{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!}

Master Mind
Member

Posts: 105

{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 11, 2023 0:15:37 GMT

Post by Master Mind on May 11, 2023 0:15:37 GMT

"My my, dear listeners! Welcome back to 66.6, where only the greats play late. Tonight I - Mephisto, your humble host - eagerly call attention to the latest musicians to grace the eternal nightlife of my beautiful city. You're all going to have a splendid time. I guarantee it! Now, go out and make a name for yourself! I'm waiting for your songs to reach me. In the meantime, here's that request I promised before the commercial break."

The legend of Red Haven hangs over the heads of every musician worth their salt. It is the unholy epicenter of lively, wild song and dance. Many call it the Devil's greatest work of art, his lasting tribute to mankind's willingness to sell their souls for talent.

Whispers abound of a demon that resides within the confines of that sleepless bustling metropolis. He possesses the power to grant any wish a wandering heart may desire, but only if he considers them quality entertainment.

No maps hold any indication it even exists. No roads lead to it or even come close to its undefined borders. All one has to do to find it is dream night and day of being the best. They have to practice their art until it becomes agony. They must be absolutely ravenous. Only then will they awaken on the edge of town in a dreamlike trance. They can choose to leave this lucid state and wake up in their beds, same as ever, or continue onward to an uncertain fate.

The Master of Red Haven does love seeing the hopeful struggle against all odds. To watch them rise ever more desperately, determined to reach the unattainable, brings him immense joy. Once they are teetering on the cusp of destiny, it is up to them to continue reaching for their precious prize even at the dizzying heights they've already gone to.

That is when he strikes. In such a decisive Face-Off, Mephisto holds all the cards. The winners of these challenges are granted any single wish they can imagine, or more if they were able to impress him. The losers, however, have their progress ripped out from underneath them, the only constant in their existence being the lights that turn night to day.

Such is life~

But even the wishes Mephisto signs away can be manipulated. He is a fickle creature, more concerned with the collective entertainment of his domain's mysterious population than actual progression.

While Red Haven is a mythical place, widely considered as the Shrine of Swing, there are some who would call it a true Hell on Earth.

At any rate, the price of admission is free. Clubs, restaurants, bars, showrooms, theaters, casinos, dance houses, and music halls of every shape and size line every street. Only by running after your dreams will they come alive… for better or for worse.

These are by no means the only places to frequent in Red Haven. There are a hundred attractions on each block, crammed together in labyrinthine geometry designed to snatch every human sense like a vice.

Entertainers receive lodging for free, courtesy of their gracious host, but must pay for everything else.

(OOC: if you have an idea for anything just DM me and we can sort it out; make sure it follows the swing/jazz theme and you automatically have a 99% chance of me saying yes; if you'd like to make a Neighborhood, the naming scheme is playing cards)

Neighborhoods:

The Devil's Hand - ruled by Mephisto himself; specializes in providing the constant hum of music and power to Red Haven; centralized at the Ninth Circle Radio Club
Ace of Clubs - ruled by Flint "Typhon" Samson; specializes in outsourcing mafia strongmen to other Neighborhoods; centralized at the Broken Knuckle Bar
Ace of Diamonds - ruled by Giovanna "Black Widow" Fontana; specializes in merchandise and maintaining the overall economy; centralized at the Diamond Ring Swing Thing
Ace of Hearts - ruled by Rico "Latino Heat" Fuentes; specializes in casinos and trafficking money and weapons; centralized at the Spanish Fly Casino
Ace of Spades - ruled by Tobias "Gravedigger" Munroe; specializes in cleaning up the streets and keeping the peace; centralized at the Graveyard Shift Coffee Shop
...

Locations:

The Ivory Keys - Entertainer lodging (Neutral)
The Forked Tongue - restaurant (Hearts)
The Bad Beat - casino (Clubs)
The Black Goat - nightclub (Spades)
Caiman's Coatrack - music hall (Diamonds)
The Drowned Sturgeon - bar (Clubs)
The Thirsty Crocodile - nightclub (Diamonds)
Spring-Heeled Jack's Jumpin' Jamboree - music hall (Clubs)
The Beauregard Patio - restaurant (Diamonds)
Fritz's Frozen Yogurt - restaurant (Diamonds)
Diving Dan's House of Fried Sea Creatures - restaurant (Hearts)
Saul's Malts and Salts - pharmacy (Hearts)
…

Big Names:
Charlie Twelve-Fingers
Lars Holcomb and the Low Notes
Booker Saltfish
Jimmy Hardtack
…

Radio Stations:
66.6, where only the greats play late 24/7/365
…

Newspapers:
The Loudmouth Letter
…

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ENTERTAINERS

1. Face-Offs are meant to disarm and humiliate the losers, not injure or kill them

2. Extensive Entertainer-on-Entertainer violence of any kind during a Face-Off is frowned upon in Red Haven, mostly because it takes away from the music

3. Entertainers thrive on their Reputation, which is the unspoken bond between them and their audience

4. The higher an Entertainer's Reputation, the larger their audience grows

5. This allows them to play in better venues across Red Haven which gets them more Reputation and so on

6. It's a good idea to make a club or point of interest so your Entertainer has a safe place to fall back on because...

7. With a higher Reputation comes more responsibilities and dangers

8. Big Names will be attracted to your Entertainers in order to challenge them to Face-Offs... this includes Entertainers that used to be human

9. Every Entertainer starts out in a comfortable Neighborhood with the skylines of the Ace Neighborhoods on the horizon

10. The goal of any Entertainer is to make it there, and maybe catch the attention of any of the four Top Cats

11. The only way to get to the Ace Neighborhoods is by playing your heart out and gaining Reputation

12. It's also the fast track to failure if the Entertainers can't build up their Reputation and maintain it

13. If Entertainers lose too many Face-Offs or can't manage their Reputation properly, they get sent to the lowest Neighborhoods in the city

14. From there, Mephisto appears and gives them one last chance in a Wildcard Event

15. If they can't make it out of there, then it's curtains

FAQ

Is it possible to replace a Top Cat as head of an Ace District?

