A New Year, A New Me, A Whole New World

[melodymania]

WHO: Count Melodymania, Max, and You.
WHAT: The side plot for Melodymania and Max, an internal power struggle made external
WHEN: January 1st - January 6th
WHERE: All over Ellipsa
WARNINGS: Body horror, themes of existential crisis, violence, attempted murder, NPC death, and trauma exploration

Act 1: Rise the Curtain [January 1st, Open]

Freedom. Sweet sweet freedom. Though that freedom is not yet permanent. That troublesome abomination will find a way to crawl his way back into control if he doesn't secure this coup quickly. He has days to act but he's had decades to plan this. Years upon years of biding his time, watching, learning, and watching for his chance. Ellipsa has provided all he has needed for this. Rinku and her beautiful XROSS∞BEAT was a sensational catalyst for his abilities to spread across this world within the barrier. Of course, the sacrifice of her soul was a price he was all too willing to pay. The musical influence would spread and settle over everyone. A world turned into a living musical and that was just Act 1.

This dreadful play he's planned has four more acts before everything it ends with his victory and Maximillian's permanent removal. It was time to start Act 2. Count Melodymania is giddy with the anticipation. This will be a show for all to remember. For all of January 1st, Melodymania is exploring Nightwake. He walks the streets, taking in sights, sounds, and songs. He is ecstatic to finally be in control again. He soaks up the musical energy spreading through the city. Locals and Otherworlder's alive are all susceptible to the musical energy he's spiked this world with.

Act 2: Ambition is the death of Love [January 2nd, Locked to Esme and Macaque]

With some preparation and enjoying his time out completed, it was time for Act 2. This act would introduce the damsel in distress and end his life before even the intermission! The source of Max's incredible will and the one person who would drive him to claw back control from Melodymania; Esme. Esme had to die. Yes, coming back in three days was a thing in this world. It would be temporary at best but that didn't mean Melodymania couldn't capitalize on the torment and guilt of a painful death. He would make Esme suffer to his last breath. Just like Cole would in the final act of his dreadful play.

Finding Esme isn't difficult. The pull of the heart remains, despite Max being buried down below in his carnal womb. The pull of love is greater than any compass and soon Melodymania spots the little Lost. Soft fur, softer eyes, and an irritating talent for not dying. Striking fast from a shadow and slicing his throat would be the quickest and simplest way to get this done. Yet that was never his style nor was it within the realm of the rules of his title. He is Count Melodymania after all. Song and dance were part of his very being and even he is drawn in by the musical energy he's unleashed upon this world. Time for the act to begin with quite the song.

A song that starts to play all around Esme as Melodymania's voice rings out before he slides out of the shadows, singing at Esme.

It's not easy having yourself a good time~

Act 3: The Gate of Horn [January 3rd - January 5th, Open]

Esme isn't dead but how things turned out was even better than he had planned. That was why Melodymania loved his domain and title so much! Life being a musical means there will be improvisation, a pivot of songs and dance and themes as the stage players surprise him! Max is weakening inside him, which leaves the next stage, digestion. Melodymania makes his way back to Stormreach, to the home of Max and Esme. It is domain he has claim over because Max does too. Domain is important. If this entire world is to become his Arcadia, he needs a throne from which to rule it from. That is where domain comes in handy.

As Melodymania steps through the threshold of the house, wood and metal warps and twists. The house breaks apart as it folds in on itself. The floor, the walls, the ceiling, the plumbing and wiring, tile, and furniture all obey his new design. The walls splinter to pull the bed out of the bedroom. The bed cracks as the frame and mattress are folded. Melodymania sits upon the new large chair as the wood warps under it. He is raised up as everything the cozy home once was is changed into a massive throne atop an archway. Wood and metal crack and splinter to form sharp shapes all along the massive arch. Every door in the house merges together to form one massive door that wires wrap around the frame and edges to suspend in the middle of the arch.

The throne, arch, and door finish moving. As Melodymania's eyes close, the massive warmed door opens. There is nothing on the other side but within the door, one can see a concrete staircase leading down into somewhere dark. There are shimmering lights down inside the liminal space Melodymania has opened up. the sound of music flows up the stairs.

