CHAPTER FINALE ♔ darling can't you see it's now or never

[romanticidal]

♬ Astronaut (A Short History of Nearly Nothing) - Amanda Palmer ft. Zoe Keating

WHO || Rafael Giovanni, Eterna Jade, Burt Becksworth, Isabella Alessandro, Finnick Odair, Myrilandel de Tanos, Buffy Summers, Spike, Elena Gilbert, Dawn Summers, Desmond Descant, Jeanne Gar, Kat Samcelot, Mark Sandazhard, Violet Fiore, Sterling Archer
WHAT || CHAPTER ONE FINALE: Rafael Giovanni & Finnick's televised international concert debut
WHERE || A music hall in Chicago, IL
WHEN || July 3rd, 2013 [ forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam

The hour is finally upon our heroes, to learn whether their crazy plan to invest in making Finnick and Rafael international superstars under Burt Becksworth's management will pay off, and keep control of NOVA Records out of the hands of Chad Becksworth and his sinister compatriots. Now, as the Knights finish taking their seats in the balconies directly overlooking the stage, the concert goes live, broadcasting around the world, to where even other members of the Knighthood in London can gather to watch.

The camera pans across the endless sea of gathered, curious fans, who shake their arms wildly for their two seconds of fame, and then zooms in on a blonde figure on one corner of the stage, where she stands ready with a microphone: Buffy Summers.

[ the action of this post will be continually propelled by the interspersed musical numbers performed by finnick and rafael. each musical number will be up for a short amount of ooc time, in which players are free to create mini-thread responses directly to that song comment. these can be for internal reflection, to make commentary to the neighbors seated in their rows, for backstage convos for those involved in the program, or for 'host' commentary between some songs by archer and kat. threads that result from these responses should be kept short and sweet, as each song is only 3 to 5 minutes long, which doesn't leave a lot of time for in depth conversations. ideally, by the time the next 'number' is posted (as a direct response to the last musical number comment), your response threads from the previous number should be considered over and done with, and you can continue anything going on in them as a new mini-thread under the most recently posted song. in order to keep track of when things are rolling on to the next song, I highly encourage everyone to please track this entire post. ]

Comments

oh wait i forgot

[romanticidal]

[ more subdued applause follows that number, because most Americans don't want to listen to songs in other languages, lbr.

The band transitions into a simple, classy melody, as the lights of the city set lower, leaving raf in a single spotlight of silver "moonlight" projected from a large, impressive fake moon that fades in overhead.

the moon is a harsh mistress - Rafael Giovanni

See her as she flies
Golden sails across the skies
Close enough to touch
But careful if you try
Though she looks as warm as gold
The moon's a harsh mistress
The moon can be so cold

Once the sun did shine
And Lord it felt so fine
The moon, a phantom, rose
Through the mountains and the pines
And then the darkness fell
And the moon's a harsh mistress
It's hard to love her well

[ Rafael' s warm voice carries the simple, beautiful tune easily (perform 41), conveying a quiet sense of melancholy that clearly comes from the heart. ]

I fell out of her eyes
And I fell out of her heart
I fell down on my face
Yes I did
And I tripped and I missed my star
Then I fell and fell ago
And the moon's a harsh mistress
And the sky's made of stone

The moon's a harsh mistress

She's hard to call your own

[graveflowers]

[Vi may be in the back so idk maybe is talking to herself or a stagehand or the door, who knows</>, but she still has her two cents to give.]

Wow. That is not even subtle at all. Kind of rude, actually.

[shootfirst]

[ well she would be back there when Kat slips back here mid number to hoist up the front of her dress and adjust her boobs, grumpily. ]

I swear to Christ, if Archer calls me Katie one more time, I'm decking him. Live before a studio audience.

[graveflowers]

...I hope he calls you Katie again.

[bigbad]

Right... when you're fighting someone... the why's and wherefore's aren't what's important, just them and you, and who's gonna break first and give an opening. Death like that, it's almost worth it, if you get a really good fight out of it. [A beat.] Even better if you live, of course, but still better than being shot.

[Not that a bullet is likely to kill Spike. Vampire perks. Could be a holy bullet, though. Or something.]

