The tempest is strong, but eventually even that must slow. The rain continues, more a drizzle than a downpour, and the city remains flooded as even now there have been no major chances to fix what has been broken. The water is murky, dolphins still scattered throughout and once in a while someone will see a floating robot head drifting along the surface. On top of that, all communications with CERES are still out and all that has been left for you to do is to adapt, to survive.
And then, there is a presence.
It is a presence that can be felt by everyone in the city; a chill down your spine, the feeling that there is someone here who does not belong here (or maybe that you are the one who doesn't belong). No matter where you are, you will hear his voice in your head, even as you cannot see him, not just yet. It seems there really is something strange about this weather, and the source has finally decided to reveal himself. Angrily.
 You wanted us out of your city! You wanted us gone from this stream and cast off elsewhere, to let you do as you please and play in your metal and blood! Yet when it comes to us, our needs, you have dismissed them. Well, now you'll pay for it, Julius Vincere. You and your stolen creatures! You think we know nothing of this place? We know everything and we would like what is ours back.
[ After a moment, quietly: ]
... Ah, was that too much?
|
PHASE IV [ 16 00 ] Days later and the rain continues to fall endlessly. It has lessened somewhat in intensity but doesn't show any signs of completely stopping. Rain, day in and day out until day four, when it quickly becomes clear that something unusual is happening with the water itself. Odd instances of the water not acting normal can be seen all over the city and may even start happening to you.
For instance, a whirlpool will suddenly appear out of nowhere, growing in intensity until it drags everyone down with it. Then it disappears as quickly as it appeared, fickle but seemingly merciful. There's no limit to where these whirlpools might be, striking in any place with enough water -- even inside buildings.
Then, there are the concentrated storm clouds suddenly appearing over the heads of certain people, dumping rain extra-heavily on them while everyone else carries on beneath what is still just a light rainfall. Even an umbrella won't help you since the storm cloud just slips on right underneath it! That's really rude, storm cloud.
And if you're not quick enough to get out of the water, you may also suddenly find yourself the victim of a mini-wave, water rising in an arc clearly directed at you despite the fact that there was nothing to cause the wave in the first place. These waves are certainly filled with a bit of malice. Hopefully you can get out of dodge quick!
And the targets of these... well, pranks, are mostly people associated with fire, though people who have the earth or air elements will also find themselves on the receiving end of such events. Strangely enough, those who have been graced with the water element will experience nothing of the sort. In fact, the rainfall may even stop as they move about, allowing them to progress without getting wet at all even as it pours down on everyone around them. Wait, how are you doing that?
PHASE V [ 1900 ] Aside from the pranks, the water still isn't completely... settled. Where there are no whirlpools or waves or storm clouds, the water is eerily still, and looking into it might cause some strange things to happen to you.
In fact, anyone who looks into the water for too long will suddenly find themselves feeling an easy, quiet peace. The rainfall overhead and the sound of anything around them will feel miles and miles away. Instead, you will be gifted startlingly sharp and vibrant visions of your home world being destroyed. Places you love are rendered to nothingness while friends and family are cut down by strange, alien creatures that all wear masks. No matter how close you try to look at them, processing the shape of these aliens will be impossible. All you will remember is the mask, each one having a crudely drawn smile on the front. You may even start to feel your face equally start to smile, edges of your mouth being pulled upwards and upwards and --
These visions will drag you further and further down towards the water as time passes, that eerie peace fogging your brain all the while. And if someone doesn't come by to save you, you might just get dragged right under. Which wouldn't be so bad, would it? At least you'll be home again.
PHASE VI [ 1200 ] And then, on the fifth day at noon, all of a sudden, everything stops.
The rain ceases. The air is still, as is the water still flooding the streets. Those trapped will be untrapped, those wet will... well, unfortunately remain wet.
Then, there is a message.
It's spoken aloud and the speaker can be found seated on the fallen platform in the Residential District. The speaker is a strong looking creature, sure and proud and most certainly inhuman with his horns and goat legs. Next to him is another being, human in shape despite being entirely made up of... cloud? The being hangs idly in the air next to the creature, both seeming entirely familiar with one another. But even so, the message can be heard no matter where you are -- almost more mentally than verbally -- and the voice is most certainly angry.
