( 003 » ENSEMBLE ) party time.

[reveriemod]

» WHO? Everyone
» WHEN? July 1 to July 8
» WHERE? Entire Station
» WHAT? 168 hours of being forced to listen to cheesy music on repeat…
» WARNINGS? the mundane and slightly ridiculous becoming terrible, cheesy pop music, forced sleep deprivation, anger, loss of control, emotions, potential for stabbing, hallucinations, mania, memory loss, confusion, seizures, depression.

0 0 1 » LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

It starts in the mess hall and it starts slowly. At first, it can barely be heard over the conversations that are happening but as the volume increases, it becomes apparent that music is playing. Not just any music: characters from Earth will recognise these pop hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. They’re the kind of hits one might find on a Spotify playlist titled “Top 100 Cheesy Hits” or “Songs To Sing To In The Shower”. Power ballads. Boy bands. Girl bands. Woodstock.

Soon, the music can be heard all across the station, blasting from every speaker, audible in every room. Characters who were asleep in their quarters will be woken by the music’s volume, characters under the shower might want to start singing along (but remember, the walls might just be thin enough for the neighbours to hear) and if characters clear some chairs, there’s enough space in the bar for an impromptu dance floor.

Some characters have been working on improving the replicators, too, so while the alcohol supplies at the bar are dwindling and all but gone, the replicators are now capable of making something that’s palatable, even if it’s not quite up to scratch.

What’s the harm in having some fun? It’s just a little music, right?

( ♪ )

0 0 2 » I WANT OFF THIS RIDE

It’s just a little music, right? And it is — but it just won’t seem to stop. The first few hours may have been entertaining, at least for those who did not get woken up by the sound of decades (centuries, even) in the past, but the music keeps going long past the point of entertainment.

After two hours, the songs start repeating. After six hours, they’re still playing. After twelve? Still playing. Twenty-four? Still playing.

Sleep becomes all but impossible as the music keeps playing loudly in every room and every corridor of the station. Attempts to shut it down prove unsuccessful.

Forty-eight hours later, the music is still playing.

Characters will begin to suffer the effects of sleep deprivation, in addition to the general irritation that might come from hearing the same two hours worth of cheesy pop songs on a loop: headaches, exhaustion, tremors, irritability and confusion to begin with, followed by lapses in memory, muscle aches, malaise, violent behaviour, hallucinations or mania as cognitive effects set in, possibly also seizures and depression.

And still, the music keeps playing.

( ♪ )

0 0 3 » THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER

The music and the sleep deprivation it causes are the reason for many of the symptoms people are feeling, but something is happening that goes even beyond the music, beyond the lack of sleep: something has changed about the food replicators.

The food is slowly getting better, for one, thanks to a group of individuals who’ve been working on improving them. Beyond that, however, imperceptible, the composition of the food comes with something extra -- namely heightened emotions. Whatever causes it, it’s in the water, too.

Those who are already angry feel angrier and have a harder time controlling that anger. Those who are already sad feel sadder and have a harder time not bursting into tears. Those who are already apathetic feel more apathetic and have a harder time prompting themselves to so much as move. The effect holds for all emotions, heightening them, making them harder to control or counteract. Impulses become action far more quickly than usual. Irritation at the music may become anger at the person singing along under their breath and that, in turn, may lead to someone getting stabbed with a plastic fork.

It’s nearly impossible to keep a cool head, though some people seem more affected than others.

OOC: This part of the plot is completely opt-in. Whatever characters are feeling will be heightened and strengthened and their impulse control lowered. Make sure to get ooc permission for any stabby action of comparable deeds, and keep in mind that non-con is prohibited in game.

( ♪ )

0 0 4 » AFTERMATH

After 168 hours, the music stops. Whatever was in the water and the food is gone again, meaning characters may never know it was there in the first place. After all, some of the effects of it could have been down to the sleep deprivation as well…

Still, there’s something off about the whole thing. It might seem like someone is watching them. Toying with them. But surely that’s just paranoia, right?

In the aftermath of sleep deprivation and poor impulse control, characters might want to get some sleep or try to mend those relationships that were damaged by careless words or people getting creative with the cutlery.

( ♪ )

Please remember to put warnings in subject lines if so required.

Comments

[luciformis]

[ He thinks he says Alucard, but he doesn't say anything at all. He recognizes who it is, even still, which is a point in his favor when his memories have already begun to go astray. He keeps reality and fiction at least divided, like he typically does when he drinks, smokes — pops pills. There's been exceptions, of course, but this isn't one. So, he tries again: ]

It's nothing, [ he starts, his initial syllables slurring together before portioning themselves. He blinks hard once or twice, eyes hazy and unfocused on the nearest moon before he tips his head up. ] My symptoms aren't out of the ordinary with this degree of sleeplessness.

[ He lowers his eyes, unlocks his fingers from the material of his coat. They tremor only slightly he settles his hands in his lap. He doesn't say anything for a long moment. He's aware of the minor hallucinations he's having, two rabbits chasing each other in the shadowed elevations on the palest satellite. His mouth dips into a small frown as his chest twinges again. ]

Muscle aches, [ he mumbles, the irritation in him reflected outward. His tone is more convinced than his body truly is and he's already fatigued of it. ]

[reposing]

You look significantly more in pain than what you suggest.

[But he can't force someone to cooperate with him. With a soft sigh, Alucard comes closer.]

Granted I cannot offer you anything in terms of medication that can assist much. I have some basic painkillers, but I'm not certain if they can help.

Though I can certainly administer them, if you wish.

[luciformis]

[ There's no particular tension in Ryo's body in response to his approach. Instead, there's only the barest glance toward him. Despite the lack of sleep, there's no bruising inherent beneath the blue of his eyes. There's only a fainter discoloration, but it is difficult to tell whether or not it is caused by the hood he's long since pulled up. There's no benefit to it, but gives the illusion that it dims the persistent sound. When external stimuli has already taxed the body's ability to absorb it, any small amount of reprieve isn't without benefit. ]

It's not unbearable, [ he says, blinking once or twice. He ignores the way his heart thrums behind the tight of his ribs — the way his throat closes. Adrenaline, he theorizes, his hands purposely skimming over the definitive cause. He pushes back his hood with less grace than he'd typically suggest, the heavy material falling to rest at his shoulders. He's a pale thing as always, but his skin seems to glow against all the white. ] But, I'll take what's available if you can spare it.

[ And mix them for greater impact with other such components, he supposes. He places that part aside. No use vocalizing that when he knows it'd be met with staunch social disapproval in most circles. ]