a winter labyrinth

[townmusician]

断ち切るしかないんだろ
注いだ冬は心のラビリンス
後戻りなんて出来ないから
やりきるしかないんだろ
黒い気持ちと手を繋いだって構わない
抱きしめたっていいh

I have to break free
This pouring winter is my heart's labyrinth
I can't go back anymore, so
I have to finish this
I don't care if you took my hand with dark motives
I want you to hold me close

Comments

[townmusician]

[If she can find the light controls she can certainly try!

...If the shadows don't notice her sneaking around, at least.]

[prozaic]

[Well, Shalem notes she's trying something, so he'll try to distract the shadows. Hence, he moves towards the stage again.]

I haven't actually done my soundcheck. I only just arrived, you know.

[townmusician]

[Well... the shadow believes him (2...), and sighs.]

Okay, but... where's the rest of your group?

[But it's acquiescing, even if the shadows will now be on higher alert.]

You'll have five minutes for your soundcheck.

[prozaic]

[IT'S TIME.

Shalem gives the shadow a nod, before he gets up on stage. But he doesn't take a soundcheck-- no, he does something else. He quickly picks a slower, softer song from the playlist on the system, one suited for his preferences, and starts to shed some of his layers. Katana, his regular jacket, the pilfered jacket, shoes, socks, even his shirt, baring scarred skin stretched over large muscles, and a scattering of small black crystals growing out of his chest and the left side of his neck.

Then he stands at a corner of the stage, feet comfortable due to the lights Schneider turned on warming the stage.]

Haruka, I hope you're watching, else I make a fool of myself for nothing.

[Then he begins.

As a stage performer, Shalem doesn't merely dance, but acts. He is a body on stage, a role to be performed, a doll waiting for a script-- and right now, the lyrics are his script. Every move, jete, pirouette, prance and even drop has weight behind it, and his tail doesn't flail around, it curves and curls with him. His expression is anguished, pained, whatever the song requires of him.

When it's over, he's flushed and winded, his feet are sore without any padding and he's sure he's developing new callouses, he hasn't danced this hard in so long, even if ballet is one of his best styles. But he forces himself to finish properly, standing straight and holding his arms up, feet together as if awaiting the clapping of his audience. He holds it for just a few seconds, then slinks off to get dressed again.

The shadow gave him five minutes. He finishes in four.

Hopefully Shadow Haruka likes this offering. (19)]

[townmusician]

[It's when he's pulling his jacket on that he can see a flash of gold at the edge of the stage, but... there's nobody there. If Haruka saw his performance, there's no sign of him around.

Still, there's the feeling of something pressing down on his shoulders, even though he can't see what it is, and there's no marks left on his skin or clothing.

His performance was seen, though. Whether it was appreciated or not... well, he can always ask if he ever gets to see Haruka face to face again.]

[unweathered]

[ She's sneaking around (16) and grabs the first switch she can reach to flick it on . Hopefully this gives Shalem an opening to do whatever he needs to do. Or it'll unleash a trap. whomp whomp]

[townmusician]

[She flips the switch, and immediately she can hear shouting from the shadows. Where she is, she won't be able to see what she's done, but Shalem will find himself absolutely blinded as every light pointed towards the stage turns in.]

Hey, what are you doing?!

[There are shadows approaching, though they don't move to attack her. Yet.]

[unweathered]

I'm on lights.

[ SORRY SHALEM ahahahaha]

I heard there were issues yesterday so I wanted to make sure it was still working.

[strawsandals]

[ Hey guys what's going on- ]

Schneider!

[ Waving over to her! What is she up to over here... ]

[unweathered]

Oh. And here is Yoon who is here to help with sound.

[ Schneider beams and waves Yoon over to handle the other buttons. Smash away dear child]

You're just on time.

[strawsandals]

Sound? But I don't know what these do.

[ ...And yet.

He's going to press one of the buttons. It's presumably a good one?? (14) One that probably idk provides a nice bass boost. Bass boosted snek. ]

[unweathered]

[ Good work Yoon!! Headpatting regardless of whether or not the shadows appreciate it]

[townmusician]

[The shadows absolutely don't appreciate it, and they can tell that neither of these two actually know what they're doing or that they're supposed to be doing this.]

If you don't stop, we'll have to detain you.

[Though it already seems like the shadows are shifting into more monstrous forms, so it's clear how they plan to "detain" them if they don't cooperate...]

[strawsandals]

[ Yeah, uh, this is.... ]

...I think it's our cue to leave?

[ HINT HINT, SCHNEIDER? ]

[unweathered]

[ Schneider perks up, eager for a battle. But Yoon isn't a fighter and Shalem is....

hm]

Fine, fine. It's not our fault no one showed us the ropes properly.

[townmusician]

You're idols, aren't you? Go wait in a green room until it's your turn on stage.

[The shadows are still on edge, but one points in the direction of the green room. Maybe they should go check it out?]

[prozaic]

Very well, we should be heading there now. [Oh look he's here now, and done with his own mess. He hops off of the stage, brushing his hair out of his face, still flushed with exertion-- and the exhilaration, the enjoyment of having danced after a long time.

Then he subtly puts himself between the shadows and Yoon. Schneider can handle herself, she's a grown woman with guns.]

Sorry for the trouble, but I'm finally done with my sound check.

[Then he looks over at both of them, and nods.]

[strawsandals]

Whew...

[ Looks like they might be off the hook? Thank you both - ]

Y-yeah. We got it. Time to leave, then...

[prozaic]

The green room is the safest spot for us at this point. Come. [Then he beckons. He knows how theatres work, he can find it. And, if all else fails, there should be signs.

Thankfully there are signs... just one, for a single room. Just one for all their idols? That's asking for trouble if this had been a real competition with real people.

But it's just them for now, and they're safe from loud personalities and massive egos. So Shalem will take this opportunity to rest. He tucks himself into an armchair, rests his neck on a cushion, and crosses his arms, ready to nap.]

I'll be conserving my energy until we're called on.

[unweathered]

You had enough fun already?

[Schneider walks around the room, still in that oversized fur coat even if she really should put it away now. Time to check this place out]