Part 6: The Show at the Crazy Raven

Update 6 - The Show at the Crazy Raven



MUSIC: Delphi





Last we left off, we had talked to everyone body in the town not inside of a building. We'll start at the Crazy Raven and make our way down from there.



MUSIC: The Crazy Raven





Well, this place seems nice. Let's talk to the barkeep and see what's going on here.





"What's this place?"


This is the coolest place to hang in Delphi! Food, drinks, music. The Crazy Raven! Tell your friends!




"It's empty here..."


...I know! Business has been slow lately. We're working on our marketing.




"How so?"


I've been practicing a bit of a comedy routine. Want to hear one?


Oh boy, this should be good.








SFX: Slidewhistle


Yeah, no one ever wants to hear my jokes. My buddy Manny is trying to get a band together to perform here. Short guy, mustache, red jacket, kinda slimy voice? Let him know if you know any musicians.


We may actually be on a side-quest for him at this moment, in fact.





The Crazy Raven is empty as heck right now. Hopefully it will fill up later when the show starts! No one has said what the show is yet, kinda strange.





Next stop around town is the Coffee Shop!



MUSIC: Delphi Violin





Hmm, it looks cozy!


This is the Eagle Cafe. Every day I come in here. Every day I serve coffee. Every day I wonder why. Whatever.


C-cheery atmosphere here!

Well, we can at least look around and see if there's anyone here who wants to join the band. Maybe that girl at the table?











Whoa! That violinist did NOT like us singing. So let's go sing in her face.




(She's... ignoring me)


Alright, it's time to get her attention!







She just continues to ignore us. But if we keep singing...




I'm playing here. If you're going to sing along... Please follow my cues, ok?



VIDEO: The Violinist




There is again, no penalty for not getting it wrong. Other than the complete embarrassment you'll feel of course. After the jam session is over.




You're not QUITE on my level, but... pretty good.

You're good too!!

Oh! Why, thank you... I'm Viola by the way. Pleasure to meet you.

Wanna join a band?

With you?

Yup! And this guy called Manny.



He's been begging for me to join his band for a loooooong time...


Was uh, there something between you two? Because that doesn't seem like just normal annoyance.


But... if he's got you in there too... This might really be something this time, hmm? Alright... I'll perform with you.



SFX: Band Member Get


But I'll talk to Manny about this arrangement.




And with that, she heads off to find Manny. Now's our chance to finally see what's going on with that girl at the table!


Hmm? I'm reading...




"What's the book?"


Ummm. It's a fiction story.





"What about?"


It's a lot to get into.




"Tell me!" Because we can't take a hint!


Uh, well, there's these four kids who decide to play a game. But the game brings about the end of the universe, and they have to go on a sort of planetary quest to collect materials and make a new universe. And there's aliens and time travel involved... it's a lot to get into.


Good thing we harrassed this poor woman for no reason at all! It's kinda funny because Bard is a really earnest and simple guy, but man he can be a bit creepy.



MUSIC: Delphi Accordion






Our last place to check is the inn. First up, the innkeeper. I doubt she'd want to join a band, but hey maybe she's hiding a tuba behind the desk.


Hey. Welcome to the Delphi Inn. Interested in a room?

No?

What else is new.


We don't have any money, but I do love Bard running around to every store and just casually mentioning "Oh, I have no money, I'm just window shopping". It's a very true Bard like experience.


I'm stuck with this place because it's a family business. Nobody ever visits Delphi though. Because nothing ever happens here.


That's not true, there's a show happening tonight! That's something!


Yeah, this town used to be a lot more bustling. It's been on the down for a while though. Nobody here... cares about anything, anymore.

Why do you think the town got so sad?

I don't know, why does anything ever happen? The economy?


I really like that exchange. This section feels the most like Night in the Woods, which featured a somewhat rural town in Rust Belt America suffering from economic malaise. The economy and rural America was a major focus for the game. But for Wandersong, this section is just a stopping point along the way. So, it doesn't really go into the why of this town being depressed, since it's not about that.

Anyway, the rest of the inn awaits us.





The second floor has nothing going on, but we do hear an accordion. Let's keep checking!





