SHOWMASTER HEART GAME (THURS)

[showmaster]

A familiar voice can be heard above you, you're not sure if they're talking to you or not but it does feel like you're part of this conversation:

"What a Wonderful Story that you have. I've read it many times when I was feeling sad. You know, I wanted to keep it in my personal collection, but it doesn't seem that's going to be possible. To grant my wish, I'd have to sacrifice what it means to be a reader ... to become the story. That's The End that I'm looking for.

...

...

...

...

..."

Comments

INTRODUCTION

[ticketmaster]

But when you open your eyes, you find yourself nowhere near the showmaster and instead, you're inside of:



A subway.

And the Ticketmaster is there to take you for a ride.

COLLECT YOUR TICKETS

[ticketmaster]

The Ticketmaster is standing there by the door to the subway train, holding onto tickets that seem to be meant for you. Before she hands them over, she decides she wants to speak:

"Good morning, and thank you for accepting the invitation to the Line of Memories. I am the Ticketmaster and I am here to assist you with your journey today. The story has no choice but to end here, and so you are here to find the End of the Line. What Line you'll end up with, I cannot say, but I believe you'll find what you need to.

You see, the stage is not really my cup of tea, I've never been able to perform or direct any story. All I can do is assist with the journey. As I've said before, my cup of tea is with you!

The Subway is a tunnel filled with the Showmaster's memories, all of her secrets and all of her stories can be found here. You may do whatever you like, if she didn't want someone in here, she should have known better than to have it exposed so easily ~ I'll take you wherever it is you need to go, I've even prepared some tickets for you. Please come aboard the subway and we'll be setting off soon."

[ticketmaster]

...Just so you know, I'm looking for a different end. I'm not looking to find a way for someone to "become the story".

[pallidification]

You wanted to burn yours, right? To stop existing?

[ticketmaster]

Correct.

[pallidification]

It seems like that's sort of a Legend theme.

[ticketmaster]

What a curious thing. I wouldn't say you're wrong.

[smiles!]

[pallidification]

I can't relate, really, but... I hope at least all of you guys get the chance to start over fresh once this is done.

[ticketmaster]

Can I ask why? For both the first and second part.

[pallidification]

Well, I'm not an ancient wish-granting being or whatever. Even the part of me that's "a legend" is just someone living a normal life as best she can. And for the second part... I don't know. Just sentimentality, I guess. I know it's not realistic but it feels sort of sad to just leave it there, y'know?

[ticketmaster]

No one likes what feels like a sad ending . . . or perhaps an incomplete ending?

[holding out a ticket labeled "PERFORMANCES" and holds it out to here.]

[pallidification]

[ taking it ]

Something like that. It's just in our nature to bond with others we meet.

[ticketmaster]

It is more in our nature to watch over those in our care, but it always started out with bonds first. But at some point, you start to lose those.

You and the performers . . . you're not quite the same. Perhaps that's why you're here.

[pallidification]

Let's hope so, huh? I'll do my best. Maybe we can get an ending that's satisfying for everyone.

PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[ticketmaster]

You enter a regular movie theater (with clean floors!).

On the outer edge of the theater, there is a large touch screen menu that you can scroll, and on it, you can find several unique movies that you have never heard of. Fantasy, historical fiction of another world, science fiction, etc. these are all weird films and shows that does not exist in Estoria so every single one is unique and new. Space Jam, Titanic, The Godfather...all weird and strange films you've never heard of (or perhaps you have by now).

Whatever you choose first, it will lock in and play and cannot be changed until the movie is over. First come, first serve! All the chairs are comfortable, nice, and lacking the popcorn one would expect all over the floors.

And if you happen to step out, there's a stall where you can order popcorn and soda and snacks all available for free! Thank god, movies are so expensive these days....the figure behind the counter is faceless, but they wear clothes that seem quite old, dated.

There is also a section in the movie list that seems to be grayed out, scrambled and glitching to the point it cannot be read. It seems if you want to see what this is, you'll have to wait. Or... maybe you don't really have to wait.

There is a part on the screen where it says:

TO ACCESS THE STO▮Y OF ▮▮▮▮N▮▮, YOU MUST UNLOCK IT.

There is at least two exits. If you look inside of the theater, there is an emergency exit. If you go by the snack stall, there's a door there.

[ticketmaster]

Well, that'd be fun to see. Wonder how we can make that possible~

Ah well, not my problem~~~

[And suddenly, she shoves you through the train door.]

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[pallidification]

The story of...

Hm.

[ heading to the snack stall first! ]

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[ticketmaster]

[The faceless figure waves! Look at all them tasty snackoos. You feel like you can order anything.]

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[pallidification]

Can I order a hot dog.

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[ticketmaster]

[They nod and they pull out...a hot dog! It is plain though, but hey.

It is edible!]

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[pallidification]

[ takes a bite ]

Can I go through this door here or is it staff-only?

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[ticketmaster]

[They wave the hand to the door. Wave, wave.]

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[pallidification]

[ steps through, nibbling the hot dog as she goes ]

STORIES

[ticketmaster]

When you're pushed through the doors, you find yourselves standing in the familiar lobby of Limelight Stage, but there are a few different things about this place.

The standard decor is there, there are chairs to read in and tables to work on, if you feel cooped up in your house and just want a place to spend your time, this is the place to be. There are even rooms available for private meetings and they are soundproof so no prying ears can eavesdrop!

There's nothing too fancy here to note except there is one singular window where you can peek out and see that you are in fact close to a beautiful garden, a yard is nearby with several gravestones. The familiar ocean is no longer there.

Various figures of many, many, many individuals are roaming in this lobby, almost lifelessly. Many of them are faces you recognize aka performers on this boat, including members of Cirrus. However, one particular figure to note is Nana, who is now sporting horns and wings. Huh.

If you want to go to your dorm, you can in fact go to any dorm down the hallway.

Re: PERFORMANCES (ESTORIA)

[ticketmaster]

Through the door.