INTRODUCTION

[tellthestory]

As the chaos of arrival fades into a more muted confusion, everyone seems to have drifted into the lobby. It's just the most natural place for a large group of people to congregate. But even with twenty of you, it seems a little too big; maybe it's that the ceilings are so high, or that the air is a little too still. It feels like there are silent eyes upon you all.

That's before the great gilded doors on the northern wall swing open, seemingly of their own accord. The man who strides through is already too busy strumming a melody on his guitar to have touched them. He's dressed casually but neatly, in jeans and a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. But his most striking feature is his face - or, rather, its familiarity. There are small differences, to be sure: his hair is slightly longer, and there's a breezily confident air about his smile. Otherwise, though, he's a dead ringer for Billy Harris.

His gaze does linger on Billy for a moment as he's scanning the room, but he doesn't speak to him. He's clearly got something to say to everyone.

Velkommen, bienvenue, welcome!

He moves about the perimeter of the lobby as he sings, giving a few small bows over his guitar: first towards Anna and Hans, then the three Frenchmen, each group in turn as he greets them in their native tongue. He doesn't sound entirely conversant in any of them other than English. But anyone can manage a single word, can't they?

Friends, enemies...strangers.

Here, he pauses just long enough to shoot Billy a wink and a grin before wheeling away.

Thank you for joining, our new little play.
Happy to see you, hope you enjoy your stay.
Yokoso, bienvenue, welcome to
The Opera House, the Opera House, the Opera House!

The music continues quietly in the background even as he lifts his hands from the strings to mime a tip of the hat. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is great to finally meet you! How are you all settling in? Everything okay with your dressing rooms?" His tone while speaking is brisk and somewhat businesslike, but he seems to be enjoying himself.

"I am the Balladeer, and I'll be your host for this show. Now, I'm sure you've seen the rules posted around, but just so we're all on the same page, I'm gonna have a little Q&A session right now with all you guys. Please remember, I am an employee of the Opera House, so Rule Five?" He gestures to the rules pinned up on the wall next to him. "Does apply. I wouldn't recommend testing that one. Actually?"

He tilts his head a little, thoughtfully, as something more like appraisal creeps into his eyes. "I would recommend not hurting anybody at all. But that's really not up to me, is it?" Brushing that off with a shrug, he returns to playing the guitar.

Welcome, bienvenue, welcome to
The Opera House, the Opera House, the Opera House!

With that, the music fades, and the Balladeer swings the guitar around to hang at his side. That's it for his entrance; the floor is now yours.



(( OOC: As stated, Rule Five is now in effect. You can attempt a violence if you want; you will not be immediately killed for it! It just won't end pleasantly. ))

Comments

[dechagny]

[The stillness, the doors opening, the appearance of - okay, well, some guy who looks exactly like one of the Billys - it's very chilling for Raoul, how casually he strides in, how unusual his clothes are, how he sings, how he indicates the rules. Even the bow seems mocking and cruel. When the Balladeer's music fades, something new seems to swell as Raoul comes forward.]

Why have you brought us here?!
What sort of play
Creates a world of fear
Without your 'actors' say?
And then our things, our clothes - our very lives
Uprooted for your twisted game...

[tellthestory]

[Yeah, he can do this. The Balladeer doesn't seem remotely put off by the accusations.]

That's just how this show works
It's how things are
This is the job I do
You are the stars
And if you aren't willing to kill for gain
Then don't commit a murder while you're here, you can still abstain

[dontfeedplants]

[Seymour stands there stunned through the entire song. Well... this guy seems happy to be here at least? Even though he probably kidnapped them all so it wouldn't matter.

Once he breaks from his trance he looks from Billy, to the Balladeer, back to Billy. Okay really, why is everything happening today so weird and confusing.

Suddenly pipes up, already shrinking a little.]

Um... I think there was some kind of mistake with me.

I don't belong here. I'm just a nobody who works at a flower shop. I haven't even done any acting in my life.

