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

[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

[witchwoman]

[All the teasing smiles and playful turns of phrase drain from Myri as the violin begins to play. The problem with being a witchwoman and so deeply connected to so many people is that she can actually feel Rafael's heartbreak. The difference in this song from the others is like a slap in the face for her. She turns and watches him, her hand tightening around Finnick's slightly as tears spring to her eyes.

She may not have spent as much time with Rafael as the others, but she counts him among her friends, her family. And she knows that everything he does, he does for the love of a woman who cannot see him, or cannot be seen.

And it's only now that it truly hits her that while she and Finnick have found love in all of this, Rafael has still been chasing ghosts.]

[65]

[meanwhile, finnick is also distracted from their eyefucking by rafael's music. the only difference is that he is not nearly as heartfelt a person as myri is. he can't even say anything, just stare with bizarre fascination like one would at a car crash.]

[notaroundme]

[Elena's attention is caught the moment the violin starts as well, because she's had a long conversation with Rafael about what he's so obviously signing about. And it's hard to listen to. Painful.]

Oh Rafael...

[She says it under her breath, likely inaudible under the loud music. Her eyes shift toward Jade beside her, wondering if this is as uncomfortable for her as she might be able to guess.]

[borrowedheaven]

[ and jade, thanks to des' prompting, really, really listens this time.

there's no trace of judgment on her face, no hint of embarrassment or discomfort at being the obvious subject of the song - or intended recipient of it. instead she just stares and stares, looking as if her heart is in her throat as the words sink in. it's a beautiful sentiment to direct towards anybody, even if it's also kind of borderline crazy to do it on this scale, and in spite of everything. still, she doesn't look entirely unmoved by the fact that this man is pouring out his entire soul to the world, and baring his heartbreak just to send her a message. she just looks kind of astonished by the fact. ]

[nothingsodivine]

[Des is the only one not particularly moved. It would be this song that he draws Jade's attention to and all he can do is let her listen, groan, and bury his face in his hands.]

[borrowedheaven]

[ she exhales a breath when the song draws to a close, that she doesn't seem to realize she was holding in ]

... I see what you mean.

[nothingsodivine]

[He keeps his face buried in his hands.] Yeah. I'm starting to see your point about him.

[graveflowers]

[It is a beautiful song to be sure and it makes Violet's heart ache, but at the same time she just wants to stop the concert for the sole purpose of calling bullshit.

It's one line, but it has her gripping the mic so tightly that her fingers start to hurt because she is onstage so she has to at least pretend to keep it together.

In my eyes you do no wrong. Bull. Shit. That is not love and that is, in Vi's opinion, tremendously fucked up. And wholly unfair. He's put Jade on a pedestal like she is some kind of doll and she isn't, she is a woman who makes mistakes like any human being (or variation therein) does. And Vi is irrationally annoyed that people find that romantic --- he has put the object of his desire in such a posistion that all she can do is fail. How is that love?]

[graveflowers]

[As the song winds down, Violet realizes there is something she can say.]

I wonder if our dear Rafael takes requests? [Oh such innocence in that voice.] Like maybe Stop... in the Name of Love. [A beat.] Just a thought.

[bigbad]

Oh, I can hold my own.

[And wow, this song is so awkwardly obvious that he can't even. Look, Spike's written some angsty poetry. Quite a lot of it has involved him trying to come up with rhymes that weren't 'stuffy' or 'huffy.' But he has not broadcast that poetry to however many millions or billions are watching this concert. That would just be awkward.]

Is he always this.... depressing?

[savemyself]

[ isabella's distracted from the weird flirtation they've got going on anyway by rafael's obvious new concert tactic, and her expression is a strange mixture of horror, anger, and a touch of bitter melancholy as she watches what go on. her voice is taut when she speaks, as if under a great amount of strain to keep it level. ] ... She has a tendency to bring out the very worst in him. I see that has not changed in time.

[bigbad]

He really needs to move on already. She has.

[Which hurts a bit, considering who he'd probably move on to, but perhaps Rafael's not the only one who needs to move on.]

[romanticidal]

[ unfortunately for vi, rafael can't really hear the tv hosts over there. not that it would likely do much to halt this train now. rafael returns to the piano, which has slid across the stage to a position directly below that big ol' moon. he launches into a very determined sounding number with a driving piano melody. (piano 25, sing 43) that level of intimacy doesn't drop for a second. in fact, if anything, this song seems to kick up the purposeful resolution behind his performance. ]

♬ hidden away - rafael giovanni

Over mountains and sky blue seas
On great circles will you watch for me?
The sweetest feeling I’ve got inside
I just can’t wait to get lost in your eyes
And all these words that you meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please don’t keep them hidden away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in,
I can take in all you say
Holding out for something i believe in
All I really need today
I want to free your heart
I want to see your heart
Please don’t keep your heart hidden away

You’re a wonder, how bright you shine
A flickering candle in a short lifetime
A secret dreamer that never shows
If no one sees you then nobody knows
And all these words you were meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please don't keep them hidden away

[ as he belts out the chorus, tiny stars begin to pepper the backdrop of the set ]

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in
I can take in all you say
Reaching out for someone I believe in
All I really need today
I want to feel your love
Will you reveal your love
Please don’t keep your love hidden away

[ a seemingly invisible until that moment ladder shimmers into place leading up from the piano, towards the 'sky' of the set, as he gets really into singing the last few phrases again, with that unfaltering earnestness. ]

I want to free your heart
I want to see your heart
Please don’t keep your heart hidden away

[witchwoman]

[Myri might not have had such a strong reaction to the song if it weren't for her gift, which tugged at her to ease the pain. It wasn't a wound that she had the ability to heal, though, and that's what made it so much more difficult for her.

