« 006 ⇢ event006.exe »

[reparator]

Who: CERES & you
When: OOC - 11/25-12/02 ; IC - 10/09-10/12
Where: Cerealia & Pleasure District
What: Event log
Rating/Warning: PG-13 | possibly nsfw (please let us know if you need this rating changed)

//event006.EXE I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa-bot underneath the Mistletoe It's the morning of October 9th when you feel it. At first, it's a gentle rumble. Then, the ground begins to quake harder as a transparent shield erupts from the perimeter of the colony. Those fortunate enough to be standing outdoors will get a glimpse of it as it slowly closes around the colony, forming a glass dome that keeps everything enclosed inside. It may spark your curiosity. It may even cause a bit of fear and anxiety, but other than that, the day remains the same. Plain. Neutral. A little too quiet. That's when the cold sneaks up on you, little by little. You may notice yourself shivering and in need of a warm blanket. It's just a little breeze, right? You might close the windows in your apartment or throw on a sweater. But the cold doesn't stop there. The temperature begins to plummet gradually by the hour, and you notice frost appearing on all visible surfaces. Machines start to malfunction and grow stiff all over. The wind knocks over a few post boxes and signs. Your skin goes numb in places. Shrinkage happens for those who have things that shrink. All in all, it's an unpleasant experience, and the trains are shut down, leaving most of the colony's citizens with limited transportation. However, a figure appears in a dimly corner of the station to brighten your day. He has a blanket laid out with snow globes placed on top, some plain, some rose-tinted. They're all for sale for a meager 25 credits. Since he can't speak, he lets his boom box do the talking for him, letting out a familiar song. "♬~ Oh the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we've no place to go Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! It doesn't show signs of stopping And I've bought some corn for popping The lights are turned way down low Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!~♬"

//SCENARIOS.EXE PHASE I [ xxxx ] The cold is starting to set into your bones, a sharp pain emanating from the way it seems to burrow under your flesh. No amount of jackets, parkas, and sweaters offer relief as the temperature plummets by the hour. The streets are paved with ice everywhere, and snow is rapidly falling from the ceiling of the dome. Will you play in it? Will you settle by the fire with a warm beverage? Will you and your ill-prepared body be subjected to the slow madness promised by hypothermia? It might seem bearable at first, but nothing is ever that simple or easy in Cerealia. Of course, for those who wish to brave the weather, come see the snow globe salesman in Cerealia's train station. He'll show you a few wonders that linger behind the glass. PHASE II [ xxxx ] Just as the cold starts to reach its most unbearable temperatures, a single haven lies in the Pleasure District at Cerealia's famous virtual Fantasy Hub. Whispers will pass from lips to lips, moving quickly across the colony about the warmest place to be. Your character is welcome to investigate for themselves and set aside their embarrassment for a little bit of reprieve. The robot staff will be more than welcoming, offering you compliments, cookies, and hot chocolate. The three great C's! They will let everyone linger about the lounge and encourage them to pair up and try out a bit of the technology. They might even find a little something to smile about after. The robots will be promising customers a lovely boost of warmth just for subjecting themselves to a world of their own desires. PHASE III [ xxxx ] For those brave enough to venture into their virtual fantasies, you'll be lead into a private booth where no one else will be able to bother you. A headset will be available for you and any companions of choice. Feel free to put it on and check it out. You'll be prompted to type in or verbally explain your fantasy before watching the world being built before your eyes until you're completely immersed in your ideal world. You are welcome to roam around and enjoy for as long as you wish but do remember you're on the clock and that there are other customers waiting. Oh and do try and clean up the booth after use! PHASE IV [ xxxx ] It's day four. The cold has reached its lowest, most unbearable point. Those who took a trip into their own fantasies or the fantasy of others are now free to revel in the warmth (and in their own embarrassment and shame). Congratulations! For those who avoided it, prepare to feel numb in places and to possibly lose a finger or two. The CERES medical facility will do their best to stick you back together or keep you from death. The suffering will continue until the very last second when Julius Vincere, CERES' CEO, will appear on all screens and billboards to announce that the climate problems have been fixed at last. Just like that, the dome will open once more, and the temperature will return to normal. With that comes another set of apologies same as before. How much are you willing to put up with his bullshit? BONUS [ whyo'clock ] They're cute. They're cuddly. They're also being sold at a CYbuddy shop near you, provided that snow hasn't blocked the door from opening. They're seemingly harmless and innocent until you take your eyes off of them. That's when they'll scuttle to your underwear drawer and slowly and surreptitiously start stealing pairs of it to hide in a super secret stash so it can sell your unmentionables in an elaborate robot underwear smuggling ring. Prepare to brave the cold without underwear. [ 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 event post. For your convenience, we have compiled a post detailing what's going on right here and feel free to consult the FAQ if needed. Please leave any lingering questions in the OOC post, and we'll answer them as soon as we can.