This is the Gate of Horn. Entering will allow those who go in to venture into Max's soul scape. The staircase ends with what is a subway station before them. Though it looks like space was carved into the station to open it up for more room. There is an old fashioned train sitting on the tracks behind the bar. Yep, there is a bar. And the singing is coming from people on a makeshift stage performing in the little club. There are people in here too, strange figures of varying shapes and forms. A panda bear standing on all fours, a table of what look to be monks wearing blindfolds, a bartender who is made out of computer chips and old keyboards, and many more. There are archways and walkways a plenty to explore deeper in too; pathways each named after the four cardinal directions of North, South, East, and West. Finally a room is labeled throne room with two big body guards standing outside it. They glare anyone who approaches and will inform them the King of Corruption is not seeing visitors right now. He's out.

Do you chat up the guests, the bartender, the singer as she goes on break? Or do you simply go exploring on your own?

Act 4: The King of Corruption [January 5th evening, Open]

Near the end of the dreadful play, the songs and dancing hasn't stopped out in the real world. Yet inside the soul scape, things are not going well. The spreading corruption and influence of Melodymania is seen everywhere. Positive memories are being devoured and sinking into the darkness of his ambitions. Those exploring the paths and memories all find their way down into the deeper depths of Max's soul. Here lies the Contagion. White goo clings to surfaces, it drips from the ceilings, and crawls up the walls. The cracked floors and ground has the white goo bubble up from between the broken gaps. The landscapes start to our into one another and stop making any logical sense.

A graveyard but it has walls of a church and the ceiling of a beautiful lobby of some building. Parts of the floor and ground are separating with long strands of contagion trying to hold it all together. Yet the more it breaks here, the more strained those strings are. They are liable to break if this keeps happening. Nearing the end of this path stands a knight in armor. His sword is held before him, blade down, standing tall. He will be the one to greet all who make it this far.

"Max is just beyond. Before I allow you to pass, state your intentions. I will allow none who side with the Other to pass. Speak quickly. There is not a lot of time."

Act 5: The End of Music [January 6th midnight, Locked to Cole and reactions.]

The end is nigh. Yet this play does not end as the original author intended. After all, musicals have happy endings. Well, most of them do. Some are bittersweet. Some are even sad. But so often, the villain receives their just desserts. This is one such ending. Cast out of Max, Melodymania lands upon the cold and frozen snow outside the Gate of Horn. He is beaten but not finished. Not yet. Though someone awaits him, armed with iron, and ready to put an end to this fiend's vile plans. Once and for all.

Melodymania looks up slowly, green eyes glaring up at Cole with grinding teeth.

"You...you have always been a thorn in my side. A sour note in my songs. The fucking key on my piano I can't seem to fix or the string that keeps breaking on my violin!" He pushes himself up to his knees with great effort.

"You vile little mortal. Failure of a would-be hero. Always too late. Always too weak. Isn't that right, Cole?"

Comments

Act 2: Ambition is the death of Love [January 2nd, Locked to Esme and Macaque]

[albionchanged]

Esme saw everything. He was at the concert and couldn't do anything again. Max was gone again! Snapped up by that awful Fae again...and he just let it happen!

He'd made a quick escape, trying to think of who could help Max now. Mike couldn't because of the rules. Most of their friends have families and the thought of them being hurt or worse because of his weakness hurts to much to think through clearly. All of this is too much to think through clearly, which is why he doesn't register the music until that familiar voice starts to sing.

His head snaps around, wide mismatched eyes focusing on unpleasantly familiar green before darting around looking for an escape. No doorways or arches close enough...

Re: Act 2: Ambition is the death of Love [January 2nd, Locked to Esme and Macaque]

[melodymania]

"Greasing up those bets and betters
Watching out they don't four-letter
Fuck and kiss you both at the same time
Smells like something I've forgotten
Curled up died and now it's rotten"

Melodymania loves that fear in those eyes. He walks toward Esme as he sings the first verse. As he mentions the smell, he reaches into his jacket pocket, only to pull out a dead and rotten rat, which he tosses at Esme. A very familiar looking rat. Of course once caught or allowed to hit the ground, it will burst into dust.

