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

[ Shigeru will be in the back, watching and listening to the ongoings of the other group. He kinda wants to ask why that code worked, where the other learned of it, but he can see it's a subject best left alone for now. Besides it seems like Nero got to that first anyway. Still he'll look around with a curious glance, eyes darting about to see if there's any sort of objects that stand out, but it's all too normal for him. He types something up for anyone to read on his cerevice. ]

It doesn't look like there's much in here. But it's really weird that they would keep such a normal place behind a security locked door. So maybe there...is something in here that they're trying to hide?

[ Well, it is restricted access. As soon as they're all inside, the door slams shut behind them, and then a small cage drops from the ceiling to land over -- well, just Shigeru, since he's in the back and it's actually pretty small.

As far as security is concerned, it's kind of sadly lacking, but the cage bolts automatically to the ground, so Shigeru's pretty stuck. ]

[ Oh my god?! Shigeru lets out a surprised gasp and very nearly drops his cerevice as that cage drops down from the ceiling. Rude Ceres. What is wrong with these people?! He looks startled and momentarily scared but he immediately backs up towards the center of the cage, trying not to touch any of the bars, in case they're electrified or something else. This is not how he wanted to spend his day...gosh.

Instead of typing something he'll activate his gate, which springs up from behind him as large, purple and iridescent. It's incorporeal so the cage doesn't do anything to it and it doesn't do anything back. But he'll reach back with a gloved hand and a sword will come out of it. He will activate its power of disintegration as he takes a swipe at the bars then. Hopefully his powers will do something?! ]

[ Well, that worked, sort of.

It disintegrates the bars where it hits, which means that the cage collapses in on itself and on top of him.

Hope you don't mind a bunch of metal bars landing on top of you, Shigeru! At least he'll get out of it with nothing more than some bruising. ]

[Okay, that was a thing.

Even before Ryuuga could try unsheathing his own sword to attempt cutting the bars, Shigeru seems to have everything covered, though at the very least he's going to be trying to help pull him out of the remains of the cage.

To be honest, the reception area they had gotten into (outside the cage, of course) looked almost too normal, and it wasn't exactly giving him a very good feeling about it. In fact, if he had to be perfectly honest, it was reminding him of certain aspects of Vol City.]

. . . Hooooly shit, you okay?!

[A LOT JUST HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. Leon had still been preoccupied with how best to absolutely refuse to explain the number 11037, and stewing over the fact that it had even come up. And then—sudden cage, sudden magical light show, disintegrating sword—

At least now CERES screwing with his head is the last thing on his mind.

He takes a step towards the wreck of the cage, hands lifted, but it looks like keypad guy's got this one. (It suddenly strikes him that they haven't even introduced themselves yet. Maybe once they get a second of things not happening so much. He's sure not going to just yell his name out now.)

He wants to explore the room a bit—he's absolutely not convinced it's as normal-looking as it might seem—but he'll get to that too once he sees this guy stand up and be okay. That looked like a hell of a crash.]

Edited 2016-05-30 20:20 (UTC)

What a sight to see! Beautiful even! Such benevolence to acquire your blade! I do love to see such beautiful things! You should do that more often!

( nero works off beauty, its something that speaks to her and she finds that it may be one of the many charm — beauty parts that shigeru has. well that happened and it's a good thing that shigeru was able to save himself from such a fate. nero would have been ready and willing to use her own weapon, but she is content with seeing such an ability. perhaps that would have been enough to handle the door if they weren't able to get in. for now, the female nods her head as she wanders off in search of something in the room. it's true, if there's such shoddy security, there must be something hiding within this place. )

Umu! If they work so hard to keep us out, something has to be hiding within this place. A normal office it seems but I wonder if they are attempting to fool our eyes! ( though it would be bad if they triggered another trap. ) We shouldn't just touch anything, who knows what other shoddy traps could be hiding within here.

[ There's plenty to poke around in in this room. Aside from the receptionist desk, there are two doors on the far wall, as well as a door to the left and a small hallway that appears to lead to an elevator on the right.

Shoddy trap aside, nothing else seems to be happening just yet. ]

[ He knew that would happen and he's honestly not all that perturbed by it either. He's definitely suffered worse in his line of work, so this really doesn't shake his resolve any. Minor bruises for him heal within minutes, so he can't honestly say he's worried. He nods his head at Ryuuga and turns to Leon with a shaky, but otherwise natural smile. He'll give a thumbs up to the rest of the group. He is totally okay, even with a metal cage falling on top of him... ]

I'm okay! Most of the bruising is already starting to heal, so you don't have to worry!

[ Shigeru please. Have more concern for your well being here?! Thank god his powers work at least...

