//EVENT027.EXE

[reparator]

Who: Bachelors/Bachelorettes #1-60 and you!
When: IC: 6/7 ; OOC: 3/15
Where: CERES' new Dating Experience
What: There's no way to get to know each other quite like going on a date.
Rating/Warning: PG-13 for Questionable Situations and a healthy dose of violence. Please let the mods know if the rating needs to go up, or the log needs to be locked!

---

//event027.EXE

Love is in the air in Cerealia -- or, well, it is in ViViD anyway. And nobody cares about your lives outside of ViViD, so that's all that matters. It's an artificial love construct, but for you sad, lonely, little people, it's probably good enough, right? CERES is on a mission to find you your other half, your soulmate, your one and only, and this is how they've decided to do it -- through technology and abuse of your private information! Welcome to your new love life, courtesy of ViViD. For your convenience, CERES has automatically generated dating profiles to help match up the new arrivals swiftly and speed up the "get to know each other" process. Nothing like some not-entirely-agreed-to speed dating to break the ice and improve new relations! You're going to be here for awhile, so you may as well get to know each other. For the older residents, well... you may very well find your soulmate here! You don't want to miss out on that. That would just be an unfixable tragedy. So here, use the handy-dandy profiles and find your new honey. After all, the information on these profiles is 100% accurate, certified and verified by Mosley himself. Why would you ever doubt that? I've never actually been on a date before. Not that there haven't been offers but I'm just too busy a guy! I think to myself, "Mosley, me, guy who's talking to himself, why won't you go on a date with that nice lady who just asked you out?" And I reply, "Oh, you gorgeous bastard, I'm satisfied with my life as it is already! I don't need love." After all, what is love? Baby, don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. No more.

//SCENARIOS.EXE

PHASE I [ 600 ] Gooooood morning, new ViViD compatriots and gamers! You’re not going to get a lot of time to adjust and recover from your sudden retrieval from destroyed and sad code, really, because as soon as you arrive, fresh and new to Cerealia, you’ll be faced with a profile. Oh, look, it’s your face! And… a quote attributed to you? And your favorite object? Hopefully those details are correct, because there’s no going back now. You’ve become an otome love interest. For those who aren’t brand new to ViViD, you’ll be presented the exact same profiles -- but you’ll have to pick one. You know how this works, pick the love interest you want to romance and sweep them off their feet. Better pick the right route too because, haha! You wouldn't want to end up naked and alone in a basement again! That would be crazy. Just pick some rando hottie instead, it's no big. Or, well, that’s what they say. But then you’re dumped into a ballroom, dressed up to the nines in finery, and surrounded by other milling NPCs. You're given a moment to process the whole situation before a genteel-looking older man who seems to be running this party steps up to the microphone. Gently, he clears his throat, and welcomes everyone to the party ("Haven't been to a party this fine since I had all my teeth!"), and then he gestures to a pile of weapons in the middle of the room and finishes cheerfully, “Anyway, whoever survives can leave this room -- enjoy!” It looks like the NPCs aren’t messing around; they’re immediately diving for the weapons, so you might want to get a move on. Welcome to the Cerealia Dating Hunger Games. PHASE II [ 1000 ] When you burst out of the ball room, possibly covered in the blood of your enemies (your poor dress/suit!), you’ll find yourself in what looks to be a sprawling jungle. In reality, it’s a circular arena, and if you travel far enough, you can reach the walls, though they’re electrified with no way out. If you try to get past them, you’re going to fry yourself before you accomplish anything else! Where's the fun in that? The bigger problem is this: there are some unfortunate monsters on the prowl (don't they... look a little familiar?) in the jungle, and they are ready and willing to eat up anyone who crosses their paths. They’re drawn to the scent of blood -- and, even more so, the scent of people in love. So hey, if you're in love right now, it might be a good time to run. Otherwise, you're the top target and about to be hunted. Have fun out there, lovebirds! Meanwhile, the NPCs (or even your fellow player characters?!) are out for blood themselves, so nowhere is truly safe. Was that... was that a scream for help, or someone coming to get you? PHASE III [ 1145 ] At some point, you’re going to need supplies. It starts to feel like you’ve been in here for days without any food or water (but that’s weird, wasn’t this ViViD session supposed to be just a few hours -- ) and you’re starting to feel the effects. So, time to get in touch with your inner man vs wild. There are animals to hunt (deer, rabbit, etc.) and if you can fashion a spear or use a weapon you scooped up in the chaos, you can kill them for food. Alternatively, you can just try stealing some supplies from your fellow players. That's probably a saner option. Which leaves you sneaking up onto their camp, full of sneakiness, and more sneakiness, and a little bit of stealth, you reach out and... Suddenly, there are lights on you! Cameras! Cheering, adoring crowds! There's a narrator narrating every step you're taking (loudly) and there are fans hanging on your every move -- Oh, did that wake up the other player and/or bring monsters roaring down upon you? Whoops. The perils of spectator sports like the Cerealia Hunger Games, really. PHASE IV [ 1400 ] You did it. Someone came at you, and you killed them. Their blood is on your hands, but it’s fine -- it’s just a program in a game. Right? Except when you look again, it’s someone you know. The corpse of a person who’s very important to you in so many ways is lying there on the ground, blood still warm but clearly dead. They’re solid to the touch. They’re there, and they look just like that person you care about so very much. Your heart hurts. And you’re the one who killed them. Then, without warning, it starts to rain because ViViD is nothing if not good at sensing the mood. PENALTY [ why o'clock ] So. You died. This isn't really that surprising, considering it's the Cerealia Dating Hunger Games. People die a lot in games like these. It's the price of love. Don't worry, though! It's just ViViD, so it's not like you really died. You'll get reconstructed, good as new, and they'll toss you right back onto the battlefield. Except, well... it seems like something's a little different. For one thing, you've got claws instead of hands. You can't seem to speak, either; all you can manage is garbled growls and sharp noises. And, worst of all... you're really, very intensely hungry, and you can smell blood (or people in love, that's an even better scent). So yeah, you're one of the monsters now. Don't worry, it only happens the first time you die in this game; if someone valiantly slays you again, you'll come back good as new, a normal person in the Games. What a weird glitch. There's no way that's on purpose or anything, right? No way! [ 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 March intro log! For your convenience, we have compiled the characters' arrival experience here, and should you have any questions, feel free to ask them here! You can also check the FAQ for more general inquiries. Should this event log hit Captcha, there is an all-purpose overflow here. Thank you!

Comments

QUESTIONS

[reparator]

[chordplay]

can one attempt to date mosley in this

[iseaghosts]

PHASE I
[ Sirena is actually amused with her profile. It's inaccurate of course, but that doesn't seem to bother her at all.

And the ball gown? It completely hides her fin, so she looks more like a ghost rather than a ghost mermaid. Of course, there's a slight translucent aura about her, and did you just see the person behind her through her head? Just a little bit, but heer arms are extra see-through.

And when a weapon is swung at her it... goes right through her. ]

Ooh, that tickles!

PHASE II
[ Luckily(??), Sirena is not in love at the moment. And lo and behold, she's approaching one of the monsters ]

Ooh, you've got nice legs. I don't have any at all, and you have so many! Fangtastic!

[ She might think that the human hanging off it is part of it too, and not a corpse or whatever it is. ]

Phase I

[niceguypose]

[Rock Lee, dressed in some snazzy green suit, gasps as he sees an axe go right through the girl. He... he really just has no idea what is happening here.]

No!! Miss...! [Then he blinks some more, surprised even more that she seems to be alright.] Y-you... you are alright?!

[braidedwonder]

• PHASE #1 -
Well if this wasn’t the most awkward thing he’d been dumped in the middle of… Duo takes a moment to case the place as best he can, in his confusion, trying to take stock of the room he was in, who might be there. This place is strange and he’s keenly aware, right away, that he had never in his life seen this place before. He’d been about to look up and try to think of some way to scale a wall and get the hell out of whatever weird, twisted thing he might be in the middle of, but then –

The profile. “I AM NOT THIRTY YEARS OLD!!!!”

Hey, he knew that he didn’t have an official birthday, or anything, but this is just insulting! Welcome to the world of the most baby-faced thirty year old the world has ever known, skinny little Duo Maxwell tugging at his fancy collar and cussing at anything that he can possibly think to curse about. Fancy shindigs? Not exactly this kid’s style. That much is pretty easy to spot out, considering hos he shifts and fidgets in his suit, too busy looking up, around, and at people as they pass. He’d better be ready to get the hell out of here, stat, or even to find a good place to hide from all the pomp and circumstance - especially once he finds the flowers in his hair, and almost feels his eyebrow fly off of his face and take flight in space.

