[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

[thebomb]

[He knew.]

Perhaps I wrote with too much certainty, given our situation.

[He knew.]

As I said, demon interference is certainly still possible.

[He knew.]

I have no reason to believe that the people I spoke to were demons themselves, however.

[He knew.]

I know these individuals quite well.

[He knew.]

Suffice to say, speaking with them, I'd have no more reason to assume they're a demon than I would any one of us. We all appear to be in the same position.

[He knew, because he'd know that voice, that face, anywhere - anywhere. He would. He would.]

I understand that you really don't have much more than my word to go on, but I'm quite confident. Unfortunately, given what little we know, that's about all I can offer right now.

[compendiem]

If you're sure, then that's enough for me.

[ Minato isn't the one Armin needs to convince. If Armin is convinced of it himself, then that's all that really matters.

Regardless of the truth, faith is a powerful thing. Without it, it's just as Armin says: any one of them could be a demon- an enemy- but if they clung to that, paranoia and suspicion would become rampant and none of them would be able to stand alongside one another, let alone unite and fight. ]

There are invisible bonds tying each of us together. Yours must be strong. They won't break, or lead you astray. Even if they get tangled up in the middle sometimes. How you're so confident... Is it something like that?

[ He's almost certain it is. It's the Power of Friendship. ]

[thebomb]

[Armin isn't prepared for that question. He hasn't had a moment alone to breathe since The Rumbling. He can't allow the wave to hit. The war hasn't ended.

[But it strikes him. Their bonds are not unbreakable. They have often led each other astray. What is his confidence based in, then? Wishful thinking? Pride?

[Foolishness. He wants to cry.]

I've never heard someone describe it quite that way before.

It's something like that, yes.

[Maybe some of their bonds are unbreakable; blood shed together, mistakes unforgivable, intentions rotten. They'll always carry the burden of the same sins, at least.]

[compendiem]

It's how it was described to me, before. Called them "social links." I guess most people would call it "friendship" though...

[ It's the simplest way to put it, but not altogether correct. He has bonds with people that run deep, but they don't always see eye to eye. They don't have to, to be important. ]

I was thinking of maybe having people carry something that'd identify them, but I dunno how much a demon copies. If it's just outward appearance, or if they can see who we are inside too.

[thebomb]

[Minato didn't know what friendship was until someone explained it to him? Something aches in Armin for that. He wants to ask more, but...he knows that it isn't necessarily his place. Minato moves on, so...]

For the most part, I've been trying to indentify people based on the devices we seem to share, though not all of them are exactly alike.

You have a point, though. The one demon copy I believe I did run into, I didn't have time to check for a device. Even if I had seen one, there's no telling how closely they're able to copy us.

I wouldn't be surprised if our minds are at risk too.

Minato - did you happen to have any strange dreams last night?

[compendiem]

Oh, that's a good idea. The devices. They look different, but they all have the same navigators on them. Maps with "enemies" and "allies".

[ It'd be hella rude to meet somebody new and immediately point his COMP in their face when they don't know what he's doing, but it would work... ]

I did. Several. Lots of blood. Darkness. People with no faces. I don't usually have trouble sleeping. How about you? Probably had a better night sleeping on a bed instead of a pew.

[thebomb]

I've seen others report strange dreams like that. Similar, though not identical.

It could easily be a result of the stress this situation has placed on all of us, but it's worth considering anyway. Suffice to say, if you're worried about others having access to our interworkings, I wouldn't be quick to say you're wrong.

That's all.

[compendiem]

I'm not worried.

[ he should be. it's a major concern. but he's not. ]

I think Rosie made that hot dog stand appear. Said he was thinking about it the day before. Then there it is.
It'd be cool if our thoughts could make things happen like that. I told him I was hoping for a ramen shop.

[thebomb]

[Hm. Yeah, actually. All of that is a major concern, and Minato doesn't seem concerned about it at all. Armin doesn't know whether to step away and let him have that, or...really what to say at all.

