ONE NIGHT ONLY

[construing]

CHARACTERS: everyone (including new characters!)
LOCATION: ximusic + common room
DATE: night, october 1st
CONTENT: come by for a night of good music, good food, and better drinks
WARNINGS: none for now, will warn as needed

I love rock 'n' roll

An announcement goes up the day before: Murderface: The Band: The Show. Location and time are printed beneath along with a promise of a "special surprise." Arrive early and you can catch the current members of the band warming up or happy to talk someone's ear off. At the promised time, the lights dim but for those on the stage. Gwen's drumming gets inside one's bones; Wei Wuxian's dizi belongs on a stage with Lizzo; Lan Xichen alternately opens with the deep, tranquility of a guqin or arms himself with a xiao; and Newt…Newt is Newt, tearing the stage on his electric guitar. As a treat, he also provides the vocals to a few songs. There is even space left for the band's honorary member should he choose to join in.

The band plays a mix of covers and original music. Even after their show ends, the music doesn't. Gwen and Newt rigged a music player and the playlist—curated to include something for every taste—plays into the early morning. The music room's instruments are available for anyone who fancies a turn. And for those who do not have or should not be trusted with instruments, clap, stomp, dance, sing along—and enjoy the night.

Pour some sugar on me

In the common room, just outside the Ximusic room, courtesy of their ever enterprising (and not-so-artificial) AI comes the promised "surprise": food and drinks, each hailing from an Orber's home world. Even the new Orbers are represented! This might be their favorite treat, a famous dish, a representative drink… What they have in common: each one says "home" to someone.

There is enough to share with friends (or hoard for yourself if this is you.) So eat, drink, and be merry (though maybe not too merry; the alcohol proof of a few bottles can double as fuel.)

Comments

[construing]

I. STAGE PREP "BALLROOM BLITZ", SWEET (limited to two tag-ins.) 〈 long before the doors officially open, gwen is in the music room, running sound tests, checking on the lights, and making sure certain bandmates do not decide to stick something they should not in their mouths. (they know who they are.) busy as she is, she may take notice of comings-and-goings. if so, someone might find themselves being volunteered and pushed on stage. there, the instruction is one of two: 1) stand on a marked spot in order for gwen (crouching comfortably on the ceiling) to position the lights; or 2) speak into the microphone(s) while gwen moves from floor to walls to ceiling to make sure the sound is perfect. a spotlight, a stage, and an (harried) audience of one. nothing too frightening. 〉

II. CROWD WORK "LOLA MONTEZ", VOLBEAT 〈 behind the drums, gwen cuts a different figure. intense, focused. she plays with power and a solid groove, and then segues seamlessly into a more subtle handling to suit the ballad covers. on the floor, she seems smaller. she checks the playlist (and is happy to take requests depending on availability of songs); she is easily stopped for questions about the band; and she hovers near the food (packing away a considerable amount for a girl who clocks in at 125lbs when wet). but she is on the quieter side, considerably more quiet than has been her wont, preferring to hang back against the wall than mingle with the crowd. the exception is when she gets her hands on a box of hot, sweet, and flaky direct-from-new-york-city cronuts, which gwen snags. other people can have cronuts—everyone deserves a cronut in their life—but it is her friends who get the privilege of direct delivery. 〉

III. WILDCARD "THIS IS ME TRYING", TAYLOR SWIFT 〈 feel free to wildcard with discussion or pm for a personalized starter. 〉

crowd work;

[blackfire]

（ itachi drifts in close to her like a pale ghost, exuding the energy of one significantly out of their comfort zone. this is not his sort of scene and he isn't exactly trying to hide it — at least not any more than he conceals all his emotions — but gwen knows him considerably better than most. it does not change the fact that he is present (and didn't even send a clone in his stead!)

mildly, with a gesture to the playlist set-up she has going — ）

Do you have anything with a koto?

（ aka... quieter. ）

[construing]

Koto… 〈 recollection comes quickly. gwen snaps her fingers. 〉 Zither class, right? Should have something, yeah.

〈 “should” here meaning “do.” when gwen and newt were plotting out the playlist for after their set, she specifically scoured the pile of supplies every drop for recordings, cds, usbs, anything that might have a scrap of music. luckily, she scored a couple with performances by traditional japanese instruments.

bringing up the playlist, she scours through it until she finds what she is looking for. she brings it to the top of the “play next.” 〉

It’s up next! 〈 she raises her voice to be heard more comfortably over the noise. 〉 Gotta wait for this one to finish.

stage prep;

[preseance]

（ he ain't one to whom gettin' one's hands dirty is a mystery. gene is a helper — just about everywhere he goes, he's keen an' eager besides to dive right in an' he don't need much preamble about it. this place is fantastic as his brother's penny novels an' twice over as strange, but he ain't gonna mope about it. best way forward, after all, is through.

so, gwen gets a polite nod, an' gene leans in to examine what she's doin' with a light she looks to be about to haul up onto the ceiling in some manner he ain't yet divined. ）

Ma'am. I was told you're runnin' this shindig? （ boy howdy does that alabama twang kick like a goddamn mule, paintin' him as both antiquated an' deep southern in the tick of one heartbeat. ） Any chance you need another pair'a hands?

crowd work

[spree]

Not bad. I liked your performance.