He looks at Nero with a sheepish smile. ] I never...really thought of it that way. But, thank you. I agree with you though. We definitely need to be careful now.

[ It was a pretty shoddy defense admittedly but honestly Shigeru doesn't know what else is lurking around this place. ]

Edited 2016-05-31 03:26 (UTC)

[He lets out a breath that he really didn't realize he was holding at first, but nods all the same while turning back to the others as he scans the room again.]

Looks like we've got a couple options for where to go. I'd try the same trick I used on the keypad at the desk, but considering how fuzzy it was before, it might not really show much.

[He frowns slightly, his free hand at the back of his neck. That and the fact that's probably the farthest back he's reached with his psychometry abilities, so he's not even sure how well it would work the next time he attempted it.]

Ryuuga, by the way. Dougai Ryuuga. Figured if we're stuck together, might as well at least introduce myself.

Yeah . . . I'm Kuwata Leon.

[Good timing, probably. They have a moment for a breather here, and to think about what to do. There sure are a lot of options, more than he expected to find in a little room like this.

He glances around the room again, then back at the cage and Shigeru, considering.]

—Hey. Can you, like, cut off one of those metal cage bars for me so I've got somethin' on me? We don't all carry swords around, y'know?

[Just . . . three of us? Wow.

And he does have his knife, but he's more comfortable with things he can swing, anyway.]

We probably oughta check out this whole room and then just pick a door, huh?

Hmph. I see, you are right. You may call me "Your Emperor" if you all feel good about yourselves! Though that is no joke, Red Saber or Saber are adequate enough for you to call me as. ( since we're all sharing names here, she had completely forgot about doing so but there's not much that can be done when they're wandering around in the dark. most people don't exchange their names when thrown into a sewer hole, they normally try to figure out where they are.

walking over to the receptionist desk, she tries to find any sort of papers of who may have been here before or just anything she can get her hands on. where is all this going to lead them? is there any information on that? looking up towards the other, she nods. ) I agree. We should make sure that we don't miss a piece of information that they could be hiding from us. ( at this point, nero clears her throat as she listens to the exchange of the people she's with. )

Having a weapon on hand will be our best bet, who knows what could be lurking around here or.. ( looking towards the choices that they can go down. ) But I will do my best to protect you all, my master wouldn't want people to get hurt so I should feel the same.

Wha--?! [Okay so that was. A lot that happened all at once that it seems to take her a moment to process it all. The cage, and then his sword--? There's initial panic and the start of flailing a bit before she calms significantly at his reassurance and escape from the cage. Usagi visibly relaxes more, a hand to her chest. It dawns on her once the others start introducing themselves that....they had neglected that, in the wake of attempting to find a way out, focusing on that, their surroundings more.]

Ah, I'm Usagi. Tsukino Usagi. But...Saber...is that like Archer? He helps at Rei-chan and my place sometimes with cooking and stuff.

[But they are right. There is exploring to do, so they probably shouldn't overly linger on introductions too long. Instead, Usagi scans the room briefly, not too hopeful on any obvious weapons but knowing she has her own with her transformation if necessary. It's just a debate on whether or when to use it.]

I'll do my best too. To help protect everyone. [Even if...her civilian form probably leaves much to be desired, between her clumsiness and wailing at times.]

[ This is probably the best time for introduction, huh? Shigeru smiles a little and then he'll go over towards where everyone can sort of see his device. ]

I'm Shigeru Miyata! I'll try my best to help out too. My powers allow me to heal people if they need it, so if you're hurt you'll be okay with me around!

[ He's trying to keep an upbeat and positive attitude about the whole thing at least. But he'll turn to Leon then and nod. His sword is still out in his hand however his gate has been deactivated the entire time. But he'll activate it again the same sigil blooming into view as the sclera of his eyes turn black and his irises a purple matching his gate. He'll cut off the bar with little effort, handing it to the other. ]

Our numbers are uneven so that'll make this tricky.

[ Splitting up is really...dangerous in this sort of situation. ]

I'm not sure if splitting up is a good idea either...

[Ryuuga nods with a soft smile as the round of introductions finishes up. Now that that's been sorted out, time to figure out where to go next.]

Nice to meet you guys. Think we're all going to do what we can, from the looks of it - I'll do what I can to protect you guys as well.

[It hadn't been too long ago when he had worked with a bigger group, so hopefully this should work out well.

Maybe.

Hopefully.]

I don't really like the idea of splitting up myself, though. Especially if we don't know what's coming up. [Perks of coming from a horror canon and actually being somewhat Genre Savvy here, folks.] Anyone have a preference on which direction they want to take?

