estoria | « 004 ⇢ event004.exe »

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."

//SCENARIOS.EXE

PHASE I

[ xxxx ] 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. ]

//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.

<lj-cut text="event004.exe"><raw-code>

<center><table style="width: 700px; padding: 0px; border: 0px"><tr>
<td style="padding-left: 20px; vertical-align: top;"><div style="width: 700px; text-align: justify; font-family: cambria; font-size: 13px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -2px; font-size: 16px; color: #545454;"><div style="letter-spacing: 5px; background: #4a4a4a; font-family: lucida console; color: #05d39b; text-decoration: none; padding-left: 20px;"><font color="white">//</font>event004<font color="white">.EXE</font></div></center></span>
<div style="background-image: url('http://i.imgur.com/OLpYI4W.png'); padding: 10px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#6a4972">
<center><img src="http://i.imgur.com/0KKtiAj.gif" style="border-radius: 30px;"></center><br>

<center><b>Queen of the Mountain</b></center><br><br>

It's morning when the lights go out completely. Not a single one remains on except the glow of the device and whatever flash lights 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. <br><br>

<i>"Baby, you light up my world like nobody else. The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed… "</i><br><br>

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.

<blockquote><img src="http://i.imgur.com/WY3GGnO.png" style="width: 200px; border-radius: 50%; padding-right: 10px;" align="left">
<span style="background: #fff; padding: 6px;">"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. <br><br>

In the meantime, let's play a game shall we! The rules are rather simple: <br><br>

♥  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.<br>
♥ Now, for the fun part! Collect the necklaces anyway you wish, though we prefer the naughty way. Kill a friend. Kill a foe. Killkillkill<i>kill</i> until the streets are paved with blood.<br>
♥ 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."</span></blockquote>

</raw-code></span></div></div> </td></tr></table>
<raw-code>
<table style="width: 700px;"><tr><td style="padding-left: 20px; vertical-align: top;"><div style="width: 700px; text-align: justify; font-family: cambria; font-size: 13px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -2px; font-size: 16px; color: #545454;"><div style="letter-spacing: 5px; background: #4a4a4a; font-family: lucida console; color: #05d39b; text-decoration: none; padding-left: 20px;"><font color="white">//</font>SCENARIOS<font color="white">.EXE</font></div></center></span>
<div style="background-image: url('http://i.imgur.com/OLpYI4W.png'); padding: 10px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><font color="#6a4972">
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; border-width: 16px 11px 11px 0; border-color: transparent #2aced4 transparent transparent; display: inline-block;"></div><div style="position: relative; background-color: #2aced4; height: 26px; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; color: #fff; padding: 1px; padding-left: 8px; font-family: arial narrow; background: #2aced4; font-size: 15px; color: #fff; padding-right: 10px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 2px;">PHASE I</div> <blockquote><font face="courier" new="new" color="black">[ <b>xx<img src="http://i.imgur.com/pKuf6cT.gif" alt=":">xx</b> ]</font>
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 <strike>'cause they're hungry like the woooolf</strike>. 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.</blockquote>

<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; border-width: 16px 11px 11px 0; border-color: transparent #2aced4 transparent transparent; display: inline-block;"></div><div style="position: relative; background-color: #2aced4; height: 26px; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; color: #fff; padding: 1px; padding-left: 8px; font-family: arial narrow; background: #2aced4; font-size: 15px; color: #fff; padding-right: 10px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 2px;">PHASE II</div> <blockquote> <font face="courier" new="new" color="black">[ <b>xx<img src="http://i.imgur.com/pKuf6cT.gif" alt=":">xx</b> ]</font>

Spiders, spiders everywhere. For those who decided to surrender their lanterns, the first twelve hours of the game are a breeze. Then come the <a href="http://i.imgur.com/P53wYHS.png">spiders</a>, hungry critters that will attack and try to catch you in its many webs strewn through the colony. Be sure not to get stuck in one while it chases you.</blockquote>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; border-width: 16px 11px 11px 0; border-color: transparent #2aced4 transparent transparent; display: inline-block;"></div><div style="position: relative; background-color: #2aced4; height: 26px; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; color: #fff; padding: 1px; padding-left: 8px; font-family: arial narrow; background: #2aced4; font-size: 15px; color: #fff; padding-right: 10px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 2px;">PHASE III</div> <blockquote> <font face="courier" new="new" color="black">[ <b>xx<img src="http://i.imgur.com/pKuf6cT.gif" alt=":">xx</b> ]</font> 
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 <i>Pulse</i> 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 it hits. 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.<br><br></blockquote>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; border-width: 16px 11px 11px 0; border-color: transparent #2aced4 transparent transparent; display: inline-block;"></div><div style="position: relative; background-color: #2aced4; height: 26px; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; color: #fff; padding: 1px; padding-left: 8px; font-family: arial narrow; background: #2aced4; font-size: 15px; color: #fff; padding-right: 10px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 2px;">PHASE IV</div> <blockquote> <font face="courier" new="new" color="black">[ <b>xx<img src="http://i.imgur.com/pKuf6cT.gif" alt=":">xx</b> ]</font> 
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 <A href="http://messor.dreamwidth.org/2902.html">inbox</a>. 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? <br><br>