[ It was a little too *punk* for her taste, but she can never say no to a teenage rebel's melody. She makes the comment by the food table, nursing a can of beer in hand. ]

crowd work

[shishkabob]

[Dante has never, in his life, eaten a cronut. Donuts, yeah, he's had those—they're cheap and easy to find and easy to eat on the go, and he's always loved the strawberry-flavored kinds. But cronuts? He can't say he sees what all the hype's about, but he never could resist the siren call of strawberry icing, so he snags one from the box and takes a bite.

And just stands there looking like he's having a goddamn epiphany.]

These are maybe the best donuts I've ever had in my entire life, and I've had plenty. [He bites off another huge chunk, makes a delighted noise before he swallows.] Where'd you get this?

Crowd work

[singlelogbridge]

[He eyes the pastry pushed into his hands with a curious gaze, the smile that hasn't left his face all night darting from the cronut and back to Gwen. He's never played like this before with a group and certainly never for a crowd, and there's an exhilaration to it that's still pumping adrenaline through his veins.

His appetite worked up, he raises an eyebrow at the cronut. Wei Wuxian trusts her tastes for the most part—she's shared a number of delicious foods from her world by now—but he still has to ask her questions about every single one.]

What's it called?

stage prep

[callada]

[Time to let up on the moping and see what others are up to. The promise of live music draws him out to see what's going on in the new room, and he's pretty quickly directed to stand still while she adjusts lighting. He blinks, then squints and shields his eyes as a beam swings across his face.]

Gwen, right? I didn't really get a chance to introduce myself the last time we crossed paths.

[He'd offer his height as a tool to adjust things up high if she needs, but then, maybe she doesn't need, right? Since apparently she can walk on ceilings.]

crowd work

[legalcy]

[The idea of a ship band calls Minimus from his room. There's no guarantee that Murderface (what a name) will suit his tastes in music, but what harm is there in attending a social function with his crew mates?

Two songs later, he realizes that this band's sound is very, very unique in a way that fascinates him. Is it one of his new favorites? Is it only a passing interest? Who knows, he has to ask questions.]

Gwen. [He stands behind her while she's working on the playlist.]</small. You are the founder of Murderface, are you not?

crowd work

[spikedbats]

[ If he were back in Hawkins, Steve wouldn't be caught dead in the audience of any kind of show. Then again, back in Hawkins, it's not like any halfway decent musical acts come through. It's mostly local bands, playing shitty country music or Christian rock, and the occasional metal act, none of which is Steve's kind of vibe.

But this? Steve thinks he could get into this.

And okay, the food's kind of the biggest selling point here, Steve's not going to lie. Because, holy shit, he never thought he'd have another milkshake and fries again, but they're there and Steve can't resist them. Maybe even dips a fry into the milkshake and ignores any weird looks he might get. ]

Okay, I have to ask, what are those? [ he asks, pointing to the cronuts. The shape resembles a donut, but he tried one earlier (how could he not?) and it didn't taste like any type of donut he's ever had before. ]

prep 😌

[groupiedrifter]

[Newton, despite complete confidence and ease later on in the night, will look rather anxious the duration of practice and stage prep and all of that. Not that he isn't playing his guitar just fine or anything — which is an authentic AC/DC guitar, if anyone even cares! — but there's a worried little tug at the corners of his mouth and in the middle of his brow when nobody's looking. Or he thinks nobody's looking, anyways.

Point is, maybe he's kind of anxious. But he's not gonna let that stop him from coming through for his fellow musician! C'mon!]

... You sure you don't have anyone else for the vocals?

I mean, I can totally do it, just — it's been a while!

crowd work;

[bijective]

[ Out of everyone in this room, Hermann felt as though he stuck out the most. He tries to counter that by making his back cling to the wall next to the food table. He doesn't partake in any of the food offered.

The show itself was well-organized. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. But it was reaching an hour where he had no business being awake. He knew he should pack it in and rest.