[savemyself]

Si, there is something very... pure about it, yes? People wear so many masks... but they strip them away at the end of a sword.

[bigbad]

[He smirks and leans in a bit closer to her.]

I'd love to see your swordplay someday.

[This is the Spike equivalent for asking her out for coffee.]

[notaroundme]

[Elena has been seriously captian oblivious because this show is probably the most amazing thing she's ever seen.

She wonders if any of them were nervous about going up on that stage. If they were, it sure hasn't shown. They're remarkable.]

[rationalizes]

[ gar happily speaks up because she's just trying to ignore the makeouts and dramatic pregnancy reveals and sexual tension on the other end of the balcony there. thank you elena, for being her anchor to sanity here. ] This will be a pleasant note to end this leg of the mission on.

[notaroundme]

[Oh good, because none of that is her business and she's just like lalalalalala.]

I think so too. It's certainly easy to be the overexcited arm candy when they're putting on a performance like this.

[She says teasingly, looking out as Raf sings.]

I had no idea they were really so talented.

[nothingsodivine]

[It takes Des a moment to find words again- just enough time for Rafael to switch songs, but he's not paying attention to the concert anymore. It's just hit him that he's been with this group for a long time now. Longer than he's been with anyone really, aside from incidental encounters. There's a lot to be done. He plans on sweettalking Wynn into letting him have a few minutes alone with the Talisman to see what comes of it and then... and then what?

What the hell does he do after this? He's never had a group of people he'd actually regret never seeing again before.]

Maybe I did.

[borrowedheaven]

[ you only live twice - coldplay

when he finally speaks up, she's looking up at him with a thoughtful, fond expression, and the smallest smile.

her hand very gently squeezes his arm, and she leans a little closer so she can say quietly and still be heard: ]

It's not a bad look on you.

[nothingsodivine]

[He smiles sheepishly, but doesn't duck his head. Just keeps looking at her.]

I could probably get used to it.

[witchwoman]

[when finnick offers his hand, she takes it without hesitation. The railing of the balcony should obscure the contact so any fans trying to steal glances at the rising star would be none the wiser. Myri turns her attention to the concert, but as the song registers, she casts an uneasy look to jade. She hopes the rest of Rafael's songs won't have a theme.

But since jade is deep in conversation with des she decides to try not to worry about it and enjoy her evening. To be honest, she's still buzzing inside at the realization that she's in love... And loved in return. She squeezes finnick's hand lightly as the moment sinks in fully.]

[65]

I suppose Taylor isn't the only one with a gift for overtness.

[finnick is momentarily distracted by jade and des it's hard not to be ok they're sitting right there. what he wants to say to them but does not: ♬

and that is only because he has his own lady to focus on and to whisper delicately in the ear of:]

It took me awhile to realize, but I think I always did. Just a little. It was the night we went to the bar in New Orleans. You left because you were upset, and I wanted to follow you. But I didn't. I think I loved you then.

[witchwoman]

[A shiver runs the length of her spine at his closeness and the way the memory is changed by his perspective. That night had held a great deal of emotion but this? Her mind tumbles through a thousand tiny moments with him, trying to pinpoint when she might have fallen. But she doesn't know. She can't decide. Suddenly, the answer is so obvious.]

I loved you before I knew you, I think. The Stargods sent you. Or perhaps sent me. I've heard a voice for years, pushing me to travel, to find my home. They brought me here. They helped me find you.

[romanticidal]

[ as the audience roars once more, they're quieted by a slightly more upbeat melody with an almost folk undertone... although when rafael launches into the lyrics, it's much more bittersweet than it first sounds, and he communicates a self-deprecating, lonely sort of humor through song just as easily as he often does in person. (perform 38) ]

♬ happy in my heartache - rafael giovanni

Coffee is on the table, and I
Just can't seem to wake up this aching heart of mine
One more day without you and I'll be fine
I know I'm good for waiting but waiting's wasted time

Oh and I, I don't take it lightly,
The trouble that I've gone through, to get you to know who I am
Oh and I, I can't find a reason to be happy in this heartache
'Cause I should know better than that
I'm better than that

