interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK VII: IN REACHING OUT PT. 1

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☆TRACK VII: IN REACHING OUT PT. 1

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.”

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[SUPER BROS.]

You know--

[Alright it's Dino's turn to flush a bit, and for a moment he looks like he might say something ridiculous...

And then he says it, which is fine, too.]

So, what? One-way street? You're my fan too, right? [Teasingly, he tugs at the end of the hair over his bandmate's temple.] Pictures of me up on the wall and everything.

[ Do you hear that very loud sound? That's Kaoru's heart beating out of his chest at all of this. The proximity, the touches, the words. He can't stop himself from looking up at Dino, vaguely starry-eyed. ] Nah. I mean- yes. Total fan. Number one fan.

But pictures up on the wall can't compare. [ He laughs a little, his eyes glancing down at how close they really are before looking back up at him. ] No point in those with you here, right?

[He chuckles, low and soft, and bites at his lower lip for a moment. He isn't always smooth, or clever, so what he says next might come off as odd. He worries about that, even as he says it, even though he means it.]

If you're not my fan, I'll just have to work harder to impress you.

[The band has to be impressed with him, after all. They have to think he's worthy of being there. More than that right now, he's just... Holding his breath for some reason. And he lets it out really slowly, carefully, so it isn't a sigh.]

Let's support each other, alright?

[ Okay so is Kaoru, the extremely queer, romantic teenager, not supposed to look at Dino's lip when he bites it? Because that's definitely happening. It'll take a couple moments before his attention comes back up to Dino's eyes, and even then, he's glancing between the two as he says: ] Don't- I mean, you can if you want to, but you're... kind of impressive just by yourself.

[ His breath is a little shaky when it comes out, but in such a good way. ] Definitely. I'm- always here for that. [ And for maybe leaning in closer when he says it, trying to pass it off as casual earnestness. ]

What if I want to impress you?

[It only takes a small shift for him to press his forehead to Kaoru's, careful to push that perfect hair out of the way so it won't get messed up. His heart's at peace, he's calm, he feels as at home as he ever has in this building. Maybe it's just the pleasant warmth of waking up in good company, but he's content. And unchecked. Words tumble out before he notes how they sound.]

You look... really cute when you're impressed. You sort of light up a little. Your eyes.

[Maybe he wants to be looked at like that. Unwise to say it, though. Dino's eyes close tightly for a moment, and he wonders if he ought to pull away.]

I mean, you're... just really... something. [Reel it in, Cavallone.] You're really talented, too. Singing and piano and everything. [Or babble.]

[ Kaoru's breath leaves him for a moment, when Dino presses their foreheads together. And then he's talking, so close that Kaoru can practically feel the individual words against his skin - like 'cute', and 'light', and 'talented'. Those are good things. Dino's so warm.

Before he can think too much about it, Kaoru takes in a deep breath, then leans in, fumbling a soft kiss against the corner of Dino's lips.

It doesn't last long. It's not a particularly good kiss. The only thing Kaoru can think to say when he pulls back is a strangled: ] Sorry.

[Holy.

Dino freezes at the contact, blinking his eyes open in surprise. But he wonders if he should be surprised. All this closeness... it was really asking for one of them to make that move, like it was inevitable. He's close with his bandmates, as much as he's able to be, and he'll hug them or sit with them, anything, whenever. It's family, or something.

In no way was he the one who backed off. He chokes out a quiet reply:]

Why are you apologizing?

[ Oh. Kaoru blinks, then says in a rush- ] I mean, I thought. I was being serious but I thought you were joking! About the whole... being a fan thing. And, um... I don't know. I didn't mean to... I should've asked.

[ That was semi-coherent, right? Kaoru shakes his head, then asks, as if the idea has just struck him: ] So you were okay with that?

I'm not joking.

[He settles his hands on Kaoru's shoulders, squeezing them lightly.]

I really want all of you to respect me as much as I respect you. It's just... you're taking care of me, and you opened up and told me how you were feeling a while ago. It's fine if I want to take care of you, too. [A statement.] We're in this together.

[Back comes Dino's smoothness, but with an utter sincerity. How he manages to be such a tremendous loser sometimes, yet perfectly controlled at other times is a mystery of the universe.]

I'd be better with it if you hadn't almost missed.

[ Kaoru's never experienced something like this before. As much as he wants to be chill about it, it's kind of exhilarating, to hear from someone he likes that they like him back. That they want to be here, doing things with him.

He can't help the wide grin, ducking his head a little shyly, though they're close enough that this means pressing their foreheads together. ] That means a lot, you know. Being... in this together. With you. [ But this is getting into Intense Feelings Territory, so he'll laugh and move on. ] As for missing, well... I guess I just need more practice.