He makes one glance at Gwen before shifting his eyes elsewhere. ]

Thank you for putting all this together. That was splendid.

itachi uchiha | ota

[blackfire]

... AND LET THE DRUMMER TELL YOUR HEART WHAT TO DO

（ he shows up late, just before the show begins, and lingers near the back in the lee of long shadows, his eyes the faint, luminescent red of the sharingan in the dark.

he does not appear to be enjoying himself (though admittedly, with itachi, it's difficult to tell one way or another). everything is too much, too loud, and there are too many people crammed into a small space for him to truly be at ease, but he is here to support gwen in her endeavours. should anyone approach him during a lull between sets? they will get a nod, but as to conversation — that's on them. ）

I'VE LEARNED THAT DOVES AND RAVENS FLY THE SAME

（ he can be found after the show, occupying one of the plush chairs of the common room. there is a plate of assorted treats beside him that he seems to be absentmindedly working his way through, but his attention is on a chess board before him. the last person he played this form of chess with is gone, and while he was not near enough with the man to miss him, it has made him pensive.

if an orber approaches, he will glance up at them in assessment, red eyes inscrutable. after a moment, however — ）

Would you like a game?

chess

[hikae]

Can't say it's my game of choice—

[ Majima takes a look at the board, then at Itachi, calculating his chances. If the homeless man handed him his ass back on a plate in a game of shogi, going against Itachi in a game he got little experience in is a ride to defeat. In short, it's a challenge.

Oh, that makes it fun. ]

I'm in. [ He declares ] Just don't ya even try goin' easy on me.

wildcard

[singlelogbridge]

[After the show, Wei Wuxian makes the rounds catching up with people and talking about the performance, but eventually he excuses himself to go and investigate all of the treats from home. His eyes widen in surprise and joy when he sees what Viveca has dug up from his own world, and he lets out a loud laugh when he spies a very particular snack that he immediately has to grab.

It doesn't take him too long to spot his friend—he'd noted him in the crowd during the performance and felt touched that he'd come out to see them. Itachi is standing on his own when he finds him, and without greeting Wei Wuxian holds out his prize to his friend, gesturing for him to take it.]

This is absolutely meant for you. [In his hand is some sort of sugar creation formed around a stick. It has the appearance of blown glass, but has clearly been made out of something even more delicate than glass. The one in Wei Wuxian's hand specifically, is a dragon. He beams at Itachi as he holds it out to him.]

chess

[spree]

No thanks. I'm not really good at it.

[ Will he accept that line as is, or insist? She delivers it without a hitch of hesitation and wonders what he will do with it. ]

chess

[knightof]

[ Eight years ago, Suzaku had nothing but childish disdain for 'complicated' games — chess included. An utter lack of a patience and negative appreciation for strategic thinking will do that. He likes to think those weaknesses have changed since, but his preferences haven't. They've just grown more personal. From a harmless game to a painful reminder, full of resentment and other, less clear, feelings.

... Those same feelings that drew his attention to the set and are probably what led to the offer in the first place. Oops. There's a beat of silence, as his expression shifts from blank to politely self-effacing. ]

Thanks for the offer. I'm afraid it wouldn't be much of a competition.

[groupiedrifter]

[Newt pops out of nowhere, much like a ninja... only nothing like a ninja, because he can be heard and seen and felt approaching a mile away. He's flapping an arm up over the small crowd to come over to Itachi's dark little emo corner where he prefers to eyeglow and look mysterious as if such a thing were distinctly in his genes.]

Yoooo, Itachi! Hey! Didja' like the show? We totally killed it!

[He may have had a few shots of liquor for additional courage. Liquid courage, they call it!!!]

special guests (viveca & degar)

[vivecai]

● ● ● ROCK & ROLL

[ indeed, on the day of the concert, the doors to the north wing open (as they have done more often after the summer) and it is not just viveca, looking just as human as she used to be, once, in an unassuming jeans-and-leather-jacket combo; but also by her side, degar, with his usual cargo pants with socks and sandals, carrying a well-loved lute in his arms. he's beaming, and viveca looks mostly endeared by his enthusiasm for the event.

degar does not play with the band the entire evening, but joins in for some particular numbers, even giving one solo performance, strumming his lute with the air of an expert musician — his singing is no less well-polished, and the song he's chosen is, well, a real hit.

meanwhile, viveca sticks to sitting among the audience, clapping politely between songs, but seeming to enjoy more the amount of fun the band is having than the actual music. at points, she gets up to go over to where all the snacks and drinks are gathered, picking one up and leaving it in front of the one whose home it is from with a slight smile, before walking on; best not talk when there's a concert going, after all.

they both stick around even after the concert itself is over, and leave together around midnight. ]

( note: your character may talk to either of them, or both! just specify so and write it into your response. )

you know it's both 😌

[construing]

〈 gwen had invited both, but even with degar's unfailing enthusiasm and viveca's amused promise, she had not been sure they might show. lots to do. not a whole lot of time.

despite the blues period her mood has fallen into, gwen smiled to see them.

degar is the easiest to reach; they shared a stage for a good chunk of time. still seated behind her drums, she plays a quick, little swell on the cymbal to get his attention. playfully, she makes a face. 〉

I think we should just let you have the entire stage next time. 〈 he has the presence for it no doubt. never let degar and mary jane watson meet.

viveca, she catches later, the box of cronuts she had asked for so long ago still warm in her arms. 〉

Serious question, 〈 she begins, not seriously at all, 〉 was it as, more or less chaotic than you were expecting considering who all was up there?

