TEST DRIVE MEME: SECOND STAGE

[interdimanagers]

☆WELCOME TO INTERSTELLAR

And welcome to our second TDM! We've got two types of prompts to use this time around: the first takes place while your character is in the process of being captured, and the second is during their first brainwashed rockstar networking gig. The former is designed to be considered 100% game canon if you make it in officially, while the later is more speculative and will only work if you get lucky during label and band selection.

☆THE TALENT SEARCH

These prompts are design to be kept as game canon after acceptance, and can be used as the official story of how your character was captured. Importantly, the kidnappers entering your timeline causes massive time distortions, which means that the outcome of this scenario will stagger and replay itself multiple times before settling on an outcome. This means that after the fact, you character may remember being captured multiple ways, or going in more than one direction, before the timeline settled on a final path. Or at least, they'll remember this until their memories are wiped shortly afterwards, but that's okay! That's what memory regains are for. Read this page for more specifics on this situation. Any powers the characters have will be weakened and prone to malfunction to the point of uselessness.



►A1) THE SEARCH: It always starts out this way, doesn't it? At some point in your life, you were just doing your thing, wherever you call home. Then, all at once, it's like you've been torn from your dimension by the roots. Time and space displace, and it's like you've been shifted one layer of reality to the left - like some kind of subspace where you can see your reality through it, like a rainbow surrealist image of your home. Even if you can see this ghost image of where you were, you can't interact with it meaningfully. Any friends or family are somewhere else. As you begin to wander, without any other options, you'll find that the scenery gradually shifts to ghost images of other places, other worlds. If you wander long enough, you'll even find other people, lost just like you are. But you probably won't have much time - you've been brought here for a reason, after all.

►A2) THE HUNT: It could happen almost immediately, or it could happen hours later - but, at some point, your dimensional kidnappers start to do their sweep. Space Men in black body suits and gas masks pursue you on foot and in small spaceships, trying to sweep you and the other displaced up like fish in a net. Their guns contain a weird pink gas that will knock out most with only a single breath - and for those more enduring, they have the heavy artillery, like electrical nets and guns. The fallen will be sealed up into stasis pods for transport and loaded onto the ships, which seem like the only way to get out of this place by choice. This is where it ends, but are you going to put up a fight?

NOTE: Characters already in game can't really tag into these sections, so try to tag around to other first time character tests if you can!

☆WELCOME HOME

By default, these prompts aren't considered canon, but if after you are accepted and sorted they can be tweaked into working for you, it'll be totally okay to keep them as a part of your rockstar's personal history. This occurrence is something that will be happening around November 15th game time, but of course, what remains canon and what doesn't will be subject to who is accepted and where they are placed. This takes place after being kidnapped and brainwashed, as your character is first joining their new label. As usual, this is celebrated with a party.



►B1) PLAY IT STRAIGHT: It just another large scale soiree, something typical to the high music society of Vista City - but maybe it's not yet typical to you. For a number of the freshly signed on newbies, this is their first real taste of what their new label has to offer - either Virgo or Pride - and the sheer glamour of it may be intoxicating. Industry big wigs scatter the floor, as do performers of all the tops labels and bands. Maybe you feel intimidated. Maybe you want to make your mark. Or maybe you're not quite as new as some, and are just trying to get through the evening. Either way, they is plenty of booze available if you need some liquid courage. And is that a hookah pipe corner over there? Probably.

►B2) TOTALLY NORMAL: The signs of it are small, at first. Glasses you set down seeming out of place, stuff that almost looks like words written in the condensation on your glass. These little hauntings only get more and more persistent as the night continues, almost like some otherworldly presence is following you. You can feel them lurking nearby at times, like an unusual spot of cold or warmth in the air. None of the higher ups seem to notice but...to some of your new peers, this feels like old news. Eventually the signs become bolder, and at some point in the evening you'll hear it whispered in your ear or written on the bathroom mirror: "Remember."

►B3) REMEMBER: And you do. It strikes you suddenly, a feeling like a foreign presence straying through your mind. You remember something of your past, pertaining to the emotional affinity Love, Duty, Passion, or Hope - whichever feeling describes the person you used to be best. Except you know nothing of that life now, nothing except this single, strange thought in a room full strangers.

NOTE: Current characters definitely go to this party on November 15th, but it isn't required play. Besides the haunting and meeting new characters, it is considered business as usual.

