Some time later, once a number of gembound had placed their 'signatures' on the missives, all the glowing papers disappeared and the gembound that had signed themselves up to...whatever this was would find similarly shimmering cards appearing in front of them (that would also speak their messages out loud in a posh, formal accent).
On each paper was the following:
Song of Tomorrow
In the bustling city of Aria, a singer from the countryside arrives, with great ambitions and a troubled road ahead. Three futures tug at his footsteps while he finds his own path in a story of love, music, and betrayal!
And beneath is a role card, different for each gembound.
@Ruse 's card says the following:
FABIO is our main character, a poor but talented singer from the countryside that has come to the city for work, meeting its many strange denizens, but then decides to audition at the local operahouse at the encouragement of his friend, GRYFFIN. He will find his heart torn in many different ways as potential futures, and lovers, open themselves up to him and he must decide what he wants out of his own life - with the sexy rich kid offering him a comfortable future, the musician promising him endless career opportunities, or the homeless woman that shows him a path of freedom from expectation.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
What, do you want me to spell out what path he's going to take?! UGH and give away the ENDING?? BOOOOOOO. I guess you will just have to WAIT AND SEE or FIGURE IT OUT YOURSELF!!
@Triage 's card says the following:
GRYFFIN is the friend of the main character, FABIO. A celebrated singer, he is auditioning for the lead at the local opera house. He encourages FABIO to try out for a role as well, but becomes jealous when lovers begin vying for FABIO's attention, and his placement as lead is threatened by his talents. GRYFFIN will attempt to sabotage FABIO's chances, and relationships, with the help of the stagehand, TRISTAN.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
Ummm are you waiting for me to tell you how he sabotages? And give away that juicy little plot point?? UGH you gembound want me to do EVERYTHING for you!! Figure it out yourself, YOU'RE the entertainer here!!
@Archon 's card says the following:
LUDVIC is the next-door neighbor of FABIO, a kind and helpful man that becomes a sort of emotional crutch for our lead. He has a stable life with pains in his past, and it has given him a wisdom to see through troubled times. He enjoys FABIO's company and will offer help in times of crisis.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
You're not getting any lines by the way! YOU gotta put the work in and figure out how to be wise, or I'm going to be MAD!!
@Bauxite-T-One 's card says the following:
MARCEL is the son of a businessman that runs into FABIO in the city. At first looking down on him for being a country peasant, he hears FABIO's singing voice and becomes interested in courting him. One of the romantic interests of our lead, MARCEL offers FABIO a future of luxury, where he will be pampered and taken care of and have all the luxuries money can buy.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
Yeah, so, I hope you've studied up on 12th century courting because its NOT the same as it is around here, alright? You BETTER act your class, remember you're a FILTHY LITTLE NEPO BABY!!
@The Piano 's card says the following:
SEBASTIEN is the eccentric and elegant musician working at the opera house. They meet FABIO when he comes to visit and is initially taken with his handsome appearance. They're flirtatious but quite mysterious, frequently complimenting and trying to get to know our lead without ever saying much about themselves. They offer a future of easy employment, and partnership with their talents combined, performing on the greatest stages and ballrooms in the nation.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
Whatever is so mysterious about this guy is YOUR CALL, okay, I'm not just gonna SPOIL everything for you geez!! You better come up with something JUICY!!
@Karambit 's card says the following:
MABILIA is a homeless woman secretly living in the backstage and rafters of the opera house that FABIO runs into during his time there. She's hard-edged and independent and rejects any offers of assistance, saying that she has everything she needs. FABIO becomes interested in her free way of living and she offers a future free of expectations, missing many luxuries, comforts, and opportunities, but a life he can live however he wants.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
Alright I've actually got like a VISION for this, okay? You ever see one of those indie films where the girl love interest is just INSUFFERABLE? Yeah, yeah just like that!! But like make her NOT insufferable. Make her LIKABLE. But like. That same vibe, you know? WHATEVER. Do what you want, as long as its FUN!
@Coilean 's card says the following:
TRISTAN is a stagehand of the opera house that is rooting for GRYFFIN to be cast as the lead, but also a little scared of him at the same time. They are roped into his plot to sabotage FABIO, and the two work together to try and ruin his chances and his love interests.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
Ugh, NO, I'm not telling you how to sabotage anyone! You gotta put some of your OWN work into this, okay, I'm doing enough already! You better make it INTERESTING!!
@Velveteen 's card says the following:
RORY is the son of a local baker that FABIO runs into on his way to and from the operahouse. He's excited for news all the time and wants to hear about FABIO's life.
There is a pause, and then the rest of the passage is read in Nemean's shrill voice.
You want a role, kid? THERE. That's a role for you!! SORRY all the big roles are taken up but, uh, I don't know. You can push the plot forward subtly I guess! Be a cute kid and sing in the opening or something!!
@Honk and
@Worm 's cards says the following:
Pre-show entertainment will begin about an hour before the show. There will be a 30 minute intermission. Make sure the lights are on the characters performing at all times. Make sure the effects look good and do not interrupt the scenes unecessarily. Do not upset Master Nemean and if she starts doing something, back off and let her do her thing.
Nemean's shrill voice interrupts and reads the rest of the card.
That's RIGHT you're working with ME!! We're going to make this musical FUN. EXCITING. AND BEAUTIFUL!! If you mess up my musical you're going to regret it!
Good luck, performers! The musical will begin in three days! It seems there isn't a concrete story from beginning to end, simply the skeleton of one - looks like YOU will have to be the ones to come up with it during the show! But make sure you don't mess it up or Nemean will be MAD. If you're a good entertainer, though, she will most definitely shower you with rewards!