The old guy kind of reminds him of Pagan in an odd way – but just before he had time to think Mosley might be as civilized, there’s a gesture to weapons, and the offer to leave if he survives –

And so he’s diving for the largest automatic rifle he can get his hands on, immediately bolting for the best cover he’s managed to spot out so far. Eyes on the prize, everyone – Mr. Maxwell intends to make it outside!

• PHASE #2 -
“Ow!” Duo shakes his hand, face a grimace as he looks up at the electrified walls. Well, there went one escape plan. He wipes his brow with his jacket – in the next second having enough of it and throwing down the large rifle long enough to yank the suit jacket off and throw it to the grassy floor, recovering the rifle and checking how much ammunition he had left. Enough to get through, if he was careful. (IE – didn’t pull a Trowa)

A sound of rustling nearby sends Duo diving for the nearest large bush – burying himself inside of it as best as he could, watching very intently the jungle around him. At least until he spots out a monster, and then all he can do is stare, breathing as quietly as humanly possible, and yes, he’s gentlemanly enough to mouth ‘fuck’ instead of scream it - but, oh, that lovely gaping mouthed thing is moving toward him and –

Screw this, he’s out. Duo bolts, hair trailing behind him, the rifle in one hand, and a pistol in the other, calling ahead to anyone who might be in the path.

“Get outta the way or I’ll take you out myself!”

• FREE SPACE
If you want to do another prompt that I didn’t supply a starter for/another situation I didn’t really mention, feel free!

2

[sayonaradumbass]

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

What was that about gentlemen? None can be found here, so try again later. Kaneda had actually been in the middle of digging out a nice ol' hole to get beneath the electric fence when Duo ruins everything for him.

Which is all well and good because these duds have seen better days and the hole isn't getting any bigger.

"EAT A DICK, YOU'RE NOT GONNA TAKE ANYONE OUT LIKE THAT!"

But he still darts after Duo, having been spotted, an ax in his hands.

[whiteris]

phase 1

[Ah yes, before Cloche even gets a moment to figure out what's happening around her yells loudly.]

How dare they! My profile is entirely incorrect! Besides, my favorite item isn't a knock off bag-- it's Gergo and Pippen! Clearly, they've failed to understand how important they are in the grand scheme of things.

[Somehow that part of the profile offends her the most out of everything listed. Sure, she's no expert on dating or otomes but they've made it obvious that she needs to do something. As much as she'd like to stand around and throw a tantrum Cloche's got to get to work. She'll pester someone nearby with a stern yet frazzled expression.]

Hey you! Do you have a weapon and can you fight?

[She wants some allies close by. Croix isn't around and neither is Luca. Working alone wouldn't suit her either. ]

phase 2

[The sounds of screaming worry Cloche so much. She can't even imagine what would cause someone or something to make that sort of shrieking noise. Carefully she turns around and inspects the area to make sure she isn't going crazy.]

Did any of you hear that?

[A cold sweat drops down Cloche's side. Staying here terrifies her and it reminds her of being in a horror setting. The blonde haired girl hates things with gore and blood in general. What did she do to deserve this fate? Cloche just missed her old life back at home. It wasn't perfect, but it sure beats whatever this place had in store for her.]

I'd better get going now...!

[She runs in a hurry and possibly crashes into whoever is standing nearby. Sorry 'bout that.]

wild card
[ You're welcome to write your own prompts for this!]

PHASE 1.

[faceplate]

[ combat, even in the fake (???) world of vivid, is interesting. zero is hefting a blade they've picked up, and called to, they tilt their head curiously. yeah, they've got a weapon (and they hold it up for perusal). what is it? ]

cw: blood, gore, etc.

[saudadist]

[ PHASE I - Nyuu ]

[ Nyuu actually isn't sure what to make of the situation she's landed herself in. That's certainly a hell of a profile she's got there, but what in the world is it for? The last thing she recalls from before waking up to...whatever this is, was being in pain. And further back than that, being at the Maple House when-

She staggers as a dart of pain lances through her skull, and her whimper drowns out what the man at the microphone is saying. However, she certainly catches the bit about "whoever survives." Her eyes widen as she looks from person to person. ]

That...that must be a joke, right? [ Ohhhh dear, she's not liking the look of the crowd around her. Another fight? Her voice comes out as more of a squeak than she means it to. ] Right?

[ Shame she doesn't even have time to enjoy her dress. ]


[ PHASE II - Lucy ]

[ Of all the terrible things to wake up to. She's woken up in some absolutely abysmal situations before, but this? Well...this is by far the weirdest and the most unpleasant. Once more, Nyuu's gone and landed herself in a heap of trouble the likes of which Lucy has to get her, and herself in the process, out of. Absolutely wonderful.

Her dress is already spattered in blood, but from who, she's not been paying attention enough to know. It tends to happen. She's more concerned with making it outside, but once she does break through the doors, she's not expecting what looks like a jungle to greet her. Unexpected, yes, but she's not one to question a good place to hide. Immediately her vectors launch her up into one of the trees, and she peers down at the brush far below, absolutely befuddled. ]

Not Kamakura...definitely.

[ Definitely not with those monsters she can see skulking through the brush either. Her mouth screws up a bit in distaste as she gets a better look at one. Utterly disgusting.

There's a commotion below, and she spots another, well, "contestant" seems about the only proper word, running away from one of those rather gross animals. She watches for a moment, but the next instant, two of her vectors fly out to the creature's throat and twist its head clean off. The body topples over, and as it hits the ground, she jumps from the tree to the ground below. She gives the other person an inquiring glance, half expecting them to keep running, and studies the monster instead. Yep, every bit as repulsive up close as far away. ]

Don't thrash around so much when you run. It can probably smell fear. [ She's not sure if she's even heard, but it doesn't hurt to say it either. ]


[ ooc: For Phase I, even though Nyuu is the personality at the reins for the time being, she'll immediately revert to Lucy if she gets hurt or if the situation calls for it. ]

Phase I

[niceguypose]

[Rock Lee is garbed in a green suit, and he quickly takes up a fighting stance to protect the one year old girl.]

Please do not worry, Miss! Whatever is happening, I will put my all into protecting you!!

[hux]

PHASE I.
[ Hux is pretty certain he's got this covered. He knows exactly how formal functions work and the etiquette that comes to be expected of such things. He's already dressed to the nines in his parade uniform, gabewool greatcoat draped over his shoulders like it belongs there. If a silly profile was the worst this could do then Hux could stomach it. Besides; what on Hoth was Abortabortabortabort all about?

The older gentleman's announcement gets Hux's attention. It's a bizarre comment about a fine party and teeth but the General doesn't have much time to dwell on it. Suddenly there's a pile of weapons in the middle of the room and some very pointed comment about people not leaving the room alive. Hux knows a problem when he sees one and he certainly won't be hanging around to find out what the answer is. Instead he'll be running (surprisingly quickly and with some agility) towards the weaponry, gaze focused on what looked like a standard pistol as he scoops it up and pulls it on the nearest person.]

"I wouldn't suggest moving if I were you."

PHASE II.
[ Covered is the right word for it, though this time it isn't the situation that's covered but Hux himself. There are patches or crimson here and there across his outfit and coat, the blood of who knew what slowly seeping in to the material without preamble. That had been a fight and a half, a total shootout and Hux can only thank his own simulation training that he'd been able to get out of there in one piece.

He's managed to keep hold of the weapon for now, noting just how archaic it is compared to the officer's blaster left back in his own quarters. It'll come in useful. Hux opts for the exploration of his surroundings, baffled by the sudden jungle but not stumped. At some point he catches a glimpse of some (familiar) monster and Hux makes sure to be going in the opposite direction, taking note of the long limbs that could be shot at should the thing need rendering immobile.

A nearby crack of twigs causes the General of the First Order to pause, the ginger slowly turning to see if he can see who or what is nearby. His finger is already on the trigger, ready to shoot if need be, though if it's a person that comes into sight and not a monster then he'll at least pause. People can at least give information before they die.]

"I can hear you, come on out."

PENALTY.
[ When Hux wakes up, things at first seem okay if not a bit sluggish. It takes longer to get back to his feet than planned, balance completely off kilter for a hot moment before he finds his center of gravity again. And then -

Oh.

Hoth dammit. This was the most ridiculous thing! Hux can tell what's going on in a heartbeat, knows just what kind of game is being played. Well, if he can't win then he'll make sure no-one else can and he sets off on what he hopes is someone's trail, a strange monster with an even stranger hat on it's head.]

i!