Yes, Mephisto has no special attachment to any of his Top Cats other than how entertaining they are.

What happens during a Face-Off?

Entertainers "fight" each other by playing their instruments, which are able to make energy-based projections for as long as they're in Red Haven. These projections are only meant to help disarm either Entertainer and only serve as added spectacle for the audience, no matter how fantastic the effects are.

Are there other ways to win a Face-Off?

If you can't disarm your opponent, then outlast them or force them to fumble during their song. Stamina is important during the high points of a solo or accompaniment.

Is a Face-Off loss an automatic loss of Reputation?

Depending on how intense the Face-Off was, the audience could decide that the loser shouldn't be punished. Reputation is based entirely on performance and audience reaction.

What are the benefits of making a club?

It provides your Entertainer with a safe place so that their Reputation in the corresponding Neighborhood is harder to lose. Maintaining the club is a task in of itself, however, and Entertainers should beware of going into bankruptcy or lousy customers making their clubs less cool to visit.

How can I establish a club of my own?

If your Reputation is on the up and up, DM me so that I can add your club to the OP. Simple as that.

Where can I check my Reputation?

Along with Mephisto's daily radio broadcasts, the Loudmouth Letter newspaper is a fantastic source of information regarding any Entertainer's personal status. It only costs a nickel in-character! Aside from that, check the OP regularly if you just want a quick OOC update.

Are there more dangers to Entertainers than just each other?

Yes. Red Haven has a bustling mob scene and various underhanded gangster groups often vie for power by muscling Entertainers under their influence. More Entertainers means more clubs that the mob in question runs, meaning more money flowing into their pockets. Added to this, there are numerous independent factors all contending for the same influence and power.

Does one have to be an Entertainer?

No. If you want to be something else, make sure it follows the theme of the city and you're fine. 1920s - 1960s private eyes and noir detectives immediately come to mind.

How can an Entertainer defend themselves against gangsters looking to use them?

Well, considering Tommy guns are also known as "Chicago pianos", an Entertainer's instrumental power can be used against those with firearms since they write a song of death. Because the typical rules of a Face-Off don't apply in these situations, lethal force is authorized and highly encouraged.

REPUTATION LISTINGS (check back regularly for updates)

Unforgettable - 100%; your shows sell out within minutes
Anticipated - 90%; the line is out the door
Beloved - 80%; everyone knows your name
Admired - 70%; people hum your songs in public
Friendly - 60%; you're on good terms
Neutral - 50%; typical of new talents
Hostile - 40%; you've made a few mistakes
Reviled - 30%; you're on a shoot on sight basis
Abhorred - 20%; there's no coming back from this
Vilified - 10%; you enjoy hurting people, don't you?
Unsalvageable - 0%; you're practically a demon yourself

Entertainer Name	Overall Status	Mephisto	Top Cats	Clubs Suit	Diamonds Suit	Hearts Suit	Spades Suit
Carmen Vidal	Unknown	Neutral	Neutral	Hostile	Friendly	Hostile	Hostile
Miranda Wellford	Unknown	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral
Anya Bosko	Known	Neutral	Neutral	Friendly	Hostile	Hostile	Hostile
Rocco Wayne	Known	Neutral	Neutral	Friendly	Hostile	Hostile	Hostile
Lucia Cuevas	Unknown	Neutral	Neutral	Friendly	Hostile	Hostile	Hostile
...
...
...
...

Last Edit: May 16, 2023 14:55:20 GMT by Master Mind

Master Mind
Member

Posts: 105

{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 12, 2023 21:11:19 GMT

Post by Master Mind on May 12, 2023 21:11:19 GMT

    Flint Samson flexed his massive hands, his innate musculature designed to crush skulls and hammer the cello. He blocked entire rooms just by walking in. His shoulders could stop a freight truck at full speed. Choosing the life of a demon over his own humanity came with its fair share of ups and downs. He often chose to ignore the negatives for his own sanity. Being the Top Cat of an Ace District had every conceivable perk in the book, after all. No matter how brutally he conducted himself, he had a soft spot for newbies. He could easily remember his early days in Red Haven, especially with his instrument staring at him from the far corner of his office room. He didn't regret a damn thing... or at least that's what he kept telling himself.

    He hadn't felt this nervous in… years? The concept of time peeled away from his mind. Every single day was the same.

    Every. Damned. Day.

    He'd do Mephisto's bidding as one of his Top Cats, his tasks ranging from collecting debts to intimidation… but the Devil in the Red Pinstripe Suit loved it the most when he played in the band.

    His club, the Broken Knuckle, had a different atmosphere than most. Drunken brawls were the norm, almost expected at a certain point. But no one fought when the music started. If anyone spoke, they'd be escorted out. Flint knew that the lifeblood of Red Haven was always the song and dance. If anyone interrupted that, then they'd be dealt with harshly.

    But now, he had his monthly meeting with the other Top Cats of Mephisto's Straight Aces - the four biggest names on the scene other than the Main Man himself.

    He sat at his desk, unable to concentrate. A bead of sweat formed on the tip of his flat, thuggish nose.

    "¡Hola!"

    The part-gritty, part-sultry voice met his ears and he exhaled for maybe the first time in a full minute.

    "Rico Fuentes," he smirked, standing up and extending his hand towards his fellow Straight Ace.

    "Mi gran amigo. ¿Cómo estás? You giant bastard," Rico eagerly took Flint's hand and reeled himself in for a hug.

    Flint parted the embrace after giving Rico a sharp slap on the back.

