interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK X: PLAY ALONG

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☆TRACK X: PLAY ALONG

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.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.

Sans will be hard pressed to decide if his freezing in place is to his advantage or not. Without the sound of anyone approaching to tip him off, Mr. Universe continues snarling and retching air for a good twenty seconds before he catches sight of the figure nearby. He whips around eyes wild and furious.

Seeing who's there doesn't help. That sick pang in his chest gets worse, and he wants to throw up.

"You."

Well, that's usually not a good first thing for someone to say to you. Sans sinks at the shoulders nervously, sweating a little under his hood. The last he remembers of Greg, he was taking his hand with that familiar, stupid look on his face. Sans had barely known his coccyx from his cervicals at the time, but it had been purely compassionate.

But maybe that was before he'd been caught. That was a week ago, at least. A lot can happen in a week, and the idea of it terrifies Sans down to his core.

"Greg, I gotta get you outta here. Now."

Mr. Universe bares his teeth. "This again." If he didn't accept the chance to leave before, there's no chance in hell he's going with the idea now.

He should take him out right now. This is a hand-picked moment to bring in the... the traitor. That's what he is. Except... Greg's the one who got him out of there in the first place, isn't he? So then, that's... that's not Sans' fault... but he's still working against Virgo. So the two of them are...?

The internal battle doesn't show on Mr. Universe's face, but his hands are shaking badly. He jabs one finger at the skeleton, his grimace equal parts anger and effort to keep the motion steady.

"I'm not going to warn you again. We're not on the same team anymore. Don't come to me expecting to get all buddy-buddy again, because I'm not making a habit of that anymore.

Greg Universe - Dream pls

D - I WANNA RUIN OUR FRIENDSHIIIP

HERE WE GO

YOUR ONLY APPROPRIATE ICON NOW

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D (i'm so sorry for the teal deer)

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D

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B - SORT OF, I GUESS

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C: Don't mind him; just passing through. No, seriously, please don't mind him

C

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D? um if you're okay with more heartbreak ahaha

always

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