estoria | //EVENT023.EXE

Entry tags:

//EVENT023.EXE

Who: Everyone + ~~the ghosts of Christmas past~~ the ghosts who aren't the ghosts of Christmas past
When: OOC: 12/16 to 12/23 ; IC: 4/22 to 4/26
Where: All around Cerealia
What: We have some new friends visiting.
Rating/Warning: PG-13 for violent and dangerous situations; please let the mods know if the rating needs to go up or the log needs to be locked!

//event023.EXE

The metaphorical sun is shining today -- until it isn't. All of a sudden, there's a creeping sensation up your spine, and the sense that something bad is coming. The day seems a little darker. And those closer to the source who are in their homes in the residential district will understand that sensation better than anyone.

The pure of heart throughout the city who have been feeling under the weather lately will suddenly feel a terrible sense of all-encompassing dread overcome them. A loud metal groan will echo throughout the city as once again, the city undergoes surprise renovations. But today it is not what has been keeping the residents in – but rather some surprise visitors who have wanted out.

And there's a message on the wind, one that might be heard for anyone who listens hard enough...

Murderers.

Murderers.

Murderersmurderersmurderers.

//SCENARIOS.EXE

PHASE I

[ 900 ] The peace of the morning in the Residential District shatters just as the wall caves through. It’s a small segment of wall -- no more than five feet across at most. And yet the crash and groan of the metal being stretched is ominously accompanied by the distinct piercing screech of metal and another sound. A raucous noise, a combination of ungodly wailing and sharp, victorious laughter spills forth from the hole left in the wall as a myriad of ghosts and spirits erupt from the newly created exit. Characters with any type of spiritual sense will find themselves nearly overwhelmed by the amount of negative ghostly energy that suddenly floods Cerealia and characters with no sense of preservation will find any attempt to enter the hole blocked by the fiercest of ghosts, met with deadly force if they try to pass, as the ghosts won’t hesitate to do things such as reach straight into your body to try to stop your heart.

These ghosts are out for blood, and they don’t seem to stop no matter how you try to talk to them -- they just hiss out, over and over again, “Murderersmurderersmurderers.”

From there, the ghosts move on. Their true target, after all, is CERES… but to them, there’s no difference between the character players and CERES. They’ll go for whoever gets in their way, phasing through walls and becoming tangible long enough to reach for characters before fading away again. Characters with special abilities will find themselves in a similar state. Their abilities may increase and decrease in power sporadically, or be completely gone. They may attempt to cast a spell only to find that the wrong spell is cast instead, or an attempt at healing may end up a more dangerous spell. Be careful with your own magical skills!

Those with items or powers specifically intended to ward off spirits will still fulfill their intended purposes when used – unless malicious spiritual energy gets to them first.

PHASE II

[ 1400 ] It seems the ghosts have more tricks up their sleeves. It seems that a not-so-friendly ghost has decided to play a game with you. It doesn't matter where you are, or what you're doing, because a moment later a voice calls out -- Hey. Can you see me? -- and once you turn your head, you’ll come face to face with a surprise.

Who is it in this world (or your world, or any world) that you have managed to disappoint the most? A family member? A friend? Yourself? They face you now, eyes full of sadness, and they say, “I need you to do something for me.” Without another word, they’ll turn away and begin to walk. Your vision grows foggy, focused solely on the need to do whatever this person wants – they need you, after all. Your legs move to follow them, unless you manage to somehow resist.

But you apparently don’t seem to notice that you’re the only one who can see this person – or that they’re leading you stray toward that monorail track with the sound of the train coming closer, or that busy intersection, or right off the sky bridge.

PHASE III

[ 600 ] Other ghosts don’t feel like borrowing faces in order to inflict damage. No, they’ll inflict their damage on a far more personal level. They manifest suddenly and without warning – then all it takes is a simple touch. A ghostly hand reaches out to you and it feels like the cold wraps around your heart, and your vision skews, and then... they leave just as suddenly as they came.

Those who have been around for awhile may very well recognize the ghosts, at that.