    "Aiieee! Pendejo,"

Rico had a habit of being the loudest man in the room. His wind-shorn, almost leathery, face betrayed decades of sun exposure even with his demon physiology. He considered himself handsome, but not obnoxiously so, and often called attention to his wrinkles and the salt in his black hair for all of the cute ladies who liked older men. His golden eyes were in plain view, glittering like stones in the subtle light of Flint's lamp. They constantly reminded Flint that he had the same kind of eyes. They all did.

The somewhat dim illumination cast uneasy shadows across the room. Every furnishing was some kind of matching dark wood, mostly mahogany or walnut. The carpet keeping the chairs and desk from scratching the floor was a similarly profound shade of purple.

    "We need to get this meeting underway. Word is there are some new Entertainers in town looking to make a name for themselves,"

    "Oh, Big Bad Flint," a third voice chimed in from the shadows. "Scared of some competition?"

    "¡Hermosa!" Rico smoothed over his mustache and adjusted his suit. "Long time no see, Giovanna Fontana,"

    She tilted her head at him, her long black hair falling over one of her gold eyes in layers. Her beauty stunned all of her critics while her attitude constantly gave her more. She had a loud mouth, but her skills at pushing merchandise were second to none.

    "You act as if it were long enough,"

    Flint sat down, snapping his fingers for his servants to bring in chairs for his guests.

    "Just how long were you standing there for anyways?"

    Rico grunted as he rested his legs, which he crossed. Giovanna held her knee with both hands and cast an omniscient glance at the full-body mirror in the corner of Flint's room.

    Out from the glass came a shambling figure, lanky by comparison to Flint but just as tall. He wore tattered clothing and carried a rusted shovel, but tipped his stovepipe hat.

    "Good evening gentlemen," he rasped.

    "Well if it ain't Tobias "Gravedigger" Munroe, how are you?" Rico smiled warmly.

    "I am well, thank you. Yourself?"

    Flint rolled his eyes, his anxiety building. "We don't have time for this. We need a quick status report and then on with the rest of the meeting,"

    Tobias nodded and folded his long legs so he could join the others in sitting down.

    "Alright, clockwise, go," Flint pointed at the Gravedigger.

    "Oh, yes. Ace of Spades is doing well, if a bit rainy at times. No significant trouble that hasn't already been dealt with,"

    Flint moved his finger to Rico.

    "Ace of Hearts is," he kissed his nails and spread them towards the ceiling. "Muy caliente y muy… rico~" he chuckled at the small pun. "The casinos have been particularly lucrative this month,"

    Flint concluded with Giovanna.

    "Ace of Diamonds is reporting an increase in sales regarding silver, with a particular interest placed on necklaces. Fashion changes with the seasons, though," she sighed.

    "Good enough for me. Ace of Clubs is... fine I guess," Flint scribbled some notes and tapped the paperwork into a folder with a large finger, sliding it into a metal cabinet marked with the date.

    "You mentioned something about a new batch of Entertainers," Giovanna twirled some of her hair around her finger, her pristine hand chain jewelry clattering softly.

    "Yeah, and you gave me some sass about it," Flint snapped back. "But we need to send out some scouting agents so we can divide them up and see what they're about,"

    Rico rubbed his hands together, making an alluring and rough sound. "Flint! Why didn't you say so? Send them my way, leave it to me to take care of business!"

    "You know how it works," Flint crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back. "We can't monopolize them, or else it wouldn't be fair to anyone,"

    "But they always have the most fun in my neck of the woods," Rico pleaded.

    "Stop it, you sound pathetic," Giovanna rolled her eyes.

    "Shall we go ahead and alert the agency then?" Tobias rattled his fingers together.

    Flint furrowed his brow. This formed the core of his fears for days like these.

    He hated talking to people over the phone. He couldn't explain it.

    "Fine," he snapped his fingers again, this time slightly differently, and a rotary phone materialized from thin air in a puff of black smoke.

    He slowly dialed the number and waited. By the second tone, a voice replied from the other line.

    "Thank you for calling Red Haven Talent Management. This is Kacey speaking, how may I be of service?"

    She sounded incredibly bored and jaded, leaving Flint with an awkward chance to make his first impression.

    "Um, yes, hello. This is Flint Samson. I'm calling to confirm that myself and the other Top Cats would like to officially sanction that the new Entertainers be given the um… hold on,"

    He cradled the receiver on his broad shoulder and bent his neck so that he could flip through a nearby pamphlet.

    "The New Cats on the Block Bundle,"

    He could hear a typewriter from Kacey's end.

    "Records indicate at least three new arrivals at various points throughout New Haven. That qualifies you for our annual recruit a friend special,"

    "I don't know any of these people,"

    "Then you will have to confirm that you are prepared to pay the full price for at least three new applicants, all of whom my agents will have to track down so that the proper information can be received in full,"

    Flint pinched the bridge of his nose. Why else would he be calling?

    "Yes, I am, this isn't supposed to be such a hassle,"

    "Sir, I'm just doing my job. Would you like to hear about our new insurance plan? It covers at least five but up to ten new applicants,"

    "Fine whatever, just apply that - I don't know how many people are coming," he grumbled.

    The less times he had to do this, the better.

    "Then may I suggest our new Recurring Arrivals Plan? It’s a bit more expensive but gets the job done when you don’t know how many new Entertainers are on their way,”

    “How much is that?”

    “It runs about $4,500 per confirmed arrival now, with an insurance rate of half off every arrival afterwards for up to a year. So, really, the sooner you take it the better,”

    “Fine, please, whatever you think is best,” Flint tried to be polite.

    “Yes sir. I am now sending you an envelope so that you can pay the initial charge that covers all of the information costs for the agents involved,”

    Within a few seconds, a piece of paper burst out from a plume of fire and hit Flint between his eyes.

    “Ow!”

    He grumbled and wrote a check for the appropriate amount and sent it back through the same fiery burst of energy.

    “Your payment has been received, Mr. Samson. I am now obligated to play the closing song to this phone call. Please do not hang up, it is protocol for the Management Agency and your phone number will be entered into a complimentary random drawing for coupons,”

    “What kind are we talking about?” Flint raised an eyebrow.

