange as of November 6th, and by the time of the Fest almost all of them will be discovering their first memories regains. The first one should be based on the alignment you chose, but the rest can be whatever you want. New character may regain up to 4 memories between their arrival and the end of November.

Comments

B++ and a reference to B+ eventually because what were you doing to your cello?

[trustme]

[ Doctor had been in his trailer writing all day but his manager reminded him that he had to eat SOMETHING before the band's performance later so he finally wandered out to have a late lunch.

It occurs to him as he fills a plate from the little buffet table that fish cakes with custard sounds really delicious. He had never tried it before but something instinctual seemed to tell him that yes, these flavors would harmonize beautifully. Why not listen to his gut?

He's aware of a presence beside him as he takes the last fish cake and just as he's about to turn and greet the person beside him he catches sight of a hand darting out to grab the fish cake right off of his plate.

Doctor jumps back from the stranger, surprised. Did he just-?! It's that fellow cellist from the new metal band. But before he gets caught up in thoughts about Manticore's performance yesterday, Doctor has an urgent priority.

He reaches out fast and grabs the fishcake back from Squalo's plate and tosses it directly into the custard bowl sitting on the table. ]

Fish and custard! A delicious combination, I'm sure! [ He announces with a smile and goes to fish it out and place it on his plate. ] If you really really want this fishcake, then I'll cut it in half. -If you ask nicely good sir. [How about some manners Squalo?]

making his audience doubt their sexualities obviously

[sharktrash]

[ Squalo tries to intercept, unfortunately it's not successful and in the end he watches the fishcake sink into the gross white mass with a horrified expression. ]

There go my hopes and dreams, [ he says dryly, his nose scrunched slightly, before turning back to Doctor. Who is now fishing (heh heh) the obviously ruined cake out of the bowl. Squalo looks visibly annoyed, but not dangerously so (yet). ] What the fuck's your fucking problem?!

[ MANNERS ARE FOR CHUMPS. ]

[trustme]

Well you can't exactly call snagging food off of another person's plate non-problematic can you? I'm simply matching your own actions. Or are you asking why I'm dipping the fish in custard? If you are it's because breaded fish combines well with the light sweetness of the custard.

Did you want half, like I offered?

[sharktrash]

I saw it first. [ Because that changes everything. And whoa, this guy talks like a goddamn radio. Squalo glares at the soggy piece of food that used to be a perfectly good fishcake moments ago. He's really tempted to deck the culprit, but that wouldn't bring it back. Sadly. ] Hell no.

[trustme]

[ Doctor actually laughs. It's the sort of come back a child would make. ]

I'm sure they'll bring out more in a little while. The kitchen staff is good about that. Next time you might try asking instead of swiping. Tends to be more effective.

[ Doctor lifts the custard covered fishcake to his mouth and takes a generous bite. He hums in satisfaction. ]

Mmm. Yes. That's what I was craving! You really should have said yes. You're missing out. This is delicious! [ A bit late for that though unless Squalo doesn't mind sharing germs. Doctor is personally ready to move past the fish snatching to a different subject. ] You're one of Pride's new artists right? Hard metal cello man.

[sharktrash]

[ Lbr the Varia as a whole is a bunch of murderous evil toddlers. ]

[ Squalo's eyebrows slowly rise in disbelief. ]

Vooooi, don't tell me what to do. I've never asked for anything in my life.

[ That's an overstatement... or so he thinks, because it's not really in his real life... but hey, gotta keep up his reputation. ]

[ He looks mildly disgusted about the feat of fish and custard, but brightens considerably once he's recognized. An empty stomach can't stop this vanity. ]

It's called "heavy metal". And that's right. Name's Squalo.

[ So, "Shark". Is this why he loves fish so much. ]

[trustme]

[ It takes a great amount of will power for Doctor not to feign stupidity and ask if Squalo had really never asked for anything and comment on what a nice child he must have been. So easy to take care of!

Somehow he manages to avoid it. His usually doesn't mislabel the different music genres and his mistake leaves him laughing on the inside at himself. ]

Right right. That's what I meant to say.

Squalo! Shark! Do you have relatives in Italia then? You really latched on to that theme didn't you? I noticed how your cello is decorated. Is that permanent or part of the festival's set?

[sharktrash]

[ God damn it Doctor. ]

[ Great, Squalo's favorite conversational topic! Himself. ]

Yeah, my family's from there. Sicilia. [ He even smiles -- well, smirks toothily. It really does look like it belongs on a shark. Good news, he seems to have forgotten the fish-custard robbery for the moment. ] What? It's a great theme. Goes with our sound, too. I'm not gonna toss it after the festival if that's what you're asking.