But the damage has already been done. Depending on a character’s assigned sense, they will feel one of the following changes:

Sight: Hopefully you aren’t in the habit of bending the truth. Dead men tell no tales, they say. But what happens to a living person unable to tell lies? Any attempt at telling any lie or falsehood will cause the character to feel as though their throat has closed off, and they can do nothing more than choke.

Smell: The cold passes, but in some way that it never really leaves. And then everything seems perfectly normal. Nothing has changed, right? You're fine -- except that in a short period of time with how crazy things are, it becomes apparent that you're unable to feel pain. The damage to your body is the same as ever, but dangerously, you can't feel a thing.

Taste: It would appear as though the ghosts have a sense of humor. From those who rest in eternal slumber, try a few days of being unable to sleep. Everything seems fine at first... but slowly but surely, that lack of sleep will start to take its toll.

Hearing: Most others would feel relief once the ghosts left, finally a moment of peace. But you? You don’t feel anything – nothing kind, anyway. Rather, you have been left unable to feel joy. Everything seems either bleak or as though it simply has no emotional impact at all.

Touch: How many deaths have been caused in the name of heroics? Apparently in an attempt to keep future casualties down (or perhaps for their own laughter), the ghosts have left you unable to be brave. Suddenly, a situation you'd face fearlessly is one that has sent you running, panic sharp in your chest.

These effects will last throughout the event, if a character is caught by them.

PHASE IV

[ 1000 ] While chaos erupts throughout the city, some of the more misguided ghosts (but still bloodthirsty, so very bloodthirsty) just happened to run into the wrong part of town and don’t know how to give a proper scaring. One ghost seems to think that it was a great idea to possess a masseusebot from the Spa. You’re grabbed suddenly! You fight for your life but can’t seem to get yourself out of its metal grip! With expert precision that only a robot can mange, it finds your pressure points – and releases all that tension from this Incredibly Bad Day. The ghost inside the robot is confused, distressed -- why is this human suddenly so relaxed? It only wants to murder. But the only illegal thing happening here is how good this massage makes you feel.

Maybe later you’ll walk down the street and get stopped by the ghost that possessed a balloon dispenser. Perhaps a ghost has possessed the friendly McCERES mascot, and is now handing out coupons with murderous intent. And of course, there are always the hug bots...

Look, they tried really hard, okay.

Of course... they might end up possessing technology a little closer to home as well, at which point it's not so funny.

BONUS

[ xxxx ] Hopefully you have friends who have ghost-fighting skills. Or ghost-taming skills. Or ghost-bellydancing skills, who knows, we won't judge them if you don't. But what of those poor people who come from worlds where the supernatural is some weird television show?

Worry not, poor souls, for CERES is here to provide! Some time after the ruckus begins, characters will find what looks to be a hand-held vacuum cleaner situated innocuously in their rooms (only one per person, you greedy gus). The logo on the side will helpfully inform you that this is of CERES make, because the paper pamphlet beside your new device? Well, it's more like a picture book. Observe Stick-Man Sully as he uses his vacuum cleaner to capture ghosts! Learn from his stellar example! Do not stick the hose in your mouth or attempt to give the vacuum CPR, there's a big X over that picture. Also of the one where Stick-Man Sully sets his captive ghosts free once more, we don't want that, do we?

Your new ghost vacuum should prove effective against any ghastly ghoul that shoots your way, but beware! Should you capture a ghost and not turn in your vacuum to CERES for weekly ghost disposal, your ghost will serenade you in the wee hours of the morning with its song of choice. If you capture a whole horde of ghosts, well, congratulations. You have a boy band living in your vacuum.

[ 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. ]

//RUN.EXE

Welcome to Cerealia's DECEMBER event! Please visit the OOC information here, and should you have any questions, feel free to ask them here! You can also check the FAQ for more general inquiries. This event will last from 12/16 to 12/23, or IC 4/22 to 4/26. Should this event log hit Captcha, there is an all-purpose overflow here. Thank you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ cradily glances at her when she calls her name, tentacles drooping as her focus switches from her ailing trainer to this new human. she process the question and then responds with a nod, shuffling in front of them to lead the path to steven's apartment complex.

with another hard swallow, steven speaks as well. ]

It's not far from here. She knows where it is.

