☆TRACK VII: IN REACHING OUT PT. 1

[interdimanagers]

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.”

Comments

Haru Miura - Love Alignment

[costumechange]

Haru's become used to the imaginings of funerals and the crawling feeling that she's always being watched or followed, looking over her shoulder for suits or people that aren't Virgos fine security minions. She knows there's something wrong with her, she shouldn't feel like she's on the run all the time, but nothing's stopping it. She still dreams of falling off bridges and not dying.

The past couple of nights, though, instead of waking up crying or terrified, she wakes up with her feet already on the floor and in motion like she's going somewhere. She gravitates to her bandmates' doors and stands there wishing and hoping for something, but she's not sure if they're the company she's seeking. She just wants to reach out and hold someone, take care of them, do anything they need and show her love for them.

This isn't a foreign feeling. She always wants to show people she cares, but she's never felt like it this much. She's never had this compulsion to-She doesn't even know what the compulsion is, but it's certainly making her useful around the penthouse. She's been picking up after people and cooking even more than usual. She's making warm filling dishes, and sweets from scratch. She's reaching out and touching, even when she knows certain people don't enjoy contact as much as she does.

It's likely she's made too much to feed even her ravenous or munchie-laden band, so she'll be taking deliveries to the other band's apartments as an excuse to search the building from top to bottom for the thing niggling at her she can't find. She's looking for someone this time, rather than being hunted for. If she sees you in the halls her smile with be even brighter than usual. She'll reach out a hand on your arm, ask if you're busy.

"Do you need help with anything?"

No, she doesn't really know you, but she would like to get to know you better.

{ooc: ViP can be in their apartment. Other Virgo, could be delivering food, in the hallways, anywhere, really. I'm down for her to get overly intimate platonic-ly or amorously, anything in between, or turned away and upset by it.}

[losingherhead]

Celty feels like she should be more concerned than she is. Haru's friendliness multiplied by a million could mean any number of things. It didn't necessarily mean that the events at the party of death made her nervous and desperate for something to distract herself with. Haru was naturally outgoing, so Celty didn't need to worry at all. Everything could be just fine.

Especially with these treats because damn these are good.

Still, she can't help but jolt in surprise when Haru touches her arm or something. That is unusually close and she's not sure how to respond to it.

[costumechange]

Celty jolts, and Haru for all her bubbliness and seemingly airheadedness at time, is rather observant and tries her best to be considerate. It doesn't matter that she's got an overwhelming need to bury herself in her bandmates's arms and smother them in affection. If they don't want it she'll control herself. Or try her best at least.

She snatches her arm back when Celty flinches. "Sorry! Sorry. Hands to myself, I know."

[losingherhead]

She immediately feels a little guilty about Haru's apologies and makes very dismissive gestures to cover it up.

No, I don't mind. I was just surprised is all.

[costumechange]

"Really?"

Haru brightens up and edges closer, definitely into Celty's personaly space.

"I don't know what's going on I just feel really--" She waves her hands around towards the endless baked goods and in the air. "-squishy."

[losingherhead]

I'm just glad to see you happy.

Just gotta get used to this. If it keeps Haru in a good mood, she'll gladly deal with people suddenly being in her space.

Because I had the crash the senimental mood, obviously

[liarmonstersnappydresser]

Unfortunately for Haru, one of the things one must prepare for when rooming with Bill Cipher is the extreme element of unpredictability.

“JUST LIE ALL THE TIME, TO KEEP YOUR PIECE OF MI--”

There is virtually no warning when the door to Bill's room smashes open as he leans on the handle in entryway, evidently belting out a tune he had been instantaneously struck with. WOW he is just in a really inspired mood today! He even has his sax in hand. Maybe Blanche WON'T viciously murder them all for not having a vocalist.

It is then he notices Haru's crumpled form on the floor.

“Oh, hey, Miura! Burnin' too much of the ole midnight oil again, eh?”

Look at you, passed out on the floor! You little party animal, you!

Too much melancholy is bad anyway 8P

[costumechange]

Haru, dazed from her nightmares, and completely inattentive for once to the potential hurricane that is her sax-playing band mate gets bowled over just like a center pin. Her vision is sparking black and there's a pain radiating through her head where she bumped it on her way down.

Bill is far too loud for her now aching head.

"Shhh. Bill-Ow. Hold up fingers. Check me for a concussion."

[liarmonstersnappydresser]

"Why? Did you forget how many humans have? HERE'S A HINT- It's t-e-n-- unless you've got more or less-- THEN you're a human with a GREAT backstory."

Bill laughs, and no, sadly does not lower his voice. To his credit, he does casually slip an arm behind Haru's back for support, helping ease her slowly into a sitting position.

"But come on, it's not like you need all that. It takes a lot to keep percussionist aficionado, Haru Miura down."

[costumechange]

Haru laughs even with the pain at his ridiculousness. "No, silly, it's a trick to make sure I'm not seeing multiple, that I didn't knock my head too hard."

She sits up with his help, leaning into his side and perhaps snuggling a bit closer than he really intended with the motion.

"It does take a lot to knock me down, but...things seem to be snowballing recently, don't they?"

[liarmonstersnappydresser]

"Snowballing? Nah."

They watched a woman get murdered in front of them by both label producers, were manipulated in said murder-scheme themselves, got fairly injured in said debacle and lost their lead. Bill waves the imaginary weather away with his free hand dismissively.

"Barely a flurry!"

If Haru's close proximity is bothering Bill he certainly doesn't show it. Hmm, she is practically leaning into his arms-- she must want to be carried! Bill moves to scoop her legs up with his other arm.

