[DAY 1-]

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The night drags on.

The moon, full and bright, illuminates the world below as demons rise in indulgence of the hunt. All those who are not securely tucked away become prey, whose blood runs freely down the streets, whose screams fill the air in symphony, whose lives are snuffed out one by one as the night grows darker- but not quieter, no. Towards the far west, wind picks up in a deafening howl that tears through the forest violently enough to uproot trees, followed by a thunderous explosion atop the wall that sends large chunks of rock crashing down on parts of the immobile train, creating shockwaves felt all the way into town. Dark clouds gather overhead, smothering the moon and unleashing a downpour that continues unrelentingly until dawn, when the paltry sunlight behind the clouds is only enough to see that the rain that falls is in fact blood, thick and warm, coating the rooftops and the streets. Rivulets trickle towards the east, where they spill over the edges of the world and into the cavernous abyss of a mouth below.

Those who sleep will dream. They dream of being flat on their back, lying on hard metal, a warm breeze caressing their cheek, the faint scent of cherry blossom in the air. They dream of their bodies feeling like lead, heavy and unable to move, hardly able to breathe— and all the while in complete darkness. Whether they give in to exhaustion or struggle valiantly against it, they will eventually open their eyes to a different scene: of somebody's home before here, you and that person reliving the very last memory they had before waking up in the train just yesterday. It's a memory that culminates in darkness. Give in. Struggle. Open your eyes again and again and again, and eventually you will wake up to what you wish were just another bad dream: the unfortunate plane of existence we call reality.

It may not be a good morning, but it's morning. If characters glance at their COMP, they will see a bright number 7 on the screen that disappears as their chosen AI chimes in with a good morning greeting ("Whoa! Congrats on surviving the night, boss!" or "Yikes, you look like shit. Did you get any rest at all?"). Pulling up the map function shows fewer blue ally dots as expected, but perhaps unexpectedly, much fewer red enemy dots as well: there are very few demons to be seen, and those that are, show little interest in hunting unless they are attacked first. The forest is still and quiet, red Mandrake leaves littering the floor in abundance but the demons remain rooted underground, the Hares of Inaba huddled snug within their dens, bird demons taken roost underneath the canopy to keep out of the blood rain. The concert hall is silent today, guards at the door watchful and ready to snipe intruders. Inside the powerplant, the giant Ooze spreads lazily across the first floor, filling the space wall to wall, acid seeping underneath the front doors and burning its way outside. Indoors, outdoors, demons keep to themselves, seemingly sated.

It's almost peaceful. If you didn't know better.

The drizzle of blood tapers off over the course of Day 1, replaced by normal rain once night hits. The water that falls is clear, though bitter and metallic tasting, and the stormy weather continues for several days more. The temperature outside dips, even during the daytime, and the hunger that continues to persist (unless you're BB, who ate a Pixie, maybe) is made worse by the appearance of a hot dog stand that has been set up in front of the school building. Its existence in this place is wholly suspicious, entirely nonsensical, manifested as if out of a yandere devil summoner fever dream— and yet the mystery meat smells divine, and you are so so hungry.

"Hee-ho! Get your hot dogs here-ho! What? What kind of mee-hee-t is in it, ho? Don't worry about it, ho!"

JACK FROST

LOCATION
hot dog stand

STRENGTH
ice

WEAKNESS
fire

INFORMATION:
Jack Frost is a spirit originating from England who brings in cold weather during the winter and is responsible for the frost that forms on the windows of homes and buildings. Though it is usually friendly and innocent, it also has a mischievous personality and will freezes those it dislikes to death, smiling all the while.

SKILLS:
Mabufudyne: heavy ice damage (multi-target)
Megidolaon: mega almighty damage (multi-target)

NOTE: This demon is non-recruitable.

Can anybody resist that cute face? never mind the sales pitch. Jack Frost will operate on a barter system, though it really only seems interested in people's gemstones, or if they're willing to slaughter and bring it a Katakirauwa in exchange for a cold but still delicious hotdog dressed up in any variety of condiment. For those who muster the courage to go demon hunting to earn their meal, they will find that a single hotdog will stave off hunger for up to three days. For those who gave up their gemstone instead, K5 will be screaming at them not to do that, but also, please tell me. Maybe they'll rethink the offer, noticing that the gemstones they'd found on their person now feel slightly warm to the touch- growing warmer when in proximity to another person's gemstones, their colors more vibrant, stones faintly glowing as if with internal light.

