☆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

Superbia Squalo // Duty // PRIDE

[sharktrash]

-- A

[ It's fuck o'clock in the morning. Three, maybe four. He's cooped up in the area that serves as the kitchen, sitting cross-legged on one of the chairs, writing almost obsessively, a pile of notes and books on the table next to him. ]

[ It's not exactly unusual. He does shit like this. Plus, he's been extra fired up since he figured out he can still play with that stupid fake hand, eager to catch up on that lost week. But this seems a little... intense even for him. Eyes burning, his pencil practically flies over paper, notes and words and scribbled out parts mixed into one. ]

[ His hand's still covered by a glove, though the rest of his usual dress had been exchanged for a hoodie and slacks for the night. His hair's pulled up into a messy bun, and he's muttering and humming quietly to himself, as if testing out whatever it is that he's writing. ]


-- B

[ He's in much better spirits than he was ten days ago. In fact, he's been playing in the lounge since afternoon, and hasn't broken anything yet - fingers and bow flying over the strings as if nothing had happened. He looks pretty focused, but he just might still wave you over once he spots you. ]

Got a request?


-- C

[ Just sneaking through the HQ for no apparent idea. Look, a guy has to take a piss or go buy a beer in the middle of the night sometimes. Are you doing something you shouldn't be, though? ]

B

[vivelarevolution]

[comes closer, hands in his pockets, case holding his drumsticks tucked under his arm and grins]

Depends, can you make that thing Metal?

tmw i forgot to mention his instrument fff

[sharktrash]

[ Squalo looks at the cello between his legs and back at the new guy, then grins. ]

Son, I am metal.

[ In case his hair and leather longcoat weren't a hint enough. And yes, even acoustic cellos have the ability to sound like a distorted guitar... and then we have electric ones. ]

Name the song.

It's okay XD I remembered

[vivelarevolution]

What about Through Fire and Flames?

[he taps the drumstick case]

I'll give you the beat if you wanna show me what you've got.

/o/

[sharktrash]

[ He squints for a moment, as if trying to recall that particular song. It's by Some Other Band, most likely. ]

Sure. Their arrangement's a bit lacking so I'll just imagine my band's covering it.

[ that ego ]

Ready when you are.

[vivelarevolution]

[Sabo just chuckles. This guy wouldn't be Metal if he didn't have an ego the size of Tera. Sabo can appreciate that.

He sets himself at the drum set, takes out his sticks, and taps them together, recalling the beat in his head before finally nodding]

I'll give you a lead in.

[and he does so]

[sharktrash]

Heh.

[ He lets him complete a couple of bars before joining in, the sound of his cello low, slightly distorted, almost sludgy, and he'll cover the main riff for the intro before seamlessly hopping up into the fast, high-pitched guitar part. Fingers flying over the board, he'll even headbang a little for the hell of it -- and it's almost like pure energy is being pulsed out of him with every note. ]

[vivelarevolution]

[he can't help but be impressed. This guys ego pretty much matches his talent. Of course Sabo doesn't have much of a basis for comparison. Still if he's in Pride he has to be good.

But Sabo wonders just how far he can take him. He ups the ante just a bit, increasing the already frenetic beat. It'll sound a little distorted probably, but that's only if this guy can keep up]

[willnotbeintimidated]

[Poe's been listening for awhile. It's been almost distracting, the way he feels hearing that music. Because it's got something. He can't even define it.

Something he wants to hear more of.]

Surprise me.

[sharktrash]

[ It's got the smell of awesome in it, obviously. At least that's how Squalo would explain it. With how obsessed he always is about music, he probably didn't even notice being driven to perform more than usual, either. ]

[ He grins. ]

New Carnie, right? Think I've got something just for you.

[ He sits still for a moment, then starts. He begins with a riff that, surprisingly enough, sounds as if it's performed on a distorted guitar, then switches into the higher-pitched melody. It sounds intense, more so than usual, almost as if it was some kind of a battle. Eventually his fingers start darting back and forth, playing both parts at once. Humanly impossible? Not to him, not right now. ]

[willnotbeintimidated]

[Poe closes his eyes and just listens. There's a pulse to it, a drive. And it's good. Gets in deep, catches something in the brain. In the body.

