stagemanagers: (Default)
It's Curtains Mods ([personal profile] stagemanagers) wrote in [community profile] itscurtains2016-10-22 12:25 pm
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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.
catliketread: (☠ WHILE THE HOUSEHOLD SOUNDLY SLEEPS)

[personal profile] catliketread 2016-10-23 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
[So, now that he's done singing with D-ne about how great it is to be a pirate, because that's just apparently how our lives played out today...

Well, there really is only one option here. There's only one person to blame for Valjean's death and as much as he doesn't want to touch that button, the Pirate King would never consider pressing any others. Abstaining might skew the vote and he can't risk that either.

He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and presses it.]


>The Lonely

[Some part of him wonders if he'll ever be able to sing the Pirate King tune without thinking about this very moment.]

D-ne! It has been a pleasure getting to know you. I'm very sorry that things must end like this, but... I've truly enjoyed our time together!

[...He might be crying a bit, maybe, but he's trying to smile anyway.]
sunshineprincess: (♠ And hit the road)

[personal profile] sunshineprincess 2016-10-23 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
[She does look a little relived at that.]

Would you like me to give it to anyone?

[Since Anna doesn't think you feel as if she's your friend, she won't ask to keep it herself. Maybe Hime or Natalie would like it?]
lifegoalsorwifegoals: (I'll be)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-23 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
[She sighs and shakes her head.]

Please. Impostor-san.

[That's all she'll say, though, looks like she's bored]
lifegoalsorwifegoals: you're beautiful (to me‚ you're strange and)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-23 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
...without an impossible wish. Just what they said I could receive. You may not approve, Hans-san, but I'm sure you understand. Everyone has something they would do anything for.
lifegoalsorwifegoals: (and i'm already long gone)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-23 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
[It seems D-ne won't stop smiling now. Or can't? She's playing with her ribbon- B-ko's ribbon- and that's the only nervous habit she'll allow herself.]

You're a very simple man, Pirate King-san. Very kind. Please stay that way.
lifegoalsorwifegoals: (jenny‚ darling‚ you're my best friend ♥)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-23 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
[She considers...and then tosses Anna her silver key.]

If you can find anyone who would want it. If not, you can burn it.

[She's pretty positive a few people are going to want to break some things in her room, so!]
catliketread: (☠ A FLY'S FOOT-FALL)

[personal profile] catliketread 2016-10-23 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
I intend to! Don't worry about me, D-ne. I will be just fine.

[Maybe. He'll try to be, anyway.]

...Goodbye. I... Thank you for spending time with me.

[He really wishes things hadn't ended like this.]
lifegoalsorwifegoals: (❣ 'cause you're really my dearest friend)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-23 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
[IT MAY NOT HAVE BUT YOU SURE MADE ME CRY, MY MISTAKE WAS HAVING CR WITH YOU AGAIN]
catliketread: (Default)

[personal profile] catliketread 2016-10-23 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
[THEN I HAVE ABSOLUTELY DONE MY DUTY, I'M NOT SORRY AT ALL!!]
lifegoalsorwifegoals: (Good- Good-)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-23 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh. Well, that's.]

...

I'm sure I'll fit right in!
tellthestory: (♪ rubato ♫)

EXECUTION: THE BALLAD OF COPYCAT

[personal profile] tellthestory 2016-10-23 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
[As the final votes come in, the house lights drop suddenly. The only illumination comes from the small bulbs along the aisles, and of course the dim lamp standing in Valjean’s place.

There's a swish as the curtain above draws itself open.

When the stage lights come up, D-ne is somehow already up there, standing center-stage. The Balladeer's there too, watching her from the side, hands empty; this won't require his instrumentation. He paces towards D-ne with long deliberate strides as the music begins, his eyes and voice chilly. With each step he makes, she takes an equal one back.]


Here we go
Welcome to
The story of
the girl named D
Quiet thing
So much alone
Day by day,
I'm fading away


[When it’s clear the Balladeer isn’t going to hurt her, D-ne visibly relaxes and turns away from him, a desperate longing in her voice as she sings.]

We get along just fine
I say what I think you like to hear
It's funny how much I
Would like to become like a mirror


Can you remember
Who you are?
Do you even know?
When you’re alone...


[This, at last, gets D-ne to strike back. She spins around to face the Balladeer, defiant.]

I’LL BECOME WHAT SHE’D LIKE
THAT MEANS SHE WILL WANT ME,
RIGHT!?
NOBODIES HAVE TO GO
THAT IS HOW THE WORLD WORKS, YOU KNOW

COPY THAT, COPYCAT
COPY THAT, COPYCAT


[The Balladeer scoffs and folds his arms, stepping aside as there’s movement from the wings. First one puppet circles out from each side of the stage, then two, then there’s six. They’re made of carved wood and dressed in the same style of school uniform D-ne wears, and all have identical short-cut wigs and painted expressions. Their means of motion isn’t obvious; they don’t look like they should be able to dance about as they are.

