When looking at the sky tonight

[twoscompany]

Who: Garnet, accompanied by Cosmic Indulgence, OPEN
What: Garnet's gone solo. Things are changing, including Garnet herself.
When: Second week of April
Where: Various places in Vista City
Warnings: None for the moment

A. Never Alone (OPEN)

Anyone who knows Garnet's routines might notice that they've started to change in the past few weeks. Its been subtle, or was at first. Koumei's "release" from the label made the changes become a little more obvious.

Namely, people might have become aware that Garnet's schedule included less and less time with her band, particularly in public. This isn't an oversight. People who know how the industry works will tell you, this is a sign. Garnet's gotten too big for the band. Its only a matter of time before it becomes official. She won't be with her band indefinitely.

What she is with, now, is her agent. A very chipper, almost annoying little slip of a lady who will talk anyone's ear off if they come near Garnet. Her accent is Southern and her make up perfect. She'll give suggestions as to things Garnet can do if she's not doing them, fields questions from nosy people with clever deflections, and gently pushes away anyone she doesn't like near her client. But that's not the worst thing.

The worst thing is that as time goes by, Garnet seems less and less worried about stopping her from doing her job. Its part of what needs to be done, right? This is not for her. This is for those she cares about. Now that the attention is on her, as long as she does this, no one else will need to be hurt.

Right?


B. Alone on the Stage, OPEN

Garnet's been playing everywhere. Alone. Quite a lot. And the crowd loves it. Adores it. Will take offense if anyone tries to get on stage with her, even. Not that it should stop other musicians from trying to do a duet with her, right? Garnet's been known to do impromptu duets and they were always good!

Its just that those nobodies just have to accept they're not the ones the crowd came to see. And if they try to upstage Garnet during the duet, or really anytime during the performance, well, the crowd will let them know how they feel. Violently if need be.

Not Garnet. At least, not in front of the public. But the stormclouds are brewing in her eyes, oh annoying interloper. And once she drags you backstage, you're going to regret it.


C. Alone in the Cosmos, CLOSED to Cosmic Indulgence

They were only in one picture for the magazine photoshoot. They had to wait in the normal line to enter the clubs and gigs they were supposed to be playing at. They were shoved aside whenever Garnet entered the room - that is, if they were even playing in the same room. Their official status was "on-call, as needed by Garnet"; they otherwise stewed in the penthouse while Garnet made the rounds with live appearances on TV. Commercials. There were rumors of a movie called "Doctor of Keytarnomics" that she'd star in.

Oh, and the World Tour announcement band line-up name? Garnet, accompanied by Cosmic Indulgence. She had veto power over songs and costumes for the tour. And she was getting ready to move all of her stuff to her seaside home - if the band wanted to make official recordings, they would have to do it at her studio, according to Garnet's new agent, as relayed to their agent.

What the hell was happening to the band's mother figure?

Comments

B

[panspermia]

But success is something to celebrate, isn't it? Mounting popularity is the sign that they're surviving this world, that their efforts have helped them persevere. Greg's happy for Garnet. Worried, sure, a little. Wary, a bit. But still happy.

Fans scream as he gets on stage; some thrilled beyond words, some venomously angry that he'd dare get up alongside their queen. Greg smiles all the same as he works up his guitar riff, and beams over to Garnet. She keeps up a cool persona for the crowd, sure, but this'll be fun to do together. It's a rare professional chance to relish in their hard work and all they've sacrificed to get this far; standing together, as friends, two of their label's most accomplished newcomers.

No subconscious urges to show up Pride, that's for sure.

Once the song gets going, the fans will be happy to see them playing. He's sure of it. Music's what brings them together, right?

[twoscompany]

"I--!"

Garnet looks...surprised that Greg's on the stage, all of a sudden. Where did he come from? How did he get into her gig? How dare--

The look of surprise, even perhaps annoyance, passes as an expression of realization crosses her face. No, no, this is Greg. Sure, he's with Virgo, and who knows what they've done to him in the past few weeks, but...he's still Greg...right? A man she still doesn't remember...

"--see I have a guest." Deep breath. "What did you have in mind?"

[panspermia]

For the briefest instant, he feels that animosity, and his grin flickers--don't act so high and mighty--but he shakes it off as fast as it comes. He's imagining things, letting the energy of the fans get to him in the wrong way. This'll be fun.

The second microphone is set way behind Garnet, and Greg grabs it from its stand to come alongside her. "I was just thinking... I can't think of a more fitting combo than Cosmic Atmosphere." It's hard to tell which is louder: the laughs and cheers or the boos and jeers.

