⇨ WISMUTH ENDGAME

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Evening Day 27
Where: The Wismuth Super Dome, Round 2
What: On the verge of creating a world ending army of Harbingers, CY-Ren and her followers are challenged by the carnival and the Star Guardian team. It's time to stop.
Warnings: Singing

THE LAST REQUIEM↴ CY-Ren's planning of a charity concert has been well received - news of bomb threats and harassment from fans have painted her as a victim in the media spotlight, and her generous attempt to make amends is getting plenty of attention. She's been busy spinning things for as much focus as possible, and the threat of potential danger has the news focusing in on the proceedings. The date is set for Day 27 in carnival time. You won't want to miss it! ► BUILD UP: In the last couple days before the concert, CY-Ren will be reaching out to all of her Harbingers, regardless of where they might be at the time - yes, this means that even if you ran off, she'll come to find you! (Unless you're in the carnival like Taako, then you're fucked.) She'll tell you that her plans are coming to head, and that if you help her with one last task then the planet will be on its way to destruction. There are multiple ways you can aid her: you can help amp up her performance as evil backup singers/musicians, or you can set yourself up around the perimeter at specified locations, using your sparks as a beacon to her magic. She's certain that she's perfected her musical formula, this time - when the concert gets underway, all those present with the capacity to be a Harbinger will awaken, and the end of days will begin. ► THE CONCERT: By the time the concert arrives, the Star Guardians will have the idea that there's something unnatural about the way the new Harbingers were made - this isn't how it usually happens, and that sets them apart from someone like CY-Ren. Maybe that means that they can be pulled away with less drastic measures as well, given that the Void didn't have the full right to their souls in the first place. Anyone coming to help (and those who aren't Star Guardians will be encouraged to come as well, given that if they are making attempts at friendship, super powers aren't required) will gather in the area early, determined to stomp this one out before it can get too far. ► HARBINGERS: This is when they will be encountered by Harbingers guarding the perimeter, as well as a small army of void creatures defending CY-Ren's last performance. Star Guardians will become aware through the power of Creation that the Harbingers on the perimeter must be neutralized in order to disrupt the concert - CY-Ren is feeding on their negative energies, and it will make it too dangerous to attack her directly. Confrontations with any Harbingers can be worked out on an individual basis via plotting - just make up a location around the concert and have your Harbinger providing a beacon of their own design. As the concert ramps up, however, the excess of Void energy will cause the newly made Harbingers to destabilize - mentally or magically, their powers will be harder to control, and their negative emotions will be running wild. However, with that instability, there is also room for a breakthrough - for someone to blast the darkness from their Sparks with friendship and light. Now is the time to reach out. ► STAR GUARDIANS: If a Harbinger is successfully turned away from the darkness, they will briefly regain control of their Sparks, and be able to manifest as a Star Guardian for the first time. This will allow the Guardians to outnumber CY-Ren's forces. Their look and powers will still be based around the same Spark, but purified by Creation and aimed towards positive things. Time to win. ► DANCE OFF: Given that the Spark of Music and the Spark of Dance are colliding, it is perhaps not a surprise that this all manifests as a big ass musical number. As CY-Ren and Noa have a music battle, everyone present (even if you aren't a Star Guardian) will find themselves magically inspired to join in. You can dance, sing, or anything in between - the more people who support Noa's side, the stronger she will be. There will be a megathread for this part of the conflict, and at this point any unturned Harbingers will awaken and be able to turn their Sparks towards the light. As CY-Ren begins to lose power, what the players do with her will be up to you.

Comments

⇨ DECLARATION OF ACTION

[ringleaders]

If your character is doing anything wild to affect the situation that will impact people beyond the ones you are thread with, feel free to note it here. The plot path for this one is pretty straightforward, but as always, there is room for diversions.

[dressedtothe]

RE: Noa's counter performance, 9S will be running tech support with whatever equipment there is, plus whatever he can hack using his amplified SG hacking powers. Basically, if people in the performance want suddenly SPOTLIGHTS and sound amplication, he will make it happen.

If possible, he will also get their performance broadcast across TV stations, too.

[shearmadness]

Nui will make her dopplegangers join in as a massive group of backup singers/dancers so they can be fabulous and well coordinated together. Not sure if that's actually going to help since they're not truly independent beings, but it likely can't hurt. They won't have any Star Guardian powers - just the look since she's producing them in her Star Guardian state.

