Author Topic: Act - Zero  (Read 19604 times)

Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #60 on: October 26, 2012, 08:23:30 PM »
I look at Nanashi.  "Well, there is that big front door that everyone is lining up in front of.  I bet that, when they go in, we can, too."
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline FelyxZephyr

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #61 on: October 27, 2012, 01:29:34 AM »
Nanashi straightens his outfit, trying to not be embarassed.  "Well, yes, I suppose so."
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Offline Hanako Tachibana

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #62 on: October 27, 2012, 03:59:38 PM »
You get in line, some of you more awkwardly than others.  It would be pretty great if you could read the ticket, but after a bit of effort, you can at least make out the seat numbers.

(click to show/hide)

In short order the line starts to move, and eventually you get into the building.  It is more or less as you imagined it.  Dark, a bit musty, lasers.  That sort of thing.  It is also pretty crowded.  You manage to find your way to your seats, and wait.  You don't have to wait long.

Soon, an MC-like figure walks out onto the stage.

"AND, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO!  INO-SHIKA-CHO!"

The crowd goes wild, as three women walk onto the stage.  One of the is Gumiho, whom you recognize.  She's dressed slightly more punk than she was when you last saw her,  she isn't wearing her mask, and she's carrying an electric guitar.  Next up is a green-haired woman, with a large number of piercings.  She's carrying a base guitar.  Finally, a slightly bored-looking woman with her tongue hanging out walks up to the drum set on the stage.

"HEY, EVERYBODY!" shouts Gumiho.  "THANKS FOR COMING TO OUR SHOW TONIGHT!  ARE YOU ALL READY!?  LETS PUNK!"

The band starts jamming.  They appear to be enjoying themselves.  Well, Gumiho and the green-haired woman are.  The last one still looks a bit bored.  They are actually quite good, in a punk sort of way.  The crowd seems to be enjoying it.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2012, 04:16:32 PM by Hanako Tachibana »
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Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #63 on: October 27, 2012, 07:19:14 PM »
I nod my head appreciatively in time with the beat.  Not exactly my style--a little slower than nightcore, all told--but not exactly boring.  Actually, a nightcore version of this would be pretty amazing.  I should see if I can find a recording.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline FelyxZephyr

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #64 on: October 27, 2012, 10:47:37 PM »
"Oooh"  With his hands to his cheeks like a surprised child, Nanashi enjoys the lasers.  He has always found the reflection and refraction of light to be quite fascinating.  His eyes are transfixed on the stage and he almost forgets to be terrified by the people all around him as he starts tapping his foot to the beat of this different drummer.

"Wow, this music is so good!"  Nanashi says to his comrade
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Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #65 on: October 27, 2012, 10:51:37 PM »
"Eh, it's not fast enough.  It needs to be about...20% faster."

(click to show/hide)
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline Hanako Tachibana

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #66 on: October 27, 2012, 11:00:06 PM »
"OKAY, EVERYONE!  WE'RE ALMOST DONE, BUT BEFORE WE GO, WE WANTED TO PLAY A NEW SONG FOR ALL YOU GUYS!  HERE WE GO!  BOOKBURNING!"

The band launches into another song.  Its... actually really amazing.  You didn't know people could sing that... fast.  I mean, sure, you've heard people speed up music to that speed before... but actually sing it?  You're also a bit surprised that the guitars haven't caught fire.  Oh, wait, there they go.  That was a pretty great ending, what with the guitars combusting and turning into butterflies.  There is thunderous applause as the band walks off stage.
Girls do their best now and are preparing. Please wait warmly until it is ready.

Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #67 on: October 27, 2012, 11:01:37 PM »
Yep.  I'm in love.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline FelyxZephyr

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #68 on: October 27, 2012, 11:05:24 PM »
Nanashi is rubbed the wrong way by the name of the song, but his feelings of apprehension fade quickly when he realizes that the song does not involve and is not about burning books.  Nanashi's hands join in the applause as the song gets stuck in his head.  He folds his hands in his laps, smiling from enjoying the show, and sits and waits.
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Offline Hanako Tachibana

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #69 on: October 27, 2012, 11:16:03 PM »
Eventually, the crowd empties.

"Ah, good, you're still here."

Gumiho walks out from behind the stage, accompanied by the two other members of the band.

"Frog, Hebi, I'm going to take these guys over to Koto, okay?  I'll see you later~"

"See ya."  "..."

The two walk off.

"Okay, follow me then."

Gumiho starts to walk off, waiting for you to follow her.
Girls do their best now and are preparing. Please wait warmly until it is ready.

Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #70 on: October 27, 2012, 11:17:56 PM »
I follow her.  "So, that was...amazing.  What sort of venues do you guys usually play?"
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline FelyxZephyr

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #71 on: October 27, 2012, 11:18:38 PM »
Nanashi rose to his feet as the women entered.  Still with a bit of a smile left on his lips, he proceeds to Follow Gumiho as she leads the way out.  "Is this Koto woman some sort of specialist in extra-mundane travel?
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Offline Hanako Tachibana

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #72 on: October 27, 2012, 11:40:31 PM »
"Oh, well, we typically play right here."

Gumiho responds, pointing towards the building you all just left.

"I'm glad you liked the show~"

She leads you down a couple of allies, and you end up at what looks a bit like a Nipponese shrine.  Gumiho walks up and knocks on the shrine door.

"W-h-a-t"

Emerges a tired voice from the other side of the door.

"I was s-l-e-e-p-i-n-g."

"Ah, Koto.  I've got a couple of... well... mayflies here."

"... mayflies?"

"Yeah... I'm not sure exactly what to say..."

"I'll deal with them.  Thanks Gumiho."

"Ah, no problem.  Okay you guys, Koto here will take of you.  And maybe explain some stuff.  Byes!"

She walks off.

"Well, come inside."

The door slides open, revealing a rather tired looking young woman.
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Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #73 on: October 27, 2012, 11:42:29 PM »
I wave to Gumiho as she walks off, then step inside.  "You must be Koto, then?  I'm Spider."

Wait.  Did...did I remember to tell Gumiho my name?  Damn, well...there's a missed opportunity.  At least we'll always have...wherever the hell this is.  I'll call it Paris until someone tells me what it's actually called.  At least we'll always have Paris...
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline FelyxZephyr

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #74 on: October 27, 2012, 11:47:45 PM »
"Hello, my name is Nanashi.  Can you tell us where we are and why it looks like we've walked into some sort of strange Nipponese world?"  Nanashi also decides to add a small, reverent bow, lest she think him some sort of question-asking brute.
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Offline Hanako Tachibana

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #75 on: October 27, 2012, 11:53:28 PM »
"Nanashi... that's... unfortuitous...  Why don't you all come inside before I start explaining things.  I don't want to hurt my neck from staring up all the time."

You both walk inside.  The place is... messy.  There are lots of pillows and cups of instant ramen scattered everywhere.

"Grab a pillow or something."

"Now then, where to start...  Well, first I guess, this city here is called the Old Capital.  I guess it is actually called Kyouto, but no one says that.  And what kind of word is Nipponese?  At least say Japanese like a proper person...  Man, the unconnected are so... never mind."

"So, do you have any particular questions you want me to answer, or should I start at the beginning?"
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Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #76 on: October 27, 2012, 11:56:21 PM »
"Well, basically, I want to know what the hell's going on.  If starting at the beginning is the best way to do that, go ahead."

I pause.  Should I...no, I can ask her about Gumiho later.  I don't want to let this Nanashi guy know I'm interested in her.  He might use that against me at some point.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline FelyxZephyr

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #77 on: October 28, 2012, 02:21:09 AM »
Nanashi ponders the odd word.  Japanese...    He mulls over the word.  It doesn't seem quite familiar to him...  He decides to not bother the woman about her made up word, as she is probably about to explain much to them.  "Please, go on."  He says entreatingly.
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Offline Hanako Tachibana

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #78 on: October 28, 2012, 02:29:35 AM »
"Right, so, the beginning...

Basically, you two are dead.  You had your souls taken from you.  You're what the people of this world would call mono.  Almost.  I can't really tell you why, but you aren't actually missing ALL of your souls.  You somehow managed to hold onto a bit of them.  Which is good, I guess, 'cause otherwise you wouldn't exactly be conscious right now.  Well, as you are, you're in a pretty dangerous situation.  I'd imagine there are a fair number of people who wouldn't mind eating what's left of your soul...

Now then, where you are... I said you where in the Old Capital, and that's true.  But that doesn't really mean anything to you, right?  Basically, you are in another world.  There are a whole bunch of worlds out there, and this is one of them.  Most of the worlds are connected by what is known as the skein.  But lucky you guys, your world probably isn't connected.  Unless, of course, the confusion on your faces is just a trick.

Err... do you want any clarification on any of that?"
Girls do their best now and are preparing. Please wait warmly until it is ready.

Offline DonQuixote

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Re: Act - Zero
« Reply #79 on: October 28, 2012, 02:31:04 AM »
...I knew it.  I KNEW IT.

"BASTARDS," I scream.  "THOSE BASTARDS IN THE GOVERNMENT STOLE MY SOUL!"
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”