There we go! Let's check the room that has has music coming out of it! Surely they would be fine with us barging in and singing to them?




Was I playing too loud?

No!! Do you want to join a band?


Surefire way to get them to join, Bard.


Uh... not really...




Welp! If at first you don't succeed, keep nagging until they relent!




I REALLY think you should join my band!

...

Let's talk!

Okay, sure.




Wow, they let us in their room! I can't believe nagging worked.




So what's this about a band?



Well... you just said "blah" a lot of times... But I think I got the gist.

... The truth is...

... I don't think I can do it.



MUSIC: Ash




WHY CAN'T YOU DO IT???

...

I've never been on a stage before... And I always wanted to play my first show with my mom...

Oh! Well, where is she?


Oh... Bard... why did you say that?


...

She passed away, I'm here in Delphi for her funeral.



My mom was the one who taught me to play... She was really famous, you know. I never thought I'd live up to her... But I at least thought one day I'd come back to play with her. I think you should just leave me alone right now.


Despite this, we can continue to bug poor Ash, but they just ask us to leave them alone. And I feel bad enough, so let's hurry up and leave.



MUSIC: Mysterious Rainbow Girl




Are you following me around?

Hehe no. Been pretty busy actually. But not too busy for you

Busy with what?

Nunna yo beeswax! So that accordion player... You're gonna help them, right?

I want to!

Do you know what you're gonna do?




Uh... no? Not really. Seems like they just want to be left alone.




Well, you know you can talk to ghosties now, right?

...

Oh yeah.

You got this!


So we're going to go find their dead mother to convince them to play in a band with us? Doesn't that seem selfish as hell?

Well, I guess she'd have to agree to guilt trip her kid... so that makes it a little better. Anyway, the rainbow girl disappears and leaves us alone on the third floor. So let's head downstairs and see where she was buried.






Ah, Lena has something new to say! Maybe we can ask her about Ash's mom.


Do you know anything about the musician staying here?

That's not a suspicious thing to ask at all.


We are uh... not the best at being subtle.


They came into town just recently. Pretty much just playing in their room nonstop. No noise complaints from the neighbors, though. Guess they like it. If I remember right, they said they were visiting for a funeral. Like, in that cemetery just outside town.


Alright, we know where to go! Time to go... commune with a dead mom to cheer up her child. This place is a lot more depressing than Langtree, jeez.





Before we head to the graveyard, Viola has met up with Manny! Let's... make sure the two aren't going to kill each other.


Manny and I worked it out. I'm going to play on a real stage... I've been waiting a long time for this. This is going to be my big chance to break out! I hope you're as good on a stage as you are in a coffee shop.

Manny's a bit rough around the edges... But he means well.


It's good to see them get along! This is starting to feel like it could be a great time!


Never thought I'd see the day Viola plays with me! She's a real talent! Not a bad looker, neither

Oh, Manny. You're right, of course...



Sheesh! Just sayin'. Anyways, ace, we still need one more performer. Sooner the better.

Y'know, ace, there's a world famous accordionist here in Delphi!

Or, ah... there was. Heard she just passed away. Tragic! Buried right here in the cemetery.

Whaddaya think? Room for any ghosts in the band?


That's uh... kinda a horrible joke there Manny. Granted, Manny doesn't know Ash and we do, so the joke makes more sense. But still, not cool Manny!


You've heard Viola play, yeah? She's got a real gift!

But I got a feeling... DEEP down in my gut... That we're still missin' one more!

Ya gotta find 'em, ace! Sooner the better!


Finding them isn't the issue anymore Manny. Now the issue is paranormal activities.





After we leave town towards the caves, we can find the cemetery up the hill.









And uh, one of the graves is glowing... this isn't ominous at all.

So uh, what happens if we play the color note it wants?



VIDEO: The Haunted Jam Session











The resulting Jam Session took us until the evening to finish. The environment has changed around the area and boy does it look pretty as heck!

More importantly, Ash's mom is going to go talk to them. Even more importantly than the band, I think they really need to hear something from her.

Let's head back to Delphi.









Nobody has anything new to say, but the environs is just gorgeous. This game is colorful as heck, and it's proud of it! It really makes the game pop and stand out.

