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

[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. ]

[Shit.

Ryuuga comes out of the short trance, though the expression on his face might be more than enough to convey his mood. Which is: Not. Impressed.]

I was afraid of that.

[He leans his head back as he's backing off.]

Nothing on what it actually does, just that ... apparently whoever used it was really excited for whatever it did. Sorry, guys.

[Damn. Well, he can't be mad at keypad guy—Dougai. That's still info they didn't have before. Leon frowns down at the button, the wheels in his head grinding along.]

Think it's some kinda sex thing? . . . Just kidding.

[Maybe you sit at the desk and push the button and some attachment pops out and gives you a blowjob, he thinks. That's exactly the kind of thing CERES would invent. He could probably go to the Pleasure District and buy one as soon as they get out of here, seriously.

But they're not gonna be so lucky here.

He walks around the desk, glancing back over at the door they came through.]

It's like, a thousand percent some kinda murder device. Am I right? Think about it . . . that cage that came down, who was that even for, huh? So someone's sitting at the desk, and someone busts in on them, the cage drops down and traps them, and then the office lady or whatever pushes that button! It totally spells lights out for whoever's in the cage! And CERES is a bunch of psychos, so obviously she'd be happy about doin' it!

You have the entire scenario played out in your mind, very well. If you and the others believe such a gimmick then perhaps we shall avoid it. ( someone was happy about pressing it? well that's something but they won't learn anything by staring at a button. ) Though that cage from before had already came from the sky, that button could bestow upon ups some sort of trap door so all we can do is play safe.

( just let nero give one long and tired look at leon for his previous statement, she's so tired. if she had any more pleasure district tickets, she'd give it to him if he feels that way because for some reason, she doesn't find that a joke. ) Denying both the button and the elevator, all we can do is take the hallway towards wherever it may go.

( a pause as she thinks about it. ) So we haven't found anything here either yet it had been guarded with such a poor line of defense. It seems CERES can't think of good capturing methods. ( back in nero's day, she tied them up and lit them afire just so she had some light at night. would have been nice for smores. )

If they were happy, something good must have happened, right?

[Or....or they were Evil and wanting something really awful to happen and took delight in that. Yeah, or that. Usagi just can't help wanting to think the best of people. And yet, CERES is really testing her....Either way.

She's almost tempted to reach over and push it. But the rest seem pretty wary on doing so. Whether they should trust this, especially with this new information from Ryuuga and his strange ability with technology.]

...Should we try it? Or leave the button?

[It seems the only potentially important find thus far. Well, aside from the cage.]

[ This is tricky because he's not sure what exactly caused that happy feeling to occur in the person who used that button. He doesn't want to say yes or no because there's too many unknown variables to all of this. ]

If we do press it we should be on guard. I'm not sure I like that the outcome of doing so is still so mysterious. But we can't disregard it either. We can just use the hallway, but the idea of us missing something crucial that might be linked to this button is also there.

[ He honestly doesn't know what to do about the mysterious button. ] If we do press it, I'm sure we can take on whatever it is that's thrown at us.

[At this point, Ryuuga's still trying to parse out just what that excited feeling was - but once everyone's debating on whether or not to push it, he lets out a huff of air.]

We won't know unless we do something, but if that's the case -

[He backs up so that he's not near anyone, holding out his sword before unsheathing it and drawing a circle in the air above him. What's even more interesting is the fact that there's light trailing from the tip when he does so, and when he flicks his wrist down, the circle fills with light and a gold flash is seen before he's covered in what looks to be golden armor with a wolf motif.]

I'm ready to take it on too. [Even with a limited time to do anything, it's better than nothing. And it probably would be better if he did this now rather than have to risk not being able to get it on in time.]

Forgive me, Master.

