☆TRACK V: I WILL TWIST THE KNIFE PT. 1

[interdimanagers]

Who: Everyone that isn't an opt out!
What: Naomi Rivers throws a terrible holiday party.
When: December 7th, 2054
Where: Naomi's ocean side mansion.
Warnings: Violence, poisoning, various murder attempts, mind control, general uncomfortable lack of consent. Also, probably drug use. Maybe sex? Who knows what you'll get up to.

“I will burn for you; Feel pain for you. I will twist the knife and bleed my aching heart, And tear it apart.” ☆I WILL TWIST THE KNIFE The first two hours of the solstice party are surprisingly normal. Members of both labels arrive by private sky shuttle, and are invited into the ballroom for food and drink. It’s even more surprising when both Lesedi Santiago and Edward Blanche arrive as well, and spent most of that first period speaking quietly in a nearby lounge area. Lesedi’s body guards and Juno watch the space around them, keeping anyone of lesser important from interrupting what looks to be quite the serious discussion. After food, the ballroom stage is taken over by a number of increasingly impressive entertainment pieces. It seems to be obligatory for everyone to stay and watch (not that it’s a struggle – the talent involved is unmistakeable), but not long into it Lesedi and Edward can be seen disappearing outside together, and show no immediate signs of returning. And that’s when Naomi Rivers takes the stage. To the Virgo that have heard it before, the song is more viscerally familiar than anything you’ve only heard once should be, and it awakens the ideas that were implanted there the night before. You have a job to do here, tonight. One that is only fair – almost righteous. Lesedi Santiago and her ilk will suffer for her transgressions. The performances end, and everyone is released out to the rest of the grounds, to mingle and celebrate at their leisure. While things may seem civil on the surface, beneath that something dark is brewing. You gradually begin to notice that almost none of the more veteran members of either label are present. ► BALLROOM: The central nexus of the party, the ballroom is the location of the buffet table, the stage, and the dance floor. There will be music available all night, even after the official “performances” have ended. There are tables set up around the edges of the room for eating and relaxing. ► LOUNGE: Where Lesedi and Edward were having their meeting earlier, the lounge is filled with comfortable chairs, classic art, and a large, ornate fireplace. If you figure out who to ask, there are a number of chemical vices available to all guests. ► BALCONIES: There is a generous series of balconies that line the exterior of the upper floor. The ocean can be seen from one side and the gardens can be seen from the other. ► GUEST ROOMS: Down the halls from the ballroom there are a few generous guest bedrooms that have been left open for use. ► GARDENS: Out towards the back there are a wide variety of plants, and a well kept stone path and manmade waterfall. The plant life is on the sedate side due to the winter, but it’s still green. ► OUTDOOR POOL: There’s a pool out front with a shallow and a deep end. The water is clear and artificially warmed. ☆OOC CONSIDERATIONS Please remember that any attempted assassinations are meant to remain covert, and if your character is incapable of being stealthy then you must assume that any attempts you make are happening towards the end of the evening – let’s say around 11PM. The spell compelling people to do this does not want a riot or a bloodbath – what it wants is for people to die before the rest of the group can realize that anything is even going on. Of course, this isn’t exactly going to work out, but if you are finding yourself getting into the realm of intense physical violence you might want to stop and slow down a little. Virgo members that didn’t hear the song the night before are free from any compulsions, and so are all members of Pride. If non-mind controlled characters start clueing in to what’s going on and start trying to evacuate in large numbers, that is where you’ll want to wrap up threads and wait for Part 2 of the log, which will contain the end results and will be triggered by any large amount of chaos. If any characters attempt to escape earlier in the evening, they’ll find that the shuttles have all been grounded, and wandering in the woodland nearby just seems to result in them getting lost and ending up back at the mansion. It’s a real pickle. If you’ve got any question about what’s going on please leave them on the original plot post and they’ll get answered! The opt out event will be posted ASAP. “I will lie for you; Beg and steal for you. I will crawl on hands and knees until you see: You're just like me.”

Comments

[nandemonai]

[the young lady makes her way over to him, twirling a lock of red hair around her finger]

Oh, yes! I saw a couple of those. You were wonderful!

[trustme]

Why thank you! I try to keep it interesting. It feels different performing solo after you're used to having the band around to join in.

How have you been? Has anything changed since the festival?

