« 006 ⇢ event006.exe »

[reparator]

Who: CERES & you
When: OOC - 11/25-12/02 ; IC - 10/09-10/12
Where: Cerealia & Pleasure District
What: Event log
Rating/Warning: PG-13 | possibly nsfw (please let us know if you need this rating changed)

//event006.EXE I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa-bot underneath the Mistletoe It's the morning of October 9th when you feel it. At first, it's a gentle rumble. Then, the ground begins to quake harder as a transparent shield erupts from the perimeter of the colony. Those fortunate enough to be standing outdoors will get a glimpse of it as it slowly closes around the colony, forming a glass dome that keeps everything enclosed inside. It may spark your curiosity. It may even cause a bit of fear and anxiety, but other than that, the day remains the same. Plain. Neutral. A little too quiet. That's when the cold sneaks up on you, little by little. You may notice yourself shivering and in need of a warm blanket. It's just a little breeze, right? You might close the windows in your apartment or throw on a sweater. But the cold doesn't stop there. The temperature begins to plummet gradually by the hour, and you notice frost appearing on all visible surfaces. Machines start to malfunction and grow stiff all over. The wind knocks over a few post boxes and signs. Your skin goes numb in places. Shrinkage happens for those who have things that shrink. All in all, it's an unpleasant experience, and the trains are shut down, leaving most of the colony's citizens with limited transportation. However, a figure appears in a dimly corner of the station to brighten your day. He has a blanket laid out with snow globes placed on top, some plain, some rose-tinted. They're all for sale for a meager 25 credits. Since he can't speak, he lets his boom box do the talking for him, letting out a familiar song. "♬~ Oh the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we've no place to go Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! It doesn't show signs of stopping And I've bought some corn for popping The lights are turned way down low Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!~♬"

//SCENARIOS.EXE PHASE I [ xxxx ] The cold is starting to set into your bones, a sharp pain emanating from the way it seems to burrow under your flesh. No amount of jackets, parkas, and sweaters offer relief as the temperature plummets by the hour. The streets are paved with ice everywhere, and snow is rapidly falling from the ceiling of the dome. Will you play in it? Will you settle by the fire with a warm beverage? Will you and your ill-prepared body be subjected to the slow madness promised by hypothermia? It might seem bearable at first, but nothing is ever that simple or easy in Cerealia. Of course, for those who wish to brave the weather, come see the snow globe salesman in Cerealia's train station. He'll show you a few wonders that linger behind the glass. PHASE II [ xxxx ] Just as the cold starts to reach its most unbearable temperatures, a single haven lies in the Pleasure District at Cerealia's famous virtual Fantasy Hub. Whispers will pass from lips to lips, moving quickly across the colony about the warmest place to be. Your character is welcome to investigate for themselves and set aside their embarrassment for a little bit of reprieve. The robot staff will be more than welcoming, offering you compliments, cookies, and hot chocolate. The three great C's! They will let everyone linger about the lounge and encourage them to pair up and try out a bit of the technology. They might even find a little something to smile about after. The robots will be promising customers a lovely boost of warmth just for subjecting themselves to a world of their own desires. PHASE III [ xxxx ] For those brave enough to venture into their virtual fantasies, you'll be lead into a private booth where no one else will be able to bother you. A headset will be available for you and any companions of choice. Feel free to put it on and check it out. You'll be prompted to type in or verbally explain your fantasy before watching the world being built before your eyes until you're completely immersed in your ideal world. You are welcome to roam around and enjoy for as long as you wish but do remember you're on the clock and that there are other customers waiting. Oh and do try and clean up the booth after use! PHASE IV [ xxxx ] It's day four. The cold has reached its lowest, most unbearable point. Those who took a trip into their own fantasies or the fantasy of others are now free to revel in the warmth (and in their own embarrassment and shame). Congratulations! For those who avoided it, prepare to feel numb in places and to possibly lose a finger or two. The CERES medical facility will do their best to stick you back together or keep you from death. The suffering will continue until the very last second when Julius Vincere, CERES' CEO, will appear on all screens and billboards to announce that the climate problems have been fixed at last. Just like that, the dome will open once more, and the temperature will return to normal. With that comes another set of apologies same as before. How much are you willing to put up with his bullshit? BONUS [ whyo'clock ] They're cute. They're cuddly. They're also being sold at a CYbuddy shop near you, provided that snow hasn't blocked the door from opening. They're seemingly harmless and innocent until you take your eyes off of them. That's when they'll scuttle to your underwear drawer and slowly and surreptitiously start stealing pairs of it to hide in a super secret stash so it can sell your unmentionables in an elaborate robot underwear smuggling ring. Prepare to brave the cold without underwear. [ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with trigger-y or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the log. ]

//RUN.EXE Welcome to CEREALIA's latest event post. For your convenience, we have compiled a post detailing what's going on right here and feel free to consult the FAQ if needed. Please leave any lingering questions in the OOC post, and we'll answer them as soon as we can.

Comments

iv (am i too late?)