[pipers_son]

A - hey, joker, how the fuck (harbingers only)

[It's a busy few days for the Harbingers, preparing for the End Of Times (tm). However, whether you're getting ready to set up for where you plan to camp out around the perimeter or going to put on some great dance moves and song.... Isn't that someone familiar wandering around, casual as you please?]

[It might be hard to tell, since he's wearing the hood of his cloak up, but with those antlers and the wings squeezed under.... That makeup job and the peek of brilliant pink eyes... It's Joker. Of course it's Joker. And he's never far from one Steven Universe, keeping a watchful eye on the youth.]

[Not that it means he's oblivious to anyone who's staring or looks like they're going to approach him. He gives a far-too-relaxed smile when it comes to that, and waggles his fingers in greeting.]

Cheers. It's been a while, hasn't it?

B - hey, joker, what the fuck (guardians and co)

[So. You're a Star Guardian, or just here because no one ever learns about heroics and getting kidnapped. It's a clusterfuck as everyone is running everywhere else, trying to find a way inside, or a kidnapped loved one...]

[And look at this douchebag running about, still in hooded cloak, only to scramble to a stop at the sight of a familiar face.]

[Joker's gotten separated from Steven. The "how" isn't important, only that he get back to the kid. That would be easier, if not for everything else happening, right now, at this very second. Including running into a member of the carnival, which he really would have preferred not happen. Well, there's only one way to solve this problem..]

[He raises a hand in greeting.]

'lo there.

[And then he turns around and hauls ass away. He'll be successful if no one stops him from disappearing back into the chaos.]

C - Joker's Wild

[The only plans I really have for Joker is that, at some point, he's going to find Steven to help him go from Harbinger to Star Guardian, and that Joker himself plans to afterwards go see if he can sneak up closer to CY-Ren. As long as no one does anything to interfere with the first part, I'm game for anything else you can think of! Hit me up via PM or on plurk if you want to plan things out a little more.]

YEAH, WHAT THE FUCK

[steadydollypegs]

[She knew it. Even if he was 'fine in Wismuth', Joker would have at least made sure Doll was keeping her own head down as she shook off the last of her illness. This, however, is a little more damning than ignoring her because he was tired of looking in. One doesn't sweep around in a black cloak and run off the second he's spotted when everything is 'fine'.]

Joker--! [Doll starts after him, and almost immediately runs full-tilt into someone else trying to get away from the chaos. She goes down onto the pavement, stunned, but she can still see the cloak flapping behind Joker as he continues to attempt to escape.]

[Something in her snaps, and Doll is angry.]

[A few seconds pass and there's a very distinct rev that comes from the a park strip at the edge of the crowd. People push and shove to get out of the path of a furious young woman, screaming at everyone to get out of her way while riding a very odd, single-wheeled bike.]

[Joker might regret getting her anything at all for Christmas.]

hey joker, what the heck - a harbinger

[spaghettimonster]

[Working on the perimeter kills two birds with one stone - contributing to getting this over with already, and avoiding people he knows. A bulk of the Harbingers will be back supporting CY-Ren, and if the Carnival folks (and Star Guardians) are going to interfere anywhere, surely they'll go for the performance itself.

At least, that was the idea. A hooded figure with antlers stands out, with Wismuth being so solely inhabited by humans. It doesn't take a big stretch to conclude that that's either somebody from the Carnival or some other out-of-worlder. And the makeup settles the question.

The strange thing is... isn't that Steven, just a little ways away, that Joker's just pleasantly keeping an eye on?]

Don't tell me you're another of his familiars.

[stillwinningthehardway]

[Scout's got her invisibility glamor which she can tailor to apply to some people and not others, getting in is not going to be a problem. She's left herself perceptible to people from the Carnival who didn't up and become Harbingers.

She senses Joker's presence before she actually sees him and actively moves to intercept, not bothering to retailor her glamour. By the time he sees her her eyes are already narrowed, her jaw set, the eyelidlike aperture of her forehead lure opening. While he's turning she's stretching her tail out before her and coiling the last foot or so around empty air, and there's going to be a telekinetic tug at a choice moment on Joker's ankle, quite as if her tail was there.

If he does fall, no one will seem to notice, but neither will he get kicked or stepped on. She's extended her glamor for a moment. Aaaand there's her Guardian ability, too. It's like a weight, a tether, like the floor in every direction but Scout-wards is at an increasingly sharp upwards incline.]

I don't suppose you have an excuse?

B

[mylastchance]

Wait, isn't that...?

"Stage manager?" Lauren freezes in surprise, and then Joker tries to escape, but he pulls himself back together at least enough to give chase.

