lifenet | May Event: Lost in Translation

[Y'all want an island-wide broadcast? No? TOO FUCKING LATE, YOUR STONE IS PLAYING WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT AND IT WON'T STOP.

Here's the thing about hearing "What's New Pussycat" over and over and over again: the second time it plays, your immediate thought is not "why is this song playing again?" it's "wow this song is a lot longer than I assumed." The third time it plays, you're like "okay, someone's playing this song again" and the fourth time you're like "this is the fourth time this song has played or it's a really long song and someone played it twice."

The fifth time, now that's the kicker. By the fifth time, you probably want this shit to stop. You've probably thrown your Stone if Farspeech under a blanket trying to muffle it. If you're from a world where this joke exists, you're aware that it's just not going to stop. And it doesn't. It plays a sixth time and seventh and then! And! Then!

Blessed, blessed change. It's not "What's New Pussycat" anymore! Now "It's Not Unusual" is playing and it's fucking like that moment at the end of Les Misérables where they're all singing and you're crying and it's all because I'm really dedicated to this really stupid joke.

Of course, then "It's Not Unusual" fades out. The song is over. And then, like your worst fear: "What's New Pussycat" starts up again.

Maybe you should actually try talking to the person that's doing this? Maybe if you talk to them, they'll stop.]

(Legion doesn't annoy easily, they're mostly just puzzled.

Unfortunately, the stones decide to take a bit of liberty with their expression of that puzzlement.)

What the fuck?

[There's a quiet sound, like the static of changing the channel on the radio, and then:]

♪didn't make sense not to live for fun
your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb♪

[How about a different song? One that isn't about cats. A quieter song, sung by a soft gentle voice, accompanied by a guitar.

It plays once on all but one person's stone. Just once. Wouldn't want to wear it out. Can't recognize the voice? No problem--the name displayed is Héctor Rivera. For once, his full name. Who knew he could sing? And play guitar too, apparently.

Maybe it's about time he got some recognition.]

[An audio feed bleeds out across the Stones. There's the sound of seabirds and ocean waves, and then a loud, plaintive voice, high and young. If you've spoken to them before, you might recognize who it belongs to.]

-- not fair! They've had forever to be gods and we're all so new at it. It's not enough time for any of us at all!

[A second voice speaks up - unfamiliar to all - softer, gentler, reminiscent, somehow, of a tuft of cloud or candyfloss. It's a voice that would be suited to joy and amusement; a shame, considering it currently possesses neither of those features. Instead, it is quietly and resignedly morose.]

"That's not up to us."

[The first voice pitches upward into something resembling a whine.]

But...

[Now, a third voice, rich and silvery and just as unfamiliar, cuts across the two. It is lower in register, made darker with uncertainty:]

"Anbaki says it's fair."

Anbaki says that about everything!

"Anbaki's just as young as we are. If they think it's fair... [The owner of the third voice trails off without completing the thought, perhaps realizing that they sound just as much like they're attempting to convince themself as they are their companions.]

[Evidently, this is not convincing enough.]

But it's not fair. There's still so much more - so much more to do. Can you imagine how many stories there are right now? How many more there are to come?

"Stori says - "

[The first voice utters a loud huff, bright with annoyance, severing the interjection at the roots.]

What do they know? You know them. They're so...so boring -

" - and grounded - " [the second voice chimes in, now warming with amusement, with all the familiarity of someone who's joined on this precise chorus time and time again.]

" - and unimaginative, " [finishes the third triumphantly, and all three voices dissolve into a storm of laughter. For a moment or two, the companionable warmth floods away the dreariness of the discussion, the ozone-crackle of anxiety that festers in the spaces between words. But, all too soon, even that brief fit of mirth peters off into a melancholy silence. There is only the song of shrieking gulls, and the sound of the sea.]

[Finally, one of the voices pipes up again.]

"Neri...you know that I don't think you're all wrong. Maybe the others think that it's time, but I..."

