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« 014 ⇢ EVENT014.EXE »

Who: Cerealia natives & you
When: ooc: 05/21-05/23; ic: 01/08
Where: A local photography studio
What: Intro log
Rating/Warning: PG-13 | possibly nsfw (please let us know if you need this rating changed, or you are welcome to continue any naughty shenanigans in a private log)

//event013.EXE

WE'RE YOUR BIGGEST FANS WE'LL FOLLOW YOU UNTIL YOU LOVE US

(L̻̣̖̯̰ͣ̒̓̆̃̈́̈͜͞O̱̞̞̝̤͋̆ͭV̵̨̖̘͉͖̤͇̞̺ͫ̾̇̚͝Ę͐̇̓ͪͨ̇͠͏̰̼͍͍̪̙̰͍̪ ̸̫̆ͨͨ̕͝Ȕ̘̼ͬ͋ͮ̂͋Ś̑̒͗҉̧̤͚ ̪̯̰̮̘̔ͬ͂ͫͫ́͝L̠͍͔̯͔͈͆̄̉ͤ͢͝ͅO̳̰͔͙̱̹̦͌̓V͍̗͖̙̬̰ͫ̆̆ͤ́E̡̤̤̟̩̟̅̃͢ͅ ̦̙̲̮͖͙͓̄ͩͥ̇̎̈ͫ́̀͢U̶͚͔ͯ͌͘S̡̛͈̺̹̯͎̓̐̄̿͝ ̷̌̑ͮ̒̂̓҉̰̦͕͓̝L̤͍͍̝̯̙̈̓ͮͬͧ͡͠Ô̢̲̗̻̱̜͔̺̗̦ͩ̒͊̄̌̒͊V͎̬̺͇͖̮̻̚͜Ĕ̱̺͓̩̯̫ͅ ̖̫͙̞̜͇͖̹͗̿ͨͧ̄͑̕͝U͎͔̼̒̂́̽͑͆ͨͯ͟ͅS̢͔̳ͣ̊̃̇ͣ̐̀͞ͅ ̲̣̳̾ͩ͑ͦ̈́ͩ̉͗̕͞L̗̩̰͈̜͔͍͈̓͢O̫͈̝̭̠͈͕̻̎̏ͣ̚͘͠V̸͔̲̻͚̭͂͆̎̈ͨ̐̏̑́͢È̪̖̟̞̗͎̰̻̱̈́ͩ͂ͩ̓ͩ ̵͎̘̺̋̐̉ͦ͂ͧ̐ͬU͇̫̪̬ͣ͢S̰͓͂̿͂͗̐̓ ̶͌̇̂͗ͧ̓҉̤͎̫͈L̺̦͓̏̏͌͢O̷̗̥̭ͣ̐ͯ̚͢Vͮ͌ͦ͏͇̖̗̟͈E̱͉̥̋ͥ̏ͣ͘ ̧͙ͧ̃̒̓͘͠U̘̺͎͌̊͡S̸̛͇̠̭̹̞̘ͨ̓ͧ̌͋̍̊ ̬̭͋͐͗̈͒̅L̡̢̗̙͈̲͉̼̳̆͛O̶̵̗̼̺͓ͮ̓̉̕V̢͒ͫ̌͛ͣͣ̀̕҉̟̖̹̤̞ͅE̵̘͈͋ͣ̈̋ ̧̛̙͛́͂ͣ̀̍ͫỤ̧̩̞͉̰̠̉͒̓̓̓̊͟͟S̵̠͕͍̼̠̺͔ͣ͛͂̒͛͌ L̡͑̀͟͏̪͎̲͖͉̖̣ͅỌ̸͙̅̂̔ͥͭ͌̾͟͟V̝ͫ̽̂̐ͬͥͭ͒̌Ẻ̷̇ͨ̇͛̒́̿҉͓̤ ̹̺̫͇̠̰̐ͤ͋̃̉͝Ȕ̻̪̪̰̰͙͆̈̐S̷̫̻̗̜͔̜̲͆͒̓͛ͬ)

CERES itself has been notably quiet lately as they run their usual code recovery protocols, but the colony locals, who totally ripped off the company's name to put on CERESCON, are more than willing to step up their game. They've got something great planned for old friends, newbies who attended the convention, and even newer arrivals who only experienced the usual arrival: a massive group photoshoot with the intention of creating photobooks, calendars, and various other merchandise that can be sold. After all, regardless of what the you all think of CERES and vice versa, the locals love you guys! ...maybe a little too much.

