001 ┼ AND TURNING ALL AGAINST THE ONE

[stylistic_disloyalty]

Who: The Hazed Pride Bands
What: Don't get even, get ahead.
When: October 26th
Where: Pink (inside Pride headquarters)
Warnings: Carnies.

For the rest of the week, Luci was uncharacteristically silent on her social media and in the suite. She smoked a lot, thought a lot, ground her teeth a lot, and eventually decided that thinking about shit like this wouldn't answer any goddamn question. She'd have to go straight to the source.

In the morning, there's a mildly crazy-looking note shoved under the door of each of the bands caught up in Predator's spree. It looks a lot like this:



Nothing to worry about, obviously. She signed it-- that's practically courteous.



Luci is in a back room of Pink well before seven, but refuses to say anything or even stop smoking until seven sharp. At which point she gently pinches her cigarette out and stands up. "Anybody who's late will just have to get filled in later or figure it out as we go-- we start talking about this now.

"The only reason Predator was able to pull the shit they did last week was because one, we weren't ready, and two, they have seniority. I'm sure all of us would gladly stand up and shove their fancy award ceremony trophy right up the arses for all we care about seniority dictating talent. My suggestion is we remind them of that fact.

"But even I'm not arrogant enough to ignore when our numbers don't match theirs. We can talk all we like about surpassing them, growing to be better eventually, but unless we do something significant, something unprecedented, they will always be chuckling smugly behind their stun batons.

"What I'm talking about is a joint EP. Each group produces one song about last Sunday, we compile them, create an album that sells five times as many copies as when we release individually. Everyone's listening base grows instantly, Pride is making money, maybe one of us calls in their favor from Predator and asks them to plug their band's new song. Not a lot to ask, they probably won't even realize the entire damn album is a collective middle finger until it's sold out everywhere.

"If we're going to do this, it depends on two things. First-- we are a collective front. If you're going to be a wuss or whine about being on the same collection of data as someone else in this room, you can put your tail right back between your legs and piss off. This is bigger than band lines, this is three assholes thinking they're safe at the top and we're going to pull them down together or not at all. If anybody needs a reality check on how feasible it is to take down a veteran group when you're the new kid on the block, see me after class. Second-- if any of you motherfuckers breathe a word of this to Predator, or anyone who would pass it up the line before we're ready... Well if I don't find you, at least four other people know where you sleep."

Luci lets that hang for a moment-- that's really the key flaw in all of this. She trusts the Carnies well enough, it's everybody else in the room who's a wildcard to her. "Questions? Lay them on me. Otherwise, discuss with your mates if you're in and let me know. We want this out quick, a week turnaround max so the rumor mill doesn't catch up with us." She leans down onto the table in front of her, arms wide, a smirk that embodied mischief and rebellion on her lips. "Come on you bastards-- you really going to turn down the chance to make them sweat instead of us?"


((OOC: Create individual/band toplevels to discuss! Badger Luci! Or, idk, just have a drink and watch. 8]b S'all good~ If a band decides they're in on the plan, either get Luci's attention on her toplevel or shoot me a PM to get added to the list! Depending on how this goes, more logistical-shakedown later.))

Comments

LUCI

[stylistic_disloyalty]

((Questions, outbursts, skepticism, and especially scheming accepted here.))

[twoscompany]

"Hell no."

Her response was towards the last question. This was the first time she'd felt so...so...angry about the competitive nonsense. What Predator did wasn't healthy. It was bullying. Plain and simple. There were members of her band still recovering from what happened, including herself.

Already she could think of a couple of song ideas. And she had the feeling her band mates would be more than happy to play them.

"My band will have your back on this, you can count on that. We can be in the studio tonight."

[stylistic_disloyalty]

Dang. She is really starting to get a fuzzy spot for these Cosmic Indulgence guys. Of course, she has a fuzzy spot for anybody who dabbles in her kind of mayhem, but that's not really the point right now. The point is Luci herself is also sporting some not-attractive bruising on her lip and face, and she's pissed as hell too. She smiles at Garnet and nods, clearly happy that someone has their head on straight.