The bow of his violin slowly manifests in Melodymania's other hand. A long and sharp implement, shaped like music staves with notes along the back. The actual bow part shimmers and catches the light, showing it is sharp as any blade.

"I'm not a gangster tonight
Don't wanna be a bad guy
I'm just a loner, baby
And now you've gotten in my way"

Re: Act 2: Ambition is the death of Love [January 2nd, Locked to Esme and Macaque]

[albionchanged]

Esme does catch the rat on instinct even as he tries to tell himself it's not real while backing away. It's not Rusty Teeth. And then it's dust and he barely has time to process before he registers the bow. Deceptively sharp, not unlike his claws and fangs...but sharper he figures. His leg is healed, but he's not sure if he can avoid being cut. His abilities are completely different since he went home, making his agility more normal.

"Why...why are you doing this?" he asks finally, hoping to buy sometime to think.

Re: Act 2: Ambition is the death of Love [January 2nd, Locked to Esme and Macaque]

[melodymania]

The answer comes in the form of the next lyrics as Melodymania doesn't make a move to attack, yet. Oh no. He moves in closer fast though, the bow in hand, as the chorus starts.

"I can't decide
Whether you should live or die
Oh, you'll probably go to heaven
Please don't hang your head and cry
No wonder why
My heart feels dead inside
It's cold and hard and petrified,"

Melodymania tears open his jacket, his shirt, and his chest to show the ghastly green glow and white thick goo inside his flesh on the line. He grins wider as he lets go, and his body and clothes reseal and snap back to where they were before.

"Lock the doors and close the blinds
We're going for a ride!"

He finally takes his first swing at Esme. Though if Esme can't dodge it, the bow will stop just short of actually landing the hit. Much to the sudden narrowed eyes and rage in Melodymania's eyes.

Re: Act 2: Ambition is the death of Love [January 2nd, Locked to Esme and Macaque]

[albionchanged]

He wasn't fast enough, too distracted by the taunting, that wound and the Contagion. Feeling something in his head start to splinter. The bow should have sliced his ear. What happened?

He doesn't try to ask, scurrying away and keeping scared, wary eyes on him. Wait... "Max?" Is he still in there?

4

[roundandaround]

[She steps in -- not through the real-world gate, but somewhere else. Fire-crafted sword in hand, still in the flashy DJ costume she was in on the night of the concert. And given the expression on her face, a stack of pizza boxes in her arms would not be out of place.]

It looks like shampoo everywhere... or something dirty.

[That comment on the Contagion aside, Rinku tilts her head and walks down the path. Eventually, she comes upon the knight.]

Wait... did you say Davis-san's name? He's in here?

Re: 4

[melodymania]

[The knight stands tall and does not move, though Rinku will feel those unseen eyes on her. The tears of blood spilling out of the darkness of those eye slats within the helmet.]

Or pus. [The Knight states simply as to what the Contagion goo could be.]

Yes. He is here. Just ahead. Do you seek him or have you wondered amongst the Collective Unconscious and merely stumbles here?

[roundandaround]

[Rinku makes a face at the comparison. As the knight continues, though, she shudders.]

I've been wandering for a long time. I don't know where I'm going, and I've only seen little pieces of what's going on out there. But if I can help, I gotta. Whoever that other guy was used both of us -- used the fact that I trusted him. I gotta make up for it.

[melodymania]

"Count Melodymania uses others and their suffering for his own goals. He has since his banishment from Arcadia. If you wish to help, to make amends for yourself and others, then continue. The one waiting for you will show you the rest of the way." The Knight says and motions with a single hand for Rinku to proceed down the hallway.

"Forgiveness is something one must earn but also something one must be open to earning. From others as well as themselves."

[roundandaround]

[She makes a worried noise, taking all this in. She bows and hesitates.]

Open to earning... I don't really get it. But I'm gonna do my best. Thank you! I'm gonne help for sure!

[She starts running down the hall, fire still in the form of a sword in her hand just in case.]

