achates | [DAY 0] TDM.

[DAY 0] TDM.

Error in final launch sequence:
Failed to execute MI command:
target remote localhost: 01633
Error message from debugger back end:
Cannot access memory at address 𝟹͚̽𝚡̰̍̂𝟸̠̯̘ͭͧ𝚌̭͉̺͖ͥ𝟿̳̰̒̇ͅ𝟷̦ͣ̉͌̅𝚋͓͎̈̒̀𝟻ͭ̌͂𝟷ͩ̓𝟾̦
Failed to execute MI command:
target remote localhost: 01633
Error message from debugger back end:
Cannot access memory at address 𝟹̖͇͕̃𝚡͉̹̯͇̻̉̓̂𝟸͚̹͈͓̩͚̲̼͒̾𝚌̱̠͙̝̪͇̈̌̂̃̄ͭ𝟿̱̜̪͓̳̹ͤ̊̈́ͦͥ̑𝟷͖̱̝̀̒̇̂̄̈́̓̇ͅ𝚋̥̯͉̹͛͛̊ͤͦͩ𝟻̬̮̈́̋ͯ͛̉̐𝟷̋ͩ̔̔𝟾̼
Waiting for debugger connection...
Debugger connected
Debugger connection lost.
Waiting for debugger connection...
Debugger connected
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Target is not responding, retrying...
Debugger connection lost.
Shutting down...
Rebooting
Download in Progress:
File download complete
Time elapsed during download operation: 00:12:33.131
Rebooting
Launching Demon Summoning Program. . .

You open your eyes to the end of the world, but you do not see it.

Instead what rouses you is screaming and crying, blood and tears: all around you are signs of life. Inside the overturned train, people begin to awaken, sprawled on the ground as if thrown violently from their seats, broken bones and bleeding wounds struggling to rise from the carpet of shattered glass from the windows at their feet. Emerging from the wreck, characters will find themselves at the edge of a dense forest, a towering stone wall at their backs. Bright eyes peer out from the shadows of the foliage, more and more blinking into view like stars in a darkening sky, but despite being drawn to the scent of blood that hangs heavy in the air, nothing steps out of the forest. Not yet.

None of the passengers can recall what happened, what they were doing on a train, where it was going- there's more they can't remember, but overshadowing the gaps of memory are things they have gained in return. A familiar item that is not theirs. A gemstone that feels lighter than it appears, as if hollow inside. And a device that wraps around their wrist (or rests on their head, or hangs around their neck, or however it presents itself to each character) that starts up on its own the moment the character turns their attention to it, as if waiting. Each character's COMP has a "navigator" selected at default, either "A☆L☆A" in bright neon orange, or "K5" in cool slate blue, although the presiding navigator can be freely switched between them.

Heya, boss! My name's Ala, your new navi!

You wanna know something really funny? Go ahead and touch the map on the corner of the screen to enlarge it. See all those little red dots? Those are demons out to kill you. Haha! You're surrounded!

Heya, boss! You can call me Keigo, your navigational AI.

If you touch the map on the corner of the screen, you can enlarge it and see the positions of all your allies. Looks like some of you are already heading out: see those little blue— oh. That one just disappeared. ... Try to stick together.

Along with providing a map with enemy/ally positions, the navigators will walk characters through the demon interaction, recruitment, and summoning processes, with advice varying between the two navigators (click to expand)

Just beat 'em up and force 'em to join! They can't say no if they're dead!

Nobody is immune to bribery, not even demons. What do you even have, though...? No matter what, don't let them get that life stone.

More demons incoming! Ooh, you're screwed. You'd better run! Don't worry, I won't tell.

Let's hide here. We'll wait here until that demon passes, then move!

Look, a body! Are they still alive? Wonder what's in their pockets...?

It's already too late to help. But better them being demon food than you.

Or, you could stay. There is nothing forcing anybody to leave the relative safety of the train. Those who stay behind will find the conductor's cabin empty, save for a small black cat perched on the headrest of the driver's seat that peers out with bright golden eyes at those who enter. Otherwise, there are no signs of a fight or struggle inside the cabin. Elsewhere, there is unclaimed luggage in the overhead compartments with an abundance of clothing and blankets, although characters will not find any of their own clothing except what they're already wearing. The dining cart is still stocked with enough food and beverage to last each passenger at least two days— maybe longer, if people keep leaving/dying... But at the same time, maybe shorter, considering the pervasive hunger that gnaws at the pits of everybody's stomachs, an emptiness that yearns to be filled by something... more.

