You laugh until you cry; you cry until you laugh

[sailorgenerous]

Who: Virgo musicians - Ghost Quest people and their friends
What: When eight musicians go missing, what happens to those left behind? What happens when those eight come back far worse for the wear?
When: Feb 1st-3rd and after
Where: Virgo HQ
Warnings: Talk of torture, violence, brainwashing, etc. It's ugly in here, folks.

The past three days have not been kind. The hauntings were odd, yes, but when your friends went missing without warning or a trace - well.

How have you been coping? Have you been coping?

And then they came back just as suddenly, and...it looks like your worries were not unfounded.

This isn't good, is it.

Comments

[sponsorigami]

[ "A little bruising" is actually bruising that run up and down his torso where he got kicked as a tiny fox. He's lucky his ribs didn't break. But Ivan's trying to play down his injuries as much as possible. ]

Thanks. For... multiple things.

[ Ivan takes a seat, and he takes a sip of his tea while he thinks on what to do next. ]

Um... do you play video games or like to watch movies or read?

[ Yes, that's what Ivan is here for. He just... wants to get to know Marty and try to give him some company and peace if possible. (Ivan doubts his ability to give him this, but he'll try.) But, he doesn't really know Marty to find a topic to talk about that's not connected to music. ]

[heymcfly]

[ He has a feeling he knows what those multiple things are. As much as the thanks is appreciated, Ivan not going into detail is even more so. Everything that happened is done now. He just wants to get healed up and continue playing the guitar with his band as often as he could. Without thinking about the stuff they all had to go through in the past few days.

Marty sips at his coffee, trying not to wrinkle his nose at the taste. What was he supposed to say to start a conversation? He felt so incredibly out of his element all of a sudden, it was almost ridiculous. Thankfully Ivan broke the awkward silence that was starting to build up. ]

I like movies. [ That's the first thing to come out of his mouth. ] Gaming's pretty fun, but I'm a retro kind of guy. I like the oldies, y'know? [ Which was kind of how people weren't supposed to be, right? People were all into heavy graphics and realism and stuff. Not him, not so much. ]

How 'bout you?

Cerio Creator = Mario Maker

[sponsorigami]

[ There's definitely the awkwardness in the air; Ivan's not the best at socialize either.

However, the common ground with video games is heaven sent. This is something he can talk about easily and enthusiastically. He doesn't have many people he can talk games with, and he doesn't mind retro either. In fact... ]

Have you played Cerio Creator? I've just started to make some levels, and it's harder to do than I thought.

gotcha!

[heymcfly]

Cerio Creator, huh? [ You've got his attention now! He looks to Ivan with a curious kind of glance, allowing himself to unfold, just a little. ] I've heard about it. At least, the whole 'make your own levels' thing. People say it can be kinda hard if you got a guy who knows what he's doin'.

[ A smile creeps across his face. ] What's your levels like? You play a lot of other levels too?

[ Marty can enjoy Cerio Creator, definitely. It's modern, but it's got some old in there that he can appreciate. ]

[sponsorigami]

[ Ivan relaxes, his smile comes much easier, and his voice has a small brightness to it. ]

They can be incredibly hard. I don't know how they do it. Even when they say that every level has to be beaten once in order to be posted online... some seem impossible. Like jumping at the right pixel or miss impossible.

I haven't made too many. So far they've just been the kind that sort of play on their own either by riding a ramp or holding the run button.

[heymcfly]

I've only seen people online playing levels. Can't say I've played it myself, but man if I could. [ Marty grins. It's like Ivan's new attitude is kind of contagious! ] Maybe there's an evil mastermind they send it to when it's ready to go online. The Cario Creator God. Whatcha think?

[ He leans back, stretching out his legs. This is the first time he's felt comfortable in a while. ] Man, I'd play your levels. It sounds like yours aren't as tense as the others. More fun!

