« 009 ⇢ event009.exe »

[reparator]

Who: CERES & you
When: ooc: 01/15-01/22; ic: 11/03-11/06
Where: Cerealia's Research & Technology District and Beyond!!!
What: Intro and Event log
Rating/Warning: PG-13 | possibly nsfw (please let us know if you need this rating changed, or you are welcome to continue any naughty shenanigans in a private log)

//event009.EXE Always Believe in the Heart of the Cards Except When They Tell You to Kill People Welcome to CERES Research Tower’s latest event! For all you new folk queuing outside of the conference room where you were just made to sit through a lovely power point presentation, you will be asked to stay a bit longer and test out some games in their Game Testing Center. It’s a giant space located in the basement level filled to the brim with cubicles for everyone to sit in and enjoy their newest array of pop-up games. The games themselves will be in holo(gm) form and will feature suggestions from CEO’s post, including a simplified, 8-bit version of Tetris, Baseball, Soda Smash, etc. Characters can control the game through moving their fingers and tapping them against the holo(gm) screens. Surrounding the cubicles will be tables of food and more food for characters to partake in. It’s all safe this time. No mind-altering candy corn or gut-exploding Knight Burgers. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the party. For those who have been in Cerealia for a while, they should have received an invitation to the event and an offer of 1,000 credits just for participating. So come on down and bring a friend or ten! Meanwhile, CEO has a small welcome for everyone- “Good Morning and thank you all for coming! We have been expecting you. We hope you will enjoy what we’ve put together today. Ever since we got your feedback on << RAINBOW NARWHAL MELEE >>, we’ve been developing new games for all of you to enjoy. We’ve also tried to draw in some things from your worlds. We hope to hear more feedback from you in the future. In the meantime, feel free to sample our food, generously provided to us by TGICERES, a moderately-priced family restaurant located in the Shopping District."

//SCENARIOS.EXE PHASE I [ xxxx ] Music lightly wafts from the speakers as the showroom opens. Julius Vincere, CERES’ CEO, delivers the opening announcement before leaving the room. He’ll be watching through all the video cameras placed around the room, so be on your best behavior! You will be guided to one of the many cubicles where you will sit and wait for a screen to pop up with a game. Once that game is defeated, another will pop up and another and another until your character gets hungry/has to pee/is so done with this shit. PHASE II [ xxxx ] Among the game rotations is a simple 8-bit fortune telling game starring Aria, the fortune teller. Come be enchanted by her mysterious wiles as she reads your future. She will do some 8-bit arm motions before summoning a ring of cards that will float around her. Characters will be encouraged to pick a card -any card. Once one has been selected, it will turn around slowly and unveil a card from the major arcana. Aria will then give your character their fortune, and that will be that. End of game. Onto the next! PHASE III [ xxxx ] You’ve left the testing center, and the evening has passed. As you wake up to perform your normal daily tasks, a niggling urge emerges at the back of your mind. It’s faint at first, just a whisper of a suggestion that pokes at your brain like a mosquito bite. However, that bite starts to grow bigger and become infectious. As the day wears on, you find that one little suggestion escalating. The next day is even worse. It starts to dominate your every thought, making you carry out actions you never thought yourself capable of. Who is this person in the mirror? Who have you become? PHASE IV [ xxxx ] By day three, the impulse is now a full-blown addiction. It’s set into your psyche completely. You’ve become something else entirely –the embodiment of the card. You will be acting out everything without anymore resistance, and it won’t stop until the clock strikes midnight. That’s when you’ll reel back to your senses, and when it’ll all have felt like the worst dream ever. Or a nightmare really. BONUS [ whyo'clock ] Among all the games present, there is also an 8-bit version of CERESLearn. Yes, you remember the magical game that won your hearts over not too long ago. It will come complete with the same rules. You choose a subject, you choose an 8-bit teacher among the three (Astor), (Hilda), or (UN-Zippy), and you watch them as they try to erotically teach you what you want to learn. Is that an 8-bit boob or her arm? Who knows? But beware… as you may remember, these teachers house a very terrible secret. They will transform into an 8-bit giant bug that will chase around your protag as you guide them to run away with your finger, but you can also flick the bug on the holo(gm) screen to send them away for good. Those who figure out that little cheat code will immediately receive a special real-time shoulder rub as a reward from a robot that looks eerily like a carbon copy of their teacher of choice. [ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with trigger-y 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 latest event and intro post. For your convenience, we have compiled a post detailing what's going on right here and feel free to consult the FAQ if needed. Please leave any lingering questions in the OOC post, and we'll answer them as soon as we can. If this post goes into overflow, we will make a new one to deal with the ever-hated captcha! Worry not!