"Hey, wait!"

wtf joker

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki is here, because Noa needed dancers and if there's one thing he's good at, it's this.

He's just in the crowd for now, waiting to join her, when he's jostled as someone runs through the crowd and-

ah.]

Manager!

[Oh no why is Joker running away time to barrel straight through the crowd after him.]

HOW T HE FU CK

[fortuneglass]

[Carly, for her part, hasn't been around much. But between Steven, and CY-Ren's own call, well...she's back in the penthouse to focus more on prep over chaos, for now. Of course, she seems largely herself, Joker will no doubt notice-right down to being flustered as all hell if anyone remotely good looking looks at her the right way-so obviously someone's 'brainwashing' isn't in effect. But that's far from the point. Carly doesn't address Joker for a while. Actually she doesn't even try.

At least not until he seems relatively alone-much as Steven isn't far-and at that point...

She's close. Maybe too close. Narrowing her eyes, frowning, crossing her arms, and-]

Mmmnnnhhh...

...What are you planning?

[Straight to the point, isn't she? (didn't even answer the question! Rude!)]

B - Guardians and co

[shearmadness]

[Too bad for him that Nui's not interested in letting him escape. The Guardian of Beauty isn't that great at superheroics, given that she's normally the one causing mayhem rather than trying to save people from it. But she's trying. She's honestly trying.

Luckily for Joker, that means the threads that come at him aren't life fibers or anything similarly dangerous. The Ringmaster's rule of not killing fellow Carnival workers still leaves a lot of flexibility for injuring someone, after all. Her Star Gurdian powers, for the most part, are defensive rather than offensive, though. The pink threads of light only serve to immobilize.

The threads shoot out quickly to intercept him.]

And just where do you think you're going, hm?

[spaghettimonster]

[Using that top level with multiple prompts format again; reply with whatever first, I'll match!]

[spaghettimonster]

PROJECTING THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP [Closed to Gongenzaka and Yuzu]

At last, it's the night of the concert, and CY-Ren's next big working. He's been waiting for this, ever since she finally came to him with a new task that would have real results, and grabbed at a role along the perimeter to help project her power. That's how it would help her, anyway; for him, it's partly to let him get away from his conflicted feelings about her, and partly to keep an eye out.

It's pretty much a given that people from the Carnival will show up. Not only has he already seen a few around tonight, but he's been with them long enough to know what they're like. They know CY-Ren's the crux of the things the Ringmaster sas asked to help stop, they can't have missed all the advertising... And waiting to interfere with the working itself is pretty much how they always respond to disasters.

And it is going to be a disaster; that's what the Harbingers have been advertising from the start.

Papyrus is in position, finally, after a delay from an upsetting conversation with Joker... pacing in his newly constructed beacon. It's shaped as a tower of bones, oddly reminiscent of the castle in New Home, and its core a construct shaped like a bed in the center. Not the top or bottom floor, because those would be too accessible and straightforward. He left it pulsating with power, and looks now after the concert.

So far things seem the same as ever, and he's getting amped up with impatience and worry. Did the delay mess anything else up, are there complications they need to smooth through? He doesn't know, and he can't know without abandoning his post and risking making it worse. So he paces around the top level, smacking a bone in his palm, repeatedly glancing back to the concert.

Hopefully - and he knows how futile hoping is - hopefully, this will be the time that interferences don't succeed. So they can end this world, and he can stop feeling.

Tamaki - Before the Concert

[puddingemote]

Tamaki's not a Star Guardian, but he's gathered here anyway with the others, determined to help Noa out. After all, she said that dancing was necessary for defeating Cy-Ren, and if there's anything he can do, and do well, it's that.

(And the friendship thing. He can probably do that too.)

So he's here, tapping his foot to a rhythm in his head as he waits for others to gather and for this thing to get off the ground. He looks oddly excited, despite the fact that the world could literally end tonight. Concerts, even dangerous mind control concerts, always get him amped up.

"Eh, so... is Cy-Ren's music even any good?"

He's just thinking out loud, but really, is that the most important thing here!?

[OOC: I'll match formatting!]

[kingsroads]

"It must be," Strange muses, with a frown. This is obviously an important topic of conversation and he'll gladly spend time discussing that instead of discussing things like 'strategy' or 'the fact that Tamaki's here in the first place'. After all, 'the fact that Tamaki's here in the first place' can easily lead into 'the fact that Strange is here in the first place' and let's not talk about that, just ignore the fact that they both probably shouldn't be in the world-ending conflict.