As minutes stretch into hours, it becomes painfully clear that nobody is coming to help. Everybody only has each other, this town, its inhabitants. The forest is dark and unforgiving, near impossible to navigate even with a map. Strange creatures jump out from the shadows, eyes bright, mouths salivating, hungry. Strong hands claw through the dirt underfoot to grab at people's feet, pulling themselves up, mouths wide open, hungry. Sharp talons swoop down from the skies above, snatching characters up into the air, crushing skulls and snapping spines. Hungry. The demons here seem delighted to see such a feast wandering right into their home; those who are stopped for attempted conversation express surprise that characters are able to see them, but ultimately the hunger wins, and hunger does not listen to reason.

Casualties are inevitable. Blood mist permeates the air, and follows even as characters break out of the forest and across town, all the way to the fraying end of the world. Out in the open, however, the sun rays beat down bright and harsh, and those hungry eyes shy away from the sunlight to remain in the shadows, inside husks of buildings and thickets of overgrown fields. Characters will be able to find refuge in the greenhouse and the church, and some of the standing houses are truly vacant (as opposed to "surprise! there's actually a demon inside!" vacant); the only eyes that follow you are those of photographs hung crooked on the walls, of familiar strangers and forgotten friends. Look, there's a picture of you too.

Other locations require more caution to explore:

The sound of crying can be heard from the upper stories of the school building, thin wails echoing up and down the deserted halls, and human-like shadows peer out from the broken, unboarded windows, as if watching. A barricade inside the front doors makes it difficult to enter from the main entrance, and with most of the windows boarded up, the hallways inside remain dark even during the day. The smell of rot is prominent, heavy and cloying, especially in the auditorium-become-mausoleum that is littered with crushed bones, thin and brittle, every last scrap of flesh already nibbled away. A flock of demons crowd around outside principal's office, where a blizzard blows through the entire hallway, rendering visibility near zero and temperatures below that.

The hospital is also deathly cold, breath visible in puffs of mist that sometimes form into screaming faces, and when all is still and quiet, you look up and see yourself. Shadows form into mirror images of the characters who enter the hospital, silently approaching others and attacking once the person's guard is down. If a demon borrowing your face isn't bad enough, Phantoms go a step further and take the form of people who are close to your character: friends, family, foes. Exploring the hospital may or may not be worth the potential backstabbing, considering the fact that the supplies found are maybe not the most sterile, half the equipment is rusted or corroded, and a lot of the medicine is unlabeled tablets and capsules inside unlabeled bottles (essentially, take at your own risk). Moreover, hordes of all sorts of demon ghosts will bar characters' way down to the basement, gathering in massive numbers anytime somebody tries to descend. Electricity bounces around the top of the stairway down, while bright flames lick the bottom of the stairs; particularly unlucky characters may be hit with a confusion spell, liable to throw themselves headfirst down the stairs to be consumed by the waiting demons below.

Hauntingly beautiful music can be heard from within the concert hall, and listening to their song puts you fast asleep— possibly in the middle of the street if you're not careful— while those who manage to make it past the front doors are immediately frozen in a hunk of ice or electrocuted to a crisp before being kicked to the curb. The concert hall appears to be actively guarded, and it's clear that strangers are Not Welcome. Even the other demons keep clear of this building, drawn to the music but lingering far enough to not be overwhelmed. Characters may have an easier time of initiating conversations with demons from around town or inside the houses nearby the concert hall.

The crackle of electricity can be heard from inside the power plant's upper stories despite the blackout, and the entire building shakes from time to time, as if caught in a thunderstorm, or an earthquake. A slow drip... drip... drip... can be heard throughout the building, of amorphous demons clinging to the walls like mold and leaving puddles of caustic acid Everywhere. Anybody who enters the power plant's front entrance is met with a massive agglomerate of black Ooze that has expanded to fill the entire first floor from wall to wall, floor to ceiling, preventing anybody from going upstairs while it remains. Arms and legs poke out of the demon's body in places, desperately clawing and kicking, weaker, weaker. done.

OOC

Welcome to Day 0! What better meet-and-greet is there than everybody being tossed into the fray to fight for their lives? ('': For convenience, here are the game info, locations, and demon compendium pages; please use these as reference for what more can be found in the setting.