    “70% off any purchase at Fritz’s Frozen Yogurt, I have one for Diving Dan’s House of Fried Sea Creatures, the Beauregard Patio, there are quite a few,”

    Flint sighed and leaned back into his chair.

    “Just do it,” Giovanna winked knowingly.

    “Fine, you can play the song now,” Flint replied defeatedly.

    “Thank you sir, it has been a pleasure doing business with you,”

    “Yeah,”

    Without delay, Kacey disappeared back behind the veil of bureaucratic red tape without so much as a dial tone. She was swiftly replaced with a light jingle.

So you think you have what it takes

To make it in this purgatory state

But you have no idea where to stake

Your claim to otherworldly fame

It’s simple when you put it to song

It’s what you should have been doing all along

When you’re in a scrap you can’t go wrong

With a tip to your tap and a bing to your bong!

Rise up the ladder!

It’s your chance!

Mind over matter!

Just do your dance!

Keep the audience roaring!

They’ll keep your career a-going!

Ain’t no ship without wind in the sail!

Play the crowd and you’ll never fail!

Even if you miss your step

Don’t let that deflate your pep

It’s not like you’re done yet

So keep fishing and fill that net

Unless you just completely miss the mark

And then Mephisto takes you in the dark

If you wanna make it in this town

You’d better be willing to fight or to drown

Otherwise, it’s curtains

Rise up the ladder!

It’s your chance!

Mind over matter!

Just do your dance!

Keep the audience roaring!

They’ll keep your career a-going!

Ain’t no ship without wind in the sail!

Play the crowd and you’ll never fail!

Flint held the receiver up until the disconnection noise screeched, then he set it down carefully. The other Aces had excused themselves during the little jingle, so he had some spare time for himself before the bar got busy.

He decided to pour himself a glass of water. Talking on the phone stressed him out so badly.

Meanwhile, at the offices of Red Haven Talent Management, the agents were being roused from their slumber. Kacey personally saw to it that they were woken up in the most unflattering way possible, complete with two metal trash can lids being slammed together in quick succession.

The winged imps collapsed to the floor one after another, hitting everything from chairs to cubicle corners on the way down. Their batty sleeping arrangements were still firmly nailed to the ceiling however, almost mocking them for their reliance on gravity.

"Kacey! What's the big idea? It's naptime!" one of the stumpy humanoid bats screeched, obviously left with a decent knot on their noggin next to the red cap.

"You work on-call for at least six hours a week while I answer phones and do everything else around here, Oliver. You and the others should at least clean up after your catatonic hamburger binges,"

"We do clean up after ourselves!"

As soon as Oliver defended himself and his comrades, one of their beds snapped off the ceiling and became a pile of broken framework and greasy wrappers and grime-encrusted milkshake cups.

"Hector!" Oliver feigned ignorance, looking back and forth between the bespectacled bat-thing and Kacey.

Behind her unkempt blonde hair and thick-rimmed glasses, Oliver had to avert his gaze due to the sheer amount of contemptuous disappointment she radiated.

She placed the trash can lids back onto their canisters and shoved both of them forward.

"All of you are on the clock. If you want a lunch break, go find the new Entertainers and then clean this crap up when you get back. They're all needing the Recurring Arrivals Package, I'm sure you know what that means,"

Hector wobbled over to his shattered sleeping arrangement and sniffled. "My bed..."

Oliver crossed his arms over his chest. "Duh! I know everything about this place!"

"But what are you paid to know in the context of talking to new folks?" Kacey tilted her head curiously.

"Uh... tell them about their powers while in Red Haven, all the big places accepting new Entertainers for open mic nights, uh..."

A third bat, an imp with a blue tie named Ricky, hopped onto Oliver's shoulders and knocked his hat off.

"Oh I know! I know! Give them their cards for the Ivory Keys and give them options for a Suit to represent while they're here!"

"And will you explain what a Suit is and what the corresponding neighborhoods are?" Kacey tapped her finger on her hip.

"Yes ma'am!" Oliver and Ricky replied.

"Hector?"

The distraught imp looked up at his coworker.

"I'll get you a new bed. It's time for you to do your job, okay?"

"F-Fine..." Hector grunted. "I'm gonna find all of the Entertainers!"

"Nuh-uh!" Oliver snapped back before putting his hat back on and taking flight. "I'm gonna win this time!"

Hector followed him out of the open window, with Ricky bringing up the rear. "Wait up guys!"

"We're splitting up anyway, go find your own Entertainers, Ricky!" Oliver shouted, getting fainter and fainter the further the trio went out.

Kacey heaved with a profound sigh.

"Idiots..."

Last Edit: May 12, 2023 21:13:17 GMT by Master Mind

illirica
Moderator

Posts: 1,388

{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 15, 2023 13:54:32 GMT

Post by illirica on May 15, 2023 13:54:32 GMT

The Thirsty Crocodile Nightclub

Carmen Vidal had been in the United States for two weeks now, a cause for celebration that she didn't think was being marked by anyone but herself. She had been in Red Haven for twelve of those days, after an exhaustingly long layover in Philadelphia. Her family thought she was a bit crazy for all of this, but Carmen wanted to make her own way in the world. Back in Spain, her path was more or less set - she would sign on with a dance company, which would not pay her enough to make a living, and so she would take up a job as a secretary in order to pay the bills and not have any time to dance, or she would get married to someone who could pay the bills and end up with babies and no time to dance. Carmen had nothing against babies on principle, but she was young still and she was not ready to settle down.

And Red Haven called her. A city of music. Certainly, it was also a city of the devil, which was why the particularly Catholic portion of her relations didn't know her exact address. Carmen was more open about such things, she felt. The Church had been condemning everything fun for centuries, and so what did they know about it, anyway?