[groupiedrifter]

Thin Lizzy!! Nice choice!!

[That's all the warning Degar gets before a smallish dude's fist gives his shoulder a friendly punch. Newt's all wrung out with singing at this point, totally contributed and did his musical duties, but he'll be damned if he's gonna miss Degar doing some fancy lute work.]

... The footwear's gonna need some major renovation, though.

Newt Geiszler | PACRIM | just vibes

[groupiedrifter]

[Honestly, Newt's in his element, regardless of how rusty he is. Granted, it's been a very long time since he'd properly hung out with and played with his old bandmates from his teenaged years, but it was as easy as breathing to pick up a guitar and get to it when they did all meet up; that was before the Kaiju War, when there were less tension lines around everyone's mouths. But yeah! Easy! Playing guitar is easy. Took him a while to be emboldened to pick one up after the-train-fiasco, but he's here and he's exuding confidence he only halfway has. (Fake it 'til you make it, you know the motto.)

He doesn't really like his voice, not as much as you'd think with how loud he talks, or how much he talks. But it'll do in a situation where there's not a lot of vocalists around to do Def Leopard or Joan Jett justice. (okay, okay, he is no joan jett, though he'd be more than happy for her to step on him-)

He's undeniably charismatic, though. Like snapping into a role, the little guy has some Big Damn Frontman energy when he really gets going.

After the little performance, he opts to go after the food tables while an acoustic guitar is firmly hung around his neck, an oversized necklace that may very well knock into someone's head if they're paying the food more attention than the surroundings.

Mind your head!

Passerbys may later hear him regale of times where he'd been the lead of a punk band — back in his youth, and he speaks of it as though it were one of his more fonder experiences in life, including times where he'd almost been arrested for getting into it with skinheads, or sneaking into bars with his fellow teenaged musician to play with fake IDs back in Berlin-]

I definitely gave my dad a ton of heart attacks back then. But I was a lot more manageable as a son when I went to college, okay? I mean, mostly. I usually got kicked out of places after the first few tries; total babyface back then, couldn't fool anyone...

pre-show

[callada]

[Rosinante is already here poking around the set before the show when he spots Newt, and gets an idea. Walks out, stumbles his way through the doorway, and comes back a few minutes later with a familiar makeup kit in hand.

And then flags down Newt as he's finishing up a sound check.]

Want a cool rock star look before the show? Something Bowie?

[He has no idea really what the show is and maybe his newly-discovered appreciation for Ziggy Stardust himself doesn't fit with the theme of this one, but hell, he's totally down to at least help the guy look good for the performance, why not?

He's even feeling a bit cheerier at the thought.]

[bijective]

[ The invitation came as surprise. A quaint get-together with a good portion of the Ximilia crew members.

Truth be told, Hermann didn’t feel all that compelled to attend. But he knew Newton was going to be there, so…Here he is.

He stands there among the small crowd. Some are bobbing their heads and moving their bodies to the rhythm. While some are like Hermann, standing idly and unsure what to do with himself. Rather than think about how much of an awkward fool he looks, he keeps his eyes on the stage and watches Newt’s performance.

It made Hermann think back to the days at the Hong Kong Shatterdome. Hours and hours of his lab partner bellowing some gaudy and bombastic tune while Hermann filed a report on Newt's inconsiderate behaviour. That was enough to pull a small grin, seeing his friend back in his element.

He doesn’t spot his foot tapping along to the beat. ]

post show wildcard

[singlelogbridge]

[It would be a lie to say Wei Wuxian was good at being polite to people he doesn't like, but his feelings around Newt are more complicated than simple dislike. He doesn't hate Newt. Doesn't even think he's a terribly bad person. A presumptuous one, absolutely, and certainly naive, but not intentionally unkind or malicious. So he tolerates him and engages as little as possible, partially because he knows Newt isn't actually a detestable person, and partially because he knows Gwen would murder him if he started shit with someone in the band.

It doesn't mean he makes the effort to speak to him when he doesn't have to, and he avoids being alone with him. It would be awkward if he let himself feel awkward about it, but he doesn't so it's fine.

But after the show has ended—late when most of the crowd had dispersed, he's wandering the room on his own, lightly buzzed and high off of the joy of the night when he turns and knocks into someone.]

Ah, sorry sorry, that was my fault! [he laughs as he reaches for the person's elbow to make sure he didn't knock them over, smiling sweetly until he sees who it is and the smile freezes in place.]

Oh. [Dammit.] Um. Sorry.