Who: Everyone ever.
When: ooc: 10/30 to 11/04 ; ic: 09/26 to 09/28
Where: Cerealia - all five districts.
What: Clowns, Murder, Outrage and One Direction.
Happy Halloween :D
Rating/Warning: PG-13 to R. [ image within includes brief flash of scary clowns, scroll down quickly if you don't want to see it! ]
//event004.EXE
Queen of the Mountain
It's morning when the lights go out completely. Not a single one remains on except the glow of the device and whatever flashlights anyone bothered to stock up on. However, a single hologram in the Shopping District broadcasts along a billboard for a Very Important Announcement. After that, you hear a song so tender and beautiful that it must have been composed by angels at the dawn of time.
"Baby, you light up my world like nobody else. The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed… "
When you go outside to investigate, a friendly clown will be inside a stolen(?) ice cream truck, looking to get all your attention before he talks through the speaker on the truck.
"Greetings, Cerealians! It's nice of you to join us at last. Are you worried about the power coming back? Oh, I'm sure CERES is working on it now. Rest assured that they have their finest technicians on the job. You won't be without your precious personal computers and robot-pets much longer.
In the meantime, let's play a game shall we! The rules are rather simple:
♥ You see that necklace on your chest? That's a lantern. You're going to want to hold onto that. If you lose it… well, you don't want to know what will happen to you if you do.
♥ Now, for the fun part! Collect the necklaces any way you wish, though we prefer the naughty way. Kill a friend. Kill a foe. Killkillkillkill until the streets are paved with blood.
♥ Whoever collects the most of those lanterns, gets a special surprise! They get to go back home, back to their friends and loved ones and away from CERES' endless lies and trickery. Don't you know it's all a lie? Your worlds weren't destroyed. This is a penal colony, and you've been suckered into the biggest prank of your life. But I'm here to help, of course. Just bring me a garbage bag full of the lanterns, and I'll show you, the lucky winner, the way out."
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//SCENARIOS.EXE
PHASE I [ xx xx ]
You're going about your business, wading through the dark, finding supplies. But you're not alone. After the broadcast happens, everything is in full swing. Some masked participants decide to start breaking into shops, classes, apartments, you name it. There's no escaping them. They're on the hunt, they're after you 'cause they're hungry like the woooolf. You can choose to engage them, fight your way out, jump into the game, or head to the sanctuary located in CERES academy. The choice is yours. Be sure to make the right one.
PHASE II [ xxxx ]
Spiders, spiders everywhere. For those who decided to surrender their lanterns, the first twelve hours of the game are a breeze. Then, come the spiders, hungry critters that will attack and try to catch you in their many webs strewn through the colony. Be sure not to get stuck in one while they chase you.
PHASE III [ xxxx ]
Feeling weak? Not quite keeping up with the clown-faced gentlemen? Or maybe even your former friends and lovers? Well, there's a solution for that! You'll find another masked man happily pedaling some Pulse for you to take. The temptation is there with the promise of extra strength and a boost of power and speed. He won't hint at any side-effects, but oh, how you'll feel them when they hit. And those trying to dodge that fate, don't put your drink down anywhere or take your eyes off your food. Someone just might slip a little extra to get this game really going.
PHASE IV [ xxxx ]
It's the last day of the game. You're tired. You're weary. You may have stabbed a roommate or ten. But the lights are gradually returning while the CEO appears as if from nowhere with a public apology on all the billboards. You're welcome to spam your disgust and contempt in his inbox. His explanation for not being around? Quite simple! He was off on an expedition this whole time and wasn't aware of the situation because he gets no reception out in the jungle. See, he was doing it all for the good of the colony and trying to look for more habitable terrain. Isn't that kind of him?
Any further complaints will be forward to his underlings, Elias and Lucius.
BONUS [ whyo'clock ]
You know what's fun? Jumping castles! Someone happened to surreptitiously leave one in CERES' large garden. Do you want to go in and see what's inside? For a limited time only, you can escape the madness and murder to jump to your heart's content. There also might be another clown-faced murderer watching you as you jump. And jump again. He'll just be in the corner. Breathing. Watching.