Mistaking the first puppet’s silhouette for someone else, disbelief crosses D-ne’s face, then relief, then elation. She mouths something. Briskly, she starts to cross the stage to it, only for the second to emerge. The smile freezes on her face and quickly turns to fear as she realizes they’re on either side of her. She backs away from them, but if any get close, she reaches out, unable to help herself. Each time, they dance away, leaving her empty-handed.

The Balladeer stalks around the edges of the dance, circling them before moving towards the edge of the stage.]


Change your hair
Get new shoes
Wear contacts to
Hide your own blue
Do you think
Anyone could
Love someone
Who's barely even real?

Is this what you call love?
Making her a thing you can consume
You took a life for this?
Kinda like you took hers too


[D-ne, who’s trying once more to touch one of the puppets, freezes. She slowly looks to the Balladeer, as if he’s struck her, and shakes her head in horror. Each word she sings sounds more despondent than the last.]

I can't remember...
Who I am
Everything's a blur...
I am alone...

I'VE BECOME WHAT THEY’D LIKE
SOMEONE HAS TO WANT ME,
RIGHT?!
NOBODIES HAVE TO GO
THAT IS HOW THE WORLD WORKS, YOU KNOW…?


COPY THAT, COPYCAT
COPY THAT, COPYCAT
COPY THAT, COPYCAT
COPY THAT, COPYCAT

[Trembling, D-ne sinks to her knees and touches the red ribbon in her hair. The puppets begin to dance toward her, and somehow their movements appear menacing.]

I can't remember
what I’ve done
everything's a blur
did I kill her…?


[For the first time, D-ne peers out into the orchestra pit, at the other “cast members.” As she reaches her final line, though it’s incredibly pained, she does what she does best: she smiles.]

“I'll become what you like”
this is what I wanted...right?
I guess I have to go
Good luck with the rest of the show


[The music stops dead.

Instead, a softer tune begins, and the puppets part as another figure steps out onto stage. Their costume is much more familiar; it is, after all, the clothes Jean Valjean wore when he arrived. The figure resembles him exactly in size, shape, and even gait...but there’s strange vague shadows where its body ought to be, just like the hands from within the merchandise booth.

Still, it pauses as if uncertain, and then starts to slowly approach D-ne, its right hand outstretched as if to help her to her feet. D-ne looks up at it in disbelief. She should recoil, but instead something compels her to reach a trembling hand back, like she should have done just this morning.

Downstage, unnoticed, the Balladeer turns his back to the scene to stare hard at the lip of the stage.

The dark figure draws closer and stops, nearly touching D-ne’s fingers with its own. Instead, like the strike of a snake, it lashes out, a silver razor flashing in its other hand. The music screeches to a discordant halt as it lunges forward, pinning her down and driving the blade into her face and chest, again and again.

Finally, it’s quiet. The shadow-Valjean rises and slowly flicks the razor shut, the click echoing over the stage. There's no visible features to its face, but for a moment it seems to scan the audience. Then, it steps deliberately over her body, through the blood pooling beneath her still form, and proceeds offstage. The Balladeer never turns around to look. Still, he doesn’t speak until it’s out of sight, and when he does his tone seems carefully controlled.]


You should all get out of here now.

[And then the stage lights go out too, and the curtain swishes shut.]
Edited 2016-10-23 06:33 (UTC)
sunshineprincess: (♣ Finally)

[personal profile] sunshineprincess 2016-10-23 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
[She catches the key, holding it close as she nods.]

Right... I will.

[She'll try and not let them, but in the end Anna is only one person.]
trettende: (no gusta la misma música)

[personal profile] trettende 2016-10-23 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
Bringing back the dead, D-ne... it wasn't meant to be.

You made your choice.

[ Is he to blame for starting the mess with the wishes? Maybe. He'd never man up to it, though. ]

Mr. Valjean was too kind after all.
aflatouttahell: (02)

[personal profile] aflatouttahell 2016-10-23 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Jezebel... doesn't really have an answer for that.

At least she's accepted it.]
solomonjihad: (☥/★ The sword of samael)

[personal profile] solomonjihad 2016-10-23 06:42 am (UTC)(link)


[More blood spills onto the earth, and the trial is over. There's the shadow of am amused smirk on Astarte's face as she watches. Ah, so that's interesting. A reflection of the murder this morning, only now, it is the dead, in a sense, gaining vengeance. A perfect end for such an imperfect, foolish child...

...an unfair one. After a moment, her smile vanishes, set instead with a frown. Not unfair because she died so aptly for her mistakes, for her silly, vain hope. No. She could taunt all she wanted, she could drink in the scene however she liked, but it didn't change one simple fact.

Her death...in the end, it was so quick, so definite. So...final.

Damn her.

With a "hmph" in her throat, she turns on her heel and leaves, chin up.]
Edited 2016-10-23 06:42 (UTC)
robitussin: (close enough to normal)

[personal profile] robitussin 2016-10-23 06:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Natalie isn't the kind of person you could describe as optimistic. Standoffish and distrustful, sarcastic and blunt, she does her best to pretend she doesn't care for the most part. It's easier that way. Her life, she would say, has prepared her for that kind of flippant attitude.