[geophile]

[ if it's dressing to the nines, steven can do that. he knows how to work a suit well, considering it's his everyday attire. killing games, on the other hand, are sufficiently not his forte. when presented with the profiles, he had picked someone at random in the hopes that he'd be able to speak with them in a civil manner about where they'd found themselves.

evidently, that isn't going to be the case.

upon seeing the stack of weapons, he knows that this isn't going to be a peaceful ViViD session. he won't be making a beeline for them, though - instead, he's reaching to his belt for a poké ball. if this was going to be dangerous, he'd have to bring out his strongest partner. ]

Metagross.

[ a large, robotic-looking creature emerges from the capsule, phasing from a burst of energy into its solid form. it stands beside him firmly, posed to protect its trainer from whoever would dare to threaten him. not about to kill anyone anytime soon, he's ready to hop onto its back to make a getaway from the scene, but he's unfortunately stopped by another man pointing a gun at him.

he sighs, calm and careful. ]

There's hardly any need for that. We mean you no harm.

[ but if hux decides that he's not going to trust this man, he'll find some difficulty shooting his gun. having a partner that has strong telekinesis and magnetic properties certainly puts steven at an advantage. ]

[jetburst]

[ PHASE I : THERE WILL BE BLOOD-SHED / POOR LIFE DECISIONS ]

[ So. This happened.

Clearly ViViD had no idea what to do about Sam's exosuit, so here's the guy in his usual outfit with a little bow tie around his neck, complete with dog companion— also decked out in a cute little bow tie. How cute, they match.

When everyone starts rushing for the weapons, Sam blinks. Laughs, even. He's weaponless (that's what he gets for dying, the fool), but he doesn't look all too concerned as he turns towards his robot canine companion, who braces the blade attachments on his legs and gets into fighting position. ]

23, huh. [ focus, Sam... ] What do you make of this, Wolfy?

Sam. I am unable to assess the nature of our current standing. However, the environment is proving to be... hostile. [ Wolf swishes its tail once, rounds on the nearest person... which is probably you, you poor soul. ] Shall I engage?

[ Another laugh, and Sam rubs his chin with one hand before turning his palms up, also pivoting on his heels to face whoever Wolf has decided to half-antagonize. ]

Some first date this is turning out to be. [ OKAY BUT THAT'S NOT A NO... At least Sam looks open to conversation?! Feel free to also engage Wolf, if you'd like!!]


[ PHASE II : ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND GAMES ]

[ Okay, he knows why he gave his sword away, but Sam is starting to really miss his goddamn katana.

Which is to say that he's not all too happy about the fact that he's letting Wolf take on the brunt of these monsters, even if Wolf is pretty damn good at clearing the path for him; it's the principle of the thing, don't you know.

Thank god he's not in love right now, or maybe not bloody enough. One monster lurches for him, and then immediately changes its mind to swerve towards someone else... which is you, incidentally. Whoops.

Depending on how good this random person is at fighting, Sam will just hang back and watch... which is rude... or, if it's getting to the point where it looks like this person needs some help, he'll finally step forward. ]

You don't happen to have a spare sword on you, do you? [ Breezily. ]


[ WILDCARD ]

[ Feel free to hit me up with whatever, choose a scenario and let's roll with it! ]

phase i

[chordplay]

[ actual otome love interest Klavier looks at Sam with a wary smile and a raised eyebrow. He's been here long enough to know that ViViD does some weird and strange things, but now here he is. On a date. With a handsome gentleman. ]

Your accent... South American, perhaps?

[ You can't blame him for not trying. ]

[meowbel]

Phase I

[There were many things that Mabel could handle. Jumping off cliffs? No problem. Having your mind switched with your twin bro bro? Totally nothing! Being chased by an evil demonic triangle? As if! She had it all covered! But this? Well, let’s just say that being a love interest in a strange new environment didn’t seem all that bad at first! Seems a lot better than having to deal with eating those horrible rose petals!

Sure, she was a little annoyed knowing that they thought she was 2 but hey! They just couldn’t handle that awesome side of her!

At least she has Waddles with her this time. Not that she can really complain when she was out to be a love interesting! How awesome was that? But the moment that she heard what that old man just said?]

Wait...what? [So eloquent!]

Phase II

[And yet by some miracle that Mabel (and Waddles!) managed to get out of that crazy ballroom (seriously, what was wrong with these people?!), all she could think about was just getting out of this place and fast! But alas, it just wasn’t meant to be. The further she walked into the forest, all she could do was just scream in horror from all these monsters running around!

Using her grappling hook, she quickly picked up her fellow pig before making her way straight up a tree! And probably throwing a bunch of sticks at said monster too!]

Go away! I thought I told you that you should get better tasting rose petals! Not my fault if you didn’t like that!

WILDCARD

Throw me whatever!

PHASE ONE!!!!!

[cryptologic]

[ Ohh joy, these just keep getting better, don't they?

Dipper's been through this song and dance enough times to know what it means. New arrivals are showing up today, everyone's going to be pulled into VIVID, it'll start out harmless enough and then progressively get worst and worst as the session goes on until they're mercifully allowed to log out. Things will go back to the way they were before, only the city will be a little more crowded.

At this point, he's not even really looking for anyone he knows. It's just like he told Chara. He's just not that lucky.

He has enough to keep himself preoccupied, anyway. An uncomfortable tuxedo, for one. The expectation that he should be wooing someone for another. And finally, there's that old man, announcing that this is, apparently, a battle royale.

Of course it is.

Despite his general apathy, he starts to book it towards a table to duck under. Even if it doesn't really count inside VIVID, he'd rather just stay away from any iteration of dying for awhile. He's too distracted sizing up his surroundings to pay attention to what's right in front of him - which is why he runs straight into someone, full kilter, and falls backwards unceremoniously. ]

[werewolfing]

phase I

[peter's profile could be worse. somehow. it could have a picture of him more obviously changing into a werewolf on it, that'd be worse. there are cheesier one-liners in the universe, and rainbow trout are acceptable, as trout go.

things that are not acceptable include a) this fancy penguin-suit bullshit and b) that pile of weapons. but everyone else is running that way, so peter does too. he comes out with...a sickle? and a spear? this is not going to be awesome. this is not going to be awesome at all.]

phase II

[out of the frying pan and into the jungle. great. peter's problem isn't really being coated in blood, it's being coated in blood while being pursued by a monster whose tongue is probably longer than peter is tall. that's just gross. he stops, turns, and throws the spear at it, and actually gets a pretty solid hit. for his trouble, this leads to...a monster with a spear sticking out of it.

great. this is what he gets for being covered in love and possibly entrails. it wouldn't be the first time.

but out of the corner of his eye he spies movement that's definitely not monstrous. or at least not the particular kind of monstrous he's worried about right now.]

Hey! A little help here?

wildcard

[choose your own adventure!]

II

[mermaiding]

[Oona isn't one to really stop and help people, especially not ones that seem human on first glance. She'd rather sit back and watch him struggle with this, but Oona doesn't want the monster to turn on her next, so it's in her best interests right now to help him.

That's the reasoning she thinks up anyhow, should anyone bother to ask her.

Luckily (??) for all involved, Oona got her hands on a pistol.]

Yes, yes, do not shout so! Want to wake entire jungle? Eh... Forest? [What's the difference here? WELL NO TIME TO PONDER. She takes aim and fires a couple shots, but only one hits and sets the monster stumbling back.] Aahhh, aiming is hard...

[She sighs and then looks to Peter, eyebrows raised] Well? We are running, yes? It will get back up, eh... probably.

[extremelycute]

[ Enemy Attack(?)! — Phase Ii ]

[What's that? Your character is in no danger whatsoever? There's no one around and they've just sat down to take a break from all the madness? That's when she appears—the dashing Ms. Matsuoka! She seems to be whistling and beatboxing a strange song as she leaps out of the bushes near someone and whenever she's not talking.]

Don't worry—I'll handle this one!

[And then she takes her tonfa (who gave this kid weapons) and starts moving in place, like she's about to fight but isn't willing to take a step at all. That's when it happens—a monster pops out. It's gross, and it looks in Miu's direction...before another couple springs out of the bushes in surprise and start running. The monster chases after them instead. At that point, Miu's song changes as she strikes a pose.]

That was a close one, but I definitely leveled up that time. I'm really feeling it!

[And now she turns back to your character after basically doing absolutely nothing.]