Greg's grin has gone a little bit wolfish in spite of himself, the barest hint of challenge seeping into his tone. "You wouldn't be Defying Indulgence, would you?"

[twoscompany]

Yes. Of course. It would be fun. She'd...never had a duet with Greg. Not officially. It was strange to have this now, when they were both big names on opposite sides. And weirdly, seeing the grin falter, for just a little bit, gave her a strange satisfaction. His guard had been down...but at the same time, why was she satisfied with it?

Nevertheless, if he wants to do it like this, sure. Her eyes sparkled from the challenge that was now being set before them, as Greg put himself right next to her. They weren't booing her, she knew that. But if he wants to do this, she was more than up to the challenge.

"Two G's on the stage, huh? Well, since you're the challenger, you pick the song."

Pick whatever song you want. I'll make your fingers bleed.

Hm?

[panspermia]

The words aren't heard, but nearly felt. Sure, this is just a friendly challenge. Who doesn't like a little competition? Greg's smile doesn't have quite that same playful quality as when he first stepped up.

His guitar riff kicks into a higher gear, and he accepts her invitation with--well, perhaps he intended an appreciative nod, but it comes out more like tossing his hair before he gets into it.

" What you want, what you got,
Live your life in a crawlspace.
I'll help you out,
But you don't want a chance
at a better life!"

The crowd's energy is swelling, and he can feel their excitement. It's exhilarating, life-affirming. This is what he's always wanted.

" You said you'd never take a ride,
And now you wanna play?!
Well it's a big big city,
Let me show you around sometime! "

C

[traumatizing]

Guess who has too many piercings and is arguing with Page about the band's 'new direction.' Well, 'too many' is debatable but Terry is still in hot debate with Page while they wait for Garnet to arrive or... whatever it is she does now.

"You should be happy," is Page's opinion, "this is a huge step for the band."

"What band?" Terry huffs and throws himself down on the nearest seat, "you mean me and Sabo playing backup?"

"Garnet--"

"I'm happy for Garnet, but I didn't sign for this."

And they go on and on in circles. It's all becoming more and more fragmented and Terry never wanted this. He's frustrated and coming apart at the seams, so Page is bearing the brunt of it while they wait.

[twoscompany]

A fan meet and greet. She was alone. The others hadn't even been asked to come. Garnet had reasoned it to be an oversight, one her agent promised to look into once they got back. But, she does finally return, her face seemingly inreadable, her agent right behind her.

"Ok~!" That irritating, syrupy Southern accent rings through the room as the two sit down. "Now, I've just called in Ingrid Stockinger to do a quick touch up for your face before we leave the penthouse again. Unfortunately, we'll have to tone down the make up and clothing for the interview, since his biggest demographic is seniors..."

Garnet is just nodding, looking down at the papers the agent slides to her, looking them over. Its clear that her new agent has got her in a way that she barely even realizes Terry is in the room with her. He might be forgiven in thinking she looks a tad dazed.

[traumatizing]

God he hates Garnet's agent. She hasn't actually done anything in particular, but in the short time she's been around Terry has found her nothing short of annoying.

"Garnet-- we were just talking about you!"

Page is excited to see the band's breakout star, but Terry has nothing to say on the topic anymore. He has his feet up on the table and has suddenly become extremely engrossed in his phone. Not that he's brattily ignoring Garnet, but that's exactly what he's doing.

[twoscompany]

"Hm?" Looking up, Garnet spotted Page - and then, finally, spotted Terry. "Oh, hey there, Terry. How's it been going with you and Sabo?"

[traumatizing]

"Fine." Terry shrugs and refuses to look up from his phone, "he's good, I'm good. It's whatever."

A

[cleartranquil]

Yuffie's been in one hell of an impressive mood, and it's been getting more interesting since the change up in JC again, and with Koumei being let go. She does, however, light up when she sees Garnet, waving and making her way over before being stopped with an outstretched hand by Garnet's agent as if she's somehow interrupting a nonexistent conversation by trying to say hello.

She looks down at the hand, and then back, her cheer at seeing keytar mom slipping just a little, Yuffie's smile goes a little unpleasant around the edges.

She pointedly redirects her attention from the agent to Garnet.

"Hey there, Doctor G. I haven't seen you around much."

[twoscompany]

"Yuffie-"

"Oh." The agent turned her nose up, just slightly. It was clear Yuffie wasn't entirely off the hook from what happened back a few months ago. At least, when it came to her client. "Hello, you. What do you want?"

