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[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\nEureka City. A tourist trap of rides and greasy carnival food. It smelled like sweat and runny sunscreen where Haylen was, walking through the crowds and lines waiting to get on a ride or two. He had a baseball cap on and a pair of sunglasses over his face, and walked slowly, but steadily. Haylen's eyes flicked from one place to another, looking for the negative spaces; areas that weren't crowded or even being paid attention to, or anywhere that he could slip away behind a door were important right now. This carnival being this packed meant that people would easily miss Haylen in the crowd, but it also meant that the place was full of people who would miss a few dollars in the chaos. But Haylen wasn't about to start snatching wallets, no. He was looking for a place with a cash register behind a wall, somewhere quiet that wasn't getting as much foot traffic.\n\nAs he paced through the carnival, he eventually at one of the stands on the far side from the entrance. A popcorn stand with a sign that said \"On break.\" Perfect. Ensuring that no one was around to notice, Haylen slipped behind the counter and stared into the inner working of the cash register.\n\nIt was child's play to coerce the simple machine into opening up, and he discreetly started pulling money out.", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": null }, { "text": "After what seemed like (and actually was) hours, they had finally arrived in Eureka town. Audrey stricken with stiffness that would make a corpse jealous hopped out of the truck bed and stretched as much as she could. \"Finally, as much as I love driving around in \"luxury\", that flatbed is about as comfortable as a slab of stone\" she said. As far as the sleeping arrangements were concerned, it wouldn't have been her first choice, but Vincent had a point. Unless they wanted to sleep on the streets, this would have to do. \"I guess it's not the WORST place we've stayed\" she commented. \"As long as they have showers\" Audrey caught a whiff of herself while stretching and was offended by the smell. It had been a few days and places to bathe were not exactly in abundance on the road. But for now it was time for some fun and most importantly it was time for some funnel cake", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "The moment the truck stopped, Eli jumped out off the back of the truck and stretched out. \"Oh thank fuck for that! I love that truck but damn it's uncomfy.\" He turned to look at Vinnie. \"If I can find us a good one, wanna trade in the pick up for an RV? Since our little band keeps growing and all?", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Bai Yue\n\nClothing was her first option after eating, she could of course make whatever she wore look as grand as any or shabby using illusions but her daily arcane exercises were more than expansion of strength but also fine control, preplanning, and local psychology. \nShe'd gotten the way she was from all her years of watching Anime Isekai in which the protagonist knew the importance of exercising their power so Bai yue couldn't fail to apply her lessons. Her scariest lessons were always among large groups of people so the amusement parks and outside venue places she had to visit so as to train her emotional control. \nShe entered the park a sweet young man who later became a plain Jane new hire of the staff stealing one of the uniforms. Sure she might get exposed in some small ways but the park rides, concessions, security, maintenance, and other support staff promised a shift of perhaps 250 - 350 and full staff to cover shifts 600 - 950 people.\nShe was a plain slightly over weight boy named Ming about 17 years old a little acne an glasses after observing the staff outdoor lounge and listening to the employee's bitch. Armed with a broom an rolling bucket walked everywhere in the park emptying bins, sweeping paths, collecting trash off the ground, and mopping the mess made by people with motion sickness. Sure it was a crap job and she wasn't getting paid but she was making money her own way learning the lay of the land, the patrols, and wandering bosses who when they saw Ming didn't ask who he was but gave him orders.\nAs time wore on Ming was discovered to be a good worker that didn't bitch about pay or job so snatched up by one of the higher managers whose job seemed to be handling disasters and bought the answer hired a few days ago an this Ming's first day", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\nIs there anything that isn't excessively indulgent? Matilda thought bitterly as she mingled among the riff-raff and out-of-state tourists. Being in a place such as this amusement park, she hoped she could purchase a snack or even a meal but given her high-class grooming, the food looked unappetizing. The items for sale were something out of a cartoon. She underestimated her American culture's affinity for deep-fried foodstuffs. Some of the combinations made her stomach shrink rather than growl in hunger. Surely, there has to be at least one stand to offer something normal? Matilda was willing to pay the vender solid gold for a nice salad or soup. Spotting a popcorn stand, the brunette decided that it would have to compensate. \n\nUpon closer arrival, she noticed the sign dictating the owner's absence except the stand itself was not idle. Someone was already present. A returning crew member perhaps? \n\n\"Excuse me...sir?\" Matilda called out, softly approaching the popcorn stand to get a better look at the person. \"Are you still...open?\" Only then upon closer inspection did she just realizes it was a robbery. She gulped. He might be armed given the number of layers he wore. Being unarmed herself, she pondered how to diffuse the situation. \n\n\"You shouldn't rob them,\" she said, standing firm though anxiously in her steps, \"If you need money, then...follow me. I can lend you money to buy food or toys here. Just not out in the open.\" To prove her point, Matilda snapped her fingers and, like a magician pulling quarters out of ears, a $100 bill appeared between her index and middle finger. \"Come and get it.\" \n\nWith a huff, she turned and walked away towards a place rather secluded, hidden by trees and the shadow of a building.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nAs Vincent turned of the engine of their truck, Thuly looked around. 'It doesn't look like much', she thought. Still, in the past months prioritizing keeping their head down above finding luxury accommodations had proven it's worth. 'Well, it's not like we're swimming in money anyways!', Thulile sniggered. \n\nVincent got out of the car and Thuly did the same. He made a big show of stretching his limbs. Audrey and Eli joined him and Thuly hid her smirk. She did wonder when she'd lose her youthful flexibility. As she'd experienced, Thulile could sleep on a branch, ride a pony barebacked, perhaps even sit on a bed of nails without ending up with little or big aches and stiffness. 'One of the few perks of being a teenager ', she concluded. \n\nPeering over the stretching trio, the dark curly head looked at the motel sign. It spelled out the name in bright neon letters: UNSET MOTEL. 'That can't be right…', she wondered. Taking a better look, Thuly saw another dark shape in front of the others. \"An S!\", Thuly cried out. Surprising herself, she murmured: \"Sunset Motel. That's it.\" The first neon S must've been broken. Grinning she added: \"I prefer Unset Motel. It fits us better\". \n\nIt seemed Eli and Vincent would be off doing manly car things. That sure wasn't anything Thulile could help them with. Audrey seemed inclined to explore a theme park. Smearing her most lovely smile over her lips, Thuly looked over at Audrey: \"Hey Audrey, wanna go and visit one of those theme parks together?\"\nShe so hoped Audrey would go with her. Thuly sure wasn't planning on going there alone. The image of a horror clown smothering her in cotton candy flashed through her mind. She quickly shook the image from her head. \"Are you with me?\", she asked briskly.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" } ]

[ { "text": "THULILE\n\n\"Oh, a woman after my own heart\", Audrey chuckled. \"Let's go thules, let the boys have their fun.\" Then her companion strolled over and draped her arm over Thulile's shoulder. \"If I remember correctly, you're owed some cotton candy and a funnel cake\".\n\nThuly grinned back at Audrey. \"Oui, I can't wait!\" The arm around her shoulders felt so good. It felt warm, it felt like companionship and acceptance. Cautiously Thuly dared to fantasize: 'It feels like friendship…'. Peering sideways at Audrey she found hope fluttering in her heart. Thuly would love to be considered Audrey's friend.\n\nSmiling broadly, she waved at Eli and Vincent. \"See you later, guys. Don't get into any trouble… without us\".\n\nAs the two girls found their way into the amusement park, Thuly's lips kept forming an O of astonishment. Well, that actually starts with an A, but the black haired girl was quite overwhelmed by the rides, crowds, smells and sounds. \"Oh, Audrey! Look at that rollercoaster. It goes, it goes… upside down!\", she yelped out. \"Mon dieu! My god, look at that thing go!\" Thulile acted as if she'd never been to a theme park, like ever. Which of course was the truth.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "ASA MIST\n\nAsa relaxed in the backseat of the truck, glad that he had got a seat on the inside of the vehicle. While he was laying back, he felt little need to sleep seeing as he had slept through all of the morning. On his lap, Tiku was perched in a small position, indicating that the robot was in standby mode. Thankfully Tiku was very light, as his design was very modern.\n\nAs Asa looked up from his robotic companion, he saw the sign saying welcome to Eureka Town. The Water Elemental was glad that they were stopping in this town as he really needed to get out of the truck. Fortunately he didn't have to wait long as the truck pulled into one of the first hotels they found. From outside it looked quite dilapidated, the first S in Sunset Motel being completely out of power. But that was fine as this was the best that the ragtag group could afford.\n\nAsa picked up Tiku as he stepped out of the truck, his bones making a popping noise as they changed from the locked position they had been in during the drive. As Asa stretched, he could see that the theme park the town was famous for was close, a giant roller coaster rising above the skyline of the buildings. It was a little bit too tall for Asa, who, though he would never admit it, had a problem with heights.\n\nInstead, Asa turned to Audrey and began to follow her to the Sunset Motel. She made a comment about hoping they had showers. Asa hoped so as well, not so much because of smell as Water Elementals didn't really sweat, but rather that being under water helps rejuvenate the strength of a Water Elemental.\n\nEli then mentioned upgrading to an RV. While that would be ideal, Asa knew that funds were tight as it was. At least for now they would be stuck with the beat up truck. Eli and Vincent then went to work on the truck, as the others headed for the theme park. Knowing that he wouldn't be of any help with the truck, Asa ran after Audrey and Thulile.\n\n\"I'm coming as well,\" shouted Asa.\n\nThe Water Elemental then stuffed Tiku, who was still in standby, into his backpack, unsure if robots were allowed in the park. As he and his companions entered the park, Asa once again saw the roller coaster, immediately ruling out the idea of riding it. Maybe something like the merry go round was more his speed. That thought made the Water Elemental feel incredibly lame.", "username": "Martian", "char_name": "Asa Mist" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nHaylen had managed to get roughly a hundred dollars into his hands before he was caught red handed. A kid, by the looks of it. She didn't seem like much to him, but his human eye flicked up to her like a scavenging animal confronted by a predator. This incident could very well have been an isolated one, since Haylen hadn't blown his cover in the slightest recently. Internally, Haylen was already thinking heavily about what to do, the machine in his mind running through his thoughts at a speed most ordinary humans could not achieve. He was on the far side away from the entrance, so if he had to, he could slip into-\n\nAll of that went out the proverbial window when the girl snapped her fingers to pull out a hundred dollar bill. Magic. There was no sleight involved, she quite literally pulled it out of thin air, and she offered it to him. It read like a trap, but there wasn't much to be taken from this cash register. If Haylen followed, on of two things would happen. Either nothing, or he'd be taken out. It was a risk, but he could handle her, probably. When she walked off, Haylen followed, flexing his grip around something in his jacket pocket tensely. It wasn't a machine he could control, but it would help if she tried to make some sort of move.\n\nFaithful", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": null }, { "text": "With Asa following, that made three. Well, the more, the merrier. The gang made their way into the park and were instantly hit by the smells of the food and the blaring lights and sounds of the rides and other attractions. To be honest, she had never actually been in side of a theme park. Coming from a small to of four to five hundred people, there wasn't much need for one. All they had in her town were carnivals and fairs, so this was something kind of new to her, yet still the same, minus the petting zoos and pig contests. This was actually better than the fairs and there was so much more to do, she didn't know if they could fit it all into one night. Her attention was caught by a ride Thuly excitedly pointed out, the upside down roller-coaster she called it.\n\nBefore she could say anything, her stomach instantly churned at the sight of it. She gagged silently as the coaster flipped directions \"yeah, that's some...ride\" she forced the last word with a second gag as she stood there watching and hid her sickly face from Thuly as best she could. Audrey didn't have motion sickness, but just looking at that machine was enough to give it to her. She prayed this wasn't the first ride Thuly wanted to go on, she would still ride it, but hopefully they could do something else first.\n\nThank goodness they hadn't eaten yet. She couldn't bare the thought of embarrassing herself by showing everyone what she had for dinner. \"What else do you see Thules?\" She tried to steer her excited friend away from the coaster, but, something told her she'd be hugging the trashcan by the ride in a few minutes.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nA shout - \"I'm coming as well!\" - suddenly followed them. Thulile swerved herself and Audrey around. Thuly was relieved and pleased to see Asa running after them. She liked Asa. 'He's nice', she thought, 'and he always smells really good!' Glad to have another partner in crime, Thuly waved at the young man. \"ASAAA… yes do! Come on!\"\n\nAs the bubbly, blue Asa joined Audrey and Thulile, they tried to make a choice. With so many rides and bites surrounding them Thuly felt completely overwhelmed. \n\nBeing in close contact with her own feelings, she sensed that both Audrey and Asa weren't overly enthusiastic to get into a roller coaster. Seeing the thing go upside down, did make Thuly queasy. Then Audrey asked her what else she saw. \n\n\"Maybe we should start with something simple, no?\", she suggested to her companions. \"And after that, some funnel cake!\" Giggling she towed Audrey and Asa to a nearby attraction.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\n\"Did you return the money?\" Matilda inquired, half-asking and half demanding as she turned to glare at the stranger. It was her strongest attempt to put on a brave face. \"And can you take off your sunglasses and hat? Security can mistake you for a drug dealer or worse!\" \n\nWith a huff, Matilda held out her hand that still held the $100 bill for Haylen. \"Don't ask how I got I did this and I won't tell the owners of your lackluster attempt of a robbery, understand?\"", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "@Hyyde322 @Martian\n\n Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy didn't seem to notice them discussing where they would be living. At most, she thought they would be living in the truck. While she was hitchhiking, she would be sleeping underneath trees or breaking into cars to sleep in. She seemed more concerned with having a good time. Walking over toward a shooting range, she picked up the gun. Feeling the weight of the BB gun in her hand. Noticing that the ridicule was misaligned, obviously making it easier for the owner to scam people. \n\nShe took into account where she was standing, and the position of the target in front of her. Using mathematics and probability to make the shot. Pulling the trigger, she was able to shoot all of the targets. Picking out the large pink elephant, and hugging it softly before walking away. The man behind the counter was glaring at Lucy. \n\nNoticing Audrey, Asa and Thulie walking around. \"Hello. Look what I won.\" She said proudly showing off the pink elephant she won.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" } ]

[ { "text": "It was a beautiful fall day, and the strange group of misfits were once again on the road, in their old, beat up pickup truck.\n\nThey were on the freeway currently, with the driver aimlessly following the road, and picking which destination to follow almost randomly.\n\nA sign was coming up, showing names for two towns up ahead, with Jackrabbit Town(the town being known for little to nothing now, almost like it's a ghost town) on the left, and Eureka City(being known for its theme parks) on the right.\n\nWhich place will the misfits choose, or will they even choose at all?", "username": "Dragonfly 9", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Bai Yue\nSat atop the moving machine but her hair barely stirred at all as she manipulated wind around herself\nWhat everyone saw was an illusion and hid a freighting Oni, at least that was the non magical reaction. They see her horns all dark an glossy only the last 3-4 inches glowed like embers in a fire and around her small sparks of light flickered in an out of existence the tiny embers of a fire she seemed to stand in, sit in, or streamed in a trail behind her when she dropped her illusion. She wasn't a monster though she appeared to look like one, wait no she is a monster.\nBai yue couldn't escape the logic that you are what you appear to be an she looked like a monster, then there was her genetics which she discovered was part of why she looked as she did. She never told anyone but as she was aging she became more Oni like even in some of her habits. She was stronger than most mortal men and couldn't help worry when part of her looked down on them, you know -Puny Human- thoughts\nIt was all part of why she was on the outside, she was worried she'd offend them with her arrogance, work that one out you psych majors.\nShe liked these people they didn't look at her as if she might bite, a couple were even friendly. Till Bai yue stumbled across them and they all were briefly chased by bagboys (Bai yue's name for the government hunters) she thought friendship a thing for normal people. If these are normal people?", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "Eli lounged on the flatbed of the old truck, a cigarette attached to his lower lip. Upon feeling the truck slow down, stood up and leaned on the roof to look at the sign quickly approaching them. Looking to the girl before him, he offered a small smile. \"What do you think B? I'm gonna put my money on the circus being something evil and sinister.\" He laughed, taking another long drag of his cigarette.\n\nNicknames were something he gave to people to remember them by, Bai's nickname being B for obvious reasons. He's been with the group a few months now, having helped them out of a tight spot with his plasma. He normally wasn't one for travelling with people. He wasn't normally one for people in general but he had to admit, the ragtag group had grown on him a little", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Audrey laid down sprawled out horizontally across the flatbed, her legs hanging off the side of the truck. She had been reading a book she \"borrowed\" from a bookstore in the last town they were in. If her mother could see her now, shoplifting, although she figured her mother probably wouldn't care. That relationship had been severed the night her mother and father decided to sell their only daughter down the river. In truth the only person she missed was her little brother who probably wasn't so little anymore. She often thought about what grade he'd be starting, how many birthdays she had missed.\n\nHe had only been a baby when she fled from home, so he probably wouldn't remember her, but that didn't stop her from loving him all the same. There was a silver lining to the situation she was in and it was finding what she sort of considered her new family. \"Evil circus, that'd be a first\" she answered Eli's question, Sarcasm hanging on her breath. As she looked up, she could see recklessness had taken Eli as he shot up to look at the sign. This of course kicked her motherly instincts into overdrive \"And stop standing in the truck, you're gonna fall out when we start moving again.\" She warned.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" } ]

[ { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\"Oh, come on, this old girl's gotten me out of too many scrapes to just abandon her,\" Vincent said as he patted his door again. \"I've got the skills to keep her running for a while longer. Now, as for evil clowns, on the other hand, I'm kinda hoping for something like that.\" He grinned and single-handedly cracked the knuckles of his left hand as he added, \"Been way too long since I was able to cut loose. Gotta make sure I don't get rusty.\"\n\nAs he finished speaking, the truck shimmered as Bai cast an illusion over the vehicle, turning giving it the form of a construction truck, the logo of which featured a kitten for some strange reason. He shrugged, having never been one to fret over little things like that. Sure, it wasn't his first choice of design, but since Bai was the only one who could disguise the truck, he felt it was only fair she decided on how it looked. He flipped his sunglasses back down onto his face, brought the truck into the next gear, and added, \"Oh, they better have funnel cake or else it's not a park worth going to. That and those rigged booth games. Sure, I end up wasting all my cash on them because there's no way in hell I'm letting those cheats get the best of me, but a theme park not having one of those just doesn't sound right.\"\n\nAfter a few moments, Vincent asked, \"So, new girl, what's your name?\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "IC:\n\nTHULILE\n\nHer little band of misfits was colorful to say the least, but the friendly banter that went around the car made Thuly feel at home. 'Well, except for the lack of French of course', she grinned. The grin broadened to a smile, which made her white teeth flash brightly in the darkness of her face. \"Yummm…\", Thulile salivated, \"all the candy…err…floss I can eat? Superb!\" \n\nLooking at Eli, she wondered about the scary rides. She'd seen pictures and YouTube films, and compared to her life they weren't likely to spook her. Still, a guide to the parks would be a good thing. \n\nAs Audrey mentioned funnel cake, Thuly chuckled. It seemed to her that their crew had an unnatural fixation on food. 'Especially, on the unhealthy kind!' Well, her companions were unnatural in many ways, this was just another of their quirks. \"Funnel cake? What's that? Never seen or tasted that\", she admitted. \n\nThose theme parks promised to have lots of new experiences in store for her. Thulile wondered how long it would take to get there. At least Bai made sure that they didn't attract any unwanted attention to them.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Eli snorted a laugh. \"Come on Vinnie, you'll break a hip if you're not careful.\" He teased. He'd taken to picking on Vinnie for being a few years older than himself.\n\nEli nodded at Audrey. \"Oh they better. I'll be really pissed off if they don't.\" Looking back over the side of the truck he grinned. \"Theme parks are normally really packed with small animals like birds and rodents, right ReyRey?\"", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy was sitting in between two of the females inside the truck. But she didn't really say much. Mostly listening to their conversation, wondering if she could hear some useful information. But mostly they were talking about an amusement park. She had read about places like this but had never been to one herself. She had not been outside of Area 66 ever since she was a baby, so she did not know much about the outside world. A part of her was excited to experience something that would be fun. \"My name is Lucy.\" She spoke in a soft sounding voice. \"What else is in the amusement park?\" She didn't want to sound stupid for not knowing what an amusement park was, So wording her question differently would not make the others think less of her. \n\nReading the minds of the others in the truck, wanting to know what information she could find. But rationalizing it by wanting to know more about them. People in the truck more attuned mentally, could notice Lucy trying to read their minds. The rat in her pocket poked his head out, \"I wonder if they know if this amusement park has any cheese?\" Lucy assured them that the amusement park would have something for him to eat. And hopefully something she could eat. She had not eaten anything since before her escape. \n\nThe thought of her being caught was starting to fill her mind. She would have to fight if these people would try to hand her to the police.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "\"Mmmmm, small animals are more county and state fair territory, but it's possible they might\" She said. Her hometown used to hold county fairs every year. She remembered going to them as a kid and visiting the petting zoos they had. As she finished answering Eli's question , she heard Thuly ask about funnel cakes, what they were and what they tasted like and shot up like a lightning bolt at her question \"you've never had funnel cake, well you are in for a treat\" she said. \n\nBefore they could take off, the band of misfits were gifted with a new passenger. A young girl with an interesting haircut. She seemed of the shy sort as she introduced herself as Lucy and asked about the amusement parks. \"Audrey\" she mentioned with a warm smile \"oh, you know, rides, food, games, and other junk.\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" } ]

[ { "text": "\"Well well, look who's finally awake\" she said \"someone enjoyed themselves last night.\" Giving a smirk that could charm the skin off of a snake, she laid her arm on the side of the truck. \"That book must be pretty interesting, knew you'd like it.\" With the matter of the book, the conversation started with Asa staring at the book like a child at the candy store and her \"convincing\" him to grab it by starting an altercation with a random guy about inappropriate touching. She still felt bad for that one, but anything to help one of her friends. \"Don't worry tiku, he'll have plenty of time to catch up on the long ride there.\" She snidly mentioned with a smile.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\nMoney. The world just can't get enough of it. Credit Cards and Checks? Don't need them. Matilda's wallet is empty save for her driver's license from Massachusetts. Given her powers, she can simply pay any thief to leave her alone. Not that she wants to be alone. Even among a full crowd at the theme park in Eureka City, Matilda can't help but feel even more lost and isolated. She was here for a good time! The tickets weren't cheap after all.\n\nThat was a lie. \n\n$25 is but a spare penny to her. The five dollar bills, as clean as if freshly printed without a single tear or wrinkle in sight, appeared in her hand as quickly as thinking. Unfortunately, the theme park only looked fun from the outside. Sweaty bodies and the stench of beer assaulted her senses. It was nothing like the extravagant galas and social parties her parents would drag her to all throughout New York City and Washington Capitol. With crude words and ill-fitting clothes from the people around her, Matilda felt more out of place, her attire was opulent but extremely modest, a courtesy from home.\n\nRegardless, she let her feet lead her to whatever destination entails. Perhaps something different can occur today.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nThuly found a lot of comfort in the random and not so random chitchat buzzing around the car. The young girl felt most at ease when she could blend into the background. Her looks had gotten her too much unwanted attention too often. That always led to Thuly having to use her power. And that always led to Thulile running her socks off, to get away from the authorities. Slumping in her seat, Thuly mused about all this. \n\nStaring dreamingly in the distance her eyes suddenly focused on the newest pick up. 'Lucy…', she reminded herself. As her dark eyes took in the thin girl, the back of her head started to itch. Looking away Thulile wondered what that meant. Her deep connection with her more instinctive nature told her that this Lucy had set off an alarm within her aura. 'But how? She didn't move from her spot. What did she do?' Unsure, the curly head tried to figure out, whether she'd sensed it correctly. Stealing another glance at Lucy she noted that the sensation of earlier didn't return. With a sigh Thuly gave up on her train of thought. She resigned herself to just keeping an eye on the newcomer. \n\nTheir truck finally closed on their destination. Thuly's little nose wrinkled as it was assaulted by sweet and hearty scents. One of those smelled like she'd always imagined cotton candy to smell. Straightening up in her seat, Thulile murmured: \"Almost there! Let's go!\"", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "The truck, after a few hours, had finally arrived at Eureka Town. The town was full of sweet scents and with the sounds of laughter and screaming, and, despite it nearing evening, had plenty of people eager and willing to ride the many roller coasters and other rides that were all in and around the town.\n\nThe truck had come to a stop near one of the towns' many hotels, though this one looked a bit more dilapidated than the rest. The streetlights also shone just as bright as the peoples' many phones lighting up the sky, but not all of them had phones, and some looked almost transparent.\n\nSpeaking of rides, the largest roller coaster had finished its latest ride, with the people who were on it just seconds ago being ushered to the side by the ride's host instead of making them make way for the latest passengers, with the previous passengers following the host away from the roller coaster, and a new host popping up at the ride just seconds later.", "username": "Dragonfly 9", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\nIs there anything that isn't excessively indulgent? Matilda thought bitterly as she mingled among the riff-raff and out-of-state tourists. Being in a place such as this amusement park, she hoped she could purchase a snack or even a meal but given her high-class grooming, the food looked unappetizing. The items for sale were something out of a cartoon. She underestimated her American culture's affinity for deep-fried foodstuffs. Some of the combinations made her stomach shrink rather than growl in hunger. Surely, there has to be at least one stand to offer something normal? Matilda was willing to pay the vender solid gold for a nice salad or soup. Spotting a popcorn stand, the brunette decided that it would have to compensate. \n\nUpon closer arrival, she noticed the sign dictating the owner's absence except the stand itself was not idle. Someone was already present. A returning crew member perhaps? \n\n\"Excuse me...sir?\" Matilda called out, softly approaching the popcorn stand to get a better look at the person. \"Are you still...open?\" Only then upon closer inspection did she just realizes it was a robbery. She gulped. He might be armed given the number of layers he wore. Being unarmed herself, she pondered how to diffuse the situation. \n\n\"You shouldn't rob them,\" she said, standing firm though anxiously in her steps, \"If you need money, then...follow me. I can lend you money to buy food or toys here. Just not out in the open.\" To prove her point, Matilda snapped her fingers and, like a magician pulling quarters out of ears, a $100 bill appeared between her index and middle finger. \"Come and get it.\" \n\nWith a huff, she turned and walked away towards a place rather secluded, hidden by trees and the shadow of a building.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nAs Vincent turned of the engine of their truck, Thuly looked around. 'It doesn't look like much', she thought. Still, in the past months prioritizing keeping their head down above finding luxury accommodations had proven it's worth. 'Well, it's not like we're swimming in money anyways!', Thulile sniggered. \n\nVincent got out of the car and Thuly did the same. He made a big show of stretching his limbs. Audrey and Eli joined him and Thuly hid her smirk. She did wonder when she'd lose her youthful flexibility. As she'd experienced, Thulile could sleep on a branch, ride a pony barebacked, perhaps even sit on a bed of nails without ending up with little or big aches and stiffness. 'One of the few perks of being a teenager ', she concluded. \n\nPeering over the stretching trio, the dark curly head looked at the motel sign. It spelled out the name in bright neon letters: UNSET MOTEL. 'That can't be right…', she wondered. Taking a better look, Thuly saw another dark shape in front of the others. \"An S!\", Thuly cried out. Surprising herself, she murmured: \"Sunset Motel. That's it.\" The first neon S must've been broken. Grinning she added: \"I prefer Unset Motel. It fits us better\". \n\nIt seemed Eli and Vincent would be off doing manly car things. That sure wasn't anything Thulile could help them with. Audrey seemed inclined to explore a theme park. Smearing her most lovely smile over her lips, Thuly looked over at Audrey: \"Hey Audrey, wanna go and visit one of those theme parks together?\"\nShe so hoped Audrey would go with her. Thuly sure wasn't planning on going there alone. The image of a horror clown smothering her in cotton candy flashed through her mind. She quickly shook the image from her head. \"Are you with me?\", she asked briskly.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Audrey couldn't help but overhear Eli's comment about upgrading to an RV and to be quite honest, she wouldn't mind it. Vincent most likely would never go for it, yet the thought of more space was ever tempting. The truck had history though, it would be tough to get rid of the old girl after all she brought us through. \"Oh, but the leg room, and the beds\" she thought to herself, it was an that wasn't easily refused. RV or no the truck had them stranded here until Vince and Eli could fix it, so making the best of the current situation was what mattered. Lost in her thoughts, she was quickly snapped back into reality by thulile asking if she would accompany here to the park.\n\n\"Oh, a woman after my own heart\" she jokingly mentioned with a chuckle. \"Let's go thules, let the boys have their fun.\" Strolling over to where thulile was, she draped her arm over the girl's shoulder as they started heading towards the park. \"If I remember correctly, you're owed some cotton candy and a funnel cake\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" } ]

[ { "text": "It was a beautiful fall day, and the strange group of misfits were once again on the road, in their old, beat up pickup truck.\n\nThey were on the freeway currently, with the driver aimlessly following the road, and picking which destination to follow almost randomly.\n\nA sign was coming up, showing names for two towns up ahead, with Jackrabbit Town(the town being known for little to nothing now, almost like it's a ghost town) on the left, and Eureka City(being known for its theme parks) on the right.\n\nWhich place will the misfits choose, or will they even choose at all?", "username": "Dragonfly 9", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Bai Yue\nSat atop the moving machine but her hair barely stirred at all as she manipulated wind around herself\nWhat everyone saw was an illusion and hid a freighting Oni, at least that was the non magical reaction. They see her horns all dark an glossy only the last 3-4 inches glowed like embers in a fire and around her small sparks of light flickered in an out of existence the tiny embers of a fire she seemed to stand in, sit in, or streamed in a trail behind her when she dropped her illusion. She wasn't a monster though she appeared to look like one, wait no she is a monster.\nBai yue couldn't escape the logic that you are what you appear to be an she looked like a monster, then there was her genetics which she discovered was part of why she looked as she did. She never told anyone but as she was aging she became more Oni like even in some of her habits. She was stronger than most mortal men and couldn't help worry when part of her looked down on them, you know -Puny Human- thoughts\nIt was all part of why she was on the outside, she was worried she'd offend them with her arrogance, work that one out you psych majors.\nShe liked these people they didn't look at her as if she might bite, a couple were even friendly. Till Bai yue stumbled across them and they all were briefly chased by bagboys (Bai yue's name for the government hunters) she thought friendship a thing for normal people. If these are normal people?", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "Eli lounged on the flatbed of the old truck, a cigarette attached to his lower lip. Upon feeling the truck slow down, stood up and leaned on the roof to look at the sign quickly approaching them. Looking to the girl before him, he offered a small smile. \"What do you think B? I'm gonna put my money on the circus being something evil and sinister.\" He laughed, taking another long drag of his cigarette.\n\nNicknames were something he gave to people to remember them by, Bai's nickname being B for obvious reasons. He's been with the group a few months now, having helped them out of a tight spot with his plasma. He normally wasn't one for travelling with people. He wasn't normally one for people in general but he had to admit, the ragtag group had grown on him a little", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Audrey laid down sprawled out horizontally across the flatbed, her legs hanging off the side of the truck. She had been reading a book she \"borrowed\" from a bookstore in the last town they were in. If her mother could see her now, shoplifting, although she figured her mother probably wouldn't care. That relationship had been severed the night her mother and father decided to sell their only daughter down the river. In truth the only person she missed was her little brother who probably wasn't so little anymore. She often thought about what grade he'd be starting, how many birthdays she had missed.\n\nHe had only been a baby when she fled from home, so he probably wouldn't remember her, but that didn't stop her from loving him all the same. There was a silver lining to the situation she was in and it was finding what she sort of considered her new family. \"Evil circus, that'd be a first\" she answered Eli's question, Sarcasm hanging on her breath. As she looked up, she could see recklessness had taken Eli as he shot up to look at the sign. This of course kicked her motherly instincts into overdrive \"And stop standing in the truck, you're gonna fall out when we start moving again.\" She warned.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Vincent Ryder\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nVincent sat in the driver's seat, his left arm hanging out of the open window as he tapped the door to the time of the heavy metal playing over the radio. As the driver this time around, he had full control of the radio and he always took full advantage of it. His usual overcoat sat bundled on the front seat next to him, between himself and whoever was sitting next to him. The fact that neither he nor any of his friends had any set destination was another boon, as his sense of direction wasn't exactly...present. When he noticed the sign they were approaching, offering them two choices between where to go, he pulled off to the side of the road and pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head. He had heard vague rumblings about both towns, moreso Eureka City, so he had a rough idea of waited for himself and his friends. \"Let's see; we could go to Jackrabbit. Might be something there, but all we'll probably do is waste time looking at empty buildings. Or...\"\n\nHe glanced in the opposite direction. \"We could go to Eureka. Theme parks are always worth going to.\" Despite putting on the show of thinking, he had already made his decision. He pressed down on the gas...and the truck didn't move. Swearing under his breath, he turned the key. The engine tried to turn over and finally did on the second attempt. He pulled out of park and, with a smirk, shouted so the people in the bed of the truck could hear, \"Alright, kids, you've all been good, so I'm making the executive decision to go visit some theme parks! Next stop, Eureka!\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "Eli raised an eyebrow at the truck seemingly stalling, he leaned around the side of the truck to speak to vincent. \"We need to get a new ride man, this hunk of junk is gonna croak on us someday soon and I'd rather it not be when we're trying to get away from the grunts.\" He hated to admit it but the thought of being caught by the grunts scared him slightly.\n\nHe gave a small snort as the truck turned. \"I give it ten minutes of being in one of those theme parks before wee get attacked by some sort of evil clown\"", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" } ]

[ { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\"Oh, come on, this old girl's gotten me out of too many scrapes to just abandon her,\" Vincent said as he patted his door again. \"I've got the skills to keep her running for a while longer. Now, as for evil clowns, on the other hand, I'm kinda hoping for something like that.\" He grinned and single-handedly cracked the knuckles of his left hand as he added, \"Been way too long since I was able to cut loose. Gotta make sure I don't get rusty.\"\n\nAs he finished speaking, the truck shimmered as Bai cast an illusion over the vehicle, turning giving it the form of a construction truck, the logo of which featured a kitten for some strange reason. He shrugged, having never been one to fret over little things like that. Sure, it wasn't his first choice of design, but since Bai was the only one who could disguise the truck, he felt it was only fair she decided on how it looked. He flipped his sunglasses back down onto his face, brought the truck into the next gear, and added, \"Oh, they better have funnel cake or else it's not a park worth going to. That and those rigged booth games. Sure, I end up wasting all my cash on them because there's no way in hell I'm letting those cheats get the best of me, but a theme park not having one of those just doesn't sound right.\"\n\nAfter a few moments, Vincent asked, \"So, new girl, what's your name?\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "IC:\n\nTHULILE\n\nHer little band of misfits was colorful to say the least, but the friendly banter that went around the car made Thuly feel at home. 'Well, except for the lack of French of course', she grinned. The grin broadened to a smile, which made her white teeth flash brightly in the darkness of her face. \"Yummm…\", Thulile salivated, \"all the candy…err…floss I can eat? Superb!\" \n\nLooking at Eli, she wondered about the scary rides. She'd seen pictures and YouTube films, and compared to her life they weren't likely to spook her. Still, a guide to the parks would be a good thing. \n\nAs Audrey mentioned funnel cake, Thuly chuckled. It seemed to her that their crew had an unnatural fixation on food. 'Especially, on the unhealthy kind!' Well, her companions were unnatural in many ways, this was just another of their quirks. \"Funnel cake? What's that? Never seen or tasted that\", she admitted. \n\nThose theme parks promised to have lots of new experiences in store for her. Thulile wondered how long it would take to get there. At least Bai made sure that they didn't attract any unwanted attention to them.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Eli snorted a laugh. \"Come on Vinnie, you'll break a hip if you're not careful.\" He teased. He'd taken to picking on Vinnie for being a few years older than himself.\n\nEli nodded at Audrey. \"Oh they better. I'll be really pissed off if they don't.\" Looking back over the side of the truck he grinned. \"Theme parks are normally really packed with small animals like birds and rodents, right ReyRey?\"", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy was sitting in between two of the females inside the truck. But she didn't really say much. Mostly listening to their conversation, wondering if she could hear some useful information. But mostly they were talking about an amusement park. She had read about places like this but had never been to one herself. She had not been outside of Area 66 ever since she was a baby, so she did not know much about the outside world. A part of her was excited to experience something that would be fun. \"My name is Lucy.\" She spoke in a soft sounding voice. \"What else is in the amusement park?\" She didn't want to sound stupid for not knowing what an amusement park was, So wording her question differently would not make the others think less of her. \n\nReading the minds of the others in the truck, wanting to know what information she could find. But rationalizing it by wanting to know more about them. People in the truck more attuned mentally, could notice Lucy trying to read their minds. The rat in her pocket poked his head out, \"I wonder if they know if this amusement park has any cheese?\" Lucy assured them that the amusement park would have something for him to eat. And hopefully something she could eat. She had not eaten anything since before her escape. \n\nThe thought of her being caught was starting to fill her mind. She would have to fight if these people would try to hand her to the police.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "\"Mmmmm, small animals are more county and state fair territory, but it's possible they might\" She said. Her hometown used to hold county fairs every year. She remembered going to them as a kid and visiting the petting zoos they had. As she finished answering Eli's question , she heard Thuly ask about funnel cakes, what they were and what they tasted like and shot up like a lightning bolt at her question \"you've never had funnel cake, well you are in for a treat\" she said. \n\nBefore they could take off, the band of misfits were gifted with a new passenger. A young girl with an interesting haircut. She seemed of the shy sort as she introduced herself as Lucy and asked about the amusement parks. \"Audrey\" she mentioned with a warm smile \"oh, you know, rides, food, games, and other junk.\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nVincent barked out a laugh at Eli's playful barb and held his hand out of the window, with which he extended a certain finger in his general direction. He pulled his arm back into the truck then, to Lucy, he grinned and said, \"I'm Vincent. Pretty much the designated mechanic around here.. You could say I've got a way with this old girl. As for funnel cake...\"\n\nHe thought for a moment before continuing, \"It's basically deep-fried ropes of batter, usually with powdered sugar sprinkled on it or whatever else you wanna use. Fairs and theme parks usually keep it pretty simple, though. God, now I could go for some funnel cake with chocolate and strawberries. Not knocking fairground funnel cake, but next time I get a hold of some batter, I'll show you guys what good funnel cake tastes like.\"\n\nAs his mouth watered at the thought of the deep-fried goodness, a song began to play on the radio that Vincent liked, so he turned the volume up a bit higher. He hadn't been traveling with this group very long, having mostly wandered on his own for a little over half of his life, but it was something he had gotten used to by that point. It was nice having people to banter and joke with. More than that, though, it was nice knowing there were people at his back when things got rough. Sure, he didn't know much about any of them and that was fine, given that he had things he'd rather not talk about, himself, and as far as he was concerned, you didn't need to know someone's life story to trust them.", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "Bai Yue \n\nListening to those around her wasn't Bai yue's thing. Sure she paid attention with a tiny portion of her brain her multiplexed logic handling several tasks at once as she manipulated the air elements to create small will-o-wisps, 30 or more that were so weak they collapsed the moment they struck any of the objects she aimed them at. It was like most things she did when bored training, she had to because as a freak she was easy to spot by the magically inclined if she wasn't actively concealing her presence. \n\"Don't worry too much about it an amusement park of any type it's the real money maker. you see something I'll get it for you\" Bai yue the girl most likely to steal", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" } ]

[ { "text": "\"Well well, look who's finally awake\" she said \"someone enjoyed themselves last night.\" Giving a smirk that could charm the skin off of a snake, she laid her arm on the side of the truck. \"That book must be pretty interesting, knew you'd like it.\" With the matter of the book, the conversation started with Asa staring at the book like a child at the candy store and her \"convincing\" him to grab it by starting an altercation with a random guy about inappropriate touching. She still felt bad for that one, but anything to help one of her friends. \"Don't worry tiku, he'll have plenty of time to catch up on the long ride there.\" She snidly mentioned with a smile.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\nMoney. The world just can't get enough of it. Credit Cards and Checks? Don't need them. Matilda's wallet is empty save for her driver's license from Massachusetts. Given her powers, she can simply pay any thief to leave her alone. Not that she wants to be alone. Even among a full crowd at the theme park in Eureka City, Matilda can't help but feel even more lost and isolated. She was here for a good time! The tickets weren't cheap after all.\n\nThat was a lie. \n\n$25 is but a spare penny to her. The five dollar bills, as clean as if freshly printed without a single tear or wrinkle in sight, appeared in her hand as quickly as thinking. Unfortunately, the theme park only looked fun from the outside. Sweaty bodies and the stench of beer assaulted her senses. It was nothing like the extravagant galas and social parties her parents would drag her to all throughout New York City and Washington Capitol. With crude words and ill-fitting clothes from the people around her, Matilda felt more out of place, her attire was opulent but extremely modest, a courtesy from home.\n\nRegardless, she let her feet lead her to whatever destination entails. Perhaps something different can occur today.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nThuly found a lot of comfort in the random and not so random chitchat buzzing around the car. The young girl felt most at ease when she could blend into the background. Her looks had gotten her too much unwanted attention too often. That always led to Thuly having to use her power. And that always led to Thulile running her socks off, to get away from the authorities. Slumping in her seat, Thuly mused about all this. \n\nStaring dreamingly in the distance her eyes suddenly focused on the newest pick up. 'Lucy…', she reminded herself. As her dark eyes took in the thin girl, the back of her head started to itch. Looking away Thulile wondered what that meant. Her deep connection with her more instinctive nature told her that this Lucy had set off an alarm within her aura. 'But how? She didn't move from her spot. What did she do?' Unsure, the curly head tried to figure out, whether she'd sensed it correctly. Stealing another glance at Lucy she noted that the sensation of earlier didn't return. With a sigh Thuly gave up on her train of thought. She resigned herself to just keeping an eye on the newcomer. \n\nTheir truck finally closed on their destination. Thuly's little nose wrinkled as it was assaulted by sweet and hearty scents. One of those smelled like she'd always imagined cotton candy to smell. Straightening up in her seat, Thulile murmured: \"Almost there! Let's go!\"", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "The truck, after a few hours, had finally arrived at Eureka Town. The town was full of sweet scents and with the sounds of laughter and screaming, and, despite it nearing evening, had plenty of people eager and willing to ride the many roller coasters and other rides that were all in and around the town.\n\nThe truck had come to a stop near one of the towns' many hotels, though this one looked a bit more dilapidated than the rest. The streetlights also shone just as bright as the peoples' many phones lighting up the sky, but not all of them had phones, and some looked almost transparent.\n\nSpeaking of rides, the largest roller coaster had finished its latest ride, with the people who were on it just seconds ago being ushered to the side by the ride's host instead of making them make way for the latest passengers, with the previous passengers following the host away from the roller coaster, and a new host popping up at the ride just seconds later.", "username": "Dragonfly 9", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nVincent pulled the old truck into the parking lot of a run-down hotel. He had no trouble staying at a dilapidated place like this, having often slept on the street without a roof over his head. As far as he was concerned, any place with a bed was heaven. He shut the engine off and said, \"Alright, guys, we're here. Unless anyone has any better ideas, this is where we're staying while we're here, so don't forget where we're at.\"\n\nHe climbed out of the truck and stretched his arms over his head. He didn't mind long drives, but he didn't quite care for the stiffness that came with them. He took in the sweet scents wafting through the evening air, the sounds of joyful screaming from the amusement park as patrons enjoyed the thrill rides. As much as he wanted to check out the park, he let out a sigh and turned toward the truck. \"If you guys wanna check out the park, I'll catch up with you in a bit. I noticed the truck was making a weird sound when we got into town, so I'm gonna see if I can't get it fixed while I've got the chance.\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "Bai Yue\nChecked the place out first as a small bird illusion as she used her control of air to fly above and around the old motel her mind already creating a map as she plotted her later ground reconnaissance. The ground portion accomplished as a fluffy poodle \nBeing seen as a dog was often a mixed bag and today was one of those days as she spotted two of the local feral dogs making a beeline right at her so she ran into culvert and they chased her. What happened inside the .75 meter concrete pipe would be a story the two huge mutts would tell their friends to the end of their days if dogs tell tales.\nThere they were chasing an interloper an had it cornered in the tunnel and as they rushed in snarling they heard a rumbling so deep they felt it in their bones and there before them was the biggest cat they had ever see, so big it nearly filled the tunnel wall to wall. Next it roared a sound that caught perhaps a nearby homeless or if you could call them apartment dweller's attention an as it happened just once they couldn't back up the dogs wild story if dogs tell tells. They roar was at the right frequency to display the bass of so large a creature's chest but it was the hiss that sent both tumbling back as if a invisible hand swatted them adding another strange sound to the local air the two defenders making a hasty retreat.\nA few minutes later the cute poodle continued her patrol her only trouble some creepy guy that kept following her whistling like she was some sort of dog. So she could loose him as soon as she rounded a corners she became a large patch of weeds in lot covered in weeds the poodle crossing the road to a truck with an open door, she made sure the guy saw the dog an truck leave an was pleased he acted as expected.\nFree of her tail she walked into the motel office as Ying Quan a young anthropologist doing a social audit she could bore even perverts to sleep with her dry lesson on life exptency, happiness index, schooling chances and mean grade income being another insult to free men an women mostly women. The old lady she saw behind the desk was sweet to her an asked few questions so Bai yue paid her in real cash she'd picked up in a liquor store a few days past.\nThen she went looking for the others again as a bird only this time as a large raven. \n\n(Let me know if you are curious to rp with me by saying you see the raven)", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" } ]

[ { "text": "With Asa following, that made three. Well, the more, the merrier. The gang made their way into the park and were instantly hit by the smells of the food and the blaring lights and sounds of the rides and other attractions. To be honest, she had never actually been in side of a theme park. Coming from a small to of four to five hundred people, there wasn't much need for one. All they had in her town were carnivals and fairs, so this was something kind of new to her, yet still the same, minus the petting zoos and pig contests. This was actually better than the fairs and there was so much more to do, she didn't know if they could fit it all into one night. Her attention was caught by a ride Thuly excitedly pointed out, the upside down roller-coaster she called it.\n\nBefore she could say anything, her stomach instantly churned at the sight of it. She gagged silently as the coaster flipped directions \"yeah, that's some...ride\" she forced the last word with a second gag as she stood there watching and hid her sickly face from Thuly as best she could. Audrey didn't have motion sickness, but just looking at that machine was enough to give it to her. She prayed this wasn't the first ride Thuly wanted to go on, she would still ride it, but hopefully they could do something else first.\n\nThank goodness they hadn't eaten yet. She couldn't bare the thought of embarrassing herself by showing everyone what she had for dinner. \"What else do you see Thules?\" She tried to steer her excited friend away from the coaster, but, something told her she'd be hugging the trashcan by the ride in a few minutes.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nA shout - \"I'm coming as well!\" - suddenly followed them. Thulile swerved herself and Audrey around. Thuly was relieved and pleased to see Asa running after them. She liked Asa. 'He's nice', she thought, 'and he always smells really good!' Glad to have another partner in crime, Thuly waved at the young man. \"ASAAA… yes do! Come on!\"\n\nAs the bubbly, blue Asa joined Audrey and Thulile, they tried to make a choice. With so many rides and bites surrounding them Thuly felt completely overwhelmed. \n\nBeing in close contact with her own feelings, she sensed that both Audrey and Asa weren't overly enthusiastic to get into a roller coaster. Seeing the thing go upside down, did make Thuly queasy. Then Audrey asked her what else she saw. \n\n\"Maybe we should start with something simple, no?\", she suggested to her companions. \"And after that, some funnel cake!\" Giggling she towed Audrey and Asa to a nearby attraction.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\n\"Did you return the money?\" Matilda inquired, half-asking and half demanding as she turned to glare at the stranger. It was her strongest attempt to put on a brave face. \"And can you take off your sunglasses and hat? Security can mistake you for a drug dealer or worse!\" \n\nWith a huff, Matilda held out her hand that still held the $100 bill for Haylen. \"Don't ask how I got I did this and I won't tell the owners of your lackluster attempt of a robbery, understand?\"", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "@Hyyde322 @Martian\n\n Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy didn't seem to notice them discussing where they would be living. At most, she thought they would be living in the truck. While she was hitchhiking, she would be sleeping underneath trees or breaking into cars to sleep in. She seemed more concerned with having a good time. Walking over toward a shooting range, she picked up the gun. Feeling the weight of the BB gun in her hand. Noticing that the ridicule was misaligned, obviously making it easier for the owner to scam people. \n\nShe took into account where she was standing, and the position of the target in front of her. Using mathematics and probability to make the shot. Pulling the trigger, she was able to shoot all of the targets. Picking out the large pink elephant, and hugging it softly before walking away. The man behind the counter was glaring at Lucy. \n\nNoticing Audrey, Asa and Thulie walking around. \"Hello. Look what I won.\" She said proudly showing off the pink elephant she won.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "\"Whoa, slow down Thuly, the park's not going anywhere.\" Amused by Thulile's enthusiasm, she couldn't help but laugh. Being around her was like having a younger sibling again. \"We'll have plenty of time to do everything\" she gave a second glance at the roller coaster as her stomach soured at the thought. \"Well, mostly everything.\" Before they could reach the attraction the smaller girl was leading the towards, they were greeted by a familiar face.\n\nOne that hadn't been traveling with them long, but was easily recognizable even in a crowd. \"Oh, well, looks like we know who to go when we need prizes, good job Lucy.\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nOf course he didn't return the money. That would be stupid. \n\nHaylen followed the kid until they got to a secluded place, only to be questioned about the things he wore. She didn't seem much like a government bloodhound, and judging by how she seemed to just materialize money out of thin air, they had something in common. Haylen relented, and pulled the sunglasses off. His right eye was unassuming, a pale green. The left, however, wasn't the kind of thing a human being should have.\n\nWhere Haylen's left eye should have been was nothing more than a pink sphere in the shape of an eye where white should have been. There was something resembling an old surgical scar running horizontally across the strange eye, and Matilda might have felt it was actually watching her like a real eye. \n\n\"You're doing that with magic.\" He said flatly, less of an accusation and more to convey he understood it.", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Faithful @Hyyde322\n\n Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nThe young girl looked quite excited that someone said that to her. Usually being told a good job would not be a big deal, but she had never had any kind of praise in her life. \"Thank you, Miss Audrey. I was thinking does anyone want to join me on the ferris wheel?\" He said pointing towards the Ferris wheel in the distance. Her stomach was grumbling, she looked down at her rumbling stomach. \"Or maybe I should eat something beforehand.\" Admittedly she has not eaten much since her escape. But she had no money to pay much. \n\n\"Does anyone have any money? I would like to purchase some food. I'll pay you back.\" She asked, her eyes moving over towards Matilda. Already reading her mind, and figuring out what her powers were. She may be oblivious to the world around her, but she was not as dull as she looked.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\n\"It's not magic.\" Matilda quickly shook her head, \"Anything but magic. It's -\" \n\nShe lost her train of thought when she saw Haylen unveil himself. His appearance was anything but normal. A gross mockery of the mundane face with his scar and mismatched eyes. He scared her as Matilda made half a step away from him. Yet, she still quickly shoved the $100 into his hand as if the bill was cursed. \n\n\"You're like me? Both with powers?\" she stuttered, \"That-wait...you hear that?\"\n\nHearing Lucy's voice inside her mind, Matilda looked around hastily before making eye contact with the telepath. \"How much do you need?\" The brunette thought, hoping it wasn't a coincidence.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" } ]