Back in Ash's room...




...

My, uh... ghost mom is here.


Well, they're handling it well.


But she's just speaking in strange symbols to me.

Oh RIIIIIIIIIGHT... You can't talk to ghosts.


I'd mock Bard for not realizing this, but we did just kinda slip into "Yeah we can talk to ghosts, deal with it" like an hour ago.


Guess not.



If you and your mom play music together... I can be the bridge between you!

Huh?


I... don't think that's how that works Bard? Though, I guess just translating for her would be kinda weird since it's a dead mom talking to her kid.


As in... with my accordion?

Yes!

And she'll... understand...?

Just play!



VIDEO: Message From Mom










As much as I love that scene, the sound for getting a band member playing right after it seems... out of place. While our justification for reuniting Ash with their mom may not have been virtuous, it was the right thing to do in the end. Or, at the least, covers up our attempted manipulation

We now have all of the band together! Time to head on back and meet up with the group.




It's crazy, to think... That soon I'll be playing on a stage just like my mom used to. Well... not just like her... I could never play like that... But hopefully... good enough, to make her proud.

Everyone is so enthusiastic... I hope I'm not bringing you all down... I'm really not sure if I'm ready for this... But... I'll do my best.


Aww, Ash will do fine, I'm sure. Viola's got nothing else to say so let's talk to Manny and see what he wants to do!


Ace! Ya did it!! These are some performers ya found! But whaddaya expect? Delphi's got TALENT!

I may'a neglected to mention this, but I'd already booked a show before I met ya!


Oh, well that's fine. I'm sure we're all good enough we don't need to rehearse that much.


It's at the Crazy Raven. Tonight! Actually, it's right now! And we are laaaaaaaaaate!!! So follow me!


Wait, what!? We've gotta perform right now?? We've had literally no time to practice!!








MUSIC: The Crazy Raven




So, we all know the plan, yeah?

Mhnm.

Guess so.

Uh, I don't think I do!

Oh yeah. Well don't worry ace, we got it all sorted for you.

Just follow our lead.

We're gonna do great!

_{I hope...}

Don't sweat it too much. It's only our first show. Nobody knows us! It'll be a small crowd. Think of it like a warmup!



Yeah yeah, sorry we're late!

The whole town is practically here!! They're out there waitin', man.

The uh... the whole town, huh?

YEAH the whole town! You think they got anything better to do tonight?? Hope you're worth the wait!

_{Eya's sweet chords...}

Soon as you're ready, stage is right through this door!




Well cool! We get to perform in front of the entire town that is massively depressed and will likely hate anything we put out, and we haven't even had a rehearsal. What could go wrong??

Before the show starts, maybe we should talk to everyone and try and keep the jitters down.




I don't feel ready at all! Maybe this was a mistake...

I'm sure you'll do great!

... I'm really nervous...

Hey, me too! But we got this!!

What if I go out there and screw everything up... I'll mess it up for everyone...

Umm, I wouldn't really care.

what

Just do your best! Who cares if we're bad? Let's just have fun!


Awww! The whole group is being all supportive of each other an-







Jeez guys, you've already sold out and we haven't even finished our first gig!


I'm still really nervous. But I guess I have no choice now. I'll just throw myself into it, like taring off a band-aid.

(E X H A L E...)


I'm... starting to worry we may have made things worse for Ash




This town needs a real kick in the butt. And TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT WE GIVE IT TO' EM! I ain't hatin', I been here my whole life. I love my town. Now's my chance to finally give back, y'know? We do this right, and they'll never forget us!


I'm pretty sure you're in it for the fame Manny.


This is it!! Our big moment!! None'a this woulda happened without you, ace! Don't forget that!


Who else could wake up a ghost mom to talk to her child and sing to a violinist, but us? Bard's a man of two talents, and luckily, that's what the game's built around!




I haven't played for so many people before. My heart's racing... No more coffee shops for me! I'm really going to play my heart out. Nothing in the world feels better! They must be so excited to see us! Every moment we delay, the tension rises... Let's not keep those poor people waiting much longer.


I agree Viola! Let's start this show!






VIDEO: The Performance at the Crazy Raven




See you guys for the afterparty!