She had earned herself a place on stage - once a week, in any case. It was a start - a show to begin with. Between those times, she had work as a cocktail waitress, because even in Red Haven, music alone did not pay the bills, at least at first. More importantly, though, a job serving the patrons made her a familiar face among them, someone they looked forward to seeing. It was all about popularity - she could drum up attendees for her own showings, which would lead the venue managers to see how popular she would, which would lead to more venues, better venues, and a chance to show the world what she could really do.

She balanced a small round tray on her arm with perfect grace, high heels clicking across the floor in precise rhythm with the beat of the song currently playing, stopping before a table to deliver the various concoctions in their sparkling glasses.

"Anything else for you tonight?"

Last Edit: May 15, 2023 13:57:28 GMT by illirica

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trandy
Senior Member

Posts: 654

{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 15, 2023 14:41:24 GMT

Post by trandy on May 15, 2023 14:41:24 GMT

With her headset on and a drumstick twirling on her fingers, Lucia walked down the streets of the Red Haven, werry of her surroundings. Perhaps it was stupid of her to walk amongst Diamonds after being assigned to Clubs, but she couldn’t help herself. She’d traveled a lot for a girl in her mid twenties, but that place was unlike anything she’d ever seen, and the music… The music was unlike anything she’d ever heard.

It was her first time stepping out of safe territory, and she wondered if there was a way of knowing she didn’t belong there. Fear had never stopped her curiosity however, and curiosity was what compelled her to walk into a nightclub called The Thirsty Crocodile. She picked a dimly lit table in the back and waited for the waitress, removing her headset that would now hangaround her neck and sticking the stick on her back pocket, along with the other one.

"What can I get for-" She searched the pocket of her jacket and found a couple coins, placing it on the table when the waitress approached her. She counted. "... Seventy five cents?" Lucia grimaced. Being poor wasn't news to her. Hopefully she'd find a gig that night that'd pay for her breakfast the next morning, or she'd have to ask for credit at the bakery. Again.

Last Edit: May 15, 2023 14:44:08 GMT by trandy

xXxStitchesxXx
Member

Token Witch

Three racoons in a trench coat.

Posts: 466

{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 15, 2023 18:42:08 GMT

Post by xXxStitchesxXx on May 15, 2023 18:42:08 GMT

It had been precisely four hours since she had stepped off the plane. In those four hours, Miranda had managed to divide up her money in what she felt would be a reasonable amount to carry in her wallet (two hundred dollars, in twenties, tens, fives, and a handful of ones), had gotten dressed in one of her delicate summer dresses (the heat down here was unbearable), and had taken a taxi to the edge of town. For some reason, the taxi driver had told her he wouldn’t drive her all the way into the city, but she didn’t mind it terribly. The town practically began at its border marker. She had been walking for an additional half-hour, trying to find her way to the nearest hub where she could ask about a hotel.

The sound of the city was intoxicating. There was music everywhere. Or rather, life. There was life everywhere. Miranda had once told her parents, “This isn’t music, it’s life, and what I live for.” She hadn’t been lying. The music was what she lived for. It ran through her bloodstream like water through a river. Nothing would ever change that.

Her first order of business was lodging. Her second order of business was employment. She wouldn’t last long on the thousand dollars she had hidden away in the inseam pocket of her purse. Especially not in a big city like Red Haven. It looked to her like finding lodging in such a beautiful city might be expensive. Despite all of the lights and sounds, something about it rang old-fashioned to her. Maybe it was how new all of the lights seemed, how flashy everyone’s clothing was, but there was something that was off about the city.

Eventually, she came across a bar. She looked up at the sign and saw it was called “The Thirsty Crocodile”. What an odd name. She stepped inside and was immediately assaulted by the sound of screams and laughter. Maybe she could ask the bartender about local hotels she could stay at. She’d have to buy a drink first, of course. She stepped up to the bar, dragging her small suitcase over to the seat. She made sure to tuck it under the counter at her feet before she picked up a menu, trying to decide on what to drink.

What the–? Everything was labeled as cents. Drinks she knew for a fact would cost fifteen dollars in Florence cost roughly seventy-five cents or a dollar here. Was this an American thing? She had heard a lot of stories about America from tourists and transfer students, but nothing in them had said anything about cheaper than dirt drinks. “Uhm, excuse me? Is this drink really only seventy-five cents?”

And to those Gods I will speak bluntly,
We have an accord if you ever touch or harm him
Please rest assured, you may not fear a man,
But by the end to a woman, you'll kneel and plead
Because I'm more than my mom taught me to be.

Master Mind
Member

Posts: 105

{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 15, 2023 20:28:51 GMT

Post by Master Mind on May 15, 2023 20:28:51 GMT

Arnie snorted, his long muzzle swinging back and forth as to inhale the scents of all the new faces coming in. He had regulars that he didn't need to look up from cleaning his glasses to greet. They knew he was busy and a "Hey Sal!" or "Good to see you, Jolie!" was enough. His scaled complexion shifted slightly when he recognized new, different people however. These weren't normal people in Red Haven, like the bloodthirsty gangsters or other various snakes. He knew those smells: coppery, and unpleasant.

He snapped his suspenders and turned around to greet one of these new folks with as much charm as a portly, eight foot tall crocodile man could muster. His razor-sharp teeth glittered like pearls in the dim club lighting.

"Well howdy!" he began earnestly and gently enough, putting the glass and cloth in his hand down carefully as to now invite alarm. "You're definitely new if you're asking questions like that, little missy,"

He looked at the small woman with honey-colored hair, finding it hard to believe she came here for any other reason than what he was afraid of... considering the instruments on her back and under her arm.

"My my, you're come a long way haven't you... tell you what, sit down a spell and Ol' Arnie'll get you something to eat and drink,"

He turned his back towards Miranda, not knowing her name yet but still imparting the greatest of Southern Hospitalities. His thick tail flicked back and forth as he cooked up some fried chicken and smothered the plate with creamy mashed potatoes and saucy green beans. The whole arrangement smelled divine, brought into existence based on the merit of quick, delicious cooking. He gave her the plate and poured her a tall glass of iced water.