[He takes the sawed-off bar with a nod, gripping it in his right hand, and wanders over to take a look at the desk himself. Any drawers here to poke around in? As for the doors . . . he glances around at their options, frowning off to the right hallway.]

. . . I vote not the elevator. That's totally asking for trouble, right? If we all cram into that thing? Who knows if it even works?

[It's not that he has a fear of elevators now, exactly, but his associations with them sure aren't great, particularly in creeped places like this.]

So one of the other doors!

( looking towards usagi, the female gives a nod to assure her that she's correct. ) If you know what the title means when someone gives their name like that, then you are right. I am just like Archer. Versatile. I see. He has a loud mouth on him and I wish to rip out his tongue but I see he is doing his best. ( to be honest, she still dislikes archers because they're all irritating. ) Me and you will have much to speak about.

( now for the important parts at hand, glancing towards the elevator and a shake of her head. ) If we were to fall I'm sure I could carry all of us to safety, but it would be better to avoid such an area. Cliche as it may be, I've read many dramas where the cord is cut. ( looking around the room at everyone else, she also finds that splitting up would make sure of their deaths. )

But healing and being able to look into coding are very useful skills. It seems we all have some knowledge or ability to get through here safely, do make sure nothing happens to yourselves while protecting others.

[ The desk's pretty lackluster overall, a few old lunch orders crammed in the desk from whoever used to sit here before, some doodles of birds in another drawer, a pack of matches in one other. Enough perusal will show one lone drawer at the bottom of the desk to have something of note when they open it.

A large blue button rests on the bottom of the drawer, waiting to be pushed by anyone in the room. They're certainly free to push it... or to go to the doors off to the side. Free choice for everyone! ]

I think we should stick together too. It's...what's the saying 'safety in numbers' right? Or however that goes.

[Still, Usagi gives a nod to each of them in turn at the introductions, making note on Shigeru and his healing in particular even as she seems to look a little sheepish at Nero's comments about Archer.]

One of the other doors then...once we're sure we can't find anything new in here.

[Part of her feels bad for seeming to hold out, but she vows to transform if they need her help. Need Sailor Moon. For now, she'll sidle over to the desk, peering over Leon's shoulder.]

Find anything interesting? There has to be some reason the door was locked, right?

[ Yeah Shigeru nods in agreement at those assessments. An elevator was like a walking death trap, where Ceres is concerned at least. Despite the trap being shoddy in here there's no telling what other lines of "defense" this place might have. He could honestly see it being a simple cut of the cord and even with his healing abilities even he can't bring people back from the dead. His quick glance at the desk doesn't yield any results, so he'll be wandering about the room, trying to see if there's anything else that stands out. ]

That would be the easiest place for sabotage. So. Definitely not the elevator.

[There's a huff of air coming from Ryuuga as he's trying to take in the rest of the room as well. The worst part was that the other doors might have the same problem they had before with the keypads and while using his psychometry abilities doesn't wear him out initially, he really never had to use it continuously. He's taken to walking slowly around the perimeter of the room, grip on his sword tight.]

From the look of it, though, it doesn't look like anyone's been through here in a while. That keypad hadn't been used in years, probably.

[Leon, on the other hand, is going through all of this stuff in this desk. Who knows when it might be useful? He pockets everything he finds, shoving the matches and even the little bird doodles into his jacket, and then pulls open that bottom drawer—]

Hey, hold up, look at this! C'mere! I found something!

[He is definitely not making any move to press it, though. Just. Look at that big, suspicious button, just sitting in there. Hmm.]

Oh? Hm? ( leaning over a moment to glance at the button that's been found, she mulls over the thought for a moment. looking down at the floor under her and then taking a step back like so, who knows if that button will be a trap door or if it'll alarm another shame cage from the sky. )

A button, it seems like some cliche addition that I've read in various plays in the library. ( but listen, this is no cliche nero, this is your life on the line. ) It could open something or it could be our rose-like nightmare. ( and that isn't a good thing. )

Do you believe that we could use those abilities of yours again? ( looking at ryuuga as she waits for his response unless someone is about to have a good time and press it! ) Though I don't understand how they work just yet but you are versatile in these things.

[He lifts his head, shrugging, but he does make his way over to where the others are gathered and looks down at it.]

I'll see if I can pull anything from it. No guarantees, though. [Ryuuga lets out a huff of air before doing the same as he did with the keypad, gently placing a hand on it without actually pressing the button, closing his eyes and concentrating.

What he's honestly most afraid of is getting absolutely nothing from it - that'd mean that nobody even remotely pushed it even when the building was still in use. Bad enough that the keypad memories were fuzzy.]

[ The only thing he'll be able to get from the button is that everyone who used it before got really excited to do so.

That's it.

Good luck. ]

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