☆TRACK X: PLAY ALONG

[interdimanagers]

Who: Everyone!
What: Vista City amps up for Pride and Virgo's WORLD TOUR with HYPE WEEK.
When: May 1st - May 5th 2055
Where: Various places in Vista City
Warnings: Could be anything.

“Try to make it look like it's all somehow getting better, 'Cause I know how to play it pretty good against the measure. Everyone started out a little insane, But we learn pretty quick how to fake it for the game.” ☆PLAY ALONG Hype Week is less an official label event, and more something that the media has created in response to a particularly odd situation. Pride and Virgo appear to be functioning in unison - launching separate world tours on practically the same date, launching vast quantities of new material and media events, and making a point of never mentioning or acknowledging the actions of the other. Could this be some kind of collaborative event? A viral marketing campaign? No one is really sure, but the local economy is happy to capitalize on it in order to make it as big of a city-wide ordeal as possible. For musicians, this means all kinds of event that they have to attend and cooperate with - everything from photo shoots, to signing, to music video premiers. For rescuers, this means one last opportunity to track down those still trapped before they are whisked away on a world spanning journey. Events that will be happening: ► NEW SINGLES: Hot new singles are getting released by bands all over the place. While actual concerts and performances are not actually happening much during the hype period, each band is probably releasing at least one new single and hyping it all to hell with one song performances here and there on TV and the like. You can have fun defining that single for your band, or leave it ambiguous! Up to you. ► PANELS AND INTERVIEWS: Musicians will get carted all over to various talk shows and public question panel events - a lot of questions will be asked about the World Tour and its specifics, of which the musicians themselves seem to know very little. This goes for the veterans as much as it does the fledglings. ► MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERS: In which a bunch of fancy music people go to fancy theaters and watch all the new music videos for the new singles, and then write articles about this. This is also something you are welcome to create specifics for. ► SIGNINGS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES: While many of the veterans and doing things like autobiographical books signings and what not, the newer musicians are more likely to just be signing millions of World Tour specific posters and CD releases. Its quite likely that they are going to be totally run down after all these appearances and preparations - try to stay awake at the table! ► WORLD TOUR PREMIER: This will be covered in a second log a few days from now. For now, the musicians are just being prepped for a music festival to end all music festivals, that will start May 5th and cover the entire weekend. They've been practicing rigorously all month - they'll have to hope they have the stamina to make it to the actual performance. All the while, Gold and Silver have been mysteriously absent. Silver has been here and there, handing out supplies and necessary tech, but guidance for rescuers has been minimal. Gold hasn't been seen at all. Part way into the week, at least, Shep will return with a new batch of rescuers, just in time for the premier! New musicians and band combinations will slowly be announced over this week as well, with some of them being saved for the premier festival itself. That is, any OOC changes made to bands and last minute new members are going to get announced like they are big exciting unveilings, because spin doctoring is what the labels do! ☆SINGULARITY Everyone hearing the new singles will be able to tell that they seem especially ear wormy - extra hip, extra catchy, like the best examples of each bands radio popularity. Rescuers in particular, though, will notice something sort of strange about them. It's more than just song being catchy. People who are not musicians themselves will find themselves being unnaturally charmed by them, as if each time they hear these singles they are being slowly brainwashed into becoming more and more fixated on the artists performing. Of course, this can be stopped by just not listening to them for a few days, but it's hard to avoid when pretty much every public location has been playing these singles non stop. Along with this effect, there are some particulars: ► PREDATOR DREAMS: The Pride band Predator is the same as the others, in that it has a particularly intrusive single that's just been introduced. There is one difference. It may take a while to notice, but it can be noted that one starts to feel somewhat tired and dazed after listening to it repeatedly, like they are somehow drained. The single is called The Spaces In Between and it is somewhat unusual that Cass, the member who usually primarily focuses on instrumentals and back up singing, is now performing lead. If your character hears this song several times, they may suffer some weird DREAMS - especially if they received a dose of Gold's magic powder in the Better To Pretend event. If you'd like to receive a dream, please write "DREAM PLEASE" in your subject line, along with a written section describing an instance of your character having regular dreams that I can manipulate. Anywhere else and I might miss it. ► ESCAPED MUSICIANS: Musicians that have escaped and are now in hiding will find themselves particularly mentally manipulated by the singles released by their home label. They will find their minds unusually filled with thoughts of returning to their labels, as well as increased paranoia about being caught. Any remaining programming will be particularly triggered and brought to the surface. They'll be able to push it down with self control and assistance from other characters, but the thoughts will become more invasive the more they listen to it. “'Cause everybody's so scared, We don't wanna go there. We don't wanna make a move, We got all our lives to lose. Screaming in the dark while we just play our part out. I play along, Like I don't know what's going on.”

Comments

☆QUESTIONS

[interdimanagers]

For event specific questions, or even more general ones if you need to ask!

[eba02]

Do the new singles affect people's tunes? Signs of brainwashing, etc?

[sponsorigami]

Ivan has had his tune fixed by J and gotten dosed with Gold's powder and is an escape musician. I am not sure at all what level of affected he's at with all three in play.

Also, if your character (read: 3) always wears headphones outside, often playing her music from back home, how much does the underlying brainwashing still happen?

Re: ☆QUESTIONS

[sponsorigami]

Are the Predator Dreams still happening since the new event is up? Is there anything we need to know about them in general, so we can move onto the new event without creating things that'll need to be retconed because of the dreams?

Agent J | DREAM PLEASE

[eba02]

It's been a rough few days, to say the least. Working in a coffee shop has its perks, but musical selection is no longer one of them. The new singles are so dang catchy and J hears them all multiple times a day on loop, depending on how long his shift is and whose turn it is to choose the music. He barely manages to stagger home on the day Layla, the local Predator fan on staff, chooses the playlist. As for the rest of the songs...he's starting to like them - to move to them - and that scares the hell out of him.

Knowing that Gold is gone, and knowing why Gold is gone, only makes it worse.

At work, his smile is forced and his peppy demeanor is just about gone - he's just trying to get through the day anymore. At home, he's surrounded by music: playing it from speakers, or wearing his headphones, or even humming when there's nothing else around. He doesn't look like he's enjoying it - not the way he usually does, at least; it's the best defense mechanism he has for getting the ugly, infectious new singles out of his head.