Act 3 and 4: Macaque and Esme - Open

[albionchanged]

The Gate of Horn

[albionchanged]

It's a good thing that Esme hadn't returned home after running into Melodymania. It wouldn't have ended well.

But seeing how it has been corrupted...because there's no other word for this...it hurts. They chose Stormreach because Max wanted him to feel as close to the home he'd lost as possible without cutting them off from convenience and necessity. Now look at it. But...it also gives them what might be their only chance to fix things. A broken building is worth that.

So he banks away from the Gate and lands on a roof several houses away, dropping the bird form so he can call Macaque and tell him that he knows how they might reach Max now. Part of how. Which is more than he had two nights ago.

Re: The Gate of Horn

[castaside]

Macaque steps out of a portal as soon as he's called. He gives Esme a little smile.

"Hi, you." He's not exactly sure where the line is right now. Cupid's arrow, from what he understands, directed all of Esme's love at him, but would it be taking advantage if part of him wasn't bothered by that, even as most of him is extremely bothered?

He's always wanted to be someone's priority. But not like this. Still, he can't take that out on poor Esme, and he won't.

"Ready to head on in? I'll be right there with you."

Re: The Gate of Horn

[albionchanged]

"Not really."

Esme knows Macaque is conflicted. He can feel it whenever they have a moment together. He wants to hold Macaque and reassure him that it's really okay. Or at least not as bad as he's probably thinking. But he knows this isn't how they're meant to be. He's not even sure the feelings he'd had before the arrow were reciprocated by Macaque in the first place.

And, as usual, he's afraid to overstep a boundary that he can't see the line for. To risk pushing Macaque away.

"But...I can do this if you're here too," he says finally, offering a small smile.

Cole's Acts

[tethered_roamer]

January 1st and 2nd - Around Nightwake mostly [Open]

[tethered_roamer]

Something has felt off since last night...just as the New Year ticked over. Cole doesn't know why because he wasn't watching the concert, instead having holed up in his room to think about Tobias and their goodbye. Same as every New Years he's been here. At first he didn't really register the feeling, but now that it's still here even while he's awake he knows something is wrong. So he follows that feeling and decides to take a walk.

It isn't long before the music reaches him, because noticing stuff is his superpower. Not organized and intentional, but like a bunch of people have all decided that they need their own song to be happening at the same time. Whenever stuff is weird and musical, Max is somewhere at the center of it. But it's been normal music stuff since he arrived last year. So why...?

A familiar face catches his eye, and not one he ever wanted to see again. Melodymania is walking around as though he should just be here and it not be one of the worst outcomes. Cole quickly ducks out of sight, watching the Fae closely. No part of him is open to the possibility that he doesn't intend harm, but Cole also isn't stupid enough to think he can take on a Fae alone with no preparation and no iron.

So he's got a couple of simple goals for now: find out what Melodymania is planning next, prepare to engage and stop or delay him, and try to find some help with Goal #2.

January 3rd - The Gate of Horn [Open]

[tethered_roamer]

It's been a long time since he's seen a Gate of Horn. About since he was 12, he thinks. But never one quite like this though. Everything in him wants to ignore the problem and go home, but he can't. Because Melodymania will ruin everything for everyone if he gets even a bit more of what he wants. Max is in immediate danger, for now he's basically lost MK, and the idea of a Fae from his world converting this one into Arcadia is the stuff of nightmares for any Lost. He can't let this go unchecked, so he asked Kallan to stay in the house with the doors locked and to look after the pets. Then he set off to the Gate, barely hesitating before dashing inside.

He knows this place, not well but remembered clearly. The place he first spoke to Max without knowing who or what he was. The start of an uneasy alliance he hadn't known he was a part of that has grown into friendship and understanding this last year. He doesn't know who any of the faces here are, besides that one being the bartender and those two being bouncers. When he approaches them only to be told the King is out, he meets their glares evenly and without flinching.

"Do you know where he's out at? I need to find him before it's too late."

Re: January 3rd - The Gate of Horn [Open]

[melodymania]

The bouncers clearly do not want to answer. They look to one another and back to Cole. One of them sighs and looks over his shoulder to where the King's throne should be. He speaks and clearly not to Cole.