His head begins to nod, and he moves his fingers as if beginning to imagine playing himself. Contemplating what could possibly be added. Not that it needs anything. But there's always something.

But there's nothing to say. Oh, no. Just quiet to appreciate.]

[sharktrash]

[ There's always more body to the music that other instruments can provide. Squalo loves it thick, full of instruments roaring and reverb and not a single second of silence in between chords. He definitely wouldn't mind the guy deciding to join in -- hey, maybe there were a few guitars lying about, who knows. ]

[ He's just as pleased to just keep playing, though. At some point he even closes his eyes for a bit, as if submerging into the music, and it feels as if there's some kind of energy being pulsed out with every note. ]

B

[iitrebel]

Yeah, for you to suck my dick.

[Because clearly these two should be in the same vicinity as one another again after last time.]

[...But Tamara is stressed enough as it is, so Artolo tries to figure out a line of conversation that isn't shit talking.]

What do you even write usually anyway?

[sharktrash]

[ He'll "playfully" try to stab him in the throat with his bow. ]

Go to your thick-lipped momma about that.

[ #neverforget ]

[ Wow it's really difficult isn't it. :0 ]

-- Most of our music? But I can do classical. Or just about anything.

[iitrebel]

[He's already fulfilled his stabbing quota for this month, thank you, so he ducks away from the bow. A grimace spasms across his face, because as it turns out moving around a lot while you have stitches in your side isn't advisable, but oh well.]

Baby pop hit about Tamara. Go.

[sharktrash]

[ He should really make some conclusions from that. Like "don't piss people off if you don't wanna get stabbed". But ah well. ]

[ He squints a bit. Sure, he can play stupid pop, not that he's sure how to make it "about" someone considering he doesn't intend to sing -- but. ]

The fuck's baby pop?

[iitrebel]

[Just. A. Smug. Grin.]

What, you don't know?

[Is he fucking with Squalo? Well, obviously, that's a given. But what variety of fuckery is the question.]

[sharktrash]

[ ANOTHER STABBING ATTEMPT, COMING UP. ]

Correction: anything that doesn't require a fucking rattle to perform.

[iitrebel]

[Another flail backwards to avoid it.]

Jeez, you need anger management or some garbage. Such violince. [Yeah he went there.] But fine, like, boyband pop shit.

C

[stylistic_disloyalty]

[Probably.]

[She's smoking inside after all.]

[In her pajamas.]

[It looks like Luci's gone through at least three while standing in the elevator bank and pacing. She's not muttering or talking to the voices in her head, but she does look like she's making a concentrated effort to not do... something.]

[sharktrash]

[ Oh no, what a bad, bad girl. ]

[ Squalo stops and watches her for a moment. Have they actually met since... well. Since. Possibly in the charity concert, but that wasn't exactly a chance for personal conversation. Act like nothing's happened, right? ]

[ Besides, he's curious. And a little freaked out. If she's out here, maybe se knows something. ]

Can't sleep?

[ Feels like an innocent enough opener. ]

[stylistic_disloyalty]

Fuck-- [Luci nearly has a heart attack. She hadn't seen Squalo lurking there. After nearly dropping her cigarette, she recovers and takes an extra long drag on it.]

Not at all. Might be easier if I had a friend. [She suggests casually. Lucifer: running for sex or drugs when stressed.]

[sharktrash]

[ Ah. Smoking. He's not really a fan of it, despite his multiple other vices, but to each their own. He watches her, head canting slightly to the side, a smirk blooming on his face at that comment. ]

It's your lucky day, I was just looking for company.

[ Squalo: shameless and ready to put out at a moment's notice. Who lets them out. ]

[stylistic_disloyalty]

[Whoever it is, they're the worst babysitter ever.]

[Luci stubs out her cigarette in the ashtray by the elevators and approaches with purpose. She's definitely rattled, and she definitely wants somebody to pay attention to her for a while.]

Your place?

[sharktrash]

[ Absolutely. ]

[ Yeah, he notices that, but he doesn't say anything yet. He looks... maybe a bit nervous, though otherwise normal. ]

Sure. We're out of booze, though. I was just on my way to resupply?

[ There are like 24/7 kiosks for that within the HQ I'm sure, or there would be riots. His tone implies Luci's welcome to accompany him on that little trip. ]