[ And after a little breath, Kaoru will lean in for a (hopefully) better kiss, so that Dino can't protest at how cheesy that line was. ]

[There is no chill. Why be chill about being happy? They're sharing a moment, a beautiful one, as friends or bandmates or whatever. An honest expression of themselves. It's actually pretty cool, and Dino feels an immense sense of peace and belonging.]

I'll look out for you. I really will.

[Even if the kiss isn't perfect, Dino's so at home in his heart and spirit that he settles one hand on Kaoru's cheek and tips his head only slightly, not only responding to the kiss, but carefully picking up the lead on it. It's gentle, nothing scandalous or too intense, but it is, and that's what matters to him.]

[ Kaoru shifts, resting his back more firmly against the couch arm so that he can bring both of his hands up to cup Dino's cheeks. Yes, this position is a little uncomfortable, but Kaoru doesn't want to waste time noticing that when he could be kissing Dino.

Oh man, he's kissing Dino. He has to smile a little giddily against the other boy's lips, fingers moving to curl gently in his hair. When he pulls back for air, he'll murmurs- ] You're good at this, y'know.

Seriously?

[Dino sounds honestly surprised. For someone so beloved, and so prone to hanging out with everyone he can, he's not that experienced. He may be older, but he's certainly not just miraculously talented. Or is he? If he's good, he's good, and he can look away in that lovely aw, shucks way with a winning grin, then back up through sleep-rumpled bangs. His back is protesting ever so slightly at being twisted awkwardly, but he refuses to complain. This is really, really nice.]

Thanks. I'm doing what feels right. [Which apparently includes draping an arm around Kaoru, basically saying screw it, and taking a breath.] You can't be comfortable like that.

Yeah, seriously. I wouldn't joke about that. [ And when he grins like that, Kaoru can't help thinking he wants to see that more often.

When he points out their position, Kaoru wants to protest, but he makes the mistake of trying to sit up a little. He winces instinctively, his legs and his back protesting, then tries to say: ] I'm fine?

Okay, maybe not. These couches could stand to be a little more comfortable for this sort of thing.

Well, I don't know if they were thinking about this when they picked the furniture. Probably expected people to be properly in a bed or something.

[ER.] I don't mean--I'm not--Sorry!

[There's a touch of flailing, but Dino looks behind himself and gets a grand idea. Cuddling is safe, right? Somehow, shockingly, no one is injured as he gracelessly settles back on the couch, his back braced against the opposite arm, and he puts a hand on Kaoru's shoulder, inviting him closer.]

If you want. We can turn another movie on and go back to sleep.

[ He can't help laughing at that, pulling him in by the cheeks for a quick, affectionate kiss to the forehead. ] You're ridiculous. I know what you meant. [ Ridiculously adorable.

And as Dino settles on the other side of the couch, Kaoru shifts closer to tuck himself under his arm, throwing his legs over the other boy's lap and nestling in close to him. He'll rest his head against Dino's shoulder before looking up at him with innocent eyes. ] Is this okay?

[ You wouldn't make him move after he's gotten this comfortable, would you? ]

[Dino really can't believe how comfortable he is with Kaoru so close. Bandmates are just a good thing... and cozy. And adorable. And... something. Yes. Something nice.

He chuckles quietly at the whole thing.]

As long as you know that my intentions are pure and innocent, we're good.

[Just grinning, then he turns his head toward Kaoru, then raises an arm to toy with his hair.]

Yeah. I like it, anyway.

[ Oh no, he's playing with Kaoru's hair. Hopefully Dino is ready for Kaoru to just melt against him, humming contentedly to himself. His body feels all light and floaty, and it's unfamiliar, but in a really, really nice way. ] Good. Cause I'm literally never moving ever again. You're stuck with me now. [ And to punctuate the statement, he curls up even tighter in Dino's lap. ~~Is he purring?~~ ]

[Dino lets slip a little content noise, a low, thoughtful hum, and just sinks his fingers right into that perfect hair. He's careful to just touch, not muss.]

I'm okay with that, too. You made me feel better, and you let me make your leg fall asleep, so I'm ready and willing and able to pay it back. Sound good?

[Is he petting him? Might be.]

Just relax.

[ Yeah, Kaoru's pretty incapable of doing anything but relaxing at this point. But before he totally checks out, he reaches for Dino's other hand to bring it up to his lips for just a moment. ] S'long as you're feeling better.

[Dino manages a little shy smile and takes Kaoru's hand in his. This is the best he's felt in a while, comfortable, at peace, and oddly protective. It feels familiar.]

Yeah, I'm great. Thanks.

Edited (FORMATTING YAY) 2016-02-07 22:23 (UTC)

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☆TRACK VII: IN REACHING OUT PT. 1

/unleashes this icon

/little 'nooo' sounds for life

djsajkfajka

oh dear lord in heaven above

THROWS HANDS UP

THIS IS THE END I'M OUT

BYE

i'm ascending 2 heaven at this moment jsyk

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baby i'm back /strums guitar

uwu

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