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Entry tags:
- !event,
- attack on titan: armin arlert,
- danganronpa v3: kaito momota,
- day 1: general,
- fatal frame iv: ruka minazuki,
- fate/: bb,
- fate/: charlemagne,
- fate/: merlin,
- fe3h: dimitri alexandre blaiddyd,
- ffxiv: tsubaki aoganei,
- metallic rouge: alice & ace machias,
- original: calia,
- original: nao mizushita,
- persona 3: minato arisato,
- persona 3: shinjiro aragaki,
- shadows house: kate,
- slay the princess: the princess
[DAY 1-]
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!"
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.
no subject
[No, Shun'ya's social skills are just hilariously shallow.]Oh? Well, if you want to come along, I certainly won't stop you.
[Privately, though, he's a little exasperated. What is with these newbie devil summoners flinging themselves into dangerous situations, willy nilly? At least he'd be able to directly supervise this one, and from what he's seen, Armin has a steady head on his shoulders... unlike a few reckless others he can name (Princess, Alice, Dimitri... Minato).
But he doesn't show his true feelings (he never does). He just maintains his friendly expression.]
But won't you find it distressing, though? After the warning you gave, I'm under the impression that you may be somewhat... emotionally susceptible to being confronted with unexpected familiar faces.
no subject
Well, wouldn't anyone be? It certainly isn't easy to strike down someone with the face of someone you care about. I'm not sure it should be. [At that point, you've truly died, haven't you?
[What stings is that Shun'ya is right. What stings is that Armin's inability to strike down someone he cared about is what left his world covered in a bloody ocean. It stings because Armin failed. It stings because Armin is pathetic.
[But, as always, his expression remains even, if not "intrigued". If Shun'ya is this callous, Armin wants nothing to do with him.]
That being said, I can assure you that I'm well-equipped to manage my own emotions. Shall we head in? [Asshole.]
no subject
[Ah, he's done it again, hasn't he? He's messed up some stupid human social rule that's blindingly obvious to most people. He bites the inside of his cheek to stop his smile from turning into a frown, and turns away with a low 'hmmm~!' to hide his burst of frustration.
It's not Armin's fault, of course. Shun'ya sees no point in getting sulky with him for what is his own personal failing as a human being.]
...but you seem confident in yourself. So yes, let's see what horrors beyond our comprehension await us in the hospital. Come along, Mister Armin!
[He sounds positively cheery, like they're going to have a jaunt through a haunted house rather than an actual maliciously haunted hospital. He sets off abruptly, swinging the bucket of blood slightly as he walked, completely unbothered by, well, anything.]
no subject
[As for self-confidence, Armin is grateful that it's the perception of himself that he manages to convey - that's the intention, and it's rarely been a problem for him. Deep down, he isn't confident in himself at all - less so now than ever before.
[And he can make himself sound amicable enough too, but he won't go for cheery. This isn't a cheery situation (what with the "horrors beyond our comprehension").
[Anyway, back to the bucket of blood.]
Do you suppose that blood will, ah...assist us with navigating further into the hospital? [He really wants to know what's up with that.]
no subject
[Shun'ya slows his steps slightly so that they can walk side-by-side and talk, though he is aware enough to ensure the bucket of blood wasn't in between them. He did note Armin's... distaste? Some negative emotion towards it. Understandable. Normal people didn't regularly encounter buckets of blood.]
For example, those spelltags I told you about before? I craft them using my blood to grant them their magical properties, since mundane ink just wouldn't cut it. Blood carries a lot of spiritual power within it, especially when freely given.
[...]
Which, technically, this blood bucket should count as. It was freely gifted to us by the heavens, after all. So, the demons in the hospital may be interested in it as a bargaining tool.
no subject
One of the demons I contracted with also requested blood. I can't say I wasn't considering something similar. [He was just thinking less a bucket and more a...small vial of some sort.]
I defer to your expertise as ever. I think negotiating with these creatures is a tool that must be utilized.
no subject
[They approach the hospital's main doors, where the ambient temperature visibly drops, their breaths visible as puffs of white air.]
But, you still have to gauge when to negotiate and when to exterminate. Some demons are simply disinterested in talking.
[Which is why, in all honesty, he's a little worried about some of the others in their group of survivors. There's a couple that have grown quite attached to the demon servants... but whatever, they're all adults and he had warned them on the network, so it is what it is.]
I'll let them get a little further in and then bring in a cheeky little shadow friend hehe
I understand. [That's all he says in reality. He takes the step forward to push the hospital doors open, leading he and Shun'ya inside and out of the bloody rain. He can't say that he feels more comforted to be in a dryer environment; they track blood along the tile as they enter.]
I'll let you lead the way. Let me know how I can help. [Armin, of course, has his own goal in all this, and it's a selfish one.
[He saw Captain Levi, Commander Erwin - he saw Eren. None of them responded to Dimitri's role call, and none of them have crossed Armin's path today.
[This is perhaps the last place he should be looking for a familiar face, but here they are. He can't leave any stone unturned.]
sure! also sorry for delay... house moving u-u
[Despite saying that, though, Shun'ya seems completely relaxed - with the only sign of his alertness being his free hand resting atop of his pistol holster, ready to pull it at a moment's notice.
He moved slowly as well, the heels of his boots audibly squeaking against the linoleum flooring as they moved down the corridor - towards where the basement door was. Best to see if those ghost demons had cleared off since last time he and Alice blasted through here, eh?]