Hey. Are you gonna thank me or what? I'm waiting, you know.

[ The Splendid Performance — Phase Iii ]

[Sneakiness is great. Sneakiness means she can steal food, because she's tired of hiding in trees and getting stuck in holes and being chased by monsters that she's clearly not at a high enough level to defeat. Seriously, where's Nobue or Satake when you need them most?

Unfortunately, Miu has wandered close to your character's food source. And then it happens. Lights, camera, action. Instead of panicking, Miu does the only thing someone can do at a time like this. She starts waving, even does a twirl.]

'Sup everyone! It's everyone's favorite, the ever so lovely Miu again~! Please keep rooting for me, okay? Ah, ah, say it with me! Stronger, stronger, fiercer, fiercer~!

[The audience starts cheering with her.

Right in front of someone she's supposed to be stealing food from. And there are probably monsters nearby, too, but the fans, who will think of them.

Please save her.]

i.

[outcast]

[ well, something certainly happened, but she's not sure what. merrill watches as the entire thing unfolds, unsure if this is some kind of monster theater. she can't help but think how exciting that would be. ]

Why, thank you so much. [ um. ] Ah, what am I thanking you for, again? Do you need some help, da'len?

[sunbaths]

Phase I: Let There Be Strippers

(This actually isn't the worst thing he's ever had to put up with. The profile he was given is all kinds of hilarious. Something he snickers over for at least a solid minute before admitting that it wasn't totally wrong. The suit he's put into is pretty nice too. It's well tailored to his body and black with some regal golden trim. It's all pretty tolerable. He even meanders about talking to just about anyone pretty willingly.

But then, you know, the weapons come out and when someone loses their arm right in front of Will and he gets a face full of blood splatter he realizes this isn't a game.

Naturally he dives for the bow and arrows and is on his feet seconds later. Will is far, far from a killer though. The arrows are purely for absolute self-defense.

Otherwise? For those who he sees actively attacking other people just to attack people, Will whistles sharp and loud and it leaves said people clutching at their ears, dropping weapons. He's not one to kill and really not one to hurt others if he can help it. So if you're any of those douche canoes trying to battle it up, you'll get a wonderful sensation of your ears being pierced by that shrill.

If you're a victim, however, you'll get the luxury of Will bouncing out and either whistling at your attacker or at the very least slamming into them and taking them down the old fashioned way. Moment they're away, Will is offering his hands out to anyone whose fallen or gotten hurt with a smile and a simple:)

It's okay. You all right?

(Totally ignoring any weapons sailing over his head. In all fairness......He's internally freaking out.)

Phase II: Down & Out

(Thankfully Will is only partly covered in blood. It's mostly on his face. His suit is in pretty good condition by the time he leaves the room but then he's five seconds into a jungle and he doesn't care anymore. He abandons the jacket and is left in a white dress shirt complete with golden tie. He rolls the sleeves up and untucks the shirt. Humidity is a bitch.

He arranges his arrows over against his back and keeps his bow in hand before sprinting off into the forest at a healthy pace. He leaps effortlessly over any fallen obstructions such as logs, dead monsters, you know- the usual. It's as he's taking a sudden sharp turn that he comes face to face with a monster.

Will sucks in a breath and remembers his training. He draws an arrow, knocking it against his bow and pulls his arm back. Steady, there.

He might not be the best shot in his house but he's still a son of Apollo which means a couple seconds later, he nails the monster square between the eyes and the thing's falling to the ground in a writhing heap.

And for anyone who might be having monster troubles of their own? You might find yourself with a monster pegged with an arrow because Will isn't the type to turn a blind eye to those in need.)

Free Ranging Option

Pick your own adventure or make something up!

Phase II

[mysophobic]

[ Shigeru is just so done with this place. If it's not a garbage dump it's a dirty forest and he totally can't handle this every time new people arrive?! What is his life. So here he is fighting through monsters with his sword and shield. He's practically surrounded when an arrow darts by and embeds itself into the creature's head. He'll turn briefly to to wave his sword back at the other in a silent gesture of thanks. ]

[drinkscola]

phase I//

[ staring at his profile fills marco with a sense of forboding; it was all wrong, all wrong. who said he had wanted to date, anyway? this hadn't been anything he signed up for, kidnapping included. alas, first things first to address and hopefully rectify. he turns to the person nearest to him, pointing a tentative finger at himself. ]

Hey, uh. I don't know if you saw, but...

[ please don't remind him of how godawful his profile picture had been. surely they could've snapped a more flattering image. ]

That definitely wasn't my quote, I'd say. And my favorite object isn't empty boxes... [ it's coke, get it right. he's much more suave than that. and please forgive his priorities; the toothless old man has yet to announce the survival objective of murdering everyone. ] I'm hoping it's the same for you, huh.

phase II//

[ holy crap holy crap, fortunately marco's keen sense of self-preservation had him booking it from the ballroom within seconds. it didn't take a genius to figure out that crazy shit was about to go down. once outside, though, he's faced with more alarming monsters than his fellow arrivals. can he dodge one? he doesn't know; he's not built this. tackle one, sure, but. you know, that sure isn't a football player.

he raises his right hand, glass bottle at the ready. ]

Kaa-!

[ and there it soars! yes, his best defense is lobbing a half-empty coke at it (perhaps a weapon he picked up from the knock-off cornucopia, of all things). thanks(?) to his quarterback skills, it hits, shatters. and succeeds at making the monster angrier, a new determination in its step as it advances. ]

[ someone please save this damsel in distress ]

ii!!!

[hoasen]

[Oh, these look familiar.

Nice try though, it got angry but he does have a really glorious throw?

She would compliment that if she didn't have to help him.]

Over here! [Run towards her first!]

ota.

[pickoffs]

» phase i.

Wait that's the picture you pick?! [ His face isn't much different at the moment, but he's kind of offended by this. Still, he's reading the rest of it: ] ...hahaha, wrapping paper? Really? [ Of all things. The rest of his profile is so completely off it's just funny, but he doesn't think he's used wrapping paper in years. More than the profile, though, the tuxedo is what he's stuck on. It's weird. Sure, it fits, but there's still something constricting about a bowtie, okay. Turning his head over his shoulder to see if he has tails on this jacket (yes) is about all he has time for before - ] What?!

[ If you survive? What the hell kinda party is this?! (He's been asked if he wants to die a couple times in his life, but not for real. Probably.) In the end, he's definitely not cut out for hunger games, dating or otherwise, so the pile of weapons is getting ignored for the door, which, yes, he's pushing his way between people to get. ] 'scuse me-- [ Did he just knock you over? Sorry. ]

» phase ii.

[ Where he'd picked up the - spear? it's long and there's a pointy bit at the end, anyway, and that's all he needs to know - is anyone's guess. Well, besides his, but the answer is 'tripped over it after some guy dropped it in his, what, search to scale the electrified walls, or whatever, he's not sure, but it's his now'. Not that it's doing him a lot of good, besides something to hold onto - he's settled down enough he's not jumping at shadows, but this shit is at best creepy.

And right now he's not at his best, if the deer-in-headlights expression that lights up behind his glasses when there's a gurgling sort of growl some distance away is any indication. ] Oh, shit...

[ Not loud, because that's asking to be messily murdered, and then he's trying to sneak away. 'Trying' being the operative word, because there's enough blood on the back of his pants from an unfortunate earlier trip-and-fall over a body that his complete lack of understanding of the concept of 'downwind' has just screwed him over. Big time. If you weren't on your guard before, there's now a teenage boy with a giant pointy weapon crashing between trees, and from the sounds behind him, he's not by himself. ] Unless you're planning on being dinner, I'd move!

» wilcard

[ Hit me with anything! He'll mostly be resisting the urge to scream like a little girl and trying not to get killed. ]

ii!!!

[hoasen]

[It was a nice and lovely walk, in a killer jungle that could end in death (and even that should be fine, she'd just be ejected out...right?)

But the silence was soon replaced with a rumble, and someone with a spear comes barreling out between the trees.]

Ah? [She didn't really know what he was talking about yet until she sees what wanted dinner.

And then she starts to run with him. Wait a minute he has a spear with him--] Am I allowed to I borrow that?

[friendshipcrest]

PHASE I
[Well, this is fun. Yamato barely has a chance to look at his profile -- or what it's for, along with the weird fancy suit he's been shoved into -- when the furry lizard-like creature pipes up beside him.]

Wow, Yamato! I didn't know you were 69!

G-Gabumon?! Don't say stupid things! Of course I'm not!