She reaches up with her free hand to wipe away a tear. It's not for Rafael, or even for Jade. It's for the whole situation, the way the chips have fallen. As the next song starts, she pulls herself out of her own thoughts.]

I think I need some air. [She pulls her hand away and stands, debating if she wants to ask him to join her. There could be some crazy fans trying to catch him out and about okay...] I'll be back soon.

[She doesn't look upset, just... overwhelmed. She really wasn't expecting to be slammed in the face with that wall of feelings. With a soft smile, she heads out of the balcony to distance herself from the music, at least a little.]

[65]

[the irony of myri implying for him to stay put after finnick said he wished he'd follow her outside a little over a year ago isn't lost on him. and maybe he actually should this time, too. but it was right that there might be crazy fans lurking around (ESPECIALLY NOW THAT RAFAEL WAS NICE ENOUGH TO POINT HIM OUT IN THE AUDIENCE THANKS FOR NOTHING DOUCHEBAG), so he stayed put in his chair and listened to rafael while furrowing his brow and biting his lip. look, finnick is a bit of a hopeless romantic. but there's a point where you have to check yourself before you wreck yourself and rafael is lookin' pretty desperate.

so now, with nothing else to do besides watch this unfold and feel sorry, he starts eavesdropping on jade and des's conversation a few chairs down (listen 16).]

[shootfirst]

[ guess who's out in the hallway shrugging a leather jacket back on? Yep, it's Kat, who looks up and catches Myri on her way out. ] You have no idea how good it feels to be out of that torture device they call a dress. What did I miss?

[borrowedheaven]

[ jade can't stop listening intently now. her eyes are glued to the stage as he pours his heart out, and she murmurs to des, without looking at him, as if coming to a realization about something that weighs heavily on her heart: ] He's already had that moment.

Maybe he's afraid that if he lets go of hoping to get it back, he won't see that value ever again.

[nothingsodivine]

And maybe he's closing his eyes to everything else. [Des thinks about Buffy and Spike and the way Buffy makes moon eyes at Rafael, all the while Spike makes moon eyes at her. To think, he never really gave this freakin' love rhombus much thought until now.]

Maybe we're all chasing after the wrong things.

[savemyself]

Don't underestimate him. [ she glares across the stage, sullen and seething ] I never do.

[bigbad]

[Spike eyes her.]

Don't tell me you're in love with him too.

[BECAUSE IF THIS IS HIS TYPE HE WOULD LIKE IT TO NOT BE.

Actual Angel Rafael Giovanni]

[romanticidal]

[ a more wistful melody begins, and Rafael starts into a remorseful tune, slowly crossing the stage. ]

higher window - Rafael Giovanni

For all the times I tried for this
And every chance at you I missed
I've been known to go my way but I confess
It made me miss you more

I drew my line across the sand
And set my flag in no mans land
But here I am the one man band
With a song that's meant for two

[ he reaches the foot of the grand staircase and takes a single step up, looking up to the top as he sings the lovely chorus (perform 39) up toward the moon. ]

And there is a light
From a higher window
Shining down on you tonight
And the music floats on the breeze
Bringing an easier time.
And all of our cards are on the table
Tell me what you want to do
Just don't tell that it's too late
For me to love you.

[ he begins a slow and purposeful climb with the second verse ]

How perfect we were meant to be
Our warm and silent symmetry
It's times like these when all
All we need is to be reminded

[ the last phrase of which is accompanied by another determined, pained look up toward the balcony ]

And I have flown a thousand miles
To empty rooms and crowded aisles
And we went from cathedral bells
To show and tell and wish you wells

And I still look at you
And I am blinded.
I am blinded

[ his climb has brought him to a height with her balcony, and though he's on the furthest side of the stage from her, it's clear to those in the know who he's looking at... and then he continues climbing, all eyes on the moon above. ]

Because there is a light from a higher window
Shining down on us tonight
And the music floats on the breeze
From an easier time

And all of our cards are on the table
Tell me what you want to do

[ as he ascends, so does moon, until it disappears into the ceiling, leaving him adrift among starlight, singing sorrowful and shaking his head, eyes closed. ]

Just don't tell me that it's too late
Don't tell me that it's too late now

Just don't tell me that it's too late
For me to love you

[witchwoman]

[Myri shakes her head, not in disagreement, but in the lack of knowing.]

I'm not certain. She's been talking to Des for most of the evening. Maybe he's been distracting her from it.

[bigbad]

I understand it, but... [He turns to watch Rafael as he starts his last song... another ballad dedicated to the great Eterna Jade.] Seems a bit of a lost cause.

[nothingsodivine]

[Every note of the piano is damning Rafael in Des's eyes. He actually supported him. He told him he could get her back. Months of evading and ignoring for his own sake and now he's sitting here, after hearing everything from her perspective, and wondering how on earth he really thinks he deserves her- this desperate man clinging to an illusion.

She doesn't need to remember. He doesn't know what she needs, but he's doing a hell of a lot better at figuring it out than a guy onstage singing meaningless words right at her.

He's not heartless. When he makes his move, it's after Rafael has diverted his attention from the balcony and that's when he releases her hand and pulls her into a kiss.

It's not as chaste and awkward as the first one was.]