"A large amount of people showed up to her first concert—I was only there at the beginning, but even with just seeing people arriving, it looked packed to the brim. They wouldn't show up if the music was terrible."

third time's the charm [rita, yuya, childermass]

[whattaprick]

Lambert doesn't feel like they have much more a plan for this fight than they did the last one -- but considering CY-Ren turned a dozen of the Carnival's workers into agents of the Void with a song, her can probably accept he's not the best judge of what's going to work here or not.

Still, even before things can get started, they're already encountering unexpected complications. Apparently, instead of rushing in, they're to deal with the new Harbingers, who aren't at the concert proper, but outside it.

"Can't you be more specific than that?" Lambert asks, impatiently. As she's a bike at the moment, Pig can't answer, but she gives the impression of shaking her head in her response nonetheless.

"She's using them to gather power. We have to hurry."

Lambert exhales, but as much as he'd like to argue further, if time really is of the essence ... his gaze falls on the others. "Best split up and get this done fast, then," he says, shortly. "I've got a ride--" He pats his transformed familiar. "So I can go farther. Who's coming with?"

[anti_nonsense]

"I'm coming. If there's power flowing between CY-Ren and the other Harbingers, I can use that to figure out where they are," Rita suggests, and without waiting for further invitation, she hops onto the bike behind Lambert. She wraps one arm around him and uses the other to pry her fingers under her uniform's tight collar, fishing for the amulet the Ringmaster gave her.

Francis is there too, but rather than join them on the bike, he sits atop Rita's book as it floats, seemingly intent on using that as his mode of transportation.

Tyki Mikk | OTA - Prose or otherwise I'll match

[prazerbutterfly]

Before the Concert

Despite looking aggressively worn and still dressed in a more classy yet casual appearance of Wismuth's modern world, Tyki is in exceptionally high spirits. Either they were going to succeed with every one of their own coming back to the carnival or the end of the world would begin and he could set up a front row seat. It's not how he would've planned it or the Earl's goal to begin with. Without his family existing at home there was no war to go back to and nothing to fight for. It would become boring, dull, and uninviting to stay any longer unless someone physically dragged him back. Besides, if it all came to an end abruptly or there was no way to escape at least he wouldn't have to feel every one of his family members die at home.

Even with the complacent expression on his face, it's the waiting that starts to eat at him. Tyki was never one to wait or stand around unless he was in the mood to nap, be lazy, or contend himself to a good book. There are others gathering around him and without asking, he'll draw a cigarette and match from his pocket to light it. Breathing in deep, he'll exhale and reach his hand up to push his hair back and undo the black ribbon enough to retie it closer towards the back of his neck.

There's a dry and dull tone as if he's asked this question a few times already, "When does it start again?" He might already know the answer but conversation is welcoming at the moment.

During the Concert

Tyki could dance if he put his mind to it but knowing only dances from Victorian times likely wasn't going to help Noa in the long run. He could sing somewhat, even if it wasn't the best or pop star worthy, but his tone would carry enough to assist when the moment came down to it. Right now all that was necessary was assisting others in clearing the excessive amount of Void creatures lurking about. There were carnival members that could help better than he could in terms of friendship and more than half of the Harbingers he didn't really give a damn about. Still, driving off the void creatures could help those that couldn't fight reach the Harbinger of their choice.

It's why if he sees anyone within harm's reach, unable to help themselves or fight on their own, he'll fire off a blast of Dark Matter to shove a creature back or lurch in front of them with one of his Tease transformed into a white pointed shield with a wide grin. Don't take it personally. He's likely not helping anyone as much as he's helping himself. Not to mention with all that's been going on he was itching for a proper fight.

Wild card

Other than eventually running into Herbert, Tyki will be lurking nearby to assist those that need it if only to help his own self interests and for Noa's cue. PM me on Discord or Plurk if you want something else~

Pre-concert

[dressedtothe]

9S is fully dressed in his Star Guardian outfit -- if one could call that dressed -- albeit with a lovely set of chicken feathers poking out of his hair, courtesy of Strange. The heels that had given him so many issues earlier are now as natural to him as hacking into computer systems.

He's already hacked into a lot of the nearby systems in preparation for the concert. Noa's concert.

"Tyki!" Well, he's got time for some chit chat while he works. No Operator to tell him to put a sock in it, too. "We have about an hour. What are you going to be doing?"

Jonathan Strange | ota!