[ { "text": "Vincent Ryder\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nVincent sat in the driver's seat, his left arm hanging out of the open window as he tapped the door to the time of the heavy metal playing over the radio. As the driver this time around, he had full control of the radio and he always took full advantage of it. His usual overcoat sat bundled on the front seat next to him, between himself and whoever was sitting next to him. The fact that neither he nor any of his friends had any set destination was another boon, as his sense of direction wasn't exactly...present. When he noticed the sign they were approaching, offering them two choices between where to go, he pulled off to the side of the road and pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head. He had heard vague rumblings about both towns, moreso Eureka City, so he had a rough idea of waited for himself and his friends. \"Let's see; we could go to Jackrabbit. Might be something there, but all we'll probably do is waste time looking at empty buildings. Or...\"\n\nHe glanced in the opposite direction. \"We could go to Eureka. Theme parks are always worth going to.\" Despite putting on the show of thinking, he had already made his decision. He pressed down on the gas...and the truck didn't move. Swearing under his breath, he turned the key. The engine tried to turn over and finally did on the second attempt. He pulled out of park and, with a smirk, shouted so the people in the bed of the truck could hear, \"Alright, kids, you've all been good, so I'm making the executive decision to go visit some theme parks! Next stop, Eureka!\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "Eli raised an eyebrow at the truck seemingly stalling, he leaned around the side of the truck to speak to vincent. \"We need to get a new ride man, this hunk of junk is gonna croak on us someday soon and I'd rather it not be when we're trying to get away from the grunts.\" He hated to admit it but the thought of being caught by the grunts scared him slightly.\n\nHe gave a small snort as the truck turned. \"I give it ten minutes of being in one of those theme parks before wee get attacked by some sort of evil clown\"", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy waited by the side of the road, wearing a flannel shirt and ripped jeans. Most of her clothing on her was stolen. She had stolen most of her clothes from vintage stores. Holding out her thumb, hoping that she would be picked up. A small brown rat was hiding inside the pocket of her shirt. There were not many cars that had stopped for her, which was understandable. The drivers did not know who they were picking up. But finally, a truck stopped beside her. As soon as the door opened, she got inside. The driver looked over at Lucy, asking her where she wants to go. \n\n\"I am going to Eureka City.\" Reading the driver's mind, she knew she would be safe for the time being. Her hand reached into her shirt pocket. Petting the rat, who was squawking softly. She hoped she would be able to find some information about the scientist in Eureka City.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nThuly woke up startled. 'What, where?' Then she realized it was Vincent's voice that had ripped her from her dream. She was so relieved. Relieved to be back in the real world and relieved to be amongst her friends. Her dream had teleported her back to the day that Thulile had been allowed to join this odd pack of misfits. \n\nShe remembered that day, three months ago, vividly. The weight of the wounded dog across her shoulders, the police sirens coming nearer and nearer and this same beat up truck driving towards her. She'd yelled at them, pleading them to stop and save her. And they did, they had. She remembered what happened next only vaguely, as the mist of fatigue had weighed her down. When she discovered that her companions had mystical powers, they wanted to drop her off somewhere. Thuly's natural inclination not to trust anyone, meant she hadn't revealed her own power yet. But somehow being part of this group of misfits felt right. So, gulping away her nerves, Thulile had given them a taster of her power. It had been rather impressive to see this petite girl lift the back of the truck off the road a good three feet. It had been convincing enough, and they had taken her in. \n\nNow, all these months later, Thuly had proven her worth. Her power had manifested in unexpected and unpredictable ways. She liked the way it felt: being part of a team. It was the first time she'd experienced this. \n\nThen she looked over to Vincent, from her perch on the passenger's seat. 'What had he said? Theme parks?', she wondered. Then Eli leaned around the side of the truck: \"We need to get a new ride man, this hunk of junk is gonna croak on us someday soon and I'd rather it not be when we're trying to get away from the grunts.\" Then he snorted: \"I give it ten minutes of being in one of those theme parks before we get attacked by some sort of evil clown\". \"Whoah, WHAT?!\" Thulile asked. She hadn't been in a theme park ever. Eli's last remark shattered the glittery, pinkish, jingle jangle image she had been painting in her mind. The idea of being ambushed by a terror clown didn't appeal to Thuly whatsoever. \n\nStill, she had gotten used to Eli's murky sense of humor since he had joined them these last couple of months. Regaining her composure, she straightened her back and smiled bravely: \"Clown or no clown, let's check out those theme parks!\"", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Eli instantly felt bad, he'd taken a liking to Thulie and he always felt guilty for spooking her. \"Sorry. I'm sure it'll be fine. and with the time of year, the theme parks will probably be pretty empty.\" He backtracked, hoping if he mentioned the lack of crowds she'd feel a bit more at ease. \n\nEli had never had a family. Not a real one anyway. This little ragtag group was the closest thing and he'd taken to Thulie like a little sister with how young she was.", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Bai Yue \n\nBai yue smiled at the thought of an evil circus having once been a brief member of a freak show because it was the easiest place for her to hide in her early days.\nSnapping her fingers she made the truck appear to be a small construction truck nice paint job with the members of a family business aboard, she was one of those magnetic signs sitting on the roof her illusion solid because she gave it as simple an overlay as she could.\n\nThe sign red promising a delighted Kitty an making sure very few paid attention to where she flew just above the truck tethered to a small suction cup holding a string with her right as she munched on some form of candy. She was as she sat in the best point of view on the truck untouched by winds because she was an elemental, at least that was her new course in life. \nShe seemed to be showing off when all the while she was using the trip as a practice session an exercise. As the truck moved she manipulated the airstream just about six feet out an centered 3 feet off the ground. The effect was the old beat up machine sliced through the air with an ease the finest formula one car could manage, also as a result sand, dust, debris, and insect were caught in the pressure wave an deflected away for them.\nThe candy was her fuel in this exercise.\n\n \n\"I don't bet on things like fate, fate has a booty fetish for that sort of thought\" giggles as she grabs a local dust devil making it vanish adding it to the trailing wave of the air pocket pinching it till it made a forlorn moan", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" } ]

[ { "text": "Eli instantly felt bad, he'd taken a liking to Thulie and he always felt guilty for spooking her. \"Sorry. I'm sure it'll be fine. and with the time of year, the theme parks will probably be pretty empty.\" He backtracked, hoping if he mentioned the lack of crowds she'd feel a bit more at ease. \n\nEli had never had a family. Not a real one anyway. This little ragtag group was the closest thing and he'd taken to Thulie like a little sister with how young she was.", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Bai Yue \n\nBai yue smiled at the thought of an evil circus having once been a brief member of a freak show because it was the easiest place for her to hide in her early days.\nSnapping her fingers she made the truck appear to be a small construction truck nice paint job with the members of a family business aboard, she was one of those magnetic signs sitting on the roof her illusion solid because she gave it as simple an overlay as she could.\n\nThe sign red promising a delighted Kitty an making sure very few paid attention to where she flew just above the truck tethered to a small suction cup holding a string with her right as she munched on some form of candy. She was as she sat in the best point of view on the truck untouched by winds because she was an elemental, at least that was her new course in life. \nShe seemed to be showing off when all the while she was using the trip as a practice session an exercise. As the truck moved she manipulated the airstream just about six feet out an centered 3 feet off the ground. The effect was the old beat up machine sliced through the air with an ease the finest formula one car could manage, also as a result sand, dust, debris, and insect were caught in the pressure wave an deflected away for them.\nThe candy was her fuel in this exercise.\n\n \n\"I don't bet on things like fate, fate has a booty fetish for that sort of thought\" giggles as she grabs a local dust devil making it vanish adding it to the trailing wave of the air pocket pinching it till it made a forlorn moan", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nShe just didn't get Bai. Thuly wasn't able to see past her illusions and had often been taken by surprise lately as Bai decided to reappear suddenly. It unnerved Thulile. Still, she did respect Bai Yue heaps, so she tried to keep her neck hairs from rising as her voice abruptly emerged from thin air and addressed Eli. \n\n'Eli', she thought, 'isn't he just a doll? He fusses over me and tries to help me whenever he can'. Thuly really liked him. She'd appreciated how he'd accepted her right of the bat and how he was treating her like his little sister. He gave her the impression that he'd go through extremes to keep her save. That felt really good! \n\n\"Sorry. I'm sure it'll be fine. and with the time of year, the theme parks will probably be pretty empty.\" Eli's words, although feeling slightly forced, made Thuly calmer. In an added attempt to rid the air of any premonition of doom, Thulile asked: \"Do you think they have barbe à papa? I mean candy cotton?\"", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Eli laughed at the new look of the truck, finding immense enjoyment from it. \"Oh my gods, this truck looks amazing. Great job B!\" He grinned and leaned over the other side of the truck to talk to Thulie. \n\n\"Oh hell yes. Candy floss is one of the like, staples of theme parks. I'll buy you some if you like Lele\" He assured. \"And I can show you which rides aren't too scary\"", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Thank God no one settled for the small town, Audrey had enough of small towns to last a lifetime. Going to an amusement park sounded like a great time. Lots of people, great food, tons of rides, loads of activities and the latter.\n\nShe noticed Bai had camouflaged the truck giving it a new paint job and an interesting sign with a kitten on it \"well at least it won't draw any attention\" she said. Bai was still a mystery to her. Everyone else checked out, Vincent, Thullie, and Eli seemed as close to normal as the definition would allow, but she couldn't really make heads or tails of Bai. It didn't bother her too much, she was apart of this ragtag group like everyone else and that meant she was family.\n\nShe put her book down and stretched out her legs and stretched her arms as far as they would go. \"Don't worry Thullie, we'll make sure you get as much as you can handle\" she mentioned. Thullie was a fairly new addition to the band of merry runaways.....well...they were all new. \"Hey, you think they'll have funnel cake there?\" She asked.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\"Oh, come on, this old girl's gotten me out of too many scrapes to just abandon her,\" Vincent said as he patted his door again. \"I've got the skills to keep her running for a while longer. Now, as for evil clowns, on the other hand, I'm kinda hoping for something like that.\" He grinned and single-handedly cracked the knuckles of his left hand as he added, \"Been way too long since I was able to cut loose. Gotta make sure I don't get rusty.\"\n\nAs he finished speaking, the truck shimmered as Bai cast an illusion over the vehicle, turning giving it the form of a construction truck, the logo of which featured a kitten for some strange reason. He shrugged, having never been one to fret over little things like that. Sure, it wasn't his first choice of design, but since Bai was the only one who could disguise the truck, he felt it was only fair she decided on how it looked. He flipped his sunglasses back down onto his face, brought the truck into the next gear, and added, \"Oh, they better have funnel cake or else it's not a park worth going to. That and those rigged booth games. Sure, I end up wasting all my cash on them because there's no way in hell I'm letting those cheats get the best of me, but a theme park not having one of those just doesn't sound right.\"\n\nAfter a few moments, Vincent asked, \"So, new girl, what's your name?\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" } ]

[ { "text": "Bai Yue \n\nListening to those around her wasn't Bai yue's thing. Sure she paid attention with a tiny portion of her brain her multiplexed logic handling several tasks at once as she manipulated the air elements to create small will-o-wisps, 30 or more that were so weak they collapsed the moment they struck any of the objects she aimed them at. It was like most things she did when bored training, she had to because as a freak she was easy to spot by the magically inclined if she wasn't actively concealing her presence. \n\"Don't worry too much about it an amusement park of any type it's the real money maker. you see something I'll get it for you\" Bai yue the girl most likely to steal", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy shrugged her shoulders, thinking that all of that sounded very good. But not something she was particularly excited for. The mouse in her pocket suggested she could take a break and have some fun. \"But I have to find my family and….give some payback to those bastards that hurt me…\" Lucy communicated all of this mentally to her rat buddy. Reading the minds of the others, she was mildly disturbed by the images of Bai Yue's mind. Feeling nauseous trying to figure out what she's thinking. She had to quickly jump to the mind of Vincent. Which included him fighting a bunch of people, and weirdly enough dogs that were playing around the battlefield. \n\n\"What have I gotten myself into.\" She thought shaking her head. The people in the truck could prove useful to her mission. \"So why are you guys going to Eureka City?\" She finally asked. From what she had gathered reading their minds, it seems most of them were on the run. With various degrees of magical or superhuman abilities. Although she was not going to reveal more about herself just yet.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "Eli's mind, although a little chaotic sometimes, was usually a semi-happy place. He took pleasure in the little thing, the fun of standing up on the truck as it moved, the wind in his hair, the little nicknames he gave people. At that time, his mind was stuck on the theme parks. Which rides would Vinnie agree to go on? Getting candy floss for Lele and funnelcake with Rey. It was clear most of his thoughts were of his friends, though occasionally there was a flash. An angry, stony face of an older man in a lab coat telling Eli just how disappointed he was.", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "ASA MIST\n\nAsa sat in the back of the pickup truck, partially slumped over in his seat. He had spent most of the night reading a medical text that Audrey had convinced him to loot from a bookstore in the last town the ragtag group had stopped in. It was a newer edition, meaning it had some updates then the ones he had in University. Unfortunately, Asa had got too much into the text book, and was now paying the price of staying up all night. Asa had fallen into a deep sleep.\n\nThe Water Elemental had been asleep in the truck for the past several hours, snoring softly. Sitting in his lap was his robotic companion TQ-58, better known as Tiku. The small medical assistant bot was in active mode, but was unmoving as he wasn't needed for any medical emergencies currently. Its optics only slightly moved when the truck pulled to the side of the road to pick up a hitchhiker.\n\nDeciding that a potential new companion was important, Tiku turned to the sleeping Asa. Reaching over with a robotic limb, Tiku delivered a weak level shock to the Water Elemental. The brief jolt made Asa immediately open his eyes.\n\n\"What's wrong?\" Asa asked groggily.\n\n\"We have someone new,\" stated Tiku.\n\nAsa turned to the young woman sitting across from him, her platinum hair shimmering in the sunlight coming through the truck window. It wouldn't be the first time they had picked up a hitchhiker in the few months that Asa had been traveling in this van, but the hitchhikers never lasted long. Usually they would jump ship by the next major city.\n\nAsa figured that this woman would be no different as apparently they were headed to Eureka City, at least according to the conversation going on in the front of the vehicle. Asa wasn't really familiar with the city, just knowing that it had a big theme park. The discussion going on around him also seemed to show that the theme park was the point of interest for the gang.\n\nAsa then turned to the hitchhiker, \"I'm Asa. Are you also headed for Eureka City?\"\n\n\"He doesn't know because he was sleeping,\" piped in Tiku, \"I think it was awfully rude.\"\n\nAsa glared at the medical support robot. In the years they had spent together, Tiku had begun to develop a distinct personality, one that wasn't always kind to the Water Elemental. And yet the robot was the closest thing Asa had to a best friend. It was kind of messed up, even to the Water Elemental himself.", "username": "Martian", "char_name": "Asa Mist" }, { "text": "\"Well well, look who's finally awake\" she said \"someone enjoyed themselves last night.\" Giving a smirk that could charm the skin off of a snake, she laid her arm on the side of the truck. \"That book must be pretty interesting, knew you'd like it.\" With the matter of the book, the conversation started with Asa staring at the book like a child at the candy store and her \"convincing\" him to grab it by starting an altercation with a random guy about inappropriate touching. She still felt bad for that one, but anything to help one of her friends. \"Don't worry tiku, he'll have plenty of time to catch up on the long ride there.\" She snidly mentioned with a smile.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\nMoney. The world just can't get enough of it. Credit Cards and Checks? Don't need them. Matilda's wallet is empty save for her driver's license from Massachusetts. Given her powers, she can simply pay any thief to leave her alone. Not that she wants to be alone. Even among a full crowd at the theme park in Eureka City, Matilda can't help but feel even more lost and isolated. She was here for a good time! The tickets weren't cheap after all.\n\nThat was a lie. \n\n$25 is but a spare penny to her. The five dollar bills, as clean as if freshly printed without a single tear or wrinkle in sight, appeared in her hand as quickly as thinking. Unfortunately, the theme park only looked fun from the outside. Sweaty bodies and the stench of beer assaulted her senses. It was nothing like the extravagant galas and social parties her parents would drag her to all throughout New York City and Washington Capitol. With crude words and ill-fitting clothes from the people around her, Matilda felt more out of place, her attire was opulent but extremely modest, a courtesy from home.\n\nRegardless, she let her feet lead her to whatever destination entails. Perhaps something different can occur today.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" } ]

[ { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\nIs there anything that isn't excessively indulgent? Matilda thought bitterly as she mingled among the riff-raff and out-of-state tourists. Being in a place such as this amusement park, she hoped she could purchase a snack or even a meal but given her high-class grooming, the food looked unappetizing. The items for sale were something out of a cartoon. She underestimated her American culture's affinity for deep-fried foodstuffs. Some of the combinations made her stomach shrink rather than growl in hunger. Surely, there has to be at least one stand to offer something normal? Matilda was willing to pay the vender solid gold for a nice salad or soup. Spotting a popcorn stand, the brunette decided that it would have to compensate. \n\nUpon closer arrival, she noticed the sign dictating the owner's absence except the stand itself was not idle. Someone was already present. A returning crew member perhaps? \n\n\"Excuse me...sir?\" Matilda called out, softly approaching the popcorn stand to get a better look at the person. \"Are you still...open?\" Only then upon closer inspection did she just realizes it was a robbery. She gulped. He might be armed given the number of layers he wore. Being unarmed herself, she pondered how to diffuse the situation. \n\n\"You shouldn't rob them,\" she said, standing firm though anxiously in her steps, \"If you need money, then...follow me. I can lend you money to buy food or toys here. Just not out in the open.\" To prove her point, Matilda snapped her fingers and, like a magician pulling quarters out of ears, a $100 bill appeared between her index and middle finger. \"Come and get it.\" \n\nWith a huff, she turned and walked away towards a place rather secluded, hidden by trees and the shadow of a building.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nAs Vincent turned of the engine of their truck, Thuly looked around. 'It doesn't look like much', she thought. Still, in the past months prioritizing keeping their head down above finding luxury accommodations had proven it's worth. 'Well, it's not like we're swimming in money anyways!', Thulile sniggered. \n\nVincent got out of the car and Thuly did the same. He made a big show of stretching his limbs. Audrey and Eli joined him and Thuly hid her smirk. She did wonder when she'd lose her youthful flexibility. As she'd experienced, Thulile could sleep on a branch, ride a pony barebacked, perhaps even sit on a bed of nails without ending up with little or big aches and stiffness. 'One of the few perks of being a teenager ', she concluded. \n\nPeering over the stretching trio, the dark curly head looked at the motel sign. It spelled out the name in bright neon letters: UNSET MOTEL. 'That can't be right…', she wondered. Taking a better look, Thuly saw another dark shape in front of the others. \"An S!\", Thuly cried out. Surprising herself, she murmured: \"Sunset Motel. That's it.\" The first neon S must've been broken. Grinning she added: \"I prefer Unset Motel. It fits us better\". \n\nIt seemed Eli and Vincent would be off doing manly car things. That sure wasn't anything Thulile could help them with. Audrey seemed inclined to explore a theme park. Smearing her most lovely smile over her lips, Thuly looked over at Audrey: \"Hey Audrey, wanna go and visit one of those theme parks together?\"\nShe so hoped Audrey would go with her. Thuly sure wasn't planning on going there alone. The image of a horror clown smothering her in cotton candy flashed through her mind. She quickly shook the image from her head. \"Are you with me?\", she asked briskly.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Audrey couldn't help but overhear Eli's comment about upgrading to an RV and to be quite honest, she wouldn't mind it. Vincent most likely would never go for it, yet the thought of more space was ever tempting. The truck had history though, it would be tough to get rid of the old girl after all she brought us through. \"Oh, but the leg room, and the beds\" she thought to herself, it was an that wasn't easily refused. RV or no the truck had them stranded here until Vince and Eli could fix it, so making the best of the current situation was what mattered. Lost in her thoughts, she was quickly snapped back into reality by thulile asking if she would accompany here to the park.\n\n\"Oh, a woman after my own heart\" she jokingly mentioned with a chuckle. \"Let's go thules, let the boys have their fun.\" Strolling over to where thulile was, she draped her arm over the girl's shoulder as they started heading towards the park. \"If I remember correctly, you're owed some cotton candy and a funnel cake\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nVincent thought about Eli's suggestion for a moment. While it was true that their little band had grown some and an RV would be more comfortable, Vincent found the idea of abandoning the truck brought a sour taste to his mouth. With how long he had had it and all the work he put into it, it didn't feel right leaving it behind. Then again, if they could find an RV with a decent kitchenette... \"Let's go ahead and shelve that idea for now,\" he said. His tattoos flashed for a brief moment as he used his power to unlatch the hood 'remotely'. \"We don't wanna draw any attention to ourselves by stealing one if we aren't even ready to leave, right?\"\n\nHe lifted the hood and took a look inside. At first glance, it didn't seem that anything was wrong and he cursed quietly. \"I'm gonna have to go deeper,\" he muttered as he walked back toward the cab and opened the door. He pulled a small toolbox out from under the driver's seat, filled with whatever he couldn't use his powers to make, and returned to the front of the truck. As he waited for the engine to cool, he unhooked the battery and continued looking over what he could see, just in case he had missed something. \"Oh, Eli, mind sticking around for a bit? That gooey stuff of yours makes pretty good lubricant and I see a few spots that could use a touch-up.\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" } ]

[ { "text": "THULILE\n\n\"Oh, a woman after my own heart\", Audrey chuckled. \"Let's go thules, let the boys have their fun.\" Then her companion strolled over and draped her arm over Thulile's shoulder. \"If I remember correctly, you're owed some cotton candy and a funnel cake\".\n\nThuly grinned back at Audrey. \"Oui, I can't wait!\" The arm around her shoulders felt so good. It felt warm, it felt like companionship and acceptance. Cautiously Thuly dared to fantasize: 'It feels like friendship…'. Peering sideways at Audrey she found hope fluttering in her heart. Thuly would love to be considered Audrey's friend.\n\nSmiling broadly, she waved at Eli and Vincent. \"See you later, guys. Don't get into any trouble… without us\".\n\nAs the two girls found their way into the amusement park, Thuly's lips kept forming an O of astonishment. Well, that actually starts with an A, but the black haired girl was quite overwhelmed by the rides, crowds, smells and sounds. \"Oh, Audrey! Look at that rollercoaster. It goes, it goes… upside down!\", she yelped out. \"Mon dieu! My god, look at that thing go!\" Thulile acted as if she'd never been to a theme park, like ever. Which of course was the truth.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "ASA MIST\n\nAsa relaxed in the backseat of the truck, glad that he had got a seat on the inside of the vehicle. While he was laying back, he felt little need to sleep seeing as he had slept through all of the morning. On his lap, Tiku was perched in a small position, indicating that the robot was in standby mode. Thankfully Tiku was very light, as his design was very modern.\n\nAs Asa looked up from his robotic companion, he saw the sign saying welcome to Eureka Town. The Water Elemental was glad that they were stopping in this town as he really needed to get out of the truck. Fortunately he didn't have to wait long as the truck pulled into one of the first hotels they found. From outside it looked quite dilapidated, the first S in Sunset Motel being completely out of power. But that was fine as this was the best that the ragtag group could afford.\n\nAsa picked up Tiku as he stepped out of the truck, his bones making a popping noise as they changed from the locked position they had been in during the drive. As Asa stretched, he could see that the theme park the town was famous for was close, a giant roller coaster rising above the skyline of the buildings. It was a little bit too tall for Asa, who, though he would never admit it, had a problem with heights.\n\nInstead, Asa turned to Audrey and began to follow her to the Sunset Motel. She made a comment about hoping they had showers. Asa hoped so as well, not so much because of smell as Water Elementals didn't really sweat, but rather that being under water helps rejuvenate the strength of a Water Elemental.\n\nEli then mentioned upgrading to an RV. While that would be ideal, Asa knew that funds were tight as it was. At least for now they would be stuck with the beat up truck. Eli and Vincent then went to work on the truck, as the others headed for the theme park. Knowing that he wouldn't be of any help with the truck, Asa ran after Audrey and Thulile.\n\n\"I'm coming as well,\" shouted Asa.\n\nThe Water Elemental then stuffed Tiku, who was still in standby, into his backpack, unsure if robots were allowed in the park. As he and his companions entered the park, Asa once again saw the roller coaster, immediately ruling out the idea of riding it. Maybe something like the merry go round was more his speed. That thought made the Water Elemental feel incredibly lame.", "username": "Martian", "char_name": "Asa Mist" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nHaylen had managed to get roughly a hundred dollars into his hands before he was caught red handed. A kid, by the looks of it. She didn't seem like much to him, but his human eye flicked up to her like a scavenging animal confronted by a predator. This incident could very well have been an isolated one, since Haylen hadn't blown his cover in the slightest recently. Internally, Haylen was already thinking heavily about what to do, the machine in his mind running through his thoughts at a speed most ordinary humans could not achieve. He was on the far side away from the entrance, so if he had to, he could slip into-\n\nAll of that went out the proverbial window when the girl snapped her fingers to pull out a hundred dollar bill. Magic. There was no sleight involved, she quite literally pulled it out of thin air, and she offered it to him. It read like a trap, but there wasn't much to be taken from this cash register. If Haylen followed, on of two things would happen. Either nothing, or he'd be taken out. It was a risk, but he could handle her, probably. When she walked off, Haylen followed, flexing his grip around something in his jacket pocket tensely. It wasn't a machine he could control, but it would help if she tried to make some sort of move.\n\nFaithful", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": null }, { "text": "With Asa following, that made three. Well, the more, the merrier. The gang made their way into the park and were instantly hit by the smells of the food and the blaring lights and sounds of the rides and other attractions. To be honest, she had never actually been in side of a theme park. Coming from a small to of four to five hundred people, there wasn't much need for one. All they had in her town were carnivals and fairs, so this was something kind of new to her, yet still the same, minus the petting zoos and pig contests. This was actually better than the fairs and there was so much more to do, she didn't know if they could fit it all into one night. Her attention was caught by a ride Thuly excitedly pointed out, the upside down roller-coaster she called it.\n\nBefore she could say anything, her stomach instantly churned at the sight of it. She gagged silently as the coaster flipped directions \"yeah, that's some...ride\" she forced the last word with a second gag as she stood there watching and hid her sickly face from Thuly as best she could. Audrey didn't have motion sickness, but just looking at that machine was enough to give it to her. She prayed this wasn't the first ride Thuly wanted to go on, she would still ride it, but hopefully they could do something else first.\n\nThank goodness they hadn't eaten yet. She couldn't bare the thought of embarrassing herself by showing everyone what she had for dinner. \"What else do you see Thules?\" She tried to steer her excited friend away from the coaster, but, something told her she'd be hugging the trashcan by the ride in a few minutes.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" } ]

[ { "text": "IC:\n\nTHULILE\n\nHer little band of misfits was colorful to say the least, but the friendly banter that went around the car made Thuly feel at home. 'Well, except for the lack of French of course', she grinned. The grin broadened to a smile, which made her white teeth flash brightly in the darkness of her face. \"Yummm…\", Thulile salivated, \"all the candy…err…floss I can eat? Superb!\" \n\nLooking at Eli, she wondered about the scary rides. She'd seen pictures and YouTube films, and compared to her life they weren't likely to spook her. Still, a guide to the parks would be a good thing. \n\nAs Audrey mentioned funnel cake, Thuly chuckled. It seemed to her that their crew had an unnatural fixation on food. 'Especially, on the unhealthy kind!' Well, her companions were unnatural in many ways, this was just another of their quirks. \"Funnel cake? What's that? Never seen or tasted that\", she admitted. \n\nThose theme parks promised to have lots of new experiences in store for her. Thulile wondered how long it would take to get there. At least Bai made sure that they didn't attract any unwanted attention to them.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Eli snorted a laugh. \"Come on Vinnie, you'll break a hip if you're not careful.\" He teased. He'd taken to picking on Vinnie for being a few years older than himself.\n\nEli nodded at Audrey. \"Oh they better. I'll be really pissed off if they don't.\" Looking back over the side of the truck he grinned. \"Theme parks are normally really packed with small animals like birds and rodents, right ReyRey?\"", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy was sitting in between two of the females inside the truck. But she didn't really say much. Mostly listening to their conversation, wondering if she could hear some useful information. But mostly they were talking about an amusement park. She had read about places like this but had never been to one herself. She had not been outside of Area 66 ever since she was a baby, so she did not know much about the outside world. A part of her was excited to experience something that would be fun. \"My name is Lucy.\" She spoke in a soft sounding voice. \"What else is in the amusement park?\" She didn't want to sound stupid for not knowing what an amusement park was, So wording her question differently would not make the others think less of her. \n\nReading the minds of the others in the truck, wanting to know what information she could find. But rationalizing it by wanting to know more about them. People in the truck more attuned mentally, could notice Lucy trying to read their minds. The rat in her pocket poked his head out, \"I wonder if they know if this amusement park has any cheese?\" Lucy assured them that the amusement park would have something for him to eat. And hopefully something she could eat. She had not eaten anything since before her escape. \n\nThe thought of her being caught was starting to fill her mind. She would have to fight if these people would try to hand her to the police.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "\"Mmmmm, small animals are more county and state fair territory, but it's possible they might\" She said. Her hometown used to hold county fairs every year. She remembered going to them as a kid and visiting the petting zoos they had. As she finished answering Eli's question , she heard Thuly ask about funnel cakes, what they were and what they tasted like and shot up like a lightning bolt at her question \"you've never had funnel cake, well you are in for a treat\" she said. \n\nBefore they could take off, the band of misfits were gifted with a new passenger. A young girl with an interesting haircut. She seemed of the shy sort as she introduced herself as Lucy and asked about the amusement parks. \"Audrey\" she mentioned with a warm smile \"oh, you know, rides, food, games, and other junk.\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nVincent barked out a laugh at Eli's playful barb and held his hand out of the window, with which he extended a certain finger in his general direction. He pulled his arm back into the truck then, to Lucy, he grinned and said, \"I'm Vincent. Pretty much the designated mechanic around here.. You could say I've got a way with this old girl. As for funnel cake...\"\n\nHe thought for a moment before continuing, \"It's basically deep-fried ropes of batter, usually with powdered sugar sprinkled on it or whatever else you wanna use. Fairs and theme parks usually keep it pretty simple, though. God, now I could go for some funnel cake with chocolate and strawberries. Not knocking fairground funnel cake, but next time I get a hold of some batter, I'll show you guys what good funnel cake tastes like.\"\n\nAs his mouth watered at the thought of the deep-fried goodness, a song began to play on the radio that Vincent liked, so he turned the volume up a bit higher. He hadn't been traveling with this group very long, having mostly wandered on his own for a little over half of his life, but it was something he had gotten used to by that point. It was nice having people to banter and joke with. More than that, though, it was nice knowing there were people at his back when things got rough. Sure, he didn't know much about any of them and that was fine, given that he had things he'd rather not talk about, himself, and as far as he was concerned, you didn't need to know someone's life story to trust them.", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "Bai Yue \n\nListening to those around her wasn't Bai yue's thing. Sure she paid attention with a tiny portion of her brain her multiplexed logic handling several tasks at once as she manipulated the air elements to create small will-o-wisps, 30 or more that were so weak they collapsed the moment they struck any of the objects she aimed them at. It was like most things she did when bored training, she had to because as a freak she was easy to spot by the magically inclined if she wasn't actively concealing her presence. \n\"Don't worry too much about it an amusement park of any type it's the real money maker. you see something I'll get it for you\" Bai yue the girl most likely to steal", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy shrugged her shoulders, thinking that all of that sounded very good. But not something she was particularly excited for. The mouse in her pocket suggested she could take a break and have some fun. \"But I have to find my family and….give some payback to those bastards that hurt me…\" Lucy communicated all of this mentally to her rat buddy. Reading the minds of the others, she was mildly disturbed by the images of Bai Yue's mind. Feeling nauseous trying to figure out what she's thinking. She had to quickly jump to the mind of Vincent. Which included him fighting a bunch of people, and weirdly enough dogs that were playing around the battlefield. \n\n\"What have I gotten myself into.\" She thought shaking her head. The people in the truck could prove useful to her mission. \"So why are you guys going to Eureka City?\" She finally asked. From what she had gathered reading their minds, it seems most of them were on the run. With various degrees of magical or superhuman abilities. Although she was not going to reveal more about herself just yet.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "Eli's mind, although a little chaotic sometimes, was usually a semi-happy place. He took pleasure in the little thing, the fun of standing up on the truck as it moved, the wind in his hair, the little nicknames he gave people. At that time, his mind was stuck on the theme parks. Which rides would Vinnie agree to go on? Getting candy floss for Lele and funnelcake with Rey. It was clear most of his thoughts were of his friends, though occasionally there was a flash. An angry, stony face of an older man in a lab coat telling Eli just how disappointed he was.", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" } ]

[ { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\nIs there anything that isn't excessively indulgent? Matilda thought bitterly as she mingled among the riff-raff and out-of-state tourists. Being in a place such as this amusement park, she hoped she could purchase a snack or even a meal but given her high-class grooming, the food looked unappetizing. The items for sale were something out of a cartoon. She underestimated her American culture's affinity for deep-fried foodstuffs. Some of the combinations made her stomach shrink rather than growl in hunger. Surely, there has to be at least one stand to offer something normal? Matilda was willing to pay the vender solid gold for a nice salad or soup. Spotting a popcorn stand, the brunette decided that it would have to compensate. \n\nUpon closer arrival, she noticed the sign dictating the owner's absence except the stand itself was not idle. Someone was already present. A returning crew member perhaps? \n\n\"Excuse me...sir?\" Matilda called out, softly approaching the popcorn stand to get a better look at the person. \"Are you still...open?\" Only then upon closer inspection did she just realizes it was a robbery. She gulped. He might be armed given the number of layers he wore. Being unarmed herself, she pondered how to diffuse the situation. \n\n\"You shouldn't rob them,\" she said, standing firm though anxiously in her steps, \"If you need money, then...follow me. I can lend you money to buy food or toys here. Just not out in the open.\" To prove her point, Matilda snapped her fingers and, like a magician pulling quarters out of ears, a $100 bill appeared between her index and middle finger. \"Come and get it.\" \n\nWith a huff, she turned and walked away towards a place rather secluded, hidden by trees and the shadow of a building.", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nAs Vincent turned of the engine of their truck, Thuly looked around. 'It doesn't look like much', she thought. Still, in the past months prioritizing keeping their head down above finding luxury accommodations had proven it's worth. 'Well, it's not like we're swimming in money anyways!', Thulile sniggered. \n\nVincent got out of the car and Thuly did the same. He made a big show of stretching his limbs. Audrey and Eli joined him and Thuly hid her smirk. She did wonder when she'd lose her youthful flexibility. As she'd experienced, Thulile could sleep on a branch, ride a pony barebacked, perhaps even sit on a bed of nails without ending up with little or big aches and stiffness. 'One of the few perks of being a teenager ', she concluded. \n\nPeering over the stretching trio, the dark curly head looked at the motel sign. It spelled out the name in bright neon letters: UNSET MOTEL. 'That can't be right…', she wondered. Taking a better look, Thuly saw another dark shape in front of the others. \"An S!\", Thuly cried out. Surprising herself, she murmured: \"Sunset Motel. That's it.\" The first neon S must've been broken. Grinning she added: \"I prefer Unset Motel. It fits us better\". \n\nIt seemed Eli and Vincent would be off doing manly car things. That sure wasn't anything Thulile could help them with. Audrey seemed inclined to explore a theme park. Smearing her most lovely smile over her lips, Thuly looked over at Audrey: \"Hey Audrey, wanna go and visit one of those theme parks together?\"\nShe so hoped Audrey would go with her. Thuly sure wasn't planning on going there alone. The image of a horror clown smothering her in cotton candy flashed through her mind. She quickly shook the image from her head. \"Are you with me?\", she asked briskly.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Audrey couldn't help but overhear Eli's comment about upgrading to an RV and to be quite honest, she wouldn't mind it. Vincent most likely would never go for it, yet the thought of more space was ever tempting. The truck had history though, it would be tough to get rid of the old girl after all she brought us through. \"Oh, but the leg room, and the beds\" she thought to herself, it was an that wasn't easily refused. RV or no the truck had them stranded here until Vince and Eli could fix it, so making the best of the current situation was what mattered. Lost in her thoughts, she was quickly snapped back into reality by thulile asking if she would accompany here to the park.\n\n\"Oh, a woman after my own heart\" she jokingly mentioned with a chuckle. \"Let's go thules, let the boys have their fun.\" Strolling over to where thulile was, she draped her arm over the girl's shoulder as they started heading towards the park. \"If I remember correctly, you're owed some cotton candy and a funnel cake\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nVincent thought about Eli's suggestion for a moment. While it was true that their little band had grown some and an RV would be more comfortable, Vincent found the idea of abandoning the truck brought a sour taste to his mouth. With how long he had had it and all the work he put into it, it didn't feel right leaving it behind. Then again, if they could find an RV with a decent kitchenette... \"Let's go ahead and shelve that idea for now,\" he said. His tattoos flashed for a brief moment as he used his power to unlatch the hood 'remotely'. \"We don't wanna draw any attention to ourselves by stealing one if we aren't even ready to leave, right?\"\n\nHe lifted the hood and took a look inside. At first glance, it didn't seem that anything was wrong and he cursed quietly. \"I'm gonna have to go deeper,\" he muttered as he walked back toward the cab and opened the door. He pulled a small toolbox out from under the driver's seat, filled with whatever he couldn't use his powers to make, and returned to the front of the truck. As he waited for the engine to cool, he unhooked the battery and continued looking over what he could see, just in case he had missed something. \"Oh, Eli, mind sticking around for a bit? That gooey stuff of yours makes pretty good lubricant and I see a few spots that could use a touch-up.\"", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\n\"Oh, a woman after my own heart\", Audrey chuckled. \"Let's go thules, let the boys have their fun.\" Then her companion strolled over and draped her arm over Thulile's shoulder. \"If I remember correctly, you're owed some cotton candy and a funnel cake\".\n\nThuly grinned back at Audrey. \"Oui, I can't wait!\" The arm around her shoulders felt so good. It felt warm, it felt like companionship and acceptance. Cautiously Thuly dared to fantasize: 'It feels like friendship…'. Peering sideways at Audrey she found hope fluttering in her heart. Thuly would love to be considered Audrey's friend.\n\nSmiling broadly, she waved at Eli and Vincent. \"See you later, guys. Don't get into any trouble… without us\".\n\nAs the two girls found their way into the amusement park, Thuly's lips kept forming an O of astonishment. Well, that actually starts with an A, but the black haired girl was quite overwhelmed by the rides, crowds, smells and sounds. \"Oh, Audrey! Look at that rollercoaster. It goes, it goes… upside down!\", she yelped out. \"Mon dieu! My god, look at that thing go!\" Thulile acted as if she'd never been to a theme park, like ever. Which of course was the truth.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" } ]

[ { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy was sitting in between two of the females inside the truck. But she didn't really say much. Mostly listening to their conversation, wondering if she could hear some useful information. But mostly they were talking about an amusement park. She had read about places like this but had never been to one herself. She had not been outside of Area 66 ever since she was a baby, so she did not know much about the outside world. A part of her was excited to experience something that would be fun. \"My name is Lucy.\" She spoke in a soft sounding voice. \"What else is in the amusement park?\" She didn't want to sound stupid for not knowing what an amusement park was, So wording her question differently would not make the others think less of her. \n\nReading the minds of the others in the truck, wanting to know what information she could find. But rationalizing it by wanting to know more about them. People in the truck more attuned mentally, could notice Lucy trying to read their minds. The rat in her pocket poked his head out, \"I wonder if they know if this amusement park has any cheese?\" Lucy assured them that the amusement park would have something for him to eat. And hopefully something she could eat. She had not eaten anything since before her escape. \n\nThe thought of her being caught was starting to fill her mind. She would have to fight if these people would try to hand her to the police.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "\"Mmmmm, small animals are more county and state fair territory, but it's possible they might\" She said. Her hometown used to hold county fairs every year. She remembered going to them as a kid and visiting the petting zoos they had. As she finished answering Eli's question , she heard Thuly ask about funnel cakes, what they were and what they tasted like and shot up like a lightning bolt at her question \"you've never had funnel cake, well you are in for a treat\" she said. \n\nBefore they could take off, the band of misfits were gifted with a new passenger. A young girl with an interesting haircut. She seemed of the shy sort as she introduced herself as Lucy and asked about the amusement parks. \"Audrey\" she mentioned with a warm smile \"oh, you know, rides, food, games, and other junk.\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "Vincent\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nVincent barked out a laugh at Eli's playful barb and held his hand out of the window, with which he extended a certain finger in his general direction. He pulled his arm back into the truck then, to Lucy, he grinned and said, \"I'm Vincent. Pretty much the designated mechanic around here.. You could say I've got a way with this old girl. As for funnel cake...\"\n\nHe thought for a moment before continuing, \"It's basically deep-fried ropes of batter, usually with powdered sugar sprinkled on it or whatever else you wanna use. Fairs and theme parks usually keep it pretty simple, though. God, now I could go for some funnel cake with chocolate and strawberries. Not knocking fairground funnel cake, but next time I get a hold of some batter, I'll show you guys what good funnel cake tastes like.\"\n\nAs his mouth watered at the thought of the deep-fried goodness, a song began to play on the radio that Vincent liked, so he turned the volume up a bit higher. He hadn't been traveling with this group very long, having mostly wandered on his own for a little over half of his life, but it was something he had gotten used to by that point. It was nice having people to banter and joke with. More than that, though, it was nice knowing there were people at his back when things got rough. Sure, he didn't know much about any of them and that was fine, given that he had things he'd rather not talk about, himself, and as far as he was concerned, you didn't need to know someone's life story to trust them.", "username": "Daxam", "char_name": "Vincent Ryder" }, { "text": "Bai Yue \n\nListening to those around her wasn't Bai yue's thing. Sure she paid attention with a tiny portion of her brain her multiplexed logic handling several tasks at once as she manipulated the air elements to create small will-o-wisps, 30 or more that were so weak they collapsed the moment they struck any of the objects she aimed them at. It was like most things she did when bored training, she had to because as a freak she was easy to spot by the magically inclined if she wasn't actively concealing her presence. \n\"Don't worry too much about it an amusement park of any type it's the real money maker. you see something I'll get it for you\" Bai yue the girl most likely to steal", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy shrugged her shoulders, thinking that all of that sounded very good. But not something she was particularly excited for. The mouse in her pocket suggested she could take a break and have some fun. \"But I have to find my family and….give some payback to those bastards that hurt me…\" Lucy communicated all of this mentally to her rat buddy. Reading the minds of the others, she was mildly disturbed by the images of Bai Yue's mind. Feeling nauseous trying to figure out what she's thinking. She had to quickly jump to the mind of Vincent. Which included him fighting a bunch of people, and weirdly enough dogs that were playing around the battlefield. \n\n\"What have I gotten myself into.\" She thought shaking her head. The people in the truck could prove useful to her mission. \"So why are you guys going to Eureka City?\" She finally asked. From what she had gathered reading their minds, it seems most of them were on the run. With various degrees of magical or superhuman abilities. Although she was not going to reveal more about herself just yet.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "Eli's mind, although a little chaotic sometimes, was usually a semi-happy place. He took pleasure in the little thing, the fun of standing up on the truck as it moved, the wind in his hair, the little nicknames he gave people. At that time, his mind was stuck on the theme parks. Which rides would Vinnie agree to go on? Getting candy floss for Lele and funnelcake with Rey. It was clear most of his thoughts were of his friends, though occasionally there was a flash. An angry, stony face of an older man in a lab coat telling Eli just how disappointed he was.", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "ASA MIST\n\nAsa sat in the back of the pickup truck, partially slumped over in his seat. He had spent most of the night reading a medical text that Audrey had convinced him to loot from a bookstore in the last town the ragtag group had stopped in. It was a newer edition, meaning it had some updates then the ones he had in University. Unfortunately, Asa had got too much into the text book, and was now paying the price of staying up all night. Asa had fallen into a deep sleep.\n\nThe Water Elemental had been asleep in the truck for the past several hours, snoring softly. Sitting in his lap was his robotic companion TQ-58, better known as Tiku. The small medical assistant bot was in active mode, but was unmoving as he wasn't needed for any medical emergencies currently. Its optics only slightly moved when the truck pulled to the side of the road to pick up a hitchhiker.\n\nDeciding that a potential new companion was important, Tiku turned to the sleeping Asa. Reaching over with a robotic limb, Tiku delivered a weak level shock to the Water Elemental. The brief jolt made Asa immediately open his eyes.\n\n\"What's wrong?\" Asa asked groggily.\n\n\"We have someone new,\" stated Tiku.\n\nAsa turned to the young woman sitting across from him, her platinum hair shimmering in the sunlight coming through the truck window. It wouldn't be the first time they had picked up a hitchhiker in the few months that Asa had been traveling in this van, but the hitchhikers never lasted long. Usually they would jump ship by the next major city.\n\nAsa figured that this woman would be no different as apparently they were headed to Eureka City, at least according to the conversation going on in the front of the vehicle. Asa wasn't really familiar with the city, just knowing that it had a big theme park. The discussion going on around him also seemed to show that the theme park was the point of interest for the gang.\n\nAsa then turned to the hitchhiker, \"I'm Asa. Are you also headed for Eureka City?\"\n\n\"He doesn't know because he was sleeping,\" piped in Tiku, \"I think it was awfully rude.\"\n\nAsa glared at the medical support robot. In the years they had spent together, Tiku had begun to develop a distinct personality, one that wasn't always kind to the Water Elemental. And yet the robot was the closest thing Asa had to a best friend. It was kind of messed up, even to the Water Elemental himself.", "username": "Martian", "char_name": "Asa Mist" }, { "text": "\"Well well, look who's finally awake\" she said \"someone enjoyed themselves last night.\" Giving a smirk that could charm the skin off of a snake, she laid her arm on the side of the truck. \"That book must be pretty interesting, knew you'd like it.\" With the matter of the book, the conversation started with Asa staring at the book like a child at the candy store and her \"convincing\" him to grab it by starting an altercation with a random guy about inappropriate touching. She still felt bad for that one, but anything to help one of her friends. \"Don't worry tiku, he'll have plenty of time to catch up on the long ride there.\" She snidly mentioned with a smile.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" } ]

