SHOWMASTER HEART GAME (FRIDAY)

[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

LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

You find yourself stepping through the door and into an oceanic looking ballroom. The floor is lighted up to mimic coral patterns, and there are beautiful bouquets of flowers on the table that looks similar to anemone and other sea life. Everything is a hint of blue, and the chandelier above mimics the sunlight from the surface of the ocean. Fish are floating around you, as if this was the ocean, but there's no water. It's just a pleasant party ... with two people.

Every so often, your body feels a sharp pain as you walk around. Every moment, you feel as if your body is being pulled into different directions, but you're physically fine. As long as you don't move too often or if you don't think about it, you won't feel it.

A young man is standing in the center, prim and proper, dark hair, deep violet eyes, and a pleasant smile. He's speaking to a figure that seems quite like the Ticketmaster, it seems he's talking about a story he's written recently.

Other things to note is that there's plenty of food on various plates, but they all look terrible, mushed up, gooey, unrecognizable. There's a book in the young man's hand as well.

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[socialcapital]

[ the symbolic implication of those food plates makes me feel queasy to contemplate

well. time to try to subtly evesdrop on this convo. ]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

"I really am bad at writing stories that aren't for children."

"That's true, you have used the word 'quite' three sentences in a row. Isn't that embarrassing?"

"Well........"

[The conversation is light, nothing too particularly horrible. Definitely not like the symbolic implication of those food plates that might make you feel queasy to contemplate.]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[socialcapital]

[ casually scooting nearby. like he was invited to this party and not like he's a weird third wheel. ]

That's what editing is for, right?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

...Editors are for people who have enough bravery to allow others to read their work.

[coughs]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[socialcapital]

Any editor has absolutely seen worse.

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

[Claps hands.]

See, you have a supporter already. It is time for your publishing debut.

[The other man seems to make a face.]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[socialcapital]

What's your story about?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

Well, honestly, I was trying to write an adventure story of some sort, but I've been stuck in the middle for a long while. I'm not sure how to end it.

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[socialcapital]

I write a lot of music. The specifics aren't the same, but I've had writer's block before, so maybe I can give some advice? Where were you in the story when you got stuck?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

Music is a whole 'nother level...

Well, you see, the main character and the party is meant to rescue the heroine who has been locked up for a long time. However, the tragedies that befell the main character have taken a deep toll on their psyche. There could be a happy ending where they recover and complete their rescue and live happily ever, but it feels fake. But if I try the realistic approach, I can only think of abject misery for the main hero and that seems ... like an ending I don't particular like.

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[socialcapital]

Honestly... I think in real life people can recover from all kinds of nasty trauma as well, but it takes time. Does the recovery need to happen before the rescue? Maybe rescuing her and then recovering together might feel like a more realistic ending?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

That's true . . . I wonder what's the best way to do that.

[He pulls out a pen he had in his pocket and scratches the side of his head.]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[mykidisthebest]

[oh wow moving feels unpleasant, he's not going to think about that right now though. he can unpack that LATER.

he does try to slide over to the young man and the Ticketmaster to see if he can shamelessly try to take the book out of the young man's hands while they're talking]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

[The Young Man looks at you, eyebrow raised, but he keeps a tight grip on that book]

...yyyyes? Nice to meet you, too?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[mykidisthebest]

Hi. Nice to meet you. I thought you were a ghost, so I admit this is a little unexpected.

[offers his hand]

I'm Eugene. Are you, by chance, a writer?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

A writer is......

[pause]

[pauses longer]

Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyes, I suppose I can call myself one of those. You can call me ...

[pause pause pause pause pause]

...Ash. Is fine. I'm a ghost...?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[mykidisthebest]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ash.

[that was so many pauses my guy]

No, well, you're alive and right in front of me, so you're obviously not a ghost. I...must have just been a little disoriented from the lighting. Please don't mind it.

[gestures to the book in his hand]

I thought you might be a writer since they're the only people I could think of who might bring a book to a ballroom. Was I off?

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

I am, but I'm not very good at it. I can only write rhymes really, but I was trying to branch out a little.

[He rubs his head sheepishly.]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[mykidisthebest]

You're being too modest. Isn't writing rhymes already far more than most people can manage? Learning how to write in a new style just takes some time. And any editor worth their salt will be able to give you the feedback to clean up what you put on paper.

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

I don't want others to read my works!! It's embarrassing!!

[He hides his face behind the book. The nice person with him laughs, not with, but at him.]

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[mykidisthebest]

Aw, why not? Isn't it more exciting to have other people reading your stories? I bet your friend agrees with me, right, miss?

[looks to his friend]

1/2

[ticketmaster]

I hate stories. I prefer people.

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[ticketmaster]

[The man sighs and holds out the book to him.]

I don't think it's very exciting, but I guess I wouldn't be trying to write something like this if I didn't want people to read it...

Re: LOVE (Brother)

[mykidisthebest]

Ma'am, you should be more supportive of your friend's passions.

[takes the book; does it have a title on it, or is it just a blank cover?]

May I ask what it's about?