estoria | « 004 ⇢ INTERLUDE004.EXE »

Entry tags:

!event,
!interlude

« 004 ⇢ INTERLUDE004.EXE »

Who: These suckers and E R R O R
When: OOC: 5/29, IC: 7/15
Where: CERES Research Tower and Beyond
What: It seems an old friend has decided the situation is progressing too slowly.
Rating/Warning: PG-13: Violence, injuries and inevitable deaths.

▶ ACTION.EXE | IC: 7/15

For those unlucky saps who disappear today, ranging from early in the morning towards the middle of the afternoon, well...they can't be reached by CereVice.

Any attempt to do so will bounce back the message User Currently Occupied.

It's an odd message, and one that's never been used by the CereVice. How strange. It's probably nothing though, right? No contact can be established between groups or from groups to outside people in Cerealia, whether by technology or magic. You're cut off from everyone but those in your groups, now.

Otherwise, all abilities will remain intact.

As for the people who do disappear, well... things get a little hairy really quickly.

▶ RUN.EXE | MOD NOTES

This is the event log for these sign-ups! Your groups have been sorted below; here are a few handy links for you:

Group 01 | OOC plotting
Group 02 | OOC plotting
Group 03 | OOC plotting
Group 04 | OOC plotting
Group 05 | OOC plotting
Group 06 | OOC plotting
Group 07 | OOC plotting
Group 08 | OOC plotting
Group 09 | OOC plotting
Group 10 | OOC plotting
Group 11 | OOC plotting
Group 12 | OOC plotting
Group 13 | OOC plotting
Group 14 | OOC plotting
There is no tagging order, so feel free to tag in whatever way works best for you as a group.

The characters should not ICly be gone longer than 5 hours -- if they survive, of course. There will be mod involvement in each of the threads.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask them here. Please try to avoid asking hypothetical questions (such as "What will happen if my character does [action]?") as that's part of the fun and risk of the interlude! You are welcome to plot with your groupmates in this post. Thank you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Evidently they are not alone. Far from it, as two more new arrivals fall down with them. Usagi takes Leon's offered hand to get back up to her feet and sort of dust herself off instinctively before noting the one guy using the Cerevice to message them? She leans in a bit more to read it. It's not hard to guess the guy is either mute or attempting to be quieter and more cautious in comparison to the others.]

Hm? Oh. I'm okay! I kind of trip up and stuff all the time so this really wasn't so bad. I was just surprised!

[Usagi that does not make this situation any better.....]

But I guess to get to the arcade, we'd need to find a way back up....There isn't a ladder or anything back up to the manhole is there?

[She's blinking, her eyes still sort of adjusting for the time being as she looks back up, squinting at the light from above. That would be the most conveient, but Usagi has learned by now that things usually aren't so simple. That the way out is likely down either direction. Left? Or Right?]

[ This is gonna be tough to communicate with all these people and in the dark. He knows his cerevice isn't the best method but he hasn't anything else to do it with. He nods at Nero's question motioning with his hands a pushing motion and a deep frown on his features. This was all Ceres' doing, but what had they wanted with them and in the sewers of all places? He knew Mosley was an important figure head for this place so he's curious as to what the other man could possibly be thinking. He looks up from the place they all fell and shakes his head. He'll mouth the words 'there's no ladder' to anyone who can see him do it. He sighs a little as he looks around pointing towards both left and right.

Which one should they take?! ]

Yeah, I was pushed in. Just got done with work, too.

[That was a lie, but none of them would've known about his patrols anyway, so no point bringing it up - and it wasn't a complete lie, since he had just gotten done with his usual routes. There's a hum as Ryuuga's looking around them now that his vision's at least adjusted a little - definitely a sewer - and looks up as Usagi asks about a ladder.]

No dice on that one, I think.

[Nothing looked familiar (he generally stuck to rooftops as a rule, the underground wasn't really his forte even back home), so he's stuck tapping a finger against his chin trying to think of a direction.]

If we can't get back up from here - there's got to be actual outlets around here somewhere. Maybe left?