[ he cuts a slow path through the ghostly frame of a half building, where remnants of paintings and a life once lived can be barely made out among the ruins ]

Wicked winds are blowing through the halls
These old familiar faces are clinging to the walls
I know its cold but I can't feel at all
And I know these walls are crumbling
And I won't stay to watch them fall

Oh and I, I don't take it lightly,
The trouble that I've gone through, to get you to know who I am
Oh and I, I can't find a reason to be happy in my heartache
'Cause I should know better than that

[ he stops with one foot atop a blackened chair and looks up right at the balcony where jade sits for a moment, to sing very deliberately: ]

But I can't stop loving you
I don't know what to do
To keep holding on

[ and then he looks away again, and walks center stage to finish out to the audience. ]

Oh and I, I don't take it lightly,
The trouble that I've gone through, I've given you all that I am
Oh and I, I can't find a reason to be happy in my heartache
'Cause I should know better than that
Oh I'm better than that

[rationalizes]

I should be thanking you. This is still all a part of the first mission I've been allowed to lead. And it's certainly been a messy one.

[notaroundme]

I can't imagine a big mission like this not getting messy in places. You've been amazing.

[witchwoman]

[As Rafael beings another song, she grasps Finnick's hand tighter, her other arm reaching across to place her hand on his arm. She wouldn't need an empathic ability to understand where his mind had wandered to. And despite how much she wants to tell him that nothing will happen to her, they both know that their line of work doesn't allow for such promises.]

I'm here now, aren't I? Perfectly safe? Besides, I thought it was my job to fret over all of you. Thinking about what might be will only have you chasing dragon dreams. [It's her way of trying to lighten the mood. And before Burt or anyone can scold her for it, she presses a quick kiss to his cheek before moving her lips to his ear to say more privately:]

You should think about things that we can control... Like how quickly you'll be dragged to bed once we get back to the hotel.

[This probably still comes off more sweet than sexy because it's Myri but she's definitely not so wide eyed innocent anymore.]

[65]

[myri has a way of saying exactly what he needs to hear to feel reassured. at least 90 percent of the time, anyway. and right now was planted firmly within that 90 percent range. as difficult as it is not to make any more physical contact back (beyond the holding hands), he abstains ESPECIALLY BECAUSE RAFAEL KEEPS DRAWING ATTENTION TO THEIR FUCKING BALCONY WHAT THE FUCK. SIMMER DOWN TAYLOR SWIFT.]

Now the rest of the night is ruined, because I won't be able to think about anything else.

[bigbad]

[Spike gives her a grin, clearly pleased by her response.]

I'll look forward to it.

[savemyself]

I will try to leave you in one piece, to go home in.

[borrowedheaven]

[ meanwhile, jade entirely misses the moment he directs at her again (crit fail...) but she does keep tuning back into the music, looking a little lost in thought over other things. ]

[romanticidal]

[ a heart-wrenching violin intro brings in the next song, and there's a certain shift in rafael's entire demeanor as he begins to sing. while no less magnificent in terms of his impressive vocal performance and general stage presence, those who are especially familiar with him can notice the shift - it's as if this song isn't meant for them at all, and everyone is now firmly on the outside looking in. how he manages to create such a sense of intimacy in a room full of hundreds and while broadcasting to the world, is difficult to define, but it seems effortless on his part.

it's as if he's done his part in putting on a show for them, but that was all a facade, and this is the entire reason he's actually up there in the first place. and if you thought his lyrics were lacking in subtlety before, well, this really takes things up a notch. (perform 44) ]

♬ you're still you - rafael giovanni

Through the darkness
I can see your light
And you will always shine
And I can feel your heart in mine
Your face I've memorized
I've idolized just you

I look up to everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
I've loved you for so long
And after all is said and done
You're still you
After all, you're still you

You walk past me
I can feel your pain
Time changes everything
One truth always stays the same
You're still you
After all, you're still you

[ as the music dramatically swells, the ruined cityscape sinks below around him, leaving him on a bare, darkened stage ]

I look up to everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
And I believe in you
Although you never asked me to
I will remember you and what life put you through
And in this cruel land
The only world I've found without hope
You're still you
After all, you're still you