Comments

[cheats]

phase one

[ There is a giant ball of fluff sitting out under a balcony in the streets, since Ciel had found that inside wasn't exactly any warmer than outside, so why not be outside, he guessed. He's wearing about three coats and can barely move his arms, and even that is topped off with a(n adorable) cape that's especially festive, but don't call him cute unless you want to get yelled at... It is pretty cute, though.

Ciel himself has bought one of the snowglobes and he's peering at it suspiciously, sneering like he has half a mind to throw it to the ground and break it, because, well. He does. So when someone approaches, he'll call out in a pretty demanding tone. ]

You there. Tell me, what do you see inside this snowglobe?

[ He holds it out a bit awkwardly, since he's so bundled up that it's hard to move... ]

phase two

[ Well, Ciel has made it closer to warmth, and has at least shed some of his winter clothing (but not the cape) to be more comfortable, but as usual, he still looks grumpy and very put off by the whole situation. He has hot chocolate that he's sipping on with a sour expression (since it's low quality, in his opinion, but it is warm). Hearing the promise of what there is to offer relief, though, Ciel just scoffs and murmurs loudly enough for anyone nearby to overhear: ]

Ridiculous. If they're going to lie, they might as well come up with something better.

phase three

[ So, somehow, Ciel has been convinced to actually give one of the booths a try, and even though he's very reluctant to do so, he's even more reluctant when prompted to actually share what the fantasy is supposed to be. He looks uncomfortable and partially angry, but luckily the uncomfortable part is winning out. He looks to his partner (who probably convinced him to come in the first place), then frowns as he points at them. ]

You. Just... Just close your ears, or something! I though they would just... know, for some reason.

(( ooc note ; in case anyone cares, phase three will contain recent kuroshit spoilers ))

three.....

[harepiece]

[OF COURSE IT'S OZ what's up friend, here he is, not even looking over toward Ciel yet because he's too busy examining the headset. He actually hasn't tried out ViViD beyond his forced first excursion, so virtual reality is still a Weird Future Thing to him...

He will, however, look up with an arched brow when Ciel decides to lapse into dingus mode over on the other side.]

Just type it out instead! I won't look.

[WHY DOES IT EVEN MATTER is what Oz really wants to say here, but he knows that Ciel likes it when his tiny dignities are spared...]

[cheats]

Ergh...

[ Ciel looks at the keyboard with a distrustful look, since, unsurprisingly, he hates typing since he feels incompetent with a keyboard. That said, typing it out is at least mildly better than having to say it aloud, so he approaches and very slowly starts typing. One key at a time, of course. ]

I hate these things... It takes forever to write anything.

[harepiece]

[Is this why he got Lawrence... so he wouldn't have to type anymore...

But Oz will at least keep true to his word, staying far enough away so that it's clear he won't be peeking over his shoulder to watch him SLOWLY TYPING. Since he didn't promise that he wouldn't be an asspain, though:]

Are you almost done? It feels like you've been typing for a thousand years already.

[cheats]

[ funny you should ask, since Ciel gets right into a huffy dumb rage right away ]

Oh, shut it! This is exactly why I got Lawrence! I only have to dictate things to him and it'll be processed just fine!

[ He makes a frustrated noise, since wow, he made a typo!! Where is the backspace, goddammit... ]

[harepiece]

[HE KNEW IT. Ciel that's hilarious... he looks openly amused for a second because he knows his dumb nerd friend is too busy having a keyboard struggle to notice.]

But then you get into situations like this where you don't have Lawrence to dictate things for you...

i!!

[sewayaku]

[ poor Zara is also feeling the bite of the cold, especially on those long thin ears of his - he's bundled up in an (appropriately ruffly) trenchcoat, and has a hat pulled down over his head, aforementioned ears forced down and poking out of the sides hat as if he's suddenly become a lop rabbit. Though he's reluctant to do so, he actually is heading towards the pleasure district. Better to be embarrassed than to freeze to death, he figures. Besides, it's not like he'll need to do anything...