[firstcloud]

[ Because Kagemitsu is so suspicious of all that are every machine ever, Kagemitsu has not participated in the fantasy adventures. He was at the venue, but he's not going to actually participate. On the other hand, he made an interesting acquaintance there. He now knows what ninja are.

He doesn't manage to catch Tenka's message, but he was intending to check up on his descendant and Sousei either way. Gotta make sure the family is as safe as is possible. And he was shown there they lived by Sousei already, so he doesn't need a map.

He's managed not to freeze any fingers off thanks to Poko, really, but he's pretty bundled up when he approaches, and spots Tenka. ]

Shouldn't you be indoors too, Tenka?

[ His voice is a little scolding; he doesn't want to see family get harmed by this weather. ]

never too late!

[sunshrouded]

[Oh no, scolding. It's familiar enough to Soramaru that it makes Tenka shrink back a little bit even though there's a response waiting on his tongue.]

I was gonna go back in if no one showed up! But hey, Ancestor-san [about as formal as Tenka's gonna get here] why are you wandering around in the cold? Come in, come in!

[And he makes a gesture for Kagemitsu to come over to him. Trust him, there's warmth inside.]

[firstcloud]

[ "Ancestor-san"? That's sort of... weird. ]

Just call me Kagemitsu or something... [ Because being called Ancestor all the time will just be awkward. ] I sure hope you were, though. And I'm wandering around because I wanted to make sure you two are alright.

[ But he's been invited, so he'll come over. (all that Vampirish politeness of the Japanese which dictates you can't just barge into someones house without permission...) ]

[sunshrouded]

Kagemitsu....-san? [How do you address the person who basically started off your family line, honestly. Tenka's not sure!] Ah well, the two of us are pretty alright! Sousei's sticking to himself inside 'cause he's that kind of lonely guy.

[They're best friends, he swears. Regardless, Tenka's gonna open the door for his apartment complex now and incline his head for Kagemitsu to follow.]

It's warmer inside somehow! And we've got tea.

[firstcloud]

That works better. [ He's struggling with what to call Sousei so... well, they can be confused together. ] He seems more sensible than you, if he's not going out way too lightly dressed.

[ He perks up remarkably at the prospect of tea. Poko is already making way inside, and Kagemitsu follows the animal and human. ]

Did you take part in that suspicious game?

[sunshrouded]

Sousei's always been sensible but what good is being sensible when other people might need help?

[Honestly those are Tenka's priorities. Still, he'll lead them to their actual apartment now and the heat is already radiating from the door. As they head inside, it's properly warm and Tenka looks over his shoulder.]

By 'game' do you mean that fantasy machine thing? If so, yes!

[firstcloud]

I like that you want to help others but you could at least dress properly while doing so. [ Seriously, kid. Not that he doesn't get it, he really does, but still. He doesn't want his family freezing to death or anything like that.

Such a nice temperature in Tenka's place, Kagemitsu is jealous. (should he tell Hirari-niisan about this? He probably should but it's not his home so perhaps he shouldn't.) ]

I gathered it was a pretty weird thing. [ Meaning, he did not play it. He'll start playing games for information, but once he's more used to the concept of it all. ]

[sunshrouded]

Ah, it's not like I'll be out there for long! Just a bit at a time, making sure no one's out there and lot in the cold.

[That's basically how he's defending himself. But regardless, he's inviting Kagemitsu inside the apartment and tossing his blanket off to the side now. Just one of those Western style sweaters he picked up is good enough for him at this temperature.]

Well... it was kinda like magic, actually! I put in what I wanted to see and then it just... it just happened! It was impressive!!

[firstcloud]

You should still dress properly.

[ Listen to your worried ancestor, Tenka-kun. ]

[ Once he gets inside properly, he stops. ]

It really is warmer in here.. [ He's sort of doubting that that kind of magic is without consequences. ] That's nice.

[ And he can finally take off some layers, which means he doesn't have to walk around feeling like he's wrapped into an uncomfortable and stuffy cocoon. ]

[sunshrouded]

Yeah, yeah....

[But judging from his tone, it's a little hard to tell if he's taking the warning seriously. Regardless, he's going to wander off into the kitchen now.]

Gonna make tea! And do you wanna see Sousei? I could probably call him out or something.

[firstcloud]

[ He sighs. ]

Seriously...

[ He's going to send over extra clothes for Tenka later, expect it, handwave it.

While Kagemitsu comes further into Tenka's place, Poko starts to explore. ]

I don't mind meeting him again if he feels like it.

[sunshrouded]

[Well, the layout of the place looks almost exactly like what the shrine is like in Tenka's time, complete with tatami floors and sliding screens. Honestly when Tenka and Sousei arrived, they just weren't that interested in feeling like they were so far from home the entire time. So make yourselves at home.

As for Tenka, he's setting on making tea now and all he says to that is-]

We'll find out.

[Then he's raising his voice and just yelling:]

Oi! Sousei, stop being anti-social! Kagemitsu-san's here!!

[deontology]

[He's not anti-social!!! Jeeze. Sousei does look vaguely irritated as he appears in the main living space. Tenka....don't embarrass him in front of your ancestor???]