Comments

[perfectstrike]

Phase One/Two
[Peko sits through a handful of games, mindlessly swiping through them without any real intent to win. The main reason she's still sitting in her assigned cubicle is that she's paying more attention to the people around her. Who's engrossed in their games, who's causing trouble. Who she should watch out for.

Focusing on the people around her is much easier than trying to think about what she's left behind, after all. And maybe in her constant, restless glances, there's a glimmer of hope, too, as if she's looking for someone in particular.

Once she sees others leaving their games behind without being penalized, she's on her feet and moving with a purpose. If you happen to be standing too close to her, well, you might get shoulder-checked. By accident, of course, though all she offers in return is a distracted,] Forgive me.

Phase Three
[Wow, her muscles are amazing. She's trying to explore her new surroundings, but every building she passes has some kind of reflective surface, and you know, her shirt really does fit rather snugly. And her tights really do make it easy to see her strong thighs and legs. Every now and then, she pauses, trying to subtly flex. Which is, well, impossible to do subtly. Whatever she sees in her reflection, she seems rather satisfied with it, nodding before moving on. If she happens to catch anyone's eye as she's doing this, she at least still has the dignity to color slightly.]

What is your fighting style?

[No one seems more surprised about the sudden question than Peko herself, but it seems like a good idea. After all, she can more accurately gauge the threats in this city if she faces them herself, right? There's a shinai in a bag on her back, but aside from that, she appears to be unarmed.]

Phase Four
[Looking at herself in mirrors, windows, and other assorted shiny things really isn't cutting it. She didn't arrive with one, so she had stop and specially purchase a black bathing suit. This is much easier to move in, and it shows off her killer physique. Which is important for... some reason. She'd be hard-pressed to come up with a reason why, but really, this is all that matters. Not only is she carrying her cloth sword back with its shinai on her back, but she also has a belt around her waist, a sheathed katana at her side.]

You!

[Yes. You. It's a loud declaration complete with pointing fingers and flashing eyes.]

I am Pekoyama Peko, Super High School Level Swordswoman. Will you face me in honorable combat?

one/two!!

[particularity]

[While Hinata knows, from experience, that at any given moment one of his classmates might appear... it's been quite a while since that happened, ever since he arrived in Cerealia. And there's no way of predicting it. So he'd come along to the game testing center only slightly for the credits, mostly for the sake of investigating and seeing whether or not he could glean some clues about things here...

He's vaguely aware that many of these people have to be new arrivals, but he doesn't actually look properly until he notices someone else looking and

well those eyes and that hair are awfully familiar

Hinata freezes, blinking a couple of times, looks again. No, no, there's no mistaking it. Pekoyama. 'Course, she might end up wondering at him a little, considering his eyes are way more red than they used to be, his clothes different, hair slightly longer from forgetting to cut it (again). Maybe a little older but hey that's par for the course.

It takes a moment but he approaches her quickly, fighting the impulse to say it's been a while because that'd be stupid. And confusing for her, most likely.]

...Pekoyama?

[perfectstrike]

[Not exactly the face she was looking for, but at the sound of his voice, she turns immediately. It takes a moment to place the older face, the eyes, the haircut, but only a moment.]

Hinata...

[And if anything, she suddenly looks to be on the defensive. She did murder one of their classmates, after all, and attempt to kill all of them for Kuzuryuu's sake. How he could see that as anything but betrayal is beyond her. Not only that--]

They said everything had been destroyed.

[Referencing that oh-so-helpful power point presentation. Which she hadn't wanted to believe for obvious reasons, and here's a direct contradiction.]

4

[agonism]

Super High School Level Swo...?

[ Maybe it's because he never went to school, but he has no idea what that has to do with anything. Either way, a fight is a fight, right? Even if it's a fight in a bikini. ]

Well, if you wanna fight, I don't mind! I don't fight with a sword, though, if that makes a difference.

[perfectstrike]

Swordswoman, yes.

[At least she stops pointing and instead rests her hand on the hilt of her katana. Her brows furrow, and a hand twines a loose strand of hair near her cheek as she contemplates what to do next.]

What is your preferred fighting style, then? Grappling? Empty hand?

one/two!

[unluckless]

[There's really no mistaking Pekoyama at all, is there? It's been a long while since Komaeda has seen her. Between his stay at Haven and his time here, well. It's been a long time since he's seen most of his classmates -- less time in Pekoyama and Kuzuryuu's case however, but he's going to err on the side of believing she won't remember that.

More importantly, he's still staring when he's bumped into, blinking before holding up his hands.]

I'm afraid it was my fault, Pekoyama-san. But that's probably not all that surprising, is it?