[He notes the mute guy, watching him go through his charades. Pretty obvious he can't talk . . . that could be a normal thing, or it could be some CERES thing. It's not like it'd be the first time Leon encountered that here. But he's not panicking, so it's probably just a thing about him, and so far he's easy enough to understand. Okay. Interesting group, huh?

He glances back at the other dude and nods a little, and then just starts heading left.]

They look the same, right? There's no way we're gonna figure out which way to go without doing it unless one of you's got some magical navigation powers or somethin' you're not telling us. So let's go!

[It wouldn't be the first time he ran into that here, either.

As he brushes past the fussy hot girl, he makes eye contact with her for a moment, and then mentally skips back a few steps in the conversation. She'd asked something:]

And yeah, that was definitely Mosley! You're new, huh? Never talked to him before? He's one of the dudes who works for CERES. First time I ever saw him pull shit like that, though. Usually when they jerk us around like this they just—do it, y'know? Like, you wake up and suddenly you're god knows where! This's new!

Umu! Do not frown, you are still alive so you should smile about something! ( yes, she's talking to you shigeru, none of that sadness around her. it's more than a command than a tip but what can anyone expect from nero. ) But I see. So we all have succumbed to the same fate but why us? ( she can't put her finger on it, is there something that connects them all or could it be that they were just fated to meet. who knows. )

Wait!

( magical navigation? nothing like that but nero does come with a few skills of her own, sadly she doesn't believe she senses a heroic spirit around so in all honesty, there's not one of her kind waltzing around here. ) Before we depart, it is customary to stay near to one another in an ill-lit, abominable place like this hole they've dropped us into. I shall walk behind you all in case of predators that lurk within the darkness.

( it would be disastrous if something out the blue was to happen as they walked together. she gives a look towards each and everyone around her on their thoughts of her request. ) Yes, this place is rather confusing yet it reminds me of a place I've been before. I do know that CERES is nothing more than a tyrant and enjoys toying with all of us as their personal jest but I will not allow that for so long. ( there's not much that she knows but she's sure they'd be helpful enough to fill her in. ) But this CERES, a female with raven tufts by the name of Rei has told me enough about them; it's just this Mosley that I never knew existed. Are they the only two?

( with her question, she already goes to stand behind the group so that they can all begin their walk towards whatever their destination may be, she will not be far behind but she will remain close enough to hear the conversations and reply. )

[ Left it is! Left's going to yield... more tunnel.

And more tunnel.

And even more tunnel.

It's going to be a pretty damn long walk, honestly; about ten minutes in, the scenery hasn't shifted at all, and no ladders or ways to the surface have appeared at all. Boring.

On the other hand, it's also definitely getting darker, as if they're moving away from the more well-maintained areas and into the older, less maintained ones. If they stick with this path, they'll eventually find themselves at a fork.

One way leads to a brighter area, while the other leads into further darkness. ]

Magical navigation powers....haa. That would be pretty useful about now!

[But no. The only thing that comes to mind was when Ami tracked her that one time using the energy from her transformation. But Ami isn't here to do that again. Neither is Luna. She isn't sure if Rei might also be here or not, or otherwise wondering what happened to Usagi. Hopefully she's okay.....

It's with that train of thought that she almost blocks out the rest of the chatter, merely following for a moment before Rei is actually mentioned.]

R-Rei-chan? You know Rei-chan? I'm Usagi, one of her friends from home. I've been here a little bit so far but even I know there seems to be something going on with Ceres. I'm sure there's probably some weird reason he pushed us. We should be careful....

[Usagi almost wants to offer to take the front, but she's not sure how well the others will take that, especially since she isn't even transformed at the moment. But minutes go by as they continue to explore without incident. So maybe she's just being paranoid.....? Still, once they get to the fork, she turns her head in each direction before turning to each of the others in their group of sorts.]

Light? You think that could be it? The way out?

