PHASE I [ 9 00 ] 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. ] |
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OTA!
[The instant the ghosts had broken through and started attacking? Ami was quick to transform into Eternal Sailor Mercury. She had accepted long ago that she was a murderer. She had assisted in the death of monsters and alien life-forms alike. Yes, it had all been for the safety and protection of the Earth and its people, but a murderer nonetheless. She was nonplussed by their accusations and was instead working her way through the city to help whomever was being attacked. She skidded to a halt when she saw another ghost attacking a civilian, her visor and head-phone on and not letting the ghosts escape her sight. The Mercury Visor was working full speed to point out movements and shifts in energy.
What she lacked in the ability to sense the ghosts naturally, the Visor made up for with complete readings in heat-signatures and sound waves.
She summoned the Mercury Harp as the ghost loomed over the other CERES resident.]
MERCURY AQUA RHAPSODY! [She ran her fingers along the strings and huge and powerful waves of music and water shot at the ghost, surrounding it and promptly destroying it in the onslaught of sound and water. She hurried over to the other on the ground and offered them a glove hand.]
Are you alright?
((OOC: Those who have regular CR with Ami won't actually be able to tell that Mercury and Ami are one and the same as they aren't EXACTLY the same person.))
[Phase II]
'Ami... Ami-chan... Ami-chan don't you want me to come home? Come follow me and I promise I'll come home. I just need you to do something for me is all. We can be a proper family again.' [Not Sailor Mercury, but Ami was shaking as she looked at the back of her father's head as he walked away from her.
No... No please, not again. Dad... dad don't leave them alone again... Don't leave her again. She'll do better. She will! She swallowed as hard as she could and didn't even notice as the water came around her ankles and then up to her knees. Further and further into the water, she just had to follow her father, was all. She shouldn't be surprised he wanted to go swimming, after all, he had taught her how. Deeper and deeper she went in, making no attempt to swim.]
II
That wasn't right. That was wrong, never, ever would she act like that...swimming wrong...]
...Ami-chan! Stop!
[And she rushed forward, grabbing at Ami's arm...]
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Again.
He was gone again. She closed her eyes and took deep shuddering breaths... only she couldn't stop her shaking. Not from the cold, the cold never actually bothered her, but from once again having her father leave. Even if it was just an illusion. She pressed a hand to her eyes.]
Rei... I...
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How dare they, how dare they! Ami could handle being attacked, as a soldier it was part of her life, but to have her emotions, her fears and family used against her? It was the lowest of the low and it left absolutely no mercy within the usually gentle soldier of water.]
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The anger, the fury in her...that was expected but surprising all the same. A vicious chill as opposed to her own blinding rage.]
Let's...talk about this at home. My wards are still holding. You need tea.
[And just like that, she starts leading the way home. Practically they were exposed, even with her spellworking, and Archer nearby. Anything could happen, and this was not a conversation for the gardens.]
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She followed Rei until the reached their apartment and she closed the door behind them. Whispering a soft "I'm home," even as her stomach felt like someone had punched her in it.]
Rei... I'm sorry...
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And with the door closed and their home's defenses ready...she finally had the chance to speak up, and pull Ami towards the couch.]
It's nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry I wasn't there faster.
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They made it the image of my father.
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Your father? Oh, God, Ami I'm so sorry.
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II
His voice is light, though strained, as he speaks.]
Painful way to go, that. Have you ever drowned before? Not recommended.
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You might have to be a bit more hands-on, Thatch.]
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You sure you don't want to think about this a little, girlie?
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What- [Where did her father go? Oh Mercury, why was she fully clothed and waist deep in water?] What's going on?
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[he tilts an eyebrow]
Been drinking, sweetheart? [he knows she hasn't. He can tell a souse from a mile, even if he's not downwind, but he's annoyed enough to try and ruffle her feathers]
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I assure you, I am not suicidal. [Self-sacrificing for the greater good and her princess, but not suicidal.] And no, I've not been drinking, thank you. My apologies for inconveniencing you, sir.
[How could they... how could they possibly... CERES knew, but the ghosts? How?]
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[He's coming off more abrasive than he wants to be. He needs to check that. But he doesn't have the patience to pry her for information the more traditional way]
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Again, thank you for what you did. [Though she wondered if her guardian planet would have taken over to prevent her from drowning, it was still not something she wanted to really test out.] I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble. [She pressed a hand to her eyes, feeling a massive headache coming on. Considering he made no mention of her father, she could only assume he was not seen, never mind even there. She had no excuse but her own failings to fall for such a thing.]
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Something is clearly going on. I see my crew. [he jerks his thumb over his shoulder at his boys who are standing and watching silent for now. But they can never stay silent long] But they shouldn't be here. Did you see something or was it a weird fever dream?
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phase i
Ah, thank you. [Having quelled the worst of the coughing, he accepts her help and gets unsteadily to his feet. And while no, he certainly wouldn't draw any connection to this woman's other identity, the costume and method of attacking certainly reminds him of-]
Are you perhaps a comrade of Mars-sama?
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Indeed I am. I am Eternal Sailor Mercury, Soldier of Knowledge. We are both senshi.
Are you sure you're alright? Do you have somewhere safe to go?
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Then it's an honor to meet you, Mercury-sama. I've had the pleasure of meeting Mars-sama and her friend, Hino-san, in this place - though not at the same time, of course. [Which is a gentle way of saying that he's aware of the connection there. Swaying slightly, he manages a faint laugh.] I should probably get home - really, I shouldn't have left in the first place.
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That's followed by a soft laugh and a downward glance at himself, as if to indicate that he doubts that he can get much worse, but even so he nods.]
As much as I don't want to trouble you further, I think there are a lot of people back home who would be troubled even more if I was to be hurt, you know? Do you know where the sword Tsukumogami live?
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At his question she shook her head.]
It is no trouble at all. I would be quite happy to see you brought safely home. I'm afraid I do not know where their residence is. If you tell me the address, however, I can take you there quickly enough.