Tenka, call for me normally.

[And then he looks back to Kagemitsu.

He's...never sure how to refer to him even now, but--]

Kumou-san, hello. [Now he has Tenka, Soramaru, Chuutarou, Kumou-sensei, and Kumou-san.

Too many Kumous.]

[firstcloud]

[ That's a painful layout. It might not be exactly the same as the shrine in Kagemitsu's time, least of all considering it's been sort of.. a bit destroyed.. But it still hits hard.

So for a few moments, he is standing still and taking in the sight. He's even more home-sick now, great. But he snaps out of it when Sousei greets him. ]

It's nice to meet you again, [ name, name, he has no name for him yet, ah... ] Sousei-kun. [ If that...works with him.... ]

[sunshrouded]

[The look on Kagemitsu's face doesn't escape Tenka's notice. Though he doesn't really comment on it, instead shaking his head and laughing softly to himself. Let his ancestor and his partner get to talking, why not?

For now he'll continue to look at the tea, waiting on it to boil. At least in the future, it happens a lot faster....]

[deontology]

[Honestly, if anyone has the right to call him -kun, he's sure that it'd be the Kumou ancestor. And he doesn't much care what people call him either way, so he's not going to complain in the least.

A glance at Tenka (look, he remembers you saying you were struggling to get along with Kagemitsu) and then he focuses on their guest.]

Have you been well? [cold...aside...]

[firstcloud]

[ They have an established name for him, then. That is great, then he can stop wondering about that.

Don't laugh at your ancestor, Tenka. It's terribly impolite.

While Poko goes around inspecting every inch of the place, Kagemitsu focuses on Sousei. He nods in answer. ]

As good as possible when one has to adjust to such big changes as these. [ Or deal with such an awful cold. ] How are the two of you doing?

[sunshrouded]

Ahh, we're not doing too badly. We came back and this place was a lot warmer so there's not much to complain about.

[They're not left huddling together for warmth anymore anyway. So that's definitely a plus.

Another plus is that the water is done boiling so Tenka's going to go ahead and pour their tea now, because at the very least he can manage that level of cooking. So he wanders over back to his partner and his ancestor, a cup for each of them in hand.]

[deontology]

[Yeah, those big changes...they'd be even bigger for ancestors who had never even experienced the touch of westernization. It's normal for Sousei and Tenka by now, or as normal as it can be, but 600 years ago it wouldn't have even been a thought.

Regardless, Sousei will take a seat then, because that's polite and if Tenka's making tea, they may as well have a proper conversation.

So he nods simply in response to that. Tenka can speak for him on things so simple as that, but more importantly--]

And Abe no Hirari? [He didn't much like him, no, but... however distantly related, and however much Sousei doesn't care for the Abe family as a whole, he did leave the guy at a hospital for the blood loss and his lost arm.

He's assuming Kagemitsu knows how he is, they seemed to know each other.]

[firstcloud]

[ He nods; it's good they seem to be faring well, and it's a relief. ]

It certainly is much more pleasant here than it is at my place.

[ He accepts the tea from Tenka with a grateful smile, and takes a seat. ]

Nii-san is doing just fine. [ Who even likes Hirari that much? Well, Kagemitsu doesn't hate him or dislike him that much but he's still really annoying. Even if he's the only human from Kagemitsu's time... ] He goes on and on about marrying Botan but he's not the one who decides that. [ He huffs. ] That man has a one-track mind.

[sunshrouded]

[And once again, Tenka demonstrates how little he knows compared to everyone else. So he's sitting down on the couch and tilting his head.]

Right... About that, Kagemitsu-san, has.... he always been an Abe?

[Tenka you ask such weird questions.]

[deontology]

[Uh... Tenka??? Sousei arches an eyebrow at that, because...yeah that's a weird question.

Though Sousei's still a little confused by the reason for Hirari being around when they're alive as well, tossing Botan into the mix actually makes things make more sense.

Shikigami tend to shake things up that way.]

[firstcloud]

[ Huh??? That really is a weird question. ]

Sort of. He might have been adopted by the Abe but he's still legitimately a member of the clan.

[ So that's actually "no" since he wasn't actually born as an Abe. ]

To be fair, I didn't think he was an Abe either at first, but now I know that he is. Why would you be confused about it though? [ You accepted Kagemitsu as a Kumou easily enough, after all. ]

[sunshrouded]

[Well yeah, he did accept Kagemitsu as a Kumou because Tenka's pretty well-informed as far as the family tree goes. Comes with actually being a Head of the Kumou Clan himself. But Hirari....]

Well, y'see, I know someone named Hirari! But he's not an Abe - he's just a policeman who works for the government and he looks exactly like the Hirari you know....

It's uncanny!

[deontology]

[... Yeah he's not entirely sure what's going on there either, but Botan made it pretty clear that she was the same Botan--the same Abe Shikigami.

If Hirari was attached to Botan...

No, it couldn't be immortality, that was an impossibility, but... Maybe something closer to reincarnation? He's really unsure about everything, though, so he's keeping his mulling thoughts to himself. Carry on, Kumous.]