interdimanagers: (Default)
Interdimensional Managers ([personal profile] interdimanagers) wrote in [community profile] interstellar55552016-05-31 07:11 pm

☆TRACK XII: LOVE AND TRUST

Who: Everyone!
What: The tour hits Europa, and Edward Blanche plans a trap.
When: May 25th - June 17th, 2055
Where: Any of the potential tour stops, but mostly MOSCOW.
Warnings: Probably violence.

“Oh, will you break my fall
When I climb too high?
I always lose my nerve,
It happens every time.”

☆LOVE AND TRUST



After the disaster that was the beginning of the World Tour, things from there have proceeded innocently enough in comparison. Virgo ended up being able to pull its act into some semblance of order before the festival finished, and so the magic on their side was not entirely lost. Things are tense, however, for anybody who has an idea of the stuff going on upstairs. Whatever is going on, Pride is in the lead by a landslide, and the desperation is present in the managers and the execs alike.

Lesedi, however, couldn’t be happier. In fact, she is getting cockier by the day. Her plans with Lapis went wonderfully, and wherever the gem is now is irrelevant. Barring any major disasters, she is increasingly certain of her defeat of Virgo, and is encouraging her elite members of take potshots at them any chance they get. (This includes her beginner music mages.)

The beginning of the month is spent with both labels visiting a lot of very familiar locations across Americana - most of which are places they will have visited in the past. The routes are very similar to the ones the first bands took during their opening tours last summer.

As for the rescuers, now is the time to regroup. It’s not practical to follow the musicians to ever stop they make, but Shep has apparently enabled his spaceship with a cloaking device, and will be taking all the rescuers and free musicians to the major tour centers of each continental tour - the headline festivals, each lasting for days, and each carrying an important role in the ongoing ritual.

That’s what Silver thinks, at least. As some of the rescuers may now know, Gold has apparently gone solo.

☆EUROPA TOUR
As the Americana portion of the tour comes to a close around the 25th of May, both labels will be finishing up in Britain and heading on into the conglomerate of Europa. All of these cities are basically what they are like IRL except about 50 years more future-like, and you have full creative liberty to make up some developments to the local culture and worldbuild because this is the last time these places will ever be mentioned meaningfully!

THE OFFICIAL STOPS: Paris (May 30th - 31st), Berlin (June 1st - 2nd), Madrid (June 3rd - 6th), Istanbul (June 7th - 8th), Rome (June 9th - 10th), Vienna (June 11th - 12th)
THE HEADLINER: Moscow (June 12th - 17th)

The festival in Moscow is much like the festival in Vista City - a musical blowout to end all blow outs. The two labels festival grounds are practically blending together at this point, almost as if fighting for physical territory along with fighting for the attention of the crowds. The thick energy of magic follows the tour like a comet’s tail.

► RESCUER PROMPT: Instead of cutting through all of the earlier stops, Shep loads all the rescuers up into the now-cloaked spaceship and will bring them to Moscow, the last step in the Europa tour path and the place they’ll be stopping the longest. Silver has been saying that the lot of them should start working on freeing captives at all costs, especially now that the labels are on the road and increasingly disorganized. Shep has gotten together a bunch of new material for disguises as well as more holo projectors - a lot of them have been spotted at this point, but if they can get close to the musicians and catch the labels off guard it could be their best hope of bunging up the rituals for both of them.

Meanwhile, Gold is obviously absent from the team, and some may have seen their former leader essentially announce their intent to leave during their fight with Lapis. Silver and Shep seem to have been avoiding talking about it, but occasionally it will be referenced in public places and the conversation will turn rapidly tense.

► MUSICIAN PROMPT: Everything is more or less business as normal, except for the pressure of the tour seems to be causing all the authority figures to lose their minds, especially in Virgo. Beyond that, though, it’s all deceptively the same. Both labels stop in the various cities and put on their best show, only stopping briefly to enjoy the local culture. Everyone is under very careful watch, however, no matter where they are. No one leaves the performance areas without an escort - it’s clear that both labels are desperate to hang on to musicians at this point. The gravity of the situation is increasingly obvious.

