interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK IX: LIKE A GHOST

Who: Everyone!
What: The ghosts are back, and they've brought you some FEELS.
When: April 18th-21st.
Where: Predominantly outside of the label HQ walls. Occasionally inside, too.
Warnings: The usual.

“'Cause the world might do me in.
It's alright 'cause I'm with friends.
Guess I'm giving up again...
It doesn't matter.”

☆LIKE A GHOST

The spirits that have walked the halls of the label towers for months now have returned once again - and while the last time they appeared they were pleading for your help, this time they are here to offer their aid in return. All four ghosts will be trying to find all musicians and rescuers aligned to their spiritual emotion in order to bestow some sweet spectral gifts open them. Some of you may have met them already, some of you may have not. While in the past their identities were a mystery, in their last encounter with the labels it was shown that they are in fact the spirits of the late Crescendolls, a former Virgo band that claims to have been murdered by Lesedi Santiago.

Though most will still be unaware of this, they may have a chance to ask questions today. These are the four naked alien spirits who will be visiting, and the emotion they align to:

► Duty: Brave, dedicated, and willful, Arpegius is the lead guitarist and the sort of guy who will fight you or for you for all the right reasons. He's street smart enough to know how to choose his battles.

► Passion: Young, boisterous, and a little bit crass, Baryl is the drummer of the band and as compassionate as he is rowdy when he slows down enough to be.

► Hope: Inspired, intelligent, and chill, Octave is the keyboardist and lead singer. He's the most mature of the group and was also the oldest - before they all died, anyway. Still, he manages to be proactive about his ghostly status.

► Love: Quiet, mysterious, and surprisingly capable of being a badass, Stella is the basist of the group. From the outside she may appear to be almost stereotypically demure, but there is an emotional strength inside that not many get to see.

☆THE GIFTS

They will not be able to spend much time with each person, nor will they be inclined to go near the HQs if they can avoid it. But they will be able to communicate with each person briefly if they share an alignment, in order to give them one of the following gift, of which every character in the game may pick one.

► Knowledge: You can ask your ghost a question about the in-game situation (they don't know anything about your home life so don't ask them about that) and they'll answer with any information they've gathered as an invisible ghost witness or go seek it out for you.

► Strength: The ghost will leave part of their power with you, in the form of a burst of spiritual strength you can access at a moment of your choice. Generally speaking this will manifest in a manner similar to an "adrenaline rush" or "last effort" energy boost where your character's physical strength or abilities increase 50% - 100% for a short period of time. The more powerful the boost the shorter time it will last. It works even better if, at the moment of its triggering, you are deeply in tune with the emotion you and the ghost represents.

► Healing: Your ghost will attempt to heal you physically or emotionally - this isn't the best for severe physical wounds, but it is very good for unlocking mental blocks or helping you get past trauma in order to pursue the greater good. This can be used for a large memory regain or to sooth any kind of mental trauma that is holding your character back. Effectiveness varies from person to person, but the treatment will be focused around enhancing the emotional alignment shared between the ghost and you. EDIT: Healing can be given to someone else immediately, but can't be stored like Strength and Protection can, unless you work out something specific with your ghost.

► Protection: Much like the strength boon, this is a power left with you by the ghost that can be triggered at a future moment. Instead of enhancing your abilities however, it will act as a physical or mental defense against one potentially deadly assault. This gift can also be transferred to another person at the recipient's request.

The ghosts will be you their magic ghost dust, promise that they will be watching and protecting you where they can, and then be on their way. However, those who helped rescue them during the In Reaching Out plot will get something a little bit extra. (IE, those who participated in the Ghost Quest plot.) They'll both get their immediate pick of one of the above boons as well as:

► Spirit Summon: Your aligned spirit will give each Ghost Quest participant the ability to summon them for direct aid on one occasion, in the form of a small ectoplasmic token. Their arrival can be used for anything they are capable of pulling off with their ghost magics that they don't find morally objectionable. Basically, a ghost will appear and help you out when you need it. Choose wisely.

Along with all these gifts, each ghost will be bolstering the emotional aspect you share. Love alignment people will feel strengthened by the power of their love, Hopes will feel increasingly hopeful and capable, and etc. This is not something that will make them behave destructively - it is a positive blessing speaking to the strongest sides of their patron emotion.

