☆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

[trustme]

Doctor blinks once then asks, "How did you do that? That was amazing! I didn't see even one stage hand flip a switch!"

He's opting for the more logical explanation first. It's strange to see Greg looking so surprised though, giving Doctor a sense that what he just witnessed was something very different.

"Right?"

[panspermia]

"R...Right."

The lights are slowly fading back to their original color, the drifting sparks winking out one at a time. Greg stands sheepishly in their midst.

"Rogue stagehands, setting off secret effects indoors. Like they... do..."

[trustme]

"...They don't do that," Doctor says, shaking his head. "This is something else."

Doctor pulls a chair out from one of the lounge tables and climbs on top of it to get a closer look at one of the lights that had been changing colors and blinking during Greg's performance. "Normal light bulb." He hops off of the chair and turns back to Greg. "Was this the first time that sort of thing happened?"

[panspermia]

"It's been a few times." Greg can't bring himself to look at Doctor. Groaning, he yanks at his hair. "Jeez, I should've known not to play outside my room--look, I'm sorry, Doc, I--I don't know how it started happening, it just did, I'm... I'm trying to figure it out..."

[trustme]

"Greg, Greg, what are you apologizing for? As stunned as I was by that display it was impressive! A skill like that will undoubtedly be useful during performances- or any time you want to change the lighting for that matter."

Doctor reaches out to give Greg a pat on the shoulder. "It can be a very good thing."

[panspermia]

"But--" He bites hard at a lip. "I can't just play with stuff like this happening, no matter how cool it is. I'll get--in trouble, or taken away, or... or hurt someone." The only other times he's seen this sort of thing was for far less theatrical purposes, and it stands out too fresh in his mind.

[trustme]

"All I saw were harmless fun lights. I can understand if you don't want any of the staff seeing your ability, it's good to keep these things under wraps, but if you're referring to what happened to Naomi that was something very much done on purpose. Gregory Universe does not go around fatally injuring people. He sings uplifting songs about space and fantasy and he can now put on very beautiful light shows."

All that said, Doctor knows it likely isn't assuring enough. He glances around in case the staff was anywhere nearby then lowers his voice.

"I think the best thing you can do is learn how to control it so you can use it to your advantage. When you know you're in control, you'll know you won't hurt anyone. That and..." he rocks his head back and forth. "You're not the first one around here I've seen displaying superpowers. You're not alone there."

[panspermia]

"S...superpowers." He murmurs it, hushed awe still in the word. It feels weird. Wrong, on him.

Greg can't help but send a quick look around himself, before eyeing Doctor. He's seen some pretty wild stuff at this point.

"Have you...?"

[trustme]

"Yes," Doctor nods. A vague answer to start with. "It can be shocking the first time. I apologize."

Greg might then feel a sensation in his mind as if someone is knocking on the metaphorical front door of his head. There's a faint voice, Doctor's, speaking muffled as if he has his hand over his mouth (which he doesn't, he's simply staring at Greg with his mouth shut).

Telepathy. As it turns out I have a very basic form of telepathy.

[panspermia]

Greg, ever the most skillful at disguising his intentions, goes rather stiff at the startling sensation.

"No kidding." His voice has a slight pitch to it. Internally, his mind can be heard adding, Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

[trustme]

"Sorry!" Doctor drops their 'connection' and the funny sensation at the front of Greg's mind stops in an instant. "Sorry, it's really something you have to show rather than tell. I think you get the idea. And if you're worried about your privacy I am currently unable to go rummaging through anyone else's head space. Not that I would if I could unless it was to get something out of Blanche or some other nasty character."

[panspermia]

"It's all right!" Greg raises his hands, quickly apologetic. "It's actually pretty cool, I... just need to get used to it." He runs a hand through his hair, letting out a long breath. "You'd think I'd start getting used to everyone's wild magic whatever, but... it always manages to throw me for a loop."