[Surely, anyone would be disturbed at the idea that their very minds are being tampered with. Armin doesn't want a single thing from his consciousness to be transported here. For fuck's sake.

[Is Minato really that naive...? Or is there something else going on here?]

I'd have to disagree with you, Minato. I find the idea that things here may be pulled from our consciousnesses to be extremely concerning.

If you ask me, that's an incredibly dangerous predicament to be in.

[compendiem]

I know it is. Both incredibly dangerous and extremely concerning. Sorry... I guess what I mean is... I don't know what to do about it, so nothing productive comes out of me worrying about it.

[ And so he just doesn't. Armin had seen a bit of that nonreaction of his back in the forest when they first met, and again in the house when they'd come across the dead bodies. ]

[thebomb]

[It's true that Armin has seen how subdued Minato can be. Speaking about any of it positively, though, just struck him a bit. Suffice to say, Armin is feeling a bit on edge. There's really no one here that he's come to fully trust. Even seeing others from his world, he'd felt caution, distressing.

[But Minato's explanation makes enough sense. They have to keep their heads about them somehow. That's why the idea itself is so disturbing to Armin.]

I understand what you're saying.

We really are all at square one together. There's only so much we can do each day. Right now, our greatest goal is just to survive.

I didn't mean to be judgmental.

[compendiem]

It's okay to be judgmental. Rather you voice your opinions than not. I'm not really good at explaining myself, so that helps me out too.

We can survive by stockpiling food and hiding in the church. Would probably last days like that. But that won't help our situation long term. Getting stronger will. Fighting demons. Levelling up.

I think I'll go hunting. If you can keep this between us...

[ He'd definitely be stopped if he voiced this to anybody else. Or, even worse, somebody will volunteer to go with him. ]

[thebomb]

[There's a bit of a pause on Armin's end.]

I won't share anything you don't want me to.

What's your method of fighting? Battling them with other demons?

[Who's to say Armin isn't the type to volunteer to go with him? He's saved him once. After that, a whole group of people saved him. Maybe Minato needs to stop getting him into situations where he'll end up needing rescued...]

I don't much like the idea of any of us fighting alone.

[compendiem]

Thank you, Armin.

I won't be alone. I've got Pixie now. She can use electric attacks, so I'll be hunting demons weak to electricity. Harpy, Bicorn, Hamsa. Their moveset consists of force, which Pixie is strong against.

I know to pick my battles.

[thebomb]

I don't doubt that.

There's no time like the present to learn, though, don't you think? I need another demon to contract with, and I need to learn how to utilize them.

Let me come with you.

[compendiem]

Okay.

[ Despite himself, he acquiesces easily. Armin asked, after all, so how is he supposed to say no? (by saying no) (he can't) ]

What demon are you thinking? Hare of Inaba will help us survive, but in terms of fighting... Most demons listed on the COMP seem to be weak to fire. Having one that can use fire will give you the advantage, if you have no other preference.

[thebomb]

[It would be fire, of course.]

Your strategy is sound. Checking my COMP, Yatagarasu seems like a good option. I know I can't necessarily afford to be picky, but that's my first thought.

I'm willing to hear if you have other suggestions, though. As for where to search, I don't consider anything to be off limits, necessarily.

[compendiem]

If you want Yatagarasu, that's what we'll go for. It'll probably be in the same place we'd find Harpies anyways. Haven't really seen many in the sky today, though... Maybe they're roosting in the trees. We can check the forest. Stick to the outskirts. And if we do see one in the sky, we can get closer with your

[ ?? ??? ]

grappling hook jet pack... That thing you used to fly through the forest before.

o v o lmk if you'd like to handwave or thread this!

[thebomb]

[Well, "grappling hook jet pack" is...close, maybe. Armin's not sure the technical explanation would make much more sense.]