( words spoken to herself in a whisper as she quickly takes a step back and in a few fluid motions by twirling around a small red light that appeared in her hands, she continues to flick her wrist until a rather large red sword manifests into the palm of her hand. not only that, flames are flicking from the blade and is also used as light to brighten up the room just a little more. saber swipes her blade to the side, heat coming off of it and hopefully not anywhere near something that could catch on fire.

she's always been suited for battle considering the armor she adorns at this moment, but since everyone else is getting geared up. holding tightly onto the weapon in her hand as she places it by her side, the servant glances at everyone else who's gotten ready and are getting ready. ) It would only be rude of me to abstain from this duel, I only hope my master's mana can hold out adequately if anything is to happen! ( it's troublesome to be a heroic spirit to someone who isn't a magi like many other masters. she does hope the use of her powers don't knock him out since she doesn't have anything to eat to keep her mana in tact without any amounts of food around her to eat; she has to work off her master for now. if she lacks that, losing her corporal body and going into spirit form is the worst that could happen but.. she believes all will be fine. )

[OKAY WHAT THE HELL SON

Leon's a little taken aback, to say the least, just kind of . . . gaping at the group. He had some thoughts about all this, but for the moment they fly out of his head, leaving him in awe. Slightly embarrassed awe. No one's actually looking at him expectantly, but he still feels like they are, like everyone's disappointed he's the one without some . . . cool sword or armor or, seriously, are they all like this? All of them?!

He spares Tsukino a quick glance. Good thing she's normal like him.

(Right?!)

After a few moments just kind of moving his mouth without making sound, trying to will the flush out of his cheeks, he reaches up and tugs a hand hard through his hair, sighing. Dammit. He can still at least plan, huh? (But he's not good at being the smart one either!)

He can try . . . ]

Ooookay, if something jumps out and friggin' murders us after all that, there's probably nothing we could've done in the first place, huh? —Look, let's push it, but no one go anywhere near the cage! Just in case! And if something crazy happens like the whole place catches on fire, run for one of the doors! . . . Right??

[Usagi gives a nod in agreement that they should....sort of be prepared, just in case this could easily turn out to be another trap of some sort. He admires the armor, and then Saber's sword for a moment. It's then that she bites her lip, considering for a second. If she does transform into Sailor Moon in front of them, they would all know. But....they seem trustworthy enough and are showing their own skills to her. She should do her best to help as well.

So, she raises a hand and shouts, her brooch seeming to pulse with a blinding light as she transforms in front of all of them right then and there. Standing where Usagi was is now Sailor Moon. Complete with posing, even. Because every good Magical Girl needs their trademark pose. Of course.]

For Love and Justice, the pretty sailor suited soldier Sailor Moon!

[Wow she almost seems actually fairly serious. For about a full minute or so, before turning her attention to the button.]

I think everyone's fairly ready, right? If something happens, we'll figure it out together! So....lets see what this actually does.....?

[Hope you're all ready because. Yeah. She's going for it, reaching with one gloved hand to push the button. Probably the button of doom, but they won't know unless they try?]

[ It will very quickly become very clear why the person who pushed the button before was excited about it.

The button is pressed, there's a beep, and a robotic: ]

Cages opened.

[ And then there's the metallic scrape of metal on metal.

At which point a few friends step into the room, peering around with robotic intelligence.

They're robot velociraptors, who wouldn't be excited about pressing that button? ]

[EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN THIS ROOM IS ON A LEVEL OF BADASS THAT THIS NORMAL-ASS MOTHERFUCKER IS NOT AT ALL EQUIPPED FOR.

Running for a door seems like a terrible idea, actually. Instead he flings himself under the desk—if he can make it under there. He's sure going for it, and he wasn't standing that far away. But raptors is fast.

Good luck, guys.]

Hoooooly shit! Shit. Shit shit shit! Why'd we fuckin' do that! Holy shit!

( WELL NOW THAT'S AMAZING! nero has to give a look towards usagi's transformation which is very beautiful to her, the servant nodding in appreciation. beauty comes in various shapes and sizes and for someone like usagi, to change her appearance and into something of a superhero is quite admirable. she'll make sure to comment on that later as she quickly jumps back, guarding the table that leon is hiding under. )

We shall protect him! Everyone get into position! A duel to the death these metal beasts wish to bring to us and we shall give it to them! <( hopefully these dinosaurs aren't fools, isn't insane to rush towards someone with a flaming sword unless they love to die? in all honesty, nero holds out her weapon and watches her surroundings. tbh, if leon looks up he can probably see a bit of asscrack which i'm so sorry for, hopefully that doesn't kill. making sure that none of the the beats come towards the desk, the fire flickers of the blade when she swipes her blade downward for an intimidation attempt. )

Such vile and ugly creatures, to look at us with such vibrant emerald hues of pure destruction! You shall close them when you meet death! ( glancing at everyone else for a moment before laying her eyes back on the weird mechanical beasts, she shakes her head. ) They would be good mounts perhaps we whip them into shape and show them who controls who!