Dreaming

At least his dreams are a relief.

He's been dreaming of home more and more often - not the Alan Jackson favorite, not where he's from, because that hasn't been home in a good long time. He dreams of Los Angeles, of sunshine and traffic and fame - those who have it, those who seek it, and those who simply couldn't care less all singing together to create Music he knows and loves just as much as he does the city itself.

He dreams of the city at night, late, in the lull that occurs after the late theater shows have let out but before the bars close. He usually finds himself by the little hole-in-the-wall theater where nothing ever panned out for him, not that that ever kept him from trying. He's comfortable there, somehow, next to a relic from his past, from before he dropped the rest of the letters from his name, listening to the night ebb and flow.

It's quiet uptown. He's never liked the quiet before - not usually - but after living with the unimaginable in his waking life in Vista, it's a respite.

Superbia Squalo // ota // DREAM PLEASE // ???

[sharktrash]

-- p r o m p t s


► NEW SINGLES

[ The month had been pretty funny. While Squalo was pretty sure by now that he wasn't actually a musician, some part of him still insisted on creative perfectionism, not to mention that there were eyes and ears on them expecting to perform and he suspected testing the bosses' patience (again) was a bad idea right now. ]

[ So, yeah, he'll be contributing not one but a bunch of new songs to his band, some heavier than others, but he'll happily provide Superior Arrangement on anything the others might be bringing to the table. ]

[ He can't help but think how weird it is to have music come so easily to him. ]


► PANELS AND INTERVIEWS

[ Interviews are great. Appearing at panels to be worshipped is pretty great too. Being invited into several dozen talk shows as a guest is less so, especially when one of said shows turns out to be some weird mix of "An hour with celebrity" and "Dear Abby". Oh, he's still interviewed about ~*~WORLD TOUR~*~ for a good portion of the screen time, but then the show's host gleefully announces that it's time for the viewers to call in with their problems and questions and oh, maybe today's guest with an admirable career and an extensive love life will offer some excellent insights as well! ]

[ Are you a stranger in need of the worst advice ever given? A fellow musician? A troll (literally or figuratively)? Go on and pour your heart out! ]


► MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERS

[ Of course there'll be MANTICORE videos. But maybe the most surprising one? Squalo had shot a video with Xanxus and it's nearly as gay as that late night show at the "Variable". Meaning, most of it is Squalo playing, fighting (a lot of hours of choreography must've gone into that, right?), or walking ~down the road of life~ while Xanxus just occasionally shows up and chills in the background until at the end of the song, there are some lines addressed to him. Something about being captivated by his anger probably. The whole thing looks roughly similar to this. ]


► SIGNINGS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES

[ Posters and CDs it is. And yeah, it's been a long day. So when thanks to some kind of miracle there's nobody asking Squalo to sign anything for at least thirty seconds, he just falls asleep in a blink. ]

[ Yeah, still sitting up, pen in hand, head rested on the table and his other arm, mouth gaping open and spewing a hellish, loud noise that sounds like it's been cultivated carefully through years of trial and error to be torturous. ]


-- d r e a m i n g s (pick your poison, dear NPCs)


► PAST REFLECTIONS

[ Now, various trash invading his spaces was nothing new both in life and in dreams. The vague memories and dreams suggest he'd usually cut them down and be done with it, but it's different this time. He's pretty sure the warehouse isn't his, and even though he's not exactly being stealthy while walking into it for some reason, he's not being jumped by a bunch of cretins. Yet. ]

[ They do when he reaches the middle, where a lone chair with chains is sitting. Several shadowy assailants that he easily skewers with -- a cello bow. What the fuck? ]

[ It goes through flesh easily like butter, more easily than he thinks a sword should, but he can't help but think he's seen those people somewhere before. The surroundings have shifted into a mass of colours and sounds, and he'll grab the one remaining figure to shove them into that chair. He's not sure where the bow went, but he's got a pocket knife in his hand now, and his voice sounds unfamiliar like someone else is talking for him. ]

Better start talking. Or do you want me to peel all this skin off your face?


► DEEP BLUE SEA (DREAMS ARE A FUNNY THING)

[ Water washes over him, and he feels alive. ]

[ Quickly, he pulls himself out of the warm shallow full of crabs, and rolls toward the dark water. Maybe it was a bad idea to go in for the easy dinner but hey, all's well that ends well, right? The ocean feels cool, and he happily dives in, enjoying the way the water gently tugs at his hair and brushes against his tail. ]

[ Oh yeah. He's kind of a shark from waist down. Long tail, two dicks and all. All of him silver in colour and a bit scaley. It feels surprisingly natural, though. ]

[ Sure enough, there's a bored looking shark nearby, and Squalo swims a circle around it before coming up near, wrapping one arm around it's back and grinning at it. What comes out of his mouth is some kind of bubbly, whistley incoherence, but the meaning's pretty clear. ]

Heeey, you're one hot piece of tail!

New Singles plz

[scalpedsociety]

[Aramat is now kind ofsure that Squalo isn't her student or her adoptive son. (It sort of hurts a bit.) But it doesn't stop certain things Aramat still checks up on him in the studio from time to time, goes to any small concert he ask for her to attend.

She wonders how good is whatever they did to her that make her do these things. She thinks that she honestly likes it and him. And Aramat is in the studio smiling at his work.]

Sublime. But that's to be expected.

Signing

[stylistic_disloyalty]

[Oh that sounds like her shark, singing the song of his people. Luci follows the ungodly screech, smirking faintly at the faces various patrons of the record store are making, while pulling a slightly squashed eclair out of her bag.]

[Which she carefully tucks into the space making that racket.]

Have some sugar.

Greg Universe - Dream pls

[panspermia]

If you've had it on you mind to check any of the Defying Atmosphere fansites or forums, you've probably heard something about it: something feels different. It's just a recent shift, something the fans and public haven't quite been able to place quite yet, but it's unmistakably present.

Once the buzz kicks into high gear and the media buzz kicks in anyone can see it, clear as day. Mr. Universe, lead and bassist for Defying Atmosphere, has completely changed.

A - All Go For Launch - Open to bandmates

When it's time to perform, he sets down his demands for how this show's going to go; there's none of his usual collaborative friendliness. He's going to take center stage for this one. If you've got a problem with that, you'll have to take it up with him after the show, because he's not budging.