[trustme]

"It feels a lot different in person than seeing it in a movie. Many of these powers deserve a jolt of surprise at first! I was very shocked and excited when I saw what Rei can do," he gives an example, "She has fire powers. Actually most of my band has strange powers as it turns out. Pao-Lin is the only one who hasn't woken up with one yet. I bet she will any day."

[panspermia]

It's weird enough to hear nearly the whole of Flowers Over Bones have had something strange happen, but the way Doctor puts, Greg can't help but give a bewildered laugh. "You make it sound like part of puberty or something."

The smile fades after a moment. "But... you all met those guys, right? With the helmets?" He shifts the shoulder strap for his bass. "I've never met them. This is different, somehow."

[trustme]

"Really. They've never approached you?" Doctor rubs his chin. He had been under the impression that they were visiting virtually all of his friends at Virgo and Pride. Had Greg not 'lost' something? "Have you always been playing your guitar when that sort of 'show' starts to happen?"

[panspermia]

Greg shakes his head, forlorn. "I've only ever heard about them from people. I kept an eye out after they got mentioned, but, nothing." He chews at his cheek as he looks down at his instrument. "Yeah. Music's definitely got to do with it, I know that much."

[trustme]

"I say this... and I mean it in the best way possible... You're bright enough to have considered this so I'll say it: you might have a gift like Naomi had. Some sort of musical... magic." Really what is the proper name for this music power thingamajig?

[panspermia]

It's clear from the look on his face he's thought about it too. It's not been a pleasant notion. "I haven't screwed with anyone's head." Not as far as he knows. But if everything keeps happening unconciously, he can't be sure.

[trustme]

"I know you wouldn't. Not even if Blanche started to bother you," Doctor says, giving him a firm look. "Let me help you with this Greg. I'm not standing idly by while my band gains mysterious powers that need to be understood properly to help. I won't stand around twiddling my thumbs when it comes to you either. If Blanche does find out that you can do this, you'll want to be better prepared than he expects."

[panspermia]

Greg chews his cheek a moment, before smiling weakly. As completely out of his depth as he feels, he knows Doctor isn't someone who would let him down. "Anything to keep that scumbag on his toes sounds like a good idea to me."

[trustme]

"Magnificent," Doctor claps Greg on the back. "I'v already come up with a way to understand those influential powers like what Naomi used. Then you can be sure if you're using them or not- I know you want to avoid trouble with that. All we need is one of those delicious rainbow bagels, your guitar, and a room away from distractions."

[panspermia]

For just a moment, Greg stares at Doctor. Then, that weak little smile grows a bit more. "Giving Blanche trouble and bagels? This plan is getting better all the time." He doesn't get how the man's mind works, but he likes the methodic madness all the same.

[trustme]

Doctor gestures in the air at an imaginary table. "It'll be like a game. I'll put a bagel on a plate, vow not to eat it, and you play your music and try to get me to take a bite. Once you know how to influence other people- how to get me to eat the bagel, you'll know how to turn it off also. That and when you take a break you can have one. They're really very good. Have you tried a rainbow bagel before?"

Start with the simple things, and really what motive is better than good food?

[panspermia]

Despite Doctor's chipper take on the "game," the thought of it still sends a little pit of anxiety into Greg's stomach. It feels like taking the stopper out of something he'd rather leave blocked up. The conflict is apparent on Greg's face, but after a moment, he heaves a sigh. If this is something he can do, he ought to make sure he knows how not to do it, instead of ignoring it.

In the end, if there's a way to make something a little less nerve wracking, food's always your best bet. "I've heard word around about those things, but haven't gotten my hands on one. They're always out by the time I get there." He could tell one of the people on staff to hook him up without any trouble, but where's the fun in that?

[trustme]

Doctor watches Greg struggle with the reality of his situation. He doesn't say a word, waiting for him to make up his mind. Then Greg sighs and talks about the bagels, and Doctor nods at him and claps him on the shoulder again. He knew Greg would make the wise choice.

"Don't worry about standing in line. Come to the Flowers Over Bones penthouse at lunchtime tomorrow. Honestly we're one of the reasons those bagels are so hard to get."