[ 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. ]
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//RUN.EXE
Welcome to CEREALIA's fourth official event. For your convenience, we have compiled an OOC post explaining the event in greater detail. Feel free to ask questions there if you have anymore lingering concerns or inquiries.
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i
[He just doesn't.] I've seen it before.
no subject
You have...? [A gentle note of curiosity lifts Kaoru's tone up, lips pressing together into a thin line.] ...I'm sorry for you, sir. Desperation does tend to bring out the worst in some. [Or in all, maybe; just different levels that manifest uniquely in each person who experiences it.]
Do you think that the situation will become dire? All of the people that I've met so far have been kind and thoughtful... I don't want to believe that any of them would sacrifice the life of another for a chance.
no subject
Desperation and despair... but they can bring out the best in people too.
[Though he believes that a little less than he used to.]
It would be nice to think that, but even kind people can make surprising choices if they think that chance is important enough to take. I guess that's cynical. I'm sure at least some people will refuse to play this sort of game. Hinata-kun and I won't. Not after that island.
no subject
But the rest of what Komaeda says is a good enough point to change the topic.]
Ah— You know Hinata-san? [It's clear that the name is recognized. Kaoru doesn't know Hinata well, per se, but has a decent enough grasp on his personality to lose at least a small degree of the tension currently present. A friend of Hinata's could be just as sensible (hAH) as Hinata is, after all.]
...I apologize for prying, but may I ask what island you're referring to? Was it somewhere here?
no subject
[His expression turns downright fond. It's not surprising she's already met Hinata; that's the sort of person Hinata is, after all.] We've been together for a long while now; we're from the same world.
[A shake of his head at the apology.] It's not prying. But as far as I can tell, it isn't a part of this world -- though right now this place is a lot like what the world I'm from has become. Where we were in particular was called Jabberwock Island.
no subject
The two of you come from a difficult world, it seems... It's too unfortunate that you've been made to experience it all over again here. [But that, at least, signifies to Kaoru that Komaeda likely isn't a threat. Everyone spoken to so far with even a little bit of similar experience seems so adverse to trying out this "game" that it's almost funny. Reasonable, though; even without having prior experience, Kaoru knows that expecting any sort of victory by playing along is beyond stupid.]
If there's anything that I can do to help... [Trailing off, and then adding with some uncertainty:] I'm not very well-suited to situations like this, so I don't know if there would be much that I can do. But I would like to see as many people get through this unharmed as possible.
no subject
[Hope. He's full of it. He's also cynical enough to think that it could all end in disaster, in lots of death and blood.]
I think being not-well-suited to this is a pretty positive trait. [He smiles, subdued, but a smile nevertheless.] I'd like that too. And Hinata-kun. We have a lot of supplies, so anyone that we can help who doesn't intend to participate in this sort of game... working together seems like it may be the best way for people to survive.
no subject
But Kaoru will return Komaeda's subdued smile with a faint one, though there seems to be a degree of friendliness present that wasn't when he had first spoken up.]
Putting it that way, I would have to agree. [And then Kaoru's head dips forward a little, a reserved and polite gesture.] I hope that you'll accept whatever aid I may be able to offer, in that case. Ah... I have medical experience, for example. It will be a little outdated compared to what practitioners seem to be capable of in this time period, but I've tried to brush up on my research.
no subject
He seems pleased by the agreement, only further so by the offer.] That's a really useful skill to have in a circumstance like this. I'm sure people will appreciate it. In that case, I'd really like to offer any help you might need too, but unfortunately someone like me doesn't have much useful to offer -- except there are supplies, and a safe place if you happen to need it! [Paranoia has paid off this time.]
I know it's a dangerous, strange time for an introduction, but I'm Komaeda.
no subject
I appreciate it. I must look for my little sister first, but I'll take her to you if things become too difficult out here. [Except then word of the generator-run safe zone in the school will make it to Kaoru, who will take the chance and try to make it there instead. Still, with no other options currently, it's a kind gesture for Komaeda to make.