[trustme]

Oh yes! Stick with the shark theme- it's cool. [ He takes a bite from the custard covered fishcake. So good. ]

I'm from Britania. We may be a part of Americana now but we still have our Europa spirit!

So, fellow cellist. Does your cello have a nickname? You seem to have a real connection with your instrument. [ In part made of drool but still a connection. ]

[sharktrash]

Damn right it is.

[ Sort of interesting to hear that something is 'cool' and not 'exquisite' or someshit from an alleged classical music genius, but hey, Squalo isn't complaining. It actually makes him... well, 'relax' would imply that he was being tense, but maybe act a bit less cautious. ]

And recipes. So much food around here is crap. [ So is custard covered fishcake, but he'll kindly not mention that part. Maybe it's a traditional Brit thing or something, it's not like he'd know. ]

[ But he blinks when the man asks about his instrument's name. ]

[ Once, twice. Then, flatly; ]

Sharky #17.

[trustme]

Seventeen? A number you like or... Is this the seventeenth Sharky?

[ Doctor holds his breath waiting for the reply. Seventeen. Seventeen? He was on his second/third cello. The third being the electric cello he played in certain songs. His first cello from childhood was safe in storage in a family member's attic. ]

[sharktrash]

[ snorts. apparently he finds that horrified look amusing. ] Nah, that's my goldfish. [ THOSE POOR GOLDFISH... ]

Didn't really think of naming my cello anything. You do that?

[trustme]

Oh! [ Doctor laughs. Thank god. He was imagining a cello graveyard. ]

Yes. Why not? It's your partner in music after all.

[sharktrash]

[ Well, actually... there's probably a cello graveyard too. MANTICORE had an instrument wrecking phase at some point, at least six cellos have succumbed to it. Maybe it's best that he doesn't know it. ]

See, I rather think of it as an extension of myself.

[ Would you also name your pegleg if you had one, Doctor? ...of course you would, nevermind. ]

[trustme]

That's a good way of looking at it too. You can tell the difference between beginners and advanced musicians depending on if their instrument is like a part of their body when they play.

[ There's a roundabout compliment for you somewhere in there Squalo. ]

How long have you been playing cello?

[sharktrash]

Exactly.

[ Roundabout or not, he's taking it and running with it. He thinks for a moment. ]

Sixteen years? Ish.

[ basically he started at like six, whoops. ]

[trustme]

Ah! Thought so! I figured from your skill that you had either been playing for over ten years or were naturally gifted with the instrument.

[ Now that he thinks back to Squalo's performance earlier... ]

Do you lick your cello during most performances?

[sharktrash]

Those aren't mutually exclusive.

[ Both. Both are good. ]

Nah. I just do whatever feels right at the moment.

[ And when he can feel someone look at him a bit too intently, it feels right to reciprocate. Your face is sexual harassment! ]

So what're you calling your cello?

[trustme]

[ So the licking isn't planned. That at least makes it a tiny bit less disturbing. Was disturbing a goal for MANTICORE? Doctor doesn't feel it's the right time to ask. ]

My cello? Oh! Well I don't usually tell anyone my cello's name. [ He hesitates. Not even his bandmates know. Or if they do they haven't said anything. For a fellow cellist perhaps he can make an exception. ]

The cello, my cello, is a sexy thing. So I named my cello Sexy.

[sharktrash]

[ Nah he's great enough to do ~spur of the moment~ things and still play flawlessly, isn't that great? And... that's very possible tbh, especially considering their band's symbol. ]

[ .........there's a long pause. Squalo is really trying his best not to snort, how nice of him. ]

You're taking that "partner" thing pretty far, huh?

[trustme]

It's not like that!

I just gave the instrument a name it deserves. A fitting adjective. Like a dog or cat named Fluffy. Cello is sexy, I named it Sexy.

[ Doctor shrugs. ]

[sharktrash]

Uh-huh. I see.

[ He's... not even arguing. It's not like he expects much out of a guy who soaks his fishcakes in custard, after all. ]

[trustme]

It's hard to explain without someone getting the wrong idea. You're one of the only ones who knows so shhhh!

[ He puts a finger to his lips and glances around just in case anyone was nearby. ]

[sharktrash]

[ looks at him solemnly ]

I will take this secret to the grave.

[ a small meaninful pause. ]

As long as you get me another fishcake.

[trustme]

All right. [ Fair enough. ] Guess I'll have to look up where they make fishcakes.