(Quest Suggestions) SongsTress Quest Episode 41: It's Time to Light the Lights... (Patreon)

(Members of Star Tier or above can suggest actions for next week's episode, and they'll be voted on on Wednesday!)

The Story So Far...

It's time to face the music.

You clap your hands and straighten up, nodding to Melody, before turning and heading back to the group of civilians, being watched over by Scribe. "Okay everyone, listen up! We're going to get you out of here, so listen to our instructions carefully, or you're going to end up joining the chorus out there, and they sing off-key. You don't wanna put up with that."

Melody steps up beside you. It's a rehearsed move, you've trained for dealing with crowds in situations like this. "From everything we've learned, the exit is a straight line in that direction." She points towards the back of the room. "Once we give the signal, everyone is going to start running for it. Don't stop for anything or anyone. Serenity Scribe will be leading the way, protecting you from anything the Desire sends at you."

You can't help but notice they look more respectful listening to her than to you. Hmph. Well, you'll try not to take that too personally. No guarantees though.

"While you're breaking from the exit, Melody and I will be striking at the Desire directly. If the fight goes well, her domain will be popped before you guys even see the exit, but she's entrenched and the battle might take some time, so you will be using the opportunity of us distracting her to get out of here yourselves."

Unspoken, of course, is the possibility that you'll lose. You don't really want anyone thinking about that. The Foundation will just send another team in to finish the job, so... "As long as it's not the Daylights..."

Melody elbows you sharply, and you blink, realizing you were speaking out loud. Oops, didn't mean to do that.

She continues on while you cough innocently. "The most important thing here-"

"The most important," you emphasize.

"Is protecting yourselves from the Desire's powers."

"The Desire is a singer," you tell everyone who maybe wasn't aware. "So what you're going to be doing is covering your ears. Wrap them up so tight you can't hear a thing. Earplugs, headphones, whatever we can put together for you. Scribe will help with that for anyone who doesn't have ear protection of their own." Even with her brains drained, the Serenity of literature could generate more than enough sound cancelling words. Really, it was the best use of her at the moment. "Block her out, keep your ears sharp, and make for the exit. Come on, we've all done the drills, right?"

There were groans and nods, because of course everyone has done the drills. They run them every few months in schools despite kids being pretty much immune to Desires.

"Good. Then go get ready. On our signal, it's time to start running." Melody finishes the instructions with a nod.

"Kick their ass, Melody!" A cheer goes up around the room. Heh, looks like everyone's gotten fond of the little hellraiser while she was protecting them. Cute! You're not jealous, no, not at all.

"You know it!" She winks, before waving them off. "Now go on, get. Let's do this thing!"

You and she turn to your destination - the exit in the opposite direction from everyone else. It's the fastest way to the core of the Desire's lair, and thus, to the Desire herself. This is it - one way or another. Either you take her down now, or...

Well, however it turns out, there's only one question left to ask: Who's perspective is the audience going to follow next?

(All of the setup choices have been made - now it's time to pick which seats you want to watch the show from! Any current character in the Quest is selectable! Comment below with who you'd like to pick, and I'll put it to the Vote on Wednesday! Bear in mind that Patreon Votes have a 140 character limit, so try to keep your suggestions below that.)