The Balladeer (
tellthestory) wrote in
curtainsdown2021-07-17 02:51 pm
Entry tags:
ready as we'll ever be
[The Balladeer is true to his word. So, before the dead's scheduled performance, still dressed in the outfit Salieri forced him to helped him choose, he takes his guitar and sneaks out to the garden one last time. He hasn't visited it yet today, and he always feels guilty when he doesn't manage. He told everyone he'd be here. Even if neither of them can hear each other, he intends to keep his promise.
So he's there to notice when the trees begin closing in. The Balladeer shoots to his feet. Oh, no. He knows this feeling.]
Everyone! Come out to the garden! Bring your stuff!
[He calls out aloud, but he can use that projection trick just as well as the Player - his voice is audible anywhere in the school.
When people arrive to join him, there will still be a path through the woods to lead them to the garden. He doesn't want to strain himself before the performance, but something as small as that shouldn't cause problems later. It's too important that everyone get out here - because when people arrive, they'll find that all of the living are visible. The Balladeer is watching them, but making no attempt to interact; he already knows how this is going to go. It isn't time for that yet. Still...]
It's the end.
[Have fun spectating the trial!]
So he's there to notice when the trees begin closing in. The Balladeer shoots to his feet. Oh, no. He knows this feeling.]
Everyone! Come out to the garden! Bring your stuff!
[He calls out aloud, but he can use that projection trick just as well as the Player - his voice is audible anywhere in the school.
When people arrive to join him, there will still be a path through the woods to lead them to the garden. He doesn't want to strain himself before the performance, but something as small as that shouldn't cause problems later. It's too important that everyone get out here - because when people arrive, they'll find that all of the living are visible. The Balladeer is watching them, but making no attempt to interact; he already knows how this is going to go. It isn't time for that yet. Still...]
It's the end.
[Have fun spectating the trial!]

no subject
"Let's end this."
And there's an almost imperceptible change in the air. Frowning, Orpheus looks around at everyone else, then at the living.
Something's about to happen. Something big. ]
no subject
It watches Benjamin. It watches the Wizard. But it doesn't even realize it's singing, however softly.]
No man or machine
Is more than their mistakes
Does that mean no man or machine
Can learn from their mistakes?
no subject
no subject
Balladeer.
[Salieri, sitting on his bench, holds out a hand]
Balladeer, come sit.
no subject
I know I...said I was okay with killing him. That's what justice was in my world, too. I guess I...
[It had been a little different then. Theoretical.]
I feel responsible. After what I just - [He sang to him, a bit. He'd said he'd try to fix it. The living have to make their choice, but it bothers the Balladeer to feel like he might have simply lied.]
no subject
...I can understand why. [gently, quiet] ...you put a good intention behind it, whether it comes to fruition or not.
no subject
[He leans back. Though his eyes are still red-rimmed and tension lingers in the line of his jaw, that panicked guilt from before seems to have burned itself out. He's just...contemplative.]
I was supposed to be the moral backbone of my show, you know. That was my whole identity, to start with. There's the assassins, and there's me. Not too hard to be the good guy, with folks like that...but still.
[So. Maybe he's having more difficulty with this than someone else would.]
I don't...mean to imply people are wrong to be angry. I know we've all got a real right.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
There's something tight in his stomach as he watches, quiet.]
...the decision is theirs, now.
[but, under his breath]
Make the right one, Benjamin.
no subject
If they have to choose, if they have to choose
If they have to choose, if they have to choose
If they have to choose, if they have to choose
If they have to choose, choose choose choose
no subject
she doesn't trust death to be the end -- not after all the deaths she's been through. whatever they choose, she just hopes the wizard never does anything like this, ever again. ]
no subject
But.
There has to be some other way. ]
no subject
...Orpheus. [Gently, calling his name, to get his attention]
Orpheus, take a breath. Slowly, my friend.
no subject
I don't want them to kill him.
no subject
I know. It's not up to us, but we can still hope, at least.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
tucks himself a little closer]
That would be something of a compromise, yes.
no subject
cw: suicidal ideation of will schuester i guess that's where we're at tonight
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/3
2/3
3/3
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
5/5
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
This is great, actually.]
no subject
Is it character growth to say I also don't want lightning to strike my dad dead anymore? Gross. [A beat.] He still owes me money for emotional damages, though.
no subject
cw: suicide mention
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
cw: child neglect/abuse
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
She watches as she sits, wiping her nose, her eyes keeping close watch on Benjamin.]
no subject
Come on, you guys are better than this. Better than him.