☆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

[wounds]

[He startles and when he turns to Roy it's pretty clear he's blushing.]

Yeah. You like it?

[snapcrackleburn]

Yes. It's different from what I usually hear you sing but somehow it suits you. Nice message too.

[ Roy wonders if Genos is blushing out of embarrassment, fluster, or something else. ]

Is there a specific reason the mentioned hero should wear red and white?

[wounds]

[He's still pretty red.]

They're heroic colors, don't you think?

[snapcrackleburn]

Yes. Red is bold and passionate. White is pure.

You've been feeling inspired to write too, haven't you? I think there's something in the air. I've been up late a lot lately writing. Not just songs for the band either.

-What sparked the hero-message?

[wounds]

Yeah. I've written a lot more than usual-- not a lot of it would work for MÄNTICORE though.

This one could with the right intensity behind it.

... Ah... I like heroes? [He's so red- there's definitely more to it than that.]

[snapcrackleburn]

[ Roy chuckles under his breath, Genos's expression is so telling it's hilarious to see him like this. He grins at him and crosses his arms, raising a brow. ]

I see. Any specific special heroes on your mind lately?

[wounds]

[He drops his gaze down to the floor as his blush goes up to his ears.]

I'm not even sure he's real.

[snapcrackleburn]

What do you mean? [ As Roy asks, it occurs to him that Genos could be experiencing something similar to his own recent inner-confusion. It would be nice to have someone to talk to about that to be honest. ]

Is-Is he in your dreams? Or something that comes to you in vivid visions?

[wounds]

Visions mostly.

[The bald man he sits across the table from, the man who's saved him.]

[snapcrackleburn]

That sounds familiar. Not the man- you'd have to tell me what your hero looks like. But I've had visions more than once of someone who feels... special to me. Even if it's just a fantasy.

[ He clears his throat, hoping his expression has remained somewhat normal. ]

It's very inspirational. I've written some songs too.

[wounds]

I think he's a little shorter than me. Brown eyes, sharp features, really, really strong. And he's bald.

[The pang of devotion is familiar, he misses the man even if all he has is two memories to go off of.]

Really? [He seems to perk up a bit.] Will you play?

[snapcrackleburn]

[Bald. That's unique. If Genos's hero were real he shouldn't be too hard to spot in a crowd.

Roy starts to go a little red himself at Genos's suggestion.]

Perform? I- Well I can if you really want to hear. I could play one on the piano in the studio. [As opposed to bursting out in song in the hallway.]

[wounds]

[The man is fairly nondescript otherwise- other than objectively bad fashion sense.]

Then let's go. You heard my embarrassing song, your turn.

[snapcrackleburn]

...All right. [ Roy turns down the hall again to slip into one of the empty studio rooms. ]

It's strange isn't it? I just started to see visions of this woman and it makes me so emotional. She's just a fantasy but I feel a lot more than that and... even though it's insane it also feels natural to have all these feelings.

It's a relief to hear you're experiencing the same thing. I didn't expect I'd be able to talk to anyone about it without sounding like a fool.

[wounds]

[He follows along and nods at the explanation.]

Whenever I see that man... I feel very close to him, even if I've never met him in person.

... There might be a lot of people around with visions. But it's not a great idea to talk about them too openly.

[snapcrackleburn]

Others have visions like that? Why is it a secret? I would think there's a cause for concern if that many of us are experiencing such intense dreams.

[ He hadn't considered the possibility this was medical. Well maybe he did a little, in a psychological way but he hadn't been too concerned. ]

[wounds]

Higher ups don't want us to be having them. It's best not to mention it.

[snapcrackleburn]

[ What does that mean? You can't expect him to let it hang like that. Roy lowers his voice. ]

Perhaps we can discuss it later?

[wounds]

Later. We'll talk in the penthouse after this.

[snapcrackleburn]

All right. [ He nods. Back to acting casual. What was he- oh right! ]

My embarrassing song, as promised. It's still a work in progress but here is what I have.

[ He takes a seat at the piano there in the studio and after experimentally hitting a few notes, he starts to play. ]

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?

[wounds]

[It's not even that bad. Genos' lyrics are way more ridiculous in comparison to Roy's.]

... You know you're not that old, right?

[snapcrackleburn]

[ Roy smirks. ] Sometimes I feel older than I am.

My inspiration- it feels like it belongs to a different time and to someone who has an older soul than their face might look. So it's figurative, you could say.

When I think of that woman it feels like... An entire lifetime she's been loved- by him or me or whatever this is all really about. It's rather melancholic honestly. [ He rubs the back of his neck. Embarrassing. And ugh angst. Talk about heavy material. ]

[wounds]

[He listens, he's quiet- and then he thinks a bit about Saitama.]

I don't think I've known my guy for nearly as long. But... I'd still follow him, no matter what. He's a good person- and... I think I'd like to be a lot more like him.

It's strange right? To only have a few visions, but to have such a strong emotional connection to them.

[snapcrackleburn]

I won't call it strange if you don't. [ Roy suggests it with a smirk. ]

Perhaps this is what other artists meant when they said they were inspired by a muse.

[wounds]

[He laughs.]

I wouldn't be too surprised.