atropaanimus

[atropaanimus]

Okay so here's the meta post on Milo VS April as online celebrities in Monster Con

So first thing is first: Milo and April represent two types of online celebrity at their core. Milo is independent and April is with an agency or similar company.

Independent parties mean that they fund, manage, organize everything on their own. All their costs come out of their own pocket. All of their issues need to be handled by themselves. With this though comes absolute freedom in what you do, what you can do, and how you organize yourself for the online masses. Milo can do their influencer work along with their reaping job, and even on occasion live stream it.

Milo also dubs themself an influencer, which means their popularity and opinions are held in such high regard they can, well influence society into trends/fads etc. When you're a hot immortal death, there is basically all the time in the world and no pressure on when those bad days come around. People are happy to obsessed to seeing what Milo is doing, no matter how mundane it is. Milo had to work their way from the bottom to get to their level of popularity, likely with little to no help. They have cultivated their online identity to what they want and what they want to do, which can also be changed at any time if they so desire.

Now April is more of a content creator who has called herself a streamer. She also has shown herself to have managers who work in her stead. This is similar to how agencies work in real life. Agencies are meant to help fund a streamer with resources to create a persona in the online world. That persona then helps generate content for people to enjoy and consume. They also help them with legal issues, funding, social media management, scheduling and more. It can be a huge numbers game, and some agencies are way more draconian than others.

April likely has to keep up the persona, the numbers and the content up to keep her job. Some agencies own the rights to the character you are in that space, and given how extreme Monster Prom universe can be, the group April is being backed by, could literally own her identity. They could rip it away from her if she decides to say no, which would explain why she's putting up with such terrible treatment: she wants to keep doing what she's doing, but she's caught in a contract that she can't get out of or else.

Now both of them rely on large viewership and fan bases to keep said careers going. Milo thrives off of the attention and validation, while April may just need it to survive the side effects of capitalism. Both would become devastated in their own ways if they suddenly dropped in popularity: Milo's massive reputation shattered would be a severe blow to their psyche, stuck with that forever as they are immortal; April being stuck with whatever god awful consequences are in her contract if she doesn't keep being profitable for the company that's giving her the ability to stream.

Now not all agency companies are evil capitalist scum, but this is the Monster Prom universe.

April and Milo both exist in similar spaces online, and their needs for maintaining that space are very similar. Their reasons being very different because of the independence versus agency.

[atropaanimus]

It was not subtle. It was oppressive and far too familiar.

It was the same kind of corruption Milo was stuck in before they were Milo. The only difference was that Milo was put their against their own will. This was... different. The lack of capable empathetic connection was alarming.

It was not only the reaper's collection of plants that withered; the longer Milo held on to this soul, the more their own arm looked like it was rotting away. Fine faux flesh crumbled into gaunt, skin taut, bony appendages more like the classic visage of a reaper.

It hurt.

They refuse to break eye contact. They weren't going to succumb to a panic attack now. They had to stay steady. Milo had support here, it wouldn't happen again-

They don't focus on the now... no, they felt the faintest bit of something. A familiarity of... something. What was it?

"Oh, you know... doing something unsavoury." They answer through winces and gritted teeth.

They point to a leering, blue eyed raven in the room, feathers as stark white as the moonlight itself. Their form hid something much stronger beneath, unbothered by whatever force had Milo in it's grip.

"Anything to piss her, off."

They were all in her domain, after all.

"So, is this Omen, or someone else who's going to owe me a lot after the damages you are causing?"

"Ugh."

She didn't get the time to voice her disappointment of not being unleashed on the general public before she felt the tug in her chest.

Something was being peeled away from her, or she was being peeled away from something. Either way, it felt like losing something important.

Deceptively docile was the soul upon exit, a shrinking silhouette that clung to its host vessel for as long as it could resist the reaper's pull. Once fully detached, however, a change began. It cracked, the same dark magic comprising her body itself oozing from the gaps until it erupted in a fiery explosion.

Over a century of sealed power, evidently having been left to fester, began to sap the life of the room's growth. Pressing against every wall, adjusting to it's new container before it even began to vaguely resemble something humanoid again.

Hm. Better.

The voice seemed to originate from nowhere in particular, a large hand moving to pinch Milo between thumb and forefinger. Merely to hold them, crushing them was not quite on the table yet.

They were the only key out of this place, and that threat was no empty promise.

But I have to wonder, what exactly to you find "unsavory"?

[atropaanimus]

WAIT HOLD ON WHAT

GREEN????@?@

[atropaanimus]

There was... a mascot? That was new. Milo blinks, listens and smiles.