[Gabumon laughs in response. But before the unusual pair can joke any further, there's the announcement. Instantly the mood changes. He doesn't know what's going on, but if this is something like the Digital World, and people are being asked to take weapons... Things could get dangerous, very fast. Uneasy, Yamato looks around.]

No one's actually going to listen to them and fight... are they?

PHASE III
[Being here isn't so different from the Digital World. Yamato survived with Gabumon on his own more than once, and he can do it again. Monsters trying to kill them is business as usual, but these monsters are much more aggressive and less intelligent than most Digimon. And people being made to fight each other too... So far he's spent most of the time running away, not wanting Gabumon to be mistaken for another monster and hurt. Likewise, he didn't want Gabumon to have to hurt anyone to protect Yamato. So he hid away, letting him pick and choose what to intervene in. Maybe he could even stop people getting hurt this way.

Eventually, others in the area begin to tire and fall asleep for the night (?). Since Yamato doesn't want to fight, he figures it might be a good opportunity to try and talk some sense into people and make truces. So he creeps up to the first person he finds sleeping, intending to shake them to gently wake up--

At which point the lights and cheering audience blare out, inevitably waking the other person up with Yamato leaning over them. This has the potential to end in a horrible misunderstanding.]

WILDCARD
[Choose your own murder adventure!]

I

[cresthopes]

[Takeru's been through this once and he knows he'll definitely go through it again! Which was why he wasted no time in trying to find a place to hide! Of course, he didn't want to fight anyone and instead choose to hide under the tables. Looking around, both he and Patamon had to give a sigh.

Out of all the ViViD games he's been this, this was the worst. He didn't want to see people fight and to make it all about dating? Well, didn't that just made things even worse? Still, he wasn't going to spend that much time thinking about it.

He was just hoping to see if there was anyone else who was willing to hide under the table with him until...]

...O-Oniichan...? [That can't be his brother. Can it...?]

[obfuscates]

phase I

[There's nothing remotely true about his so-called dating profile, and really, Fay's not entirely sure what a corgi even is, but that seems to be only a minor problem in the face of the way things are currently going.

At the very least, it seems like he's not alone in his confusion, which will probably be helpful after hearing the announcement the MC makes. This might actually be the worst party ever.]

phase II

[There are a lot of things one gets used to when world-hopping is a fairly regular occurrence. Strange customs, food, clothing-- there is always some new and potentially bizarre experience waiting. Dating games turning into murder games, however, is new and exciting in all the wrong ways.

Fay has made it out of the ballroom, though not without some unfortunate encounters with those that were trying to prevent even that from happening, and while the jungle isn't exactly welcoming, it's at least a more open environment.

Or, "welcoming" in the sense that it's easier to hopefully make quicker escapes, at least. Which is why he's glad to have a moment, however brief, to lean on the broken flagpole (thanks for not going over budget, CERES) that he's been using as a weapon to collect his thoughts.]

So... this is thrilling, isn't it?

phase IV

[It's tempting, very, very tempting, to give in to the grief and heartache that wants to drown him. He's seen his companions grievously injured, he's been responsible for it even, but not like this. The body of a man sprawled out before him looks in every way possible like the real thing. The dark hair is matted with blood, and the normally angry face is slack in death, but...

Fay sucks deep lungfuls of air, exhaling slowly. He's crouched over the body, his own eyes staring at nothing for several long moments, before he sits back on his heels, pulling the hand that was reaching out to touch the body back towards himself.

There's no way, no way that he could have killed him that easily, or that his friend would even let himself die with so little fight in the first place. The rain that's pouring down on them is only the most minor of distractions, and Fay shakes his head slightly. It hurts, but he's can't let himself believe that it's real. He won't.]

wildcard

[If anything else tickles your elmo, come at me.]

fourrr

[manolia]

[Chibi's honestly, thickly weary. He knows it's a simulation, it's just ViViD, but it feels like he has been chased by monsters for days; perhaps he has. Quite a 'first date' that was!]

[But that new face looks distressed over what appears to be a dead body... And so Fay might see a sketchy middle-aged man, all dark in black hat and cloak, standing over him and speaking with a careful voice.]

A skilled illusion, but it is just that. ViViD is nothing if not good at conjuring negative feelings. [He smiles lightly; it is just a game. At least, that's what he has to keep telling himself.] At least, I would not put so much stock in it.

[splashdamage]

phase i.

[ this is ... so undignified.

everything from that insulting profile card ('single pringle'?!) to the starchy, uncomfortable tuxedo he's wearing for some godforsaken reason, to the gaudy ballroom grind horribly on his nerves, and kakyoin expression is the very picture of disapproval as he casts stands up straight.

of note is the fact that he doesn't move from his spot even as everyone around him rushes to grab up a weapon. even as there's the grind of metal and the pad of footsteps as a few of the NPCs turn to face him, kakyoin only sighs tersely, looking tremendously annoyed.

if anyone wants to swoop in and be his savior now would be a great time to look really cool?!

but if anyone with any sort of supernatural or spiritual power hangs back to watch, then might see the tangle of weird, translucent-green noodles burst out from around him, darting forward to trip people up or whip aside any weapons swung his way. ]

phase ii.

[ maybe you're being chased by a monster, or maybe you're fighting it valiantly? but either way, if the fight goes on for a little bit longer, there's suddenly the rustle of leaves overhead, then a blur of movement -- as kakyoin comes dropping out of the sky, landing heavily on the monster's head with the entirety of his weight.

his trajectory suggests he must have swung off one of the taller trees nearby, but it doesn't look like he's got any sort of rope or wire ... ?

either way, he's quick to turn and snap, ]

-- they're resilient, you should run.

wildcard.

[ open to anything else! ]

phase II

[chordplay]

Run?

[ Klavier's holding his own so far with his sword-guitar combo thing but he admit, the constant fighting is wearing on him a little bit. He takes this moment to look at Kakyoin properly now that he's not busy having to deal with a monster. ]

Herr Kirsche, you don't need to worry about me. Are you alright?

[ He bows, very much being the otome prince of this situation. ]

ota, likely cw: gore in threads.

[erythristic]

phase 1.

[there are many, many aspects to this she objects to. there are many things wrong in Grell's opinion of this event. there's much she can't accept, can't begin to process until the ground is solid back under her. the one thing that isn't, however?

bloodshed.

what can she say, it's a good way to vent her frustration, killing people who want to kill her. dagger, mace, sword - she wields her weapons with a grace born of practice and reflex honed after too long spent needing it, not defending but instead dodging at a heartbeat's notice. her dress could have been any color, but it's going to be and stay red for now with the way she's going. magic burns in her blood and whispers the familiar song of end and kill and strike and kill and crush and complete, and Grell is soothed by it. it washes away the initial concerns for the moment. where she goes, blood is, and the sound of bright, sharp laughter.

even like this, she's not blind. those who won't strike out at her find she'll turn her blade away, those who wish to join are always welcome, and those who do seek her end, she's never been good at running away from.

it's all a game, right? so why not try to have some fun.]

phase 2.

[when things calm down enough that an escape is something that breaks into the haze in her mind, she leaves and makes her way into the jungle.

yet, wherever she's going, it seems to be a magnet for trouble. being soaked in blood and being in love (no matter how quiet that fact was kept) do their double duty and keep her as a very attractive charm for the monsters. so the next tactic is that if the ground isn't safe, take to the air. it doesn't hide her scent, but it makes the trailing monsters seem like they're following something they can't exactly see.

until, of course, one of them explodes into flames, or gets flung back violently into another one, or the lady herself might drop down and take the opportunity she sees to strike somewhere vulnerable before leaping back up. all about endurance, she knows, and even when she rests, it's in a tree high up enough that she perches like some bright red bird, waiting for them to give up. despite the predicament, she's not entirely distressed about being treed by the monsters. it's more annoying, curious, and leaves her wondering what exactly this Cerealia is like to dump them off here.

pirates, honestly, were preferable. and that this is happening multiple times - well, a lady must persevere, even if it's difficult. the dying shrieks and growls of the creatures might be alluring, if not an exasperated voice coming from above, going:]

You're really such a persistent lot, aren't you?

wildcard.

[stumbling on your phase 4? post-ViViD meeting? some other option I didn't discuss? throw it at me.]

1.

[outcast]

[ merrill certainly won't be striking or brandishing at grell! she's been here long enough, seen enough ViViDs to distinguish between a cerealian and a construct in ViViD, even if she still doesn't understand the whole virtual reality thing. either way, grell is much too striking (and bloody) to just be your average NPC in ViViD. no, instead she'll join in her slaughter. ]

Do you need a little help? I would be happy to assist!