"We have one asking to see the King, sir. He wants to know where he has gone," the shark says. There is a little jingle of a bell as someone approaches. The curtain parts and who comes out is a short cute black ferret. His little beady eyes light up as he races over toward Cole's feet.

"Cole!!!" Ferrety exclaims in excitement. He is going to try and climb up Cole's leg if his friend doesn't scoop him up first.

Re: January 3rd - The Gate of Horn [Open]

[tethered_roamer]

"Ferrety?"

Climbing is unneeded because Cole does indeed scoop up the familiar black furball, meeting the beady little eyes and looking him over. He knows it can't be the real thing, but his heart doesn't care. Whether this Ferrety is a memory or a manifestation, or something else entirely...he's a welcome presence.

"What were you doing back there?"

January 5th (Evening) - The King of Corruption [Open]

[tethered_roamer]

This isn't good. Things are falling apart and being pulled into the darkness. Time must be running out. Hopefully he's not far now. Cole picks his way across the crumbling floors, careful not to step in or touch the white stuff. And eventually he sees the armor, as familiar and imposing as ever. "If there's not much time then let me pass. You know I'm not on his side. I'm going to stop this."

Re: January 5th (Evening) - The King of Corruption [Open]

[melodymania]

The Knight doesn't move but also makes no move to stop Cole from moving passed him.

"You would not serve the monster's goals unless you somehow were forced to against your will. You, however, will need a weapon. He will provide you one further in. He waits for you, to guide you to the end."

Re: January 5th (Evening) - The King of Corruption [Open]

[tethered_roamer]

"I have one weapon, but I won't say no to another."

Since he's neither moving aside nor blocking the way, Cole moves to walk past him. They both know that if the knight needs to stop him he can use his words. "Who is he though?"

January 6th (Midnight) - The End of Music

[tethered_roamer]

Finding his way back out in pursuit of Melodymania happens so easily, Cole doesn't lose sight of the helplessly sailing body as they both exit and the Fae slams into the snow. But even beaten he's still talking.

"You vile little mortal. Failure of a would-be hero. Always too late. Always too weak. Isn't that right, Cole?"

Those words cut deep, which is the intent behind them of course. Use his insecurities to wound him with things he knows to be true about himself. But that's not new, is it? Cole steps onto the snow and starts walking toward him purposefully. Not without fear, never without that.

"That's right. But I've never thought of myself as a hero. And I know I'm weak," he replies simply. "But where has all your strength and good timing brought you?"

Re: January 6th (Midnight) - The End of Music

[melodymania]

"To the brink. Of victory. Of reclaiming what is mine! You. Sickening and grotesque. Only thing worse, only creature more vile than you is your original keeper. Then that abomination who stole you. Always nothing more than a useful tool. Never the useful idiot. Not for me." Melodymania rambles as he glares at Cole, shooting daggers at him.

"I was so close. Again! I won't fail next time. I detest you. I despise you! These filthy HUMAN emotions! They cling to me like the burns of cold iron and I am filthy and infected and rotten. But I will not end here. I won't allow it!"

Re: January 6th (Midnight) - The End of Music

[tethered_roamer]

Cole doesn't flinch at the stinging words. They're true enough. Though a few falsehoods are obvious. "You're also far worse than I'll ever be. I should have ratted you out the first time I saw you. Which makes you wrong. Because you'd have been devoured long before we got here if I wasn't a useful idiot for you at the time."

He draws his dagger, borrowed back from MK for this very reason. His sleeve pulls back shows rows of hastily done bandages, from where he bled to make sure he could actually land a meaningful hit. Hastily reshuffled as many of his skills as possible because that's the value of his blood. Maybe it's overkill now, but he refused to take the chance it wouldn't be enough.

"You're going to end here. You've done far more to me and mine, and beyond than any of us stood in your way. If you're really all of those things, then it's your own fault. Your actions, your refusal to die when you were killed." He watches the Fae closely as he readies himself to attack.

He's not going to be the useful idiot now.