A creative loophole to express emotions... oh April your contracts were binding weren't they?

The reaper understood. Oh did they understand. All the stories of draconian agencies drifted across their mind. Another day of being grateful that they, while working from nothing, were completely independent.

Luckily for April, Milo knew how to talk the subtleties of a proper conversation, veiled as something more business professional. Managers breathing down her neck? Something they could handle.

"Goodness, tell me about it. Parasocialism is getting way out of hand. Nothing like certain individuals thinking it's a good thing to profit from! It's terrible for the mental health and trust me: fans notice and will boycott a company for it. Huge drop in profits as a result."

Those managers could have been listening, and Milo hoped they were at that moment.

Anyway!

"Doug- yes I remember! An absolute treat. Marvelous to hear he's around! Doug is an absolute sweetheart, I should find him and ask how he's been." A smile and a gesture for April to walk down the Artist Alley with them.

"It is lovely for me to get out of work, but perhaps I could assist with yours? Nothing like a surprise subtle collab to ease content creation. I'm sure the numbers will speak for themselves."

In laymans terms: 'Hey April would you like me to hang out to ease the burden of shitty demanding agency managers because they can't do shit about a hyper popular independent offering basically free money, so you can relax?'

The clown was just relieved to see a friendly face she actually recognized, considering how often she was accosted by strangers who knew.. too much about her personally. It was nice to see Milo, even if it was a surprise, because it was so rare for anyone to even vaguely understand the plight of an influencer.

"Oh gosh, scheduling headaches are the worst." She agreed, waving a hand in dismissal of how horrendous that can end up being. April did not want to get started about trying to juggle all her responsibilities. She was even due for a quick check-in con stream in the very near future.

What April wouldn't give to get out of all of that..

Before that little thought could get any further, her pep returned in an instant as the other talked about how the con has been.

"Oh, it's been just great!"

"If you ignore that my bosses are here and breathing down my neck every two seconds. Why'd they have to come to the Con..."

The balloon mascot, something that was on the newer side of her gimmick (at the 'thoughtful' suggestion of her agency), was promptly grabbed out of the air beside her and tossed behind her back with a sheepish laugh.

"I mean-- You know how it can be! Autographs, fan meetups, etc. etc. With a set-in-stone schedule, it can be a real honkin' doozy! A-Anyways, when I get some free time to attend it proper, it's a real treat! Doug even came, too! I think you met him once when he was my cameraman for a bit."

[atropaanimus]

Milo just keep your cool, it's fine.

"Very well." They give a smug half smile.

A flick of their earring and a snap of their fingers, the pair of them went from being at a convention table to... an office? One overgrown from old and ancient plants, yet looked tidy enough to give off the vibe of being somewhat kept up.

"Welcome to my personal reaper office. Don't worry, no one is going to notice we've even left the convention space. Time doesn't flow here unless it's necessary."

Which is very much was not.

Also in case of any thing terrible happening, their boss was right there. She knew exactly what was happening. If anyone could provide back up, it would be the head omni death reaper.

They flick their gaze up at her, with a raised hand before starting the soul pulling. "If you do, try anything unsavoury in here, do be aware there will be many severe consequences."

And then they don't wait for a response. The soul pull happens like ripping off a bandaid.

And it burns...

"Ignorance is quite blissful, I assume that is why you cling to it so."

If there was anything worse than someone who refused to get the point, it was someone who refused to get the point and thought you were the one not putting things together.

There were more unflattering remarks she could make, but the offer gives her pause. It would be here that any sane, rational person would consider the risks of having their soul exposed.

Omen clearly did not fall into those categories.

"If you are sure you can handle such an undertaking, be my guest."

And by handle, she of course meant bear the full responsibility of any consequences soon to follow. It's about time she got a break from this thing.

[atropaanimus]

Finally did a proper 4 player MonCon game and have learned many things:

Hotdogs........

April's contracts are so fucked

I will die for Nico

Apparently Circuses run on Vampire Masquerade logic in terms of families

Milo gets very intense about Oregon Trail

The cock table blocking in this game is REAAAAAL

I don't care what anyone says the loot box shopkeep and Valerie are rivals or exes maybe both

Valerie's hotness was kept a secret from us until now what the FUCK-

I'm terrified about what Liam's sexy secret ending could be

[atropaanimus]

Once I'm out of busy hell it's all over for you people

[atropaanimus]

I GUESS I AM GONNA DO AN APRIL RUN AND GET TO WORKING ON THIS

I want to write a meta post comparing Milo and April's influencing careers as online celebrities of a sort, but I need to play more Mon Con and also have no idea if anyone cares to listen to me ramble about independent vs agency vtuber employment.