[roughcut]

[Phase I.]

[For a moment, Kouha is distracted by his profile, grumbling under his breath for a minute about "not a friendless loser", "a grown man, jeez!", etc.

He almost misses the announcement, but he can't miss the sudden surge when everyone runs at the weapons and he nearly gets knocked over.]

--Hey, wait a second! Getting a head start's no fair!

[He doesn't even have his own weapon from home on him right now. Not cool, ViViD. Super not cool!!

Not to be outdone, Kouha jumps into the fray right after that. He might land on your back and try to snap something out of your hands, or just end up kicking someone else who was trying to grab your weapon by mistake and do you an accidental favor. It's hard to aim in a crowd like this, but either way, watch out! He's surprisingly strong and fast for someone his size.]

[Phase III.]

[Kouha managed to walk away from the ballroom with a sword in hand and not much else. It was a fun way to kill an evening, but now that it's over, the real battle begins.

At least, that's what Kouha assumes, until what seems like days go by and he miraculously avoids just about everyone else in the arena by sheer luck. That luck had to run out sometime, though, and it seems to do that just in time for the cameras to pop up. The noise is startling, but he'd be happy to roll his eyes and wave at the crowd if he wasn't hearing the crunching of leaves and branches coming from just behind him.]

Would you all just shut up already!?

[Yelling will totally solve this problem, yeah! Good job, everybody, drinks all around.]

[Phase IV.]

[When the body drops, he unceremoniously yanks his blade back out and shoves them away without flinching. Killing strangers doesn't bother Kouha at all. Clearly, though, something about the red-headed man lying on the ground is more familiar than that. (A family resemblance, maybe?) His transformation from collected to shell-shocked takes only a second, but Kouha looks utterly destroyed just the same.]

That's... That's not funny.

[His voice is cracking, and he's about five seconds from a complete mental breakdown. He's shaking all over, only keeping his balance by shoving his sword into the ground far enough that he can lean his weight on it. Someone might want to be nice and tell him it's not real, before he loses it.]

[Wildcard]

[Choose your own adventure option! Hit me with anything you want.]

phase iv;

[mombastic]

[ Otome's used to the tricks this game can pull, and it's taught her not to trust everything (or mostly anything) she sees. That doesn't mean everyone else will be as lucky, though, and she hesitates when she spots Kouha shaking over an unfamiliar body. ]

... It's also not real, believe me.

[encourageous]

Phase Ia

[Taichi vaguely remembers the other datiing sim experience, and he's still processing everything about the CERES powerpoint when he finds himself dumped into a new one.

You may find yourself faced with, contrary to what his profile states, a grumpy young kid with giant hair and a pair of goggles. And the simulation has given him a fancy little tux, but he looks out of place in it as he seethes.

One minute it's another date, the next minute a bloodbath is announced. Taichi looks around uncertainly for a moment before turning to face his 'date'.]

That can't be serious, right? No way I'm playing a game like that!

Phase Ib

[Or, if someone tries to select Taichi's profile, a glitch may cause someone else to appear instead: a small orange dinosaur. At least the game dressed him up for the occasion.

Agumon tugs at the unfamiliar collar in confusion.]

Um... Is there anything good to eat?

Phase II

[Taichi has somehow made it outside... only to find a chill running up his spine when he sees those monsters from the previous game. He looks at them in shock.]

N-no way... these guys again?!

[One of them is nearby and turns it's sights on Taichi... at least, until, from nowhere-]

Baby Flame!!

[-It's that orange dinosaur, spitting out a flame that wards off the monster. Taichi now has a lot more emotions in his eyes as he looks towards the dinosaur in disbelief. He had just left him in the digital world... but he also knew from the previous simulation that Digimon usually show up here. Still, Taichi's overcome with emotion to see him again.]

...Agumon? [Then he runs towards the digidinosaur to give him a quick hug!] Agumon, it really is you!

Taichi! I didn't expect to see you again so soon... [Agumon gives a sheepish chuckle within the hold.]

[Will you intrude upon this touching reunion? If not, a well-timed Baby Flame could soon be shooting out to protect your own character from a monster. With Agumon on his side, Taichi's finally ready to take the fight to the enemies!]

Phase III

[Taichi and Agumon do have some digital wildnerness survival skills. After all, not only do they need food to survive, but the energy from food helps Agumon to evolve. And Agumon's going to need some more energy if he's going to have to keep on fighting those monsters. At least until that 'logging off' option starts working for them.

They're not exactly hunters, though, so instead they find a camp that seems to have a surplus of supplies. Surely whoever's there won't notice a few packages of food gone missing, right? Somehow, they manage to reach the camp unnoticed... at least at first. Taichi is reaching for one package of food, and Agumon is salivating when-

You know the drill. Lights, cameras and a loud narrator. Taicihi quickly tries to grab the food in a panic.]

Where did all of this come from?! Agumon, we have to get out of here!

[And now what's being drawn towards them... Is it the owner of this camp, more monsters, or both?!]

[Wild Card]

[Hit me up if you have anything alternate in mind! Prompts for after he and Agumon leave the game are fair, too!]

phase ii

[incendire]

[ No, Genos will not intrude on the touching reunion and instead he'll keep watch from a distance and instead gives them as much time as they need as he keeps the other monsters that seem to continually coming at bay. Casually and effectively blasting them and throwing others.

Though...there does come a time where Genos figures that it would be safer if they didn't have to do it right this very second, and so, he'll speak up just as he tosses another monster aside. ]

I do not mean to break up your reunion but I suspect that this location is not idea for such things.

[blueeyesbond]

PHASE I

[That Powerpoint has Mokuba all sorts of worried, but he doesn't have much time to process what's going on before a profile pops up in front of his face. His age is right, although he's not sure what the point of the quote is, and he thinks crocs means crocodiles because actual Crocs haven't been invented in his time yet. Unsure of what else to do, he randomly selects someone to see what happens and is deposited into a ballroom in a nice suit with an unceremonious yelp.

Once he gets to his feet and takes a look around, he notes that, okay, the ballroom and fancy suits are things he's had experience with before... and unfortunately this situation is feeling very familiar too.

Mokuba is really getting tired of being trapped in virtual realities. He begins wandering around, trying to spot anyone he's familiar with, especially his brother, but before he can find anyone, an old man speaks into the mic and Mokuba pauses to listen. When the man gestures towards a pile of weapons and says that last line, Mokuba's eyes widen in shock.

They... they can't be serious, right? But when people start diving for weapons, Mokuba decides not to take any chances. He dives for the nearest wall, looking around quickly until he spots the doors. Then he's moving fast, sticking right up against the wall to make it harder for anyone to sneak up on him and keeping low, glad he's not a big target. He definitely looks a bit panicked as he makes his way towards the door as quickly as he can.]

PHASE II

[Once Mokuba gets outside, he doesn't stop running until he's got some good distance between him and the doors. As soon as he stepped out into a jungle, it pretty much confirms what he already thought: this has to be some sort of virtual reality.

He stops to lean against a tree, breathing hard from running flat out for a few solid minutes. Once his heartrate has lowered, he takes another look around, still trying to figure out what the heck is going on so he can come up with some sort of plan to find a way out of here. He didn't see anyone he knew in the ballroom, but that doesn't mean they aren't here.

Before he can get too far with that plan, though, a shadow falls across him, accompanied by some sounds of movement and some growls. Mokuba looks up to see a monster looming over him and his eyes widen.

Yeah, that screaming is definitely him.]

I

[givesalittlewhistle]

[It would seem Hikari'd had a similar idea. Somewhat.]

[For the first few seconds after materializing in the game, taking in the setting and her change of dress, she'd thought this was going to be a party of some kind. Then the announcement hit, talking about a fight of some kind. Her eyes had flashed towards the pile of weapons, and despite her nerves, she actually knew within seconds which one she would grab.]

[So after hiding for some time amidst the chaos and waiting for an opening in hopes of escaping the room without being notices, she made a break for it, only to come to a screeching halt when she realized she was about to crash into a boy somewhere around her age (maybe a little older). The wooden bo staff in her hands was extended defensively, and her eyes were wide in surprise.]

Ahh-!

[At first, she wasn't sure what to do. Were they...supposed to fight now? She really didn't want to, and was willing to wait and see what he did first....]

