☆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

[psyvampexperiment]

No argument there. I was contemplating going downstairs myself: I need a goddamn drink after all this. [A shudder of apprehension and a face clench of irritation.]

[maipokerface]

Hey, I may grow to like you if you keep thinking like that. Come on.

[She'll lead the way.]

You in the mood for crowds or something smaller?

[psyvampexperiment]

[He'll allow himself to be lead, though he might dart a glance back over his shoulder toward his door.]

I think I'd prefer something smaller: my nerves are shot after all that and while I welcome, even embrace crowds on my better days, this not one of them.

[maipokerface]

I guess that's why we have out own full service bar around here. There's some clubs and stuff too but most of Pride goes to those so it's not exactly quiet.

[psyvampexperiment]

That would certainly hit the spot: fine drink and solitude, though I suspect other people might be making use of it as well. Did they start stocking the absinthe that I requested?

[maipokerface]

I wonder. I haven't looked in a while so who knows, maybe.

[She ends up taking him down to one of the littler personal bars on the first floor. It's like what you would find in any of the penthouses honestly - self service and all.]

You one of those types? You know, absinthe and wormwood and Victorian wear?

[psyvampexperiment]

[He'll fetch a couple of glasses and rummage amongst the bottles for a long moment.]

Ahh, a Victorian decadent? Sometimes, yes, though I veer toward Post-Modern Romantic, depending on my frame of mind: some days, I'm keener on Byron and M.R. James and open-collared shirts with billowy sleeves, while other days, I'm more into Anne Rice and H.P. Lovecraft and black leather.

[Clinking around some more...]

[maipokerface]

Yeah, I sort of pegged you are more of the Anne Rice type.

[The whole fallen angel schtick seemed more like her modus operandi. Mai makes an amused sound and leans against the bar.]

An must love you then. You've got the looks to pull all of that off.

[psyvampexperiment]

As a style, a bit more practical, less fussy: those frilled shirt cuffs are hell for whoever's doing your laundry.

[More clanking around yet, then -] Aha! Someone thought ahead. [He'll come up from behind the bar with a bottle of greenish liqueur, lighter in color than most absinthe would be.] Someone stocked Pernod: it might lack the wormwood, but it's still close enough. A more legal version of the green faery.

[Opens the bottle, fills one glass, makes a move to fill another.] Care for a glass?

I don't think I've had the honour to meet the personage in question, but I hope I'd made an impression, favourable or otherwise. [A smirk, as if to say 'any reaction is a favourable reaction.]

[maipokerface]

Sure, may as well. [Not that she's ever had anything like it but there's a first time for everything. Her brows raised up a little.]

Trust me, before the next show you'll meet An. You'll either love her or absolutely hate her. It depends how much she abuses you for a photo shoot session.

[psyvampexperiment]

[He'll fill a second glass, then goes in search of water and sugar cubes, and finds the former in bottled form, but only finds sugar packets, which he'll sadfais at, but makes do.]

Hmmmm! I can take a certain amount of abuse, depending on how she handles me. Though now I have a feeling that strapped-on costume wings will be in my future.

I take it you've been through a similar gauntlet?

[He'll set to work sprinkling the sugar into the glasses before pouring the water in, about half again as much, before stirring the two together...]

[maipokerface]

Knowing her she'll go all out on the wings if she can.

[Here Mai waves a hand.]

We've all been run through the hell gauntlet by now. I kinda half suspect Wolfram just ran away after a while.

[psyvampexperiment]

In that case, I suspect I'd better brace myself for most anything. [Said with a wry smile, as he continues to stir the second glass.]

Ahhh, I wondered what really happened to him: he seemed like a well-loved member of the band, and... his departure puts the band's reaction to my arrival into context.

[Finishes stirring the second glass and offers it to Mai.] As promised... I wish it could have been a little more fittingly prepared, but one does what one can.

[maipokerface]

The last I heard he was going onto a solo career. I think? Once you leave the labels you just kind of... fade away from the spotlight, I guess.

[She doesn't like thinking too deeply on it, particularly now. Just the thought of being ousted from the label makes a cold chill run through her.

She takes the glass with a soft breath of amusement.]

Don't worry about it, it is what it is.

[psyvampexperiment]

Hmmm, maybe he needed to get away from that spotlight, or at least get some distance from it. [A small smirk.] I almost don't blame him for that: it's not a life for everyone, and while I welcome it, I have my moments when my blood isn't feeling it, but... the music's in my blood as well, and I can't ignore that easily.

[He raises his glass.] To Wolfram, that he has the best of luck in whatever he chooses?

[maipokerface]

[She can follow a cue. Up goes her glass as well.]

To Wolfram.

[She takes her first drink then of his concoction and pauses.]

I always heard absinthe was kind of bitter.

[This is somewhat bitter and she imagines that's dulled thanks to the sugar but there is a distinct herbal undertone to it as well.]

[psyvampexperiment]

[Taking a sip of his own drink.]

Mmm! Pernod lacks the wormwood that gives absinthe its extra bite, but it still has bite enough. The sugar and the water help to take some of the edge off it.

[maipokerface]

Definitely. It's not bad really.

[No, she's totally serious here. She's not one for overly sweet drinks and the bit of a bitter edge is really nice.]

[psyvampexperiment]

Mmmm, definitely quite good, though I think I need to have a word with the food shoppers and ask them if they could stock the real thing.

[Pleased: he has a sense - a hope, perhaps - he may have found somewhat of a kindred if gruff spirit in her.]

[maipokerface]

[A gruff kindred spirit is what most can hope for from the teenager. She's definitely not touchy feely nice anyhow.]

They'll definitely do it if you ask. They're pretty good around here about catering to people's desires anyhow.

[psyvampexperiment]

[Another sip from his glass, and a slow, pleased nod.]

I'll have to make a note of that and put in an order. I'll be sure to share it with you when it turns up.

[maipokerface]

Thanks. I'll try not to tell the others I'm on such good terms with you. Might make them think I'm soft now.

[psyvampexperiment]

[A chuckle in his throat.] In that case, I'll keep up the illusion by acting politely aloof and formal around you as well, or duly offended if you should act gruffly toward me. [Playfully cool now, pretending to be aloof.]

[maipokerface]

Perfect.

[With that she has another drink before she leans back a little on her seat.]

It's not that I don't like any of them. Aramat's a little man hungry and Artolo's a little cat crazy. Tooru just believes in aliens. Otherwise they're all okay.

[psyvampexperiment]

Mmmm, I can relate to being a bit man-hungry, since my tastes tend to run in more than one direction. [Taking another sip from his glass.]

Sounds as though you're a team player and you're devoted to it, you just keep your heart under your ribs where it belongs. There's something to be said for that: we can't all be the mad lover, or the band would be too all of a kind.