[atropaanimus]

I want to write a meta post comparing Milo and April's influencing careers as online celebrities of a sort, but I need to play more Mon Con and also have no idea if anyone cares to listen to me ramble about independent vs agency vtuber employment.

[atropaanimus]

Interesting. Century missed, shackled beyond even allowed any form of violence. No wonder she was so dense and blunt.

A duel of pure strength was out of the question. Milo was almost disappointed, but if Aaravi heard Milo fought someone and she did not get to at least watch? They would never hear the end of it.

"If you want to be narrow minded and call it excuses then sure. Ignorance is bliss after all."

Now we were playing coy. Now we were making subtle jabs to probe a reaction.

"Speaking of, duels are not limited to just a clash of material weapons. To simply get around your predicament, don't use direct violence. Power comes in many flavours."

But clearly that's not what Omen wanted.

"I could temporarily separate your soul from your current vessel, without triggering your restraints, or sending you to an agonizing, soul crushing demise. It won't trigger anyone monitoring the character development that is so clearly bouncing off your attire."

Really Milo? You were on the convention floor at a table!

"Unless you have something else in mind."

"I have been absent for the past century, yes."

Give or take, she wasn't exactly sure how much time had passed within her prison. It was dark, cramped, and each day blurred into the next. When you are constantly being impaled, you tend to have bigger things to worry about.

"That being the case, I have clearly been spared the 'need to engage'— whatever that is supposed to mean. Excuses, if I have to make a guess."

It was a shame the reaper was baring so much, considering how little of it seemed to be sinking in. The mention of a duel seemed to pique her interest, and she seemed to reach for something– a hidden weapon, perhaps?

Whatever it was, she came up empty/handed. The thick shackles and chains adorning her body briefly pulsed with light, sigils visible momentarily before fading from sight.

The enthusiasm drains from her body and she slumps back into her seat, grumbling idly.

"Circumstances are not favorably for a duel at this moment, regrettably." Resting her chin in her hands, she continued. "Display your might in some other manner!"

[atropaanimus]

God, he was so fucking cute.

Good thing they would be very much pushed up on schedule.

Not many could appreciate Oz' eldritch quirks. A loss to them, Milo thought. That tighter grip on their chest 'forced' a pleased exhale out of them. They lean back more, and cannot help but smile at how excited Oz was feeling.

If that got Oz hard just wait until they actually got to the main event. Not that someone else was too far behind themselves.

"Mmm~" Oh those kisses were perfection. The fangs? An added bonus. Milo couldn't recall at the moment if Oz mentioned having those.

Moving one arm, clearly the reaper's shirt had to go. Never wearing it buttoned up was a bonus. Once that was discarded, they move it hand to meet with Oz's head and cradle it closer to Milo's shoulder. They could yap about how well he was doing, but this was a show not tell situation.

The position did not leave much room for Milo to return the affection, but they do manage to put a kiss on the side of Oz' head. "I'm at your whims, love."

@atropaanimus

😳

Ooookay! Good confidence you just showed, Oz. Now it's time to keep up and keep pretending you're completely, 100% confident and keep that mask up until you two are, in fact, in bed.

Hard. Not impossible, surprisingly enough, but still hard.

And about being hard guess who's really excited to feel the reaper so close to him now.

It arrived much more suddenly than he first expected, making Oz' grip on Milo's chest tighten ever so slightly. Okayyyy. Cool. We're fucking doing this. We're fucking Death now!

"Well--" clearing his throat, he still pushed himself a little closer, his recently formed mouth now on their neck "At this point, I sure hope they are!"

Smooth as a rock. Better use his mouth less to talk, and more to kiss, fangs brushing on their skin with each one - pushing a little more and letting them linger a second more each time.

[atropaanimus]

Milo's luck was bound to run out with old ones, considering the last one to transition into monster society was Zoe, and she was brilliant at such things.

This one was just... dense. This was a cry for help.

If Asier put Milo up to this on purpose then they wouldn't be surprised. At least now Milo could shift their language to something more Omen's speed.

"Times have vastly changed. It's not a plague, it's the shifting of the monster realm. You've speaking as if you've been trapped in the human realm for the last few centuries. Being the same thing for beyond millennia grows stale and stagnant."

From what Milo heard from their reaper friend on the human side, it was a very draconian workplace.