☆HELPFUL INFO

► Follow the mod plurk for updates: interstellar5555
► Check out the game NAVIGATION
► Reserves open on November 6th at 12:01AM EDT
► Applications open on November 11th at 12:01AM EDT

Comments

[erranthero]

[She was, and Kerra took the hose back and went for a second, studying Maki out of the corner of her eye. How was that going over? Because she certainly didn't seem stupid, not at all. A little prideful, perhaps, but definitely not stupid.

Letting out her own breath, Kerra finally spoke up, the vapors billowing free of her lips like clouds.]

Better that time? [It was a sweet, cherry-tasting solution, she guessed. Possibly strawberries, and definitely alright with her. Heh...this whole thing was pretty alright.]

[nandemonai]

[Maki's still not so sure she approves of the taste, but she really likes when the smoke comes out. now she is the dragon. they both are!

Maki still believes in things like dragons. and Santa Claus]

Yes. [she tries to sound confident, bringing forward a lock to twist around her finger again. is she relaxed yet? not really, but she doesn't want to show her naivety again] How is it for you?

[erranthero]

[Kerra nods back. She too believes in dragons and Santa Claus, but likely for entirely different reasons. She's not naive, she's not innocent, she just wants to. So, she does. What's the world without a little fantasy?

The nervous tic returning though, is a clue that Maki's definitely not relaxed.]

It's fine for me. [She offers the hose over to the other girl, her free hand reaching for her champagne glass.] Not as relaxing as this, but it's nice.

[nandemonai]

[by the third inhale, Maki starts feeling sleepy. not exhausted, but just a soft haze, and she closes her eyes as she expels the smoke. she feels it now, the calming wave, lightheaded.

it's kind of nice, actually.

she leans back into the couch, forgetting that she wanted to stay alert]

Hmmmm... [she was going to say something, but then forgot what it was. good job, Maki]

[erranthero]

[Ah, good, that was more or less the way Kerra'd hoped that Maki would end up. She leans back as well, looking up at the ceiling.]

Feels nice, huh.

[Tipping back her glass, she finishes the cup and not a moment later a server just seems to appear out of nowhere. This time Kerra takes two cups, and sets them down before turning on her side to study the hazy girl.]

Pretty mellow, kinda like being a little tipsy but not quite. It'll pass in a moment, though maybe you should take it easy with this for now.

[nandemonai]

[Maki nods in agreement and opens her eyes lazily. yes, that was enough for now. it really worked, took the edge off. now she is not quite as wound up, studying Kerra through the haze.

she is an attractive woman, Maki thinks. not delicate, but kind of cool]

I wasn't expecting it to do anything, honestly. [her voice is a bit softer, deeper now] You said it was just water vapor, so I was thinking I wouldn't taste anything.

[erranthero]

Yeah. It's got some flavor stuff in it I think. I dunno how it works.

[Leaning back in her seat, Kerra chuckles to herself and just kind of lounges for a minute, enjoying the sensation and letting the heady feeling pass a bit more.]

Kinda makes me thirsty though.

[Breaking that silence, she lifts her glass up and takes another sip of the bubbly stuff.]

Wanna try some of this too? It's pretty weak, as far as wine goes, but it's got a good flavor to it.

[nandemonai]

[wine? at first, Maki shakes her head, refusing the offer. she wasn't scared of it. really! she just didn't want any...]

No, thank you. I'm good for now.

[erranthero]

[Look at that blush. Look at that cute little blush. Kerra has to hold in a laugh as she brings the wine glass back to her lips, shooting a casual lift of the eyebrow at Maki as she does.]

No? A shame to let it go to waste since it's so good.

[Her glance flicks down to the other cup of it resting on the table.]

Is it your first time being offered something like that?

[nandemonai]

[if it was a shame to waste it, maybe Kerra should drink all of it. that would suit Maki just fine]

Yes. [that was a weird question. for some reason, it makes her uncomfortable, but she doesn't know why] I mean, I guess it's all right for me to have, but I just don't feel like it.

[erranthero]

[Kerra shrugs and keeps sipping her drink, leaning back further. No point in poking the kitten, really.

Reaching down, she took another puff on the hookah and left it where Maki could get at it, and went on.]

Anyway. I actually wanted to ask you a couple of things about your new album. How long did it take you guys to write all that?

[nandemonai]

[ah, Maki liked that question much better. she relaxes again, letting out a soft sigh]

About ten months. We didn't want to rush it, so we went over the lyrics over and over. I didn't start composing anything until we had most of the lyrics finished.

[erranthero]

You write the music then? Or is that a group effort?

[She'd guessed about the lyrics, since that was always something a group did together.]

