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File 139477523182.png - (46.04KB , 800x600 , TITLE.png )
566250 No. 566250 ID: 3fb8e5

Eight months ago, Lester and Leo had stumbled upon a dusty record labeled in a foreign language at an illegal flea market outside of their flat in Artholl City.

The sleeve read Koshemo vo Serat, and the record contained some otherworldly groovy drum and bass music - the kind of jive that would get them arrested back home. It was the kind of beat that was like a disease that made your heels restless.

After a little sleuthing, they found out that record came from Lutania, Serratia. A real shocker, since the only thing keeping their two countries from blowing each other up was bombs.

The two had formed a harmony duo and were singing at bars and clubs in the dripping wet underground of Artholl City, playing for pocket change while bumping elbows with the secret police. This little record made them homesick for a place they'd never been, and the holy groove just made their ears horny.

Lester and Leo hopped a flight to Luta Nol, Lutania: the city in the sand, the bastion of love and dance, and the capital of the free world.
454 posts omitted. Last 50 shown. Expand all images
>>
No. 582114 ID: bac58f
File 140414922579.png - (13.40KB , 800x600 , 98.png )
582114

> Go to Yohana

"Well, how did I do?" asks Lester.

Yohana giggles, "Terrible!"

"Well, er, like I said, I'm more of a singer."

"It is a sweet thing which you have did, and your heart is large," she says, placing a comforting hand on Lester's arm. "Brother Yan will next speak. With discussion. Then next will be social party!"

"You're awfully hopeful if you think Lutania will have a socialist party after just one lecture." Lester says it in a dry tone, then somewhat regrets it.

Yohana takes a moment to comprehend the joke, then bows forward in laughter. She smacks him on the arm, "Worse! Worse than your speech! Sit with me? Or leave? We can listen to records, as I have... given before this lecture which Brother Yan says."

A) Stick around for the lecture
B) Hang out with Yohana
C) OTHER?
>>
No. 582115 ID: 6b7ea4

A!
>>
No. 582116 ID: d8a627

>Sit with me? Or leave?
Does this mean hanging out with her in both A and B, just that B is leave with her and A is listen to more lectures with her?

Well, hanging out to chat with her was your main goal, but she also seems genuinely interested in the lectures...
>>
No. 582117 ID: 50338d

B. She's given the lecture before, so you can hang with her.
>>
No. 582119 ID: bb78f2

We came to be with Yohanna in the first place and politics isn't your gamble. Come on bro, get with this shamble!
>>
No. 582120 ID: a7868d

Stick around, can't come and say a few words then just run off. Gotta see what these people are all about.
>>
No. 584480 ID: 13cd06

A
>>
No. 584482 ID: 9dd1ee

A
>>
No. 584483 ID: bac58f
File 140562821307.png - (10.18KB , 800x600 , 99.png )
584483

A man with a cigar in his teeth speaks next at the podium. He speaks perfect Atholli.

"Complete integration is instrumental to our struggle," he says, sounding stern but slightly nervous, "The armed forces have been integrated since the 1908 Raminkraht Massacre. This was an important milestone, but it is not enough. As an owner of business in Luta Nol, I will defy any authority that demands segregation of my establishment. My preparations for closure shall be discussed at the next closed meeting. Thank you."
>>
No. 584484 ID: bac58f
File 140562823244.png - (16.35KB , 800x600 , 100.png )
584484

Lester is having trouble paying attention. Yohana is cheering the man on, but Lester cannot help but think that she might be trying to flirt with him in the process.
>>
No. 584490 ID: d6e000

Touch. Fluffy. Tail.
>>
No. 584491 ID: 53548a

She totally wants your D. Put one arm around her and cheer him on with the other.
>>
No. 584498 ID: d8a627

>>584491
Might be best to start it light just to be sure. Hand on her shoulder. If she isn't actively trying to flirt, you could claim it's meant to be reassuring or something.
>>
No. 584501 ID: 0baceb

Put your hand on her hip, comrade.
>>
No. 584540 ID: 93ac6c

>>584508
My God, man! We don't want to ruin him for the rest of the night.