What a good girl!

[ Otome, coo over the monster later. She huffs a little in determination, though, smiling at Steven before she glances ahead. ]

Then let's go!

[ ONWARDS, MY SHAKY COMRADE. Kazfiel will float after them, still keeping an eye out for potential attackers. ]

[ this time, he feels just calm enough to return her smile. something about it sets him at ease, and the idea that they're going somewhere safe, somewhere where they don't have to fight... it clears his head a little.

so they follow cradily, who is just as alert as kazfiel for any potential enemies. thankfully they stay unprovoked the entire way, and they make it to the lobby of the complex in one piece. when the doors close behind them, steven finds himself letting out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. he's definitely calmed down, but he's still tense as he reaches for cradily's poke ball on his belt. he'll move to recall her, but not before giving her a gentle stroke on the head with his free hand, paired with a fond smile. ]

You were willing to protect me with all that you had. Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough.

[ she responds with a happy (and slightly sticky) nuzzle with her tentacles, and it actually makes him laugh a little. with another pat, he returns her to her poké ball. it's a weird show of a bond, but it's relaxed him just a bit more. he turns back to otome, expression finally looking more like himself. ]

[ Otome had spoken quietly to her demon comrade just outside the building, and Kazfiel had agreed to guard the complex, warning her to be cautious. Really, she thinks with a bit of fondness, for a demon, he seemed to worry about her more than necessary.

She watches the exchange between man and Cradily with her own quiet smile, though. It's obvious Steven cares for his team as much as they care for him, and it's heartwarming to see. Also-- ]

It's good to see you looking better, Steven.

[ even aside from the panic and fear, seeing steven so affectionate with his pokémon isn't quite how he's seen back home. he's known for his strength and collected attitude back in hoenn, and it's only his friends who really get to see this side of him. ]

It's good to feel better... I think.

[ he might not be hyperventilating anymore, but that dull feeling of fear in his chest is still weighing down on him. normally he'd say that he can take care of himself from here and ask her to get home safely for her own good... at the moment, the idea of being alone isn't a pleasant one. ]

... Let's get you saying that a little more confidently first! I think it's a good time to sit down and have tea.

[ And then she won't have a small group of overprotective tsun teenage boys breaking her door in the worries that she's overdone it again. See, look! Taking care of Steven and resting. ]

You won't find me disagreeing with that.

[ and besides, the least he can do is show her a little hospitality after all that she's done. panic attack or not, manners are important!!!!

he ushers her into the elevator before him, punching in his floor number and leading her to his suite. the decoration is a little sparse, but it's homey enough for him. the only thing that really does seem to be out of place are... pieces of scrap metal on the living area floor? huh. ]

Ah... Do pardon the mess.

... Were you building something?

[ In your classy but sparsely-decorated apartment? She's not here to judge, but she's definitely looking at the scrap metal with a great deal of curiosity. ]

Oh, goodness no. Aggron just likes to snack between meals; I keep some here so he doesn't have to go scavenging in the junkyard every time he gets hungry.

[ delicious metal sheets and iron ore, good 4 ur strong steel-type bones. but he won't dwell on that for too long, heading to the cupboard to take out the kettle and various teabags to choose from. he'll be having something herbal - relaxation is what he's going for. ]

Aggron... that was that rather large-- actually, he was eating something like that when I met you, wasn't he? I had no idea metal had that much nutrition in it.

[ Fascinating... ]

-- Ah, would you like help?

That's right. It's the iron that has the most nutrients, but any sort of metal will do.

[ but at his question, he shakes his head. as long as there's no danger, anything to take his mind off of what just happened is a welcome distraction. ]

I feel like I've relied on you far too much already. As long as I go at a reasonable pace, I think I'll be okay.

[ he thinks. ]

We're friends, aren't we?

[ As she carefully steps past a sheet of metal. ] I'm sure if our positions had been reversed, you would have done the same for me.

