estoria | //EVENT023.EXE

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//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

[ Are you feeling romanced, Otome? Because Kogami just stepped on one of the flowers as he blows the Kitty's head off with his gun. His actions might seem a bit extreme, but he's had to fight some nastier robots just to get to where she is. NO HALF MEASURES TODAY. ]

Are you hurt?

[ ... Poor Hello Kitty Florist didn't even stand a chance against a vicious flower-stomper with a gun. What a world.

Otome blinks at him, though, understandably caught off-guard. ]

I'm fine, Kogami-san... are you all right?

The police is out of manpower and I'm trying to keep this city from plunging into chaos.

[ There's another explosion on the far side of the colony. He's not doing well. ]

You shouldn't be out here.

If you're out of manpower, then I should be out here. [ Firmly. ] I can fight these creatures.

[ He believes her when she says these things, but he has yet to learn how exactly she can help in this kind of situation. ]

I appreciate what you're trying to do, but a few judo moves isn't going to stop these things, Yanagiya.

[ But given what he knows about the doctor so far, he wouldn't be surprised if she does have a few tricks up her sleeve. He's practically prompting her to show him. ]

[ Otome silently raises an eyebrow, a don't-mock-me-please sort of look, but before she can respond beyond that, yet another creatures comes tearing towards them, trampling yet more innocent flowers.

And, cellphone in hand, Otome extends the other hand, and a large blast of purple-white light descends, bright enough to be temporarily blinding. When that fades, the creature is gone, and she tilts her head towards Kogami. ]

But that will. Among other things, Kogami-san.

[ Now that's impressive. Dangerous... ]

You've been holding out on me, doc. [ Where was this power in the library?? ]

Alright, then stay with me. I just picked up another disturbance call from around the corner.

[ Meaning he'll ask more questions about this freaky power later! ]

I tend to save this for the demons.

[ She'll answer one unspoken question now, sucking in a quick breath before she moves to follow him. ]

[ What awaits them around the corner is a McCeres store, and people being visibly terrorized by hug bots. Some are being chased around, while others find themselves ensnared in their metal arms, as if they're being held hostage.

Kogami and Otome can see that much through the glass doors, which is why after a few seconds of aiming his gun, Kogami lowers it and reassesses the situation. ]

There's too many civilians. We'll need to shut these things down in person, without harming the others.

Should one of us try to lure them out here, maybe? It might be easier than trying to disable them while there are still so many people...

[ Yes. Yes, this is how Otome thought the week would go. ]

It could work. [ Better than taking Otome in there. He's still trying to protect her, too. ]

If I go inside and catch their attention, I could lead them towards them you. I assume your phone can take care of them?

I have a few methods, yes.

[ Kogami, please, she's probably better off in this situation than he is. But that's why she's touching his arm, meeting his eyes. ]

Be careful, please.

[ IN THE OFF-CHANCE THEY... HUG YOU AND BREAK SOME RIBS???? ]

[ He can't promise that, so he'll just smile like the disappointing bastard that he is. ]

And you try not to pulverize me, too.

[ There's another flower at their feet, likely from the same Kitty bot that Kogami thanked with a bullet earlier. He picks it up and leaves it in her breast pocket. ] I'm counting on you.

[ With that, he heads towards the store, gun in hands just in case things do get hairy. Nothing seems to be attacking him on the way there, so things are going smooth least. Get in position, Otome! ]

[ What a true romantic, that Shinya Kogami. Otome has to hide a smile, settling very quickly into Serious Business mode as she activates Nicaea and waits for Kogami to lure them out.

Hopefully nicely and without incurring any damage, but she's not going to hold her breath on that one. ]

[ Well, to nobody's surprise, the plan goes awry the moment Kogami enters the store and the automatic sliding doors close behind him. ]

Shit--!