"Do not confuse our desire to live more simply, with us giving up the unfathomable power we have. We still very much are something to be feared, when it's time for us to be so. Just because we indulge in more mortal culture does not make us any less powerful. We aren't playing, mortal. We are engaging with others. We are engaging with ourselves rather than being shackled to the barbaric ideals of those who seek to control us."

Alright, tiny peek into that level thirteen backstory their Milo. Any more and you'd have to file some NDA agreements with your boss.

"For me personally, it grants me more power if I understand the opposite ends of what I am. If we all went back to human feared menaces, this entire universe would collapse in on itself in misery and swallow itself whole. Then you get nothing."

There was a pause.

"If you don't believe me, then you are free to try and duel me. See my power for yourself."

"Hm. I see."

So they were nothing more than a glorified 'taxi' service for those foolish enough to meet a grisly end, how dull. It would be at this point that she'd dismiss the reaper outright, but something about the offense they have taken that puzzles her.

She had seen it once before, in questioning Zoe about the works she creates. Such a devoted base at her beck and call yet all she does is give them various fictional Liams to obsess over. Liam himself is invested in drawing many buff men embracing one another, and the embodiment of fear spent his days tripping over himself to get dates to various social functions. It was utter madness.

Taking a seat, Omen allowed the reaper's words to practically wash over her. She was still deep in thought, only bothering to pull herself from them at offered question.

"It's quite simple. In my time, reapers were feared. To even hear rumors of a sighting surely spelled misfortune, to see one yourself meant certain death. They were not flouncing around 'shopping'."

"I know not what plague has gone 'round convincing every powerful being within the vicinity to play mortal, but I am thankful it had skipped me over. There may still be hope for you all."

[atropaanimus]

That was an ever familiar phrase at the convention. Sometimes it sparked joy in Milo. Others it sparked an internal cringing.

This was luckily the former.

A surprise no less!

"April?!"

The side hug was, for once, welcome. They return it with equally genuine shock.

"Darling, it's nice to see you! My convention schedule got a bit messed up so now I'm here as one of the many masses as opposed to a guest. I should have checked in with you, that's on me."

That was the difference between an independent internet celebrity and those under an agency. Milo had to do everything themself, but they were their own boss, set their own rules and had to handle their own problems. At least Milo heard April had gone into an agency.

Word gets around in those circles and it's about keeping a good level of professionalism about how and what you talked about with those words.

"We will have to work out a collab for the future, my dear. For now, don't let me steal your spotlight! How has the convention been for you so far?"

@atropaanimus wanted a starter!

"Oh-em-gee, Milo, how are you doing?!"

It wasn't every day that April and Milo bumped into each other, of course, but she was fairly familiar with the other as they drifted in similar spheres of influencer-dom. Which only meant that they were vaguely aware of one another as pseudo-work-colleagues; about how much anyone was allowed to know April with the draconian contract that a fresh-faced clown had gotten herself into...

Either way, she didn't have any forewarning that Milo had been coming, which meant that the clown's gleeful surprise was entirely genuine as she went for one of those polite side-hugs with minimal contact.

"If I'd heard you were coming, I would've totally asked for a collab! Guess we'll just have to settle for in the background cameos, honk!"

[atropaanimus]

Debase was a very strong word and Milo was already on strike one with this woman. Listening to her be confidently incorrect had Milo flash from violet, to blue, to orange all within the span of seconds.

At least she was using their name.

Milo leads them to an offside table. If there was any kind of misinformation Milo hated more being spread around than their influencer career, it was their actual, universe given career.

"Sit." They instruct, while doing the same across from her.

"First of all, you are confusing a reaper's work with a necromancer, or a soul market warlock. I am a reaper: Death Personified. Parallel to Life. We do not make dying happen ourselves, unless under a very particular set of circumstances. You know the saying people die when they are killed?" She probably didn't, use another angle Milo. "When you stab someone, they don't die until one of us takes the soul away. We simply ferry them to their next destination."

They were skipping the entire workplace process. Some of that was not for public talk.

Their tone shifts to a deathly serious tone. "I am not debasing myself. I enjoy all the facets of life. If I don't partake in life and all it's whims and misfortunes, then that is truly debasing myself. Even prior to my identity now, I have overcome plenty of my own hardships."

Yeah you needed to be at least a level thirteen friend to unlock that backstory.

"I'll keep indulging you, though, in the strangest impromptu AMA I've ever had: why do you think I'm 'lowering' myself?"

"I am fairly certain those were not the words I was trying to pronounce."

Moderately certain, anyway, much has changed regarding language in the time she's been locked up. Though she likes to believe she's gotten the hang of modern speak.