[ her comment makes him pause for a moment. he did call her a friend in the heat of the moment back outside... and she was a kind woman. if that isn't friend material, he doesn't know what is. ]

...We are, yes. [ his expression becomes a little more thoughtful. ] Though I feel like I'd be much less adept at calming someone the way that you did.

[ enough about him, though. help pls. ]

Could you set the water to boil?

That's the benefit of being a doctor-- but of course!

[ She'll hurry on over and get that started, because even Otome can boil water like a (Non-Hoenn) Champion!! ]

[ so she's a doctor, huh... welp, he'll have to change the title he calls her by, in that case. but while they wait for the water, he'll take a seat at the kitchen table and take a breather as he begins to think about what happened.

even during the primal reversion crisis he didn't find himself panicking like that. it wasn't normal behaviour for him in the slightest, which meant that it had to do with whatever that... thing did when it touched him. the very recollection of it makes his fist clench tight with nerves, along with the thought of facing it and the other spirits flooding the colony. but he had done it days ago with no problem, so what could be stopping him now?

if otome is watching him, she'll notice that he's oddly silent and looking a little pale again. ]

Edited 2015-12-16 07:24 (UTC)

[ Of course she's watching him. Panic attacks aren't a once-a-day sort of thing... even thinking about what triggered one can easily lead into another one, and when he starts turning pale, she steps forward and seats herself close enough to reach for one of his hands again. ]

If you're not ready to think about it, there's no pressure.

[ he almost jumps when she touches him, and that's when he knows something is very, very wrong. being timid is not in his nature - he's not reckless, but he's never had problems with facing danger head-on. he's never felt more vulnerable - like a deerling caught in headlights. ]

But I can't ignore it.

[ he refuses to ignore it, even if it puts him into a cold sweat. he needs to have some sort of autonomy. ]

That wasn't a normal attack. Something... happened.

... [ As much as she hates to ask it of him... ]

Can you... describe what it did to you? What about it made it different from the other spirits? Take as much time as you need, or if you'd rather not, we can try to work out a theory anyway.

[ he nods, taking a moment to utilize the breathing trick that she taught him. it staves off another head-first fall into panic, but only calms him enough to speak properly. ]

It looked different than the ones outside. It wasn't affected by any of Cradily's attacks - it went straight for me, and disappeared right after it touched me.

[ he shuts his eyes tight for a moment, in an attempt to stave off the headache he can feel forming at his temples. ]

I felt cold, fell to the ground... and that's when you came.

[ Otome's grip on his hand tightens, and she takes a silent, deep breath herself. Different-looking ghosts... ]

If it disappeared after touching you, that must have been its goal. Which means it was probably aiming to make you unable to fight.

[ What a jerk. ]

It certainly achieved that. Just the idea of facing them again... I feel some sort of impending terror.

[ sure he was scared before, but he could trump that in the name of the greater good. but right now his body is throwing that to the side, no matter what his mind wants.

he takes some solace in her grip, letting out another breath in a sigh as he thinks back to what happened a few days earlier. if they were going to figure this out, otome needed to know everything. ]

Another one almost got me killed a few days ago. Whatever these spirits want, they aren't afraid to take lives to get it.

They were chanting something, weren't they? About murderers?

... I certainly haven't killed anyone here-- [ SEPTENTRIONES DO NOT COUNT, THEY STARTED IT ] so it might just be that these are spirits with deeply-rooted grudges. And they don't particularly care who they seek out that vengeance from.

They were.

[ his eyes narrow in thoughtful focus. ]

Neither have I, unless the odd monster in ViViD counts. If those things really are spirits, I wouldn't be surprised if there's something about this place's past that our captors are withholding from us.

[ this was a colony, wasn't it? so under what means was it established? ]

Which isn't all that surprising, but that means taking it up with our hosts. Unless I can somehow manage to get one of the ghosts to talk to me...

[ Otome, no. Bad idea. ]

[ that makes his expression harden, steel blue eyes meeting her yellow. it's clear that he's serious. ]

Don't. That's an easy way to get yourself killed.

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