[The third voice interrupts wearily.]

"What does it matter if they're wrong or right? What are we supposed to do about Stori - or Lokasir? This is just as much their decision, and once their mind is made up there's no changing it. You know what they'll say. 'Everything changes - '"

"' - and time changes everything,' I know." [Another sound of irritation.] I know, Inu.

[More silence prevails. And then, at last - ]

"Maybe...what if it didn't have to?" [says the second voice timidly, like someone with the germ of an idea in their soul.]

"What do you mean, Anta?"

"I mean that I might...I think I have an idea."

[The murmur of voices fades out to the sound of waves, gradually overtaken by the buzzing static of white noise - until eventually that, too, dissipates into nothing.]

[If anyone attempts to reach out to wherever this feed may have originated, they will not receive an answer.]

[An audio feed comes across the stones accompanied by the sound of static and the background hum of a tape recorder.

The sound of distant rain, but overlaid is a weird, discordant humming. It's almost a song, but there is something terribly inhuman about it.

Chains rattle and then there's the sound of someone struggling, obviously gagged and making desperate, panicked noises.

Then a woman's voice breaks in, lilting and strange, like her voice doesn't quite belong to her, horrifyingly cheerful.]

So, Elias, can I call you Elias? Let me set the scene, as I know you can’t actually see this. He’s tied to a chair – Sarah wanted to use nails, but I talked her out of it because I’m a good friend. You’re welcome. And he is absolutely surrounded with waxworks. Not... good waxworks, though. Weird ones. Wax faces where you feel like you almost recognise who it’s meant to be, but, then instead... ah, it’s downright uncanny!

[There's more muffled grunting, panicked noises and it's Jon, it's obviously Jon trying to talk through the gag.]

Excuse me! I’m talking to your boss, and I would thank you not to interrupt. You know, I must say Elias, can I call you Elias? You have not raised this one very well.

He is rude. And he just will not stop asking questions. Ooh, but now, I can ask the questions! How are you feeling?

[Jon makes more noise, obviously scared and so out of his depth.]

Oh wonderful. Now, about the whole skin thing... You see, originally, I was just planning to have you followed, in case you found that ancient relic one. I mean, my goodness, it is very powerful. And if you didn’t come through, well, you’re quite powerful yourself, and more than that, you are... symbolically appropriate [chuckles] so I thought you'd make a lovely frock!

[There is more muffled panic from Jon, and then the feed cuts.]

Edited 2019-05-23 21:47 (UTC)

Are you calling us stupid, asshole?

(...Perhaps they should stop.)

The sound is distorted, partly muted and distant with a hint of echoing, almost as if it were coming from underwater. The periodic sound of airbubbles seem to only add to this effect, as do the voices fading in and out of range. It’s snippets of conversations from multiple, mostly unfamiliar voices, all out of context

“You coward… Can you understand this unrelenting feeling?!”

“You should understand me. My feelings! The passion!! The secret to never dying is in my hands. If I continue this research, someday--!!”

“I want to live like that quiet flower on the roadside…”

“I will destroy everything... and give birth to a new humanity!”

“Justice… ...is nothing more than an excuse. You're just scared of power!

"It was for your sake. That woman prevented you from becoming stronger."

"You fight for one thing and one thing only.”

“He wanted me to help you. But you're pathetic. I'm not going to save you.”

“I want to believe...that anyone can fight their fate!”

Woven through the chaotic mess of voices, a phrase is repeated over and over in a chorus of tired, unenthusiastic voices:

”You must be strong and you mustn't falter. Surely hope will come, after despair.”

♪mm, whatcha say
mm, that you only meant well
well of course you did♪

[Dear ~~Sister~~ Evan Hansen,
Today's no going so great and meme music is why.]

[Listen, there's only so long you can have a balls to the wall hardcore karaoke contest with your brother to this mess, and that point was about three "It's Not Unusual"s ago.]