Omen watches the interaction unfold, head cocked to the side inquisitively. She allows Milo to lead her from the wares, not particularly fussed about where their conversation took place.

"I know not of which misconceptions you speak, Milo Belladonna." The metallic eyelids of her mask draw closer together, simulating squinting. "I merely inquire as to why you debase yourself. Surely there are not countless souls under your claim that could be put to work while you partake in life's superior offers?"

[atropaanimus]

Milo listens and is silently relieved that Oz came to their rescue. It was one way to get into the true convention experience spirit, thinking about it.

They were about to thank him when Oz explains about his... not quite insomnia?

The reaper blinks throughout the explanation. It wasn't that they did not understand Oz' situation, very far from it. More so they are incredibly surprised.

"I didn't think anyone else had the same kind of home situation I did!" They chime in, hoping to cut in to any doubts from spiralling into his head. "Personal sub dimension with an atypical flow of time that's disconnected from the typical monster realm. Truly I'd love to visit after the convention if you were up for it."

Hopefully that would ease some of the stress of trying to explain things to Milo, for Oz.

"I truly appreciate the room offer. I do mean it about covering some of the costs."

They did have a lot of money. Thankfully that wasn't a stat in this timeline.

"And if you did have any issue falling asleep, I wouldn't mind staying up with you over some tea. To be honest, sleeping isn't a necessity for me. I just enjoy it."

"You wouldn't be imposing, really!"

To his relief, replies came within a few minutes. Between the resale ticket fiasco and sneaking Izzy into the con, this was the least stressful last minute plan adjustment he's been presented with.

"I probably should've led with this, but I'm kind of.. only partially using the room? I'm gonna hang with everyone, of course, it's just that sleeping is.."

Oz shrugged wearily as he searched for the right words.

"Difficult for me? Unless I'm back at my place."

Lifting a finger, the reaper could watch as it rippled before morphing into an ornate key.

"Which, uh, I can get to through any door! So. You wouldn't need to worry about the rooms, technically you'd be staying with me!"

Alright, now it was starting to sound like he was changing the offer entirely. Not good, this would be a lot easier if he wasn't so drowsy. At least he'd like to believe that, it could just as easily be wishful thinking.

"For- like the sleeping part, anyway! Because, well, time can really get away from you there- and I wouldn't want to risk either of us missing out on the convention. So.."

[atropaanimus]

PERMANENT STARTER CALL

Hullo everyone, seeing as activity is picking up, I am posting a Permanent Starter call! By liking/replying with your side blog on this post, you are okay with the following:

Getting unprompted asks in your inbox

Messages about rp nonsense at any given hour [thanks timezones, reply when u can]

Dash Commentary references

Being sent stupid memes

Getting dumb silly meme art of your muse drawn when the art block allows

Up for random plotting ideas thrown at you

Telling anxious brainworms in my head to shut the fuck up because anxiety is rude and you are cool with the above and are in fact not repulsed by my existence we are here to have a good time!

Thanks for checking this out, and have a great day. C:

[atropaanimus]

There was only one thing worse than meeting a parasocial fan when someone was out trying to relax.

It was someone who talked about work.

The tone of voice sounded late victorian, as did the vocabulary. The iron maiden style outfit tarnishing wares that could have gone home with them. What a waste of good talent.

Milo was a stick compared to the imposing stature of the woman, but her reputation precedes her. One being such an evil overlord who caused death upon death did not go unnoticed in their work circles.

Milo's reputation however, was just as imposing in the right circles.

"'You' is not how you pronounce Milo Belladonna." Oh, that was cold.

"We have names, and it's respectful to use them, Omen." A calm but unusually stern response from Milo. "My work as a reaper has made us very familiar with your work."

They would recognize those wailing chains anywhere.

"As for 'menial labour', it's a common misconception that those of death cannot partake in life. We can. So you'll need to be a touch more specific with what you're speaking of, as I'm very much not working."

Milo turns with a bright smile to the vendor and offers a large stack of money from their sleeve, uttering quick apologies to the poor artist.

Now back to leading this demanding woman away from ruining more hard work.

@atropaanimus is WASTING their talents.

The metallic chorus of chains announced Omen's arrival long before Milo would see her proper, though it is clear she was making no attempt to be silent.

"You."

Her hand grips the clothing rack the reaper had been browsing from, several items knocked to the ground in an effort to make room for her bulking cloak.

There's a nonzero chance some of the fabric is catching on her many spikes, but that's only the responsibility of the person who draws attention to it first!

"You are a reaper, if I am not mistaken? For what purpose do you lower yourself to such menial labor ? "