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 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.

[twoscompany]

Wh-!!

[Her hands instantly go to her palms, almost instinctively. Now, there's fear on her face, in the line of her mouth, as she stares.

Clearly, its not something she wishes to speak about in public. And clearly, she knows exactly what she's talking about. Perhaps, even who, as well.]

Who are you? What are you planning!?

[A Virgo plant!? They must know by now about Steven's escaping--]

If you think you can do something to any of us, I'm not admitting to anything...!

[oceantier]

[A blink at that, the virulence of the reaction managing to surprise her. So there is something there. Buried down behind a facade. But there.]

I won't talk about it here.

But I'm not here to do anything to you.

[twoscompany]

...I have your word you won't do anything?

[oceantier]

[She doesn't like being cornered into anything. Especially not with this Gem. The corners of her mouth firm, her eyes almost stony.]

[But. She also can't say that she would have done any less.]

Yes.

Not unless you do anything to me.

[twoscompany]

Heh. As if I'm in a position to do that.

[She turns, herself, as if to leave.]

...I know a diner. They don't bother me with fans, normally.

[oceantier]

There's not just one way to hurt.

[And then the word to hold her back:]

No.

Come to the beach.

I'll meet you there.

[twoscompany]

...Fine. Just tell me when.

[She's clearly wary. She knows she'll be followed by someone. Who? Who knows. Pride is everywhere.]

[oceantier]

Tonight. [She turns again.]

As late as you can.

Don't be followed.

[twoscompany]

...

[Later. She's at her beach house. She comes out of it, and proceeds to wander the beach. She holds no illusion that she's not being watched. She is always watched. There is no reason for her not to be watched. She's a sensation, after all.]

[oceantier]

[It's hard to say where Luna has come from, especially in the dark. She emerges from just beyond the halo of the lights coming from Garnet's home like a ghost, silent on bared feet.]

[Her eyes ask the question of if they're alone.]

[twoscompany]

[She looks around. What the--she nearly jumps back when the girl comes out of nowhere. Good lord.

...]

There's more people than normal on the beach, I see. I would probably want to talk, while we walk. If I were to talk with anyone right now, that is.

[Translation: probably not. No amount of care really helped with someone like her. We need to be careful.]

[oceantier]

[She doesn't like that, and it shows, her eyes narrowing slightly.]

No friends of yours?

[twoscompany]

No. Not here. But, let's take a walk.

[She...walks. Pretty much.]

[oceantier]

[Lapis, for her turn, hesitates. The idea of eyes watching them makes her ill at ease, and Garnet's subterfuge (and the fact of who she is in the first place) only makes it worse.]

[The fact that the ocean is there is what makes this manageable. Knowing that if need be, she could drag them all screaming into the waves.]

[She breathes. Pulls steadying air into her lungs. Steps forward, a half pace behind Garnet.]

I'm not giving you everything. [The words are stiff, with just that bit of an edge to them.] But like I said, I'm not here to hurt you -- or anyone else.

[The edge says there's definitely more to that last statement than she's saying aloud.] He wouldn't want that.

Steven.