The characters' COMP will turn on only after they notice and focus on it. If they do NOT activate the COMP, they will not be able to see the demons or interact with them in any way other than being killed. Activating the COMP will allow characters to see demons and somewhat understand their language, with an added effect of allowing physical attacks to harm demons, and mitigating the damage taken from demons.

For characters who app and are accepted, please report demon recruitment here. Characters who are just tdming do not have to report. Recruited demons are inclined to listen to their summoner, but are not necessarily friendly at the beginning: if your character shows weakness, the demon may be just as likely to eat them as they are to protect them.

There will be no NPCs in this game other than the two navigators and some key demons. You're on your own for now!

This first event/tdm is open to the public, and can be used for test driving at any time after the game starts. I'll be keeping a pulse on threads for when characters have gotten their bearings and seem to have a general idea of how they want to proceed into the next day, and we'll go from there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It all happens very quickly. One moment, a demon is lunging forward, and in the next, its head is separated from its body and Kate has been scooped into the arms of a stranger and they're... flying!? ]

W, wait, what are you doing?

[ It's actually very easy to scoop Kate up under one arm; she's 135cm tall and weighs very little. She squirms for just a few seconds before realizing how fast they're going and wisely decides to stop. Instead, she grabs a fistful of Armin's clothes and holds on for dear life, and just barely has enough wits about her to remember to keep her head down so that he can't see her face from this angle. In the darkness of the forest, she might have been able to hide her shadowy appearance, but at this proximity, she has to be more careful. She's not sure what she'll do when they land, though. ]

[It's dark under the canopy of trees, and Armin is focused on grappling to the right branches and not crashing, which is exceptionally difficult with just one arm to operate with. He hasn't noticed Kate's appearance yet, but he has noticed her size. He assumes she's a child, and so, his already kind voice is even kinder - soft, gentle, reassuring.]

It's alright. You're safe with me. I'm taking you out of the forest. Just hold on tight.

Are you hurt?

[ Oh. He's actually very nice. That makes it feel a little better that they're being flung around in the air at speeds that make her wonder if she should've taken her chances with the demon. ]

No. K--

I'm fine. [ For a moment it sounded like she was about to say it differently, but she settles on that. ]

But... out of the forest to where? I can't go back to that train wreck.

[It did sound like she was about to say something else, but he won't push it.]

Not to worry. [His voice is confident, certain.] I'll take you to the town. There are safe places to hide there until a plan's been made.

[This is why he was in the forest - attempting to protect and ferry people to the town as best he can. Using his ODM gear isn't necessarily ideal, given that he won't be able to get more fuel once he runs out, but a few trips shouldn't deplete his reserve entirely - it was still nearly full when he arrived. He tries to use the ground when he can, but it's...been less a possibility than he'd hoped, in many cases.]

Is that why you wandered into the forest? This entire situation - it's a little scary, isn't it?

Yes.

[ That's not the only reason, but really... yes. It is scary. ]

Okay... that should work. [ The town... She hasn't explored much of it yet, but it seems like a good plan for now. A place where she can hide... from demons and people alike, ideally. ]

... I'm not good with places with too many people.

[Ah. Well. He's not sure it will be all that much of a comfort, but...the town seems to be populated less by other people, and more by some of the same eyes that watch them from the trees.

[Armin decides not to say this; instead:]

Just stick with me, in that case. I'm only one person, after all.

My name is Armin. What's yours?

You don't need to do that...

[ He might notice a little wisp of smoke rising into the air... thin, with flecks of dark soot. It almost seems to come from the girl's head. ]

... Kate.

[He sees the smoke - smoke by the smell of it, rather than steam.

[Even so, it raises alarm. He used to let off wisps like that too, but he is keenly aware now that his titan shifting ability is gone.

[He never wanted it; hated it, but...

[It feels strange to be without it now.]

It's nice to meet you Kate. [He manages just the quickest glance and...

[Sees black.]

We're going to go higher. Please hold on. [And then he fires them up to the highest branches of the trees, landing on a wide bough. He still has her under his arm. He very gently sets her down, still holding onto her, concerned she may slip.]

Get your balance. Sit down if you can...[His voice trails off.

[What...is this? He can't help but stare, perplexed, even as he continues to hold her steady.

[Is this another demon?

[What the Hell did he just get himself into?

[He simply watches her; keeps his smile "earnest", his demeanor calm.]