"We're blind and eager
Avarice will set us back to blank
Those who wager all will have to name a reason
If you can't let go, you will end up empty handed
If you can't control, you'll live your life in vain

Who decides about my time to come?
Who is able to break through the circle of life and doom?
Don't look back
Keep on track to break the curse
Take the chance
Design your universe"

And besides, why would you complain? The audience positively eats up ever moment he's under the spotlight. He is the star, and their attention makes him shine. Heck, if everyone didn't know it was the stage lights, you might think he was glowing all by himself.

B - Progress vs. Pettiness - Open to Pride and Virgo Musicians

Interviewers quickly take note, needling eagerly for tidbits and quotes. He slouches in chairs, charming and disheveled as ever, but his hands are always tense, eyes sharp. Always smirking.

"I'm starting to take my career more seriously, now. You know?" He spreads his hands. "You ever think about how vast the cosmos really is? Big and wide enough for literally anything to be possible. But the only way you'll ever find what you want is to take it," his hands clench for emphasis, grin sharpening, "one star at a time. You can't stop, not for one second, until the whole universe is yours."

All blurbs and interviews are full of metaphors and decrees of this nature. How invigorating, say the papers, how inspiring! What drive, what determination!

He never brings up his bandmates, or any fellow musicians at all. Questions about them are shrugged off as quickly as possible, and mentions of Pride are met with a mocking grin, directed right to the camera. He's challenging you.

C - Galaxy Detour - Open to All

If one thing remains the same, it's Mr. Universe's zeal for public meetings. He'll gladly pose for photos and sign as many autographs as needed. Yet even this holds a different aura. The playful banter with fans involves less thank-yous and more bragging. The bright laughter sounds more like mocking chuckles, the beaming smiles look closer to knowing sneers. There's no more gratitude, only affirmation of what he already knows.

Of course you're here to see him. He's the star, and you're in his orbit. Come and bask in the light.

D - Don't Overheat On Me - Open to All

Every now and then, Mr. Universe needs to excuse himself. It comes at random moments: while eating, or in the middle of practicing instruments, or thirty seconds before autographs are actually supposed to get cut off. He'll walk off, not turning back for anything.

Looking like a diva is no concern to him. What he can't abide is the media catching sight of weakness. He feels that first twinge in the gut, a pang of something he can't quite place, and it sets his hands shaking. It always passes quickly, but not fast enough, and he hates it. Sometimes he retches, just to try and get the feeling out of his chest, but it never seems to help. Muttering curses at his hands does nothing to steady them.

What works best is when he gets himself someplace outside, where he can see the sky, breathe the air. Where there shouldn't be anyone around to see.

E - It's Only Chemical - DREAM

Dreams have become hazy and feverish. In all directions, landscapes waver in the distance: debris-strewn beaches, glowing spires piercing high to the clouds, barren craters flashing with lightning, a humble and broken down barn.

There's no way to tell how far away he is from any of the landmarks. All warp as though seen through a heat mirage, and are shrouded by the pinkish fog that swirls around him. A thin bubble is all that protects him from the choking mist, yet his chest already feels tight and strained from trying to breathe. He can't stay here, he needs to pick a direction and go, but still he dithers with labored breathing. They're not safe, none of those places will protect anything. But he won't suffocate there. Is that what matters right now?

There's not a lot of air left.

D - I WANNA RUIN OUR FRIENDSHIIIP

[exhumerus]

There are autographs happening, but Sans doesn't get too close. He doesn't dare risk it. There are a million different anxieties swirling in the space in between him an Greg, and in reality there is no way Sans is fit to be handling anything like this at all. He's too weak and too scared.

But something has happened to Greg, and he knows that much for certain. He's been listening to Defying Atmosphere's new track, hoping that their new angle will start sounding anything like his friend, but it doesn't. He can't stop thinking about it. He doesn't know what happened, but he's had a taste of so many things that could have.

For most of the appearance, it seems like Sans is going to end up just watching and then going home. Words are failing him, and his heart is too. It isn't until Greg cuts out early that Sans sees an opportunity he can't turn down.

He appears near where Greg has gone off too, his face partly concealed with a scarf and hood but no longer changed by a holo projector. He steps into sight, still limping with the damage caused to his right leg, and then freezes, staring.

He's got nothing.

Terry | OTA | DREAM PLEASE

[traumatizing]

INTERVIEWS

[This has always been his least favourite part of the whole fame thing. People ask questions he doesn't give a shit about and he has to pretend to care. When there were more of them, he could hide behind the others, let Nariko and Garnet take point and only chime in when necessary.]

[This time there's no hiding behind the others, and more than that, most of the questions that aren't about the tour are about Garnet. Terry manages to feign excitement about her solo success for the most part, and he's 100% honest when talking about how great her music is but.]

[God does he not want to be here.]

SIGNINGS

[With how intense everything has been, dealing with fans is kind of a relief. They're intense and occasionally overwhelming, but at least they're as close to genuine as anyone gets in this place.]

[He sits diligently at the long table, greeting each fan with a tired smile. He's sort of operating on auto-pilot, "hey, great to meet you" "enjoying the new stuff?" "thank you so much for your support." And then on to the next person, the same thing again. Anything beyond the standard would probably jolt him right out of his automatic responses, but it hasn't happened yet.]

DREAMING

[Lunch break? More like nap break.]

[He's gotten pretty used to weird dreams at this point, and this is no exception. It's pretty mundane by normal standards, but he's still piecing all this together in his waking life. The grey halls of the Initiative. Grey and lifeless, cold and empty. Terry wanders the halls, looking for... He doesn't know what. Somebody else, probably.]

[He ends up in the training room, but there's not much there. A big, open space with nobody there except a deactivated training robot. He looks up at the observation deck, and spreads his arms open.]

Anyone here? [He can't help feeling a weight of expectation, but there's no one here he can see.] What do you want?

interviews

[mildwildchild]

Flashstep has been doing the publicity thing at the same venue as Cosmic Indulgence GARNET and her backup band, so Jamie has a chance to catch Terry in between Q&A sessions. He claims a seat next to him in a quiet corridor and gives him a friendly fist-bump to the knee. "Hey."