Keep in mind that these spirits do have wills of their own, and being rude or dismissive towards them will result in them passing you by. Boons will only go towards those that seem like they will be using them for good intent.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: During and after this event, musicians will be able to regain memories of their capture as well the occasional flash of their initial programming!

“Had me feeling like a ghost,
And that's what I hate the most.
Guess I'm giving up again...
This time I might just disappear.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Greg sees Luna first, but doesn't approach quite yet. He hangs back away from the surf and watches. Idly, he wonders if he should head back to headquarters, for now. One of these days these beachside encounters will get them in trouble. Then again, they already have if he counts last time.

However, last time is the reason he decides to stay, still watching her in serene silence. Greg has the distinct feeling that a moment of peace and happiness in her is something rare to appreciate. It's a notion he can relate to.

She looks up then, eyes slipping towards him, fingers still dripping sea water. Her eyes sharpen in recognition, but she maintains that same half-smile as before. "Hello."

She hopes he's gotten the phone by this point through Oscar, but doesn't mention it just in case. It's supposed to be a surprise, after all.

"Hey there."

There's another moment in silence, like he doesn't want to interrupt the serenity of the moment. Then he finally lets it break, rubbing at his neck and smiling.

"I uh, I got your gift."

She brightens immediately at that, like water hit with a sudden shaft of light.

"You did?"

He's smiling. That means he likes it, right?

Right?

He nods, grinning wider at her clear hope.

"I really appreciate it. We haven't... talking's been hard." Greg bites at his lip. "It means a lot."

He likes it. That brings the light further into her face, until she's smiling that rare, almost-full smile. Steven had liked it too. "You spoke to him?"

"Yeah. A little. Texting, jokes... they're keeping us busy, but it keeps our spirits up." It's not the same as getting to see him, but... it lets him know Steven's safe.

Full, happy smile then, utterly rare -- sunlight glittering off water. "I think . . . he's happier too."

Even though he was fairly sure of that, it's a relief to hear it from her. "I'm glad." He hasn't gotten to actually speak with his son in person since... well, since February. "You seem happier, too."

"I get to spend time with him." Her eyes fall away and her voice dips soft -- as though she's concerned that such a revelation will bother him. "I just--"

But she trails off, her smile fading. "It won't last. Now . . . or at home. But. It's nice."

It's a potential opening, if he chooses to take it.

His smile wanes too.

"Why not?"

He doesn't remember her, and she claims they didn't really know each other, but... if they ever get home, that will change, right?

Her eyes flick up to him briefly, then away again. "I . . . made a choice. It's going to take me away from Steven. Maybe for always."

One hand creeps up, braces against her elbow. "I . . . fused. With an enemy. At home, I'm keeping her trapped . . . at the bottom of the ocean."

"If I let her go, if she gets away . . . she'll come for Steven. I can't-- . . . I have to hold her."

Greg stares at her for a moment, worrying his lip. He can't be sure of her situation, whether due to memory loss or simply not knowing in the first place. Regardless, it's clear: she made a big sacrifice for his son. With all he's seen from her by now, it's no surprise either.

"You've done so much for him." He swallows hard. "Thank you... Luna."

She nods, her shoulders huddling even as her eyes soften with distance.

"Steven . . . he was the first to see me. As a person. As . . . someone worth protecting. He's . . ."

"He has to be safe."

"I just . . ." She doesn't quite look at him. "After this place . . ."

She's not sure she can convey it and settles for the only words she can: "I'll have to go back."

His throat works for a moment.

"You... I don't know if it's something you have an option in, but..."

He puts a hand on her shoulder. "After what we've been through, you have to know. We want to help you, too. You shouldn't have to do this alone."

Would he still want to, knowing everything she's done?

Can she stop herself from hoping, even if he finds out? Even now she can feel the wistfulness surge -- shift of herself towards his words like a reed in the wind.

"Find me? Please."

His hand squeezes, briefly. Whatever she did before, it's in the past. It's her actions now that speak loudest.

"I will. I promise."

☆TRACK IX: LIKE A GHOST

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