panopte: (Default)
panopte ([personal profile] panopte) wrote in [community profile] achates2024-09-17 10:10 am

[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!"

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

»
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.

»
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.

»
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.

»
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.
purport: (consider)

[personal profile] purport 2024-09-22 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
Since she can address this one, the Princess will clarify. She wouldn't take anyone captive, seeing as she knows the experience all too well. She'll even tug at her shackle, void of any way to open it, for effect. It's not something she'd inflict on another, and their friend agreed to come along with Minato for a while. The way she understands it, if Pixie were to change her mind, she could simply leave. Isn't that how it is?

As for the blooderscotch, it's freshly made and in ample supply.
Edited 2024-09-22 09:00 (UTC)
purport: (Default)

[personal profile] purport 2024-09-25 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Far be it from them to cause the pixies undue trouble when they've been courteous hosts (see: they didn't collectively zap the royal gate-crashers here). Neither has objections to the suggestion, tjough they do have a couple of brief questions. Will the guards not notice whether the piano is relocated? And who is this queen they're referring to...
hauntedsnowfall: (z acadimi smile 02)

[personal profile] hauntedsnowfall 2024-09-26 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, the Princess made bags of those suckers- er, bloodercotches. She has enough to go around. -insert sparkle emoji here-

As the pixies are moving the piano Dimitri would inquire about the fairy queen. What with Dimitri and Princess both being royalty they like to keep up on the latest happenings of other royals in the area, of course! Do they have any stories, or impressions, or things they would love to brag about? Any hot gossip? What is she like?? Would the movers also like another Blooderscotch? Did they mention they are home made? (see also: bribe)
purport: (speak)

[personal profile] purport 2024-09-28 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Dimitri and the Princess take a few moments to confer whilst the pixies enjoy their blooderscotch... It sounds an awful lot like the other demons pose a mutual threat in that case, though one their Queen clearly has been successful in mitigating.

So they'll ask: does the Pixie they're speaking with think the Queen would consider an audience with them, even conditionally? Obviously as they just slid in here they have no expectations on the spot, but perhaps if there's an opportune time, they might find a way to benefit one another.

There will, of course, be an appropriate offering of blooderscotch.
Edited (very important detail: bribes) 2024-09-28 20:22 (UTC)
purport: (look)

[personal profile] purport 2024-09-29 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
After a brief exchange, Dimitri and the Princess confirm the two of them will attend any meeting themselves. Their group isn't wholly united, unlike the Queen's citizens, but the two of them still believe a discussion to be worthwhile. They suggest three days from now, so as give the Queen some notice... And also allowing them to amass an appropriate quantity of blooderscotch and prepare talking points for that meeting if she indulges them.
purport: (speak)

[personal profile] purport 2024-10-07 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
The Princess doesn't know whether she's all that funny, but she would suggest that if the Queen ends up finding their company acceptable, they could come up with diversions for future visits. They appreciate the tidbits regarding the Queen, and naturally won't be stingy with the blooderscotch while they await the return of the messengers. The pixies have been very helpful, after all!
purport: (Default)

[personal profile] purport 2024-10-11 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
Dimitri though...

That does address their questions for the time being. They'll be sure to properly prepare for their meeting and come up with a suitable gift (see: more bloody candy...bloody cherry cordials perhaps, while those are still good)