Terry's radiating some kind of intense energy like an aura, a rhythm that Jamie can feel pulsing through him; he's recently noticed the same thing with some of the other people at HQ, but none of them display it as strongly as Terry. It fascinates Jamie, and he wants to ask him about it and whether or not Terry can feel the energy in people, too, but first things first: Terry looks awful. Not that Jamie can blame him, but it's still concerning.

"You look beat," he says sympathetically. "How're you holding up?"

Aramat Drawdes | OTA

[scalpedsociety]

01: PANELS AND INTERVIEWS | places, places, get in your places/throw on your dress and put on your doll faces

[If Aramat knows anything aside from music, it's how to cultivate a sweet, personable persona from the media. So as she makes the media blitz for the 'world tour, she gladly takes every question no matter how repetitive or stupid or outright rude with the grace and charm of a lady. Never let them know that you are pulled almost to your limit. Right now the interviewer is taking questions from the crowd.

What do you, an NPC or a rescuer that want to ask questions have to say to Datura?]

02: MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERS | did the things you thought you should/all the things they said were good

[Dressed to be every ounce of the dark flower goddess she is for the new music video for Crown of Thorns newest single: 'Grace And Its Consequences'. It's a slow song, with a unique vaudeville stage theme with it's hint of darkness. It's a miracle they even got this video done, but it's nice. It even has cameo's from other artists in Pride. She looks proud of her bands work.

We said she looks it.]

03: SIGNINGS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES | and you think of tearful partings/when they left you here below

[She tried, she really did. But she signed and signed. CD's and posters, all come at her quickly and without any though that she was tired. Soon her eyes start to lower... and her movements get more and more sluggish. Then she falls asleep, pen in hand.]

3.

[lightthedarkness]

[There's a gentle hand that pushes back some of Aramat's stray hairs as she set up a wall of bouquets to block her face from all the cameras taking pictures of her face. Avery had seen Usagi often enough that she was allowed to get close unlike the others at the signing. She smiled as she was crouched beside the singer.]

Aramat... [She called softly.] I know you're tired but after this I'll take you out to lunch, my treat this time.

Mai | OTA

[maipokerface]

PANELS AND INTERVIEWS; MAY 1ST - 5TH
[It's been nothing but a running circuit of talk after talk after talk for days. Mai typically doesn't have much to say at these sorts of events but with the world tour coming up she's being pushed to speak more. Sure the new manager wasn't as pushy as An but he's still not broaching any discussion.

So either:
[A] eager fans can ask questions at one of these interviews or panels from the typically reclusive violinist
[B] one can catch Mai leaving one of these events

Either way the violinist looks pretty damn tired. With so much hype and so many people leaving Pride altogether, management is getting harsher and everything is more stressful.]

SIGNINGS [ESCAPING FOR THE DAY]; MAY 5TH
[And now Mai has thoroughly lost her cool. After hours and hours of signing CDs, signing posters and public appearance signings to boot? Yeah, the moment Mai is left alone to sign a few more things is the moment Mai leaves altogether. She's been doing this for days by now and she's not about to do anymore of it.]

Signings

[faithfulflame]

[Rei had slipped into a Pride event, avoiding Virgo, hoping for a chance to catch Mai. She cared for the girl, she'd enjoyed their duet and their rather intimate conversations a lot, and she wanted to make sure that her friend knew the rumors were false.

Once Mai's out and away, Rei's psychic senses tremble and she slips in behind the dark haired girl. She's disguised, and wants to make it clear she's there before stepping out in front of her.

Whispering, she states...]

Hey. It's Rei. Don't freak out.

[And then she steps up and beside the other, gently brushing her fingers against the reclusive violinist's arm to make sure her presence wasn't missed. And in a louder voice, clearly meant for normal conversation.]

There you are. I was hoping to catch you again. I missed you after our night in the VIP room...

[She's all dressed up in blacks and reds, hair done up in a tight braid, and wearing sun-glasses and a black sun-hat. The typical goth fan, though there's a wink.]

Papyrus | Dream please

[spaghettimonster]

Apartment Undertale - Open to roommates

With Sans recovered -- or at least, rescued and beginning to recover -- Papyrus heaves frequent, loud sighs of relief. Frisk likely feels similarly better to have him around again, and Rarity hasn't been at all quiet about fussing at him. It's wonderful to see how cowed Sans could get around her.

With that weight off his mind, Papyrus finds himself looking more and more into the bands, and thinks nothing of it. He finally has the spare brainpower to search through the media releases for clues to the puzzle, listening to music and tapping his feet while he searches around. And if he easily tires, sleeping four, five, six hours at a stretch, it's not so badly out-of-character that anyone should be concerned... Right?


Scarves and shadows - Open to all

The only problem with getting Sans back is that the holographic disguise can't hide all of them at once. Between Rarity, Sans, and Papyrus, the poor thing is getting used up and recharged constantly. And Papyrus has a job to get to.

Good thing his usual attire for walking the high city pathways is very covered up, with big tinted glasses, and scarf, and wig. And better yet that he's usually scheduled for late shifts, when the sun's not adding extra light. It's probably enough for him to avoid notice.

But... that strategy might not work so well if he takes an impromptu nap on a bench in a park somewhere. At least he's probably not the only person napping in public.


Dreaming

"just give up. i did."

"I MUST CAPTURE A HUMAN!"

Papyrus dreams of fighting with Frisk again. The traditional puzzles and posturing, dramatic speeches and clever puns... But maybe it wasn't memories of that early time, before they were friends. A different fight, somehow.

He dreams of barrage after barrage of bones, trying to wear them down so he could capture them and finally, finally get everything he deserved. A strange echo to that fight, an emptiness in his brothers' voice. Like the warehouse wasn't the only time Sans expressed no desire to live anymore.

Maybe they're just bad dreams brought on by seeing Sans before he started to get better. Nightmares of imagining being half in his brother's shoes and forgetting who was important to him.

on the bench

[4thdimensional]

[Doc's feeling the strain of all this energy in the air. His studies are going nowhere, his friend's slipping out of his grasp, and there aren't a lot of reasons to feel hopeful right now.

He sinks down on a bench beside a random gentleman, inadvertently jostling him slightly. He's awfully thin...]

My apologies, sir...

[He moved to back away, but his hand continued to hover in midair. When he'd made that slight contact, it had definitely felt off. What better reaction than to wake him and find out? He raises his voice a little.]

We ought to find something more comfortable, I think...

