
You know what everyone needs after rampant robotic attacks and another iteration of clone wars? A vacation! That’s right everyone, you deserve this. CERES understands what you need. CERES is here for you all the time, so never doubt that this is a pleasure colony, and they are here to look after all of your needs. Kick your feet up, relax, and let CERES Recreation and Activity Necessity Keepers (Team RANK, that is) set you up with your ideal getaway. It’s as if you can sense the incoming relaxation and luxury before you even completely finish loading. There’s the warmth encompassing your entire body as your code gets transferred into this particular ViViD Level. A cool, refreshing breeze hits you. The sounds of waves gently lapping against the coast fill you with relaxation. The sun, the sand, the surfs, it’s all there – welcome to the beach, baby! An echoing greeting message from the ocean comes next, if you can translate it.
 OOOOOOOOOOOOHMAHH GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHD. YOOOOOOOOOOOORRRALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOO KYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT. KYOOOOOOOOOOOT EEEENAAAAUUUUUUUF TOOOOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEEEEEEEEEEET.
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PHASE I [ 08 00 ] That said, isn’t that breeze a little… too strong? It feels like it’s brushing up against all of you, if you know what I mean. When you open your eyes and look down, it becomes rather clear why. It seems that you’ve found yourself in some pretty interesting attire. Everyone. No exceptions. You appear to have two options – be overcome and scream like the Victorian maiden your heart says you are, or strut like a model in this stuff. Turn some heads! Work that up do!
But don’t worry, we’re also conscious about safety here at CERES! Therefore everyone’s also been provided a pair of super high-tech safety-tested appendage protection floatation devices (STAPFD for short.) At least everyone around you is caught in the same sort of attire – and everyone around you also appears to be stuck inside a giant sand castle. It’s entirely malleable to what you want it to be! Want to see a fancy sand bidet? Feel like adding a sand statue in your honor? Think that wall should now be a door? Well, with enough perseverance, you can make it happen!
Just uh, be careful about getting sand in your… everywhere.
PHASE II [ 10 00 ] Someone broke it. Not pointing any fingers, even though you sure do seem like a prime suspect, but someone broke it. It almost starts like an earthquake with how the castle starts to rumble, the sand shaking right beneath your feet. And then the walls right next to you start to cave in followed promptly by the ceiling right… above your head. Oh dear. The sand starts to run and fall, losing its structure and shape. The hallway behind you starts to cave in, ceiling first and then the walls follow suit. Now the sand really is getting everywhere – but not just uncomfortable places. It’s in your hair, your eyes, your nose…. this sure doesn’t seem like a pleasant way to go! Best to start running – there’s a trusty drawbridge to get over the moat (because what’s a sandcastle without a moat?) but who knows how long until that, too, is going to give way? Best to cross over it before it starts to shake and disappear too. Or if you don’t make it, hopefully you can land some pretty impressive airtime to make it to the other side!
If not, well...there'll be the sensation of sand crushing down upon you, filling your mouth and eyes, and you won't be able to breathe at all – and then you're alive again on the beach (but possibly in yet another new, uncomfortable, skimpy swimsuit). Honestly, be more careful, would you?
PHASE III [ 12 00 ] However, once you do make it to the other side, it’s all smooth sailing from there! Or is it? Hah, as they say, life sure can be a beach. Which is what this is. Welcome to your Beach Episode, folks. Now that you’ve made it out of the collapsing sand castle, you’ve made it to the luxurious, picturesque golden coastline. Sure, you’re coughing up fine, luxurious, sand dust right now and you’ve definitely gotten sand in all of your crevices thanks to your swimsuit, but that’s okay! Go take a soak in the ocean or something or cool off with a smoothie. There’s a smoothie shack off into the distance, complete with a long chalkboard with… well, probably a few familiar names? And some unfamiliar ingredients. Sounds appetizing right? That said, once you do ingest some of the smoothie with the name of a newcomer, you might suddenly find yourself feeling a bit… different. You’ll be taking on some of their traits, one of the most intense parts of their personality – or you might need to take a second to sit down because you’re suddenly seeing one of their memories. Whoa. What do they actually put in this stuff?
