002 ✽ Come back! Even as a shadow, even as a dream

[giglio_madonna]

Who: Everyone stuck in Virgo HQ
What: This happened, and now we're all stuck here.
When: Nov. 1 - 5
Where: Virgo HQ
Warnings: Honor system, I'm trusting everyone to put warning in the subject lines if it comes up in their threads!

So.

Press events? Not happening. Concerts? Cancelled. Going out at all? N o p e.

Everyone- well every newbie- is ball and chained to Virgo Entertainment's headquarters for the time being. What's the emergency? No one knows, but you're all stuck here regardless.

> What will you do?

Comments

[nibelungvalesti]

[Meril might have given that no further scrutiny if her glance hadn't fallen on the drawings spread out across the table. She touches one with the very tips of her fingers -- just the corner, not daring to come near the actual image.]

A certain something, I see.

[panspermia]

[He grins as she looks over the sketches.]

She's rad, isn't she? I got the idea for her the other night. She's like... some sort of ancient warrior of Earth, I think? [Why is she wearing a dance leotard then, Greg] I'm still trying to write out the ideas.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Greg has had weirder ideas than a warrior in a dance leotard. Meril, on the other hand, finds herself with a question.]

Is she inspired by someone?

[panspermia]

[He falters.]

Yeah... A couple people, I guess.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Her lips twitch upwards, as rich amusement in her voice hides a very faint quiver deep within her. Not a meaningful one, of course!] Are you starting to notice girls? Do I need to pass notes to one on your behalf?

[panspermia]

[He sniggers, and scuffs a foot on the floor.] Aw gee, Meril, you'll embarrass me in front of her. C'mon, what do you take me for?

[nibelungvalesti]

Someone more likely to write fantastic songs about a girl he likes than approach her, who might miss out a chance to do both.

[Well, he'd ask and she would be perfectly honest...]

[panspermia]

[ He should have expected no less from her. His brow arches with a mischievous smirk. ]

I thought you knew me a little better than that.

[ He makes certain her keyboard's set in place, then strolls over to his guitar. ]

You oughta know by now... I never miss a chance for a serenade.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Meril lets out a huff of breath at his line, testing the set of her keyboard before she flicks on the power switch.]

You never serenaded me. [Had he ever -- no, not in her memory.] And unless I missed it, neither Lora nor Gaige either.

[panspermia]

[An odd look passes over him. Is that right? It can't be, surely. How could he make a mistake like that? ]

Huh. You've got me there. All right.

[Greg begins picking at the strings, feeling out a melody.] Then, I guess, it's all the better I start picking up the slack now. [He hits a good rhythm, and takes a breath.]

Visions falter and dreams will fade
They last as long as the notes I've played

Oh, but Lenneth!
Daydreams aren't warm, they can't draw breath!
Oh-woah, Lenneth!
I'd rather be here, at your request!

There's no contest here, Meril
A mirage can't compare
I'd rather have you with me
Than dreams made of air.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Congratulations, Greg, you've achieved something never before seen: Meril is stock-still, completely stunned, and brilliant red.]

[This lasts some time.]

...You are right. You never would pass up the chance. I cannot imagine what goes on in your head.

[She at last regains enough mobility to speak and look away, if not return to her normal color.]

[panspermia]

[ Greg's grin can't be hidden at such a rare sight. He barely suppresses a chuckle as he marks down some notes on a paper. ]

We both learned something about each other today. I didn't peg you for the bashful type.

[nibelungvalesti]

...You caught me off guard. [Her uncharitable mutter holds irritation only at herself for blushing to begin with, as she makes a show of examining her keyboard's settings. None of them needed any adjustment, of course.] And if you are truly mooning over a girl, you should not be serenading me, don't you think?

[panspermia]

[As entertaining as it may be, Greg has no intention of embarrassing her. He goes ahead and adjusts his strings, though they're just as fine.]

It's really not like that, Mer. She's more of a muse, not anything... real. [It was a vivid vision, sure, but as convincing as it felt...] I write about what inspires me, is all.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Considering how difficult she is to embarrass, he ought to be taking bows instead of worrying about her feelings!] But inspired somewhat by real people. Why not take the chance? Be more than inspired?

[panspermia]

[ There's plenty of reasons, but "I don't know if they're even real" doesn't sound the most convincing out loud. Moreover, he's getting more curious about her own insistence on the matter. ] When exactly did you get so invested in my love life, huh?

[nibelungvalesti]

Someone has to look out for you.

[And looking out for Greg is important to her, no matter how imperious she manages to sound about it.]

[panspermia]

[ Greg laughs at that. ]

Yeah, guess I should be glad I've got you for that. [ He can admit, he's not the best at it on his own. ]

[nibelungvalesti]

And the rest of us as well. [After all, her own protective desire is nothing extraordinary, is it? Anyone would look after Greg as she does, most especially their bandmates.]

[panspermia]

[ Greg's grin turns softer. ] Yeah. All you guys, I'm glad we... banded together. [ SORRY MERIL HE'S STILL A DORK ]

[nibelungvalesti]

[Meril shoots him a dirty look out of the corner of her eyes. Good work on getting a reaction from her, in any case.]

How everyone respects and admires you is beyond me.