Both labels have been booked into the same hotel this time, which is essentially a castle in Moscow. It’s every bit as lavish as you would expect, and it’s easy to get distracted from the stress with the luxuries that are offered at every turn. The consistent sense of desperation that Virgo has running through it at the moment is totally absent in Pride - Lesedi seems like she’s in an absolutely fantastic mood.

► FESTIVAL PROMPT: The festivals crowds are bigger than anything you’ve ever seen. Rescuers will easily be lost in a crowd, and musicians will be followed by a detour of body guards that honestly feel needed for reasons besides imprisonment. The stages are colourful and elaborate in set up. The musical event goes on for three full days, and most of everyone’s time will be spent backstage or in their hotels. Rescuers will have to do their best to keep up.

☆BLANCHE MAKES A MOVE
In the wake of Virgo falling behind, Edward Blanche has come up with a magical scheme of his own. Using the soul crystal of pure love from Greg Universe and pure duty from Meril, he has been devising a ritual - and with any luck, it take out two birds with one stone.

Greg and Meril, having mostly lost their real personalities after having parts of their souls torn out and crystalized, will be set up in a central location in the hotel, after the performances on the last night in Moscow. They’ll be set up to play music, and while that music is playing it will be reaching out to all of the rescuers, whether they can hear it or not. This music is going to trigger the love and duty within their own souls, and direct it to a particular cause - a sudden and desperate need to save their friends, family, or other sympathetic souls from the labels. And the need to do it tonight. This will hit them particularly hard if they are naturally of a love or duty alignment, but it will have an effect regardless. How much it gets them exactly is up to you.

Virgo’s musicians will be protected very heavily during the ritual, as Blanche is expecting the attack. His hope is to lure rescuers in and kill or capture them, having the advantage of foresight. He’s also hoping that the rescuers will go after the less protected musicians of Pride and steal them away from Lesedi, who isn’t aware that this is happening. If things go well for Blanche, both the rescuers and Pride will take a major hit, all in one go. Why not let your enemies destroy each other?

Player participation in this can go two ways: one is that your character can simply go after any of the musicians you choose, and you can work out between the players and the mod how well it goes. Alternatively, you can have your character go to the heart of the matter and try to take on Greg and Meril. The tricky part? Blanche is going to be overseeing the ritual as well. However, without the focuses of Greg and Meril’s soul crystals, the ritual will fail. Also, there will absolutely be a few opportunistic ghosts looking for the opportunity to give everyone a hand.

Communication with the mod is key for this event! Please run by plans to have any musicians successfully escape by me before going through with it, and also do let me know if you’d like the ghosts to help out! This can absolutely be combined with other player plots, such as the Pride break out initiative that’s been floating around.

The night of the ritual is June 17th, so take some time to plan things out, and then get threading. Let me know if you need help setting any scenes!

“Oh will you bring me home
When I'm barely alive?
It's the state of love and trust,
And this is for you,
And this is for us.”
exhumerus: by leeffi@tumblr (SWEATS AUDIBLY)

SANS

[personal profile] exhumerus 2016-05-31 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Sans is so there even if Blanche will make him poop his skeleton pants.
panspermia: (★ Decide what's important)

GREG

[personal profile] panspermia 2016-05-31 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
YOU'LL NEVER TAKE HIM ALIVE (please take him alive get him out of here)
fantasyseal: (Serious time)

REIMU

[personal profile] fantasyseal 2016-06-01 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
Because why not tbh?
eba02: (Who are you? I really wanna know)

[personal profile] eba02 2016-06-01 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Guess what I'm going to ask 8D
eba02: (Givin' you a number)

[personal profile] eba02 2016-06-01 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
Y E P

I'm assuming this is going to make one hell of a change in the Music - will J be able to hear it, or will the spell mask itself from him? If he can hear it, would he be able to hear its effects on/in other people? Because I'm particularly morbid, would he be able to hear Greg's tune mixed up in it, since he's familiar with Greg's tune and part of Greg's soul is part of the basis of the ritual? Will he be able to hear Blanche's influence, as Blanche is the one casting it?