But yeah, ditto the others. Hand on shoulder or hip, but don't get too frisky yet.
>>
No. 584601 ID: 879a42

She doesn't mind the light flirting, so flirt lightly. Sure the hand on hip idea seems fine.
>>
No. 595249 ID: bac58f
File 141141154046.png - (8.36KB , 800x600 , 101.png )
595249

Lester put his hand on her hip, reminding himself that he was already being far more subtle than she was. Yohana responded by taking his wrist and pulling his entire arm around her stomach, then scooting back. This was more comfortable for both of them.

He could hear Artholli being spoken throughout the crowd after the meeting was over - these people were really fanatical about the Artholli way of life. It was not a good way of life, and Lester suspected that most of them were ignorant of that, but it still made him homesick. The whiteness of Luta Nol and the surrounding wilderness couldn't compare to the lush highland greenery of his home.

Yohana and Lester held hands on the way back to the bus station, drawing dour looks from the policemen that had gathered outside of the park. Once they passed, Lester asked her, "Why didn't we get arrested?"

"We didn't do anything wrong," said Yohana.

"You were... what? All that stuff about bringing down the establishment and equality and all that rot?"

"We are free to speak within the law," she said, "and that is why we are pursuing legislation for the change we want. We are lawyers, Lis-tair."

"In Artholl you'd all be beaten and carted to a salt mine," he said.

Yohana giggled, swatting him in the arm, "So silly!"

"Yeah, heh," said Lester, "real silly."

A rounded, tin-colored bus pulled up to the station, and the two of them climbed aboard. She paid fare for both of them without a second thought. The route brought them to a highway around the outside of the city, onto an overpass bridge that left the skyscrapers behind. The neighborhood where Yohana lived had no buildings that were exceptionally tall, and consisted mostly of project housing. The bus had to stop at a guarded gate for clearance. Lester looked out the window as the bus chugged by, averting his gaze at the moment he saw four kootje smoking on a street corner. One of them had a shotgun over his shoulder, and gave him a mean look.

Yohana's apartment was near the middle of her block, the plaster chipped and the paint peeling. One of her windows was broken with a paper bag taped over the hole. Lester watched her leave, his heart skipping a beat at the look she gave him on the way out the door. It was an innocent smile, and he adored it beyond control.

The bus brought him back downtown after leaving a second checkpoint gate out of Yohana's neighborhood. Three stops later was his motel with Leo. Even it looked a bit better than Yohana's place. Leo was sitting on the floor with a guitar in his lap and a notebook on the floor.

"Hey," said Leo, only looking up long enough to see who was walking in without knocking. "How was your date?"

"Bonkers," Lester replied. "What're you into?"

"Writing some new music," he said.

"I think I'll hit the mat."

"You don't want to go get a drink?" said Leo, setting the guitar against the wall and closing his lyrics.

"We've got no money," said Lester, sitting down on the frameless mattress. "Or if we did, it's all gone to drinks and room fare."

"Gina said she had found a cheaper place for us," said Leo.

"Cheaper? Doesn't that mean it's worse?" Lester asked in a completely candid tone, as things worked differently in Artholl.

"Dunno, really."

"Let's do a few shows," said Lester, lying down and pulling the blanket over him. "Once we get paid, it'll get easier."



Thanks for waiting. The Shouters will now resume. Where will the story proceed from here?

Choose a Shouter, and we'll get to...


A. recording the first record
B. cutting to the first show
>>
No. 595251 ID: 3009b4

Go live first. You get better feedback and the crowd's energy can make a huge difference.
>>
No. 595252 ID: d6e000

B
Raullo
>>
No. 595254 ID: 5e5e71

Live. You HAVE to learn what works and what doesn't before making a record.
Try out some different things. Make some really intricate, varied routines.
>>
No. 595258 ID: 88960e

Yeah, live experimental stuff comes before recordings. Plus, getting paid for a gig is faster than cutting a record and waiting for royalties.
>>
No. 595264 ID: 879a42

I see no problem with it, assuming we do a show before an album and we don't just skip past recording it.
>>
No. 595362 ID: 552853

Go live, but discretely record your live performance. Also, be Raullo.
>>
No. 595393 ID: bac58f
File 141149171648.png - (14.45KB , 800x600 , 102.png )
595393

Two weeks of rehearsal leave the boys feeling ready for their first show. They got a phone call backstage.