"That's the kind of enthusiasm I like to see. Make it good though, nobody likes music made overnight on nothing but rage and energy drinks."

[tigermillionaire]

It's not really clear if Tiger came on his own on not - he certainly isn't huddling with the rest of System Crash at the moment. Honestly, a big part of him didn't want to come at all. Most of the Carnies straight up scare him, and after what happened with Xanxus and Wakana...well, he doesn't know if he wants to see those two ever again.

But he's driven by the simple fact that he wants to know what's going on, out of paranoid fear more than anything else. He hasn't been fairing well at all since that weekend, and the dark circles under his eyes are covered with particularly garish makeup.

"I kind of thought you were going to try beating them up," is all he can really think to say afterwards. Whether or not he's disappointed isn't really clear.

[stylistic_disloyalty]

Luci arches an eyebrow at Tiger. Well, he had spent the night with Xanxus and Wakana, she can honestly understand where he'd gotten that impression.

"I don't think anybody here would believe me if I said I didn't wish they'd all walk down a dark alley sometime soon, but that thrill only lasts so long. If we pull this off, it sticks around. Potentially for months.

"Come on Tiger," she grins. "You think I call myself 'Lucifer' because I never use my words?"

[cleartranquil]

Yuffie sits next to Luci during her speech, collecting pictures on her phone and taking a list of the people who actually showed up. It's a pretty good turn out, and it makes her grin. She likes when a plan comes together, okay? And Luci makes great plans. It's also nice to see her actually talking again. She's been mostly quiet, and a quiet carnie means someone is going to get their shit wrecked.

Once Lucifer becomes less busy, Yuffie gets her attention.

"I think I got some nice 'making of' photos for after we reveal ourselves to the assholes." She's sliding through photos as she talks with one hand and is holding her drink with the other.

[stylistic_disloyalty]

Luci looks over Yuffie's shoulder, enjoying the slideshow. She hasn't picked up a drink of her own yet, but she has more important things to take care of right now.

"That right there is a terrifying sight," she says, tapping her nail on a picture of her audience looking grim and determined for the most part. Luci smiles, her expression softening a little. It's nice that things seem to be going along well, but now that it's out of her brain and onto the floor, she's refocusing.

"...sorry I've been quiet. You doing okay?"

[dishevelment]

"Give me some time, and I can find a way to augment your plan. Your idea is sound, but I have a feeling that the subtle approach won't work on them."

Koumei approached Luci separately from Garnet and her pledge of Cosmic Indulgence's support of her plan. Though his manner was as unassuming and mild as ever, there was no doubting the stillness of his posture, or the steel in his eyes.

"It is, however, an excellent start. I'll personally help with anything you need as it comes up.

"...also, I wanted to thank you." He reached up with a hand to tug uneasily at his thick ponytail, looking for a moment like a shamed teenager. "P.E. Was my worst subject in school. Apologies if I caused you any problems back there."

[stylistic_disloyalty]

Luci feels something twitch at the back of her mind, insisting that anyone claiming her idea isn't fully formed is ludicrous, but she's on her best behavior tonight. Rejecting the suggestion outright isn't going to get them what they want, they have to work together.

"Hey, I had no idea what to do with that bomb-thing. Even if it wasn't actually fatal, you pulled us through on that front." She can, at least, give honest credit where it's due. "I'd appreciate any thoughts you have, but know that I didn't dream this up just to get at Predator. Ultimately we can't control how they react to this, but obviously I want it to make a clear enough point."

Re: LUCI

[magic_to_do]

Wow, that's a great idea!

[Trucy had come to this meeting with a certain amount of trepidation, but it looks like all her worries were unfounded. Worries she should probably keep to herself.

But it's Trucy so she won't]

And here I thought you were gonna tell us to light their stuff on fire or fill their bedrooms with scorpions or something!

[Sorry, Junkyard Carnival, these are the kind of things you do in Trucy's head.]

[stylistic_disloyalty]

...Look. [Luci sighs heavily, exasperation is the name of the game.] We did that roadie a favor-- he wouldn't do his laundry, so we just encouraged him to go buy some new shirts. And we used a park barbecue, it was safe. [As safe as park barbecues are, at least.] And it was one scorpion in that band's bus, and we didn't even put it there.