[kingsroads]

a: pre concert
They've got absolutely no plan except for possibly the power of friendship and possibly throwing magic at something until it stops moving. So, business as usual. Honestly, this is the carnival, them having a plan that wasn't 'well let's try this and hope for the best' is a bit laughable. And considering that a good 85% of Strange's plans are 'well let's try this and hope for the best' it's more reassuring than he realizes.

Strange is with the rest of Team Creation as everybody gets their ducks in a row before the metaphorical storming the castle. "I can easily get anywhere inside the concert hall," Strange muses, striking up a conversation with whoever's next to him. Thanks smoke powers, he's been abusing the hell out of them this stop. "But the best way to bring back information or bring inside others would be via reflections—which are in short supply throughout the concert hall. Any thoughts?"

And Strange knows his go-to answer of 'make it rain and create a shitload of puddles' would be more trouble than it's worth.

b: figuring out the new toy
Strange is decked to the nines in magical kit. He's wearing the magical necklace Peridot gave him for solstice, his Atlantean dagger is holstered to his side, and he's wearing the punch ring he also got for solstice. And, as one of the void creatures he's been fighting for a while lunges at him, Strange is about to finally find out what the punch ring does.

He talks with his hands to begin with and throws them around like a preacher on Sunday morning while casting: that punch ring's built up a lot of kinetic energy. So, as Strange reflexively throws a punch at the void creature, part of the thing's head just downright bursts into disgusting void shadow goop. Said void shadow goop splatters everywhere, including on Strange's face and clothes. The chaos and fighting around him is continuing but Strange can only stare at the ex-void creature with an expression of pure what the fuuuuuuck. Saving all of existence is put on pause as Strange looks at whichever carnival member's next to him with a confused expression.

wildcard
He's all over the place (both inside and outside the concert hall) but staying out of most Harbinger fights. hmu if you want something specific!

a

[mylastchance]

Lauren sighs, rolling his head to the side in a sign of exaggerated annoyance. He's rocking the 'aggravated teen' look today.

"Everything is reflections with you."

Carly Nagisa

[fortuneglass]

[Get Ready, Get Set- | HARBRINGER PENTHOUSE]

The plan is in place, but it's not yet time to leave for the concert. Carly, for her part, has been rather dedicated to the cause-she's even landed herself the chance to sing on stage with CY-Ren, something she's been gushing in private about when she hasn't gotten equally excited about whoever else in her age range she'll be singing with.

So the mind-altering spell CY-Ren cast is probably broken, as much as it's difficult to tell when they're in the same room.

Regardless, she's got something else on the table this time. Mostly articles of clothing-the singers need to dress for the occasion after all-but there is a set of assigned lyrics that she's occasionally practicing and...well?

She's...Actually pretty good.

Whether that's surprising or not, who knows.

[All Eyes On Me (Jinx, Yuugo)]

It's the heat of the moment, truthfully-the void is intense, and more than anything Carly wants it all over. She's sung her lines, and she's singing them now, but when Guardians get a bit too close?

Her costume has never looked better, and the strings of her wings light with violet flames containing pitch black cores, a bow in hand as she takes aim-

And fires.

She recognizes at least one of those faces coming her way-coming dressed in the garb of a Guardian, light shining off them as she flings arrows of literal flame at brilliant crystals and the red hair beside them. Jinx, she expected perhaps-she'd fought them once before, shouted at them when the Guardian had tried to stop her from heeding the Void's call...but this? But him?

"So even you!" she finally shouts, breaking song to snap through tears. "You couldn't help yourself, could you, Yuugo..! You coward..!"

But who is the coward, who truly is the coward, she wonders...

[The Light, It Shines | GUARDIAN TIME]

...The coward had been herself, but she would run no longer.

It is with an explosion of light and a heartfelt embrace that she revives-her spark, her heart, beating loudly. The light filling her body and flowing out from her wings once again, scattering the strings that would bind her to the earth. She wears scant anything-some sort of wrap that 'ties' between her breasts with a star, something closer to a swimsuit bottom instead of any sort of skirt, given her tail acts as one on its own. Her feet are coated in brilliant feathers, and her wrists and ankles adorned with simple bracelets, ears matching with the earrings that have appeared there.

And Carly takes to the sky, a brilliant aurora condensed into one place, raising her now white and gold bow upward. Fate?

Hah. "If this is what you think of fate," she shouts, addressing the Harbringers remaining, and the crowd potentially within their thrall, "THEN LET'S SEE ABOUT READING YOUR FORTUNE AGAIN..!"