PHASE IV [ 15 00 ] For the brave souls that venture out into the water, you have even more adventures waiting for you. Anyone who’s swimming around, wading in the water—hell, even looking at the water is getting scooped up and deposited in one of these giant orbs. But don’t take up too much room, because someone else is getting shoved right in there with you. Time to get cozy with your new friend, because it's only going to get worse as the waves begin to carry you out into this big, blue, virtual ocean. Hopefully the choppy waves don’t bounce you around too much or – well, you could always get really friendly with a stranger! Why not? At least until it’s made very clear that fresh air does not make it back into these balls. That seems like a bit of a design flaw. Now what? Fight the other person who’s inhaling all your air? Suffer through it for swimsuit-clad fun? Or if you break it…. well, you sure are stranded out in the ocean. Or are you? After enough flailing, you’ll be met by a giant, dumb-looking creature who will then eat you whole. Everything goes dark. This is surely the end --
And then you're in Cerealia proper; it seems that was the exit to the level (but why there?) and you'll find yourself either in one of the fountains or the pond in the park. Either way, you'll be very, very well. And this time, that's not virtual. But hey, at least you'll have all of your stuff with you.
BONUS [ xx xx ] Do you hear that? Anyone idle on the beach will hear a distant melody coming from further out into the ocean. It’s a beautiful, elegant song that automatically makes the listener stop what they’re doing and immediately wander toward the noise. It takes you a moment to recall – it takes a moment to think about anything now, really – but you remember hearing the smoothie shack owner say something about mermaids populating the beach. Could this be their song calling out to you? Whether you would normally abide by this kind of call or not, you find your feet walking further and further out into the water, the shallows lapping up to your ankles and up and up as you are drawn in by the song. A rather classic song, though the usual instances of French are also replaced with the very enticing, enchanting nonsense promise of omelette du fromage........and then they try to drown you.
[ 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. ] |
sorry lili
but he won't pay much attention to it. although, her reaction ... well it makes him curious, at least! because she sounds awfully familiar with Dazai but Dazai has never seen this girl. ever.
okay, well he knows how to ACT...
but first there's a long ... oh, such a long pause. then it looks like he "remembers" something!? ]
Ah, I see! [ he takes hold of Lili's hand. ] It's fate, that's what it is!
Am I in heaven -- are you my angel? Hmm... I don't remember dying, however. Seems like I finally nailed my painless death.
[ nailed it. ]
[1/2]
repent
Atsushi never mentioned that he was a hopeless, worthless philanderer?!
Dammit.]
Unhand me and keep your paltry words of misguided praise to yourself.
I CANT.........
Oh Lili... You're in for a wild ride. ]
But you have such nice hands, I wonder what they'd feel like if you were to strangle me right here.
[ HMMM... yes, that sounds great. but he totally lifts his hands up just in case Lili might try to slap him or something and rubs the back of his neck anyway.
well, he should just info dig a bit first. ] So tell me... Remind me of your name?
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[That's a hiss though, because she absolutely wouldn't hesitate to put her hands around Dazai's neck in reprimandment. But that's just Lili being.... really fcking violent for such a small person.
Still though, there's a sigh.]
I don't expect you to know me - but my name is Lili.... I know Atsushi and he spoke fondly of you.
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[ DON'T SAY THAT LILI!? but he flippantly waves his hand to dismiss the offer! there can't be any strangling right now at the mention of Atsushi. this is the kind of information he needs to know upon arriving at an unknown location -- where the heck is everyone. ]
I see, does that mean I don't have to introduce myself? [ a pause. but if she knows Atsushi then...! ]
Where is Atsushi-kun anyway?
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That's a little bit more difficult and the question makes her expression drop immediately. Atsushi was one of the people that she attached to immediately when she got here, and now he's... gone. There's knots in her stomach as she considers it, shaking her head faintly.
Her eyes fix more on the ground than Dazai, not quite able to face him.]
I.... I don't know anymore. [She lost him. In the chaos with the robots, she... lost him.] But I'm still looking!
But... I wish I could tell you.
I thought maybe you would know...
[Ugh, she can't cry here but there's something in her voice that betrays just how upset she really is.]
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I'll just let you know, Atsushi-kun isn't one to just disappear. [ HE'S TRIED BEFORE... but he grew out of that! well, hopefully, so Dazai thinks!
but even so, being here, Dazai wouldn't really know a particular reason for that to happen... for one thing, he doesn't even know if there are people here that want to hunt him because he's a weretiger, for example. he's definitely going to have to get use to this new place or he won't have any upper hands. ]
As you can see, I just got here. Although, there's more than just a beach to investigate, isn't there? [ because obviously, if Atsushi left and you couldn't find him on a beach... well, that just doesn't add up, naturally. ]
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.... There's an entire city outside of here called Cerealia. Dangerous things happen on occasion and - people are brought into strange places like this in a virtual realm called ViViD. However where people actually reside and live is in Cerealia.