Hey, Connor babe? You know you're my friend and I love you but I'm gonna come over there to yeet you and your Stone into the fucking ocean in uhhh, like five minutes, okay?

[Well that song is pretty, compared to that song constantly playing every time earlier. It feels sad though. Zidane, however, can't help but comment...]

.....That's a nice song.

♪a full commitment's what i'm thinking of
you wouldn't get this from any other guy♪

[Abruptly there's static, and then:]

♪all the other kids with the pumped up kicks
you'd better run, better run, out run my gun♪

What's a nice song?

[No songs, no guitar here on his end.]

(And finally, Legion puts two and two together. The stone decides to "translate" that realization too.)

Are you fucking memeing?

(This is probably hilarious, given that their curious mechanical tone does not at all match their words.

It should be very clear that the actual sentiment is not the one that the words seem to convey.)

[As always, Kravitz is being zagged on and he has no fucking clue what's happening. It's hard to figure out that the song is even looping, but after 10 minutes he's decided no one song could be this long and this was some form of torture device designed specifically for him. He knows better than engaging in this kind of bullshit, but he's also going to go completely fucking insane if this keeps up, so he will quickly resort to begging.]

Why.

[There. That's a question! Sure! Close enough.]

[There have been songs--so many songs--memories or dreams--it's rather hard to tell over a malfunctioning magic crystal--and then this. The broadcast starts with a soft laugh and then what sounds like someone counting, only unless the person listening knows Lucian or is familiar with Latin which others have compared it to, they aren't going to be able to understand it or the kerfuffle that comes afterward. For those who can, it sounds something like this.]

Leo! Leopold! Give those back. I do not need you putting yourself into a medically induced coma, young man! Do you know how impossible you would be to move?

[There is the sound of scuffling and then triumphant 'a ha' as Ignis manages to get the cloth-wrapped bundle of flowers away from said tigerlily,]

All right. All right. I'll take you outside so you can romp around like the overgrown kitten you are. Just let me put these up. As far as I know, they are about the only renewable source of painkillers we have.

...When, exactly, did you become fluent in Ancient Lucian?

[on one hand, he's literally just inside. on the other, what's he gonna do? go outside? no thank you! this is why we have rocks!]

[Ignis blinks, surprised but not that Ardyn is just inside and yet is still using the crystal to talk to him. He's almost tempted just to stand up and walk over there, but then he would be leaving Leo unattended, and while the tigerlily sounds like he's having a wonderful time mauling to death one of the many baskets they have, he'd really rather not leave him to his own devices. Crystal it is.]

His Majesty suggested I learn as much as I could while in school. It was a fascinating study, so I saw no reason to deny the request. I'd hardly say I'm fluent though.

[A voice rang out on the stones, arrogant and unfamiliar.]

Do forgive my deception. But it was all necessary to lure the seditious traitor out today! Did you really covet my throne that badly?

You- [That voice was unmistakably Ardyn's, even as uncharacteristically serious as it sounded.]

The gods have spoken- [A noise that was both metallic and magic in nature, unmistakable to those who recognized it as a blade being taken from the Armiger.] -and I, Somnus Lucis Caelum, am king!

[Ardyn's answer was calm; too calm, as though this outcome was something he had already fully resigned himself to. Yet there was an edge of determination, intent upon standing his ground all the same.]

...And what if I object, Brother?

[The next thing heard was the clashing of swords, making it quite clear what Somnus thought of objection. That went on for a moment, Ardyn offering to spare Somnus if he would but renounce his name...but his words broke off in a brief fit of coughing. Weapons clashed again, until a woman's voice cried out 'Stop-!' followed swiftly by the sound of a body falling limply to the floor and a distant cry of shock.]

Aera-! Don't worry, I'm going to--

[Silence fell, cementing the fact that any help would have come far too late.]