A

[mildwildchild]

Jamie's been wanting to talk with Garnet ever since he got word of Koumei's disappearance. Beyond the upset of losing someone he'd come to view as a sort of guiding figure and confidant, it's more than a little unsettling that out of the five people who broke into Lesedi's office not too long ago, two of them have since been fired. Approved for "energy conversion." Whatever that means.

Jamie's getting scared, to be honest, and though he doesn't know Garnet well, she's one of the only people who might really understand his apprehension. Getting a chance to speak with her is harder than he thought it would be, though. Mostly because that little busybody who's been hanging around her lately fields incoming distractions like some kind of impeccably made-up hockey goalie. Jamie has to wait until it looks like her attentions are focused on someone else, and then he tries to make his move.

"Um - hey, Garnet? Dr. Gneiss?" How should he even address her anyway. "You got a sec?"

[twoscompany]

"Of course she does!" Garnet's mouth barely opened before her agent butted in. Guess she wasn't as distracted as Jamie thought. "Now, go right ahead. I'm not even here~!"

She sat next to Garnet.

"...Hey." Garnet looked down at Jamie. "What is it?"

[mildwildchild]

Well, that wasn't quite the result he'd been hoping for. The briefest flicker of irritation registers on his face before he covers it up with a practiced, ingratiating grin.

"Can I borrow her just for a minute?" he says to her agent, in his most aw-shucks-sorry-to-bother-you-grownups tone, while attempting to take Garnet by the elbow and steer her off someplace more private. Then he has to scramble to think of an excuse that won't pique the other woman's interest too much: "I just wanted to, uh. Talk with her a bit about Koumei Ren's recent departure."

He fixes Garnet with a meaningful look and tugs on her elbow a little.

[twoscompany]

"I..." A flicker of pain flashed through Garnet's face as she struggled to respond. "Of course I--"

"Oh? Now, what is there to talk about?" The agent's voice is so syrupy. "He left to pursue a different career, and we naturally wish him the best. Isn't that right, Garnet?"

[mildwildchild]

The agent's tone is infuriating, and Jamie has to restrain himself from visibly bridling. Maybe this woman's just as screwed up as the rest of them and doesn't have any idea what really happens to the people who get fired; she might not know that she's casually dismissing the unpleasant fates of all the performers who've gone missing, people who were treasured and respected by their bandmates and friends, people like Nariko and Molly and Koumei and Yosuke -

"Of course we do," he replies, countering her saccharine tone with his own slightly patronizing one; he can be fake-polite with the best of them. "But Koumei and I were...collaborating on a project together and he said he would entrust our work to Garnet for safekeeping in the event of his absence. It'll just take us a second, I promise."

And he - well, tries to walk off with Garnet, but she's an impressively tall and sturdy woman, so it's going to require more than a little cooperation on her part. She seems so...out of it, though. Garnet looks like Jamie feels when he's trying to recollect his childhood or think about his parents - like there's a shroud of brain-fog she can't quite penetrate.

It's more than a little concerning.

A

[balletbattler]

Pearl's been busy trying to get things together for Silver, so she's been rushing around and too busy to be watching for her captured friends every moment of the day, but she has noticed that the press coverage for Cosmic Indulgence has changed a little. Garnet's name is now plastered even bigger than the band's on some of their posters, and Garnet is front and center in all of the photos. Sometimes she's the only one in the photo. This does not seem like the Garnet Pearl knows at all.

However, she doesn't seek Garnet out right away. She keeps looking for Silver's supplies and focusing on the task at hand. Garnet can take care of herself, right? It's Steven Pearl needs to worry about, if anyone, since Greg seems to be doing just fine as well. So it's an accident when Pearl comes across a huge crowd of screaming fans gathered around the entrance of a building where Garnet is standing, signing autographs. That chipper agent is standing beside her - a robot, no doubt - but Pearl zeroes in on Garnet.

She doesn't push through the crowd, but she stands at the edge of it where she can still see Garnet, and her huge sunhat is like a beacon to the frown on her face. She looks at Garnet, brows furrowed, like she's trying to figure out whether Garnet is under some kind of spell or if she really has fallen victim to the allure of fame.

[twoscompany]

It was both, in truth. Both feeding into each other. The subtle influence of the label caused her to push ever harder to work, to please. Of course, she kept reminding herself, it was for Steven, for all of her friends. But in reality she'd lost the ability to see the difference between helping her friends, and enriching the label. The brainwashing was quite insidious that way.

She was talking to fans, giving them smiles, signing autographs, promising that she totally shipped Sabo and Terry, uh huh. At the same time, she seemed dazed, tired even. Cloudy. Her agent was positively beaming and answering many questions for Garnet.

