Standing in the middle of the room screaming

[twoscompany]

Who: Garnet
What: Garnet's life is becoming progressively worse and better simultaneously
When: Third week of March
Where: See prompts
Warnings: Some mentions of bad things and body horror

Cosmic Indulgence suites; Monday

[Hands and hands. Grabbing, holding, grabbing, grabbing--

Its alive. Its dead. Its what's left of friends and family. But its mixed with others not from that world. She can hear Nariko's cries, Rich's begging, among the moans of cracked gems. And Steven...Steven...

help me help me Garnet Garnet why did you LET THIS HAPPEN--

A hand grabbed her shoulder, and she woke up with a startled scream. Only to see Page shake her.

A dream. A nightmare. But also a memory. It only gets worse as Page speaks:

'The boss wants to see you'.

Its not what she thinks. Its worse. Its much worse. And this afternoon she's sitting on the couch, staring at the floor, boxes piling up in and around her room. She's not sure where Steven is, right now. She's heard rumors he went to Virgo - rumors he's still here - but somehow she hasn't been able to find him. If its not bad timing, then...then what if...what if...

Something's happened. Its clear something's happened. The question is asking Garnet what this is all about.]


Through the city; Tuesday through Friday

[Posters all over the city have popped up; the success of Heterochromia is a reason to celebrate. Its put the musical scene on fire, and Pride Records is going to celebrate by making a special junket for the people who matter. If you know the right people - or can afford the insanely expensive tickets - you too can attend the Five Years Festival, a one-night-only standing room party with Cosmic Indulgence performing their best. Then, after the main show, sign ups will happen for a karaoke duet contest. The winners will receive a special edition of the album, signed by Garnet of Cosmic Indulgence.

The other's names are oddly downplayed. Its almost as if Garnet was the main event as opposed to the entire band. Its strange. Its simultaneously coinciding with rumors that Garnet's success is causing her to consider a solo career - but those are just rumors, right?

Why not ask her herself? She's right there, across the way. She's looking at one of the promotion posters, and also, like she could use someone to talk to.]


CliniQal/House; Saturday night/Sunday morning

[This is it, the Five Years Festival. If you know someone, or can afford the tickets, you're cordially invited to the show. And what a show it is - with the way Garnet is rocking out, one could be mistaken in thinking there is nothing wrong, that she's enjoying her time in the limelight more than ever. And then there's the karaoke after - Garnet is cool with singing with whoever wants to singer with her. Otherwise, she'll sit back and watch as others duet with her.

Afterwards - at 4am - if you're up for it, if she knows you. Garnet will slip a note into your hands. Housewarming Party, Meet Me At The Stretch Bus. Those who meet her at the bus will get a leisurely, pectacular drive to the beach, where they can watch night turned to twilight, and then sunrise. Then, they will be ushered to a beautiful beach house, nestled near a small cliff. Drinks are provided, as are some bite-sized delicacies. Those who want to crash will have plenty of space to do so.

Throughout it, Garnet will do her best at playing house mistress. However, there will be times when she can be found on the house deck, staring out into the sea, her fingers trailing across the glass.]

Comments

[oceantier]

[Lapis (Luna) stares at one of the posters. Originally it had caught her eye just by chance -- something snagging her from the edges of her vision until she twisted to glance.]

[Now she's captured by the modified face of someone she remembers.]

[Another one. Here. Changed. But here.]

[Her breath has tightened, going short]

[She twists sharply to yank away . . . only to turn directly into the face's owner.]

[twoscompany]

[Its a nice poster, though, isn't it? Pretty cool, and Garnet's face is pretty nice. Probably photoshopped, but still nice.

Also, hi, you just bumped into Garnet. She doesn't look too happy about it.]

Mmph--excuse me.

[Well, Lapis? What two words do you say back?]

[oceantier]

[Lapis for her turn doesn't look like she has two words in mind whatsoever, let alone the two that Garnet is looking for. Her eyes have widened even more at the suddenness of it, at the contact. She jerks away without even thinking about it, as though touch was a jolt of electric current.]

[She stares, her breath still high and tight.]

[And then her eyes narrow like a warning, foot slipping back as though she intends to go within the next second. Does Garnet remember her? With that face, she can't be sure.]

[twoscompany]

[Garnet looks at her, an eyebrow raising up at the response. To her, it naturally meant one thing.]

You know, just because I'm not Virgo,doesn't mean I bite.

[That's why she's so tense, right? Right. That's what its all about, the stupid label war.]

[oceantier]

[Whatever Lapis had expected, that wasn't it. It is, though, confirmation that the Gem doesn't remember her . . . or at least is feigning that she doesn't. (Lapis is too wary to give up completely on the idea of the latter.)]

[She manages a small, stiff nod and still slips back a step; distance is still a little more comfortable.]

Excuse me.

[Admittedly this is more for something to say -- a polite misdirection more than anything else.]

[Then, quiet and not quite without that edge of wary, with a glance again at the poster:]

Congratulations.

[There's weight in the word, but it may be hard to pin down the source behind it.]

[twoscompany]

Oh, thank you.

[She gives this girl a smile. It would be rude to not thank a...well, she doesn't know if this is a fan or not. Or at least a casual fan - she's not a Square, or a Chrome if that's the case. Its a small blessing.]

Would you like an autograph?

[oceantier]

[Dark eyes stare back at her. The question is so . . . mundane, so strange, so divorced from reality and all that this encounter should mean.]

No. [The word just barely escapes being flat.]

[A pause . . . then a quick flick of the eyes again toward the poster.]

Does it make you happy?

[twoscompany]

Yes. All of us are happy.