Generous as Jack Frost is with providing dubious sustenance, it's a different story when it comes to the vending machine beside its stall. Inside are various drinks guaranteed to be cold, and include bottled water, coffee, teas, juices, blood and tears and many other questionable unlabeled liquids among its touted 100!!! varieties of beverage ("""beverage"""). Two problems: 1) there is no selection button, so you do not get to choose your drink; and 2) the machine will only take macca. Where to get macca? Figure that out yourself and earn your drink gacha.

[ Locked pending: SCHOOL investigation ]

[ Locked pending: GREENHOUSE investigation ]

[ Locked pending: HOSPITAL investigation ]

[ Locked pending: CONCERT HALL investigation ]

[ Locked pending: POWERPLANT investigation ]

OOC

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Since I know a handful of you are still working on apps, this event log in general will be open to all players, but Investigations will be closed to current players only. See below for more information.

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On Day 1 only, wild demon encounters will be scarce and it will rain blood all day, after which the weather will transition into normal rain and demon encounters will also return to normal rates, less during the day and more frequent after dark.

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When characters fall asleep any time in the next several days (including victims of the concert hall lullaby that will begin again starting Day 2, as well as inadvertent naps for those of you who are like lmao yeah whatever, i don't need sleep, i'm fine), they will be able to see the circumstances around other characters' canonpoints. This dream may take the form of being a bystander, or from the point of view of the character, whichever would be more fun/interesting to play.

»

Players can advance time by posting new logs set on the current or next IC date— don't be afraid to advance time as needed! Plot beats will be adjusted accordingly, and there'll be ample warning if plot necessitates a deadline or specific event date for any reason. If you have any trigger warnings, please let me know here! Comments are screened, and warnings will be listed in the log format post for player awareness.

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As characters investigate different locations in the setting, more aspects of the game will be unlocked and will be updated in the post above. In summary, from the previous TDM event, characters have found doors sealed by barriers in the school, greenhouse, and hospital. The concert hall and powerplant are still both heavily guarded by demons that prevent thorough investigation until dealt with.

Comments

[enteloki]

[A quick glance at responses. A headcount of his own house and-]

Upon looking, it can be confirmed that more than seven are alive.

Keigo was off base in their assumption, and remains grossly unreliable.

Seven could refer to too much to speculate over in full. It could be anything.

Has anyone else received any useful information? With all of us gathered, in a sense, it's a good opportunity to prove, disprove or assess viability of a theory over the matter.

not here

[rimingcouplet]

[Alice has an educated guess as to what that "7" is referring to.

But will she share it with Akechi? Not on her life.]

[foxchild]

the seven is easy

seven days until we die ο(=•ω＜=)ρ⌒☆

[enteloki]

[Oh my god.

Well, whatever. He'll entertain it. It's better than nothing and it's not like the thought didn't cross his mind. ]

Please explain your reasoning and evidence for that assumption.

[foxchild]

saw it in a movie once!!! (っ °Д °;)っ

lol lmao

nah more that this is the type of thing demons do. the number 'seven' has a lot of significance, especially in the context of rituals and the like. supposing that our presence here is in service to a sort of 'ritual' or 'sacrifice' by the demonic population, then... it's a possibility.

or it could mean jackshit ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ

[hauntedsnowfall]

(๑•́ -•̀) ... Noted as a possibility.

[enteloki]

It's worth noting, in any case. Cognitions pull from unconcious thoughts of its user and the society they exist in.

Though that begs the question - why start killing now? Why leave some alive? Why not wait until the seventh day to strike everyone down in a sea of blood?

Regardless, thank you for not being entirely useless. It's an interesting theory.

[Why bring those in who are already dead, among those who still live? It's bizarre. Unlikely - but unlikely isn't impossible. The thoughts of madmen are indiscernible to sort out and who knows what the puppet master is doing behind the scenes.]

[foxchild]

because you don't want weaklings to be the centrepiece of the sacrifice

or to put it in a more relatable metaphor: those that have died were the equivalent of junk food. they have some level of worth but its meagre. those that thrive and survive show a strength in spirit and soul that's like a michelin star three course meal. you eat junk food whenever but you savour the fancy expensive three courser

fun fact: souls are at their most vibrant and powerful when placed under tremendous amount of stress! that's when you maximise your gains in seizing them! now, you can do it the lazy way by terrifying someone moments before they die, or you can be sophisticated about it and have them endure incremental stress over a longer period - like slowcooking a lamb shank. seven days... i'd say that's long enough to be frogboiling stressed out for.