"Honey Child," he leaned on his hand as he balanced his scaly elbow on the wall. "You're in Red Haven now. Ain't nothing you knew outside makes sense here," he chuckled, standing up straight again to roll his sleeves up.

"Oh where are my manners? My name is Arnie, I'm uh, in charge of this particular establishment," he smiled wide again, trying to smooth the mood, but looked at himself in the mirror and shot up with a horrendous shriek!

"Oh lands! Oh Lord, I forget e'erytime," he fanned himself with his hand, trying to collect himself.

"Alright Honey Child, I know this is a lot to take in... but please be patient with Ol' Arnie, alright? In Red Haven, there's only one man what calls the shots. We all here because of some debt we owe him, big and small. Some don't even know what they debt is, cause they payin' for the sins of they mother or father,"

Almost on cue, the bat-thing named Hector smacked his way through the door and onto a patron's head. "Oops! Sorry," he mumbled tiredly as he replaced the man's hat, trying his best to start flying again.

"Hector! Calm down now, you been circlin' for hours. There some new folks here!"

"Huh? The Entertainers? I found them?!" his glasses lit up with excitement. "Oh boy oh boy! Kacey is gonna be so happy! Where are they?"

Arnie put his fingers to his lips for a sharp whistle. "Carmen! Get your lovely face over here!"

He took another sniff of the air and leveled a heavy finger at Lucia, also completely unaware of her name.

"You too! This important now!"

Hector watched as the Entertainers gathered around, completely forgetting his entire job at first. "Oh right!" he gasped, fumbling through his little backpack. "My name is Hector! I'm a talent agent, looking for Entertainers... where is it?"

The resulting small hurricane of paperwork started forming above him and Arnie snatched a few pieces of parchment before they settled back on the bar.

"Oh, thanks!" Hector grabbed the notes from the giant humanoid crocodile and cleared his throat, obviously having prepared a speech beforehand.

"Alright! Welcome to Red Haven! My name is Hector, and I am employed at the four... foremost Talent Management agency in the city!" his eyes were glued to the paperwork in front of him, but he was doing his best.

"I am here to answer any questions you may have and to also give you your travel guides for the city. Using this information, you are free to work your way to the top and become a famous Entertainer!"

His face beamed with a bright smile as he looked at all of their hopeful faces. "So... uh... any questions? There's kind of a lot of stuff to talk about,"

He flipped up his notepad and it all unraveled in a long piece of tapestry that went from him to the bar to the floor and across about ten feet without opening completely.

"Aw shucks..."

Last Edit: May 15, 2023 20:30:02 GMT by Master Mind

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 16, 2023 0:03:31 GMT

Post by illirica on May 16, 2023 0:03:31 GMT

The crowds were starting to arrive for the evening. Carmen always liked watching the people who came in, seeing what they were doing, what they were wearing. Sometimes the outfits were standard, classy, elegant. Sometimes they were wild, spectacular. Sometimes they weren't much to look at, down on their luck, hopeful for better times. The girl with the drumsticks in her back pocket seemed like maybe a little of the last, but the drumsticks were in good shape, and the headphones around her neck were good quality, good repair. Red Haven people knew what was important. She'd probably fit right in.

Carmen finished dropping off the drinks that had already been ordered, tucking the tray under her arm. "Seventy-five cents will get you most anything as a single, unless it's real fancy. It'd be a dollar for a double, though, so you probably want something you can drink slow. Tequila sunrise? The orange juice is good if you haven't eaten much."

When she'd come here two weeks ago, she'd felt like hardly anyone understood her, and she didn't understand much of what they said either. It shouldn't have been that easy to slip into the lingo of the place, but maybe it was just part of Red Haven's charm - or maybe it was just that most of the people here wanted a lot of the same things, anyway. Less to worry about, for Carmen at least.

Her attention perked up a bit at the snapping of suspenders, as a scaly snout poked its way into what was undoubtedly someone else's business - but business was business, no matter whose it started off as, and Arnie wasn't one to let business get away from him. He gave her a whistle, which she had always thought should have been impossible for a person with his facial features, but somehow it wasn't. She'd also thought it should have been offensive, but somehow, it wasn't. It was just the way things were around here, and she supposed she was adapting to them well enough - certainly well enough to know not to ignore a summons when it came.

He'd asked for the other girl as well, and Carmen gave her a quick smile. "Best come on, then. That's Arnie, he runs the place. Don't know if he's scarier than he looks or not, but if he is, he's never directed it at me."

The announcement, when it came, was from a small flier named Hector - he'd introduced himself twice. One of the talent scouts, which was always good to see. It seemed like there were lots of new faces coming to Red Haven to try their hands. She listened to him as well as she could, trying not to fixate on the fact that he rather reminded her of one of her little cousins reciting lines for his first school play.

The only real question Carmen had about all this was one she wasn't going to ask: whether the other new faces were companions... or competition.

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 16, 2023 23:51:50 GMT

Post by trandy on May 16, 2023 23:51:50 GMT

“I’ll have that, thank you!” Lucia said with a wide smile, that may or may not have had something to do with how pretty the waitress was. Her dark brown eyes were pulled away from the brunette when a loud whistle coming from the guy - actually, alligator - at the bar caught her attention, and apparently that of everyone else in the room.

So her name was Carmen. Lucia’s eyes widened when she noticed the anthropomorphic animal was calling out for her as well.

“Me?” She asked, confused. At first she thought it had to be a mistake, but Carmen went on to introduce the reptile as Arnie, and if he was the one running the place… Better do what he said.