"Hey boys - sorry I couldn't be there for your big show. One of my dad's old clients just showed up out of the blue and wanted to cut another album. Couldn't pass it up. Anywaaayy... I hope you're show's nice and tight by now. I took a big gamble on you four, so, yep, don't blooow iiiittt~"

Click.

The gig that Gina found them wasn't too big for a first attempt. It was a tavern called Livi's Basement, situated in the wine cellar of an old house that had since been torn down. The acoustics weren't stellar, but there wasn't a bad seat in the place. The seating area in front of the improvised, floor-level stage was roped off from the bar on the opposite end. The audience was made of entirely of young Puntam Serratians.
>>
No. 595394 ID: bac58f
File 141149175741.png - (7.87KB , 800x600 , 103.png )
595394

Raullo chills in the backstage room, which apparently used to store large barrels. He is happy because he looks fly in his new suit. There is an hour until showtime, and all of the instruments are already tuned up. Leo practicing his solo song, and Lester has taken a break from singing to call someone on the phone. Edi is lying on the sofa, air-drumming with his sticks.

Raullo...

A. practices with the band.
B. goes to meet the owner of the tavern.
C. chases tail at the bar.
D. [OTHER]
>>
No. 595395 ID: 436cdc

>>595394
B
>>
No. 595396 ID: d6e000

A
You don't have room to screw up.
>>
No. 595398 ID: d8a627

B. Go meet the owner of the Tavern. Hope they're your type, because that would just be rad.
>>
No. 595401 ID: 3009b4

B. Go meet the owner of the Tavern. Schmoozing is good for the band. Practice later if you can, but gathering intelligence is still very important.
>>
No. 595418 ID: bac58f
File 141150046985.png - (17.13KB , 800x600 , 104.png )
595418

Livi resided in an office down the hall from the backstage room. It wasn't fancy or large - just a concrete room with a desk and an electric fan. The bar was pretty new, and the young people enjoyed the ironically shabby atmosphere and cheap booze.

"Huh?" said Livi, "What can I do for ya?"

"Uh, yes," Raullo said, staring for a moment. "We're the act that's about to play. I wanted to meet the proprietor of this fine place. Would that be you?"

"Yeah, that's me," she said, standing to shake Raullo's hand. "You're Gina's new act?"

"Yeah."

"You boys come cheap," she said, "I hope you put on a good show. Then we'll have you back, for sure."

"Glad to hear it," said Raullo, matching her chipper smile with a smoother one of his own. "I hope that this flourishes into an outstanding professional relationship."

"You've got a good way about ya," said Livi, "I'm sure it will. Here, take my card." She handed him one of her hand-written business cards from a stack on the desk. It read Olivia "Livi" Woslevya, Purveyor of Very Fine Atmosphere.

Raullo has gained 1 connection: LIVI. Perhaps it'll come in handy some time.

A. Get right to the show
B. Visit the bar first
C. ???
>>
No. 595420 ID: d8a627

Awesome, man. Get back to your buds and make sure everything's in order for the show. No need to rush the bar and cause panic with them, best keep your group chill as well.
>>
No. 595425 ID: 88960e

B. Check out the place, but no getting smashed. You're here to make money, not spend it. And we need to be able to play.
>>
No. 595437 ID: 879a42

B. Yeah seriously though, I mean if you absolutely have to have a drink now keep it light. I mean this first performance will be a local first impression on how the public views you and your band.
>>
No. 595459 ID: 52b3b0

>>595418
A. You gotta be sharp for the show.
>>
No. 595544 ID: e607cd

A. The time has come to do the thing that you are here to do.
>>
No. 596299 ID: 53548a

A. Let's do this.
>>
No. 606825 ID: bac58f
File 141732924035.png - (27.21KB , 800x600 , 105.png )
606825

Raullo decided to join up with the boys. The MC introduced them.

"Here they are, ladies and gentlemen! The Shooters!" He looked at his card. "Shouters! Shouters, not Shooters. Happy hour in ten, folks!"