[He knows from personal(??) experience(???)... he thinks? From other cases he helped out with, right? Right.]

so practice your mental hygiene! do meditation or break some plates or whatever. don't let the demons win!!! ( •̀ ω •́ )✧

[enteloki]

[Lack of tact aside, the metaphor is an apt one. The power of those from Tokyo are undeniable. Even Maruki, loathe as he is to admit, is a force to be reckoned with.]

I see. I don't disagree with your assessment.

In fact, I find it viable compared to any other I've heard. In working within that theory, we should attempt to figure out what we'll be used for - whether our body, soul, will or autonomy will be disregarded, and for what or who.

Though there's no need to concern yourself over my mental health. It's completely sound and requires no assistance to maintain. Save your advice for those that need it.

[sootprints]

Stop

[foxchild]

╯︿╰

[devilishkouhai]

BB has a ton of information if you trade with her she'll tell you what she knows! ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ )و✧*｡

[enteloki]

I'm willing to share any information I obtain or know.

Clarify what you mean by 'a ton' and whether that 'ton' provides value. Is it in reference to the number, or other matters in this reality?

[devilishkouhai]

Info, for info is a good trade.

A ton, meaning, BB knows a bunch of information throughout this area whether it is useful or not - can be up to you to decide. However, it is worth noting, considering that BB got a lot of info from the Demons herself. ৻( •̀ ᗜ •́ ৻)

[enteloki]

It's still worth hearing, even if their information is unreliable at best, and malicious at worst. That's for us to sort out.

In return for what you provide, I can also give information on the concert hall and the shadows inside of it.

[devilishkouhai]

Oh nice, BB wants that, okay, BB can DM you privately - is that good?

BB will give you a tiny piece, and then you share what you want and she can share everything else.

[enteloki]

I accept. Feel free to message me at your leisure.

[moonsounds]

I thought it might have something to do with the locations around here. There's more than 7 places, but roughly 6-7 seem nearly inaccessible because of something powerful blocking our ways in.

Maybe it stands for those? If we can retake some place like the concert hall or the hospital safely, the number might go down.

Oh, this is Ruka, by the way. We met in the hospital. Hello again.

[enteloki]

[The pill tester - incredible.

She's useful though and provides an interesting theory. He notes it down.]

I recall. It's fortunate you survived. I had my doubts.

To your idea, it's an interesting one. Plausible and easy to confirm with enough manpower directed to one area.

[moonsounds]

[She'll let it slide.] I've survived worse.

If we can find a piano or even an electric keyboard in one of the houses or something, I could use it for the concert hall. My playing could drown out or take over the music that's playing from there and prevent people from falling asleep like that at least.

[A real battle of the bands...]

[enteloki]

[That isn't a terrible idea. Anything is worth trying at this point. If it's a palace, shit like that tends to work.]

I'm willing to try that. It's a creative solution, if anything.

Should I come across an item that could work, I'll contact you immediately. I expect the same response from you.

Can you play any other instruments?

[moonsounds]

Yes, I will let you know.

Also, I have a special camera. It doesn't always happen, but if I take a picture of things, the picture can reveal how a place used to look, or a clue to the next place to look. I'll start taking pictures soon and see if there's anything I can find.

And yes, actually. I have a distinct memory of playing a flute? But I'm more skilled with the piano. I

Honestly, I have a strange, bad feeling when I think about playing the flute.

[enteloki]

[Strange, bad feeling? Noted, but irrelevant for their current situation.]

Your camera will be vital if it works as you claim. I have my doubts it will be so simple to use though.

[rimingcouplet]

That was my thought too. Whatever is behind those barriers definitely has something to do with the mystery of what happened to call down Hell on this place. For example, I looked into the hospital's records and it turns out that the sealed basement apparently contains the morgue and the labs, both of which would give us more information on what's going on.

The question is why whoever kindly supplied us with COMPs and those gems wants us to break those barriers so badly. We need to consider their agenda before making any hasty moves.

[moonsounds]

If we can get in those places, my camera could help as well. It was designed to take pictures of impossible things--spirits and the like. It can capture what a place used to look like, or reveal some place to go for more information or clues.

And that's true. They could be helping us, or trying to help themselves...