Lucia walked over to the bar by Carmen’s side, taking a seat next to the girl carrying a violin case. Lucia was never much of a fan of orchestra, but it was always nice to meet another musician. She waved her fingers in a small, awkward greeting before turning her attention to the small creature named Hector, who introduced himself as a talent manager. She held her hand up, waiting for his attention to be on her before speaking.

“I’m… Sort of new here.” She said, picking up a drumstick from her back pocket and giving it a twirl. “Are there any gigs for a drummer?”

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 19, 2023 20:13:54 GMT

Post by xXxStitchesxXx on May 19, 2023 20:13:54 GMT

Miranda was immediately taken aback by the… man… who turned to talk to her. He was, in fact, an eight-foot-tall crocodile. She sat stunned for a minute while he spoke to her, calling her Honey Child and explaining things, while simultaneously explaining nothing. She looked at the hot plate of food in front of her, but before she had time to really process anything, two other women were joining her by the counter around a young bat looking… boy?

She felt a little dizzy from the confusion. She’d heard Red Haven was unlike anywhere else in the world. She’d just never expected anything quite like this. As the bat-boy explained that he was there looking for entertainers, Miranda gripped tightly to the violin under her arm. One of the women that had joined them waved at her awkwardly, and she returned it, her fingers shaking. This was honestly more than she was bargaining for. But still, the desire to show her parents she could make it as a jazz violinist won out over the confusion and nausea.

“I know it’s not very traditional, but I’m a jazz violinist and cello player. I would love to work. Especially if I can get my hands on a new cello,” she said with a strained smile. She thought back to her beautiful cello that she’d had to leave behind in Florence. She’d tried to board the airplane with it, only to be told that it exceeded the size of luggage they allowed on the plane. Her best friend had taken it and promised not to let anything happen to it until she came home.

What Thomas didn’t know was Miranda had no intention of going back. She had no intention of crawling back under her parent’s thumb. What they wanted from her was too much, too demanding a prospect for her to bear. They expected her to be first seat in some famous orchestra, to be a headliner at concerts all over the world. That wasn’t what she wanted. Miranda just wanted to play music.

And that was why she had come to Red Haven. Now it was all or nothing, soar or fall, float or drown.

And to those Gods I will speak bluntly,
We have an accord if you ever touch or harm him
Please rest assured, you may not fear a man,
But by the end to a woman, you'll kneel and plead
Because I'm more than my mom taught me to be.

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 20, 2023 20:29:28 GMT

Post by Master Mind on May 20, 2023 20:29:28 GMT

Hector took a series of deep breaths, in and out. He knew he didn't have to be scared. This was all his job entailed, that he talked to people. But something in the back of his innocent little mind told him that he didn't know how to. He knew his brothers, Oliver and Ricky, of course. Kacey too - she was nice... or at least had her moments. He mumbled to himself once he realized that there were so many eyes looking his way. He focused back on the paperwork he had been carrying. At this point, it was just a placebo. The various pamphlets and guidebooks were comfort to him since he could get lost in the information. It would swirl around his thoughts for days, distracting him from the strange and uncertain monotony around him. He didn't know how to process it. It was just all that he had known from the moment he opened his eyes.

"U-Um..." he choked out, gasping for air as he scurried through his backpack again. He produced a series of books for the fledgling Entertainers, hoping they'd stop looking at him if he presented some literature for them to read instead.

"Th-These are your location guides, one for each Suit," he continued, trying his best to act professional. He was mortified by his own ineptitude. Oliver would have definitely done a better job... and he'd deserve the extra treats Kacey would give him.

Hector knew he didn't deserve to find three Entertainers like this so easily. He soldiered on, however, determined to get this over with quickly so he could find somewhere to relax. He liked to perch on top of the Thirsty Crocodile and spread his wings towards the sun. Those same wings winced and twitched nervously as the attached hands grappled with even more items from his bag.

"S-So... drummers are really popular with the Clubs Suit. You'd... it'd be difficult to find a music hall of theirs... without at least one," Hector smiled, trying to compose himself on the spot.

He slid a Clubs guidebook towards Lucia so that she could see the various locations labeled as safe for tourists and newcomers. He also gave her a pamphlet that folded into a neat poster for her to keep, printed with the cover art to one of Henry Smokestack's most popular vinyl records: Just a Lone Engine Roarin'.

"And you like stringed instruments? That's... a hard one," Hector seemed to calm down once he realized he could think about this for more than a few seconds before having to move onto the next subject. He inhaled and weighed the potential options for Miranda, putting a finger to his mouth and furrowing his brow.

"Um... let's see, you have a violin," he checked to make sure that it was indeed a violin case that she carried and instantly dug around in his backpack for a Freelancer guidebook.

"Okay, so there are plenty of options for a violinist. It's just that the Suits don't explicitly have a place for that at the moment. But if you just play your heart out for everyone to listen to, then you should get a spot easy!"

He smiled at her and flipped through some of the pages with her.

"Being a Freelancer isn't easy, but you still get the benefits other Entertainers do. Lodging is free at any Ivory Keys resort, and every room is a suite! So... I guess you get free ice cream or something," he shrugged. "I've never been there but it looks really nice! You even get to swim in a big pool and practice in a huge auditorium!"

He waved his arms around excitedly. "Maybe you guys can even stay at the same Ivory Keys and practice together! Traveling bands are so cool!"

Arnie went back to his post behind the counter and started cleaning his drinking glasses again. Hector kept talking, trading anxiety for hyperactivity once more.

"Oh! Oh! Uh... Arnie called you Carmen right?" he tilted his head at the waitress, giving her a goofy smile. "You work here, did you want to transfer directly into the Diamonds Suit? People around here probably know your face! You ought to get them to remember your name too!"

Last Edit: May 20, 2023 20:32:40 GMT by Master Mind

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 21, 2023 17:48:26 GMT

Post by illirica on May 21, 2023 17:48:26 GMT

Hector seemed to be having a struggle with sorting things out, but it seemed like everyone here was the patient sort. Carmen wasn't sure if that made things better or worse - sometimes an impatient crowd just made people more nervous to perform, but other times having too much calm made the energy disappear. Hector might not have thought of his speech as a performance, but Carmen thought it likely wasn't that much different.