[...Yuffie probably did, but that's their story and they're sticking to it.]

COSMIC INDULGENCE GET YOUR BUTTS IN HERE

[traumatizing]

Terry doesn't really know Luci, but he trusts her dedication to sticking it to the assholes who kidnapped them, which is why he's fairly insistent on making sure the whole band comes with him to this. If anyone really doesn't want to come then fine, but he thinks it's really worth hearing out what she has to say.

In the lounge, he listens intently, a smirk on his face at the idea. It's genius. Because some dumb prank doesn't get to dictate their mettle as musicians, their music does. And he's already noting ideas down on his phone to run by the band when they get back; he's pissed off as hell, and that's where his music thrives.

"What do you guys think?" He's in, 1000%, but he can't speak for the others.

[twoscompany]

After speaking to Luci, Garnet turned back towards Terry.

"I think you can guess what I think, dear."

[dishevelment]

Koumei's cigarette never went out during Luci's proposition. Her tenacity in the Gravitron was something he wouldn't quickly forget, and the fact that they had picked the youngest ones among all of them stirred a quiet rage deep in his gut. Though his behaviors throughout the week had been no different from his norm, there was a subtle glint of steel in his eyes whenever he caught sight of anyone from Predator.

The stillness of his rage was uncanny-- not even Koumei himself fully understood it.

"As if that's a question, Terry." He stubbed out his cig in a nearby ashtray. The subtle note of defiance was clear in his otherwise mild tone. "We can't let this go unanswered."

Two could play this game-- and he honestly felt that Luci's plan was mild compared to what they had gone through.

FLASHSTEP join me for VENGEANCE

[mildwildchild]

Jamie's been moodier than usual the past week, sullen and withdrawn; he hasn't even really found it in himself to make more than half-hearted attempts at bantering with his bandmates from day to day and it's been hard to miss the quiet, simmering anger roiling just below his brooding exterior. He puts on a good front for the public, because that's his job and he's more determined than ever to excel at it, but around the penthouse he's a ball of teen angst waiting to explode.

He's sat through Luci's speech silently, jiggling one leg in agitation and chewing on a thumbnail, brow furrowing as he contemplates the possibilities. When general discussion seems to have opened up, he turns to the rest of the guys, his eyes snapping with - something. Determination? Rage? Insanity? It's hard to tell.

"I'm in. I want this. We owe it to those fucking Preds, and - we owe it to us. To show them that they don't get to decide who belongs here."

He doesn't even question if the rest of the group agrees with him. They're on board with this, right? There's no way they're going to sit this one out.

Right?

[notahobby]

Maxxie's been trying to get over it. Half the night's a blur to begin with, but certain things have stuck with him so he's made a serious effort to push them out of his mind whenever they return. So although he agreed to come to this meeting, he's been doubtful and resigned the whole time. Luci is convincing, but he's just not angry enough.

When Jamie turns to the rest of the band, Maxxie's already frowning. He hesitates before he speaks, but then he starts in a doubtful tone.

"I don't know. I kind of just want to forget about it."

TIGER WAS ALONE

[tigermillionaire]

Well, he showed up, and that's about it. Tiger has been more than withdrawn since what happened - though he let Kido and the other basically herd him home after he'd woke up in that cage, it doesn't really feel like the Tiger they're familiar with has been around since. He's still got some bite, mostly when people push him too hard, but there's none of stuff that usually makes him stand out. None of the sass or busy bodying, or making dumb jokes and goofing off to get a reaction.

He's not cruel to any of them, unless an attempt to force him out were to get really heated. He's mostly just not present at all, like he's totally disengaged himself from team life.

Which is obvious in how he showed up by himself without really consulting anyone else in the band or asking for company. Once he's actually there he is almost aggressively the odd one out, too. He wanted to keep an eye on things so that he could stay out of the way of any more violence if it came down to it, but as it is, he's probably going to cut out early.

Once he's finished the drink he has from the lounge anyway. (Non alcoholic.) Then he can officially leave without looking like he's being a spaz.