The stage lights were hot and muggy, and the polished wooden floorboards rumbled under Lester and Leo's heeled boots. The audience was not fully paying attention when they started, and they had to play through the chatter.

Most of the lineup was Leo's writing, and a few were written by Raullo and Leo together. Lester and Leo's songs from Atholl were at the end of the set. The lyrics were entirely in Artholli, and the audience did not seem to understand. Still, they seemed to like Amber for its melody. That one drew a little more applause.

After the set, the MC gave them a nod and a wave. They rushed off of the stage to some whistles and table-knocking, making way for the next act. In the back room, they received a phone call...
>>
No. 606827 ID: bac58f
File 141732958048.png - (10.46KB , 800x600 , 106.png )
606827

Gina was on the line again.

"How'd it go, boys?

"The crowd was right dead," said Lester. "I think we sounded fine."

"It's a trial run, baby. Bound to be a little bit shaky. Anyway, come back to Dime Street! I've got a surprise for you all." She hung up the phone without waiting for a response.

The ride back seemed longer than the ride there. Gina was waiting for them outside the building. "You're gonna go nuts when you see what I got you!" she said, strutting around the side of the building before gesticulating wildly toward the alley in between it and the stack next door...
>>
No. 606828 ID: bac58f
File 141732998132.png - (48.85KB , 800x600 , 107.png )
606828

"EEEHH?" said Gina, "Isn't she beautiful?! A real steal, too!"

"Are those... are those bullet holes?" said Leo.

"Ventilation," Gina replied. "Or souvenirs. Depends on how you look at it."

"Souvenirs from what...?"

Gina coughed, and muttered, "The... Sindesi Revolution. But don't worry about that!"



It would appear that it is time for a tri-city tour.

CHOOSE A SHOUTER.

>>
No. 606830 ID: a19cd5

>>606828
Tiny drummer boy
>>
No. 606836 ID: 408e5c

>>606828
Can we pick Gina? I want to pick Gina.
Or Raullo then if we can't.
>>
No. 606837 ID: 3009b4

>Tiny drummer boy

I agree. Ringo is still one of my favourite Beatles. The Drummer is usually an interesting choice.
>>
No. 606986 ID: 4c5cf2

Someone should play connect the dots with the bullet holes.

Be Lester.
>>
No. 607469 ID: bac58f
File 141745944936.png - (28.36KB , 800x600 , 108.png )
607469

Avedi was afraid to tell his mother that he would be going on an extended tour, so he told her that he was going to summer camp. The tour began soon after, and they all had to load their equipment into the side of the bus themselves. The driver was none other than Gina Zandrosvya, who had appointed an unnamed individual to run Dime Street in her absence. On the bus, Lester and Leo sat together. Raullo originally sat next to Avedi, but then Avedi stood up to stretch and took to opportunity to move to a different seat.

Even though the road was flat and smooth, the bus rattled as if it would fall apart at any moment. The suspense sent his mind wandering. Edi was thinking of the girl he liked at school, realizing that he was all but over her. It was late, and none of The Shouters were talking to one another.

"How are you holding up back there?" said Gina, wrestling with the steering wheel. " Anyone still awake?"

Edi snapped from his train of thought, and a blush caught him by surprise. She was speaking Artholli, and he had only taken a few lessons so far. "Ya!" he replied in Artholli, "I am erect!"

Gina just looked back to the road. Lester and Leo looked at him strangely as well.
>>
No. 607476 ID: 3009b4

> "Ya!" he replied in Artholli, "I am erect!"

This shall now be a catch-phrase. It should go on the T-Shirts. A song should be written about this phrase.
>>
No. 607493 ID: 4f004c

I can just imagine how hard Raullo's grin must be now.
>>
No. 607509 ID: dccc95

Ask what you said wrong
>>
No. 607530 ID: 6868bc

You boys have all gotta get bilingual sooner or later. Bring the topic up as something you can work on.
>>
No. 607535 ID: bb78f2

Ask Raullo what you said.
Don't worry mate, you might have other girls to swoon over you soon. It'll overwhelm you and you won't know what to think.
>>
No. 607763 ID: 4c5cf2

>Lester and Leo looked at him strangely as well.
...what?
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