[sponsorigami]

... I could believe it. There could be a gang of them, or they've developed a program that can be precisely timed for every part. Otherwise, I really don't know how they could have done it.

[ Ivan reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a sheet of origami paper and a pen. He scribbles down his username and then slides the paper to Marty. ]

It'll probably be easier to find the levels using my username than having to type in long strands of numbers and letters.

[heymcfly]

Wouldn't surprise me. They probably pull that shit just so people can flip out about it later. [ He's seen a few levels like that...and to be honest, it's kind of funny. Some people are...incredibly passionate, to say the least. ] Not that it's not funny, or anything. [ Or at least he thinks it is.

When the little piece of paper is offered, Marty looks it over before tucking it away in the pocket of his pants. ] Heavy! I'll be sure to add you my console. Can you play multiplayer? [ He smiles. ] If so I gotta make a level or somethin' and see if we can finish it.

Or we can try one of those really hard ones and see what happens.

[sponsorigami]

We can do both. We could make levels in between the crazy hard ones. Like a break.

[ Just because the real game may not have multiplayer, it doesn't mean the IS game could. It might be hard for Marty to play while having a broken wrist, but maybe they can jointly make a level or Marty can help Ivan as he's playing. ]

Hey, do you feel up to playing some? We can get some drinks and pastries to go.

[ Before, Ivan wanted to check on Marty and was filled with worry. He's still worried about Marty, but now, he genuinely wants to play games with him. He doesn't really have a friend who like to play games with him and was more than a casual player. ]

[heymcfly]

[ it's perfect!

Marty doesn't even think on his answer. ] Why not? I can make though with this. [ He waves his broken wrist around, and gives a little shrug. ] Can't be too hard to play with one hand, right?

[ It's good to have a gaming buddy around. Or at least, someone who can appreciate good games when he sees them. Marty can't say there's a lot of guys like that around...as far as he knows, anyway. He's too invested with his work to really pay attention. ] Wanna go now?

Would you like to thread this out or handwave the rest after they leave the lounge?

[sponsorigami]

Sure, the system is in the common area in the penthouse. Let me go order some pastries to bring back with us, and we can go.

[ Most of his paycheck goes to treating other people anyways, mainly his band. And now, more than ever, he wants to make sure that there are tiny acts of kindness going around. Flowers Over Bones is going through a lot without a solid way of improving the situation. ]

is it okay to handwave? so we don't get behind thing! i've been awfully slow lately

[heymcfly]

[ Man, does food sound good. Marty's smile grows a little bigger, and he nods! ] Sounds like a good idea, right? Nothin' better than food and games.

Lead the way, man. You're the boss.

Completely understand. Handwaving that good gaming times were had

[sponsorigami]

We've got a few cooks too, so if we happen to run out of food, we'll be able to get more.

[ It's a valid worry in their band. So once Ivan gets his pastries to go, they'll be off and playing games. ]

Thank you so much! These two are precious though, I'm having fun so far!

[heymcfly]

[ Marty often forget there's cooks around that'll take care of their every need. It's kind of nice! ]

Sounds good. You wanna go to your place or mine? I'm pretty sure the guys won't mind me having a bud over.

Gamers unite!

[sponsorigami]

[ In this case, Ivan is referring to his bandmates who like to cook so much that they've pretty much kicked out the cooking staff. (Except at the moment because Luce is...) ]

Let's go to mine. We have to get the game from my penthouse anyways.

/raises controllers into the air!

[heymcfly]

[ yeeeah that's understandable. ]

Right, right. As long as your buddies won't mind me comin' in for a few. I don't wanna get in their way or anything.

[ He looks to Ivan, shrugs a little sheepishly. ] I'm ready to head out when you are.

And... end thread?

[sponsorigami]

I don't think so.

[ They are the band that keeps holding breakfasts and such for others in Virgo. This may be on a much smaller scale, but perhaps it'll also give a little familiarity back into their world right now. ]

I'm good too.