Cages? Wait, there are more--?!

[But that's all she really has time to register, before the beasts start to approach, and she shifts to accommodate Leon hiding under the desk. As much as she wants to join him and wonders what the heck they could possibly face next, she knows she's transformed, that she should be more confident. That she can't leave this just to the others. She herself probably isn't the best dressed for this sort of thing, ever. The sailor fuku does leave rather little covered, but at the same time, as a senshi, her body and endurance is stronger. She just has to hope it will be enough.

Even as she holds an arm in front of her eyes at the sword's downward swing, she then raises it slightly, pressing at her tiara, quickly aiming and throwing it at one of the robots if they come closer after that.]

Mounts? I guess they would be faster than walking, but....I'm not sure. [As much as she wants to attempt to cooperate, after the last robot fiasco she is not sure that is really an option at the moment with these.]

[Hey, at least he's got a great view from down here. Nice. He's not really in a mental place to appreciate it, but . . . it's still a plus.

He fumbles for his CereVice, suddenly thinking: he hasn't even looked at the thing yet. The first thing he does is scroll to Kirigiri's name, try and pull up a message, but it won't connect. Of course. He doesn't know why, he's not thinking, but Togami's next—

User is occupied, huh . . .

Well, that's not a good sign.

He glances nervously between his screen and the people surrounding the desk (or their asses, whatever), heart pounding in his ears, unsure if he's waiting to die. His CereVice clearly isn't going to be any help—but wait, maybe he can at least get a picture of these things, some video of this room, something for later. So he turns on the camera function, although he's not going to stick his neck out for this, so his viewpoint is pretty limited here. Like he's going to crawl out into Raptor Hell for the sake of some footage. No thanks.

But maybe he'll get something.]

[Ryuuga gets into position as well, brandishing the now-broadsword sized weapon as he gives a level glare to their newfound opponents. Yeah, they might've looked cool, but people are just plain weird sometimes with what they think is exciting. He's surprised when Usagi and Nero get into battle positions as well, but thankfully that's all hidden by his helmet.

Got a little over a minute to do this.]

Not sure that would be a good idea! [At least in his case. That and he's way too wary of what might happen should they decide to suddenly want to eat the person riding them.

If they ate.

Though he's pretty sure they'll at least maim and/or tear someone apart, at least.

There's a very brief pause before he slams himself bodily into the nearest robo-raptor that isn't occupied by Nero or Usagi's attacks, only to kick off of it, lunge forward and deliver a downward slice.

Not today, son.]

[ They are definitely alarmingly intelligent creatures. The chips in their brains are at a higher level than you'd expect from dinosaurs; they're sophisticated AIs, and they quickly and relentlessly focus on the greatest of the threats.

Which is hard since everyone sans Leon is pretty badass, but still.

Ultimately, they settle on Nero, and with metallic, dinosaurian roars, they charge her with shocking speed. Still, she'll have the time to get at least two or three of them with her sword. The problem is the fourth, which will latch its teeth into her upper arm and shoulder.

Thankfully that's all of them occupied, though, since the fifth one just got tackled by Ryuuga. It hits the ground, and his sword hits the dinosaur and unfortunately skids right off of the metal plating with a screeching noise. The dinosaur immediately snaps out at Ryuuga in return, and it will get either his sword in its teeth (which it has the jaw strength to snap in half) or his arm (which...well, see above note about jaw strength). ]

[ Lord this all went to hell pretty quickly but Shigeru is on standby as he activates his powers again. He'll draw out his shield this time too before he focuses his attention on the dinosaur latched to Ryuuga's arm. No time to heal that right now, but he does kick off the ground and slam into the dinosaur's side with his shield.