He actually doesn't recognize Ciel at first, bundled up as he is, but it's hard to mistake that grumpy voice. Zara smiles just slightly... but don't worry, he won't comment on the cuteness aloud. ]

The snowglobe...? I bought one earlier, myself. It's my master, Earl Galland's, estate in the wintertime, as a matter of fact.

[cheats]

[ Ciel makes a thoughtful noise as he withdraws his mittened hand to look at his own again. His frown is soft as he looks into the snowglobe, almost fond, and then after a moment he just sighs. ]

So it's your home too. It's my manor inside here. Which is... strange.

[ To say the least, he thinks. He gives the globe a very light shake to start the glittery snowflakes again, and it's not hard to see that the expression on his face is vaguely homesick. ]

It hasn't snowed there in quite a while, now that I think about it.

[sewayaku]

[ an acknowledging nod. Zara had heard as much from others while he was obtaining the snowglobe - he was considerably shocked to see a tiny model of his home out here, and quickly learned that it was indeed too much of a coincidence to be intentional. Just more strange technology he doesn't understand.

It's not surprising to see the young earl feeling homesick about his manor, either. He doesn't know Ciel terribly well yet; however, it's not hard to guess that a wealthy orphan boy might be feeling especially out of place here. ]

Indeed. All we've had is rain in my own country. [ considering the weather right now, he's finding it hard to wish for snow... ] ... It's a surprisingly kind gesture, for them.

[cheats]

Well, I understand what that's like. It really only ever rains in England, and scarcely anything else.

[ Which he sounds a bit sour about, and yet, he hates any other weather more, so. He's just being a contrary shit, as usual. He tucks the snowglobe awkwardly into one of his giant pockets. ]

I'd hardly call it kind, though. If they were kind, they wouldn't have made it so terribly cold in the first place. Now it's just a mockery.

[sewayaku]

[ ciel, so puffy in his winter clothes... Zara can't help but laugh gently under his breath at the sight of him trying to maneuver in that coat. Cute. Fortunately, he's too polite to actually comment. But he's thinking it.

While he's on the verge of asking about England, Ciel's other comment makes him change course. ]

You believe they're doing this on purpose? Is that possible?

one

[immobileyes]

[ Mary is not a fan of the cold. And that is why she has about three scarves and a jacket that's a little large on her, but nothing as cute as Ciel's-- wow she could be envious. And she thinks she's gotten the hang of acting like someone who doesn't view him as one of her favorite characters. The curiosity, at least, is genuine when she slows. As is the bewilderment when she holds out her hands to take it, peers into its depths, and-- ]

W-what?!

[ nearly drops it, fumbling to catch it in time. ]

[cheats]

[ That reaction is a bit more than he was expecting, and he leans forward to catch the globe, but luckily, Mary catches it. Ciel would have been a little mad if it had broken, since even if he doesn't understand why he's seeing what he's seeing inside it, it's something nostalgic and precious already. ]

Be careful. [ He says it chidingly, but then sits up straight again, since luckily, it's safe. ] What do you see?

[immobileyes]

It's... [ she's holding it carefully now, staring at it in awe (and with some apologetic embarrassment). ] My home... but why?

[cheats]

So you're seeing your home,

[ He sighs and takes it back, looking into it with a frown. ]

I'm seeing mine. I had a feeling it might not be the same.

[immobileyes]

I don't remember ever seeing it snow like that, though... [ she'd imagined it, of course, and there had been some snow, but. How odd. ]

How did they do that? Can snow globes read minds here?

phase i!

[meriter]

[ OK LOOK, all of the shit CERES bargains off is inherently skeevy from association alone, but even more so when accompanied by festive holiday jingles and a disconcerting amount of Questionable Wares as courtesy of the Pleasure Distruct. However, desperate times call for desperate measures, and between catching a serious bout of hypothermia and dying of embarrassment, he's more prone to (begrudgingly) choose the latter.

And to be frank, this (probable 12 year-old) shortstack sure does bluster a lot over what technically constitutes a non-issue. ]

Is that any way to ask a favor?

[ Still — with curiosity winning out over the petty trifles of request bordering on outright demands, he takes a cursory glance at its contents. A beat or two passes while he assesses the sight before him, even though it should logically only take a couple of seconds at most to ascertain what exactly he's staring at. And even then, it's several moments longer until he can evenly match his companion's gaze, speaking up with halting reluctance. ]

... I only see the Nightray mansion.