The newest arrivals will be ushered onto a bus shortly after emerging from their powerpoint presentation and driven around the city so that they can see the sights and be joined by those who have been in the colony for longer (and those who just arrived but are retaining test drive memories). The bus will make stops at various residences and places of employment in the effort to round up as many people as possible, and they will use any means necessary to get you to join in on the fun, from bribery (did they mention that you'll get a free lunch before the shoot, a free dinner after the shoot, and royalties from the sale of merchandise your face appears on?!) to outright kidnapping for the more stubborn. If you really don't want to take part, escape is possible, but expect to be tailed by amateur photographers trying to snap candid photos of you for the rest of the day.

Upon arriving, everyone taking part will be treated to a delicious buffet-style lunch! Nothing too heavy, because they don't want anyone getting sick during the shoot, but they'll certainly make sure you're comfortable. This is a good chance to mingle with the new arrivals and meet people who have been in the colony that you haven't yet crossed paths with yet, so why not take a day off from work and have some fun? After all... CERES has nothing to do with this... right? What's the worst that could happen?

"LOOK THIS WAY, MY PRETTY!
AH YES, THAT'S YOUR GOOD SIDE...
AGAIN, AGAIN! HOLD THAT POSE... GOTCHA!
YOU'RE REALLY MAKING MY BLOOD RUSH NOW, NYA!
NOW LOOK RIIIIGHT INTO MY CAMERA...
JUST A LIIIIITLE MORE...
Ȧ͊͗̿Ṋ̪͍̲ͮͤ̔̎D̜̻͕̼ ̍͂͂͋̊̚N̴̙̯̦͆̏̐͊ͯ́̓O̸̗̫̎W̗̲̰ͮ̇̏͛ͮ͑́ ̯̩̜̰̯̿́̅̂͌ͤ̉ͅY̶͍̜̤̎ͮO̫̺̫̬͍̹͘U͏̮̦̘̩̻̠̻'̬̹́͒R̬̩̙̻̙͚̳͟Ě̞̬̬ͩͧͯ̂̈́̚ ̫̞̺͆ͥM̛̌͑I̩̺̲̗̤̍̚ṈͭͅE͚̣͎
THIS IS A GREAT SHOT!
YOU'RE SENDING SHIVERS DOWN MY SPINE!
I'LL NEVER LET THIS PICTURE GO..."

//SCENARIOS.EXE

PHASE I

[ xxxx ] So you've all just been dropped off at the venue and now it's time to get some food in you. After all, as any of Cerealia's professional models will be able to tell you, standing under the lights and looking pretty is a whole lot harder than it looks! You're definitely going to want to keep your strength up. But don't worry about paying, because this meal is on the house. Eat as much as you like. It's buffet-style, and anything that runs low will be refilled by friendly robots in a timely fashion.
Also on the house is treatment from the colony's various appearance professionals. Makeup artists and hairdressers will have their time to shine as they primp and polish 'til you glow with pride, and representatives from various boutiques and clothing stores, as well as professional fashion designers, will be on hand to ensure that you look your best!
Don't be surprised if, while you're waiting to get started, a dark-clad figure in a hood sidles up to you and dumps a letter or two in your lap! These are letters from your adoring public (yes, even the new arrivals have quite a devoted fanbase), and they range from cute to creepy. ...how did that messenger even get in, anyway? Maybe the way they seem to melt into the crowd and disappear when you blink has something to do with it.