Any further complaints will be forward to his underlings, <a href="http://serritor.dreamwidth.org/">Elias</a> and <a href="http://insitor.dreamwidth.org/">Lucius</a>.<br><br>
</blockquote>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; border-width: 16px 11px 11px 0; border-color: transparent #2aced4 transparent transparent; display: inline-block;"></div><div style="position: relative; background-color: #2aced4; height: 26px; display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; color: #fff; padding: 1px; padding-left: 8px; font-family: arial narrow; background: #2aced4; font-size: 15px; color: #fff; padding-right: 10px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 2px;">BONUS</div> <blockquote> <font face="courier" new="new" color="black">[ <b>why<img src="http://i.imgur.com/pKuf6cT.gif" alt=":">o'clock</b> ]</font> 
You know what's fun? <a href="http://i.imgur.com/vruHeN8.jpg">Jumping castles</a>! 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-face murderer watching you as you jump. And jump again. He'll just be in the corner. Breathing. <i>Watching.</i> 
</blockquote>
[ 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. ]
</span></div></div> 
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<table style="width: 700px; padding: 0px; border: 0px"><tr>
<td style="padding-left: 20px; vertical-align: top;"><div style="width: 700px; text-align: justify; font-family: cambria; font-size: 13px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -2px; font-size: 16px; color: #545454;"><div style="letter-spacing: 5px; background: #4a4a4a; font-family: lucida console; color: #05d39b; text-decoration: none; padding-left: 20px;"><font color="white">//</font>RUN<font color="white">.EXE</font></div></center></span>
<div style="background-image: url('http://i.imgur.com/OLpYI4W.png'); padding: 10px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#6a4972">
Welcome to CEREALIA's fourth official event. For your convenience, we have compiled an <A href="http://exteria.dreamwidth.org/17331.html">OOC post</a> explaining the event in greater detail. Feel free to ask questions there if you have anymore lingering concerns or inquiries. <br><br>

</span></div></div> 
</td></tr></table><br>

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, you just added to it, so I can't really say I've got complaints! [ indeed, Yang is flashing him a grateful smile. She's fine, really, she can take six guys, but who doesn't like a little company. ]

Just duck for a sec-- [ because there goes assailant #2, soaring overhead. She'd prefer to clear this spot out quickly. ]

Is that so? That's exciting! I don't get invited to many parties at all!

[Though considering who he is and how he is, that's probably not all that surprising. He does blink though, in surprise.]

Duck?

[It's only as he asks the question that he realizes he should just do what she says, so he does, in time to see the clownmask thug go sailing by.] Ah! That was impressive! You'll definitely have the upper hand! [Komaeda meanwhile will try to at least hold his own and not die as another of the men makes his way closer, fending him off with a wide swing of his crowbar.]

I'm used to fighting monsters-- these guys aren't anything as challenging!

[ and of course she's smiling, at the same time as she moves towards Komaeda. Admittedly, she's curious to see what kind of damage a normal crowbar can do. ]

How fortunate then!

[The answer about his crowbar is not nearly enough damage, but he's doing his best. And when he gets lucky and connects with a joint, it'll send his assailant stumbling forward and off balance.]

Even so, you have to admit these people are pretty creepy, aren't they?

I figured it was the masks, really.

[ and a boot to the back will make sure that stumbling guy goes down. ]

That's part of it. The murderous intent probably helps too!

[Another swing of his crowbar, but he throws himself off balance this time, falling back on his butt. But his luck is with him and as he falls his legs catch the clown who rushes to take advantage of this stumble, tripping him up and sending him face-first into a the pole of a street lamp. Out cold.

Yay luck!] Or the whole murdering game thing all around.

Yeah, not exactly the most feel-good thing around...

[ Komaeda, you're like a one-man comedy act. But she'll reach down to pull him up. On your feet, mister! ]

These sorts of things never end well. The last one I was involved in in particular didn't anyway.

[Komaeda will take the help up. Hooray. Back on his feet. How long that will last is anyone's guess, but hey. Better.

And he's actually a two-man comedy act, but his straight man is elsewhere just now.]

Thanks!

[A glance around.] I think you might have them rethinking attacking you right now at least. Good job!

Edited 2014-11-06 04:35 (UTC)

Thanks, but actually... [ said with a gusty sigh. ] I'm starting to miss the monsters.

Oh? That sounds like a nostalgic thing to say.

[Nostalgia about monsters, huh? Not that strange, right? Some things are just simpler.]

That'd be bad! I haven't been here long enough for that!

I think time is a little relative when circumstances are this strange. But maybe you're right, after all. I haven't been here long enough for nostalgia either.

[And yet, weird as this place is, hes subconsciously started considering it home.]

Honestly, it sounds like you've already bounced around a lot.

That's very true, yes. I've been dragged to several places I didn't intend to end up, some for longer than others. I guess I've gotten used to it.

[What a weird thing to be used to.]