[tellthestory]

Oh, come on, you're not a nobody! Everyone here's got an interesting story in their own right!

Besides - [He shrugs] - I'm not really that involved in casting.

[superboyisalive]

[Being Alive isn't all that it's cracked up to be, and after Natalie's rejection, and all of the chaos, something in him just... snaps as he steps forward.]

Who do you think you are
Barging in with your guitar?
Singing guy, hey!
Your exit is that way,
You better go you know,
They're getting pissed today.

[tellthestory]

[The Balladeer doesn't seem quite as exuberant as he did when he first entered. But he's far from cowed, and he doesn't flinch at the approach.]

I run this show,
And I live here
You ought to know,
I have no fear
There is no reason
There'll be no fight
If you attack me here tonight.

[solomonjihad]

[What is this--who--

Before she can help herself, she starts to sing.]

You say we joined, but that's not true...
Mr. Balladeer, we're not your...crew.
But if the one responsible's not you
Maybe you can tell us...

then who?

[tellthestory]

[A straightforward question without wild accusations! He likes it!]

Oh, that'd be management! You know, the bigwigs. Look at this place - you think I have a venue like this? [It's true that his style doesn't...really seem to mesh.]

[sunshineprincess]

[Anna looks so confused, her eyes flitting from Billy to this newcomer with his face. No. Billy can't be aligned with this man. She refuses to believe it... but what else can she do at this moment but feel but fear? Her voice drops, so something almost like a whisper.]

For the first time in forever,
I feel I have to be afraid...
For the first time in forever,
I feel I have to hide away...

[No! She screws up her courage, standing as tall as she can. She can't show fear in front of this bad guy!]

What do you want with us? Why did you bring all of these innocent people here?

[tellthestory]

I...feel like the premise of this is pretty clear? [did you not read the rules]

I don't want that much from you. I mean, I'm not gonna lie, a lack of murder would be a pretty nice change of pace, but - [He holds both hands up in a gesture of surrender.] - it's not my place to decide what happens.

[catliketread]

[Well, while everyone else is having their moments, the Pirate King is clapping. He raises his voice after a moment.]

Encore, encore! But this time maybe you can explain why you chose us. Specifically. And what these things are.

[He shakes the playbill in explanation.]

And maybe you can also tell me if I've been replaced by a nefarious doppelganger. If my crew is being led by an impostor, I want to know!

[...that was a lot of questions he expects to be answered in song, um. Sit down, king.]

[tellthestory]

[Gosh, what is this music coming in?]

One: that's casting, that's not my decision
It's not really my role to go and argue with their vision
Two: that's a playbill - not exactly the norm
But we can't know what the numbers are 'til you preform.
Three: I'm here too, I can't see your crew
But if I had to guess, I'd say there is no other you

[He did it, are you happy now]

[trettende]

[ Hans should have known this Billy character was not to be trusted. Now a man appears wearing his face, well that cements it in his mind. The rules were painfully simple, but murder? Hans is a prince, it would take a lot more than that to have him sully his own reputation! Hahaha

Anyway, he has Words with this Baladeer, that's for sure. He's just as outraged as the rest, but he's sure they'll all ask as well. No, Hans has a question that's been bothering him since he spoke to Anna. Something doesn't add up, on top of all this. ]

Mr. Balladeer, a question, if you would be so kind,
If you think we'll play along with this you're not in your right mind!
But if you're quite set and done assuming our surrender,
Why is it there are things some of us do and not remember?

[ ie: Anna does not remember we are engaged?? This is hurtful, sir. ]

[tellthestory]

That sounds like trauma. Or a narrative device.

[irreprochable]

[javert, too, joins the chorus of singers, all vying at their own speeds and tempos for purchase in this room. javert almost puffs up when he sings, becoming larger and more demanding of attention.

his song, thusly, cuts through the crowd, a picture of authority.]

