☆TRACK I: NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

[interdimanagers]

Who: Every single one of you.
What: Interstellar's first log, and an awards ceremony for jerks you don't know!
When: October 2nd.
Where: A fancy ballroom in neutral territory.
Warnings: Could be anything.

“Oh, it's been getting so hard, Living with the things you do to me; My dreams are getting so strange, I'd like to tell you everything I see. I see a man at the back as a matter of fact, His eyes are as red as the sun. And the girl in the corner lets no one ignore her, ‘Cause she thinks she's the passionate one.” ☆NOTHING LEFT OF YOU It’s the seasonal Vista Music Industry Award Gala, and attendance is mandatory. You and your band have been touring non-stop for the last two months, hitting locations all over Americana, performing and doing press appearances. This event is set less than three days after your return home, but it’s been made clear that further rest will have to wait. Though Halloween technically isn’t until the end of the month, the gathering has a formal masquerade theme - masquerade that is, not costume. Dressing up as a mummy or a clown isn’t going to cut it. Themed formal wear is expected, and your image consultants have been pestering you about your choices for the last 48 hours. Whether or not you listen to them, how you dress feels incredibly important. At least if you let the consultants fuss over you, you can be sure it’ll be something press friendly. Various awards are being given out, but none of them are for you. The media in attendance are starting to bubble with enthusiasm for the ‘rising stars’ of the industry, however, so this could be a moment to shine. Labels besides Pride and Virgo are also in attendance, but who cares about those guys? They seem to be a mere footnote in comparison to the buzz around the heavy hitters. There’s food, alcohol, dancing, stage performances by notable musicians of both Pride and Virgo, and then the formal awards ceremony in the evening. Yes, you are expected to sit through them. Do try to look like you’re interested, the media is watching. ☆PRIDE RECORDS Lesedi Santiago doesn’t always make a big deal about introductions - or at least, that’s the impression you get when she just kind of shows up in your group limousine unannounced on your way over to the party. Deep into pre-drinking a bottle of gin, she doesn’t talk with you so much as talk at you, regaling your band with weird stories about the industry while completely ignoring the fact that her presence is more intimidating than comforting. You’re not sure if it’s intentional, but at least she’s a good story teller - her speech doesn’t seem to be at all affected by the quantity of booze she’s already consumed, which is kind of bizarre if you think about it too deeply. You’re not inclined to. You’ve all met her before, here and there, in a series of bombastic encounters. Her interest in pontificating at you and the other new label inductees seems to fade immediately upon entering the ballroom, as she quickly becomes distracted with more high profile guests. Her attention fixates on Edward Blanch from time to time, but she declines to address him specifically. If you want to get some of her one on one attention, now could be your chance - just make sure you go in ready. Handling Miss Santiago can be a bit of an...experience. Veteran Pride members are in attendance as well, but most of them are not very good company. Their reactions vary from ‘frat members greeting a new pledge’ to ‘disinterested shoulder pats’, and ultimately it will seem your attention is better received by the other newbies. Maybe even the Virgo Entertainment stiffs, at that. Because, of course, that crew is here as well. Lesedi suggested you “show them who’s boss,” but you’re not necessarily sure what that’s supposed to mean. ☆VIRGO ENTERTAINMENT Tonight's event is one of considerable speculation: it marks Edward Blanche's first public appearance after a considerable period of isolation. He's a private man, a mystery and an enigma to the public, and that just seems to make him all the more intoxicating. The Managers and security staff are out in full force, and if you know what's good for you, you'll be dressed to the nines. Your image consultant will be almost desperate to do the work for you, like they're afraid of what might happen to their careers if you embarass the label on their watch. Personal style is important, but everything in your gut tells you that your nose has got to be clean this time, or trouble is sure to follow. For many of you, this will be the first time you'll ever have seen your CEO in person, and as such, the first time he'll encounter you one on one. If you're going to brown nose, now's the time - but make sure you choose your words carefully, and don't waste his time. Blanche has little patience for it. There are veteran musicians of the Virgo label in attendance, ones with dozens of awards to their names, but they seem to have little interest in speaking with you. Some are politely avoidant while others and just rudely dismissive, but none of them really give an answer for why they just aren't interested. It's not totally surprising - Virgo's interior politics are harsh. Other notable guests include Lesedi Santiago and the rest of the Pride Records entourage. Though you may have acquaintances, or even friends, who have been snatched up by the other side, it's even more likely that you have enemies. Everything about your Virgo upbringing makes you feel like you should hold a certain contempt for their ilk - people in this label think of them as classless at best and crass maniacs at worst. Did you hear about that disgusting stunt one of their front runners pulled on stage last week? Revolting. ☆THE TWIST Some of you may remember strange events from the past few weeks. Misplaced objects, malfunctioning technology, nostalgic phantom music - it feels a lot like the last portion of your tour was haunted. Now that you're back home, all of that seems to be flaring up again. You can practically feel the otherworldly presences passing through the room, even if nobody besides your tour group seems to notice. Even though they aren't knocking glasses off tables and flickering lights like last time, their presence is somehow even more apparent. Your programming makes one thing clear: don't make a public fuss about this. Ignore it, everything's fine. The second part only goes so far. Especially when, at some point or another, you'll be shaken by the feeling that one of these ghosts has walked straight through you. For that moment, you feel like a totally different person. At this point, one of four memory regain effects will occur: ► REMEMBER LOVE: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to one of the greatest loves of your past life. Can be either romantic, platonic, or familial. It must be about a person and not a place or activity, though. ► REMEMBER DUTY: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you held a great sense of duty or loyalty to in your past life. It could be a person, a cause, a country, or anything in between. ► REMEMBER PASSION: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you were passionate about to the point of anger or determination in your past life. Not enjoyment of, but something that drove you, or one of the things most likely to make you throw a punch. ► REMEMBER HOPE: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you dreamed about making come true, or an important hope you had for the future in your past life. This covers any kind of positive goal or ambition for you or the world around you. The feeling will quickly fade, leaving you as the person you've been made into once again. Only now you have something new: the first fragment of a life you can't remember having lived. The CEOs and managers will react to this eventually, and you're probably going to get sent home early. This, however, will be covered with a top level further into the log. “I'm reaching out for something, Touching nothing's all I ever do. Oh, I softly call you over; When you appear there's nothing left of you.”