[He ruins everything. His smile is the same, blithe and cheerful even as he continues on -- but it's tired around the edges. He's mostly gotten over his starvation-victim state of being, and his missing hand has been replaced with a prosthetic realistic and functioning enough that it's nigh on indistinguishable from the real one.] I guess you just arrived? I didn't expect to really see anyone I knew.

[perfectstrike]

[She is fairly distinctive, that much is true. At least she isn't completely surprised to see Komaeda, considering what Hinata had told her, but that's not to be confused with considering him a welcome sight.]

Komaeda.

[At least her method of address hasn't changed, the stern gaze she's fixing him with matching her familiar attitude from the island. Considering she was a guilty culprit herself, though, she's still not expecting the warmest reception. That, more than anything, is what gives her voice a suspicious, guarded tone.]

...That is correct. You... have not seen any of our classmates aside from Hinata, have you?

four;

[thirdarrow]

[ A brief glance at this poor girl informs him that she is probably one of those affected around the city. It would be unfortunate if he were to just leave her here - not to mention that her reputation might regrettably already be in tatters.

His own sword is belted to his waist, but he does not draw it just yet. ]

Is this entirely necessary?

[perfectstrike]

Yes.

[No, it isn't. Her reputation is surely in tatters, and it would have been alright if she hadn't been, you know, in a bikini and declaring her name and title to anyone who looks even remotely physically capable.]

I have heard it said that one should fight a strong opponent in order to become stronger yourself. Though I do not think there is anyone here who can beat me.

[It's... phrased like a boast, but her tone and expression implies that she thinks it's actual fact. Peko no.]

Phase 4

[niceguypose]

[This bushy-browed youth spins around immediately when he hears that declaration. He himself is currently clad in just one pair of green shorts. And it looks like he recently started spreading some I Can't Believe It's Not Butter on his shoulders.

Rock Lee gasps quietly and then stares forward at the girl challengingly. He's too busy thinking about his own muscles to notice anything odd about her attire.]

Rock Lee! Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast! [He says as he raises a fist, with a fire in his eyes.] Honorable combat... That happens to be my favorite kind! I will accept your challenge!

[perfectstrike]

[She likes your style, Lee. Especially whatever it is you have spread on your shoulders. That seems like an extraordinarily good idea.

Later, a pact should be made to never speak of this again.]

Rock Lee, is it...? Very well.

[She reaches behind her to draw a shinai from the cloth bag on her back. We're. We're doing this right here, apparently. 0k.]

What is your style?

phase iii.

[dereban]

I've learned some pro-wrestling techniques from books and have been learning some karate from my friend.

[She says this rather casually, as if it's not that big of a deal, or even anything important. However, she will ask a question in return, rather demanding.]

Why are you asking? Are you planning on fighting me?

three

[prosecutory]

[How fitted her shirt is and how snugly her tights hug her legs and how she flexes all sail over Edgeworth's head for the time being. In contrast, here you have a typical prosecutor in a suit and cravat - although there is one noticeable feature, and that is the sheathed saber at his hip. This place had taught him one thing, and in any case, it wasn't against the law - always carry a weapon on your personage when you have no idea what'll happen next in Cerealia.

Had he not been sent to Death City previously, he wouldn't have an answer to Peko's question. But since he was...]

I took several months' worth of aikido lessons, and both my instructor and an experienced soldier taught me how to properly wield a sword. Why do you ask?

phase iii!

[harepiece]

[OH HEY LOOK IT'S A FAMILIAR FACE. And that familiar face sure is checking herself out in a shop window... Peko..... But oh, before he can say anything, she's noticed him! And then she's asking him a question...!]

My— my what?

[Peko?? Is that an attempt to divert his attention from what had just been happening, because if it is, it sorely needs some work.]

One/two!

[ineptus]

[Seeing as Mabel is a very, very small girl, she's not shoulder-checked so much as hip-checked, knocking her easily to the ground. Whatever food she'd had in her hands drops and there's a soft whine from her as she sits up and rubs her knees.

The fallen food is taken advantage of by her pig companion.]

Where are you going in such a hurry? [Despite the incident that just happened, this is actually a genuinely curious question.]

Are you okay? You know there are bathrooms just over there if you need to use one!

[Because maybe this lady just really has to pee.]

phase 4

[necrowmantic]

[The first declaration gets a blink, a quizzical 'Me?', as Henry reluctantly tears himself away from pursuing progressively more irritated (and somewhat singed) targets.]

I'm a little busy- [Minorly hexing things to be stuck and unstuck, depending. What peculiar, if entertaining impulses today.] But- sure! I'm always up for a brutal fight to the death!