Xanxus | OTA | Dream please

[variaboss]

Panels and interviews
Is it wise to have Xanxus as a part of any sort of panel? Is this an adult only time slot? Because if it's not, the kiddies are about to get an earful. As it is, Xanxus is holding an informational panel. It's actually pretty helpful if you can ignore the swearing.

"All right, you shits. You're here cause you want to learn how to take care of your leather, right? So, let's fucking get down to it. Today I'm going to show you how to make sure your leather keeps going for as long as you do. And if I have time, I'm going to teach you assholes the trick to get the blood smell out of them."

New Singles/Music video
Along with that super gay music video with Squalo where he did basically fuck all, Xanxus has his own little single out. It's not punk and it's not opera. It's rock. It's all about power and rage and fire.

It's been a while since he's performed anything so passionately and even longer since he's done so without his bass. It's just Xanxus and the microphone and some band behind him.


Dreams -
Xanxus usually dreams of one thing. It's the same nightmare every time, no matter how much he might have drunk or how tired he makes himself. He's always back there. Always in the sub-basement. There is a bleeding and tired old man in front of him. The man looks hurt. Devastated. Betrayed. His scepter glows with unnatural fire.

"You leave me no choice." He says and then the ice comes. Slowly crawling up his body. No matter how he tries, he can't stop the progression. The more he fights, the faster it comes. Xanxus always panics and jolts awake by the time it reaches his chest, but today, he can't seem to wake up.

or

If it's not that dream, he's a younger boy. Fresh faced and laughing. He runs down the dirty streets and alleys, pockets stuffed full of the tuna he had stolen from the chefs. The guardians would be falling over themselves to find that he's run away again. But Xanxus has to. There's something important he needs to do.

Seven year old Xanxus turns the corner and there is a mother cat with her kittens. "I told you I'd come back. I promised I would." As he speaks, his voice goes deeper and he grows quickly older, until it's the normal him kneeling before the litter of kittens. "Here. It's the tuna you like. Eat up and become strong. Because I don't think I can come again. Papa is sending me to school."

singles

[sharktrash]

It's been a while indeed. And it's probably been a while since Squalo's watched him perform, too. Which he's doing right now. Kind of blatantly, actually. Elbows rested on the edge of the stage and chin in hands, basically.

Hey, this is good shit and Xanxus looks like he's absolutely living that song. There's hoping he doesn't kick him in the face. Too hard.

Meril

[nibelungvalesti]

Panels and Interviews.

The Ice Queen had returned.

Her gradual melting had been somewhat remarked on over the past few months, but now everyone thought of it as Meril answered questions with cold, imperious responses that betrayed not one shred of compassion or care. She had begun like this, but now it shone all the more starkly brilliant for the comparison to even a week ago.

Popular rumor suggested that she had been jilted, or that she was preparing to go solo, or even that she had been ordered to behave for the sake of popularity. None of these rumors affected her in the slightest as she held the Q&A periods in her contemptuous, controlling grip.

Backstage. [Musicians]

One of the Defying Atmophsere songs -- if you could call it that, with a musician missing -- had featured Meril wielding a prop sword. For some reason she had not put it down after the performance. Instead, she sat silently off to one side, casually running a sharpening stone down one edge of the blade.

... That WAS a prop sword, right?

Cold Cruelty.

In the interludes between sets and appearances, Meril stood somber watch near a trailer, her eyes scanning the crowd with no trace of human emotion within them. Something about her bespoke danger; this small girl carried an aura about of her of weight beyond measure, of distance and depth beyond mortal ken. And her mission was clear -- she was looking for trouble.

Or rather, troublemakers. Noting those who she had seen before, those who might be causing alarm, those who were approaching other musicians. Compiling a mental list. Waiting.

Cold Cruelty

[lightthedarkness]

[Per the norm, Usagi had bouquets to deliver. So when she saw Meril from behind, she didn't sense the aura she put off, bouncing over to her with a bright smile.]

Miss Meril! [She called out with a bright smile, tapping her on the shoulder to get her attention.] Guess it's a good thing I didn't need to call you, right! But I do have more bouquets for you annnd the... band... [Usagi's voice became softer and less enthusiastic when she finally saw Meril's face an the way she carried herself, holding herself. The warmth before...]

Miss Meril, is everything okay? [Was she just stressed from the World Tour? She had been so excited before.]

Shinichi Okazaki | OTA | DREAM PLEASE?

[bass_instincts]

► NEW SINGLES: "Virgo and Pride" is the title of Nuclear Parliament's latest single, but it hasn't been as pushed as their less controversial "Teenagers". It's almost like their label is trying to hide the other one, but Shin and Roxas have been trying to make up for it by pushing it themselves on shows. Both are rather catchy and popular, and even if the boys aren't too happy about it, they're both still helping Virgo.


► PANELS AND INTERVIEWS: Shin has been rather open on these shows, often flirting with the interviewer and giving passionate reports of his love of music. For some questions and answers for Nuclear Parliament you can look here


► MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERS: Exhaustion somehow doesn't seem to be a thing Shin is suffering from, making attractions to drugs has been more noticeable. He's not touching heroin, and coke's been his drug of choice. On occasion he's even getting a nose bleed, but he's also taken to ecstasy and similar things as well. Even though he seems like he's got boundless energy, the stress and work has been taking it's toll on him. He looks stressed and has some bags under his eyes, but he's still being a socialite at the parties.

► Dream: Reira. Her husky yet beautiful voice calls out to him in his sleep. He can't tell what else she's saying, but it doesn't matter. Her voice just washes over him, making him feel both warm and loved and in pain with longing. He's rolling with her in her bed, and he can smell her shampoo as they laugh together. When it's interrupted his heart practically breaks with how desperate he's been to feel that feeling again.

1+2+???

[sharktrash]

Funny how mingly these big events could get. Squalo's totally sauntering over to wherever Virgo's holding their panels, maybe even the stage for new music previews or whatnot -- he probably spends some time harassing Dino or Keith, but there's someone else he thinks it's time to talk to again --

Shin will feel a steel-like grip on his elbow before he's pulled behind a corner / tent / whatever else cover that can be found in the area. Possibly with a gloved hand over his mouth, just in case he plans to get screamy.

"Don't freak out, it's me." And the hand goes away. "So. Anything interesting happen since last time?"