Comments

B | Flashstep

[killerbeep]

A

[It's really nothing unusual to see B wearing all black and yellow, and tonight is no different - except that the publicists seem to have managed to manipulate his usual, predictable clothing choices into something slightly more appropriate, the selection of a black-and-gold striped, winged mask making it possible to pretend that his outfit is wasp-themed instead of just vaguely questionable.

As always, he's friendly and enthusiastic toward most of those around him, particularly other Pride performers and especially his bandmates. Virgo Entertainment employees, however, are a little more likely to find themselves subjected to conspicuous silence, or a brief glare or roll of the eyes.]

B - Duty

[He's done pretty well at ignoring the weird feeling, he thinks; an occasional glance around, a look of uncertainty crossing his face, isn't going to draw too much attention. Which is good - he's not usually concerned about making a scene or anything like that, but he'd rather it be over something. Not just some vague, pointless sense of unease.

It's fortunate that he's off to the side, out of the way, when it happens - a brief glimpse of something - or is it someone? He sees grey metal, scratched paint, a pair of bright blue lights that seem to stare down at him. The image is gone the next moment, but whatever it was, he remembers it, remembers the sudden surge of determination and respect that came with it.

He stumbles a couple steps back to lean against the wall, his eyes widening in surprise as he steadies himself.

What was that...?]

B

[mildwildchild]

Jamie glances over and back toward his bandmate, one eyebrow arched in mild concern. "What's wrong with you? Hit the bar too hard tonight or what?" The corner of his mouth quirks up in a half-grin.

[killerbeep]

B jumps a little, unable to hide his surprise for a moment as he turns to face Jamie. A moment later, though, his startled expression shifts to a wry smile.

"Maybe. Just got a weird feeling, I guess."

[mildwildchild]

Jamie's grin falters. "Whaddya mean? Like food-poisoning weird or..." He makes a brief, fluttery gesture with one hand. "...stuff that was happening on the tour bus weird?" he finishes in an undertone.

[killerbeep]

He hesitates a moment before responding, leaning in a little. "Second one, for sure. It was kinda messed up - like I was hallucinating or something."

[mildwildchild]

Jamie closes the distance, glancing around worriedly. "So - what were you hallucinating?"

His expression is unreadable; he's not letting on just yet whether or not he's experienced anything weird tonight.

A

[trustme]

Nice mask!