[ Shigeru will nod before typing something on cerevice for anyone close by to read. There's a look of uncertainty and apprehension on his face as he eyes the fork in the tunnel system. Which way do they go indeed. Both options are terrible in his mind. His face has probably been pale right from the very start, if anyone got a glimpse of it. He looks like he's sick and really just wants to leave and get clean at this point. He's going to have to decontaminate everything. But he can't think about that stuff right now. He needs to focus. ]

The light path is a good idea too. But it's also a bad one, I think. It makes us more exposed to anything down here if it's a trap. But if we work together...we can probably defend ourselves. The dark path would give us cover...but it also limits what we can see.

[ Still he looks...nervous and his frown deepens again as he looks at the others. ]

We should be extra wary no matter which way we go...

[This time, since they're stopped anyway at the fork and this is important, Leon actually steps over closer to read the message. The look on this guy's face isn't lost on him, but neither is it hard to understand; this sucks. They're all stressed out, right? It was sudden, it's gross, it's creepy and dark, and while he's inclined to trust these people so far—he has no reason not to—it's not like any of them really know each other, or so it seems.

The guy kind of looks how Leon feels, basically.

After he reads, he snorts out a laugh, though not a terribly amused one.]

C'mon . . . they're probably both traps. Right? We all got shoved down here, there's noooo way it's gonna be as easy as "walk away from the light and there's a ladder out!" I wish! We might as well go the way that kinda looks safer, and then if we see something coming at us, we just run!

[He steps in the direction of the lighted path, though he doesn't just start walking this time. He waits, making sure the others are with him, both literally and figuratively.]

Just keep your eyes open . . .

[Come to think of it, he hasn't checked his own pockets yet. He does that now, confirming that his CereVice is there, along with his knife.

Cool.]

( from usagi's excitement on rei, nero will tell her in passing that if they get out of this hole, she'll expain where she met her friend. they must be really close from how she reacted but that's only a given considering when it's two people that probably goes back. since everyone seems so keen on going down the light path, nero keeps her arms by her side as she continues to follow everyone else. it's true, this could just be the wort trap they could have fell for, the light will expose them to anyone and this could be the end!

though nero will not be a fool and looks around the area, trying to find something that's worth noting. but this is a sewer, what can even be in here that's worth talking about. when the male's device is raised, nero takes a look before shaking her head. ) Do not fear, if anything, be at the ready to use any weapons that you can find around.

( a pause before mulling over leon's passing words. )

There is no deus ex machina for us, they normally say before you reach death; you see the light at your final moments. It's nothing but a lie so I'm sure even here, they are only trying to instill fear into our hearts. Do not waver.

( looking behind her towards the darkness that they're slowly leaving out of, she keeps her emerald eyes now faces forward, watching to see that they all stay in place together. )

. . . NEW FILE CREATED . . . CHECKPOINT #001.SAV . . .
. . . CONTINUING ESCAPE.EXE. . .

[ They go towards the light, and the path gradually heads upwards as well, and for a bit, it feels as though they really are headed towards the exit.

But soon enough the path levels off again. There's enough light now to be able to see around them, and the hallway they're in is lit by fluorescent lighting, and the walls are metal; wherever they are now, it's no longer sewage, but still very much man-made.

Unfortunately, their progress will be stopped soon, by means of a door, just as metallic as the rest. There doesn't appear to be a doorknob or a keyhole at all. ]

[Usagi simply gives a nod, even if she is curious on how Rei knows Nero. But Rei has been here much longer and Usagi herself probably knows some people she might not. So it isn't that much of a surprise. She's just curious, but obviously, getting out of here takes priority.

She doesn't see any weapons or have any on her, save the obvious of her brooch but she isn't about to activate that and transform just yet. Not yet. There's no reason to thus far. Well, maybe if they really have trouble against.....this door? Once she registers it among the changing lighting and walls.]

Maybe it's unlocked and we just....push it open?

[As if it will be so simple. But she -- someone has to suggest and attempt the obvious first, right?]

[ ugh thank god they're finally out of that sewer. Shigeru needs like 50 baths rn though. But he looks mildly relieved, although his paleness is probably easily seen now that they're in a moderately lit room. The door gives him some pause, given that they're no keypad or anything to get it open. ]

I could try to disintegrate it...if there's no other way.

[ Just typing that very nonchalantly like that makes you wonder...