Tell me quickly what's this story,
who has kidnapped all of us?
who dares to set these rules here,
who revels in this sport?

Look upon this fine collection,
pulled from each and every land,
who dares lead them to temptation,
to kill his fellow man?

I will not stay by idle,
I will not be here in vain,
I will search through every crevice,
I'll be the one to learn his name.

[tellthestory]

[The Balladeer holds up a hand, as if to halt the flow of questions. He's only one man - he cannot sing everything at once, people.]

Let me see.

Inspector, I've given answers
For every question of this kind
The House belongs to its owners
They'll be very hard to find.

[Is he...is he echoing that melody Valjean likes to use.]

But I must say I like your spirit
You could give the rest a scare
I hope any future killer
Truly answers to Javert

[onthebusagain]

Well, since you asked, you could have at least stocked the dressing rooms with makeup. [She's only half kidding, but how can you even deal with this other than with humor?

Songs, apparently.]

Do you usually kidnap drunk teenagers from parties?

[tellthestory]

You know what, that is fair. I'll get you some.

[It might be stage makeup, but um.]

And this is the first time I'm seeing you guys, so I don't know anything about your party. Aren't you a little young to be drinking?

[dieformymusic]

[From a musical aspect Winslow can respect this guy. He's got a good set of pipes and showmanship. He's almost like the Juicy Fruits.

But from another point of view, he kind of kidnapped him here and as far as he knows? He put him in this horrible monstrous outfit and took away his pipes.

So cue Winslow making an inarticulate yowl of rage at this showrunner and maybe someone should hold this angry bird back.]

[dechagny]

[NO BIRDMAN

Raoul's angry too, especially with the lack of concrete answers and people to hold responsible, but when he hears Winslow...do that...he does go over to him, putting a steadying hand on his shoulder.

That steadying hand will turn into a firm hold should he try to make a break for it.]

My friend - he's not worth your rage, he has little in the way of the answers we seek! Please, stay your ire...

[onthebusagain]

[Look, she's not gonna stop him, but she's going to step away. Loud, much?]

I get your damage, but could you not?

[inforapenny]

[...Why he wink at me.

Billy looks vaguely disturbed and confused, and he's...Stunned into silence.

Really not helping your case there, Billy Buddy.]

[blackstache]

[JUST FUCKING CHORTLING]

My lad, it appears that your doppelganger has taken a fancy to you!

[robitussin]

Yeah, cute number and all that. Anyways, I have a few problems with, like, everything, so here goes.

[she pauses for a second before the music cues up out of nowhere.]

I want my ticket for the long way 'round
I'm getting out of here, okay?
I don't care if I have any company,
But I'm leaving no matter what you say.

What you've done, what you've done,
You're gonna regret what you've done!
You're gonna regret taking me
You're gonna regret, don't you see, oh
You're gonna regret what you've done...

[tellthestory]

...ooookay. I'm just gonna give you the same answer as everyone else - not until the show's over.

[bestof]

[All these questions and accusations flying around the room and Eliza just has one.]

Why us?

[tellthestory]

Oh, Mrs. Hamilton!

[He seems particularly interested in her, for some reason, though not as much as Billy.]

No reason in particular. We haven't got a theme or anything.

[littlegirl_littlecurl]

[It's a cute entrance, she'll give him that. Her's are better. They have spotlights.
She ponders a moment then speaks up with what is hopefully a familiar tune.]


Sir, would you drop me a clue
Just how did you pull this through
Kidnapping's no easy feat
I'm impressed to say the least

Bedrooms like it's a cast
Programs for autographs
As if we don't know
This is not a show

Just a note I don't think
this is is wise
I have a man who'll come for me
Just you wait and see


[Not her best, but it gets the point across.]

[tellthestory]

Doesn't everyone, really...?

[Honestly, all of you threatening him with foreign armies and scary men and the like.]

I'll tell you what: if he can find this place, you can go home with him, no questions asked.