[ Without breaking his eyes away from her he extends his arms to offer her a glass. He jokingly switches which one he's holding out the furthest, back and forth before finally holding still a moment later. It shouldn't matter which glass she takes. ]

[nandemonai]

[aha, what is he doing? she laughs before taking one of the glasses. how nice of him!] Not really... I mean, I guess a few things. I've actually been working on some new songs.

[trustme]

Excellent! Good for you. Has the rest of the band been treated to hearing any of your compositions yet?

[ He circles his hand a little, making the drink left in his hand swirl in its glass. ]

[nandemonai]

[she shakes her head, not interested in her drink yet, but she will take it with her for later] Not yet. I played a couple tunes for my manager, but nothing's finished yet.

[trustme]

Your manager is deaf if she can't hear the potential in your work. I hope she was encouraging about it.

[ He still had his ear to the ground when it came to that woman. Was Tiger still enduring the same sort of treatment? ]

[nandemonai]

[the flatterer! Molly blushes slightly, embarrassed from the praise] I'm sure I'll get to play something someday. Right now, I'm not sure any of my songs will fit with the group.

[trustme]

Not exactly the right genre? Well like I said before, if you need someone to listen then I will. I've been experimenting in genres outside of the band's myself. We might do a side album or two since we've all been interested in exploring different types of music. Rei might have to get herself an electric violin.

[nandemonai]

[wow! A side album. That sounds like a lot of fun!]

Those are cool! If she gets one, I'm going to force her to play with me all the time. [she laughs, obviously joking... Or is she?] What about you? What other instruments do you want to play?

[trustme]

Oh where to start? [ Doctor smiles to himself and wiggles a little in place as he straightens his posture. ]

As you know I play a great number of them all ready. But I haven't touched that many woodwinds or brass. I think I'd choose something of that sort, like trumpet or flute. [ He gives her a nod. ]

[nandemonai]

I could always give you flute lessons. [a cheerful smile as she swirls her drink]

[trustme]

If you're serious about that I'll likely take you up on that offer sometime. The only thing I love more than composing and practicing the instruments I all ready know is learning how to play a new one.

[nandemonai]

Great! [Molly is overjoyed. she can't even hide what must be a stupid grin on her face] Whenever you're ready to learn, just let me know.

[trustme]

I'll put in a request for a rental flute and message you when it arrives then. [ He straightens his bowtie. Lessons from a fellow professional- score! ]

Any way I can pay you back for the lessons?

[nandemonai]

Pay me... back? [Molly tilts her head, surprised] Ah, n-no way! This would be, like, a jam session! Something friends do!

[trustme]

[ Doctor's smile warms even more. What a nice young lady Molly is. Generous as he would treat his own friends. ]

All right then, friend! We'll do that then. I did say we should play together anyway.

A shame the labels are so hell bent against each other. I think everyone in Flowers Over Bones has friends in Pride. I wonder if we'd be allowed to visit for less formal holiday get-togethers. [ This one felt rather stuffy despite taking place in someone's home. ]

[nandemonai]

[yay they are friends! this surely must be a gift for the holidays. she will have to thank the Snow Bear.

her smile fades a bit when he mentions the warring labels, though] I don't know why they're so strict. Shouldn't people be able to visit their friends, regardless of their labels?

[trustme]

[ He nods. Such a puzzling topic. ]

That's how it is for movie stars and writers. They can all compete at work then go home as friends if they like. I don't think it's any different for musicians at other labels.

[ He lowers his voice. ] If this rivalry thing is really about the money and fame alone then the bosses sure are selfish. Just because they don't get along doesn't mean we need to follow their lead.

[nandemonai]

[Molly nods in agreement. She may not know too much about the details of the rivalry, but she knows it exists. It just baffles her] That's why it's so weird to me. I don't understand why we have to follow them.

[she is about to take a sip of her drink when her phone goes off in her pocket. She gives Doctor an apologetic look as she reaches for it] ...Oh! Excuse me.

[trustme]

[ Doctor waves a hand in the air, dismissing any sort of offense he could take. He waits for her quietly and slowly takes a drink from the glass in his own hand. He's fine.

He was brainwashed but he was clever. He had poisoned both glasses but only on the lip of one side, that facing away from him. The natural side to face the mouth of an unaware victim when they took the glass from him. ]