[deathline]

✘ PHASE I

[Shiki Ryougi is definitely dressed to the nines. Despite her inaccurate profile, she had remained stony faced throughout the beginning of this session of ViViD, already having her first taste of the other game. Strangeness and idiocy is what she basically expects at this point. She does, however, bat an eye at the old man NPC's announcement and the appearance of weapons on the table.

There's no time to waste.

With surprising swiftness for one wearing an elegant furisode, Shiki rushes by all the other NPCs, grabbing a katana. An NPC tries to push her away, but she elbows him and strikes another NPC opposer with the unsheathed weapon. You might happen to be in her way because she takes out the katana pointing it at you.]

Well. If it's just a game, no hard feelings right?

[You ARE in her way after all.]

✘ PHASE II

[Several NPCs are out and about in the jungle looking for unsuspecting players to prey upon all the while avoiding the stalking monsters themselves. Of course, you may be one of those unfortunate players who's trying to stay alive while avoiding the prowls of both groups of enemies.

Suddenly, a knife flies right past your face-- An attack?? There's a dying groan behind you and it turns out it's one of the monsters that got a direct hit at the head. Shiki, steps out from behind a tree, her hair down and her furisode only slightly dirtied. She's rather calm isn't she?]

Good thing you moved. Another centimeter and you would have been a free meal for someone or something else.

[Let it be said that Shiki isn't all that kind...]

✘ WILDCARD

[Come up with your own scenario!]

phase I

[chordplay]

I mean no harm, Fraulein.

[ Yipes. She looked deadly - and moved fast. Klavier gestures to his own weapon, the garish sword-guitar combo that was slightly bloodstained because he's already had to deal with a monster. Just the one. No valiant or elegant slaying like Shiki did. ]

After all, your beauty is cutting enough in itself.

[tuishou]

Phase I
[Neji had only begun to feel familiar with himself for the first time since he'd woken from his death and now, suddenly, he's being toyed with again.

Dressed in a tailored white suit and pants and contrasting black shirt, Neji has to wonder bitterly why it is he hadn't been allowed to keep his weapon's cache for the second time. He's crossed his arms and made himself at home in the far back of the ballroom. Neji might be staring at you with those white eyes, wishing he could see past you, or he might he looking up and around like the very disinterested adolescent that he is.

Or -get this- he's staring very intently at one particular spot amid the sea of bodies, where something's shining lazily so far away from him. The old man begins to make his way on stage and Neji's standing stock-still in an instant. He whips around to his nearest companion- the words echoing around them _{"--party this fine since-"}] Are you armed? [Urgent. Quick. Clear. _{"--teeth! Anyway, whoever surv--"}] Come with me if you need a weapon. [What good is a jonin if they aren't beating the crowds.] If you don't, I can get us out of this room.

Phase II
[If he can travel by hopping from tree to tree like the ninja he is, then you best bet he will. The goal is to reach The End. He moves almost completely silent, stopping from time to time to look down at anyone he's come across though careful to keep hidden as best he can. Of course these trees aren't anything like the giants in the Land of Fire, so nothing's guaranteed.

If there's a monster rushing a person, he'll jump down and put himself between it and them. That confident fighting stance says he knows what he's pitting himself against. The way his back is tense will also say he knows exactly how stupid it is.

If there's a person rushing a person... well, he'll stop and watch from where he'll be perched on a tree. He won't interfere until it's obvious the match is unfair to one.]

Phase III
[The boy isn't in the trees anymore. He'd been in no great shape to begin with, but the sluggishness that threatened to overtake him was surreal. It felt alien to him and that irritated him more than the fact that he'd just stumbled over a fuckin' rock. He was feeling more tired than tired and thirsty. Gods, he knew to find a river first. What he knew about survival went well above the basics.

He just, you know, hadn't been able to find a river. He didn't trust the plants. Didn't want to follow animals that might be faster than he was feeling. And while he had gotten a kunai knife out of the weapon's pile (or out of a dead person's body, you'll never know), he hadn't stayed long enough to get a backpack with food and water. So when he sneaks near enough to see this unsuspecting stranger did have a pack, Neji thinks the next step is logical. That is, to use a body-flicker jutsu to put himself a breath's away from the bag and--

cheering. lights. cameras. "Oh my God he can just TAKE IT RIGHT NOW".

busted.]

I have an offer to make you.

[Because screw those lights, those cameras, that cheering crowd. Neji's standing tall and looking like it'd been his purpose to throw his cover to hell. He quirks a brow at the other. Well...?]

Phase IV
[The rain's falling and the kid's soaked. And the body of someone- a young lady- with equally pale eyes and familiar, familial features is impaled very neatly on one tree's odd-jutted branch.

Judging by the way Neji's head hangs so low, one would think the weight of his wet hair's just about enough to snap his neck.

But he refuses to drop to his knees even for this. He's fighting it, though he's hardly moving and wishing he could stop breathing for a minute to gather his thoughts. His hands are weaving intricate, well-practiced hand signs. After a series of the same, every time, he curses out the same word.] Release.

III

[saudadist]

[ So surprised is she to find she was being snuck up on, she's already glaring holes into Neji's body. Particularly, his face and...well, his whole head. If it weren't for the spotlights and all that jeering from spectators, she's sure she would've just taken his head clean off. It's pretty unusual for a human to get so close. Unusual, and downright unnerving. ]

Then talk.

[gemsweater]

PHASE I
[Yeah, okay.

Or: Gau in his finery, which honestly makes him look more like a middle schooler going to homecoming in a cheap suit than a young man in a tux, stands there and fumes quietly over his profile. If he could scribble all over this profile somehow and make it more accurate, he would-- but it's too late now, as the old man is saying something and his attention is abruptly focused on "Hunger Games" (what??) and the pile of weapons.

Oh.

... Oh.

It's purely luck that's placed Gau somewhat close to the center of the room, which is the only reason he manages to throw himself into the fray with some chance of getting his hands on a weapon that doesn't suck. The obvious problems - he doesn't know how to use any of these, he can hardly lift most of them - are being ignored right now. He might look like a little dweeb who can't fight and he sure is, but he understands kill or be killed more than he probably should.

Still, when he elbows an NPC in the face for trying to get their hands on a sword he literally cannot lift higher than his knees, he's not making the best first impression.]

Excuse me!! This one is mine, thank you!

[watch your kneecaps while he tries to swing his way out of this crowd]


PHASE III
[How Gau has managed to make it to the camping stage on his own unscathed is a strange miracle - he's as weary and exhausted as anyone, maybe even more so, but what he's really great at is itemizing supplies. Really, really great. He probably budgeted how much water he can drink for the next X days, just in case this stupid game never ends.

What that leaves him with is a small but respectable cache of supplies and the precisely-counted paranoia required to keep them accounted for, if not perfectly guarded. He turns his back only briefly when someone tries to get at his stuff, and when the lights go on it's honestly hard to tell if it's because of you, trying to steal his things, or Gau, trying to swing a big stick into your face like a baseball bat. His aim isn't exactly on point, but...

Don't touch his shit??]

I'm going to ask you very nicely to take your hands off tonight's dinner rations! If you're in need, just ask. Don't be an idiot!

[why]


wildcard
[anything.....]

I

[roughcut]

[Kouha already has one sword in hand, but a second one doesn't sound like a bad idea. Too bad someone that looks as ready to fight as an angry kitten already has their hands on it. He dodges the swings, but that just makes him more determined to get it away from this idiot.]

No way! If you can't even use it properly, you don't deserve to have it!

[Cough up the sword, nerd!!]

[fingerbanged]

[Phase i]

[This had to be a sick joke, right?

All he had wanted to do once he left Demon World-- after saying goodbye to the others, giving one last taunt to Raizen's grave, and making sure everything was not about to come apart once he left-- was to see his friends again. Kuwabara, who was probably taking college exams, and Kurama, who was doing pretty well at balancing the whole demon-in-a-human body thing and actually had a job, of all things. And Keiko... it would be a straight out miracle that she hadn't dumped him yet, but he was looking forward to seeing her, nonetheless.

He wasn't expecting what he stepped back into, though.

The world literally falling apart around him, a brain-numbing powerpoint presentation which involved a million things that went above and beyond his attention span, and now-- this? AGAIN? It was bad enough he had to go through it with those ~lovely~ dates before this, pink dino pjs and all, but... seriously?? Were they deliberately pissing him off with that profile or what?]

Oh HELL no am I doing this crap again!

[He's not even going to be listening to the fancy old man make his introduction speech, as he's too busy storming towards an exit, shoving aside NPCs and... well, probably you as he tries to make a clear cut out of here.]

Move it, or I'll find that stupid toilet brush and shove it up your ass!

