Put On Your Red Shoes and Dance

Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance is an RPG created by Raiha and Charles on April 16th, 2007.  The project was essentially meant to be a love letter to the 2003 RPG called Body Language that both Raiha and Charles both look look upon fondly.  Coincidentally, Charles had not actually participated in an RPG since Body Language.  

Like, Body Language, Put On Your Red Shoes and Dance did not feature a sign-up thread.  Instead Put On Your Red Shoes and Dance was a dual roleplay between Raiha and Charles.  However, Alan, RicoTranzrig (who had not roleplayed on OB in years), and Japan_86 all made cameo roleplays. 

 The narrative in Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance took place entirely in the first person perspective and featured heavy noir overtones.  The story took place in Otaku City and referenced several people and events related to OtakuBoards over the year, although obvious fictional liberties were taken to make them appear as if they were interacting in a real physical society.  Charles used his real name in the RPG, while Raiha’s character was named Lace Sonders.  In the story Charles is a retired veteran dectective who is returning to investigate the murder of RicoTranzrig when he finds out that the murder weapon belonged to his old mentor, Sephiroth.  Although Charles is thoroughly burned out, he simply cannot believe that Sephiroth could have committed the murder.  Lace Sonders, on the other hand, was previously romantically involved with Rico, so she has a personal vendetta to settle.

 Neither protagonist is completely “good.”  Charles has a habit of simply walking away from responsibility; he even left his young wife, Laura, to fend for himself.  It is revealed that he married Laura, not out of love, but simply out of responsibility once she became pregnant.  When he learns that she has lost the child, he abandons her.  Sonders, on the other hand, acts emotionally and recklessly; she is more concerned with her own personal brand of justice than upholding the law. Both characters are largely motivated by their own self interests.

 Over the course of the story, there are numerous plot twists as both detectives arrive closer toward the truth, toward the meaning of the mysterious calling card left at Rico’s murder, that simply read “Put On Your Red Shoes and Dance.”  The RPG was not intended to be long; the plot was resolved within 18 posts, and ended with a cliffhanger.  Since its creation, Put On Your Red Shoes and Dance has received praise from numerous members, including James, Shy, and Deathknight.

 Although Sephiroth was supposed to make a cameo in the RPG, he was unable to due to a trip he was taking to Italy.

Categories: Notable Threads, RPGs