And - if he can pick up on any of this - will he be able to lessen or remove the effects of the spell from other rescuers' tunes?
panspermia: (★ You're all so funny)

[personal profile] panspermia 2016-06-01 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
I AM THE SHADOW, THE TRUE SELF
fantasyseal: (I'm there for you..even when others stan)

[personal profile] fantasyseal 2016-06-01 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing to worry about...Riiiiight.
faithfulflame: <user name=cupcake-graphics> (United Front)

Rei/Minako/Usagi

[personal profile] faithfulflame 2016-06-01 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
After a little preliminary talking, Rei, Minako and Usagi would all definitely go after Meril specifically for a showdown. Ideally? A fight leading to knocking her out and getting her out of there! We have some rough ideas and we'd like to coordinate with other groups interested in getting involved.
faithfulflame: (Default)

Re: ☆QUESTIONS

[personal profile] faithfulflame 2016-06-01 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
For potential rescues, is there a place to take characters to remove the tracking chips?
inversekeyblade: (Bad idea Good idea)

[personal profile] inversekeyblade 2016-06-01 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
What's the likelihood of getting lost/left behind/SUCCESSFULLY ESCAPING in any one of these worldwide locations? In particular, from a Virgo band member? Be it that they want to, or they get so inebriated that shit just happens and they get lost by whatever means?
panspermia: (★ Final Frontier)

Greg Universe - June 1-16

[personal profile] panspermia 2016-06-01 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
A - This is my duty (Virgo)

Everything's counting on me. Only I can fix this. Without me, it's all going to fall apart. Mr. Universe's head fills with words like these, on a constant loop, filling up every dip and fold of his brain. Ego and inadequacy both gorge themselves on the thought, pulling him in both directions. I have to do this. I'm not going to be able to. No one else can.

He practices. With the band or on his own, he starts putting threads of magic into his music, getting used to the feel of the ritual to come. People listening nearby will be drawn in, getting a good look at his vacant and distracted expression. He hasn't slept in days--he just keeps practicing. He has to get this right.

B - There's still hope (Rescuers and NPCs)

There's literally no moment outside earshot of a bodyguard. There's also literally no moment where he's not tailed by fans. Even as he walks between venues Mr. Universe makes sure to stop to pose for selfies, leave words of wisdom in fans' ears and indulge in their praise and stories of how he's touched them. All is not lost for Virgo: he's still got fans. He's still got people who trust him, who believe in his success. He can still relish and appreciate these reminders, assuring him that he still has a chance to pull out of this setback.

C - My passion will scorch them (Musicians)

For all of the stress and pressure Virgo has him under, Mr. Universe makes every effort to keep as smug and confident an appearance as possible when around members of Pride. They're hurting after that last blow, but you can't show the enemy weakness.

Since moments to relax are sparse, what little time he gets to appreciate their castle hotel are enjoyed fully--really, he exaggerates how completely at ease and comfortable he is, so everyone is sure to know. Were you in line for the four-star buffet? He's going to cut you to grab the last serving. Wanted the hot tub? He's stretched out to take as much space as possible. Boy, what a GREAT place this is, huh?

D - Love (Bandmates)

The bouts of sudden overwhelming illness have decreased in frequency, if not intensity. He'll feel the shakiness come on, the overwhelming queasiness, and he'll squeeze his eyes tight and make a concerted effort to keep his breathing even. Now it only happens two or three times a week, instead of a couple times a day. That means he's getting better. That means they'll stop soon. He's going to be fine. There's nothing wrong with him.

He's stopped going outside when the episodes come, even if the open air helps. Too many people saw him like this before. He can't look weak again, not now. They'll make it worse. They'll remind him of what's missing.

Instead, Mr. Universe keeps close to his band in these times. They're a part of his team, his support, his f... w-well, he can't go solo as a musician, and that means he can't go solo on this problem. Yeah. So it's all right for him to count on them for this.
Edited 2016-06-01 17:10 (UTC)
tigermillionaire: (a lonely night with the sword)

C

[personal profile] tigermillionaire 2016-06-01 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Steven was about to go down to the pool, before suddenly realizing that, with his trunks on, his gem is in plain sight. There was a moment there where things almost seemed normal, and the reminder that it's not feels like stepping into cold water. He throws on a t-shirt. The change in setting hasn't fixed anything. Even as he heads out of his room, there are Pride guards stationed regularly, ostensibly to keep hooligans out, when in reality it's for keeping the musician in.