Agent 3 | Rescuer | OTA

[woomy]

Agent 3 is probably a breath of fresh sea air, unfazed by the musical brainwashing running rampant in the city. The reason for this is that she wears her own headphones constantly when outside to disguise her ears. And, being headphones, she listens to her own music from back home. The melodies of the Squid Sisters, Squid Squad, Hightide Era, Chirpy Chirps, so on and so on.

She's a great person to use as a control when compared to everyone else.

"Hey, what's gotten into everyone?" she asks as she looks at everyone going about their business and going crazy over Hype Week. "Is it a full moon or something? They're acting like hyper zombies."

[sharktrash]

Oh hey it's... a weird kid he vaguely remembers seeing on Fairy Trials footage. Maybe a coincidence, maybe not, but either way Squalo is going to be an ass about it.

"Hey, that's exactly what enough caffeine, drugs and all-nighters do to people." Yeah he's not even trying to be rolemodel-y here. He's walking back toward the panels from the coffee stand, paper cup in hand, and it smells strong.

marty mcfly | ota, dream please!

[heymcfly]

panels!

[ Marty likes to believe that he keeps the stuff that bothers him out of public affairs. If he had a bad day yesterday, and had to do a concert in the morning, he wouldn't show people that hey, he had a shitty day yesterday. The fans wanted to hear really good music and maybe get a signature or two, not listen to Marty's life story. Before, when his only worries were a horrible haircut and a bad dress day, this wasn't a problem.

Now? It was a little hard for Marty to hide his discomfort.

Rarity was gone. Greg and Meril were acting...odd. Not themselves. Almost hostile? He couldn't put his finger on it, but something wasn't right with them. It was all understandable; they were going through changes that Marty couldn't; they had magic and things where he was just...plain old Marty. They were discovering things that they probably didn't even know existed, until a few months ago.

He tries to put on a smile for the fans and sign autographs, take selfies. He's sure that there are a select few out there who notice something is off, but that can be accounted to losing a bandmate, right? Who wouldn't be depressed? Rarity had been an amazing musician. Everything had been simple, once.

Marty's tired. He's been resting his hand against his cheek for a while now, lost in his own thoughts. You might have to speak up for him to hear! And if you do, he'll snap right out of it. ]

H-Huh? What?

wildcard!

[ if you want to do something different, go on ahead! ]

dreams

[ He's skateboarding, rolling through the streets of Vista while...hanging onto the back of a car, it seemed like. Marty keeps his grip on the back of the vehicle tight, bracing himself as it slows, rounding a corner gently before gaining speed. This is pretty dangerous. If anybody found out he was doing something like this, there would probably be a punishment. Defying Atmosphere band members were looked up on as role models, and Marty skateboarding around like this probably isn't a good idea.

The car takes a second turn, but it doesn't slow down. At the same time, Marty lets go of the back enough to keep his speed, pushing his foot against the ground hard enough to speed forward and let the first car go about its business. Another car is right ahead, driving straight at a speed he could appreciate. Marty's in a rush for some reason. He's not sure why, but he is.

So he pushes his foot hard against the pavement a second time, reaches out for the car, and... ]

or...

[ Time's up, runt!

Through the door, Marty can see a gruff man aim a gun straight forward; it didn't take much to realize that this man meant business. There was no remorse for what he was about to do, nor were there second thoughts. If Marty didn't get out there now, there were going to be some serious consequences, and there was no way for him to reverse time.

But he strolls onto the dirt road, hands settled at his waist. When he speaks, his voice doesn't quaver. Marty's actually really, really nervous. You couldn't tell though, from how loud he yells. Right here, Tannen!

Somewhere in the distance, the clock strikes eight. A crowd is gathered around the street; Marty makes his way out to the middle. The person at gunpoint is pushed off to the side. The man with the gun's murderous intent is instead focused on him. Marty can see it in his eyes.

For what seems like years, the two of them stare at each other, watching for the slightest of movements. Marty's fingers inch closer to the gun that's strapped around his waist. The urge to latch onto it is way too much. Tannen wouldn't hesitate a second to kill, but Marty's not like that. He can't be.

A voice calls down to him. Draw!

But Marty pauses. No!

Marty watches Tannen's confused face as he holds up his belt, gun and all, and...- ]

[4thdimensional]

[This is foolish recklessness in so many ways. Doc really shouldn't do this...but with the recent troublesome news, Marty's in such a state that he believes it's necessary.

He'll lose him for God knows how long once this tour business starts. That cold fear's completely taken over, and it pushes him forward.

The 'fan' in line now is fairly odd-looking. Middle-aged, black hair tied in a low ponytail, and dressed in some smart and neutral business casual. He finishes the look with a floppy hat...and he just hopes it'll be enough for one last visit.

When he's facing his friend on the other side of the table, he leans down with a low whisper and a hopefully familiar concerned expression.]

Looking alive, Mr. McFly?

Ivan Karelin | Rescuer/former Virgo | DREAM PLEASE

[sponsorigami]

Bookstore: Turn the Page

As a scarf wearing girl going by the name "Scarlet Romanoff," Ivan works at the bookstore, Turn the Page. He earns money to go towards the band's living expenses as a cashier. It's a "safe" persona he assumes while being on the run; he's not going to do dangerous things like this.

Over the ceiling speakers play the newest hits and keeping with the Hype Week from around the city. And of course he's listened to the newest System Crash single. He wasn't going to miss out on hearing his favorite band here and Trucy.

It's slow now. His thoughts drift. Wouldn't it be easy to return to Virgo? To say that he's sorry for running? He wouldn't have to be fully sincere. He could go and work on gathering information on the inside. Didn't he think that was a better use of his powers? Ivan shakes his head firmly, sending auburn strands flying. Where did those thoughts come from? Even if he could return to Virgo as a musician, there was no way that Blanche (more like Juno) wouldn't brainwash him again. He has already been compromised.

And then Ivan sees he's no longer alone at the counter. He turns red and stammers, "A-Ah. I'm sorry. You were saying?"

Sneaking Around Pride Events

Trying to fight the feeling that he should return to Virgo, Ivan does the opposite. He tries to go to some of Pride's PR events. Maybe he could spot some people he knows while gaining more ... Ivan is shapeshifted into a random teenage boy, not one he has an ID for, but he's not really trying to do anything that would need one.

