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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no subject
[ The situation isn't something she wants to explain to a stranger she doesn't even know she can trust in the first place, but she wants to let Kaoru know that splitting the three of them up isn't a good idea at all. So... Mary is dragged along without any further protest as the conflict battles inside of her.
She doesn't look confused by the fact that it's someone like Kaoru who's doing it either because even Mary herself has pulled some amazing feats while dressed up.
As she's led along the way, she doesn't say much. A mix of her shyness and worry makes her clam up more so than usual. What's there to say about this anyway? Especially to someone who doesn't know she's been through this before. Keeping close, she looks over at the scene and nods. Her hand rests on the brick wall in an attempt to avoid the grimy dumpster. In her other hand, she holds a discarded robot arm. ]
This whole thing's a mess. N—No one really believes that this'll let them go back, right?
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There are some, surely, who are desperate enough to believe... It's an unfortunate thing, but I doubt those foul creatures would try to stir up something like this if they thought no one would play along.
[Saying so draws Kaoru's expression down into a more grim and displeased look, but it isn't directed at Mary at all. The situation in general is the recipient of his ire.]
There are those bizarre people in the masks, as well... I don't know where they came from, but I'm not sure that they're any of our number.
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They're really creepy. [ An obvious statement, but one she feels the need to reiterate. ] What are they doing out here...? It's not like they're even worried they might die.
[ Just then one of the clown masks rears its head to look around. Mary pulls back before she's caught, grabbing Kaoru's arm to fall back with her. Her breath catches in her throat as she remains very still, looking between Kaoru and the opening of the alleyway. ]
no subject
...Thank you.
[Very softly spoke, though. Kaoru doesn't want to risk that person looking over their way because a bit of whispering was overheard. That would be a hassle to deal with, an absolute mess. Avoiding combat for as long as possible - or for the entire duration of this mess - would be the ideal.]
I think that they may just be intent on stirring panic. Having no regard for their own safety like that, though... It's strange, isn't it?
no subject
Mary takes a few steps back so that they're in a much darker portion of the alleyway. Her voice is hushed, but panicky as her fingers grip her weapon harder in case she needs it. ]
Yeah... I'm starting to think that CERES isn't as nice as they make themselves out to be. Our lives are in as much danger as our worlds are!
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I don't understand why this is happening... But it's beyond the point where we can simply say that CERES is just inept, isn't it? [This is something that seems to trouble Kaoru, lips pressing into a thin line.]
And where are they now? Working on getting the power up, I would hope. If anything, this would be the time for them to send out those bizarre robots.
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[ There's irritation in her tone. Sitting here helplessly only makes her feel even worse knowing that Jason and Naoi are somewhere out there. She reminds herself not to take it out on this person who is just trying to help. Mary leans her back against the wall and sinks down to sit. Her heart beats against her chest as she tries to peer into the darkness like it will give some sort of solution... or at least a clue to lead toward it, but it has nothing more to offer. ]
If they're not one of us... and not one of theirs, then who are they? These kinda people just don't show up overnight! [ She pauses, sounding unsure. ] Do they...?
no subject
[Not exactly, but the basic idea is about the same. That seems to make Kaoru even more uneasy, though. Shifting a little, Kaoru won't join her sitting down but will at least crouch against the wall to be more level with her. The stance that's taken isn't one of a dropped guard, though.]
But they wouldn't... They would still need to have a way in here, right? And isn't the only way in through CERES? That seems like a terrifying issue of security if it isn't the case.
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We came here to stop an alien invasion, right? [ Coming from her, that sounds like a natural question without any suspicions. ] Maybe they were attacked because their security is like this.
no subject
Then I very much wish that the CEO would focus on security rather than throwing barbecues and parties.
[And even that had gone wrong, considering the ALIEN BURGER POISONING.]
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[ What should come out as a joke turns out to be an exhausted statement instead. She can't even manage a small smile with all the worries that are on her mind. There's a laugh echoing down the street and she pushes herself against the wall even more, though it really makes no difference. ]
Do you think we should head somewhere else? Somewhere overlooking everything would be good, right?
no subject
A high vantage point - would a rooftop suffice?
[A gesture over one shoulder is given, and Kaoru slides along the wall further into the alley. Off to the side, behind another dumpster, a secondary exit point can be seen.]
There's a ladder back this way that leads up. If we follow it, I'm certain that we could get to a higher level.
no subject
We were at the mall before and that helped, but I think... something smaller might be better. I—I don't know how but I think we'll have an easier time seeing if anyone else is up there with it.
no subject
Once they get to the hanging ladder, Kaoru will give it a testing tug before stepping up onto the first rung.]
Try to distribute your weight evenly so the stairs don't creak.
no subject
Tucking the robot arm underneath her own, she grabs onto the ladder and begins making her way upward. Her climbing is a lot slower, partially due to her weapon and partially due to her trying to navigate the rungs in the dark, but she manages to keep close behind. ]
You sound like you know a lot about this sorta stuff. Have you done something like this before...?
no subject
Nothing like that, no... But where I come from, being silent is more of a benefit than being loud and attention-grabbing. One learns to watch their footsteps at a young age.
