It's Curtains Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
stagemanagers) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
itscurtains2016-10-22 12:25 pm
stagemanagers) wrote in itscurtains2016-10-22 12:25 pm
First Trial
[Just as everyone is starting to finish their investigations, there's a slow ominous sound from the lobby.
The gilded doors on the northern wall have opened.
This time, the space behind them is lit; you're free to enter. There's one more set of doors to pass through, and then you're all, finally, in the House. There's one grand chandelier above, glittering crystal, and the seats around you are made of fine red velvet. Those don't seem to be for you, though - all the way down in front of the stage, where the orchestra might sit, there's a circle of wooden podiums. They're arranged so that everyone can face each other, and are fixed into place. Each one bears a metal plaque with a cast member's name engraved on it. There's also a metal panel on top, with twenty ivory buttons paired to everyone's name.
Among these, only Jean Valjean's podium is different - that one is draped in black crepe, with a larger greyscale version of his headshot from the playbill framed and sitting at its foot like a funerary portrait. Standing where he might have stood, a bare lightbulb glows faintly atop a metal pole.
Right here, you're very close to the stage. But the curtain is closed, and it's a little too high to easily clamber up. You may not want to try. You've got more important business right now, after all.
As everyone is finding their places, the Balladeer's voice suddenly sounds loud and clear throughout the space.]
Okay, guys, here's how we do trial. I've...never actually been involved in something like this before, but you can do it. Just take all the time you need to talk it out - I'll be right here the whole time. You don't need a unanimous vote, we go by majority rule.
Oh, and don't mess with those buttons until you're really ready to vote. You won't be able to take it back.
...good luck.
The gilded doors on the northern wall have opened.
This time, the space behind them is lit; you're free to enter. There's one more set of doors to pass through, and then you're all, finally, in the House. There's one grand chandelier above, glittering crystal, and the seats around you are made of fine red velvet. Those don't seem to be for you, though - all the way down in front of the stage, where the orchestra might sit, there's a circle of wooden podiums. They're arranged so that everyone can face each other, and are fixed into place. Each one bears a metal plaque with a cast member's name engraved on it. There's also a metal panel on top, with twenty ivory buttons paired to everyone's name.
Among these, only Jean Valjean's podium is different - that one is draped in black crepe, with a larger greyscale version of his headshot from the playbill framed and sitting at its foot like a funerary portrait. Standing where he might have stood, a bare lightbulb glows faintly atop a metal pole.
Right here, you're very close to the stage. But the curtain is closed, and it's a little too high to easily clamber up. You may not want to try. You've got more important business right now, after all.
As everyone is finding their places, the Balladeer's voice suddenly sounds loud and clear throughout the space.]
Okay, guys, here's how we do trial. I've...never actually been involved in something like this before, but you can do it. Just take all the time you need to talk it out - I'll be right here the whole time. You don't need a unanimous vote, we go by majority rule.
Oh, and don't mess with those buttons until you're really ready to vote. You won't be able to take it back.
...good luck.
late record scratch
This girl...he really did not know this girl at all, did he? This clever girl who was shy and frightened and he was fond of, in the way and elder brother is fond of a little sister...]
D-ne...[This must be serious. Raoul's tone has changed, and he's dropped the "Miss".] How much...how much of you has been a lie? All this time...
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It...would be simplest to say "all of it," wouldn't it? I'm afraid...life can't be that simple.
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The real me is an imperfect, greedy girl who will always find her goals just out of reach, Raoul-san. She's tried her whole life to feel a strong connection to something, anything, to fill up her worthless self, but the only time she's able to, it's something she can never, ever have.
[Her eyes close; maybe it's to try and stop the tears, though it doesn't work.]
In that sense...you knew the real me! I never lied...or contradicted any of that.
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...D-ne...
[He's not sure what to say. He hurts. He...wants to tell her she's wrong, but would she even believe him if she's gone this far?]
...We are...all of us, imperfect, D-ne. That does not make any of us worthless - least of all you.
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Even now, you...? You're an...idealistic fool. I've killed a man, would have killed the lot of you, and you still... You're going to get yourself killed, sir.
[It doesn't sound like she's happy with that prospect at all.]
I can never be a desirable girl. I think this h-has made it clear that the girl known as D-ne- it would be better if she didn't exist.
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[This is the most emotion Raoul has displayed through this entire trial - and it's not much but a slight rumble of anger, indignation.]
And so what if you have?! You...both you and Monsieur Valjean...you are both my friends - you were simply led astray by this promise from the management! That does not make you evil!
[He's not saying Valjean should have been killed. He's saying that while this is a terrible turn of events, he'd forgive you if you just let him...]
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[The more he pushes, the more she fights back.]
I was always greedy. I was always stuck-up. I look at your kindness and see someone who'll be hurt or someone who's offering me false platitudes. I could never connect with others. I could never find something to light a spark in me- not until her. [Her voice trembles.] But I'm not- I don't deserve...anything like perfection-- I'd be happier to not be me at all!
[Why did so many of them claim to like her? They must... It has to be a lie, she's convincing herself. Why would anyone like her as she is?]
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[It comes out in a burst that he does regret - he doesn't want to yell, not at her, not in this tense place, but it comes out regardless.]
And if you thought that is what would make someone love you, then - then was this person truly worth it?!
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You misunderstand. B-ko-chan...will probably never think of me that way. I've known that from the beginning. She's still worth everything, because without her, I'd be empty again.
[...]
Besides, even if she doesn't love me, at least I would love myself.
no subject
Right in the feels there
Raoul staggers back, dismay and sadness plain as day on his face. He's speechless, and yet...shakes his head subtly, slowly.
That is no way to learn to love yourself, D-ne.]
no subject
She's smiling again...and not looking at him.]
I believe, it's time to say goodbye now...isn't it? Do your best not to die, please. [...] It...would be a shame.
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[D-ne...he can't save you, can he?
No one can.]
no subject
There's no saving a girl like that.]