[twoscompany]

Garnet was actually not out to look for Tiger. She was just going to get another glass of water, to whet her throat and to use her hands for something other than jotting down song notes. Really, she was reared up to write the whole damn album at this point.

Which was why she was surprised to see Tiger looking dejected. There was almost an aura of...well, she didn't know what it was, but it felt like Ren complaining about not wanting to do anything. Only it wasn't laziness. It was something else.

"Hey." Suddenly, she was sitting next to Tiger, nursing her water. "Hm. You seem upset."

[cleartranquil]

Yuffie has been wandering around the room, checking in on people and taking pictures because that is what Yuffie Kisaragi does best. She's put decidedly less effort into what she's wearing than usual and has on flip flops to more easily accommodate the ankle wrap from where she was an idiot and hurt herself trying to get out of the ropes.

She has a drink in one hand and her phone in the other, though she shoves the phone in her pocket when she sees Tiger and drops down next to him like it's a perfectly acceptable thing to do and like her presence is expected. But then, that tends to be the way Yuffie goes about her life in general.

"Hey there, Tiger. Haven't seen you around much." She's all smiles, even though really there is probably no reason to be. She's got a twisted ankle that's still ticking her off, and rope burns that are less than fun, but it could be far worse. She's also aware that the kid was stuck with Princess and Xan on that little trip to crazytown and no one should be stuck in close quarters with those two ever if they weren't qualified for it, and the only people she considered qualified were the other Carnies.

[magic_to_do]

Tiger?


[Trucy saw him when she came in, but waited until the crowd had broken up into smaller groups to approach. Her expression is uncharacteristically serious. She's been really worried about him these past few days.]

Xanxus - coming in late with Starbucks

[variaboss]

Quite literally. Junkyard Carnival's Bad Boy finally strolls his ass on into Pink about 20 minutes late. It's a miracle he's bothered coming in at all. Ever since that fucking pranking, he's been a bit.. off. More than normal.

In his hand, he carries the largest piping hot coffee Starbucks has to offer. If it's spiked or not is still a question, though not a very good one. The answers is; probably yes.

He missed Luci's passionate speech about sticking it to the man. He doesn't care. He has his own scores to settle. Next time he met Froggy, that fuck was dead. He swore it. But Luci's way was good too. Hit them in the pocket book. Hit them where they'd hurt most. He's all for that.

Still, he stays well away from some of the crowd. He knows he didn't win any points that night, not giving a fuck and letting Tiger not!drown. He doesn't care, but he just doesn't want to deal with the judgemental bullshit. So there he stands, away from the rest, letting them all discuss what they need. He's already on board. If Luci needs a bassist, she's got one.

[stylistic_disloyalty]

Junkyard Carnival always needs their bassist, and Luci needs a shot right now.

"You're not going to miss my party and then turn me down when I ask for a sip of that, are you?" she asks, already reaching for the cup. Everything seems to be going okay, aside from Tiger and what sounded like a tense discussion over by Flashstep. But wheels were turning, that's all she needs right now.

[campioned]

Alec is making the most of the olives in his martini by flicking them over at Xanxus. No particular reason behind it, aside from mild jealousy that his bandmate managed to be later than he was.

However, Alec is an absolutely awful shot. The likelihood of an olive hitting even the correct table is close to nil.

[notahobby]

Maxxie's brief conversation with his band doesn't appear to have gone well, since he's is excusing himself rather hastily. The frown on his face indicates that he's upset rather than angry, and if that doesn't tip you off his shoulders are slumped forward and his hands are stuffed in his pockets. Once he's out the door of Pink he heads straight for the elevators so that he can go back to the penthouse and relax for a little while. Maybe smoke or drink a bit so that he doesn't have to think about this whole awful thing.

He leans against the wall as he waits for the elevator to come, staring down at his shoes.

[mildwildchild]

"What the hell is your problem?"

Flashstep's resident ball of rage has followed Maxxie to the elevators and is giving him the kind of look a parent would give a sulky child. It would be kind of funny if these weren't two traumatized teenagers struggling to cope with severe emotional upset.