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

[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.