[... yeah, good luck if you picked him as your 'date'. At least he looks decent for once, though!]

[Phase ii]

[... okay, so maybe trying to leave right before everyone went Battle Royal was a bad idea. Luckily for Yusuke, everyone getting to the weapons before him wasn't too much of a tragedy-- after all, when your whole body was technically a weapon, barreling your way through a crowd of frantic and bloodthirsty people was a snap. Was he going to feel a little bad about the guy he gut-busted? Maybe, but right now, he plain didn't care. The sooner he got out of this nightmare and into... well, whatever the hell this place was, the better.

He was definitely feeling much more like himself in this get-up, though-- the torn sleeves, the bumps and bruises, the blood from the unlucky folks staining his shirt and the smokey spots from where he hit the fence (note to self: electricity still fucking HURTS) were infinitely better than that fancy suit. And HEY, those were definitely those 'dates' of his from last time stampeding his way! Maybe this would be fun after all!

... except not, because there were definitely too many coming at him at once, and considering how tenacious they were last time, a more permanent method had to be used to get them off of his back, at least for a little while. Finger gradually beginning to glow until it pulsed with energy, he levels it towards the enclosing wall of beasties.]

SPIRIT GUN!

[Suddenly, a large, blue burst of energy plows into the creatures, incinerating them on sight! Except... it also plows down a lot of trees as well, and if you just so happen to be sneaking up on him (or anywhere within eyeshot), he's definitely turning his attention your way now AND hastily running over.]

--oh CRAP! MOVE IT, you're gonna get squashed!!

[PENALTY]

[They said the third time's the charm with a lot of things, but this third death of his felt pretty cheap-- hell, he didn't even remember it. Maybe it was better to chalk it up as Yusuke being bad in general at video games than any shortcomings in his own strength, but... man, why couldn't it have been a little cooler?

His head felt a little heavy as he lifted it up, but Yusuke brushed it aside for now. Probably some sort of weird after-affect with video game revival or something. His mouth felt odd too, like it was full of cotton wool-- maybe he needed something to drink? Or eat... hell, he could go for at least twenty burgers right now.

Or people, even...

It should have horrified him, this intrusive thought, but the urge grew stronger the longer he waited there. Was this how Raizen felt for all those centuries? Endlessly ravenous and craving human flesh? Yusuke had scoffed at him then, but now... he realized how much willpower the old fart had. Because having to squash down this powerful hunger, for as long as he did? Yusuke would have went mad.

Especially if they smelled anywhere near as good as the person crossing his path at the moment.

Good luck with getting pounced on by this asshole! You're definitely going to need it.]

[WILDCARD]

[I AM DOWN FOR ANYTHING HIT ME WITH YO BEST SHOT]

penalty.

[psycholawgy]

[ at some point during the hunger games, athena's decided to tuck away her spear on her back belt and just fight with her fights and legs. she fights better and more efficient that way, anyway! so that said, she kicks and punches her way through some monsters, rendering them unconscious. and once that's done... she stabs them with the spear.

it's painful, and it's awful. she's never had to stab anything before, and it's just terrible.

AND ISN'T THIS A GREAT WAY TO STAB SOMEONE THIS TIME AROUND?

by which i mean to say... yes, she does come across this asshole. and she's now been pounced and is under him. ]

Get off, you ugly shinto! [ she's kicking and screaming as she yells this, trying to push his ugly face away from eating her or whatever. ]

clarke griffin | ota | cw: blood/death

[flamekeeper]

PHASE I

[ Clarke realizes that her profile could be worse; all of it might be wrong, but it could definitely be worse. she's instructed that she's a love interest, and it's her anger that flares up first, a frustration as her mind works to wrap itself around her memories, new and old. she had been home, but before that- before that was the Drabwurld, and there were years of her life she had forgotten when being home, and now-

she drags a breath in, a harsh exhale, then she breathes in again; being in a different world isn't a new concept to her, but Clarke immediately realizes this isn't the Drabwurld. the technology before her alone proves otherwise, the epitome of not home, and she finds that she's at a loss for what to do, head throbbing from the onslaught of memories, hands shaking.

her uncertainty is short lived, because as soon as Clarke blinks again, not only have her surroundings changed, but her clothes as well. while she'd once been in her outfit from home, from Polis, she now finds that her previous sensible outfit has been replaced with a rather non-sensible dress, light blue and huge and it reaches to the floor, it sparkles obnoxiously and Clarke hates it. she thinks to perhaps rip it, or maybe see if her magic from the Drabwurld sticks, but before she's actually able to try, the old man takes the stage and Clarke's using her inhuman speed to her advantage to grab a gun and duck behind an already overturned table.

dropping down, she focuses long enough to try an illusion -- one that's successful, putting her back in boots, jeans, and a t-shirt. it's clear in the way she holds the gun that Clarke has experience with them, so perhaps she's one to watch out for. or, you know, team up with. ]

PHASE II

[ breaking out of the ball room proves easier than expected, though Clarke assumes it's likely due to burning an unlock rune into one of the side doors and ducking out of it, into the jungle. at least a forest is more familiar territory, and Clarke's already feeling far more in her element than she had been before; being out of the dress helps, but the change of scenery is what really does the trick.

in knowing her magic is still effective, the handgun she'd acquired in the ball room has its safety turned on before she tucks it into the back of her jeans, holding her hand up in order to watch frost cover them, assuring herself that she won't need an actual weapon to defend herself -- then again, immortality helps with that.

while she's prepared to start running, to look for someone familiar, to find her people if they even exist there, she's stopped in her tracks before she can even get going. the scream isn't recognizable, but Clarke knows pain if she's ever heard it. even now, even after everything, she can't deny someone who might need help. so maybe her trajectory had been in one direction, after very little consideration, she takes off in the other direction, looking for whoever might need the help; it might not be a great idea, but she calls out into the trees as she runs. ]

Hello? Where are you, I'm here to help!

PHASE IV

( CLOSED to BELLAMY BLAKE )

[ she had done her best to avoid killing people thus far, had stayed clear or run in the opposite direction of anyone that looked like they might attack; there was enough blood on her hands, adding more was not in her scope of consideration, especially not in a new place. killing monsters was one thing, killing people- that was entirely different.

but they had caught her off guard, a stranger who didn't look familiar at all, and Clarke had enough of her own blood from fighting on her hands that using her magic was most instinct than anything else. she ends their life without thinking, running on her desire to survive before anything else, and it's only after they drop to the ground that Clarke backs away, heart hammering in her chest in the wake of what she's done.

except-

except it isn't a stranger anymore, once the body hits the ground. it isn't a stranger at all. instead her chest seizes and her heart beats loud in her ears and Clarke can feel the panic rising, because it's Bellamy that she's looking at, Bellamy whose lifeless eyes stare up into the jungle ceiling, Bellamy whose life she just took without blinking. Clarke's already on her knees, tears in her eyes and her hands are pressed to his chest, a white glow beneath them to indicate her healing magic as she casts it over and over and over again. before she used to be able to bring people back from the brink, used to, but this isn't the brink -- he's dead and her hands are curling into fists against his shirt and amplified emotions makes the pain feel like a crushing weight on her chest.

she's still trying to heal him, uselessly, but she's trying. ]

Bellamy. Bellamy, wake up. Bell please, come on.

WILDCARD

[ choose your own adventure/write your own starter! ]

( brackets or prose are fine with me; I'll match what you use! ♥ )

post-ViViD

[erythristic]

[she doesn't know if she should hope. her encounter with Hiro - not hers, not hers - leaves her disoriented, distrustful. perhaps this world would be scattered with copies that did not recall, that belonged to someone else that wasn't her, and every friend was now a stranger. when she wakes out of the room, clothes and hair stuck to her with salt water, she steels herself to be alone again.

not forever, she thinks. just long enough to make sense of this place and follow magic back home.

so when she sees Clarke, it's natural that she'd hesitate. if this wasn't her Clarke, was someone else, then she would have to figure out how to endure past that and keep the memory of the one she knows alive. it was a prospect she braced herself for, ready to simply ghost past and try to make heads or tails of this confusing, almost frightening world-

but that voice. that accent that rang so strongly of home that she could have known from across a room. and in the corner of her vision, the flash of silver in the eyes. and Grell can feel herself reaching for the presence, hears herself before she has time to think about things like manners or formality.]

Clarke.

[not a shout, but a call, loud enough that she'll hear it, waiting for her to turn and see before Grell will dash in closer, stopping right before her, hesitating to touch or hug because she needs one thing.

please be real.]