"We'll get back on our feet."

Like he is currently attempting to do.

"The fact Virgo hasn't picked anyone new for us, just means no one else is up to snuff with the rest of ViP."

[giglio_madonna]

The voices in her head are either a sign that she should go see some sort of mental health professional, or it's just like all the other strange things before, and Luce is frankly more inclined to the latter. Especially since she knows what happens to people who go see Virgo's help. But it's so faint in the penthouse... So she wanders the HQ, pretending to be just her usual social self and with a notebook tucked under her arm filled with lyrics just in case anyone questions her.

When Haru gets her attention, however, she eases up a bit and smiles down to the younger woman. "Haru! Oh, no- well." A pause as she rethinks the statement. "Maybe, actually, although it's not really 'help'." A laugh trickles out from her. "We talked about cooking together, didn't we?"

[costumechange]

"Do you cook when you're worried about things too?" Haru waves an empty container with a smile back at Luce. "I might have gotten started without you, a little, but I'd love to make something together."

She's been wondering if she eats enough laced brownies, or just sugar in general and then bounced around the apartment until she collapsed if she'd stop hallucinating and trying to find things she doesn't even know what she's looking for.

[giglio_madonna]

"Oh, absolutely." Her smile is a tad sheepish. "It drives Angel up the wall, but stress cooking is my go to thing. Better than me doing drugs or drinking or whatever drives musicians to ruin, however, right?" That'd make her prickly manager just worse.

Clasping her hands together, she gives a nod in the direction of the ViP penthouse. "Let's get going, then. What were you starting on?"

[costumechange]

Haru laugh a little sheepishly and tugs on a piece of her hair with a couple of fingers.

"Ahaha, funny you should mention drugs and drinking because we've been kind of lighting up the place with baked baked goods, and alcoholic desserts, but those were my band mates' preferences! We can make like fruit pizza or key lime pie or something if you're trying to be good!"

[giglio_madonna]

Why isn't she surprised?

Giving a huffed out laugh, Luce pats Haru's shoulder. "Oh, don't worry. I don't mind making those. I, ah..." A grin that can't decide if it wants to be sly or sheepish.

"I may have made some for Sans at one point."

okay but what if shen actually responded to an intimate thing b/c i have feels about him and that

[hanginginthere]

Haru's the one he's most comfortable with, normally. Still, he's only ever been one for physical affection...so it may be a little weird when he comes up from behind her, draping his arms around her shoulder and leaning his head against the back of hers.

"Hey. Do you have any more of...?"

They were tasty, okay. And he's suddenly craving more food.

[costumechange]

Haru leans backwards into the embrace automatically, without thinking about who it is, even if it's easy for her to tell it's Shen. She raises an arm up behind her head to loop behind his too and push her fingers into his hair.

"More of what exactly? I've got more of almost everything."

[hanginginthere]

That feels nice. He should do this more often. He can't recall why he doesn't, offhand; Haru is warm and comfortable, and has always been there when he needs her. He's tried never to need her, but...the point remains.

"The brownies. Or...whatever you've got."

[costumechange]

"There are brownies! I've also got some bourbon blondies, and boozy semifredo...Not sure if you want to mix your pot and liquor?"

She tips her head back and back until she can almost rub her nose against his jaw.

"Could make something else too if you've got a craving."

[hanginginthere]

"I dunno. I've never had it before..."

Oh, she feels nice close like that. Shen's not sure why he thinks that, but she does. He may be holding on just a little tighter, not wanting to let that feeling go away immediately.

"...like what?"

[exhumerus]

Sans is just hanging out on the couch, as he has been a lot of the time recently. The real reason for why is because he hasn't been feeling well, but any prompting about it has just resulted in him explaining that he is feeling especially lazy after his big gig at the charity concert.

It's only in his room that he's been trying practicing playing his trombone with a fucked up arm. Thankfully, it isn't exactly finger intensive, and he's already been selling the lie that he's been having wrist problems for a while now.

"How's your green thumb?" he'll quip when Haru comes by. It's not that he doesn't already have weed, it's that he can't be fucked to go to the balcony and he doesn't want to smoke in the living room. He has some decency, after all. "My appetite for smoke is just in the pits tonight."

[costumechange]

Haru hasn't asked, or scolded, or even prodded Sans about the way he's hung out perpetually on the couch since the charity event. She'd seen enough to just be grateful he's not curled up in his bed unmoving.

She raises her eyebrow at his question. "Hmm, not sure. I've never really gardened before." Then she gets a bit of a devious look. "I have been told I make some mean baked goods, and there's a few recipes I've been tempted to try medicating....mac n' cheese too if you'd rather something savory."

Generally Haru is all for being kind and treating her bandmates, but the past couple of days she's had an itch under her skin, and a need to take care of them even more. If she can do these little things for Sans, and curl up on the couch to share them with him, she thinks it would be good for her, too.

[exhumerus]

He'll haul himself up a little, grinning with weary interest. Mac n' cheese, even? He'll have to try that at some point, but right now...

"Dunno, kind of feeling the classics." The appreciates that devious look. "I feel like I haven't bothered since college." Which is absolutely not a thing that actually happened, but he remembers it and believes it, so what can you do.

Smoke is a lot easier and faster - or just straight up buying premade stuff from other people. He actually sort of used to like baking back in the day, though.

[costumechange]

"How decadently chocolate-y do we want these things?" Because classic means brownies, of course.

Haru drifts towards the kitchen drawing out the basic ingredients. She knows she has a killer sweet tooth and will eat anything with sugar, but she doesn't want to give Sans cavities on accident.