She supposed if he needed a nudge, Arnie would give it to him, and waited patiently as he worked through handing out booklets. She listened intently to what he said to every one of them, because sooner or later she was going to end up competing with some of these people, and the more she knew about them, the better. After a couple of these speeches, Arnie seemed to think that Hector was doing fine on his own, and left to go tidy up the glasses - no doubt they'd be needed soon enough.

Hector's attention transferred to her at the end, and Carmen gave him an encouraging nod for getting her name right. She was rather glad he did, because she was worried that if she'd had to correct him, it would have broken his tiny heart. His offer brought a quick smile, though, since that was what she'd been trying to get at the entire time she was here. To be fair, the entire time was still less than two weeks, and that was almost nothing in an entertainer's life - but at the same time, sometimes it felt like an eternity.

"I'd love to. Diamonds seems right up my alley - I think I have some ideas for how to make them stand out even more." Of course, that would be a challenge to the other suits, but Carmen was here for a challenge. "I look forward to it!"

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 22, 2023 1:47:39 GMT

Post by trandy on May 22, 2023 1:47:39 GMT

Lucia smiled, finding the girl much more interesting when she claimed to be a jazz player. She turned her attention back to the small creature answering all questions, that looked like he was recovering from a panic attack. She accepted the guide book, flipping through its pages while Hector addressed the other entertainers, the waitress being one of them.

“What instruments do you play?” She asked, then glanced from the brunette to the violinist girl. “I’m Lucia, nice to meet you.” She didn’t know anyone in town, and if she’d learned one thing in her travels was the importance of making friends in foreign places.

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 23, 2023 14:17:06 GMT

Post by xXxStitchesxXx on May 23, 2023 14:17:06 GMT

Miranda found herself... disappointed. A freelancer, huh? She shook the thought from her head and slapped her cheeks a few times. That wasn't going to deter her. Nothing was going to deter her from making this work. She would prove them all wrong, even if it took her a decade to make it. She accepted a brochure for the Ivory keys from the adorable bat-boy. For a brief moment, the thought crossed her mind that he seemed very stressed from his job, and she wanted nothing more than to take him to the Ivory Keys and let him relax for a day.

The other women were talking. She tuned in just in time to hear Lucia- that was the drummer's name- introduce herself. Miranda stuck one of her hands out and smiled. "I'm Miranda. It's lovely to meet you."

And to those Gods I will speak bluntly,
We have an accord if you ever touch or harm him
Please rest assured, you may not fear a man,
But by the end to a woman, you'll kneel and plead
Because I'm more than my mom taught me to be.

Master Mind
Member

Posts: 105

{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 23, 2023 22:04:05 GMT

Post by Master Mind on May 23, 2023 22:04:05 GMT

Hector nodded as the women started introducing themselves to each other. He mentally patted himself on the back and wobbled over to where the plate of fried chicken sat unattended. He sat at a nearby barstool and began eating, wiggling his legs back and forth happily.

"Arnie?" he asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the crocodile man.

"Yeah Hector?" the giant smiled, laughing warmly.

"C-Can... I have a root beer?"

"Of course you can!" Arnie chuckled mirthfully, kneeling slightly to access the fridge.

"Yay!"

"Want me to turn the radio up?" Arnie asked, twisting the dial as if he already knew the answer.

"Yeah, yeah!"

Hector bopped his head to the hypnotizing beats of the swinging sensations of days past as well as of the modern era. Many artists and Entertainers went on to have record deals in Red Haven, making it a self-sufficient cycle of dance and song.

"Oh wait," he interrupted himself, taking yet another book out of his backpack. This one had the title of "New Talents".

He scribbled the names of the women he had just spoken to and set the item aside, intent on enjoying his meal.

Soon, the music started to fade as the telltale static alluding to the radio host coming back on-air crackled.

"Oh, hey y'all!" Arnie signaled to the ladies. "M is coming on with his announcements. Maybe you're on his list!"

"Greetings and salutations, all you sinners and heathens!" the voice on the radio chimed right on cue. "In today's news, a batch of Entertainers have just come off the presses! I have been informed that several of them have already been part of our humble home for quite a while now... so congratulations are in order for making it this far! I am proud of you! Those aspiring sages are our very own: Anya Bosko, Sammy Two-Step, and... Rocco Wayne, back on the scene; and newcomers: Carmen Vidal, Miranda Wellford, and Lucia Cuevas! Come one, come all, to your nearest Ivory Keys location - marked in your guidebooks as provided by your agents, or purchased from any news stand worth a flip! Any updates to this growing roster will continue to be right here only on 66.6! For now, here's one of my favorites... for all of you, my other favorites,"

Last Edit: May 26, 2023 19:41:34 GMT by Master Mind

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{Red Haven, Mephisto's Phantasmagoria - Horror Guaranteed!!} May 25, 2023 17:03:48 GMT

Post by illirica on May 25, 2023 17:03:48 GMT

"I'm Carmen, it's nice to meet both of you as well." Arnie had mentioned her name, but it was polite to say it anyway. Lucia was the percussionist, and Miranda was the girl with the violin case. "I'm primarily a dancer, though I play castanets as well." Often, that ended up falling in the same category as percussion, but maybe she and Lucia could work something out - maybe some sort of back-and-forth thing? It could be an interesting way to spice things up. Violins were at least easy - violin could usually be worked into anything, either as a melody or as something in the background. If their group had two percussionists already, though, that meant violin was definitely going to have to be ready as a melody.

"I think we should play together sometime. It would give us a chance to collaborate a little bit." And to check out the competition, of course, but they didn't need to say that part out loud. "That said I'm still working for a bit, so can I get either of you anything?"

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