[ He turns around to check if it's really locked, and if it is then he'd have to break it. No problem, just a bullet through the glass should do it, except one of the bots grabs him in a bearhug from behind. Kogami kicks against the sturdy glass doors, which doesn't do anything other than cause the bot to fall on its back, which Kogami uses as a chance to fight his way out the hug. He elbows it a couple of times (obviously taking damage himself since he's fighting metal), but manages to stun it enough to free himself... only to have to fend off another robot with his fist.

At least the civilians are still unharmed, and the longer Kogami fights them, the more the possessed robots focus on him instead of the others. ]

[ The instant the doors close immediately, Otome's immediately going for them, working her fingers between the tiny gap and trying to pry it open. It... goes about as well as one would expect, and for a moment, all she can do is watch as Kogami kicks at the doors and takes down a robot, fighting off another one.

She's not going to leisurely note that they're all eventually gravitating towards him, because the most important thing is getting in there.

Which is why the normally composed doctor picks up a nearby trashcan and hurls it at the doors. There's an impressive shower of tinkling glass and the trashcan rolls off to terrorize exactly no one, but Otome's already darting in and beckoning to the civilians-- who wisely make a break for it while the robots are distracted.

They're still gunning for Kogami, and when one lunges at him from the side in the hopes of pressing him to its bosom-- ]

Shinya!!

[ ... There's Otome, digging in her heels and throwing herself against it, as she brings the cellphone up and--

Ah, there's Kazfiel, appearing and realizing exactly what she'd like him to do. So the closest batch of robots will be getting enclosed in massive blocks of ice, as he swoops in to tackle that other one she's struggling with. ]

Otome--!

[ Following up on that, Kogami doesn't waste any time punching another that's headed for Otome, and when it hits the ground he finishes it off by unloading his gun on it. It takes a couple of shots, but it finally short circuits.

He's a little out of breath and has some bruising on his knuckles, but they seemed to have cleared the area. ]

[ What brave and valiant adults they are, taking down a horde of hug-bestowing robots. It takes a moment for Otome to straighten up, staggering a little as her head swims, but ultimately fine. Kazfiel hovers nearby, until she nods and lets him vanish back into her phone. Now, then... ]

Are you all right...?

[ He's pressing his hand against the side of his ribs, there's a small but sharp pain. He wonders if it might be fractured. What a crappy day. ]

I've had worse. [ He holsters his gun for now and looks back at her. ] I'm sorry you had to do that.

[ She appears to be unharmed, at least. That's a relief. ]

Do what? Damage public property or tackle a robot? I feel pretty daring right now.

[ She's smiling, but the concern in her eyes is very much palpable as she beckons him closer. He may have had worse, but he'll need to be in peak condition to deal with this-- or something close enough to it. ]

There's a fine line between bravery and foolishness.

[ Is he scolding her? Only a little, because he has to. The other part of him, that's also smiling on the inside, thinks that she did the right thing. These people needed to be rescued.

He holds his hand up as he approaches, showing her his bruised knuckles. ]

Like I said, it's nothing to worry about.

Mm. [ It's vague, distracted acknowledgment as she takes his hand, gripping his palm gently, and focuses--

Prayer isn't a difficult spell for her, not when she was so accustomed to healing in battle, so enjoy that golden glow suffusing you for a minute, Kogami. Those ribs should be feeling better now, and the bruises will shrink and disappear within seconds. ]

... If it means I could help those people escape and keep your injuries from only being that bad, I don't mind being a little foolish. Just a little, though.

[ More supernatural bullshit?! This is Kogami's first experience being magically healed, so he's at a loss for words as she does her thing. His eyes keep changing focus between their hands and her face. He realizes that he really doesn't know a whole lot about her... ]

Otome Yanagiya, you are by far the most intriguing person I have met in a long time.

[ Clearly he hasn't met Alcor, then. The thought makes her chuckle, as she releases his hand and peers up at him. ]

I'm just a doctor who learned what she had to, in order to keep people alive. But that's very flattering, thank you.

No. It's me who should be grateful.

[ Now that he's healed and hands free, he lights a cigarette as he steps over one of the fallen robots. ]

This area is secure for now, are you ready to go to the next?

iv

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