The song comes to an end ((open thread))

[slayers_desire]

For the general public, tonight the Caritas is closed.

For those who have a special invitation however -- there is a party to attend. And the bar is decked out with every single decoration in the world. There are helium balloons floating up by the roof, in all sorts of colors. And we mean all the colors. There are plaid balloons up there!

There are dozens of candles decorating each table. And these candles fire off little tiny explosions of fireworks every half hour.

There is a bubble machine and a fog machine by the dance floor, so people can mix it up and have fun. There is every kind of beverage (even the 'rich red' for vampires) at the bar.

And right now Lorne is on the stage, belting out a song to "Memory".

((here is the deal -- this is a mixed interaction thread. NPCs will interact with everyone who posts, but I encourage others to interact as well. There will be a point when a major plot point will occur, and hopefully I can bring everyone into a posting order))

Comments

[buffyverse_npcs]

After a few hours, and lots of partying and socializing, there comes a moment when Lorne returns back to the stage. He gestures for the music to be turned down, and steps up to the microphone.

"Okay Ladies and Gents... I just wanted to say how grateful I am to have you all in my life. You will all be in my heart."

"The Caritas will always be here for you all... no matter what. And don't worry loves, I will be here in Spirit no matter what."

Wes and Spike come out of the back area, and one of them comes up to the stage to whisper in Lorne's ears. He smiles softly. "And yes... and now for the great news. My friends have discovered a way to ensure that The Three won't bother anyone. Who wants to help me?"

[victormakesart]

"Always," Victor says. With her emotions dampened, she's able to smile (only a little sadly) up at him. But it's better than being stuck in the rut of trying to save him up until the last moment, stuck in a vortex of denial.

[fmalchemist160]

"No-brainer," Ed replies with a small smile and a raised hand. This earns a quiet, amused chuckle from Cipher Nine, whose only response otherwise is, "Of course."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Jack's been out of the loop for a while, so he doesn't know who the Three are, but any enemies of his friends are enemies of his. "Sure, why not?" Harry nods in agreement.

"What do we need to do?" Clark asks.

[slayers_desire]

"Well, we need to summon The Three here. And to do that... we need to sing..." Lorne chuckled. He gestured to everyone to join him on the stage.

April laughed, she goes to the stage, to join Lorne there. "A song? Really?"

[victormakesart]

She leans heavily on her cane to get up the stairs onto the stage, takes a deep, preparing breath. She trusts Lorne completely, and she knows better than to think this sort of thing is weird, after all the time she's spent in the multiverse.

[nonvillainouscipher]

"It would be by singing," Cipher Nine remarks wryly as he and Ed join the others on stage. There is something harmonious (in more than just the musical sense) and orderly about music as a whole that makes it seem well-suited as a foil to discord and chaos.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"All of us? You do remember I can't carry a tune, right?" Clark says, but joins them anyway.

Jack claps a hand to Clark's shoulder. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. I can sing enough for both of us, if you like."

[slayers_desire]

"You can be part of the tenors. Just soft enough to give us some tempo, but not carrying the beat." Lorne tells Clark.

"Does everyone know Body and Soul?"

"I should be able to follow along..." April smiles.

[victormakesart]

The song title sends a rock to the pit of her stomach and she swallows, nods. "Yeah."

[fmalchemist160]

"No," Ed answers somewhat sheepishly. Cipher Nine shakes his head in agreement with Ed's answer. "We'll manage, though."

[fractured_agent]

"Know it by heart," Jack says.

"I'm not familiar with it," Clark admits.

[slayers_desire]

"Well one thing about karaoke, is that we have the lyrics." Lorne turns on the song. And the old jazz song starts to play. He has chosen the Ella Fitzgerald version to play tonight.

My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it?
I'm all for you, body and soul

I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you, I mean it
I'm all for you, body and soul

I can't believe it, it's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending it looks like the ending
Unless, I could have one more chance to prove dear

My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender
Myself to you, body and soul

My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender
Myself to you, body and soul

By the last two stanzas of the song, as everyone gets into the music, they will start to notice that the lights are flickering slightly. And there seem to be large shadows moving along the walls.

[victormakesart]

She sings loudly for Lorne. The last thing he's asking of her and she'll do it right. Heart and soul into the music, she doesn't see the lights and shadows because her eyes are closed in concentration, fists balled up at her sides.

[fmalchemist160]

Ed and Cipher Nine both keep singing even after they notice the flickering lights and shadows. Both sing rather quietly (especially compared to Victor), but still loud enough to be heard.

[thepizzalord]

Clark doesn't think he's doing a good job, but he puts in his best effort. Jack, true to form, picks up the slack, adding his clear tones to the song.

Harry isn't armed with his typical weapons, as per Caritas rules, but he doesn't need his staff, sword, or pistol to be armed. He readies one hand, focusing on the kinetic energy stored in the rings on his fingers, just in case.

[slayers_desire]

The light continue to flicker, until the songs comes to an end. At that moment, three people enter the bar. Their shadows seem to cast on the wall behind them at least ten times their actual size. The shadows seeming to have life themselves.

"We are here." They speak as one person.

[victormakesart]

"Make sure to try the hors d'oeuvres," Victor says, brow furrowed; she's ready for a fight. Puffed up and chin out and unafraid.

[fmalchemist160]

"Enjoy this while it lasts," Ed adds in a caustic tone. "You're not getting this world, or any other."

[thepizzalord]

Living shadows. Wonderful. Harry's dealt with one of those before, and it wasn't the most pleasant of times. "You've got the floor," he tells them, not relaxing his guard.

[slayers_desire]

"We have been summoned before you only in temporary forms. We can not the eat food we can not consume." The three stand still. Not approaching. Not doing anything.

In truth, these bodies they are using are nothing but vessels that if destroyed, they would not care about. It would not affect their true form.

"We have called you hear to negotiate for the Sphere of Music." Lorne explains.

"It sings to us... what could you offer us?" They look at the gathered group.

"A different sphere. Something just as special, but one that wouldn't harm our world."

[victormakesart]

Bad guys never have a handle on sarcasm. That's how you can tell them from the good guys. She inclines her head... set to agree with Lorne. Another offer. Another sphere.

[fmalchemist160]

"You fail at understanding sarcasm," Ed mutters under his breath. He and Cipher Nine are both caught a little off-guard with this plan, but both of them trust that Lorne knows what he's doing.

Cipher Nine, being, well, himself, is able to conceal his momentary surprise, and just continues watching the Three veeery carefully.

[fractured_agent]

"Are you willing to hear us out?" Jack asks the three. No point in wasting time on negotiations if they don't want to negotiate.

[slayers_desire]

"We will listen." The Three are just as suspicious of the group ... as the group is of them.

"My friends have been doing some research, and have found a way to create another Sphere of Music. One that isn't connected to our world." Lorne explains.

"And you will just... create it for us?" The Three are doubtful.

"If it saves the world... there is no other choice." Lorne smiles softly.