[cheats]

[ Ciel doesn't even address the criticism, since honestly, he knows that it's rude and demanding, but he just doesn't care. Besides that, Elliot has complied, so there's really no reason to argue it further. Instead, Ciel just watches Elliot carefully as he looks into the snowglobe with a cool, evaluating sort of expression, but hearing the final verdict, he nods as his eyes drop back to the snowglobe. ]

So it does change. I thought it might, since there's no other way it'd show this.

[ A mansion, though... Interesting. If that's "home" to this person, then he's likely nobility as well. That piques Ciel's interest, so it's enough for him to also admit what he sees. ]

...I see my manor.

[meriter]

[ Well, Ciel hasn't actively attempted to maim him or otherwise actually inconvenience him, so if nothing else, Elliot got out of spending a few useless credits on a pointless bauble. There's no use in the masochism of buying himself a reminder of his mistakes. At any rate, he'd smash it himself before long. ]

Beauty in the eye of the beholder, or something. [ Pulling himself upright, he straightens, reluctant to glance into the contents again. ] ... Tch. It's accurate enough. Just like I remember it.

Your home, then. [ Taking his answer at face-value, Elliot absently tucking his hands into his pockets in a half-hearted effort to rid himself of the perennial chill. ] But its authenticity doesn't disguise the truth.

The Nightray mansion burned down a while ago. What I see in there now is a complete lie.

[cheats]

[ There's no change in his expression at what Elliot reveals, but at the same time, it's surprising to hear that his home burned down as well. He half wonders if that was simply a thing amongst nobleman, but it's hardly a topic that Ciel wants to bring up. The burning of his home had led to worse things, and they were wounds he had no desire to reopen. So instead, he just scoffs and shrugs. ]

That's no surprise. This place is ridiculous like that, I'm certain. I've hardly been here long, but it seems like pulling out things from your past is to be expected, from what I've heard.

[ Which... Isn't quite true. He had learned that before he came here, but the lesson still applied, he felt. ]

[meriter]

[ PROBABLY FATE, or something equally inane made for a target audience of romanticizing schmucks. Thinking about home always gets caught up in a round or two of weirdly meditative navel-gazing, which isn't something he genuinely wants to contemplate while exchanging surface-level pleasantries with a complete stranger, so Elliot lets bygones be bygones. ]

It wouldn't be an isolated incidence. I've heard — and seen firsthand — cases of people who've gone through similar experiences in places that weren't their initial worlds. Powers, even.

[ Not that he wants to be pulled into another song and dance of weird shenanigans on other plants, but it sure is tough being normal next to all these OP shonen protags and superheroes. ]

i!

[bigstick]

[ oh no, it's that brat who's ENGAGED which means he's going to get MARRIED and he's also in a really cute cape oh NO HE'S ADORABLE. america quickly decides to talk to that kid again. now, while ciel might be in his adorable cape, america's dressed way too nicely for the shitstain he is but it's kind of the warmest thing he's got, so.

anyway, he's busy making the approach, thinking of telling ciel how adorable he looks when suddenly, there's a snowglobe shoved in his face and he wonders if that was on purpose. automatically, he reaches out for it to look inside and. oh dear. ]

Incest.

[ yep, that's what he sees. incest. oh boy, he might be sick. ]

[cheats]

[ Ciel is immediately overcome with a sense of "why did I ask" since this person had already proven himself to be a not worth talking to at all. Indeed, as he'd started to approach, the question about the snowglobe was definitely to divert from his own appearance, since he knows what's happening now, but. He has Regrets. ]

...Is there anything you say that isn't wildly inappropriate?

[bigstick]

[ hey! ]

You freaking asked, you nerd. I didn't really want to see my brother and my uh. [ ??? ] D...ad? Doing weird stuff but I did so there.

[ he shrugs after! you can only blame cereal with this, really. ]

All I wanted to say is you look like a little doll in that cloak and it's adorable. Geez.

[cheats]

[ Ciel scowls, as usual, since he thinks that America is just messing with him at this point, but this is also quickly forgotten as he continues. Ciel just looks taken aback and scandalized instead, because, yeah. He's definitely a nerd. ]

Ador— I do not look like a doll, nor am I adorable!