Summer Dance Mix (open player plot)

[roundandaround]

WHO: People around Ellipsa and also Rinku
WHAT: The curse that creates a simulation game of your world is back, but it’s… significantly more harmless (except maybe for your wallet).
WHEN: July 6
WHERE: Weird mind space
WARNINGS: Some discussion of trauma/teamnesia games and what goes on in those, as well as the recent Cursed RPG, Jar of Human Poké Ball, and Lobotomy Corporation player plots.

[You were going about your day. Maybe you were hoping for something nice to happen after everything that’s been going on in town these days. It’s been a rough summer so far, after all, for some more than others.

Something grabs you, though. In the real world, you’ve fallen asleep where you stand, but from your perspective, you suddenly see a stage lit up purple and a cheering crowd.]

RAISE YOUR HANDS UP!!!
3
2
1
Let’s Go!
NEXT MEMBER IS…

[Light flashes, and you’re standing backstage. There are others standing around too, some you might recognize. On the stage, you’ll see a DJ booth with your faces on it. One of you might have an instrument, another a fancy glowstick or two, and you’ve all got microphone headsets on.

The announcer is calling you on stage.

Welcome to D4FES.]

—

[Have fun – it’s an open, lighthearted variation on the cursed-item player plot! Info is here, but basically your character is now expected to perform a DJ live, either alone or in a group (players can work that out). There are turntables on the stage that you suddenly know how to use, and characters who wish to fulfill extra roles in units while one of their threadmates DJs will also have whatever equipment they need and the knowledge to use it. Want to VJ? You’ve got a laptop ready, and mysteriously, all the art or video footage you can imagine is there to project onto the screen behind you or into your LED penlights. Want to play live music? Have an instrument!

The post will be divided into three toplevels in chronological: Free Play (where you play your first round and get used to Suddenly You’re On Stage), Gacha (backstage mingle with everyone else, where a gacha mechanic will put you in new clothes that make you feel stronger and that your threadmates can envy and/or laugh at), and Raid (go perform again with all your new skill and score high enough to break out of the simulation).

As is standard, no powers. We don’t want any accidents on stage.]

Comments

[starwill]

But they don't come with the greatest loot of 'em all, do they?

[ Stelle also, just as easily drops the 'pirate' character, even if she keeps her hands firmly planted on her hips. ]

Looks like it... although I honestly would've been fine either way. It's not every day that I get to wear something different, after all.

[mayoninofukucho]

How come? Do you have a work uniform?

[Come on, Hijikata, she probably didn't mean it that literally...]

[starwill]

Haha... no, just one outfit, actually.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Wait, she meant it even more literally than he assumed?!]

Seriously?! Do you have multiples of the same one, or..?

[That's how it tends to work in Gintama! Otherwise, what does she do when it needs to be washed and she still has stuff to do and needs to be out and about?]

[starwill]

Multiple ones would have been nice...

[mayoninofukucho]

What do you do back home? For a job, I mean? Haven't you bought more outfits since you got here?

[Sorry, Stella, but he's totally stuck on this! Even he buys himself new clothes each time he gets isekai'd, frugal as he is about it!]

[starwill]

I'm a Trailblazer.

[ Stelle does realize that probably explains nothing however-- ]

Basically, I travel to different worlds on our space train. You'd think I would have bought more outfits here, but... I'm pretty comfortable in this one. And it's extremely durable, too.

[mayoninofukucho]

Well, if you like it, I guess it's okay.

[He still wonders about the laundry logistics, but in the grand scheme of things, that's not so important.]

So this sort of things is routine for you, huh? Travelling across the multiverse - or at least through your universe?

[She's an isekai veteran like him! Only in a more controlled manner! He just gets bounced around.]

[starwill]

Pretty much.

[ She shrugs her shoulders rather nonchalantly, as if it were just another day ending in y. ]

Something weird like this is pretty much normal at this point.

[mayoninofukucho]

How're you getting on with the DJing? Is there anything you've gotten the hang off really quickly? I feel like that first round was just a chance for us to see where our strengths lie... I didn't even try to sing or dance; I know I suck at those.

[starwill]

I picked it up pretty quickly.

[ Which is pretty normal for her, actually... ]

You don't need to be good at singing and dancing to DJ, though; what's more important is hyping up the crowd.

[mayoninofukucho]

That's true. They did get hyped!

[That part actually made him really happy. Seeing such a big crowd swing their lights to his remix was amazing!]

I liked your song selection. I feel like I've heard them before somewhere... are they from Ellipsa?

[Or maybe she visited his world before..? But no, they're not from there.]

[starwill]

They're songs that I've found on the internet. I don't know where they're from, exactly.

[mayoninofukucho]

Oh, that checks out. I probably heard them there.

[He takes a deep breath... how long is this intermission going to last? He doesn't want to go back out there yet!]

I hope they don't expect us to improvise themed songs to our outfits. Then again, you could probably pull off a sea shanty.

[She seems to roll with the punches so easily! But honestly, he'd also be brave enough to tackle some old western music to turn into a Nightcore metal amalgamation.]

[starwill]

To be honest... I don't know a lot of pirate songs. I might be in trouble there.

[mayoninofukucho]

I only know the Wellerman song. There once was a ship that put to sea, and the name of that ship was the Billy of Tea... if we get matched up together, maybe we can make it a crossover. Do you know any cowboy songs?

[If not, he'll cross that bridge if they ever get there - maybe he can mix some gunshots and electronic horse whinnies in..? Honestly, this is feeling less and less feaesible! Maybe they should just stick with random music from the internet.]

[starwill]

Hmmm...

[ Stelle taps her chin thoughtfully. ]

I might know one.

[mayoninofukucho]

Really? Which one?

[Thank goodness she has a big repertoire on her! This may not be a lost cause after all.]

[starwill]

It's a song called Big Enough. Have you heard of it?

[mayoninofukucho]

No, I don't think so. Do you have it on your phone?

[They still have their phones on them? Probably, right?]

[starwill]

[ She takes out her phone from her pocket; sure, she can't contact anybody at the moment, but she sure can play the song offline, at least. ]

That's what it sounds like.

[mayoninofukucho]

[He listens... the start is a bit slow, but no matter, they can speed that up, and the middle has more of a beat to it!]

Yeah, that works! We can remix that. If they match us up, we know what to do now!

[Remixing Big Enough with the Wellerman song seems like enough of an ad-hoc plan to satisfy him - he seems visibly more relaxed now.]

I think I'll go grab another drink. I'll see you one stage, one way or the other!

[If not as a unitmate, then as a spectator - he'll cheer her on!]