Hm, suspiciously quiet today. Always hate that.
[Means the little shit's were waiting to leap out at them from behind a potted plant or something.]
UR GOOD I have no excuse LMAO
[How will he be able to tell if who he's searching for is really who he's searching for? Minato asked him that very question. Armin told himself that he knew. That he'd always know.
[That will shortly be put to the test. Armin notes a shape pass at the end of one of the hallways - familiar...
[Unmistakable.]
Rosie. [Armin's voice is a whisper.] Something. At the end of that hallway there.
[Added quickly:] Don't attack right away. Let's see...
no subject
No ambushes from behind potted plants. Good.]
Hmm? Alright, but I'll remind you that it's likely our guest will attack us the moment it senses weakness. Please be careful.
[But aside from issuing a warning, he doesn't stop Armin or pull his gun. He simply observes, content to be a spectator for now while things were... calm.]
no subject
You have experience with the demons that take the shape of familiar people, don't you? What are their tells? There must be one. [Just in case...]
no subject
[Matching Armin, Shun'ya keeps his voice quiet - but his tone was candid, jarringly light considering the topic (and the demon standing menacingly at the end of the corridor).]
If they think just a friendly face is enough to distract, their personality may be off. If they know their prey is a suspicious and observant sort, though, they pull out all the stops until it's impossible to tell... but you have to think, is it likely the person you think they are is here with us? Do you think they'll approach you like this in the middle of a haunted hospital?
If the answer is no, it's best just to stick 'em in the ribs non-lethally and see how they respond. Demons will shed their disguise instantly, but if they're real then they'll just bleed like a normal human. You can make your apologies then.
no subject
In that case, here's what I'd like to do. I'll approach that figure as if I believe that it's the person it may be imitating. I should be able to tell right away if anything is off. [How would Eren respond if Armin approached him, acting as if nothing was wrong. It's something he has to evaluate now before he attempts to trick the could-be demon.
[Not that he hopes it is one...]
If I think something isn't right, I'll make that non-lethal blow. Just be prepared to fight if the demon sheds its disguise.
Sound good?
no subject
[It's clear that Shun'ya thinks the entity at the end of the corridor is a demon, no hint of doubt or second-guessing about him, but he feels that sometimes life experience is a better teacher. If Armin wants to check first and potentially get his face ripped off, then Shun'ya won't stop him - will just step in if things take a dangerously ugly turn.]
I'll be right here behind you whenever you need me.
no subject
[The test will be quick, though. He's certain.
[They approach the end of the cooridor, and the figure comes into view.
[Everything about Armin's demeanor changes. His body relaxes, and he lets out a soft breath, taking just a step forward. There's still a great deal of space between them.]
Eren. I'm so glad to see you. I've been looking all over. [As relieved and loving as any joyful reunion.
[The demon responds in kind; says Armin's name, soft, in a voice so familiar that it's embedded into the very cells of Armin's body.
[It takes a step closer, reaching out, and speaks again, returning the sentiment in words that Eren really would use, but...
[This would not be their reconciliation. Eren doesn't reach out to Armin anymore.
[Swiftly, he draws one of his blades and plunges it into the demon's ribs - non-lethal.
[For just the briefest moment - a split second - he wonders what he might have done...
[And then the demon howls, wrenching back and warping into its true shape.]
Rosie!
no subject
Until- there. Armin strikes at the demon, it reels back with a shocked yet pissed off roar, and Shun'ya is already bolting forwards, pistol unholstered - raised-
Bullseye! The round strikes the demon right between the eyes and sends it flailing to the ground in pained confusion - giving Shun'ya enough time to reach its side and unload another precious round into its head. Always double-tap, as his mentor said.]
...
[Actually, let's triple tap. BANG, there's a third bullet ♡︎ ]
no subject
That wasn't so difficult at all, really...
To tell the difference, I mean. [He inclines his head toward Shun'ya, grateful.] Thank you.
no subject
[Shun'ya watches hawkishly as the demon's body begins to fade away, confirming that it was actually dead, before holstering his pistol. He made a mental note of how many rounds he had left and kept his gaze alert.
The gunshots echoed, after all, and demons were attracted to sound.]
You need a moment? Y'know, to shake off the adrenaline and whatnot?
lmk if u wanna handwave or keep going hehe
I'm alright. [It looked just like him.] Let's keep going.
we can keep going! lets steer them to the basement~
If you're sure. Don't force yourself, though. That basement isn't going anywhere - I think, anyways. Who knows with this place, eh?
[But he leaves it there, giving Armin a friendly pat on the shoulder before moving past him, swinging his blood bucket idly as he went.]
no subject
[He follows behind, not bothering with more conversation until they reach the basement.]
i will submit the investigation now for the hospital basement!
Probably waiting for an opportunity.]
Well, it's just round this corner.
[Shun'ya pauses at said corner, not rounding it just yet. He turns to Armin instead.]
Last time I was here it was with Alice, and a horde of ornery ghost-demons were guarding it, so... be prepared. We may have a fight on our hands, if the blood doesn't tempt them. You ready?
no subject
Rosie! Back up. [He does so as well, retreating all the way back to the last step on the stairs.]
I was warned about this. There must be a barrier on that door. The gemstones react badly to them. Someone I know became very sick after only the briefest contact. He believes prolonged contact would have been fatal.