interstellar5555 | 002 ┼ THEY LEFT US ALONE / KIDS IN THE DARK / TO BURN OUT FOREVER / OR LIGHT UP A SPARK

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002 ┼ THEY LEFT US ALONE / KIDS IN THE DARK / TO BURN OUT FOREVER / OR LIGHT UP A SPARK

Who: Cosmic Indulgence, Flashstep, Junkyard Carnival, & System Shock + Any Virgo Onlookers
What: The Revenge EP is debuting in a flashmob-style performance. Four bands, four never before heard songs, one massive social media frenzy.
When: November 7th
Where: Sinammon
Warnings: ......sigh. Carnies.

The second the lockdown is lifted, Luci springs into action. She's mass texting everyone involved:

It's time. Tomorrow night, we ride at 7PM for an 8PM start. Get your best shit dry cleaned.

There's already an exodus happening out of Pride HQ given they weren't the only ones on lockdown either, so slipping out is easy enough. They converge on the location, Luci makes good on her suggestion and hands the techbooth a wad of money to stop playing recorded dance mixes and let them take over the stage. She can already see one guy frantically texting into his lap as she explains what's about to happen. Perfect.

"You should tell your manager to call in more bouncers and remove some of the tables, this place is about to be packed."

((OOC: Welcome to the culmination of the EP plot! Not much else to say but here's a description of the stage setup courtesy of Garnet for anyone curious, and LET'S ROCK!))

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[Jamie's just sort of basking in the afterglow of their performance, watching the crowds slowly thin out as he sips from a bottle of water. The energy high from the show itself is slowly simmering down into a satisfied sort of exhaustion, and it takes him a moment or two to notice the girl coming his way.

[He glances up when she speaks, and his face registers recognition at Yosuke's name, but he doesn't quite put two and two together. Maybe she's a fan trying out some new ploy to get close, or something. Whoever she is, there's no reason he shouldn't be polite especially since despite the get-up she is smokin' hot. He whips out one of his practiced charming smiles and turns his full attention on her.]

You know my name, but I'm drawing a blank on yours. How do you know Yosuke?

[That smile is...not exactly working, but Rei isn't running away at least. Her lips stay fixed in that oddly amused if...somewhat uncomfortable with socializing...smile. The question's easy enough, though she keeps her eyes low, furtively looking around for people who might be listening. Satisfied with a lack of observers, she takes another hesitant step and answers.]

I'm Rei. From Flowers over Bones. We...he and I...[uh...saying this out loud.] We've been talking a bit. And going out.

[Realization sweeps across his features like a tidal wave, and he makes one of those exaggerated "a-ha" nods. He drops the "pop star talking to fan" pretense, and there's maybe a hint of disappointment that this obviously attractive girl who's approaching him at a venue isn't interested in hooking up; but he's also clearly curious about the young woman with whom his bandmate is engaged in a forbidden inter-label romance, and his demeanor remains open and amiable.]

Riiiight, Rei Hino. I've heard a lot about you. Didn't recognize you with the hat and all. [He gestures to indicate her disguise.]

[Rei smiles somewhat pleasantly and gestures towards a side room. One of the ones labeled VIP before shooting a glance behind her. She's nervous, of course, not because of him but just...because of the crowd and being a little exposed.]

I've heard some about you too. Can we talk privately? I...um...[Grimace...] I don't like crowds much.

[And now the girl wants to go into a private room with him. This would be shaping up to be an amazing night if not for the fact that she's already dating one of his bandmates.] Sure, no problem. As long as Yosk is okay with you sneaking off with other guys. [He means it jokingly, to lighten the mood, but Jamie's sense of humor - and, for that matter, his sense of tact - fail him more often than he'd like to admit, so Rei could be forgiven for taking offense to it.

[Regardless, once they're safely ensconced in the VIP room Jamie leans back casually against the wall and gives a little, expectant shrug.] So what's on your mind?

[And the fact that she'd probably put him through a wall if he touched her in a fit of anxiety. This was just not easy for her...and she hesitates for half a second, looking over to Yosuke...and nods.]

It's fine. He told me to talk to you, and I want to. I just can't in a crowd of strangers.

[Once inside, she shuts the door, and it's like a lightswitch gets flipped in her. She visibly relaxes, stands up straighter, and takes a breath. Her voice brightens, and she seems much more alive, confident, and comfortable. Turning to Jamie, she dips her head in a proper Japanese fashion.]

Mostly, I thought that I should introduce myself to you, since Yosuke and I are...seeing one another. It only seems polite, and you looked by far the most approachable.

[Jamie raises an eyebrow at the noticeable difference in Rei once they're away from the crowd, and he smiles a little at seeing her more relaxed.] Well, it's nice to finally meet you in person. Like I said, I've heard a lot about you.

[Her last comment surprises him a little, and he chuckles sort of awkwardly.] Well, I'm probably more approachable than B. He gets kinda aggro around Virgos. I think he's taking the whole label rivalry thing a little too seriously.

I understand that. [Rei smiles, and it's warm and bright now.] I've certainly heard a bit about you too. All good things.

[Really. Truly.] And thankfully I didn't run into him first then, goodness. My own band is a bit more relaxed, thankfully. Though Doctor did seem surprised I was dating at all.

[Jamie offers a lopsided half-grin.] Well, yeah, Yosk kind of idolizes me. What can I say. [...is he joking or does he expect her to believe that. It's hard to tell.]

