achates | [DAY 1-]

Entry tags:

[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!"

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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Dimitri had planned to arrive at the meetup spot early so as to not keep her waiting, however it seems the Princess was also the early sort. He shouldn't be surprised, she does seem to be rather diligent.

The first thing the Princess notices as he jogs up the church's lawn is that this boy does not, in fact, have an umbrella. Or, really, anything to deflect the falling blood. While the downpour has lightened up some since that morning, he's still soaked to the bone. Luckily (?) it's a warm sort of rain, but he doesn't look exactly thrilled to be drenched in blood. ]

Apologies for keeping you waiting.

[ The Princess gets one good look at him and quickly pads away. Her social graces are as ever in fine form, but her purpose might be clearer when she returns with a gallon jug of water. She has been an industrious little scavenger. ]

Would you sit for a moment?

[ Blood is sticky, cloying, and unpleasant. Even with her limited recollection, she knows this well. Once the stuff starts drying, it will get worse still. Best to deal with the issue now rather than leave Dimitri a bloody mess. ]

[ Dimitri feels a little tired from his restless night and day's journey, so he isn't really opposed to it, although he isn't sure of her intention. Perhaps she herself isn't ready? ]

I suppose. [ He takes a seat. ] How has your day been so far?

[ He's very glad the rain is really starting to lighten up. Dimitri wants to stop seeing red everywhere. His parents have been following him at a distance all day. ]

My day?

[ Perhaps her intentions will get clearer when she uncaps the gallon jug of water.

Or maybe when she just upends it over him and douses him with water.

In fairness, she does tip it so as not to be quite so forceful as if she just dumped it over his head, but the fact remains that she's pouring water on him. ]

Less messy than yours.

[ Casually, as she keeps on pouring water on him. ]

[ He thinks she is thirsty. :) ]

[ She is not thirsty. ]

Ah! I, um, yes. You're right, I'm sorry.

[ It definitely shocks him. He does this thing where he shakes his head a little, which might accidently get water on Princess too, although that's not his intention.

Once the surprise of it wears off he'll wipe some of the blood off his leather gloves, then use his hands to ruffle his own hair in hopes to get some of the blood out. ]

You don't need to apologize.

[ She points it out placidly, her focus remaining on keeping the jug of water tipped just so as it gradually empties. It can't feel all that pleasant being coated with blood. What she got on her with an umbrella to shield her was still enough to warrant a rinse, but less of one than Dimitri needs. ]

Blood gets sticky when it dries, but it hasn't yet.

[ Therefore, this is clearly the best time to rid Dimitri of the blood that had drenched him while he was out. ]

[ Dimitri does his best to utilize her freely offered rinse. Normally he would have told her to save the water, but she hadn't exactly given him a choice in the matter of this impromptu shower. ]

That is does. Sticky, then crusty... Is this wise? I know we have the water filters, but I would hate for you to waste your supply on me.

What would you do otherwise, go around crusted with blood?

[ She doesn't even pause in the rinse cycle, so clearly, she isn't concerned about the water usage. ]

I, oh. Um. Hmm... I suppose I didn't really think about it.

[ Dimitri lifts his face up so the water can pour directly onto it, thusly cutting off his end of the conversation. He scrubs at his face and vaguely wonders if he'll ever smell anything besides this blood. ]

Well, now you don't have to.

[ As though that answers his question, the Princess simply leaves it at that. Whether clean water is in limited supply or not, it's better that Dimitri not have to live with being coated in blood.

And as the water washes it away, he looks more like the fellow she met in the woods. It's better, she thinks, that he look like himself... Not that she could articulate the idea. ]

[ He shakes out his hair again once the stream has stopped. ]

Thank you for doing that, although I am afraid I am just going to get rained on again once we get moving to the Concert Hall.

I shall refill your water for you though, since you used it on me.

I've got an umbrella. You're not so large that you won't fit.

[ As she speaks, she crosses the room to where her piled provisions sit. Rather than retrieve the umbrella right this instant, the Princess sifts through a pile of clothing and blankets until she locates two towels.

She returns with these and offers them to Dimitri, all but pushing them toward his face. ]

I'm not concerned about refilling it, but you should dry off a little before we go.

[ He certainly had expected Princess to grab the umbrella. ]

Oh! Ah. Yes, of course. Thanks. [ Again. ]

[ Dimitri takes them and thinks a moment, glancing from the Princess to the towels, then back again. ]

If you're willing to share the umbrella perhaps I should go change into something dry. If you don't mind my doing so.

[ He'd hate to waste the towels trying to dry his soaked clothes. ]

Why would I mind?