"Oh, yes, it was very sad when Nariko left." Garnet's pen paused for a moment, then scribbled again. "But she'd found her calling elsewhere, and we couldn't be happier! Isn't that right, Garnet?"

"Yeah." Garnet's tone is quite, flat. "Sure."

"Absolutely delighted!" The agent clapped her hands. "Ok, next, next, don't hog my dear girl's time!"

[balletbattler]

Alright, that's it. Garnet looks like she's in a daze, and Pearl's sure it's the brainwashing. She should move along and keep working so that they can get her fixed and take her home, but she hates to see her friend this way, her leader taken captive right in broad daylight. She starts to slip through the crowd, pushing people aside and firmly saying, "excuse me," in that tone she gets.

Eventually she's at the front, wedged behind two fans eagerly awaiting their autograph, frowning unhappily at them and then deciding to ignore their squealing and bouncing with a huff as she turns her gaze up to the celebrity.

"Garnet," she says firmly, so she can be heard above the crowd. She has one hand on the top of her hat so it doesn't get knocked off and the other hand at her side balled up in a fist. She looks very disgruntled and out of place in the bustling, excited crowd.

[twoscompany]

"Hm?" Garnet looked up. Her eyes blinked a few times before they focused on Pearl. "Oh, yes, hello. I remember you. Fairy Trials, right?"

"Oh, hello!" The agent smiled at Pearl, but there's a slight hardness to it. "Its so nice to see such an enthusiastic fan, but you realize you cut in front of people, yes? A whole line of people!"

D!

[oceantier]

Usually Lapis' bubbles are an offensive measure, snapping closed around heads and hands and legs, cutting off air and movement and will.

Today the bubble she's created is a looser one, cupped around both J and herself . . . and it's for travel.

Without a word, without hesitation, the bubble steers through the darkened water, advancing at a clip comparable (and perhaps enviable) to a speedboat. Inside the bubble, all remains calm, the air fresh and cool; outside, the inky water races past, invisible from above in the wash of the waves.

The forward motion halts only in front of Garnet's beach home, where the water surges and washes them both to shore. The night is dark, with only a sliver of moon; they're invisible as the water surges with a soft susurrus of sound, depositing them both neatly on the sand without so much as a drop left behind.

In spite of it, Lapis is wary even now. The house lies directly ahead, but the defenses remain unknown. It's the primary reason that she chose both the night and the water for an approach: Both should increase their chances of not being seen in the face of uncertainty. Who knows what lurks in the brush or on the roads around this place?

A flicker of a glance towards J. That's one thing he can manage that she can't: If there's someone there, he'll know it.

And if he knows it, she can deal with it.

[eba02]

This is probably one of the weirdest ways J has ever traveled; given the Agency's chosen modes of transportation, that's saying a lot.

It's also downright terrifying. There's a 'well, we can't all travel by bubble' joke in here, but he's pretty sure Lapis hasn't heard of Wicked, and also maybe he shouldn't distract the person who's keeping him from drowning. Yeah.

He's quiet in the bubble, quiet on the beach, quiet listening - he'd told Lapis beforehand that he couldn't hear the robotic bodyguards coming, but everything else was covered. Right now, there's only one tune in the house: it's brainwashed to hell and back, but still a fairly strong mashup under that. He glances at Lapis and nods. Time to get going.

[twoscompany]

As they near the house, there is the sound of a woman clapping and whooping, alongside the sound of music. Its keytar. Its clearly a work in progress. And the cheering voice is not Garnet's.

"Oh, wonderful, wonderful! I'm sure your band will love it. I know Ms. Santiago will!"

...Who the hell is that? Who knows. But it doesn't mesh with the one tune. A robot? Oh dear.

[oceantier]

Having contended with robots once, Lapis is much more confident about dealing with them again, especially with the spike of increase to her abilities. All one needs is the right amount of leverage and enough water . . .

And she has the ocean at her back.

She's more concerned with paparazzi at this point with their cameras, especially in her natural form -- and J, exposed as he is.

Paparazzi and security cameras . . . and any surprises.

Her eyes narrow at the sound of the other voice in the house. That needs to go before they can have access to Garnet; it's exactly the kind of observer that will get back to the label. Because J hasn't sensed it -- that can only mean one type of opponent.

Cuing him, she shifts in a small burst of light -- back to the too-thin, dark-haired young man from the heist. J can probably feel the question in her tune even as her eyes slip back to him convey it: Can she take care of it?

Her internal music has probably had a dark edge since they started out -- probably since she spoke to him about this in the first place. As they draw close to the underside of the outdoor deck, there's probably no mistaking her intent.