[nandemonai]

I wrote all the music for this album. [Maki is quite proud of that, and it shows when a small smile graces her lips] I don't know if it'll be different for future albums.

[erranthero]

Well, I hope not. The piano in there was brilliant.

[Another sip and Kerra laughs quietly to herself.]

Kind of a shame we don't write much of our own music, or I'd ask for some pointers.

[nandemonai]

[the piano was all her! Maki preens, flipping back her red hair]

Maybe you can try writing some of your own lyrics for the next album. If you're interested.

[erranthero]

For yours? Or ours?

[Kerra shakes her head.]

I sure hope you mean yours, or nobody'll ever hear it. We're a swing band, all our music is pretty much done for us, and was in the 1950s. We do the arrangements, and make twists, but innovation isn't what people listen to us for.

[Still, that pleased her too.]

[nandemonai]

[Maki shrugs now, taking up the hookah again. she is still very relaxed] I meant for your next album. I would have been happy to read over them.

[erranthero]

[Kerra slouches a bit in her seat, still nursing that wine glass, watching Maki.]

Hah...well I am going to try and sneak in a rewrite of Minnie the Moocher, update it a bit for modern times. If that takes off...then yeah, definitely.

D'you know the song?

[nandemonai]

[Maki shakes her head at that, feeling a bit sheepish] Can't say that I've heard that one...

[erranthero]

You wanna hear it then, sweetie? It's one of my favorite songs.

[She leans in a little close, setting down her half empty cup. She's completely serious, if Maki actually wants to hear it.]

[nandemonai]

[why was Kerra leaning in so close? Maki finds her face getting warmer] Sure...

[erranthero]

[Well a free concert to the whole party? No thanks.

Kerra's smile remains firm, unabashed by proximity, and she begins to sing in a low alto and snapping her fingers in time to an unknown rhythm.]

Hey folks here's the story 'bout Minnie the Moocher
She was a lowdown hoocie coocher
She was the roughest toughest frail
But Minnie had a heart as big as a whale

[With the first verse done, she keeps going, smile widening as she gets more into it.]

Hidehidehidehi
Hodehodehodeho
Hedehedehedehe
Hidehidehideho

[Now offering a hand to Maki, palm up, she moves to the next verse...]

She messed around with a bloke named Smokie
She loved him though he was cokey
He took her down to Chinatown
and showed her how to kick the gong around

[And with that verse out, she slows, still snapping her finger but has to interject...]

Think you can join me for the next chorus if I lead? It has a bit of a callback...

[nandemonai]

[Maki nods and, after thinking about it for a moment, brings her hand up to rest against Kerra's palm. she doesn't know why Kerra offered it to her, or why she decided to take it. but she at least knows she can follow the song. and when Kerra gets to the part she knows, Maki joins in with an accompanying alto voice, even adding a little harmonization]

[erranthero]

[Kerra's hand closes around Maki's, gently and she starts swinging her hand back and forth. It's a part of how the song was meant to be performed, two people in accompaniment.]

Hidehidehidehi (Hidehidehidehi)
Whoah (Whoah)
Hedehedehedehe (Hedehedehedehe)
A hidehidehideho (Hidehidehideho)

[And then she speeds up, adding little flourishes and extra inflection on certain words, definitely keeping in time with Cab Calloway's original tune.]

She had a dream about the king of Sweden
He gave her things that she was needin'
He gave her a home built of gold and steel
A diamond car with platinum wheels

A hidehidehidehidehidehidehi (Hidehidehidehidehidehidehi)
Hodehodehodehodehodehodeho (Hodehodehodehodehodehodeho)
Scoodiliboo-scoodiliboo-scoodili-bidili-bidiliboo
(Scoodiliboo-scoodiliboo-scoodli-bidili-bidiliboo)
A zootibitididdly bitididdly bitididdly bitidooey
(Bitididdly bitididdly bitididdly dooey)

He gave her his townhouse and his racing horses
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses
Had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes
She sat around and counted them all a million times

Hidehidehidehi (Hidehidehidehi)
Hodehodehodeho (Hodehodehodeho)
Hedehedehedehe (Hedehedehedehe)
Hidehidehideho (Hidehidehideho)

[And finally comes the last line, presuming Maki's kept up with the energetic rendition. It's a start tone, Kerra's voice going as low as it can go.]

Poor Min, poor Min, poor Minnie

[...and then she exhales, inhales, and flashes a grin.]

And that...is Minnie the Moocher. Better with accompaniment, and even better with brass, but I don't think we did too bad for acapella.