PHASE II

[ xxxx ] Now it's time to get down to business! Business, of course, being getting your picture taken by these overly-enthusiastic photographers. ...do some of them look like cats? That's got to be your imagination. Blink and they'll look normal, promise.
The photographers are interested in catching as many shots of the various visitors to the colony as they can possibly get, so don't be surprised if they pair you up with people you don't even know just because they think you look cute together. The poses they'll put you in will range from normal to outright risqué, so here's hoping you and your new buddy don't feel awkward together!
Midway through the shoot, one of the volunteers will run into the room very excitedly, wheeling a cart full of animal carriers behind him. Some of the things he's brought along are harmless CYBuddies, because what photoshoot isn't made cuter by including adorable animals, but some of the others are... let's just say CERES probably won't be too happy once they hear that someone's brought alien life forms into the colony. In all fairness, some of them are actually quite cute, like the aquatic creature that manages to float itself around in a sphere of water and the multi-tailed fox with glowing purple eyes, as well as the... Well, no one's really sure what this thing is, not even the person who brought it, but it's cute enough. Others, on the other hand, are just entirely bizarre, but to each their own.
Feel free to chat up the others while you're waiting for your turn, to play with the animals, or to try and escape. Those who try and duck out the back will eventually be tracked down by a volunteer or a robot that will try to either bribe or kidnap them into continuing with the shoot, though! Maybe you and a friend can team up to figure out a way past them? Or you could just be on good behavior and let them take your picture.
...a word of caution, however. No matter how often the photographers urge you to do so, do not look directly into the camera. Characters who do will be rendered unconscious (those with spiritual sensitivity will actually be able to tell that they've been rendered soulless, though characters that already lack souls to begin with will still be rendered unconscious) for five minutes in the first instance and five minutes plus one minute for every instance thereafter (six minutes for a second time, seven for a third, and so on). Should they reach the point where they would be knocked out for a period of ten minutes, the photographer will try to leave the building. You will want to stop them. If you don't, your character will remain unconscious until the dawn of the next day and will be transported to the CERES medical center. If other characters manage to keep the photographer from leaving, your character will wake up after ten minutes as normal. Feel free to NPC these encounters yourselves if it comes to it; the mods will not be doing so. It's up to you whether the photographer escapes or not.

PHASE III

[ xxxx ] Uuuuuuh-oh. Whoever thought it was a great idea to bring in all those alien creatures is probably going to get fired, because one thing has led to another and now they're on the loose. What's more, those of them that can do so have taken on decidedly more threatening appearances, and more than a few of them seem to be out for blood.
In the chaos brought on by their outbreak, a second wave of photographers will make their way into the building. They're more aggressive in their attempts to have the characters look right at them when they take their pictures, and will absolutely try and gang up on them to hold them down and turn their heads to force them into having their pictures taken over and over again. These shots will have the same effect as being directly photographed during the photoshoot, but fighting back against them is okay - in fact, the volunteers and photographers who organized the shoot will actually do their best to help you fight the paparazzi off. This sort of aggression is not condoned by the locals who love you, after all. Should your character be rendered unconscious for ten minutes, anyone who attempts to stop the paparazzi from absconding with their soul will be assisted by the official volunteers for the photoshoot.
...of course, if your character is managing to hold their own, they'll just hang back and photograph the fight. Why waste a good opportunity for candid shots? After all, you're the people who are going to be restoring your own worlds and subsequently protecting theirs from the Flamines! Why wouldn't they want to document it every step of the way?

PHASE IV

[ xxxx ] The paparazzi has been successfully expelled, the photoshoot has been finished up, and as if by magic (okay, no, it's just technology), they've actually managed to produce the prototypes for the various merchandise that will be sold around the colony. Isn't that exciting? You've all done a great thing here today, the volunteers will tell you. Now just sit back, relax, and let them make up for all the trouble.
Admire the calendars, books, and prints you're all appearing in! Or, you know, you can also wonder why ghostly images of people who aren't even there are showing up in some of the pictures you've taken. If you took a picture with just one other person, you might see a third person there, posed perfectly to go along with you! It's almost like the photographers were able to see them all along, but that's not possible, right? They won't always be there, either. You can see it and someone else can see it, but if you look away for too long and then look back, the picture will look just the way it should have based on how you took it. Huh. Weird.
Anyway, enjoy the lavish banquet the volunteers have prepared to thank you for all your hard work! You've done a fantastic job and they really want to express their gratitude. If there's any particular food you like, chances are it will be there. (Don't ask how they knew what you like.) While you're eating, another black-clad messenger might appear and give you even more fanmail than you might have received before the shoot - apparently people have been watching, and this has really boosted your popularity! You're developing quite the fanbase. The dinner crowd's fanmail definitely ranges more along the "creepy" side of things, though some of the notes actually will be cute and innocent expressions of admiration.
The security has been stepped up considerably for the meal, so the paparazzi won't be able to get in (though you can certainly hear them trying). At the end of the night, the volunteers will offer to escort you home, and should you take them up on their offer you'll make it home safely and be unbothered by the paparazzi at your place of residence. Try and go home alone, though, and the paparazzi will stalk you until sunrise, even going so far as to try to break into your room.

