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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iv.1
What--
[...And then he sinks.
Ah yes. That's a bit more like the Katsura Sousei knows. He's just going to...paddle his little piece of wreckage that is serving as a life raft over as he contemplates whether or not he actually wants to help.
... ... ... well.]
You are as irritating as ever. [That's all he says as he grabs Katsura's hand to haul him up.]
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[ oh.. he's pulling him up. This is nice. This is very nice.
Instantly, Katsura latches on and peers at Sousei through his hair that is plastered all over the front of his face. ]
S.. Sousei-dono.
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[IMMEDIATELY.
He drags Katsura up and proceeds to immediately drop him onto the makeshift raft.]
You are incredibly incompetent. [this isn't how he wanted to welcome back the wig....] How long have you been back for?
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[ Oh Sousei-dono. You noticed he was gone. He feels his heart swell. ]
I returned yesterday. I am still Elizabeth-less, though I was able to see her for a moment. She has grown up so much. [ no she hasn't. He's from a 3 minute canon update. ]
I'm here to return to my mission of tearing off the b*lls of CERES and sending us all to our rightful homes with your help and that of others.
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[He just shoots that back instantly...
But that's... well, okay. That's very Katsura, if nothing else. He went home, then?]
You missed some situations that will likely interest you. [a beat.] Do not take so long again in the future.
[almost a "welcome back", if you're optimistic.]
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Sousei-dono!
Is Janice-san still alive, then? Did Christopher-san know that she is sleeping with her boss and gone off the deep end!?
[ he is, in fact, talking about a soap opera. ]
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I have no idea what you are saying.
[He rolls his eyes. Legitimately. There is eye rolling happening here.]
Stop talking.
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CERES— they're responsible for this mess, are they?
[ what a dramatic change in conversation. ]
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[Which is a lot for him to admit; he doesn't really enjoy not knowing. Still, it's better than giving Katsura inaccurate information, despite how zany he acts.]
They have been out of contact, and it did not sound as though they expected this to happen--though that could also be a trick, naturally.
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According to Mosley-san, they prefer to attack through glitching and are responsible for those things.
... if you believe such a lie.
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Perhaps that is it. Though dealing with yet another threat would be troublesome.
[THE WATER IS BAD ENOUGH. CERES IS BAD ENOUGH.]
We need to deal with the situation that is before us first. People are in danger.
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[ what a suddenly heavy conversation. ]
Where is the most danger?
[ fill him in he just got here.. ]
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He's good at reporting.]
There are monsters in the water. Similarly, the water damage has caused many buildings to be unstable. There may be people trapped in places that they cannot be seen or heard.
[...]
That is only the simplest of things, but it is still enough.
1.2
They're certainly being picky-choosey with who can do this and who cannot-- ah.
2.2
It's my hair, isn't it?
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[JUST NO. NO ON ALL COUNTS.]
Though there is some strange reason that you are affected in that way. I have seen a few other people walking on top of water as well, and I am not sure what the connection is.
I'm not able to do so, obviously.
[Or he'd...be doing so instead of using a billboard as a raft.]
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It's because of my hair and all the work and money Sunrise puts into it to make it look just right.
Sousei-dono, does this mean I'm more superior than you then? [ cause he can do something you can't. ]
I can also tie a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue and sleep with my eyes open. [ because this has to do with everything in this conversation. Look, he just wants to know if you can do that or not at this point. ]
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Sousei's brow is furrowed, because he honestly tries to understand what Katsura is saying every time he goes off on a tangent before he realizes and catches himself and manages to stop listening so hard. This is really no different. He really wanted to know what was going through Katsura's brain.
Apparently sleeping with his eyes open and cherry stems and tongues. Ok.]
I don't waste my time with pointless hobbies. Are you finished? [Seriously, you could at least help paddle the raft mister Katsura Jesus.]
If not, I'm ending this conversation right now.
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[ a pause. ]
Perhaps I can make this go along a lot quicker.
[ there is some struggling, but Zura is able to stand to his feet on the water again.
Then, he bends over, putting his hands on the raft and—
pushes Sousei and the raft along. Look at that; he's so useful. ]
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Head towards that building over there. It looks stable enough. [And more importantly, tall enough to keep them out of the water.]
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As he moves along, he talks: ]
Do you think this was an attack by our supposed enemies or a failure on CERES' part, Sousei-dono?
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... I do not believe this is within CERES' interests. Whether they are capable or not... I am not certain. [They had made it snow that one time...but:] CERES seems most interested in portraying this city as a place of rest and refuge. Destroying it runs contrary to their interests.
Whether it is the work of the Flamines, then, I am not certain. We have yet to hear anything of them aside from what we have been told. Naturally, that is suspicious, Though...
[It's true that the footage could've all been faked by CERES, but even so--]
All experiences of my world destroyed in various manners have not involved water. Have yours?
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No, this is too good of a job for Takasugi, but Zura can't help but wonder.
A chuff of dry laughter: ]
What we have been told— which is hardly anything.
Ah, no. Anything destructive is done by more creative means... or fire.
[ fire happens a lot in Gintama.. ]
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Exactly. Which makes this something different entirely. How troublesome.
[A vague huff, as if the city being flooded is as troublesome as split ends, and not a huge problem.]
That just means there is yet another problem causer we must deal with somewhere.
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