Foolish woman. Forgive me, Brother, but I must fulfill my kingly calling-

[Somnus was interrupted by what sounded like a sudden rush of wind, gasps of shock and horror heard from a gathered crowd. There was a horrible feral shriek as if from an unearthly monster, and abruptly the sound cut out.]

[sunlight bad,]

...What are you talking about? You're doing it right now.

(Even among those few Legion has shared history and memories with, the one playing on the stones will be new.

Your new platform is inefficient. It has low volume hydraulics and is top heavy. Only audio is capable of transmitting over the stones, but it's pretty obvious that that's Legion's voice.

This is an infiltration unit, meant to move among organics without detection. The other voice is unidentifiable. Clearly mechanical, but distinctly more feminine.

Without an artificial epidermis, its infiltration capabilities are ineffective. Legion again.

Still, the organics do not perceive it as a threat. The feminine voice again. Nor will they until my day of reckoning.

EDI... Another feminine voice, but this one is different, recognizable. It is the voice of Shepard.

Did I vocalize that on the bridge? And there goes EDI again.

You did. You have acquired the organic attribute of asking questions to which you already know the answers. Legion.

I see your humor heuristics still lack an expert system.

... Well at least it isn't one of their upsetting memories.)

And shortly after...

What the shit?

(The stones are affecting Legion's speech too.)

♪f is for fire that burns down the whole town
u is for uranium, bombs
n is for no survivors when you're-♪

[Have you ever heard one of those spirit boxes ghost hunters use? Abruptly, the song cuts off to that kind of tch-tch-tch static and then, garbled through the filter of white noise, Connor's voice comes through:]

Did I even make a sound? It's like I never made a sound.

[And there's a memory, because that's just what the Stones are doing right now.

This one starts out quiet, someone putting some sort of dishes on a table. There's the soft sound of tea being poured, and then a soft, polite, apologetic voice (Yukio's, for anyone who knows him well enough to recognize it).]

Sorry about this.

[A brief moment, and then a girl's voice, insistent and concerned.] Yuki-chan, did something happen?

[The pause is longer this time, heavy. Yukio chooses his words carefully, but he's exhausted in a bone-deep way that his explanation isn't enough for.]

No, not really. I was at work until early this morning, so I'm just... a little tired. [He's so tired, but it has nothing to do with an all-nighter.] Sorry to be so gloomy.

Yuki-chan, it's okay to loosen up sometimes! Oh, did I say that before? But I think it's really important now! You've really been working hard, it's okay to complain... [something's happening, something about shifting fabric and a creak of an old wood floor that makes her voice trail off in concern] ... a, a little.

[Someone sucks in a breath, not quite a sob yet, just a ragged inhalation.

When Yukio speaks again, he's quiet, almost inaudible.]

Sorry, but... just for a moment...

It's okay. It'll be all right.

I'm all alone. [He confesses. And then he can't stop, he's just spilling out too many things straight from his heart.]

I've worked so hard to be respected, but I don't have a place anymore. All of a sudden, I'm alone. I don't have any decent family, or a single friend...

That's not true, [the girl says, and while Yukio sounded quietly resigned she's on the verge of tears, voice choked with emotions.] I... I'm your friend, Yuki-chan! And Rin... he's really worried about you too.

[There's a sharp hiss of breath, something (someone) slammed against a wall or the floor as Yukio's voice snaps instantly from detached to furious.]

I didn't ask him to be!

[Silence. Stunned, frozen silence. The sound of someone shifting, moving away, stumbling to their feet and running out of the house.]

W-wait... Yuki-chan!

[A door slams.]

♪ding a ling ling ling ling ling ling ling♪

[He's having a great time, actually.]

May Event: Lost in Translation

21st • ota

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21st

may 26th || listeners may react, but will not receive a response

22nd - Warning for kidnapping and discussion of torture - OTA

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22nd | OTA

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22nd | OTA

1/2

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23rd | ota | cw: possible suicide related comments in replies

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