[A voice in the crowd compliments him and steps forward giving B a thumbs up and a smile. If B can recognize him successfully despite the masks, he might remember photos of the man and his band in ads, or remember him dancing wildly at one of the parties on the road. Apparently he's from that Virgo band, Flowers Over Bones. Still, the smile is genuine.]

[killerbeep]

[B initially turns around with a grin, ready to thank the speaker -and then he does, in fact, recognize him.

Unfortunately, it seems that no amount of genuine goodwill can outweigh the man's employment status. B's mouth twists into a suspicious scowl.]

...Thanks.

[WHAT'S YOUR GAME, VIRGO GUY.]

[trustme]

Are you a fan of bees or was the mask a decision made by your stylist?

[Who me? What game?]

[killerbeep]

I dunno. [What kind of answer is that.] You a fan of black and white? [It's... not much of an insult, but he's trying his best to make it sound like one.]

[trustme]

I like all sorts of colors and shades really. Except a few that remind me of rotten baby food. [He stares aside, his nose wrinkles.] Nobody likes those colors. [He shivers at the thought.] Not nice colors.

[He looks back at B and thankfully recalls their conversation. So much for B escaping. Doctor holds out his hand.]

Doctor, from Flowers Over Bones. I don't think we've met- you must be from Pride then! [If anything, he sounds excited to meet someone new.] One of the new bands perhaps?

B

[punchesyu]

Dude, you look like you saw a ghost.

[Said with more meaning than just an idiom- he'd been feeling off all night and the presence of something was bugging him.]

[killerbeep]

Think I might've. Or... something, anyway.

[He frowns down at the ground for a moment. Was that a robot or what? He sure doesn't know.]

...You noticed anything weird tonight?

[punchesyu]

Uhhh...what do you mean?

[He says nervously. Like he's trying to hide something.]

[killerbeep]

[B blinks, immediately turning to face Yosuke more fully.]

You have, haven't you? There something weird in the food tonight or what?

[He doesn't know WHY he feels so much like he needs a way to explain this away. Frankly, it's kind of hard to think of a rational reason for sudden robot hallucinations.]

[punchesyu]

[He's not sure why he tried to come up with some lame lie out of it. His hand goes behind his head.]

It's...weird. I don't really know how to explain it. It's seriously been bugging me all night. You too, right?

[He'd gone through his own memory issue too. And he's just freaked out at this point.]

A

[notahobby]

[After their limo ride together, Maxxie had promptly left the group to go socialize with some people he hadn't just spent two months in a van with, but now he's back and he's definitely had a couple drinks. He throws his arm around B's shoulders, grinning.]

Did I tell you how good you look tonight? 'Cause you look great. We both look fantastic.

[killerbeep]

[B stumbles forward a little, Maxxie's height advantage making it a little difficult to totally keep his footing - but by now he's kind of used to stuff like this. He looks up with a grin, reaching up to give Maxxie a quick slap on the back.]

Yeah, but it's worth repeating. We do look pretty awesome.

[notahobby]

[Maxxie gives B's shoulders a final squeeze before he drops his arm, but he stays in close proximity and now rests his hand on B's shoulder leaning in to talk above the low hum of activity in the gala.]

You gonna have a drink? I'll grab you one if you want.

why did this take me five days WE JUST DON'T KNOW

[killerbeep]

Sure! Y'know what, actually, I'll head over with you. [B doesn't mind much mind the crowd, but stepping aside to grab a drink and just talk to his bandmate for a while doesn't sound like a bad idea right now.]

we can be slow together ;o;

[notahobby]

Cool.

[Maxxie grins and turns toward the bar, glancing behind him to make sure B's still in tow.]

So you get up to anything interesting the past few days? I spent most of it in bed.

A

[magic_to_do]

Hey, B! Looking pretty sharp!

[Trucy passes that complement off with a grin and a wink.]




{OOC: Since they're on the same label, I'm assuming they've met on pleasant terms, but don't know each other too well yet.}

frickin heck sorry this took so long

[killerbeep]

Hey! Same to you. [He grins right back, lifting a hand in a wave.] How're you liking the party so far?

no worries~

[magic_to_do]

It's been pretty great so far. I don't think I've ever been so close to so many stars before.

[She looks out across the room.]

It makes me feel like I've finally made it, you know?

[killerbeep]

...Yeah. I get that.

[It's a nice feeling. It's stressful, of course, knowing how many expectations are on them suddenly - but that only just makes him all the more determined to make sure he lives up to it.]

Now all we gotta do is keep up, huh.