He's been in the pool for a while already when he notices that Greg is there too. He pauses at the side of the pool, his hand in the ridge and keeping him afloat. He's been trying to remember how to swim again. Nobody taught him how, here.

The people in this hotel are rich and famous enough that the musicians don't get as much casual gawking as other places, which is kind of nice. Which means its a little more casual when he slips out of the pool and creeps over towards where Greg is hanging out, cautious and uncertain. Steven spends a little while staring at him from a distance before he can bring himself to actually go over.
panspermia: (★ So many flavors and you chose salty)

[personal profile] panspermia 2016-06-01 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
He'd been able to sense the kid for a bit; the low thrum of magic power was fairly easy to pick out when nothing else was distracting him. Mr. Universe considers getting up to leave, before anything can... develop, or whatever, like it usually does. But, like... you know. He's not about to get chased out of his relax time by some brat. Psh. He closes his eyes and lounges, enjoying the water jets and maintaining the perfect image of disconcern.

Sure enough, the little guy comes creeping over before too long. Mr. Universe is plenty used to stares, but he still feels the eyes on him easily. One eye cracks open, giving the boy a once-over, before he sinks even deeper into the water, spreading out his legs.

"Hot tub's full."
tigermillionaire: (doki doki artichoki)

[personal profile] tigermillionaire 2016-06-01 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
It's like having a stray puppy stalking around your house, trying to decide whether you'll give it foot or not. Steven had hoped that Greg's reaction would be a little bit better after the last time they encountered, but it's not. He's still just trying to get him to go away.

Steven fidgets with the base of his t-shirt, looking a little embarrassed, even though he doesn't leave immediately. In fact, he wanders a little bit closer.

"That's okay," he says, and falls silent against for a little while longer. "Are you doing okay?"
panspermia: (★ Get my head around it)

[personal profile] panspermia 2016-06-01 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Mr. Universe closes his eyes again. "Never better," he lies. Sure, maybe he can admit the kid's genuine, but he's definitely got people watching him--watching the two of them, together. Pride doesn't need to know about his problems.

The best option would have been to leave it at that, and do his best to ignore him further. In his mind's eye, however, he sees the image of where they last parted ways, the kid getting led away by that woman. He takes in a sharp breath through his nose.

"She still giving you trouble?" He doesn't look over. "Your manager."
tigermillionaire: (welp time to die)

[personal profile] tigermillionaire 2016-06-01 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
The question catches him off guard, and Steven reflexively finds himself rubbing the skin around his wrist. It's like an itch he can feel whenever he thinks about it. Her grip was always so hard.

"Oh..." he starts, trying to shake off his alarm before he continues. "I guess so. None of them were very happy with me. I cause too much trouble."

He sounds sort of distant as he says it, something twinging within his chest. They did something to him because of that, but he still doesn't really understand what. It was like being poked in the heart, even though it hard to tell what had changed after.
mildwildchild: (dooooooooccc)

C

[personal profile] mildwildchild 2016-06-01 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
The pressure and magical energy of the tour is building in a way that makes Jamie's scalp crawl, and on top of that he's queasy with jet lag (can you get jet-lagged without actually travelling in a jet? apparently yes, you can). All he wants from the buffet is that last can of ginger ale. The one that Mr. Universe just snatched up, apparently deliberately.

He wants to just ignore it and move on, but something won't let him - he's too stressed and fed up with everything to let this pass without remark. He gives Universe a disgusted look.

"Really, dude?"
panspermia: (★ How this works)

[personal profile] panspermia 2016-06-01 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
His teeth grit. "Oh come on. You didn't do anything wrong." He scowls, then shrugs. "Well. You ran off before a concert, but. It's Pride, who cares." As far as Mr. Universe is concerned, the kid did absolutely everything right. He helped out Virgo, even after that time they...

After another couple deep breaths, he shifts his back against the pool's edge. As nice as the water is, stretching out to take up all the space isn't the most comfortable. He stops stretching out quite so much.

Mr. Universe opens his eyes again, but still doesn't look over. Does the kid blame himself? Is that what they do to him? Have they messed with his head with words, or with...? "If you hadn't come, I..." He chews his lip. "Thank you."

Page 1 of 28