BONUS

[ whyo'clock ] It seems like your devoted fanbase has gotten a little out of hand! At any point during the log - even during the chaos surrounding the animal outbreak and paparazzi attack - you might just be approached by a robot. A robot that loves you so much, it's going to take you away from all of this. This robot will wax poetic about its undying love for you and how it's going to make sure that the two of you can be together forever and no one will ever be able to take you away from them.
It will then proceed to do its best to kidnap you. Maybe there's some kind of a glitch in its program, because it's not gentle about it at all! And if you try and escape, it'll definitely get violent. Try to run away and it might just have to break your legs so you can never leave it behind. Try and fight it off, and it'll do its best to incapacitate you so it can drag you off, put you on display, and take super good care of you.
These robots are incredibly sturdy, but the more technologically-inclined may be able to reprogram them into being less creepy and more helpful if they can get to the control panel on its back. Fight hard enough, or avoid it for long enough, and eventually its battery will wear down and you'll be safe. If you can't fight or run, you'd better hope someone who can will come along and help you...!

[ 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 latest intro post For your convenience, we have compiled a post detailing everyone's usual arrival experience and feel free to consult the FAQ if needed. Please leave any lingering questions right here, and we'll answer them as soon as we can.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I am afraid so, sir. [Oh, was England hiding? Kevin quickly averts his eyes. He has been inconvenient, hasn't he? But honestly, the idea of a country hiding is... ] For a long while, though that is the first time we meet under such guise.

[He stands up and bows politely, butler instincts kicking in. The effect is somewhat ruined by the rain of sparkles falling onto his shoulders like faery dandruff.

Kevin is starting to worry. England seems so fragile! What if he is hit by a carriage or something?]

[England's emotions can be fragile! fortunately, there are no carriages here]

I see. [no use hiding it, then. actually, England is overjoyed. this must be someone from home, someone who has seen him from afar! he gets to his feet, a soft smirk playing on his lips] Then I will be candid with you.

[and then the smirk fades, and he takes on a more serious expression] This place may seem exciting now, but there are far too many secrets surrounding the circumstances as to why we're here and how, exactly, we will be able to get home. I would advise you to be on alert at all times.

[Not quite, not quite, but they can embrace this misunderstanding together. Why, there is plenty of misunderstanding for two! At least Kevin is glad he is pleased to be recognized?]

Indeed sir, I shall do as you advise. After all, there is someone I must protect. [Well, two someones now, it seems.] K-Kevin Cecil at your service, sir. Though you may better known me as Uriel.

[Do countries know angels? That is terribly confusing, but it's worth a try ]

[so much misunderstanding! and shock!

because an angel was the last thing England was expecting. at the same time, he had been drawn to this man, and England was naturally drawn to creatures other than humans]

Th-the only Uriel I've heard of is... [he trails off at first, because he's debating finishing that thought. what if he was getting all hyped up for nothing? what if the Uriel he thought this was was some other Uriel, like from some story? goodness, he was meeting so many types of people here... humans, reapers, gods, now... angels!]

[Well, he was not expecting to meet countries either.]

I...Yes, you are quite correct, sir. [He is starting to feel a little embarrassed at this point, because he might have messed with this person a little.] I also sincerely apologize for Mister John Dee's imprisonment, sir. However, it could not be helped since the man was consorting with demons... Ah...at least the Spanish Armada was defeated?

[Christ... oh, no, sorry. oh dear is better in this situation. oh dear, he really is talking to an angel. an angel that is talking about John Dee and the Spanish Armada]

A-ah... that's all right...? [Uriel was behind that?] It was a while ago, so no need to worry about it now.

[Uriel was behind a few strange things, but look, he has always had England's best interest at heart. Honestly.

But oh my, England is so gentle. Then again of course he would be.]