But, no, he is totally serious about that offer. However with all the uncertainty of what lies beyond it in the forefront of his thoughts, it makes him pause on doing so so rashly. Perhaps it would open with something else, but it looks just like a normal door to him. ]

But we don't know what's behind it...we need to proceed carefully.

[When the others mention "magical navigation device", Ryuuga's gaze flickers to his left hand and more specifically where Zaruba sat. Unfortunately, even though he wouldn't be adverse to his Madougu companion to pipe up, unless they were looking for someone specific to clamp down on, he wasn't going to be much help.

He's just about as glad as everyone else when the tunnel eventually leads them to what looks to be the basement floor of a building. He's still on-guard, though, and his red-and-black sheathed sword is already in his off-hand. Never leave home without your Makaiken, kids.

Though now it seems their progress is impeded by a door. Simple enough.]

Maybe. [Though his eyes widen slightly when he sees Shigeru's reply.]

Admittedly that'd be kinda cool to see.

But.

Yeah, we don't know what's behind it.

[He's half thinking of approaching it right now-]

Though if something does pop out, I think I could possibly at least make sure whatever it is stays away from us.

[Aha, so Leon and Homework Girl are the only normal people in this group, huh? Well, Red Girl (the light's good enough that he can see her clothing is red, now, and also, that she's just as hot as he'd thought) hasn't said anything about any magical powers—but she'd also offered immediately to protect everyone else from anything jumping out at them. Probably there's something going on there, right?

Disintegrate the door? He has to agree—]

Yeah, that'd be pretty badass . . .

[Maybe he'll get to see it. And yeah, they don't know what's behind it, but:]

Hey, we don't know what's behind us either, right?

[He even glances behind the group to make sure they haven't missed anything stalking them. Mosley, for instance. Leon hadn't heard anything, but he's not willing to believe that means nothing's down here. For that matter, he's not hearing anything on the other side of the door, either, at least not yet. Pretty even odds, right?

He's the normal one (or one of two, maybe, he can't be sure), but it's a fucking door. He does what normal people do with doors. He walks up to it, lifts his fist, and raps on it hard. Knock knock!]

Edited 2016-05-29 19:07 (UTC)

Do not burden yourself for what may be behind, I have already consulted with you all that I'll handle whatever foe it may be.

( her arms crossed and eyes closed as she allows the others to focus on the door, she placing her full attention on listening to if anything could be approaching. they are within the light and being able to see everyone much clearly does help a little, she does believe that once she lets her emerald eyes to scan the surrounding area around them. )

With the door as our main concern, we could all try something if the simple beat of knuckles hitting against the entrance or exit does not work. The disintegration that he has brought to our attention sounds ideal. ( that's only if they can't get the door open with both leon and usagi's ideas, normally the most simple is the smartest way to get things done but this place doesn't feel like it'd give that easily. perhaps there are a few buttons hiding around or they have to give some sort of sacrifice, but there's also thoughts running through her mind of where would this door lead if they do get it open. ) If need be, I'll even use my sword to attempt a few strikes. Though I do suggest not to stand so close to the door because if you do get it open, who's to know what may be waiting for us on the other side.

( she's been in many situations like this before, glancing at everyone around them to see if they're composure has yet to waver. ) It makes me wonder if we had chosen the other path, would we had also found a door. Curious, yet that is in the past; a bridge we were not meant to cross.

Edited 2016-05-29 19:27 (UTC)

[ Knock knock, who's there.

The door doesn't open, but a control panel does slide open to the side of said door, revealing a number pad.

And a robotic voice speaks: ]

Enter passcode.

Disinte--ehhhh? You could do that?! [Usagi's eyes widen when she reads the Cerevice with Shigeru. There has to be way more to this guy than it looks if he can do something like that? Surely. But then she's listening to the others, their ideas. How about we avoid the sacrifice idea there, Nero.....

Still. She doesn't get a chance to try and push at it before Leon knocks. Another very simple, yet usually effective idea. Which....seems to work and do something? Initially, Usagi does quickly step out of the way to allow him to get closer, if he is intending on using that weapon of his.]

Passcode? What passcode? Did anyone see any numbers on the walls or anything on the way here? Or any near the door?