It is with cheer that she draws, and fires- a brilliant arrow of white-gold fire into the air, splitting and raining downward. It certainly won't finish things. But those hit by the fire will notice something. A sensation of hope, of strength-of determination to move onward, because they aren't done yet..! They won't be done until the Void has been pushed back, so push onward! The fire fills her targets with energy-and whoever happens to look her way will be greeted with a smile, a wink, and a wave.

[everybodypanic]

"Yeah, yeah. Save it for later! We're here to bring you back." Now that she knew that the plan actually worked, Jinx was more confident that ever. And she was already pretty confident to begin with. She did not, however, appreciate being shot at with flaming arrows.

As in arrows, made out of fire.

Again, it would've been neat if she wasn't the one being shot at.

"Come on, snap out of it. You're better than this. Better than the Void."

STEVEN UNIVERSE | OTA

[starseedling]

BEACON TIME (Partly Closed, Partly Open)

[starseedling]

This is it. The day is finally here. The day that CY-Ren is going to start the destruction of this world, once and for all... and then everything else will follow.

He isn't excited, but he isn't scared either. He refuses to be scared. He's spent so much time being afraid lately - both on his homeworld and in the carnival. In the end, the complications that have arisen as a Harbinger have only proved his feeling more concretely - people will always find a way to hurt him. They'll lie to him, they'll betray him... they'll leave him.

He can't take this anymore. Can't it just be over with? He'll show them all. He'll leave them, first.

Tonight, Steven is running beacon duty. Even after fleeing the penthouse, he couldn't say no when CY-Ren asked for his help. He knows that none of this was her fault, and he said he would do what she needed. Which means that, currently, he's sitting on a massive leaf, far up the stem of a building-sized rose - the dark flower bud has only just started to bloom, revealing enormous crystal petals that glow a brilliant pink. The light itself is a beacon to the darkness of the Void, and walls of vicious thorns protect it from the outside.

Meanwhile, Steven sits up top, withdrawn and melancholy, wishing he could disappear. If he could choose to be gone already, he would be.

[OOC: The successful redemption is closed to Joker and Peridot, but if you want to just have a run in with him while he's pulling his bullshit, I am down for that!]

Alphys | OTA | pre-concert

[textsfromhotland]

The concert is going to be a big deal, and Alphys is determined to be there for Noa, but she's nervous for so many reasons. On top of everything she learned from the Ringmaster a few days ago (which made her feel even more like a failure than she already did), she's not much of a performer, and the thought of being in front of a huge audience is enough to make her feel faint.

As the Guardian of Enthusiasm, her powers are linked to her own confidence, and safe to say, Alphys doesn't feel very confident right now. The Harbingers left plenty of messes to clean up, though, and she's trying to occupy herself by taking out smaller things in hopes her powers will return to normal.

If you see her around, you might notice her flying is more wobbly than normal, or her attacks take two or three incantations before they'll kick in. She's trying, okay.

"In the name of- er, in the name of Creation! I'll p-punish you!"

[shearmadness]

Unlike Alphys, the Guardian of Beauty has confidence in spades. In fact, Nui's overconfident to the point of arrogance, because that's what happens when you can regenerate from brutal injuries that should be fatal in a matter of seconds. As the Guardian of Beauty, however, she's a little more stable and well...helpful. She's actually trying to save people and work with her fellow Guardians, despite the fact that people from her world would have likely expected her to be a Harbringer if they knew Star Guardians and Harbringers existed. That she's not and is a Guardian instead is testament to the way her time in the Carnival has changed her. Whether that's for the better or not is anyone's guess.

But one thing has her confused. "Huh? Were we supposed to make justice speeches?"

Anghel Higure | OTA

[crimsonfallenangel]

Pre Concert
Anghel's visibly nervous, remembering quite well what happened at the last concert. He's checking under seats and looking up at the sky for any hint of the malevolence that had haunted the previous concert. He isn't a Star Guardian, but he still wants to play his part. The least he can do is warn people away from areas that are likely to become dangerous, should fighting break out. He also follows harbingers around (at a distance) when he spots them. It's not very subtle, but as Anghel is gathering information he's not going to disrupt anyone.

During the Concert
Anghel's main goal is to keep non-combants away from both Harbingers and the Star Guardians. The Star Guardians might be hampered in the duties should they need to worry about how they fought. And Anghel doubts that Harbingers will care much either way making extra people nothing more than a handicap for the Guardians.