[The word is automatic, instant. Unnaturally so. Programmed. Its programmed in. She can't not say it, when a public person is asking. Not when people can hear.

Its obvious its not entirely genuine, as Garnet's face doesn't show much spark, little expression at the words her own mouth says.]

Giving the people what they want from our music is important to our fans. To us. Why do you ask?

[oceantier]

[She recognizes the words for what they are -- worth nothing at all. Her focus never wavers, the flatness in her voice just verging the slightest of flickers towards scorn.]

Do you even remember him?

[twoscompany]

[...

Garnet stares at Lapis, now, her expression and words suddenly more guarded. Who in the world is this, and why is she asking? A plant from the labels? Were they onto her?

She actually takes a step back. Just in case this goes south. Not that she can expect to outrun Pride's security, if they're hiding and watching, which they are--]

I'm afraid I know a lot of 'hims'. Who are you talking about?

[oceantier]

[She half-turns as though to go. There's definitely more scorn in her voice now.]

If you remembered him, you wouldn't ask.

[She won't say it here any more than Garnet will.]

[twoscompany]

Wait.

[She gets a little more defensive. Who in the world is this girl? Who is she supposed to remember? Steven? Greg? Someone else?]

Why are you even asking me? I don't even know you. How am I to know who you know?

[oceantier]

[Lapis looks back at her, eyes steady.]

[Then raises her hands in front of her, both palms up.]

There are certain things that are missing for you.

The House

[panspermia]

[ Greg gives a low whistle, looking around the house. On top of being overall an amazing piece of property, the whole place fills him with... something. The sense of deja vu hits him so often these days it may as well stop registering.

He catches her alone, staring out at the ocean. The feeling is strongest out here. ]

I didn't know you were planning on moving.

[twoscompany]

Neither did I. The boss personally helped me with this.

[Well, its why she chose it. Even though she'll never go home, this made her feel like she can at least get something close to it.]

She was...impressed by the album.

[panspermia]

[ His jaw tenses, for just a second. Lately even thinking about Lesedi sets him on edge. ]

You worked hard to get this far. You deserve some payoff for it.

[ Something like this might not be his first choice for her. What's worse, being out of that woman's favor, or in it? ]

Pretty cool to have a place to yourself. No worries about sharing the bathroom... heh...

[twoscompany]

No one to be in the house, either. Not even my teammates have a place like this.

[Who knows, at this point?]

What about you? Blanche ever going to get your your own digs?

[panspermia]

Nah, not any time soon. I think he likes keeping me close. [ He means it as a joke, probably. ] I never thought much about it, anyway. I like the company.

[ A beat. ]

I lived alone, before.

[ She can likely tell what he means. ]

[twoscompany]

...I see.

[She has an inkling.]

Well, I mean, if you need a place to crash, away from Blanche, you've got one now. I've even got a studio in one of the rooms - pretty nice one, good acoustics.

[panspermia]

[ There's an instinctive mental flinch at the idea--this is a Pride-owned house, after all. Garnet's never been anything but a help, but now that Santiago's got her eyes on her...

He shakes the doubt off. Mostly. ]

That... might be nice. Change of scenery's good for the creative juices, right?

[twoscompany]

Yeah.

[Just because its Pride-owned. Oh, Greg. Surely there's nothing wrong with spending time here! After all, you're a good musician, and even if you are a Virgo musician, one highly favored by Blanche of all people, Garnet doesn't mind it at all!

...Huh. That's a strange thought. Isn't Santiago...no, Santigo's cruel, but she's upfront and obvious about what a monster she is, for the most part. Just look at the damage she did, she wouldn't cross her. Blanche?Blanche must be just as dangerous, moreso even. He's just better at covering his tracks. Who knows what he's done to Greg...! He--

No. No no no no. No. Maybe change the subject. Garnet pulls herself from those thoughts. Why would she distrust Greg? He's Steven's father.]

Oh, uh, you want some coffee?

[panspermia]

[ It's hard to trust anyone, these days. Greg believes in the best in people as a standard, but these days all he can think of is eyes everywhere, waiting for him to slip up, for his guard to drop and his friends to suffer for it. If he can't even trust Virgo, just imagine how much worse it'll get if Pride gets a chance to...

Garnet's already helped him out a lot, in small yet vital ways. Is she more valuable to Pride than a chance to get at Virgo's new toy, or...? Wait, no. He's definitely not important enough for that.

He blinks out at the ocean as she pulls him back to the present. ]

Yeah, coffee sounds nice. [ It would be good to feel less tired. ] Mind if I take a look at that studio?

[twoscompany]

[Why? Why would he want to--]

Sure.

[Sh-she'll go get that coffee...]

[panspermia]

[ He slowly takes it in while waiting for her to come with the coffee. The studio's a nice one, as nice as the rest of the house. Fully furnished, but not lived in. He wonders if they'll let Garnet make her own personal touches as time goes on, or if they keep things as strictly clean as they do at Virgo... no, Pride's never been big on cleanliness...

He keeps thinking of Pride as some sort of unit. Buying in to the rumors, thinking of its members by their reputation rather than as people. He knows Garnet. He knew Garnet first, didn't he? But it keeps happening. He needs to remember. He grasps at those few scant memories he's gathered of her from before.

He's humming, softly, walking around the space. This house really does feel familiar and alien all at once. ]

Broke into the old apartment,
This is where we used to live...

[twoscompany]

[Even those humming murmurs causes a reaction in the house. From where she is, inexplicably, Garnet begins to murmur to herself. Who knows what Greg's doing to her house...no. No, Greg's Steven's father. Even if she can't remember him, why should she doubt him, now?

What is going on with her? With them?]

Broken glass, broke and hungry,
Broken hearts and broken bones...