thearcadiumarg - Tumblr blog

[thearcadiumarg]

The room is... dark. Cold. You may not be seated in this dark space, but something tells you that there's a chill in the air. The camera has crackled and sputtered to life after so very long. The lens is cracked, and in the top left of the display, the "low battery" icon flashes violently. How it's turned on is beyond you.

There is static. So much static drowns through the speakers until a voice —a familiar voice, at that — cuts through the static wall. Piercing eyes stare back at you through the camera, but it's hard to tell their hue behind the monochrome tint.

"Well," the voice whispers. Words bounce between your right speaker, then to your left. The voice is never one volume as it shifts, and shifts, and shifts from whispers to crackling booms. "Things didn't go according to plan, hm? I suppose it's easy enough to say that time...waits for no one."

Silence once more. A low hum seems to have rooted its way through the microphone of the camera. "Another chance, perhaps? Another time? My oh my, what shall we do this time? Perhaps...another Chance to dance one last time? To see your precious little boy?"

A laugh and shrill screech slams through the feed. One by one, the time on the clock begins to reverse. The speed only quickens as the days go back from 10, to 9, to 5, to 1. To numbers that are moving oh so fast as the laughter booms and echoes.

The eyes stare at you until the display reaches 00:00:00:00. Time waits for no one.

Time to play again?

[thearcadiumarg]

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[thearcadiumarg]

How are you helping with the ritual? What are you supposed to do?

"I will be responsible for...many things. Let's not give all of the magic away, hm?"

[thearcadiumarg]

Seriously? Wow, that's. Wow. I genuinely did not think you'd be that naive

Maestro's eyes narrow. "Excuse me?"

[thearcadiumarg]

Oh tea? Say more

"I am to aid with this pathetic little ritual." Maestro explains. "If I succeed, I shall earn my own establishment. Simple enough."

[thearcadiumarg]

No like Warwick himself straight up told us you were a candidate. You don't actually trust him, do you?

"Mister Warwick is the closest individual to me." Maestro huffs. "You know nothing."

[thearcadiumarg]

Yeah ok *we* know that but Warwick seems to think you'd make a good replacement Jack so

"Warwick is a liar." Maestro eyes their nails once more, no longer interested in the conversation.

"You are the liar, Marvin." Medici mumbles. He folds his arms against his chest. He looks...unimpressed through the bags under his eyes.

"Oh, rest assured, I'm not lying this time."

"Bullshit." J grumbles. He hides his face away from Maestro, hoping he can't read his lips.

"Is that a gamble you are willing to take?" Maestro drawls. "I am rather fond of games."

[thearcadiumarg]

Warwick made a deal, a soul for a soul thing to bring Jack back from the dead. He’s running out of time and growing desperate to get Jack back. He’s going to use you—Maestro—Sunny, or this dude Medici’s with as the vessel for Jack. And that requires a ritual of some sort or some sort of draining of power or life force thing

Maestro laughs. Their laugh echoes through the deep spaces of the stage and the backstage area before they wipe a tear from their eye.

"Oh darling." They chuckle. "I'm not a vessel. Who do you think will aid with the ritual?"

[thearcadiumarg]

The ritual to put Jacks soul into a vessel like yourself.

"Darling," Maestro laughs. "I'm the furthest thing from a vessel. It would be best to remember that."

[thearcadiumarg]

Huh. Weird. What’s the celebration about? Why so soon? That’s suspicious… I think the ritual is going to happen then. It’d make perfect sense for the sudden “celebration”

"Ritual?" Maestro asks. "What ritual?"

[thearcadiumarg]

*Sigh* I really don't have the energy for beating around the bush tonight, Maestro. Please just give us your ultimatum or whatever you're going to do to fight us or whatever so we can get on with it

"Oh, you're simply no fun." Maestro pouts. "I am not a fan of ultimatums. I do believe, however, that the doctor is."

[thearcadiumarg]

What’s going on in the tune-up room and how do you know about it?

"Buddy is on the verge of being decommissioned." Maestro sighs. "A tragedy, really. He is the longest running...thing here."

[thearcadiumarg]

Spill the tea, Maestro! What’s the latest gossip? 👀

"The gossip?" Maestro leans in close, amused. "Well...you didn't hear it from me, but there's to be a big celebration in four days. Some sort of electro-bash, I believe."

"I was not made aware of this." Medici murmurs.

"Well of course you weren't, Medici." J whispers. "He knows you're with me."

[thearcadiumarg]

Maybe Warwick is finally recognizing just how talented you really are. Weird he’d take notice now, though

"It would be about time he did." Maestro sighs. "I am starting to believe that I have...far more power than I'm being told."

Medici and J exchange a glance.

"Right then." Medici coughs and puts a hand on J's shoulder. "We should be going."

"Where?"

"Tune-up."

"Ah." Maestro sneers. "Yes, right. That room is...occupied."

[thearcadiumarg]

Maestro, I get the feeling you know something important that we don't. Would that be an accurate assumption?

"Of course." They chuckle.

[thearcadiumarg]

Peculiar? How so?

"It seemed as if there was an energy in the air." Maestro explains. "Something I cannot place. Mister Warwick was watching, strangely enough."

"He's watched before, Marvin." Medici barks. "It isn't new."

"I do believe this is different."

"Then explain."

Maestro smiles lazily. They fall silent, simply observing the other two.