He runs from person to person, encouraging them to leave ("The threads of the Dark Fate are thick! You must not linger here!"), but so far no one has listened.

When he sees someone from the carnival, he'll ask, "Will you help and guide them to the Sanctuary?"

(OOC: Will match format.)

During the concert

[shearmadness]

Nui is a Star Guardian, so she blinks at Anghel's question.

"Um...I guess, but I'm also supposed to be fighting Harbringers and Void creatures 'cause I'm the Guardian of Beauty!"

All of this is punctuated by an emphatic twirl that would fight right into an elaborate transformation sequence. She supposes protecting civilians is a 'good guy' sort of thing to do, but fighting is what she's good at, and she's actually got powers that can do real damage. Then she remembers that she still has her old powers, too, and produces a doppleganger. It's weaker than she is, but it's still tough enough to help people evacuate.

"My cute little doppleganger can lead them back. What about you? What are you doing?"

[bananaspeedrider]

A - Break of the World [Open, but Purification closed to Yuya and Cole]

[And so it was time. To gather the Void’s power so it could end all of existence as they knew it. Yugo was a bit puzzled at the time about how one would use their own spark to be one of the many beacons that CY-Ren needed, but by the time Clear Wing gets them to their assigned location- the teen thinks he understands.]

Been a while since I’ve done this kind of thing before.

[Scrap parts are gathered and assembled into some sort of device that eventually gets plugged into the power plant he’s assigned at. Then with his feather blade inserted, a layer of crystal grows over the slot as soon as the "key" is turned, and the simple device hums to life with light and color reminiscent of his D-Wheel’s engine.

This is where the Harbringer of Bonds stands at the ready, who dares to attempt stopping this particular beacon?]

---
B - Enlightenment [Wildcard]

[But the light of creation prevailed in the end against the madness. It was still time to end all of this, just not in the way the Void wanted it. Got something else in mind along the way to the concert or during the dance-off? Come at me!]

[hurtcomfort]

[ As Cole and Yuya arrive at the power plant, Cole can't help but look at all of this with a little frown. He shouldn't be here. He didn't even know this guy, how was he supposed to help bring him back to normal?

But, Yuya thought he could help, so Cole's going to help Yuya. And at the very least, he's going to try. ]

I don't know what these are, [ Cole murmurs, as he looks at the various components of the power plant. Nigella, his tiny pink familiar, floats in the air next to him, also regarding the power plant with a little frown. Cole looks at the scenery for a second or so longer, before he turns to Yuya. ] You should go first.

[ partly because Yuya's good at things like 'talking', partly because he actually knows Yugo. ]

lavellan | closed & ota

[dirthena]

a. closed to rita, cole, and lambert.

( CY-Ren had promised an end, and Lavellan was willing to do what she must in order to help her. It wasn't as if she didn't understand the urge -- it was better to bring that about than to continue suffering one failure after another, one mistake after another, until there was nothing left but hurt and anger. So she'd willingly taken up a position on the perimeter and set to work on her beacon -- as shadowy statue that resembles a man hooded and bent over. She does not sit upon it, but rather stands at its base, a visible challenge to all who'd approach.

She can feel the Void running wild once the concert begins, and something distressed breaks through her previously imposing expression -- one of despair and anguish. Anyone who comes close enough will notice too, the anger and hurt that lurks in her eyes. The Void is pulling at her, and tearing away at her composure. Shadows creep up the beacon, and while Lavellan tries to pull them down again, it's clear that she's no longer in full control -- shapes forming and then disappearing as the shadows swirl around her. )

b. ota. post-harbinger, pre-dance off

[ lavellan will be heading off with the others to to defeat CY-Ren, but there's time to catch her as a guardian with an annoyingly cute and small halla familiar. open to anything, just throw something at me or plot with me over discord, plurk, or pm! ]

[hurtcomfort]

[ Of course Cole knew where Lavellan was. She's Lavellan. And for all of Cole's 'I'm not a bloodhound' earlier, he knows her hurt better than anyone else's. He could find her in a heartbeat. They approach from a distance but, for once, Cole's not hiding behind, practically leading the charge towards Lavellan.

They're almost at the beacon before Cole turns around to look at Rita. He can at least offer a few more words of advice. ]

Her hurt is valid. She's been through so much and such sorrow. But she's stronger than that. Remind her that she's the Inquisitor. [ There. That should help (he hopes). ]

Daggers, [ Cole murmurs. With a small little 'mmhmm', Nigella poofs into two daggers which Cole catches as they fall towards him. ] Let's go.