[Literally, as evidenced by the fact that the ladder. Though questionably stable, it doesn't seem to move much at all as Kaoru climbs up. Likewise, there's only the sound of fabric rustling and the occasional creak that can't be avoided.
Once at the top of the ladder, Kaoru reaches up, hoisting over the roof's ledge with the same sort of elegant silence. Both hands extend over the side soon after to help Mary up in case she needs it.]
no subject
[ She guesses she knows what that's like, maybe to a lesser extent. Her ladder climbing isn't all that experienced, but she seems to be fine with keeping quiet. There are a few almost unheard creaks here and there — to which she stops and holds her breath to listen for what may shuffle beneath them — but they're not enough to grab someone's attention.
When she reaches the top, she places the robot arm on the ledge then slips both hands into Kaoru's as she helps with pushing herself up. It's a strange time to feel self-conscious about her weight, but the thought of someone tugging her up when she's neither worked out or been a part of intense concerts worries her. So, she unconsciously sucks her stomach in and hopes that the push of her feet will give her an advantage rather than having Kaoru use the strength to pull her up.
Once she makes it onto the rooftop, she gives a low sigh. ]
How long do you think this'll last? We... we probably won't be able to stay up here for more than a couple of hours.
[ The thought of it being a week again makes her stomach twist and turn. ]
no subject
She'll get a quick look-over once she's on the other side of the ledge, though it's subtle and will likely be difficult for someone to catch with the dim light.]
An hour or two should give us enough time to get a good read for where the activity in the area is, at least. But I agree... Staying in any place for too long is a poor idea. [There's no way of knowing if these weird clowns can track people down through means other than sight, after all.
Looping back around to the first question, though, Kaoru's head shakes somewhat helplessly.] Hopefully not more than a day. These conditions will deteriorate quickly if given even the slightest chance...
no subject
Hopefully. [ Her tone is flat and somewhat helpless. ] Let's hope CERES is working on trying to figure this out right now. Otherwise...
[ She shakes her head, not wanting to say what that 'otherwise' is lest she jinx it. ]
no subject
...Let's not think of such dreadful situations. I'm certain that they're working on sorting this out as we speak.
[Which Kaoru also doesn't believe at all but?! Pretty, soothing words all the same. They tend to help.
Fingers curled over the roof edge, Kaoru's eyes sweep the area after that, trying to pick up any trace of activity.] ...It's quiet here now, isn't it?
no subject
[ The cynicism in her voice is light, but very noticeable. Mary tries to look for movement down below, but she can barely see a thing. Not even her eyes adjust to the darkness because it's everywhere. She hopes that once they settle themselves here for some time, it will be clearer.
Her voice is still low, afraid that if she speaks normally then she will give away their spot. ]
Yeah. Really quiet. Guess that means everyone's got the same idea as us... can't say I blame 'em. Those creepy clowns may as well be the one thing that's keepin' everyone from taking lanterns.
no subject
I would like to think that there is more than just those men keeping people from participating... At the very least, I have yet to see anyone keen on believing what they've said.
[Which is good news but also potentially bad news?! Since it essentially means they're dealing with three options here... Either the populace is too optimistic to be real, backstabbing two-faced cretins (hOW FAMILIAR), or just too pragmatic to fall for such an obviously untrue trap. Kaoru doesn't particularly like any of these options...]
no subject
[ She stops herself from revealing too much, only because she's not in the mood to talk about it. Mary acts like she's lost her train of though and focuses on some point of the darkness before continuing onward. ]
...the other stuff I've heard about, things are only gonna make people more desperate. [ Her eyebrows furrow and she looks down at her lantern; there's worry and sadness in her eyes. ] Especially if this isn't just gonna be a one day thing. They might draw a lotta of us out any way they can, as much as I hate to admit it...
no subject
...It isn't impossible, but I sincerely hope that we won't have to deal with this situation for that long. CERES should be working on putting a stop to it, right? [Unless the CEO is cavorting about in the jungle!!
Either way, Kaoru lapses into a few seconds of silence after that, and sounds apologetic next.]
I keep delving into such depressing topics... Please excuse me. Ah— my name is Nagumo Kaoru, by the way; I apologize for pulling you away so suddenly. [This accompanied by a graceful, shallow bow, even if Mary might have some difficulty seeing it.]
no subject
Ah... it's alright. You sound like you don't wanna fight either, so I figure I'm safe. My friends... [ She looks out toward where the skyline will be. ] I'm more worried about them, but they know not to mess with stuff. It's just weird being apart.
[ She trusts that they will be fine when it comes to avoid getting killed since they don't want to go through all that again — especially when they've been brought back to life. Mary offers a bigger smile, then goes in for her own customary bow. ]
Uh... I'm Mary Phillips.
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