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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He hearts the awe in her words and feels her press against his neck. It inspires more of a blush on Lee's face, but even more than that, it gives him a new surge of confidence that casts away his nervous feelings. His hold grows firmer as he moves onwards, taking the way from the sky bridge down to the street level. A confident smile grows on his face, and it reflects in his words.]
Thank you.
I will not let you down!
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If that makes sense.
After a second or two she realizes she doesn't actually know if they have a destination in mind other than 'away'.] Where are we going?
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A-ah... [Now he grows a little nervous again.] I am not sure! I apologize, I did not consider...
Should I take you back to your home? [He sniffles.] Would you be safe there, Yuri-san?
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She's not actually sure any place in the city is safe, but she'd at least feel more comfortable there. And it had her camera, so--] Yeah, my place is fine. My camera-- my weapon against spirits, it'll be there.
[She gives him her apartment number next (insert generic apartment block address/number here) to ensure they can get there quickly.] If I can get my camera I can protect you or anyone else from anything that tries to attack us. [For the most part. Hopefully.]
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A weapon against spirits?! [He repeats with an awed hush.] Yuri-san, that is incredible!
I promise to redouble my efforts! [He says as he speeds up, while trying to be at least slightly wary of any ghosts in the vicinity.] I will have you back at your home safely in half an hour- no, fifteen minutes!
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[Oh god.] You can go faster!? [She doesn't even try to hide her shock because holy shit she thought they were already going super fast.] You don't have to rush that much! [To get all the way to the apartment buildings in fifteen minutes... The thought alone is making her head spin. She made the unfortunate decision to raise her head to look at Lee at his declaration and she's regretting it. The wind stings her eyes and the world blurring by makes her feel lightheaded-- She quick tucks her face back against his neck.]
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[And he nods with a confident smile as his speed increases, but Yuri's words do trouble him.]
A-ah! But... I want you to be safe as soon as possible! And... by meeting this challenge, I'll only grow stronger!
[But he has to make sure, as he holds onto her tight.]
Is this alright with you?
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Yuri shifts slightly and sighs, giving a nod.] Fine, do what you want. But if you overdo it, I'll be mad. [AKA STAY SAFE THO.]
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I- I do not want to upset you at all, Yuri-san! So I will follow your wishes!
[He manages to smirk confidently as he approaches the apartment buildings.]
And I appreciate them as well! Because, to work hard at not overextending one's self... That is an interesting challenge!
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She lifts her head a little to squint at the familiar territory--what she can make out, anyway--and is pleased to find how close they actually are.]
You would find that a challenge... [Most people find it a challenge just to get motivation to do anything.] If you overextend yourself, you can't help anyone, right? You'll be out of commission.
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That... that is true! I want to be able to help as many people as I can. I cannot stand the thought of being unable to do anything! [Not again.]
But, at the same time... If I overtextend myself in overextending myself, I can help so many more people than I normally can! It is all about becoming stronger than the you of yesterday!
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But like I said, if you do too much too fast, you could end up hurting yourself-- maybe even permanently. You have to take care of yourself too, even if you take care of others. Or, at least, let other people take care of your too.
[Says the girl who doesn't listen to that advice very well either buT LISTEN... LISTEN. It's fine.]
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I... I understand! Yuri-san, I promise to try to do my best to look out for myself when I can, from now on. I... I will seek help when I feel that I must! [He remembers how powerless he felt back then, and how he never wants to repeat that.]
And you will remember to do the same as well, right, Yuri-san?
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She glances away, deciding on a more roundabout answer instead.] I don't really have anyone to take care of me, so... It'd be a little much to put that on strangers.
[Instantly Yuri has a feeling she's going to regret going with that answer.]
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[He is quickly being overwhelmed with emotion by her answer, and his hold on her grows even tighter.]
You are a very strong person, but I am still so worried for you!! Please, allow me to try to take care of you! There - there is no burden I would refuse!
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She honestly was at a loss as to how to handle this burst of caring.] You don't-- That is, it's really not... I mean, I can't stop you from caring, but... I don't know how to respond to these things.
[Which isn't a no, so desperately she tries to find a change of subject and ends up responding in a weak voice:] My apartment's coming up soon, isn't it?
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Er, ah, you can respond by- [Even Lee seems confused by how to respond until the subject change, which allows him to shift his focus.]
You are right!! In fact, I believe that much be the correct building, up ahead!
[But he does not slow down as he nears it. Rather, he keeps holding onto her and... he starts running up the wall of the building.]
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...Or so she thinks, until a new crisis takes its place.] Hey, shouldn't you be-- ["slowing down"!? She yelps in surprise and clings on tightly, briefly wondering why anything he does shocks her by this point. It's probably a good thing she's not so emotionally drained that she can't feel surprise, but the numbness might be better for her health short-term.
She looks over his shoulder below them (and gets rather dizzy for her efforts), then back up the way they're running] H... How...?
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He laughs boldly as he runs up the wall.]
Ah, this is just a simple application of chakra! It allows me to walk on a number of surfaces. It is a chakra-based skill that is so basic that even I have been able to learn it!
Hm... Your apartment number was...
[He zips towards her particular window.]
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...'Even I have been able to learn it'? That implied a lot more than Yuri was able to process right now.]
Uh, I think my window's unlocked, but-- [PLEASE DON'T KICK HER WINDOW IN OR SOMETHING.]
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[He comes to a halt right beside her window while looking down at her, because of her 'but'. And he looks at her sharply to try to figure out the problem.]
Yes? What is wrong, Yuri-san?
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[she's going to get whiplash from this.]
Uh-- I thought... No, nevermind. It's alright. [She twists a little in his grip to lean to her window to try and pull it open from the outside. It takes a bit of maneuvering, but eventually she gets it open with a sigh of relief.] I wasn't sure what we'd do if I'd locked it.
[Time to get inside and on solid ground again, her legs kinda feel like jelly even if she wasn't the one doing the running around.]
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[He smiles with a nervous laugh.]
Please do not worry! As a ninja, I am sure that I would have found a way. But now... the important thing is that you are safe, Yuri-san.
[His smile grows warmer as he moves to help Yuri through the window and onto his feet. The danger is gone for now...]
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