☆TRACK V: I WILL TWIST THE KNIFE

[interdimanagers]

☆I WILL TWIST THE KNIFE

Party planning will start out innocuously enough. Naomi Rivers is cheerful and dedicated to the task, though as the days go on it will seem as if the stress of organization is wearing on her more and more. She pays attention to everyone’s recommendations (even if they are stupid) and seems capable of distilling even relative chaos into coherent plan of action. Generous refreshments are offered at all the planning meetings, especially ones that involve actual decorating. She does a lot of this work herself, expressing that the holidays wouldn’t be quite the same if you had someone else do the legwork for you.

If you try to investigate the reasons that this unusual cross-label party is happening in the first place, Naomi will reply with competently masked discomfort, and say that the execs are currently negotiating something of considerable importance, and that she’d offered her home as something resembling neutral territory to help facilitate that. When it comes to the point of physical decorating and you’re all taken over to her place, you’ll find that the home in question is a luxurious beach-front mansion.

Two nights before the party, those that are vigilant will have the opportunity to come upon Naomi mid-argument with another Virgo musician, who some may recognize as the solo R&B artist Anansi. Though the exact nature of the argument is unclear, it looks like Anansi is arguing against some part of Naomi’s plans. Clearly noticing people nearby, it will end with Naomi loudly declaring that if Anansi doesn’t like it, she is no longer invited.

Anansi will leave shortly after, giving any other Virgo members she passes critical looks. This outburst seems out of character for Naomi in general, and soon after she will return to her usual flurry of activity.

☆THE NIGHT BEFORE

The end plans for the party are a lot less formal than other ones have been. While the evening is centered around the performance stage of the in-house ballroom, guests will be given nearly free range of Naomi’s mansion during the event. All manners of chemical vices will be offered, even if a lot of them aren’t mentioned explicitly. Alcohol from beer to fine wine will be available for some, while under the table pills and power will be available for others. It’s the luxury evolution of a house party.

Unsurprisingly, there are going to be musical performances. Pretty much all Virgo parties include them. Any of the Virgo bands will be allowed to perform if they want to, and people will also be allowed to do solo performances, sort of like upscale karaoke. The night before the party, Naomi will give everyone a preview of a single from her upcoming album.

"Garbage - #1 Crush" (Watch on YouTube)

For those familiar with magical music influence, that’s what is happening here. Except, instead of merely the empathic control some might be learning, this is the straight up mind control version. As Naomi performs, everyone present will find themselves enraptured, and will be compelled to obey the unspoken demands of her spell. What are those orders?

At the holiday party, they will follow her lead and attempt the assassination of as many members of Pride Records as possible.

☆OFFICE PARTIES, AMIRITE

Of course, the hold this spell will have will be highly variable, but even if your character doesn’t end up making a real attempt, they’re not going to be able to interfere. That much is guaranteed.

If you would like an excuse to get mind controlled but didn’t sign up as a volunteer, you can assume your character got dragged along for last minute preparations when they wouldn’t have been coming for the rest of it. The spell will cause a feeling of hatred or contempt for Pride and a sense of particular duty to Virgo. Following Naomi’s plans will feel natural – entirely sensible.

Whether this lasts through execution is another thing, but there is a pretty good chance of it working. Of course, this is entirely up to player discretion. I’m not assuming that any Pride people are going to want to get straight up murdered (though you certainly can if you want to and thirst for Drama) because death is permanent and all, but there will be the opportunity to be brought back from near death fatal wounds so long as your exec doesn’t hate you.

Beyond that, any level of non-fatal damage can be done, according to player choice. The spell command is going to emphasize a desire for subtlety and subterfuge – there will be a poison provided by Naomi that will simulate an overdose/contaminated drug effect that will be the ideal, though it can resort to more overt physical violence like pushing people off a balconies or old fashioned stabbing if necessary. They key is not letting people catch on before they’ve had enough time to take some Prides out.

Below are sign up forms for people who want to do murders and people who would like to have an attempt on their lives. MP rewards will be given out for completed murder attempt threads as follows:

► Completed thread as a Virgo assassin making a serious attempt: 4 MP
► Completed thread as a Pride victim resulting in serious damage: 3 MP
► Completed thread as a Virgo assassin making a half assed/failed attempt: 3 MP
► Completed thread as a Pride victim resulting in no major effects: 2 MP
► Completed thread as a Virgo or Pride witness stopping an attempt: 2 MP
► Completed thread where you die forever: 0 MP because you're dead, silly.

As previously mentioned, the event is ICly on December 7th but OOC it will probably start a couple days in advance to help with threading time. It will be a 2 part event with the first log containing general mingling + murder and the second containing a major NPC reaction.

You can use this post to find matches between assassins and victims or whatever else you feel like.