Thank you, sir. You are too kind. If you ever find yourself in any sort of trouble, do not hesitate to seek me. I happen to be some sort of guardian angel of yours, you see.

I shall be available under my...huh, other name.

[He should add that he cannot help with money troubles, since he is quite poor himself and has a teenage boy to look after, but that wouldn't be polite.]

[a guardian angel? England had a guardian angel? that was so cool! he wants to know more about that]

Right, your other name. Kevin, was it?

[ Why must England be so cute? And why does Kevin have the general impression that he is enjoying this situation more than average.? ]

That is correct, sir. Kevin Cecil. [He should get himself some business cards, really.] I have just been hired by Thistle Do Nicely , so you might be able to meet me there as well.

[And nobody told him his dearest new manager is in any way related to what he knows as the French Indochina. He is still under the impression that "Vietnam" is some sort of nickname. ]

[it's because England is enjoying this. a lot. he also is a bit nervous because he greatly respects angels. he doesn't get a chance to speak with them like this often]

Oh, that's where miss Vietnam works. Or, perhaps you know her as Sen?

[At least they are on the same page. Kevin doesn't get to speak to countries this often either. Particularly countries he has been watching over since their birth.]

Precisely. Miss Vietnam was the one who assisted me with my employment. I cannot thank her kindness enough.

[He has not even met her in person yet, but she is already dear to him. Thanks to Miss Vietnam, he and young master won't need to live in a cardboard box or anything.]

[thank goodness. if England found out that an angel was living on the streets, he would make room in his own apartment for Kevin and his young master]

Yes, she is... a very good person. [England flushes slightly when he recalls their conversation on friendship] She seems to be thriving here, so I'm glad of that. Please make sure to watch over her, too.

[At least that would be a very clean apartment with tea and scones for a whole eternity.]

I will do my best, sir. I have barely arrived and I already owe her so. Why, she even accepted young master's character reference letter. I have taken care of our manor's garden, you see, but it is my very first time as a florist.

[He has been taking pictures of the local flowers and, more often than not, the resulting image is covered by his thumb.]

I'm sure you'll do fine. [a determined nod, as though England is certain of this. after all, Kevin is an angel. he could do no wrong...! right?] Though, before I forget, I wanted to mention that I can also be found by another name. I work at a tea shop under my human name, Arthur Kirkland.

[A terrible heathen demon has already suggested that he was hired out of pity or something. The horror. However, England's trust on him rekindles his hope that he is doing things properly after all. Why, if he even would trust him with his fake name!]

Arthur, sir? After the High King? Or is it the other way around?

[England looks a bit wistful, scratching his cheek]

A-ah... yes! I chose that name long ago, after meeting him. I was quite fond of him, you see.

[Ahhh, those were the good times. Founding myths, bloody tragedy and the rise of Christianism. It also pleases him that England's family name literally means "church land", because he is partial like that.]

I imagine you would be... It is a great honor to meet you, Mister Kirkland.

[yes, the good old days. ah, but he was so young back then!]

I'm the one who should be honored! And I am! And you needn't worry about your secret. It is safe with me.

[And Kevin so doomed...]

Oh dear, then I must make an identical pledge.

[He may not be a particularly good liar, but at least he's loyal! He claps his hands in half theatrical, half childish manner, as if sealing a spell.]

It is done!

[England was expecting hear some spell, or chant...! but Kevin says nothing. all right...]

Wonderful... Now, if you don't mind, may I ask what had you so upset earlier? When I found you, you looked so unhappy.

[Spells can be said, but nothing like the wondrous world of babysitting to inspire the best magic!

But oh dear, he was so excited about meeting England that he lost track of his woes. He waves his arms like a tired drowning bird.]

I have heard its called glitter. It is awful and I don't seem able to release myself from it.

[Kevin is trying to get the glitter off of him. that... that's so cute. England looks away, clearing his throat in an effort not to chuckle. he doesn't want to seem like he's mocking the poor lad]

Ah, yes. Glitter can be tricky. It tends to stay stuck for quite a while, sometimes even for years! Once it is embedded itself into clothing, or furniture, it takes a bit of effort to get rid of it.

[In case you wish to continue. It's totally okay to handwave too ~ ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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