I mean, don't get me wrong about B, he's not a bad guy or anything, just... [Jamie considers.] Devoted to the label. [He guesses. And then shoots Rei an incredulous look.] And what do you mean, your band's surprised you're dating? You're -

[He was going to comment on her looks, but at the last moment realizes that might not be entirely appropriate for this particular situation. Instead he finishes kind of lamely:] - a healthy, robust young woman in the prime of her life. It'd be weird if you weren't dating.

[Rei frowns through most of that. She doesn't believe it, naturally, because it's Yosuke and Jamie. Jamie she doesn't know, but this sounds like something friends would try and pull on one another. So she declines to comment on that and B.

The last of that, however...]

You can say what you really mean, Jamie. [She laughs, smile turning wry.] I won't be offended if you say I'm attractive.

[Jamie has the decency to look somewhat apologetic.] Ah-heh. Well, I guess you do probably get that a lot.

[Whether because he realizes there's no gracefully salvaging this line of discussion or because he's genuinely curious, he changes topics.] So your band's really okay with you dating outside your label, huh? I've met Luce, she seems pretty cool, but I don't know how seriously they take the whole us-versus-them thing over there. And you probably already know that the tabloids would make a big deal about it if they found out. [Hence the disguise, he supposes.]

I do, it happens. I know I am appealing to both genders, and I'm not ashamed of it or bothered. It's a compliment, even. [If anything, she enjoyed making people blush with her looks when she was feeling herself.]

And yes, they are. Luce encouraged it, even. Doctor is a little hung-up on the idea of me dating at all...but he's become very much a father figure, so I'm not surprised. You know how they can be about teenage daughters.

[She...assumes?]

We don't care about the rivalry at all. Do you?

Me, personally? No. [Which is completely true; he likes some Virgos better than certain individuals on his own label.] I'm pretty sure Maxxie and Sora don't, either. Well, I know Sora doesn't, I don't think he knows how to hate anybody. You'd like him. Maxxie too, probably, he's pretty nice most of the time. [He's rambling a little. Much as he gives them shit, his bandmates are one of his favorite topics of discussion.]

So your band is kinda like your family, huh. [He feels a little twinge of...something at that. Envy, maybe?] What's that like? I mean, how's it affect the way you all perform together and stuff?

[Coincidentally, Rei loves talking about her band too...] Well, it helps us perform better, I think. We' don't bicker as much as some bands do, and we look out for each other in ways most people wouldn't. None of us have much of a real family, so we just kinda cling together. It's actually really nice.

[This is all very interesting to Jamie. Also a little strange-sounding, compared to his own experience.]

Virgo bands sound a lot more... [sane? mature? normal?] ...tame than we are. I mean, I think everybody gets pretty close to everyone else in their band, but I'm having a hard time imagining any of them being all...domestic like that, y'know?

It does sound nice, though, I guess.

[Classy?]

Well it's sorta like that with some bands? Personalities do conflict, but we don't really have that issue. [A shrug.] The age differences probably help a little bit.

But from what I've seen, yeah, the dynamic is different. Maybe that's why these labels don't get on so well.

[Yeah, that too.]

Well, obviously that's not totally true. You and Yosk are getting along pretty well. [There's a little bit of a smirk there.]

Has the rest of your band met him yet? [Rei have you introduced your boyfriend to your parents.]

Labels meaning...the CEOs. [She counters the smirk with one of her own.]

And no. He knows Pao-Lin already, but there hasn't been a chance. I'd rather live a little on the wild side anyway.

[She is such a bad, baaaad girl...]

[That earns a somewhat wider grin.] Guess you Virgos aren't all as tame as your boss likes to pretend.

[He goes silent for a moment or two, looking thoughtful.] How do you think the CEOs will react to people dating between labels? They've got their image to maintain, after all.

And I suppose all Pride members aren't as uncouth and rude as your boss pretends either.

[Since he's been polite.]

And you know, I really don't think I want to find out. I mean...I feel like I'd rather keep it secret. [A pause.] Which is why I'm honestly hoping you approve of me, and aren't going to go running to your boss about Yosuke and I.

[She's really going out on a limb here, and hopes you aren't going to be gross about this.]

[Jamie's grin becomes a little strained at that.] Even assuming Ms. Santiago would care about anything I had to say, I'm not sure I'd want to go to her about something like this. Not when one of the guys is involved.

[Because she did something fucked-up to Sora for reasons he can't figure out, and he doesn't want to see the same thing happen to any of his other bandmates.]

So you don't need to worry about me ratting you out. It's the public you're probably gonna have to worry about. Everyone loves gossiping about this kinda stuff, y'know.

[Rei's eyes brighten, all but sparkling.]

Thank you, Jamie. Obviously we'll be careful. I've...been keeping a disguise on for a reason and I'll make him do the same when we go out again. It'll be helpful to have someone to perhaps cover for us. We don't want to leave a paper trail, after all. Because there are weirdos on the internet who will find it.

[That look of gratitude seems to make him uncomfortable, and he looks away, one side of his mouth quirking up uncertainly. He quietly contemplates what she's suggesting, then shrugs.]

Yeah, well, if you need someone to help you out with that, I guess I could do it. When's the next time you guys are going out?

[A quick nod.]

A weekend sometime soon, I'm not entirely sure. We were going to a drive in theater or something. He had it in mind. [She was along for that ride.]

And thank you. I very much appreciate your willingness to help. Is there something I can do for you in kind?

I can ask Yosk when it's gonna happen. Or, well, knowing him he won't shut up about it. [There's a mostly good-natured roll of the eyes.]

[He shrugs aimlessly and looks away again, tucking his hands into his pockets.] Uh...not really. I mean, it's no big deal.

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faithfulflame - 2015-11-21 06:53 (UTC) - Expand

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