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]

"I wouldn't really call them solo works. The band will be involved later. I guess... I'm seeding the projects." The only song he really did completely by himself was the charity concert song for Tamara. "I've... been trying to find a way to work a song with flowers, stars, sand, and magic in it. I... am beginning to think I might have to do separate songs."

[nibelungvalesti]

"Why do you say that? Those seem like very compatible subjects." Really, Ivan, Meril was surprised you were having trouble.

[sponsorigami]

Ivan leans back in his chair slightly, pursing his lips. "I feel like I'm trying to combine too many types of imagery and feeling... Like there's just too much to put in, and leaving things vague just makes the lyrics a mess."

[nibelungvalesti]

"If each one is trying to say something different, then I can see that." Meril pursed her lips as she considered the problem. "What is your goal, then?"

[sponsorigami]

"Truthfully..." Ivan trails off and quiets his voice. It's not for secrecy but because he's... embarrassed. "I was hoping it would help me make sense of things."

[nibelungvalesti]

Ah. Meril bowed her head slightly. She still did not understand, and now she shied away from ever trying -- whatever was going on was nothing she should be meddling in. "I cannot imagine how it would."

[sponsorigami]

Ivan sighs, and the sheepishness doesn't go way. "Yeah. Romance is confusing enough without memory issues. I don't think it can make sense."

Yes... The purpose of the song is about making sense of romance.

[nibelungvalesti]

"Oh, well. If you are trying to understand that, I think you are engaged in a very futile quest indeed. Romance should be enjoyed, not understood."

Meril spoke with no strong insistence that he subscribe to her view. It was only her opinion, after all.

[sponsorigami]

"If... I'm not enjoying it every time I think about it, then that's probably a sign I should quit it." He takes a sip of his tea. Any romantic song writing will need to be left with one of the other band members.

[nibelungvalesti]

"Ah -- are you referring to the songwriting or the romance?" That seemed a pretty dramatic declaration either way, to be honest.

[sponsorigami]

"The... uh... romance... or the uncertainty of starting one... technically, I guess?" Ivan keeps going in circles with his negativity and fear winning out each time.

[nibelungvalesti]

"Romance is not something perpetually enjoyable. That is not possible. Your judgment should instead be on whether the good outweighs the bad."

Meril was no genius of socialization, had little experience and perhaps questionable judgment in these matters... but this much, she knew.

[sponsorigami]

If anyone had told Ivan that one of the ways he'd be helping Meril not think about the ordeal she (must have) gone though was talking about his love life, he wouldn't have believed them. And yet, here he is.

"... Ultimately, I feel like it would just end in heartbreak, and she doesn't deserve that."

Mr. Negativity here.

[nibelungvalesti]

"Why do you believe that?" Of course he couldn't just say that and have her let it pass.

[sponsorigami]

"I'm worried we don't know who we really are... and if the best thing happens for us, we wouldn't be able to see each other."

[nibelungvalesti]

"Life is defined by death," Meril mused. "Friendship by its ends and beginnings. Someday it will end anyway... but if you hesitate to enjoy things because the enjoyment will end sometime, you will be miserable all your days."

[sponsorigami]

"Life is fleeting... There's probably no aspect untouched by how ephemeral things are." Ivan's hipster brainwashing grabs a stronger hold because he wants to thing and say that they are fighting for their freedom. "S-Sorry. I-I mean... I don't want to hurt her, and I don't know if..."

He's in a parking lot with charred cars all around him. The scene is under control now, and the police have arrived. For Edward. The man attacking him (and Ivan) is gone. Edward has to go back to prison and continue serving his term. Ivan's filled with emotion, opposites pulling at him. He's at the cusp of a change, but it could also come crashing backwards. "I wish we could start over again. Wipe the slate clean. My failures... And your failures..."

Edward turns away and gruffly says,"Shut up, will you?" Ivan watches Edward enter the police van in handcuffs. Edward's back is to him, and Ivan feels hopeless, like nothing he can do will make up for his failures. But then, Edward adds, "Thanks for saving me."

Though they're not looking at each other, that short sentence means the world to Ivan. The doors close, and the police van drives off with Edward inside. Ivan is left at the parking lot. "I'll be waiting here for you, Edward."

Ivan's attention snaps back to the present. "... if there's someone else..."

[nibelungvalesti]

"I am not one for platitudes," Meril said, as if he hadn't just spaced out right there for a moment, "nor am I particularly the right person to ask for romantic advice. But I will not hesitate to say that I think you are making a mistake by allowing what might be to determine what could be."

If fate hadn't pushed her into Greg's arms, she would have made that same mistake as well.

[sponsorigami]

"'What might be' and 'what could be' ... doesn't that mean the same thing?" He shakes his head, feeling like he has yet another puzzle piece to fit in this whole mess. Ivan doesn't even remember how they got onto this topic and why he allowed it to go as far as it did. He was supposed to be helping her.

"I... thank you for the advice nonetheless. It has given me a lot to think about."

[nibelungvalesti]

"One is one outcome, the other is all. Do not let the one blind you to the all," Meril advised, with as much kindness as her normally cool tones could manage. "But if you wish to speak on it further, you know how to reach me, do you not?"

[sponsorigami]

A subtle difference that's nearly missed in words. He's not sure which way he'll go for, but he feels like he has... direction... in a way. Wanting to think so much about this is actually a sign that is true self is peeking through more.

"I think it might be easier to talk with someone outside of the band about this. I mean, I can probably talk to them, but I think they'd be... more... pushy." For lack of a better word. They mean well, but they also are too close to the both of them.

[nibelungvalesti]

"Yes, I understand entirely." And despite everything, Meril managed to crack a little smile. She understood very well how bandmates could be.

[sponsorigami]

So does Ivan, and he gives a small laugh. "I'm glad for you."

It may sound strange, but Ivan knows the trials her band has gone through. He's happy for her to have a band that feels more like a family.

[nibelungvalesti]

It only got stranger as time passed, but Meril found the warmth a pleasant if unsettling change from her old life.

"You are always welcome to visit, if you need a place."

End thread around here?

[sponsorigami]

"I'll remember that. And you're welcome to come to our place as well."