Dream

Back in the small apartment he shares with Doctor and Pao-Lin, Ivan collapses into his small bed with the hard mattress. He's exhausted from his work. Both the kind that earns him money and the kind that earns him a little more information. Sleep comes quickly, and he's not surprised the least to see that he's back in Stern Bild. He's wearing a purple and white jacket along with cargo pants. This is how he normally dressed back home.

Ivan walks down familiar yet unfamiliar streets. Where is he going? What is he trying to find? Hero TV? Yes, where does he go to do his job? His real job.

Pride events- super late but hi

[magic_to_do]

[In the center of a crowd of teenagers Trucy is signing autographs and offering her own brand of entertainment. People have come to expect a little razzle dazzle from her and she doesn't like to disappoint. Right now she's showing off some fancy card tricks and personalizing it a bit by signing the cards for people.]

Oh, was that not your card? Hmm.... oh, I know! Maybe it's the one in your pocket?

[It is. And the girl she was doing the trick for is thrilled.]

Minako Aino | Rescuer

[hearted]

a. street magic (ota)

[It's not been an easy few days for Minako. She's glad to have Rei close to her at long last, but she remains uneasy. That girl...'Di' would be right at the top of the suspect list for Flowers Over Bones' mysterious jailbreakers. So she's had to leave the job and make some alterations to her disguise.

She's now a red-headed woman with a short crop of hair, idly walking the streets in search of something. She finds it in the music permeating the streets.

This world tour's bad news! So many innocent musicians will be pulled away from them, and it'll be that much harder to end this all. But that music sure is catchy, isn't it? She finds her walk shifting to the rhythm, her voice singing along...hey, it's beautiful, isn't it? It can't be that bad.

She waves cheerily at all who pass by, humming along. She's quickly getting lost in it, in fact, she might just bounce up and grab someone to dance with her.]

Hey, let's dance!

b. locked away (senshi apartment and visitors)

[At home, the picture becomes a little clearer. When she first enters, there's no music, though the urge to turn on the radio is strong. But there's something more important here...her dear friends. She hurries to them, putting the thoughts of any radio behind her for a moment. She's feeling oddly drained for some reason, so she'll sink onto the nearest chair.]

How was your day?

B.

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi was putting away some of the last of the boxes in their new-NEW apartment. She had been listening all day to her phone with the music that Luci had recommended to her, using it to power through the unpacking when Minako suddenly hurried in and sank down. She took out her head phones and headed over to her, brows knitted together.]

Ah, I'm nearly done unpacking everything... is... hey is everything alright? [She asked as she linked her fingers with Minako's.]

Usagi Tsukino || Rescuer || OTA

[lightthedarkness]

A: Dance this new creation

All these new premiers, signings, panels, and everything in between meant dozens upon dozens upon dozens of bouquet orders by all the venues. It was so bad that Usagi was being paid a whole bunch of over time to make up for the ridiculous hours she was working. She didn't mind, though, since Mrs. Ophelia needed the help. However, her arms were over-loaded with about ten bouquets in her arms, and this was just this delivery. There were more still waiting back at the shop. So many were in her arms, in fact, that she couldn't see over them.

All anyone will see is a walking wall of flowers coming towards them.

"SORRY!" she called over them, a single blue eye trying to peek through the leaves and petals to see where she was going. "Look out p-please! I'm losing my hold on these!"


B: It's the new sensation

Alright, so Usagi had two reasons for standing in line to get her brand new CDs signed. The first reason (and the one she'd tell any rescuer that asked) was to check on the health of the musicians in question, to see how they were doing with all the appearances and stress of the World Tour promotion junkets. The second reason? She just really wanted to see them again.

No concerts meant no chance to see her friends and she couldn't just happen upon them on the streets with heightened security.

She smiled as she finally got to the table and was practically vibrating, wanting to hug them.

"HI!" she exclaimed. "Ah... hi! It's great to see you!"


C: Do the Bunny Hop. Hop Hop Hop!

It took longer for Usagi to feel the effects. Mrs. Ophelia always played classical music at the flower shop since she didn't want anything to distract from the flowers themselves, and Usagi herself, was prone to listening to her own music rather than the radio. Still, even under those conditions, she couldn't escape the song. She felt wobbly, her energy gone and she needed to sit down on the mall bench, pressing a hand to her forehead.

As she stumbled to the bench, she ran right into someone, and she looked up.

"S-Sorry... I... I just need to sit down... I sh-should have been paying better attention," why was she suddenly so tired? She couldn't use the ginzuishou to heal herself since she was in public but she blinked as she looked up. "Ah," she said as she realized who she bumped into, hopping back just a bit.

B

[snapcrackleburn]

[ Roy is starting to get worn down by the day's events and has answered questions about MANTICORE suddenly dropping down to three artists more times than he can count. Seeing Usagi is a a breath of fresh air; he gives her a genuine bright smile despite the bags starting to form under his eyes. ]

Serena, it's great to see you too! Mrs. Ophelia told me over the phone that you've all been very busy down at the flower shop because of these concerts.

Closed to Apartments Agent and Undertale

[eba02]

J isn't acting like himself, to say the least.

It takes him three tries to get the key in the lock - he's shaking almost too badly to function - but he finally gets it open and heads inside, closing the door behind him. There's no cheery greeting; no inquiries as to how everyone's day has been; nothing. Instead, he makes a beeline for the kitchen table and sinks down into a chair, burying his face in his hands.

He's not okay.

[spaghettimonster]

"Augh!" Papyrus screeches, as his third draw in a row is a Draw Two. "This is very statistically unlikely! What is this?"

But he reaches out, complying with the instructions on the card glaring sullenly at the discard pile. If anybody giggles at his ill fortune, he just crosses his arms and scowls more intensely. It's like he used up all his good fortune rescuing Sans, and now all the little things of life are tripping him up. Weird changes to his sleeping habits, horrible luck in all the games they're playing...

SANS | RESCUED FROM VIRGO | OTA

[exhumerus]

CLOSED TO PEOPLE IN AGENT/UNDERTALE APARTMENTS
Where Papyrus has become inexplicably lethargic and prone to sleeping for hours at a time, Sans has been struggling with the opposite. It's not that he isn't tired. He's tired all the time, in fact, to the degree that he finds it difficult to accomplish much of anything, even if he wanted to. Yet, despite that, sleeping has become a troublesome burden.