"I'm growing tired of these games, Julius Vincere. You've taken what binds us, our Bridge, and have given us gifts in exchange. The gifts have stopped and we would like what is ours once more so --"
There's an interjection, from another voice. It is light and airy, pleasant to listen to but as chilling as breath on the back of your neck. "You can keep the lights, the lights are nice. Especially the purple ones. Well, on occasion the purple ones are nice. Lights are acceptable."
Anyone watching this live will see the creature seem slightly baffled as he looks to his companion. The response that follows is a hushed, confused whisper, which is kind of... odd since they're talking telepathically. To everyone. "I-- What? When were we talking about lights? Wait, no, shut up. Now you threw me off. Look, just... just be quiet for a moment, Caeli."
"I don't really like purple."
This time, the interruption is ignored as the creature tries to fill his voice with the anger from earlier, but he doesn't entirely succeed. In the end, he just sounds annoyed. "We want what's ours. Give it back or this isn't going to stop. We let you have your little city and --"
"I don't really like lights either."
Then, silence. The creature just stares down at his hands and after a moment, gives a heavy sigh and closes his eyes. Still telepathically, to everyone, he asks his companion, "Why did you come with me if you aren't going to take this seriously?"
There's no reply after that, the two of them just sitting there in silence. The creature lifts his hands to rub at his temples while the cloud hangs there and despite the lack of face, seems entirely pleased with itself.
You can come talk to them, if you'd like.
BONUS [ xxxx ] One thing's for sure -- things are going a little haywire right now. But instead of it being code acting strangely, this strangeness is entirely physical. These changes may happen for an hour or two at a time or for just a few minutes, at least. Don't worry about it, perfectly normal!
➟ Air: You will suddenly feel incredibly weightless. What a nice feeling; it's as if all of your cares have drifted away... except wait, you're drifting away too! Someone may have to hold you down to keep you from floating off into the maws of those waiting monsters. Time to find an Earth buddy!
➟ Earth: Speak of the devil -- Earth people will suddenly find themselves feeling so weighted down they feel as though they could not move another step. On top of that, sometimes the ground opens up right beneath them, dropping them into a small pitfall. How did that happen?
➟ Fire: Any surge of strong emotion will light their hair on fire... but that doesn't appear to do any actual damage. Well, unless someone else decides to stick their hand in it. Phew. Go forth and look like the Dread Pirate Roberts or that one baddie from Hercules.
➟ Water: Suddenly you're able to walk on water. That's... actually incredibly handy, considering how much of it is around. Unfortunately, you can't help other people walk on water too; if they hold your hand, they'll drag you right down with them. Enjoy being able to stroll around flooded Cerealia as if nothing's wrong at all. At least, until the effects wear off quite suddenly.
[ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with sensitive or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the log. ] |
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no subject
Hey, mister and cloud! [ ?!?!?! dramatic pointing is a go, though. one finger points at maris while her other hand is on her hip. after getting their attention, she presents her attorney's badge like a loser. ]
I'm Athena Cykes, attorney at law.
Who are you guys, and what connections do you have with CERES?
1/2
And then the sky will open up and a flood of water will be poured right on Athena. ]
2/2
You are the wrong one.
[ That's the cloud's explanation. ]
no subject
What's the big idea?!
no subject
Maris especially...is not fond of your sort. You should go. Perhaps.
no subject
I've never felt more dejected in my entire life! How am I the wrong one?!
no subject
There is water coming from your eyes.
[ Weird. ]
But even offerings of water will not cause Maris to like your kind more.
no subject
no subject
No. We do not. We do not have to do anything. Not even what she tells us, but usually we do, because she is... not good, when she is angry.
You are strange, and there is still water coming from your eyes.
no subject
[ which makes her all the more frustrated, and she cries louder. ]
no subject
[ An awkward pause. ]
You are dripping very much.