You can call it maneuvering gear. I'm hoping, though, that if we get close enough, we might be able to lure it into a negotiation from the ground. [He really needs to hang onto that fuel. There's no way he can go another day without seeing beyond that wall.]

I suppose we'll see. If I have to reach its height, I can.

Just tell me where you'd like to meet.

i succumbed to SLEEP... i'd love to thread it out! let's get armin his bird

[compendiem]

School's pretty central to the place. I'll be up front, by Jack Frost's hotdog stand.

[ He's been hanging out there for a bit, especially recently, too broke to buy anything from the vending machine and not yet strong enough to defeat one of the pig demons with just him and Pixie to trade for a hotdog. Which leaves him with window shopping, COMP in his hand and pressed up against the glass while text flashes across the screen every time he moves from one can's label to the next.

Jack Frost is over there giving Minato the stink eye. "Why are you still here-ho? I thought I said no-ho loitering!" ]

[thebomb]

[Armin is punctual. He doesn't rush to the school, but he doesn't waste time either. The demon's voice is eerie. It's strange to see non-human things speak, barter, negotiate. Armin's tried not to think too much about it; can't help it, of course. He just wonders what gives him the right to live over any other sentient being, but he's never been allowed to think that way. They're the enemy because they act against his interests.

[Minato looks more like Armin does. Maybe that's why he trusts him instead.

[He approaches with a smile.]

Minato. Thanks again for meeting with me. This will be a good lesson, I think.

[compendiem]

Yeah.

[ "I think," huh. That'll depend on Minato's performance, and while he's used to being a leader, he's not used to being a senpai— not used to explaining himself, or devising a plan for them to carry out, or even being able to accommodate those following him in any other way than just... killing anything that threatens his team himself.

...

Okay. Awkward silence passed, Minato steps back away from the food stall to circle around towards the back of the school, turning slightly so Armin can see him gesture to the knife that he has in a makeshift sheath strapped to his belt. No need to mention the metal cane that he carries in his off-hand, tip dragging along the ground without any weight put on it.]

What weapons do you have? [ Because Armin surely has at least one. ] We'll be fighting alongside our demons.

[thebomb]

The same you saw yesterday. [Armin shifts his coat back to show the metal holsters on his hips. He's still wearing that full-body harness as well.]

The maneuvering gear I mentioned, but it also includes two blades. I'd like to conserve as much fuel as I can, so staying on the ground as much as possible is my goal; it can be used if necessary, however.

[compendiem]

Alright. I'll keep that in mind.

[ but damn, duel wielding blades will never not be cool... Minato looks down at his hands like ?? no, a cane and a knife would be too unbalanced, and he's always preferred something he can use with just one hand and leave the other one free, although he doesn't always get the option. Not like he needs his other hand here, with his COMP hanging freely around his neck...

Harpy's profile shows on the music player screen when he glances down at it. Weak against electricity, a good practice target for Pixie, and- according to the profile- shares that same ravenous hunger that claws at the pit of his stomach. Which means it'll be easier to draw this specific demon out from the rest of the demons roosting in the trees: all he has to do is tuck the cane under one arm, pull out his knife, and make a quick slice on the palm of his hand. The smell of blood is immediate, and it runs bright red down his wrist and the length of his arm as he holds his hand up in the air like he's in some aviary offering up a little paper cup of sugar water. pspsps- ]

Get ready...

[thebomb]

[Armin realizes belatedly that they could have stood to strategize, but he supposes this is where he becomes the student, and Minato, the teacher. He summons "Walter," his Hare of Inaba, but readies himself with two blades all the same. His demon's skills aren't offensive, but if they need to escape, Armin will be able to test at least one of them.

[He readies his stance. At the scent of blood, two (D:2) Harpies appear immediately - both diving for Minato. They're too close to his companion for him to aim a strike with his blade, so he tries to knock one away with the handle, but fails (D:6).]