The introduction is also met with a smile and a headshake, one hand gently held up in a placating gesture.]
Think nothing of it. Even though the circumstances are unpleasant, it's a pleasure to meet you, Komaeda-san. My name is Nagumo Kaoru. I apologize for needing to rely on you in such a strenuous time without getting to know you first, but I hope that we'll be able to work together.
no subject
[Komaeda has no siblings, no family of any kind, but he wonders if it's a good thing or a bad thing to have a loved one here. If any shred of Ceres' story is true about the destruction of the universe, it must be good. But clearly this place is dangerous. For himself at least, he's decided it's a very, very good thing that Hinata is here.]
Then I hope you find her soon. [He ducks a quick, but polite (always polite, or at least almost always) little bow.] Even if I'm not the sort of person anyone should want to rely on, I think it's probably best to work together anyway, for people in circumstances like these anyway.
no subject
[Because Kaoru does seem to have an abnormally easy time tracking down the people that need to be found... Hopefully the clowns won't interfere and add on to the overall travel time; that would be irritating.
The look that follows is gently reassuring, accompanied by a softer smile.]
Surely it isn't as bad as you believe it to be. [Not being the sort of person that others should rely on, that is.] But I agree; I very much think that cooperation is our best chance at being able to end this mess with minimal bloodshed. Luckily, I have yet to see anyone taking them seriously... Or it would seem that way to me, anyway. [People could always be lying, of course.]
I haven't actually recognized any of the voices of those wearing masks, either.
no subject
That's kind of you.
[Very kind. But it's good that she agrees. And that next observation has him thinking.] I haven't either, though I haven't had much conversation with them. Still... no one familiar.
Mm! That's reassuring, isn't it?
no subject
It's— well, for what it is, it's reassuring. I haven't conversed with any, myself, but they do seem to be getting quite loud. [This said with a mild grimace. Rudeass clowns...]
But it also brings another question with it. If not any of our own, who are they? Other citizens...? The ones who were here first? [A rogue band of clowns living in the jungle??]
no subject
Very loud. To be so organized, it's like they were ready for something like this. I wonder if it's happened before.
[That is his current hypothesis/fear. That this is not a new thing.]
Maybe so. Whether they were brought here like us or some other way. It would be a good thing to find out, even after we get through this incident.
no subject
[Kaoru sounds uncertain, though. All this other weird shit is happening so honestly, the idea of a pack of clowns planning out Battle Royale doesn't seem too far-fetched.]
...But I do agree with that. Being caught unaware a second time may be even worse for us. These situations seem to be worsening every time they happen, as well. [One hand raises, nervously tucking some hair behind an ear.] Still, there's hardly time to think about it now. Survival should be our priority...
[AND WITH THAT IN MIND:] —I should continue to search for my sister.
no subject
[It's no good being separated from the people you care about. Even Komaeda thinks that much. Especially when dangerous, frightening things are going on. He ducks his head before offering a smile.]
Stay safe while you do! It's no good to get caught up in this.
no subject
[The smile that Kaoru offers is pleasant and warm, and it's followed closely by a deeper and more respectful bow.]
And thank you for doing what you can to make this place as safe as it can currently be. I hope that it wouldn't be imposing, if I were to try finding you and Hinata-san again after finding Chizuru?
no subject
It wouldn't be imposing at all. Hinata-kun would say the same too! In fact, I hope you do once you've found her. There's safety in numbers after all!
[Right? Something like that at all.]
no subject
I'll be certain to do so, in that case. [Except they get murdered by a wild Soujirou instead so there's that...]
Please take care until then, Komaeda-san. I hope that I'll see you well when we next meet.
no subject
Of course! And please take care as well, you and your sister both. [Alas that no one can anticipate wild Soujirous. So Komaeda will stick with the well-wishing, and with that he'll reaffirm his grip on his crowbar and take a few steps back.
Time to get home without getting killed! It's another lovely day.]