You're alright. I just want...to get a better look. [At the forest, the world beyond - that. Just that.]

[ A detour? Now?

Not now... He was supposed to drop her off so she could run off and find a good hiding place. They could part ways immediately. He'll see her like this. No... has he already noticed?

Kate carefully eases herself onto the bough and sits, one hand still holding onto him, the other straightening the skirt of her dress so that it doesn't catch on the tree bark. She turns her head away from Armin, hoping that might be enough to obscure her face (or lack thereof).

But the smoke rising from her head thickens into a dark stream. The sight and the smell of it are unmistakable now. Oddly, there's no heat from it, though. ]

A look at what?

[ Her voice is calm, quiet. She tries not to let any emotion creep into it. ]

Just to make sure we're going the right direction. [But his voice has become cautious. She's still holding onto him. He puts a hand on her shoulder. It probably isn't safe to.

[If it's a demon, he'll do what needs to be done.

[What else could it be? Then again, why would demons attack another demon? As if he knows anything about them at all. He won't jump the gun.

[He turns and looks out across the horizon, trying to note where the tree line ends. He thinks he can see the steeple of that church.

[More than anything, though, he's trying to keep his eyes off of her - both for her comfort and his own.]

Kate...

Please forgive my rudeness, but...You've noticed that you and I are different, haven't you?

[The smoke. No face. He doesn't want it to be true.

[There's no sense in beating around the bush.]

I'm a human. [In so many words.] Are you too? [To his credit, he keeps his voice light, friendly, easy. There is no judgment, nor fear - no edge whatsoever. Simply a question, as kind as he can make it.]

[ She gasps, her head snapping up to meet his gaze. He'll get a clear look at it now: total darkness where a face would normally be. In that same moment, there's a rush of smoke from her head. ]

I...

I'm not a demon.

[ If he thinks she is, will it be her head that flies next? She doesn't want to picture it. But she can't help it. ]

[There's no reason he should believe her.

[If he were a stronger person, he'd slice her at the nape.

[He's not a strong person. He's a goddamn fool. And his smile is warm, his voice soft.] Alright.

[He nods, then stoops down, closer to her height.]

I know where to go. Do me a favor - put your arms around my neck this time and hold on tight. I'll get us there much faster if I can use both my arms.

Can you do that for me, Kate?

[ A few tense moments pass before he gives that response. Kate presses a hand to her chest, her fingers closing tightly around the fabric of her dress and the star-shaped badge pinned to the front.

When he speaks again, the smoke rising from her head starts to thin out into a faint wisp, the dark haze fading.

Part of her is afraid that this could be a trick. But she can't exactly get down from here by herself. Besides...

She wants to believe that he's being sincere. ]

... Yes. I can do that.

[ It takes a few more moments before she finds the nerve to actually do so and reach for him as he asked. ]

[When Kate reaches for Armin, he allows her to wrap her arms around his neck, and then lifts her up the rest of the way.]

Wrap your legs as tight as you can. I promise I won't drop you.

[Then, once she's ready, he'll give her one more warning, then fire them back off into the canopy, flying once again through the forest.

[Despite all his worries - despite everything, the way that stench of steaming blood still hasn't left his nose - he manages to put some good humor in his voice, speaking down to Kate as they fly.]

There's no need to be afraid. We're close now. Have you ever flown before? It's a little fun, if you let yourself believe it. [Like a bird - high, high, high up over the walls, but that landing--

[Don't think of him now.]

[ She holds on as instructed, locking her arms behind his neck and gripping tightly. With Kate holding on like this, he might be able to tell that, despite her inhuman appearance, there is a heart pounding in her chest right now. ]

Not exactly...

[ She's done something that's like flying, but isn't really. ]

Do you... travel like this all the time? Isn't it dangerous?

Not all the time, no. Only when necessary.

[Is it dangerous? Exceptionally. Cadets in the Paradis military die before they ever make it out into the field from ODM crashes - Hell, the instructors cut the cables on purpose just to test their reaction time. Armin's had more than one acquaintance die that way, heads cracked open, brains on the forest floor.

[But he knows what he's doing.] I've been using this equipment for a long time. There's no need to worry.

[And he does, indeed, feel that heartbeat.

[It's a comfort--

[Something from his left side. His eyes flicker over just in time to catch something - an elemental attack that he can't decihper, shooting up through the trees in their direction.]

