Backdated to the 4th

[avidita]

[After some thought, it's occurred to them that this is something worth talking about with the rest of their tangled mess of a team.]

A question for those of you who've listened to the kidnapped parties sing: did you notice anything strange about how you felt, whether physically or emotionally?

Your own misery or complicated feelings at your loved ones being kidnapped and used as performing monkeys not counting. I'm talking about something else.

Comments

[firelotus]

[ Color him concerned. ]

Did something happen?

[avidita]

[There's a moment where Mammon probably pauses to grit their teeth, but they still respond, in the end. Let no one say they aren't a team player when it's important.]

I went to attend a performance by Xanxus. At one point, I noticed that my emotions had been influenced beyond what I usually experience while on a job.

Fantasma was affected as well.

[firelotus]

[ There really is no need to be so angry at him all the time. ]

That is curious, if it could affect the two of you. I wonder what caused it. Did he seem to be aware of it?

[avidita]

[But someone here needs to carry on petty overblown grudges from like a decade ago, right?]

It was a little hard to tell, but I believe so. He was focused on us while he was playing. When he stopped, the effects seemed not as severe.

That's why I'm inquiring about the musical aspect.

[firelotus]

[ Not at all. ]

I see. Perhaps it is something that happened when they were brainwashed. If it is amplified with music, it might be best to steer clear of the direct range of it. Did you notice how widespread it might have been?

[ Was it some form of magic? ]

[avidita]

It wasn't something that I was expecting, so unfortunately I wasn't able to take complete notes. Now that I know what to look for, however, I can check things over the next time I run into him.

[firelotus]

And with people aware, more people can keep eyes out for it happening as well. I wonder if there are other people besides Xanxus that can cause such things.

[avidita]

I'll have to look into it but there's only so many places I can be. I'll have to systematically go through musicians as well...

That is going to be annoying.

voice

[woomy]

Not really. But I've also been wearing my headphones and listening to my own beats.

voice

[avidita]

[Hm, that's something to consider. Can whatever is happening be blocked by a method like that...?]

Then there's your warning that something strange is going on. I can't give any details just yet.

permavoice

[woomy]

[ Or she simply was listening to the wrong musicians. She got distracted by Roy Mustang who was not singing at the time. ]

Do you think it's musical mind control? Like what happened with the Octolings?

[avidita]

[That brings about a pause. That's right...]

That's a possibility... It was definitely an influence, although I can't say it was "mind" control. The target was more my emotions, I think. Not a complete control, at any rate.

[woomy]

I'm still working on the power source idea. The city has a few different ones, so it's not as easy as kidnapping the Great Zapfish. What about you?

[avidita]

I've been looking into security... Mostly shallow level things. What there is in the areas available to the public in both label headquarters, what detail follows the kidnapped around. Things of that nature.

Along with other things.

[woomy]

Nothing on the radio waves yet?

[ If they are fighting potential brainwashing music, then let's figure out a way to send it back at them. Or at least stop it or limit its range. ]

[avidita]

I've got a list of radio towers throughout the city, but I'm still looking into the specifics of them- layouts and such.

[woomy]

I wonder if we'd be lucky enough to have them on the same power grid...

[avidita]

Ha. I doubt it.

Still, it is a nice thought.

[woomy]

More plans of attack are needed.

[avidita]

And we need more information.

We've already been here for a good while... I wonder when that pair will contact everyone again. We can't stay like this for long. People will get reckless, for one thing.

[woomy]

I hope it's soon. We're gonna lose our element of surprise if we're discovered.

[avidita]

We'll only get discovered if people are imbeciles who give us away.

And they better not.

[woomy]

... Like a someone who has grey skin and horns? I don't think he's done anything stupid, but he's kinda stuck inside.

[ It's a little harder to hide that than it is to hide tentacles. She feels bad for her roommate. ]

[avidita]

That... could be explained away. This place has some rather eccentric fashion and social circles.

I think I know who you're talking about. His horns are small, aren't they? And rather nub-like.

[woomy]

Some of the people's fashion is really weird. But some's really fresh too. I like the colors.

[avidita]

That reminds me, how have you been fitting in? Any problems?

[woomy]

I got a job at an arcade, and as long as I have my hat, everyone thinks I'm a kid with weird teeth and likes candy that turns your mouth green.

[avidita]

Good plan. Generally speaking, at a certain age, you're more allowed to get away with outrageous fashion and looks... So it all works out very neatly for you.

[woomy]

But... letting my tentacles hang outside of my hat is still a no go. Even if I miss them swinging around as I move.

[ #justsquidkidthings ]

[avidita]

You'll just have to be patient until you get back to wherever you're staying. So long as you remember to keep the blinds closed, anyway.

[Damn nosy neighbors who look in other apartments' windows.]

[woomy]

Yeah.... It's the only place I can really swim too. I can't let my skills dry up.

[avidita]

The ink thing, right?

[woomy]

Even though it disappears on its own, I don't think the people here will like me shooting ink everywhere.

[avidita]

Yeah, that's usually seen as vandalism and would get you arrested. Something we should all try to avoid.

[woomy]

We don't want to rescue a rescuer. That'd be silly.

[ Little did they know... ]

[avidita]

It'd be annoying. [An annoyed mutter.] Anyway, it seems you have things covered.

I'll keep you updated on the radio situation.

[woomy]

Okay. I'll keep you updated too. Stay fresh!

[dishonestlyhonest]

[The poor program that converts voice to text. What it must suffer to understand Jack.]

I mesself didn't notice much of anything but granted that to me the sounds of whatever it was among the gyratings on stage were a bit too much for me poor ears. It's almost like standing among a bunch of scared sailors set out to go mermaid hunting. The mermaids can sing prettily enough but it gets distracting when the rest of the men are screaming and befouling themselves, savy?

Then again, I may have had a wee bit more rum then normal and that's what they are suppose to sound like, aye?

[avidita]

It depends on the type of song. Unfortunately for many a person's poor ears, there are the types that make you wish you were in the middle of a bar brawl than listening to it.

But no, the crowds don't help.

At least you found rum while you were there. Did that make it a decent enough visit?

[dishonestlyhonest]

I've been in bar brawl and I cannot say which would be worse. At least with music, you aren't going to face a loaded pistol or a cutlass, aye?

It certainly made things tolerable. It's not true rum, but 'twas good enough to bear a passing resemblance.

[avidita]

There you go.

Does your booze have to be rum, or will other things do?

[dishonestlyhonest]

Rum's an old friend when it comes to spirits. I've had other stuff before but I like me rum better than most. It has flavor to it more so then other brews.

[avidita]

This is a new place and a new time. You might find something that surprises you.

[dishonestlyhonest]

We shall see what I find and not find in this world. It might be something that I can take with me and that would be a treasure to grab, aye?

[avidita]

I doubt anyone would blame us if we took back a few things when we're done here.

[dishonestlyhonest]

We're in agreement there.