Nothing she's seen has prepared her for this. D-ne... She won't call her a friend, especially now, but prior to this trial, she was the closest person she had here. She forces herself to appear as unfeeling as she can, convincing herself that she's - not okay with, but at least not heartbroken about this outcome.

This lasts until the razor comes out. Something clicks then, and she calls out.]


Wait—

[Natalie is a teenage girl who has never seen something like this that wasn't in a movie or on the television. Her hand flies to her mouth, and she makes a wordless noise of horror as the blade slides in and out, in and out. This suddenly feels real in a way it hadn't before.

When she's told to get out, she doesn't question it. She backs away from the podium, shaking, horrified - and then hurries for the door without a backwards glance.]
bestof: (pic#10610002)

[personal profile] bestof 2016-10-23 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Eliza makes herself watch the execution. Arms wrapped around herself, tears in her eyes, she watches.

It's not as hard as she thought at first. She knows something is coming but it's not until the puppets start appearing and the song intensifies that a chill runs through her blood. Her hands fly to her mouth and she stays like that for a long minute while D-ne looks out at them from the stage. Why does she keep smiling? How can she smile now-?

Eliza's heart nearly stops when shadow-Valjean enters the scene. She stops breathing when it reaches out. She nearly screams when the first cut is made, muffled by her hands over her mouth, and turns away from the stage to bury her face in her hands. She runs for the door, not daring to look back.]
trettende: (no gusta la misma música)

[personal profile] trettende 2016-10-23 07:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ Not even Hans can keep his eyes in the stage throughout the macabre "play." The lyrics hit him way too close to home for comfort.

...I say what I think you like to hear
It's funny how much I
Would like to become like a mirror


He swallows. Her pain is obvious. Whatever she'd done it had been the wrong choice. The Balladeer knows it, he knows all about all of them. Basing yourself on others, being who they want you to be... It's exactly Hans' motto. This could have easily been him.

Who could ever love someone who's barely even real?

Hans knows the answer to that. He may have been all serious during the trial but he looks down at his hands, at the button they'd all pressed that lead to this.

He doesn't have to be told twice to leave. Hans exits the theater, his mask of a smile is a broken, jagged thing. He's scared. He won't make her mistakes, but he's scared.
]
Edited (added a little more arrogance ) 2016-10-23 08:37 (UTC)
rockthistown: (i lost agaiiiiiiiiiiiiin)

[personal profile] rockthistown 2016-10-23 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hime doesn't even understand half of what she's seeing. She watches, trembling, shaking her head over and over.

When the shadow comes out with the razor, Hime screams and shuts her eyes. Once the order is given, she turns to run out of the room.

None of this should have happened.]
dechagny: (ffffffffuck)

late record scratch

[personal profile] dechagny 2016-10-24 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Raoul has not the heart to sing in response. He listens to what D-ne tells the others, shaking his head, understanding so little of it.

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...
dechagny: (gonna have a bad time)

[personal profile] dechagny 2016-10-24 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[...

Silence. Grim silence. Raoul cannot deny what he has heard and what has been found.


>D-ne, The Lonely

His vote is cast, and he feels worse for it.]
dechagny: (gonna have a bad time)

[personal profile] dechagny 2016-10-24 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Raoul's strongest instinct, once seeing D-ne on the stage, is to clamor up after her and remove her from it, to keep her from whatever harm or punishment the management has sought fit to inflict upon the guilty. But he cannot bring himself to move, only watch, the grip on his podium so tight that his knuckles turn white. The song echoes in his ears as it plays, the lyrics tugging at his heart.

She had no need to be anyone but who she was. If someone (a young lady by the sound of it) were to like her for being anyone else, then that's no friendship or love worth pursuing. He wants to tell her that, but -

- The spectre of Valjean chills Raoul when it appears, and he nearly calls out to the man, but when it slaughters D-ne on the stage, he knows it could never be the man he had gotten to know. It is something else entirely which condemns a murderer before him in such a sickening way, and it frightens him and angers him more than words can say. Perhaps that is what makes his eyes flicker to the Balladeer, noticing how firm the other man is in not watching the proceedings...as if he too is sickened.

Raoul leaves when told, but not without one final look over his shoulder at the closed curtain. His eyes sting. His body feels hollowed out.

Damn it all.]
lifegoalsorwifegoals: (i've been trying to be where you are)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-24 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
[By now... By now the fight's gone out of her. She's tired, and she's sad, and it's hard to focus on him, since he's standing on her bad side.]

It...would be simplest to say "all of it," wouldn't it? I'm afraid...life can't be that simple.
dechagny: (done with this letter bullshit)

[personal profile] dechagny 2016-10-24 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
It would be devastating if it was all of it...! D-ne, how much do I know of the real you?!
lifegoalsorwifegoals: (i cannot pretend)

[personal profile] lifegoalsorwifegoals 2016-10-24 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's back to smiling in that pained way.]

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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