⇨ THE REQUIEM MEGATHREAD

[npcarnival]

It's before the show even begins that CY-Ren can first feel the disruptions in her circle of power. It's obvious what this means. Her greenhorned lackies aren't holding their ground. She doesn't know the specifics as to why - maybe they are being defeated, or distracted. Maybe their powers are simply going haywire. She hasn't a clue. The longterm effects of her spells are yet to be discovered.

She won't let it stop her. She won't let anything stop her, when the end is so near. She doesn't mention the performance of the others to her entourage, the Harbingers that opted to come on stage with her. She wouldn't normally put something like this in the hands of amateurs, but their magical presence is more important than their musical ability.

She can take care of that part just fine.

The audience is massive as they enter the stage, in a mist of artificial fog and the glare of lights. Even bigger than the music festival, she thinks. Truly, she has managed to play the media to her favour this time. With no introduction needed, she and her singers begin her the requiem of Wismuth.

"Welcome to the show...
We're here to let you know..."

CY-Ren's voice radiates through the arena, drawing in all who hear her. Even now, her power is beginning to worm its way into their hearts - their Sparks. Soon the worthy will rise, and everything else will fall.

"Our time is now...
Your time is running out..."

As her magic thickens, her caped outfit practically floats with the force of her power beneath her like a wind. She reaches out to her beacons of power, spread out around the area, and to her backup singers - compelling them to lend her their power.

"Feel the wave of sound,
As it crashes down,
You can't turn away,
We'll make you wanna stay...!"

[fortuneglass]

Carly's voice comes on cue-her own magic stretching toward CY-Ren with or without literal threads from her gown. She's practiced-and practiced well, but the only look upon her face is one of grim determination. Not that it's hard. Her initial role is a string of musical sighs more or less, a series of 'aaaaa's along the tune. The intensity of the music brings with it the intensity of her own power lent however-and Carly could not be any more dedicated to the cause.

Adding proper words only helps things...and in her mind all she can think is Soon.

It will all be over Soon.

Renzou Shima | OTA

[worldlyafflictions]

Beacon
It's with a grim sort of satisfaction that Shima watches as the concert gets under way. Even if CY-Ren hadn't been particularly impressed with him that first night, it was somewhat gratifying that he was still needed for the success of her plan. But there's none of that almost giddy feeling of doing something new, of accomplishing something even if he has to do it his own way. Instead, as his energy feeds into the rest being gathered by CY-ren for her requiem, it's more like giving in, an old and familiar apathy for life settling over him as he waits.

He is set up on the perimeter, with not much else besides the staff in his hand, now cloaked in a swirling darkness that rises ominously from it like an eye floating above him, drawing and growing with the same emptiness in Shima.

[exaomori]

Honestly, it's a little difficult to get super pumped for this kind of mission. But if Shura's (mostly) honest with herself, she'd rather get Shima back than just leave him to his own devices and hope he made it on his own. Besides, they had come up with a great plan. Operation Remind Shima Boobs are Great couldn't possibly fail, right?

Shura won't be the one carrying the carefully selected magazines, but she will be one of the first to approach, casually calling out to him as she nears.

"Oi, Shima~ Didn't think you were part of the final end game. Somethin' change?"

[criticallyfucked]

There's a dog trotting around the stadium, pausing every so often to look up at the stage, like it knows something is going to happen.

It's not an omen or anything though.

It's just Foster.

Pre-performance, there isn't much to do--especially with 9S otherwise occupied, Foster is left to his own devices. And as anyone who knows Foster knows, that's the worst way for him to be.

The good(?) news is, he's on the Carnival's side(?)

Okay, maybe that's not. Good news. At least not on its own.

The good news is, he's glamoured to look like a lovely, soft-coated standard poodle, and anything he says to anyone who can't see through it sounds like barking.

So he's both less able to cause trouble... and more.

But. The good news is he's not looking to. He's just... restless. Waiting.

He doesn't trust Yuya with this. But it's Yuya they're counting on. So until then...

He's just waiting.

[soft_focus]

Reira, frankly, doesn't...see a dog. She just sees a strange teddytaur, the same one she sorta...threw onto the ground a few days ago. But hey, things happen, bears go on floors, etc etc. She herself is being...sneaky. Extra sneaky.

She's in her PJs, actually. So she's looking left, and right, and scooting bit by bit toward the concert, making sure noooooooo one from the Carnival sees, and-

Oh hello. "....Hi Foster." whisper whisper secret secret-