People are prone to coming and going, from what I understand. Sometimes with their memories, sometimes without. I met you before briefly, but I see now that you don't remember anything from the time you were here. But Atsushi was distraught when you were gone...
[Now she sort of understands the feeling.]
I believe... I was among the closest to him when he was here so -
[She bends at the waist, a rare sign of genuine apology, especially to a stranger. But Atsushi is important to this person too, right?]
I'm sorry for losing track of him.
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good to know this place isn't real -- no way Atsushi would be here! so, there's no point in looking. ]
Hmm... I see.
[ it's definitely a wild thought knowing he was here before but doesn't remember anything! but it doesn't worry him whatsoever.
but Dazai can only pat Lili's shoulder, urging her to not bow anymore. ]
I'm glad he managed to find someone to help him out while I was gone, I appreciate it. He's a handful. [ Atsushi has always been one that just needed someone to keep pushing him forward. if anything, it's relieving to know someone was there for him, apparently. ]
Don't sound like you're giving up though, we have an entire city to search -- don't we? [ HOW.. BAD CAN IT BE. ]
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He's not a handful! [OKAY, HE WAS. HE TOTALLY WAS. But there's a shake of her head as she fusses a little bit in denial.] Even when you were gone, he was always trying his best to keep moving forward... even though he was upset about it-
So don't talk about him like that....!
[SORRY, SHE'S ALWAYS DISTRACTED BY DEFENDING ATSUSHI'S
MAIDENHONOR]no subject
Did it sound like I meant it in a bad way?
[ OKAY, PROBABLY. but he was only telling the truth! ]
I'm just saying, he needs support. [ nonetheless... it's good to hear Atsushi didn't try to wallow despite being alone, for the most part because there's a chance he definitely could've done that instead. ]
Besides! I helped train him and everything, I think I know what he's like and what he's not like. Right? [ you can defend all you want Lili, but listen... he Knows. ]
[1/2]
DAZAI KNOWS.
Yet Lili still shuffles uncertainly for a moment, fretting and fussing over her answer. It's true - she doesn't know Atsushi as well as Dazai probably does but.... she shakes her head. There's still a bit that she won't relent on.]
Even if he needs support, he takes things like that too much to heart... and he always gets down on himself, which is infuriating! [SHE SPENT ENOUGH TIME WITH HIM TO KNOW THAT TOO.]
So even if you don't mean it in a bad way.... I never want him to have to hear things like that, because he'll start believing stupid things again... and I don't want him to ever think that he's anything lesser anymore.
[Because he's not. The Atsushi she knew was warmth and kindness, smiling through tears even when Lili started to lose hope. He gave her hugs when she was falling apart. He made her breakfast and shared her home when she was at the pinnacle of loneliness.]
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B-But don't tell him that I said that!
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Dazai doesn't say anything, but he listened to ALL OF THAT. but yes, he's aware Atsushi can get down in the dumps easily. he's dealt with it before, it's nothing new. a part of wonders how Lili dealt with it. but truly... it's something Atsushi just needs to grow out of eventually.
he turns to... whatever NPC is in charge of the bar. ]
Excuse me, may I borrow that pen.
[ yes... he takes it. also a napkin... he starts writing something down! ] Hmm... I see...
[ wait for it... ]
I'll make sure to tell him everything. [ dangles napkin...
HE'S JOKING THOUGH? HE'S JOKING. ]
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LOUDLY
IMMEDIATELY MAKING A GRAB FOR THE NAPKIN LIKE THE FOOL SHE IS]
Don't you dare!!
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he lifts the napkin WAAAAAAAAAAY up high, and is still dangling it. ]
Why not? I can also add about how you spend so much time looking for him-- you care a lot, don't you? That might be a good addition...
[ EMBARRASSING LILI IS EASIER THAN HE THOUGHT... ]
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WHY
Lili's not against jumping for it, honestly. THIS IS HER PRIDE ON THE LINE. THIS IS HER REPUTATION. THIS IS.... NOT LETTING ATSUSHI KNOW THAT SHE ACTUALLY CARES THIS MUCH???
even if she's definitely cried on him before..... fck
Point stands.
So she's clutching onto her towel with one hand, jumping and trying to reach with the other.... but Dazai's legit 9 inches taller than her, this is not working in her favor.]
No, absolutely not! You're completely misunderstanding!!
[is he, lili
is he]
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and... no matter how much she jumps she probably won't get the napkin... he's just Too Tall.
HMMMMM... ]
Am I really? You wouldn't be trying to get this back so much if that's the case.
[ HE'S QUESTIONING IT! ]
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