[ It's a genuine question, her head tipped like a curious cat. What difference would a few minutes make when they have plenty of daylight remaining? Besides, it would be easier to move covertly if neither of them are damp.

So she reasons, at least. She hadn't actually attempted to sneak around while wet before. ]

I simply feel as if I have left you waiting enough already...

[ But judging by the look on her face, which can be pretty inscrutable, he thinks he doesn't actually mind. ]

I'll take these and go get changed.

[ Dimitri hustles off so as to not leave her waiting too much more. ]

Alright.

[ With the matter decided, the Princess returns to her mound of supplies to collect her bag and umbrella. Well, hers in the sense that they're hers now, anyway. Given the lack of locals, surely no one minds.

Armed with the provisions necessary for their mission, she takes a seat at the edge of one of the pews. Little does Dimitri suspect that she could wait an incredibly long time and not lose her patience. ]

[ He hurries through drying off and changing in one of the unused side rooms of the church. Makes quick work of going through his belongings and making sure he has what he needs on him. Pristine Dagger. Make-shift pipe-lance. Strange gemstone. Bag for food and anything useful that might be found.

Dimitri also sneaks past a distracted Nao as he makes his way back to the Princess. ]

You look ready to go.

I had time to prepare.

[ More than others, it seems, seeing as she doesn't need to sleep. It isn't something she calls attention to, what with the simple observation that she's an outlier in this regard. Even so, it means she has ample time.

It's rather quiet when most others have dozed off. ]

Shall we go then?

[ Dimitri figures she means she prepared herself while he was out all day, suspecting nothing out of the ordinary. ]

Yes, I'm ready now, thank you.

[ He'll walk with her to the doors of the church before asking. ]

So, how do we want to go about this...?

[ Does he mean the umbrella? Or the overall strategy? Both? Neither? ]

[ Whatever Dimitri's question pertained to, the Princess stations herself at his side and holds the umbrella over them. Their height difference may require her to lift her arm higher than when she's alone, but she's unbothered by it.

Rather, it doesn't occur to her to ask him to hold the umbrella instead. She's still accustomed to relying on herself by default, after all. ]

Do you think your Raiju could distract the guards?

[ Upon seeing the awkward angle the Princess needs to maintain the height of the umbrella he bites the inside of his lip. With her standing right next to him it really emphasized that nine inch gap. ]

Allow me.

[ He reaches to gently take hold of the umbrella and if she allows it he'll hold it over the both of them. Dimitri makes sure to adjust to her nearness and to better cover them both, as well as making certain not to accidently bump into her. ]

I believe Raiju could manage that. He's fast... He might be able to bait them away.

[ And out they go, once more into the blood rain. ]

[ She doesn't resist when Dimitri takes the umbrella. Rather, there's a stiff moment of genuine surprise before she reminds herself to loose her grip. It's simpler this way — Dimitri won't have to bend or stoop, which may have become an issue along the way.

She keeps pace beside him, having traded her dress for clothing easier to move around in, and keeps her eyes on the path ahead. ]

If he can, I made something the other pixies like, which should make it easier to deal with them once we're inside.

[ It's best, she knows, that she communicate their resources in advance. Otherwise, it could lead to complications and missteps, like the effort to rescue Minato. ]

[ Hopefully she doesn't think he stealing her umbrella... the light resistance makes him wonder. But perhaps his concerns are for nothing as Princess seems to keep her eyes forward and her stride strong.

Walking this close does make him a little glad he doesn't have his armor on, although it's about the only thing here that makes him glad for that. ]

Oh? What did you prepare?

[ Honestly, he has no idea. He can't imagine the same bargaining tactic could work for both Oozes and Pixies... They seemed like vastly different types of demonic beasts. ]

Some butterscotch flavored with blood. Blooderscotch, I guess. The Pixie that Minato and I spoke with liked it so much she offered to tag along.

[ Then it was an epic battle to get the Pixie to accept Minato rather than her, which was an unanticipated setback. It worked out in the end though. And now she knows Minato can sing.

His rap set her baseline for what singing is, oops. ]

It seems demons can never get enough blood. This way, we don't have to cut ourselves to have something to bargain with.

[ Well, color Dimitri very immediately wrong then. ]

Oh! I see... The Oozes within the, ah, 'Power Plant" also love to gorge themselves on blood. It didn't take a whole lot and it was rather reminiscent of feeding birds.

[ Dimitri is very careful with his footing as they go. He is still feeling rather off from the incident within the school with Nao. He'll have to be extra careful, he doesn't want to jeopardize the Princess in anyway... ]

Hopefully they prefer our blood over this foul weather.

[DAY 1-]

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rINSE CYCLE

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cw: self-harm mention? Not in traditional sense- related to demon feeding

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