It feels like almost any time he drifts off, he soon finds himself waking and filled with stress, confusing flashes of memory and illusion in his head. Sometimes he feels like he can't move even after he's sure he's awake, or like he's blind and deaf to the world again, his thoughts scattered by the foreign energies laying waste to his mind.

Any moment he lets his guard down, he feels like he's being drawn back to that place. It's like he's being pulled by some kind of leash they still have on him, demanding that he return, demanding that he take the punishment for his crimes.

It would be so easy. He knows it would be easy. Any moment, he could decide to bring himself right back to that place and hand himself over. The nagging idea is enough to drive him insane, and it sets him wandering the households with a haunted look in his sockets. He can be found standing silently in weird places and staring at the stars at night, and examining the knives in the kitchen with shaking hands.

He feels like he's going insane all over again. He thought that Stella had helped with that - but sometimes it feels like he's going to turn to dust and blow away figuratively even if not literally.


OPEN TO ANYONE: OUT AND ABOUT FOR HYPE WEEK HYPE
He doesn't do it often, but he's started getting out more with the use of the holo projector he's been given. It's not hard to figure that children are less notable than adults of his particular stature, and so his rig has been programmed to give him the appearance of a child that matches his diminutive height: in particular, he's made himself look almost exactly like Frisk, in a decision that was made mostly for laughs but stuck out of lethargy.

The only difference between the two is that Sans's striped shirt is teal and yellow, and that he tends to wear the hoodie and scarf over top of it anyway, just in case. He's been stalking a number of the "events" going on - particularly Virgo publicity, and stuff for System Crash - always looming in the background and not doing or saying much without provocation. Part of this is that his voice is still a deep Bronx accent regardless of his image.

Part of it is that he can't imagine a more accurate portrayal of Frisk.


WEIRD CRYSTAL RAVING: ONLY WANT A COUPLE THREADS WITH THIS ONE
Him latching onto the crystals end up being purely incidental. He'd never asked about them after being rescued - he never expressed interest in anything the others had stolen, nor did any of his descriptions of events include them. Not, of course, that he's gone into much detail about his time in the labs to anyone since returning in a general sense, either. It's obvious that plenty went down in that time, but he hasn't brought it up when he can avoid it, and it's understandable that other people wouldn't be inclined to provoke him either.

But, one day, he happens across the store of them - wherever they've been stashed by Connie and the others, waiting for an executive decision to be made for their usage. He doesn't even see them, at first. It's a feeling more than anything tangible, like an aura of ill ease that he can feel. His eyes are drawn to their location with no outside direction. His hands start to shake without conscious acknowledgement, and whatever remains of his soul at this point shudders reflexively.

It's in the room here with him. He can feel it. Oh god. Oh god, he's so sorry.

He doesn't actually rant or rave about them, or scream or cry or anything. Instead, he'll be found holding one of them in his hands and staring at it like he's possessed, traces of blue and gold magic wisping from his left socket, the pupil there large and bright. This crystal in particular is shining gold, its colours mingling with his own magic.

It's not clear how long he's been doing this for, when you find him. He's not sure, either.

Out and About

[oceantier]

With the World Tour coming up, Lapis has been especially watchful, nearby whenever she can manage. As Sans is lurking around events for System Crash, he'll find Lapis (as Luna) lurking around as well, keeping an eye on proceedings, hanging back to watch the signings and the interviews.

Occasionally she is accosted by a fan or two of her own; after the Fairy Trial and the fact that she's getting used with good frequency in shows and music videos, she's become far more recognizable. As Sans arrives on scene, she's been surrounded by a small group of barely teenage girls -- giggling and reaching out to touch her and asking her to sign something herself. Visibly uncomfortable and a little alarmed, she's doing her best to fend them off, to turn their attention back towards the bands.

Gratefully, her eyes catch sight of "Frisk," and she tries to communicate a silent plea for help -- as though she expects a ten year old will somehow be more adept at wiggling out of this than she.

Jamie Hemeros | Pride Records | Flashstep (DREAM PLZ)

[mildwildchild]

Jamie is exhausted.

Along with the rest of the band, he's been run ragged the past month in preparation for the world tour, and then there'd been the extra strain of Sora being gone, and Hype Week is just a fucking bitch. He returns to the penthouse after a late-night talk show appearance feeling on the verge of collapse, barely managing to make it to his room and kick off his shoes before flopping down on the bed, still fully clothed.

He's out cold in seconds.

In his dream, he's on stage performing, which isn't surprising. He and the rest of the guys are completely in sync, pulling off every move, hitting every note. They finish a complicated series of gyrations in perfect unison, eliciting screams of adoration from the crowd, and then there's an expectant pause while a prerecorded drum machine loop blares in the background.

After a moment or two one of his bandmates - a blonde guy who is definitely not Maxxie but Jamie recognizes anyway - leans over to him and mutters, "Dude, that's the cue for your solo!" and points across the stage, where a spotlight comes up on an electric organ.

The thing that surprises Jamie most about this is that nobody had told him Flashstep was becoming a prog-pop fusion band.

He takes his place behind the organ and then is at a complete loss for what to do. He knows how to play piano, okay, but look at all these fucking buttons and shit. What is he even supposed to do with those?

He positions his fingers to play a chord, and then -

Roxas | OTA

[inversekeyblade]

► NEW SINGLES

Someone is up to something stupid.

..did that read stupid? No, that's not right: what it meant to say is SPECTACULAR.

During a maybe-sort-of inebriated session of brainstorming, two young members of Nuclear Parliament decided it would be optimal to call in whatever groupies they could get on the scene sooner than later, find some equipment, and on signal wheel everything in, plugged up and ready to go, right in front of the Pride event so they can shamelessly play one of their new hit singles, Virgo and Pride.

Then, if they don't get escorted out by security, just as quickly get the heck out of there. Sounds like a great idea, right?

They're about to find out. Roxas is on standby with his group of people who were more than available and eager to help out, his side of the equipment ready to roll. By that, meaning on platforms with wheels, carrying not only the musical equipment but a portable supply of power. At this point he'll be texting his partner in crime here, Shinichi, to find out where the heck he is. People are starting to wonder what he's doing with all that equipment.

Performance

[bass_instincts]

Shin doesn't bother replying, instead showing up just after Roxas sends it. He smiles to Roxas and gets out his guitar, "You ready?"