Fun enough that whatever touches the surface of his shield will start to disintegrate, and the longer its in contact with his shield the faster the disintegration spreads. So the dinosaur will have a nice gaping hole spreading through out its upper thigh. ]

( there's a flinch at the bite in her arm and it is evident of blood that comes from the wound, an annoyed look crosses her features and she retorts back by swiping her blade up in an attempt to cut off the mouth that has fangs dug into her shoulder. if she's not successful considering these intelligent ass ais, she'll act risky and use all of her strength to pull her shoulder away from the beast, probably tearing her flesh open in the process. however, she'll use one of her healing abilities so that her skin connects back together as if damage had never been done. )

A foolish attempt! ( with a deep breath and closing her eyes, she focuses on using another ability. a buff towards her attack power and defense, she points her sword at the mouthless beast. she should kill it off but an idea comes to her mind, if she could probably tame it like one of her own. it'll be a risky move but perhaps maybe she can make it call off the others. keeping her eyes on the beast, she begins to speak. )

Riding a beast like you is nothing different from wrestling and riding the lion back home! With that, I know I am able to ride you! Thanks to my Imperial Privilege, it is what I have decided! ( an ability given to saber, it allows her to possess unique skills of whatever she wishes; though it can only be used for a short periods of time until she falls into a migraine and forgets it all together. this ability is also good in imitating the class of rider and with that at hand, perhaps she could try and tame the beast so that she could ride it? well, she'll find that out if it's willing to stop attacking and play at her terms. )

Heel beast! Allow me to ride you or call off your vermin!

[OKAY THAT WAS A BAD IDEA AND WE HAVE REGRETS-

Though a little late for that now - he's shifting to make sure the jaws clamp down on his arm instead of his sword - he can get healed later, but if the Garoken gets damaged, he's not even sure if anyone would be able to reforge it. There were few people who would be able to repair Soul Metal in the first place back home.

Normally, the enchanted metal would be burning the flesh off of whatever touched it, but considering that the dinosaur in question was mechanical and not organic, well... not so much. He's swinging down with his free arm to slam on top of its head while it's occupied with his arm and Shigeru's attack, though - hoping that it loosens its grip before his arm is broken in the process.]

[ It's a really good try, and if these were real dinos, it probably would've worked. Unfortunately, they're entirely technological; there's nothing remotely biological about them, and so they seem to be magic proof. Nothing she does or says seems to influence it, as cool as it would be to ride a velociraptor.

Instead, the dinosaur rears back to avoid her attempts at cutting its mouth, though that does allow her to free her shoulder and heal it.

But her attempts to tame the dinosaurs cost her precious time, and that's when the second dino that was after her barrels straight into her, knocking her to the ground. She'll have the time to take it out, perhaps, but then the other is jumping on her, and she'll get a face full of dinosaur teeth.

Poor Nero will wake up 3 IC days later in Cerealia proper, in one of the casinos fittingly themed "Dinoland". She won't have any negative side effects, however!

And her valiant sacrifice and/or valiant existence as the distraction for the dinobots means that Shigeru's attack is going to be able to disintegrate the legs off of one of those, knocking it to the ground where it's practically useless, and Ryuuga's strike successfully loosens the jaw of the dino enough to free his arm.

There are only two of the things left in any sort of fighting shape, but... on the other hand, they are two metal velociraptors. ]

Ryuuga-san! Saber!

[Oh hell. This is. Not going well at all. Usagi decides to refrain from attempting to use her tiara again, merely forcing herself to try to physically slam into the robot attempting to go after Ryuuga and his arm, managing to do so only seconds after he frees himself.

She doesn't have the time to be distraught over the loss of Saber. Not here. Not yet. She tries to tell herself, to will herself to hold back the tears, to focus on keeping the others alive where possible. She turns, trying to check that Leon is still safe at least in all of this, even as she attempts to back up Shigeru and Ryuuga.]

How's your arm? Are you okay? [She asks as she tries to access the situation. Two more left. They're outnumbered now, even with Leon staying back and keeping safe. So she's a little more confident, even if they're one down from when they started. As she tries not to let the guilt eat away at her just yet.]

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