[With someone in a bathing suit. Still, he doesn't think much of it. Maybe that was the traditional fighting garb where she was from.]

phase four

[invisibleair]

[ This is not how Saber had pictured her day. She had things to do, mysteries to solve, people to see, cars to drive! She had been feeling a little strange since yesterday, but she couldn't put her finger on why. Perhaps it was her missing a source of mana, something she needed.

Still, she hadn't expected to come face to face with a half-naked girl, carrying a weapon on her. Saber's instincts seem to flare to life, eyes opening wider to take in the whole situation in front of her. She feels the ground beneath her feet, not too slippery, but the footing isn't great, the weather is temperate, the sun is not in her eyes, and there seems to be no ambush waiting. This is just Saber's reaction to fighting. ]

I have no reason to fight, but if you wish for honorable combat then you will lend me a sword, would you not?

four

[cheats]

[ Ciel is completely frozen in place as soon as he locks eyes with Peko, because there are many thing wrong with this scenario from the start. These things also give Ciel a multitude of very confusing, conflicting feelings, which are as follows:

1. Peko Pekoyama is a dangerous woman. His injuries are all healed by now, thankfully, thanks to the modern medicine of CERES, but the ache in his arm suddenly comes back with a vengeance.
2. Peko Pekoyama is a woman that had every reason to have been so vicious, because Ciel had betrayed her trust ruthlessly. He didn't hold her actions against her, because in his world (their world), it was blood for blood, and he had always known that if he didn't kill her first, she would kill him.
3. Peko Pekoyama is a woman wearing very little clothing, and he can see nearly all of her bare skin. To a Victorian thirteen year old, this is no less horrifying than point one.

Color immediately comes to his face, because seeing a woman so under-dressed may as well mean that she was standing naked before him, and this, he has absolutely no idea how to process. If she just wanted to kill him, sure, but this? No way. So all that comes out first is an undignified screech... ]

No!! My god, put some clothing on!

[ Embarrassment overpowers his fear, at least this once. ]

four!

[inparacosm]

[ When addressed, Mirai feels like her heart is about to jump out of her chest. Humans may be social beings but as of now, Mirai is the least sociable person on the face of the planet. She doesn't even want to be out right now, but if it weren't for someone suddenly appearing in her home, she wouldn't be forced into this situation.

This is terrible. She doesn't even question the black bathing suit, because before Peko knows it, A fight? Well I can fight b-but... [ Mirai will be running away. ]

Phase four

[eyesearingly]

[ This is not what Menardi is expecting to hear when she's out shopping. But the proxian stops, and well.

Yes yes she would like to, if the way she changes her hold on her scythe is any indication. ]

You want to challenge a master fire adept? [ She looks over the girl. ]

Dressed in so little?

iv;

[blacksong]

Oh, I couldn't possibly do that! [On any other day she sure as hell would. Zero didn't have much to do here, so despite her personal apathy regarding most things, she wouldn't mind fighting someone just because. Today, however, with only boundless optimism and kindness on her mind, the idea of fighting seems absolutely awful.] What if one of us got hurt? Here, I have a better idea—why don't we hug?

3

[makigumo]

[ Pft, that's not embarrassing at all, kid. ]

The Unkoryuu.

[ She says "poop style" when she's so obviously carrying a sword around fastened to the back of her super short pants. ]

Phase 1/2

[ionicwoman]

[Anise doesn't have much patience for these games. If they were casino games with actual gald, it'd be another thing. But no, they're just pixelated nonsense. It's by far the weirdest fontech she's seen.]

[Pekoyama, on the other hand, does catch her eye - mainly because she's familiar and much more interesting to look at. And thus, when shoulder-checked, (even though she could have just as easily avoided it) Anise makes sure to fall as dramatically as possible and cry out loudly:]

Ohhhh! That hurt soooo much!!

[YOU KILLED HER, PEKO]

phase one/two

[unathletic]

[ He doesn't really mind the shoulder bump so much - it's happened to him a lot, and often it wasn't just an accident. The moment he quickly overlooks Peko though when she does it, he's pretty sure it was just an accident in this case.. she doesn't look like some punk about to pick a fight with him.

Which means he gets a break from that for once, and so he doesn't really mind it. He just shakes his head a little, as if he's trying to say "don't mention it", just in a.. much less polite kind of way.. good job, Heung Soo. And then you wonder why people think you're a thug.

There's something else about her that he does notice though - the way she looks around a little like that. He's done it enough, so he's well aware what's up with it. ]

Looking for someone?

3

[gossipboy]

[ His first reaction is jumping at the sudden approach, but when he sees the prospect of being told to do something by this person he settles down a little. ]

I don't know how to fight, but I will do anything you tell me to.