Kate! Hold on tight! [It's only the briefest warning before they're shot off in sharply to the right, the move dizzying for its speed and force.]

A demon!?

[ There's a gasp, and her grip tightens as they suddenly veer off.

To attack them even in the air... No, maybe they should have expected it. The demons are predators, and right now, their "prey" is out in the open. ]

What kind of power was that...

I can't say that I know. [He sounds just a little breathless. It would be too risky to try to look over his shoulder right now. He guns for the tree line as fast as he can, but he won't use more fuel to do so. He has to conserve. They have to get out of here.]

Kate. I'm going to focus on getting us to that town. If you see anything, please tell me right away - the direction and what you saw, as quick as you can. [His voice is gentle, but it's urgent, too - serious.

[With that, he continues on toward a new edge of the tree line, merely trusting that it's the one that will get them there fastest.

[Without any interference, it will only take a few more minutes.]

I...

[ There's a moment's hesitation. But then, a little more firmly... ]

Understood.

[ Kate shifts her grip, holding on tightly to Armin's clothes with one hand while the other goes to her pocket. She pulls out something that looks like an antique pocket watch, but when it opens, there's a familiar high-tech touchscreen with a few flickering red dots on the display. ]

... Found them. There are enemies to your five o'clock, two o'clock... There's one straight ahead. Watch out.

[When he feels her release his shirt, he nearly loses their grip, releasing a grappling hook to wrap his arm tightly around her. He's holding his breath as he fires them up into another tree; he reminds himself to exhale.]

Good. Put it away. [Pronounced: put your arms back in place, kid.

[Five o'clock - that's accurate. Assuming two o'clock is also (and he doesn't trust these devices worth a shit), he'll fire off toward eight.

[A narrow miss as they pass the seven, one of the demons (he still can't make out which), clawing past them in the air. He grips her tighter, still using just one arm again.]

Good job, Kate! We're almost there now! [The vague shape of buildings can be seen through the trees. Now he hits that fuel boost - and then they really go flying, all the way until they hit the tree line. Pausing only briefly on one of the edge's trees, he says:] We're heading down, Kate!

[And then he fires a grappling hook into the ground and launches them out of the forest.

[Once on the ground, he wraps two strong arms around here and bolts toward the buildings. His breath comes in huffs.] A little longer. That's all.

[He's headed toward a house. As far as he can tell, those are the safest spots to rest - so long as they're empty.]

[ There's a small burst of smoke from Kate's head when they suddenly pick up speed. Poor Armin probably gets some of it in his face. It's a really good thing that it's not actually that hot.

But at last they land, and Kate's getting quarterback-carried to a house. Well, almost. She pulls out the pocket watch once more, so she can check and confirm before they kick down the door... ]

That house should be safe.

[ ... as far as she can tell. Hopefully, it will stay that way. ]

[Not only has Armin had literally 100% of his skin melted off by steam, but he's also let off a fair amount himself at similarly lethal levels. A little smoke in his face certainly doesn't bother him, though he does note the lack of heat, and puzzles endlessly over just what exactly Kate is. He's really found himself in a strange situation...

[Once again, he doesn't trust the pocket watch, but he can't just go around trusting nothing. If there's something inside, he'll take care of it.

[However, when they reach the house, it does indeed appear to be empty. It's not terribly put together, with dusty, overturned furniture, crooked pictures on the wall, but it does appear to be safe.

[Armin leans down to gently place Kate back on the ground. He needs to catch his breath.]

You did very well. I can't thank you enough for your help. How are you holding up, Kate?

[ When she's firmly on the ground, Kate drops to her knees to also catch her breath. It may seem a little dramatic, considering how Armin was doing all of the actual running. And the other acrobatics. ]

Thank me...? Don't... don't be silly. You did all the hard work.

[ A few more breaths, and belatedly, ]

... Thank you, Armin.

Don't you be silly. If you hadn't given me those warnings, I'm not sure we would have made it. Please, give yourself some credit.

You're welcome. [A beat, and then, with some gentle concern:] Are you here all by yourself, Kate? [She's so small. She has to be young...]

... I think so. I haven't seen anyone who looks familiar... or who looks like me.

[ If there were others like her, would they be clever enough to hide themselves? ... She doubts it, actually. ]

What about you, Armin?

rescue

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cw: blood mention

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feel free to say they get to town, or don't! c: anything works

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cw: gore

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