[It might be hopeful, the idea that there is actually a clue around that might help them figure out the right combination. Usually these things will only let someone try so many times, right?]

[There's a significant pause from Ryuuga after he hears the voice ask for the passcode. Of course it couldn't be this simple. So disintegrating the door probably wouldn't end well, but -

That's when it hits him. It's something he hasn't used in a while, but it's not like it's an ability that he's lost at all.

At least he hopes.]

No, but ... let me try something.

[He steps forward, frowning as he puts a hand gently on the keypad, careful not to actually touch and of the buttons, and concentrates. Maybe he can pull the code off of the lingering memories of someone else who's come through - if anyone's come through, anyway.

It's better than backtracking through the sewers for a code that may or may not be there, at least.]

[ It's been a very, very long while since anyone's passed through here, but nonetheless he'll be able to pull out some numbers -- a 1, and a 3 and a 7.

There's still a number missing in the middle, though. ]

( taking a few steps closer, she raises a brow towards the male as he seems to be in deep thought of what he's doing. with a look towards usagi, the female is curious to see if the blonde is as confused as her but she has to ask to find out. )

Whatever you're doing, did you find something? ( hopefully he did so there won't be any need for sacrifices to get it open. )

Try what? Huh.....?

[She can't help being nosy and trying to watch, curious, as he places a hand at the keyboard of sorts. Usagi isn't quite sure what is going on but she might be able to vaguely guess. Since Ami is good with technology too. But it might not necessarily be something specifically to do with tech, she's not sure what he's doing exactly. But of course, Nero has already asked on if he's managed to figure anything out from.....whatever he is doing. Don't mind her as she tries to peer over Ryuuga's shoulder.]

[Okay, something's better than nothing - so this counts as a win!

Ryuuga's got his eyes closed for another moment or two, honestly he looks almost like he's in a trance. Though in reality, he's committing the numbers to memory before he turns and gives a grin to the others with a nod.]

Sorry, it's something I've been able to do since I was little.

[Though for now he's stepping back and away from the console.]

I wasn't able to get all the numbers from the last time someone went through here - it's apparently been a really long time, the memory was fuzzy. [He sighs, though he's not really surprised.] But I did get the numbers one, three, and seven from it. There's one more missing, but it's a start.

[The actual numbers don't make it through Leon's surprise at the situation right away. What the hell . . . that was pretty impressive. What's with everyone having powers, anyway? He never used to feel "left out" over it before, but the more people he gets to know, the more he feels like the only one who can't magic water, summon demons, disintegrate things, hear people's emotions with his super special hearing, or—whatever this dude just did to that keypad. That was awesome! He got the numbers 1, 3, 7—

Wwwwwwait a second.

As soon as his brain catches up to that, his expression goes from mildly awed and hopeful to tight-lipped and pale, his eyes hard. CERES, you pieces of shit. You fucking assholes.

Maybe it's not. It doesn't have to be like that, right? What are the odds of him finding this thing and that being the code? No, he knows better: they can probably do something to make it like that. Remote control it. Read it off his mind and upload it straight into the lock. Mosley had shoved him down here, so—

This is stupid.

He brushes past magical code guy and up to the keypad, muttering to himself, though tense and too-loud enough to be easily heard:]

Are you fuckin' kidding me . . . ?

[And then walks up to the keypad and punches in]

11037

[ . . . Wait. The guy had said one more missing. Oops? Was it supposed to be 1137? 1037? Or was this all just screwing with his head and it's none of the above?

Well, he already put it in. He hunches up, tense, waiting to see if anything happens.]

. . . If it's four numbers it might be . . . forget it, I dunno.

[ There's a long pause, and then a beep -- but it's not an error beep at all. Rather: ]

Restricted Access Granted.

[ Wasn't it supposed to be four numbers? There's something a little odd about that... but nonetheless Leon's 5-number code works, and the door slides open.

The room beyond looks... like, well, a normal office receptionist room, though it's empty and quiet, and a little dark. ]

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▶ CHECKPOINT ONE.SAV

yay for checkpoints!

checkpoints that will lead to certain death tho...

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