[ { "text": "Bai Yue\nChecked the place out first as a small bird illusion as she used her control of air to fly above and around the old motel her mind already creating a map as she plotted her later ground reconnaissance. The ground portion accomplished as a fluffy poodle \nBeing seen as a dog was often a mixed bag and today was one of those days as she spotted two of the local feral dogs making a beeline right at her so she ran into culvert and they chased her. What happened inside the .75 meter concrete pipe would be a story the two huge mutts would tell their friends to the end of their days if dogs tell tales.\nThere they were chasing an interloper an had it cornered in the tunnel and as they rushed in snarling they heard a rumbling so deep they felt it in their bones and there before them was the biggest cat they had ever see, so big it nearly filled the tunnel wall to wall. Next it roared a sound that caught perhaps a nearby homeless or if you could call them apartment dweller's attention an as it happened just once they couldn't back up the dogs wild story if dogs tell tells. They roar was at the right frequency to display the bass of so large a creature's chest but it was the hiss that sent both tumbling back as if a invisible hand swatted them adding another strange sound to the local air the two defenders making a hasty retreat.\nA few minutes later the cute poodle continued her patrol her only trouble some creepy guy that kept following her whistling like she was some sort of dog. So she could loose him as soon as she rounded a corners she became a large patch of weeds in lot covered in weeds the poodle crossing the road to a truck with an open door, she made sure the guy saw the dog an truck leave an was pleased he acted as expected.\nFree of her tail she walked into the motel office as Ying Quan a young anthropologist doing a social audit she could bore even perverts to sleep with her dry lesson on life exptency, happiness index, schooling chances and mean grade income being another insult to free men an women mostly women. The old lady she saw behind the desk was sweet to her an asked few questions so Bai yue paid her in real cash she'd picked up in a liquor store a few days past.\nThen she went looking for the others again as a bird only this time as a large raven. \n\n(Let me know if you are curious to rp with me by saying you see the raven)", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" }, { "text": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\n\"Yes, I am going to meet some family members.\" This was a semi-truthful lie, she was hoping to find her family in Eureka City. However she was not going to do anything pleasant with them, she wanted information no matter the cost. And hopefully, from talking to her parents, she could get information on those who experimented on her. She really did not have time to spend time messing around. \"But you could have fun at the amusement park, I think you deserve to have some fun.\" The rat spoke up looking up at Lucy. The girl thought that yes perhaps she should enjoy herself, but her mind was set on revenge. \n\n\"Perhaps but I can't be wasting time by going on rides and the like.\" Arguing her point, but relenting, as she hates disappointing her rat friend. \"I guess I could enjoy one ride, and just ONE.\" Lucy said now petting the rat's head. As the truck stopped, Lucy got out and started taking in her surroundings. This was the first thing she had been to an amusement park in real life, she had mostly seen one in books. Walking over towards a crane game, searching through her pockets for any change. She could not find any loose change. \"Damn.\" Cursing under her breath, she walked away and towards one of the rides. Her eyes looked over at the others, wondering what rides they would be going to. But she easily got her answer by reading their minds.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nEureka City. A tourist trap of rides and greasy carnival food. It smelled like sweat and runny sunscreen where Haylen was, walking through the crowds and lines waiting to get on a ride or two. He had a baseball cap on and a pair of sunglasses over his face, and walked slowly, but steadily. Haylen's eyes flicked from one place to another, looking for the negative spaces; areas that weren't crowded or even being paid attention to, or anywhere that he could slip away behind a door were important right now. This carnival being this packed meant that people would easily miss Haylen in the crowd, but it also meant that the place was full of people who would miss a few dollars in the chaos. But Haylen wasn't about to start snatching wallets, no. He was looking for a place with a cash register behind a wall, somewhere quiet that wasn't getting as much foot traffic.\n\nAs he paced through the carnival, he eventually at one of the stands on the far side from the entrance. A popcorn stand with a sign that said \"On break.\" Perfect. Ensuring that no one was around to notice, Haylen slipped behind the counter and stared into the inner working of the cash register.\n\nIt was child's play to coerce the simple machine into opening up, and he discreetly started pulling money out.", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": null }, { "text": "After what seemed like (and actually was) hours, they had finally arrived in Eureka town. Audrey stricken with stiffness that would make a corpse jealous hopped out of the truck bed and stretched as much as she could. \"Finally, as much as I love driving around in \"luxury\", that flatbed is about as comfortable as a slab of stone\" she said. As far as the sleeping arrangements were concerned, it wouldn't have been her first choice, but Vincent had a point. Unless they wanted to sleep on the streets, this would have to do. \"I guess it's not the WORST place we've stayed\" she commented. \"As long as they have showers\" Audrey caught a whiff of herself while stretching and was offended by the smell. It had been a few days and places to bathe were not exactly in abundance on the road. But for now it was time for some fun and most importantly it was time for some funnel cake", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "The moment the truck stopped, Eli jumped out off the back of the truck and stretched out. \"Oh thank fuck for that! I love that truck but damn it's uncomfy.\" He turned to look at Vinnie. \"If I can find us a good one, wanna trade in the pick up for an RV? Since our little band keeps growing and all?", "username": "Angstyrainbow", "char_name": "Elia Colden but goes by Eli Lovette" }, { "text": "Bai Yue\n\nClothing was her first option after eating, she could of course make whatever she wore look as grand as any or shabby using illusions but her daily arcane exercises were more than expansion of strength but also fine control, preplanning, and local psychology. \nShe'd gotten the way she was from all her years of watching Anime Isekai in which the protagonist knew the importance of exercising their power so Bai yue couldn't fail to apply her lessons. Her scariest lessons were always among large groups of people so the amusement parks and outside venue places she had to visit so as to train her emotional control. \nShe entered the park a sweet young man who later became a plain Jane new hire of the staff stealing one of the uniforms. Sure she might get exposed in some small ways but the park rides, concessions, security, maintenance, and other support staff promised a shift of perhaps 250 - 350 and full staff to cover shifts 600 - 950 people.\nShe was a plain slightly over weight boy named Ming about 17 years old a little acne an glasses after observing the staff outdoor lounge and listening to the employee's bitch. Armed with a broom an rolling bucket walked everywhere in the park emptying bins, sweeping paths, collecting trash off the ground, and mopping the mess made by people with motion sickness. Sure it was a crap job and she wasn't getting paid but she was making money her own way learning the lay of the land, the patrols, and wandering bosses who when they saw Ming didn't ask who he was but gave him orders.\nAs time wore on Ming was discovered to be a good worker that didn't bitch about pay or job so snatched up by one of the higher managers whose job seemed to be handling disasters and bought the answer hired a few days ago an this Ming's first day", "username": "EmiliaBaiYue", "char_name": "Bai Yue (White Moon)" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\nHaylen had managed to get roughly a hundred dollars into his hands before he was caught red handed. A kid, by the looks of it. She didn't seem like much to him, but his human eye flicked up to her like a scavenging animal confronted by a predator. This incident could very well have been an isolated one, since Haylen hadn't blown his cover in the slightest recently. Internally, Haylen was already thinking heavily about what to do, the machine in his mind running through his thoughts at a speed most ordinary humans could not achieve. He was on the far side away from the entrance, so if he had to, he could slip into-\n\nAll of that went out the proverbial window when the girl snapped her fingers to pull out a hundred dollar bill. Magic. There was no sleight involved, she quite literally pulled it out of thin air, and she offered it to him. It read like a trap, but there wasn't much to be taken from this cash register. If Haylen followed, on of two things would happen. Either nothing, or he'd be taken out. It was a risk, but he could handle her, probably. When she walked off, Haylen followed, flexing his grip around something in his jacket pocket tensely. It wasn't a machine he could control, but it would help if she tried to make some sort of move.\n\nFaithful", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": null }, { "text": "With Asa following, that made three. Well, the more, the merrier. The gang made their way into the park and were instantly hit by the smells of the food and the blaring lights and sounds of the rides and other attractions. To be honest, she had never actually been in side of a theme park. Coming from a small to of four to five hundred people, there wasn't much need for one. All they had in her town were carnivals and fairs, so this was something kind of new to her, yet still the same, minus the petting zoos and pig contests. This was actually better than the fairs and there was so much more to do, she didn't know if they could fit it all into one night. Her attention was caught by a ride Thuly excitedly pointed out, the upside down roller-coaster she called it.\n\nBefore she could say anything, her stomach instantly churned at the sight of it. She gagged silently as the coaster flipped directions \"yeah, that's some...ride\" she forced the last word with a second gag as she stood there watching and hid her sickly face from Thuly as best she could. Audrey didn't have motion sickness, but just looking at that machine was enough to give it to her. She prayed this wasn't the first ride Thuly wanted to go on, she would still ride it, but hopefully they could do something else first.\n\nThank goodness they hadn't eaten yet. She couldn't bare the thought of embarrassing herself by showing everyone what she had for dinner. \"What else do you see Thules?\" She tried to steer her excited friend away from the coaster, but, something told her she'd be hugging the trashcan by the ride in a few minutes.", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "THULILE\n\nA shout - \"I'm coming as well!\" - suddenly followed them. Thulile swerved herself and Audrey around. Thuly was relieved and pleased to see Asa running after them. She liked Asa. 'He's nice', she thought, 'and he always smells really good!' Glad to have another partner in crime, Thuly waved at the young man. \"ASAAA… yes do! Come on!\"\n\nAs the bubbly, blue Asa joined Audrey and Thulile, they tried to make a choice. With so many rides and bites surrounding them Thuly felt completely overwhelmed. \n\nBeing in close contact with her own feelings, she sensed that both Audrey and Asa weren't overly enthusiastic to get into a roller coaster. Seeing the thing go upside down, did make Thuly queasy. Then Audrey asked her what else she saw. \n\n\"Maybe we should start with something simple, no?\", she suggested to her companions. \"And after that, some funnel cake!\" Giggling she towed Audrey and Asa to a nearby attraction.", "username": "Ordsmed", "char_name": "Thulile SaintMaurice" }, { "text": "Matilda Armstrong\n\n\"Did you return the money?\" Matilda inquired, half-asking and half demanding as she turned to glare at the stranger. It was her strongest attempt to put on a brave face. \"And can you take off your sunglasses and hat? Security can mistake you for a drug dealer or worse!\" \n\nWith a huff, Matilda held out her hand that still held the $100 bill for Haylen. \"Don't ask how I got I did this and I won't tell the owners of your lackluster attempt of a robbery, understand?\"", "username": "Ever Faithful", "char_name": "Matilda Armstrong" }, { "text": "@Hyyde322 @Martian\n\n Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nLucy didn't seem to notice them discussing where they would be living. At most, she thought they would be living in the truck. While she was hitchhiking, she would be sleeping underneath trees or breaking into cars to sleep in. She seemed more concerned with having a good time. Walking over toward a shooting range, she picked up the gun. Feeling the weight of the BB gun in her hand. Noticing that the ridicule was misaligned, obviously making it easier for the owner to scam people. \n\nShe took into account where she was standing, and the position of the target in front of her. Using mathematics and probability to make the shot. Pulling the trigger, she was able to shoot all of the targets. Picking out the large pink elephant, and hugging it softly before walking away. The man behind the counter was glaring at Lucy. \n\nNoticing Audrey, Asa and Thulie walking around. \"Hello. Look what I won.\" She said proudly showing off the pink elephant she won.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" }, { "text": "\"Whoa, slow down Thuly, the park's not going anywhere.\" Amused by Thulile's enthusiasm, she couldn't help but laugh. Being around her was like having a younger sibling again. \"We'll have plenty of time to do everything\" she gave a second glance at the roller coaster as her stomach soured at the thought. \"Well, mostly everything.\" Before they could reach the attraction the smaller girl was leading the towards, they were greeted by a familiar face.\n\nOne that hadn't been traveling with them long, but was easily recognizable even in a crowd. \"Oh, well, looks like we know who to go when we need prizes, good job Lucy.\"", "username": "Hyyde322", "char_name": "Audrey Robinson" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nOf course he didn't return the money. That would be stupid. \n\nHaylen followed the kid until they got to a secluded place, only to be questioned about the things he wore. She didn't seem much like a government bloodhound, and judging by how she seemed to just materialize money out of thin air, they had something in common. Haylen relented, and pulled the sunglasses off. His right eye was unassuming, a pale green. The left, however, wasn't the kind of thing a human being should have.\n\nWhere Haylen's left eye should have been was nothing more than a pink sphere in the shape of an eye where white should have been. There was something resembling an old surgical scar running horizontally across the strange eye, and Matilda might have felt it was actually watching her like a real eye. \n\n\"You're doing that with magic.\" He said flatly, less of an accusation and more to convey he understood it.", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Faithful @Hyyde322\n\n Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor\n\nThe young girl looked quite excited that someone said that to her. Usually being told a good job would not be a big deal, but she had never had any kind of praise in her life. \"Thank you, Miss Audrey. I was thinking does anyone want to join me on the ferris wheel?\" He said pointing towards the Ferris wheel in the distance. Her stomach was grumbling, she looked down at her rumbling stomach. \"Or maybe I should eat something beforehand.\" Admittedly she has not eaten much since her escape. But she had no money to pay much. \n\n\"Does anyone have any money? I would like to purchase some food. I'll pay you back.\" She asked, her eyes moving over towards Matilda. Already reading her mind, and figuring out what her powers were. She may be oblivious to the world around her, but she was not as dull as she looked.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Lucile \"Lucy\" O'Connor" } ]

[ { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\n\nKazama stretched his arms in his seat as he heard the bell ring. The school day has ended and, contrary to the rest of his schoolmates, he still tried to pay attention to what was happening in the class, even with all these rumors flying around. He had to, after all, it was part of the deal Kazama had with the principal. The school knew of his situation and permitted him to have part-time jobs, as long as his grades didn't fall below the average of the class. It wasn't easy, but as long as he concentrated in class and read his notes every now and again he had managed to do it so far.\n\n\"Today is... cashier at the market, right, I should get going now\" he said to himself. He was about to finish grabbing his notes when a voice behind him interrupted him. \"Hey Kazama, me and the boys are going to the arcade, if you're free come with us! it will be fun!\". Kazama turned around, an apologetic smile already on his face while an automatic response left his mouth: \"I would love that, seriously, but I'm kinda busy right now, maybe another day\" he said and finished packing his stuff in his bag. He appreciated that they keep asking, even if nowadays the invitations started getting more and more scarce. Kazama couldn't blame his classmates for that, and it wasn't his fault either, it was just how things were. \"Have fun guys!\" he finally said, before leaving the classroom.\n\nOut in the hallways, even in the cacophony of voices, it was impossible to miss out on the main topic of conversation. Strange Gospel appeared out of nowhere and managed to become the only thing the students of the city talked about. Kazama thought it would fade out within the first week and another weird thing would take its place, yet after several weeks people still kept gossiping about it. Even he had downloaded it one afternoon, surprised it even worked on his crappy phone. He had to admit, the fact that the video he saw came to pass WAS pretty spooky, concerning even, but after a long day of classes followed by an even longer day of working, he forgot about it. Then the weird videos began to pop up. Then the disappearances started. He wasn't all that scared, he had other stuff to worry about after all, like maintaining his grades and bringing food to the table... but he stopped using most alleys as shortcuts and tried to walk home with his coworkers if he could in the evenings. It was for precaution, he told himself. Nothing more and nothing less.\n \nKazama reached the school entrance and started his walk towards the market. As a result of being wary of walking through the various alleys of the city alone, he had to use a more rapid pace if he wanted to reach his destination in time to confortably change into his uniform. So with that in mind, his walk became a slight jog. He wondered if today was going to be a slow day, and hoped there was a deal in tuna, his mom loved those and they didn't eat fish in some time. Maybe he'll even find money on the ground. \n\nAt the end of the day Kazama was an optimistic at heart,so he was sure all this Strange Gospel business would resolve itself quickly. Maybe it was all a big prank that some guys and gals though it would be funny, who knows, he certainly didn't that's for sure.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "It was a throbbing, unpleasant sound.\n\nThe thudding rhythm not unlike that of a heartbeat. It wasn't exactly heard so much as it was felt, reverberating through each of their bodies.\n\nBut it wasn't their own. It seemed to come from the very air around the, the ground beneath their feet.\n\nAs the sun began to sink lower, drifting further towards the horizon, and the shadows grew longer, something felt strange to them. Unnatural.\n\nIt felt as if they were steadily going out of synch with the world around them.\n\nAnd then they could see it. The entire world froze.\n\nEvery single person around them stopped moving.\n\nThe breeze died.\n\nEvery sound ceased.\n\nThey could still move, but they were seemingly alone in their ability to do so.\n\nAnd then every single person was gone.\n\nThe scenery remained, but it was empty. The sun was gone, as well, an enormous moon seeming to dominate the sky, which was otherwise without a single star.\n\nIf they were to look down, they would discover the ground beneath them was red. Further observation would lead to a far more unpleasant discovery.\n\nThere was blood, everywhere. The concrete beneath their feet was coated in it. Walls, buildings, splatters of what could only be blood adorned most surfaces. It stood out even more against the pitch black of the buildings, who had lost all their identifying features. Even the shadows seemed strange, almost purple on coloration.\n\nThe heartbeat sound had only grown louder.\n\nAnd then it would be hard not to look. Somehow, some way, their eyes would be drawn to it.\n\nA great, looming spire, a jagged shape jutting above all other structures in the city, like a spear thrust towards the moon.\n\nThere was a shuffling, wet sound behind them, and-\n\nThey were back.\n\nAs if nothing had happened, the world was suddenly back to normal. People were still around. There was light and life aside from themselves again.\n\nEven the tower was gone.\n\n@Bartimaeus@hatakekuro@Pitsuji@Psyker Landshark@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "The threat of disappearing? Who heard of it? Certainly not this group of kids who were walking around the city streets after a fun session of karaoke. Kauro was chatting and laughing with his group of friends, talking about latest celebrity news, fads, and gossip. After zoning out like he had done so previously back on campus, he was making a concerted effort to be involved and make sure no one suspected his behavior though his sharp eyes were looking for any sign of the strange figure rumored to be about. Everything felt so normal, and yet he could not shake the feeling that there was something wrong. \n\nThe sound of a heartbeat shook his body, except it wasn't his. It did not feel like it was his. Somehow, it was as if he could feel the heartbeat of the world itself. It was sickening. His very being seemed to scream in repulsion against the violation of nature. \n\nWas it him or were the voices of his friends starting to lag, not matching the movements of their mouth? Were they moving just slower than they typically would? \"Hey, what are you guys...?\" His friends were suddenly still. No, it wasn't just them; it was the world. There was no breeze, no sound, or warmth. There was an unnatural stillness to the world though the only one that could move right now was himself. \n\nKauro looked up to see that the evening sky had been replaced by a blanket of black with only the light of an impossibly large moon to guide his path. He stepped forward to find that the silence was broken by the spatter of a puddle. \n\n\"The heck did I...?\" Looking down, he quickly realized that what he stepped in was not water, but a pool of blood that stained his shoes. The color left his face, and he quickly surveyed his surroundings. Blood painted every corner he could see, and the buildings were dark and featureless, casting strange purple shadows. Were they really buildings or were they just part of the land itself?\n\nThe heartbeat grew louder and louder, beating his eardrums relentlessly. Then, he saw it. The damn thing that stood at the heart of the mystery; that tower piercing into the moonlit abyss. He took a step forward towards it, as if by sheer compulsion when he heard something behind him rushing closer in. Kauro turned back and at that moment, the world turned back to normal. No, it would be more accurate to say that he was back in his own world, or if his theory of Strange Gospel was to be believed, the point of time he was supposed to be in. It was hard to tell.\n\nHe was staring back at the group of friends who were just walking as if nothing had happened. Kauro had fallen behind from the group though it had gone noticed as one of them turned back and said, \"Hey, you good? You look a bit pale.\"\n\nQuick to regain composure, he offered a reassuring smile and said, \"Um, I'm fine. I just remembered that I needed to pick something up from the supermarket. I'll catch you guys later.\" \n\nThey said their goodbyes and Kauro was left standing there, watching them go off into the distance. That charming grin was superseded by one of excitement with an almost crazed look in his eyes. Instead of the heartbeat from before, he could feel his own rise with his ever increase elation.\n\n\"Things have gotten very, very interesting,\" said Kauro with a chuckle. Now he was more determined than ever to solve this case. All that was left was the matter of surviving it.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: N/A Location:Random sidewalk\n\n\n---\n\nChise's casual stroll continued as he made his way towards his usual grocery store. His after-school journey was nothing remarkable, as one might expect from a simple supermarket trip - but Chise wasn't much one for leaving boring things boring. He dotted the trip with small-talk betwixt strangers, a few brief stops for window-shopping, and a number of daydreams about what he might do after he dropped the groceries off at home.\n\nBetween these activities, there was one window in particular that caught Chise's attention. He stepped up to it, his head tilted upwards slightly as he looked at the mannequin on the other side of the store-front glass. The figure was clothed in an eye-catching combination of a darker grunge-esque base and alluring spikes of color and.. spice. His eyes developed a glassy look as he looked up in admiration. His mind was immediately debating going in there and buying the outfit, closing his eyes as he tried to picture what it would look like on him.\n\nAfter a few moments of internal debate, a sensation struck him. His brows furrowed ever-so-slightly as the feeling of a sudden beat echoed through his body.\n\"Well.. that's.. certainly new.\" He reasoned. \"But.. I suppose the heart wants what the heart wants!\" He cheered to himself as the decision was made and his demeanor brightened once again. His eyes opened once more, and shifted over to the door, checking if the 'open' sign was up, even though it most definitely shoul-\n\nAnd that was when he saw.. something. His head swiveled to the left slowly as he turned to see the odd shape out of the corner of his eye.\nIt was a crowd. A crowd of people completely frozen in place. Various states of stride captured as if in a photograph. His mind immediately jumped to some form of street-performer group, but then he looked further. Everything was frozen. Everything except.. him.\n\nHe began to step away from the shop window, and suddenly every single person he had seen was gone. His mind suddenly registered the thrumming heartbeat - the heartbeat that was not his own. Not only that - but it was suddenly darker. The sun gone from the sky - replaced by a vast moon unlike anything he had ever seen before. He stumbled slightly, his hand pulling away from the wall with a concerning wet slickness to it. Chise's eye shifted to his hand as he drew it closer - to find it coated in wet and congealed blood. He turned back to the shop and it was no longer there - replaced by a dull, gray husk of what he had expected.\n\n\"W-Woah..\" He murmured. His mind was racing, completely caught off by all the details he hadn't registered before - something he was very much not used to. His lack of awareness of his immediate surroundings was quickly starting to feel overwhelming as his head swiveled back and forth to allow his eyes and other senses to take it all in.\n\nBut there was one image that caught his eye the most. His gazed shifted to the towering, looming shape of a great spire splitting the sky above all the other structures. His eyes only broke from absorbing its height by the pounding sensation of the heartbeat, interspersed betwixt his thoughts once more.\n\nChise's mind was racing, trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Had he been drugged? Was he.. dead? Where-\n\nHis thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a squelching shuffle behind him. He instantly spun as he leapt away from the source of the noise, his instincts guiding his body to recoil from whatever it was that was there.\n\nBut then he was back.\n\nHe blinked as the brightness of the day suddenly returned, and he stumbled slightly on the spot as he found himself elsewhere once again. He raised his hand to study it -- completely clean. There were a few concerned stares as the people around him watched his confusion. His eyes rose as he noticed the enquiring faces. He quickly assumed an unassuming posture and brushed a strand of hair out of his face as he offered a shaky smile to those around him.\n\nHe was quick to turn and start walking once again toward the supermarket, his shoulders hunched defensively as his mind started to dissect what he had just experienced. It had been a long time since he had been caught so off-guard - and it was, honestly, quite terrifying. He didn't like whatever had just happened - at all.\n\nHe didn't even notice how fast his heart was beating as his journey continued - now though with an unconsciously hasty pace.", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\n\"That would be 2570 yen. Here's your change, I hope you have a good day sir\" Kazama said, as he smiled amicably at the old man. It has been a slow day, with only 5 customers so far. On days like these he liked to review what they did in class, his notebook tucked in a corner of the cashier's desk that couldn't be seen from the front. Of course, even if it was unseen, Kazama still closed it whenever a customer came in, as to not get distracted. He was a firm believer that any task, especially a job, should be done with 100% of your attention, no matter how small. It was a philosophy that had served him well so far, and one that he would continue using in his everyday life.\n\nHe was about to open his notebook again when a sound interrupted him. It was a \"thump-thump\" that started to increase in volume. It felt like a heartbeat, a strange, creeping \"thump-thump\" that seemed to come from his surroundings, entering his body and making him sick to his bones. But the weirdness didn't end there. He could see, from where he was, that a woman was about to enter the market, except she didn't move. It was as if she was frozen in time. Kazama moved from behind the desk and took a few hesitant steps toward the entrance, wondering if a gas leak nearby made him hallucinate what was going on. Once he reached the double doors, he realized it wasn't only the woman who was frozen, but the world itself. The characteristic sounds of machinery or birds had ceased to be. Not even the slightest breeze could be felt. He was about to ask the woman if she was ok when suddenly she disappeared, and with her the light of the sun, an enormous moon in its place. \n\nThe moonlight was the only source of light, but, after seeing the state of his surroundings, Kazama wished for darkness instead. Everywhere he looked, from the walls to the floor to the street signs was bathed with blood and gore. It was surreal, the combination of red, white, and black formed an otherwordly combination, a sight so alien it made his stomach churn. The heartbeat got louder, and he didn't have time to guess it this time it was his own because a structure he could swear wasn't there a moment ago entered his view. It was a tower, if it could be called that, a gigantic spire in the distance that didn't belong to this world and went up and up and up, seemingly without end. He was so entranced by it that he didn't hear the wet thump behind him until he could feel it right on his neck. \n\nKazama looked back, a scream in his mouth when everything stopped. He was back in the normal world. No blood, no moon, and definitely no tower. The woman that was about to enter the market seemed to hear him because she looked at him for a moment before a worried expression crossed her face. \"Oh my, are you ok young man? your face is white\" \n\nThe words broke him from his trance, and he realized what strange sight he was giving. He tried to regain his composure and answered the woman \"Y-yeah, I was just... grabbing some trash from the street, come in madam, we are still open\" he said with a smile and went inside. If he could, he would go to the bathroom to throw up, but he couldn't leave a client unattended, it would look bad for the cameras, so he just gulped down the sickness he felt and tried to get his mind in his work.\n\nBut there was just one thing that couldn't leave his thoughts. Even if what happened just now felt like a fever dream, he could feel, deep inside him, that it was somehow familiar.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "\"I can confirm your report, we recorded the spike in the collective unconsciousness,\" came the immediate response from the man on the other end of the line. Matsuoka Takahiro was considered the 'advisor' for their club, but in reality he was the founder and the reason any of them were there in the first place. Without him, well... \n\nThings would look a lot more grim right now.\n\nTakahiro sighed heavily after a moment, \"Gotoh Yuzu-san, you said? If you can, it'd be the best if you can stay with her. Shiratori-kun just reported that she spotted another student during the transition, and Taniguchi-kun is tracking the signals of at least four more. Do you understand what that means, Nakano-kun?\"\n\nIt didn't need to be said. The fact that they were able to detect the signals of that many people meant that they were in immediate danger.\n\nBut it also meant they'd already found them before they were pulled to the other side.\n\nThat meant this was an unprecedented opportunity to stop anyone from dying tonight.\n\nFor Gotoh Yuzu, even though everything looked normal... Perhaps she would notice it.\n\nThe faintest beating, still lingering in her ears, seeming to come from no-where.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\"Hey, you're Nozaki-kun, right?\"\n\nGiven what he'd just experienced, the sudden voice from behind him was probably not the most welcome experience.\n\nBut if he turned to see who it was, he would be greeted by a somewhat unexpected sight.\n\nThe pigtailed head of Shiratori Naoko leaned into view.\n\n\"You are, right? Nozaki Chise?\" she repeated, taking a step forward. Shiratori Naoko was a relatively popular girl, due to her looks(sometimes referred to as doll-like), her fashion sense, and her fairly diligent and sociable behavior. She wasn't among the top most popular girls in the school, nor did she have a good reputation with everyone(such a thing was impossible even for the most popular student in any school, let alone someone like Shiratori), but it was enough that it would be something of a surprise when she approached a fellow student seemingly at random.\n\n\"It looked like you kind of zoned out, are you okay?\" she asked, cocking her head to one side.\n\nAnd indeed, Chise would feel fine.\n\n... Aside from the distant beating that still seemed to accompany him.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nIndeed, everyone who had just experienced the bizarre otherworldly look into what seemed to be a nightmare realm would still be sensing a strange heatbeat-like sound on the very edge of their hearing.\n\nPerhaps, in their distracted state, they'd find themselves running into one another...\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise no longer mingled or chatted with those he passed by on the street, instead his head and gaze faced forward directly towards where he was walking -- but, said gaze was not focused on anything in particular - he was thinking, hard.\n\nNow, Chise was not an outright denier of the supernatural, but he had never experienced such a thing in his life. And he had never heard of a credible source experiencing anything like it either. There had to be some sort of sensible explanation for what had just happened. As his mind wriggled in anxiousness, trying to make sense of it all, he heard a voice from behind address him. His feet stopped in place instinctively as he realized how fast he had just begun walking. He stutter-stepped to balance himself out as he came to a stop, and turned to meet the face behind the voice, forcing his shoulders to release some of the tension they now held.\n\nHis features softened ever-so-slightly as he saw the speaker, losing some of their seriousness. He wasn't sure who or what he expected it to be, but he was somehow relieved to see that it was just one of his school-mates.\n\nHis face developed a smile which only he might know was partially fake. \"H-Hey there.. Naoko-chan, yeah?\" He responded, his hand rising to brush a bit of hair to the side with a slight nervousness. He had never really talked to the girl, maybe once or twice in passing, but he knew the names of most of his school-mates - something he made sure to do for himself. He steadied himself and tried to allow his body and mind to relax a bit as he continued his response, looking-over the girl and past her, briefly. \"Ahh, yeah, I'm doing fine!\" He ensured. \"I-I was just.. trying to remember my grocery list, haha.\" He tossed a light glance over his shoulder, just before he turned back to her and felt the distant bmp once again. He blinked in surprised, his eyes fluttering a couple times as he realized whatever it was that he saw seemed like it was still.. there, somehow.\n\nHe swallowed. \"Aha.. yep. Anyways, did ya wanna, like, walk or something, or was that all?\" He inquired as he began to take a couple short steps backwards towards his previous destination. \"I'm heading to the grocer's square, so my trip'll be short since it's pretty close.\"", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"Ah, take your time,\" said Kauro. He watched the cashier get his order, completely unaware of the absolute unit that was standing behind him. There was no way that an other worldly force would try to take him away in a public space, but then again time stopped, and he was pulled into another world, so that was probably useless. His thoughts were drifting until he heard someone refer to him by name.\n\nTypically, Kaoru was someone that would be unphased by surprises. He had consumed so much horror media that it had rendered him immune to jump scares. Given the strange and dangerous circumstances, however, he almost seemed to recoil as he turned around to see who exactly it was that knew him. It was just some guy wearing his school's uniform, so that would explain how he knew who Kauro was. After all, Kauro worked quite hard to get his position within the school's hierarchy. \n\nHoly shit this dude was tall. \n\nQuickly recovering, Kauro flashed a charming smile and said, \"It was fine. I don't think we've had the chance to meet before.\" His attention though was brought back to the cashier who had his order ready.\n\n\"Uh, yeah that would be all. Thank you.\" Kauro had the money ready in hand though his perceptive eyes caught the cashier's strange behavior. It was as if he was looking behind him, despite there being nothing behind him.\n\nKauro arched his brow in confusion, standing a bit skewed to see whatever the cashier was looking for. All he could see though were just shelves with cigarettes. \"Hey, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale there,\" asked the redhead. Right now, he had no reason to assume that this guy had any involvement with Strange Gospel. For all he knew, the poor guy just faced harassment from management.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Shiratori briefly seemed to pause a moment when referred to in such a familiar fashion, but she quickly recovered, giving Nozaki a smile of her own.\n\n\"What a coincidence! I'm heading the same way, we can walk together.\"\n\nCertainly, this reaction would just appear to be a friendly attempt to get to know a fellow student, as Shiratori Naoko approached the boy.\n\nBut the timing would certainly feel a little strange, perhaps, if one were to pause and think about it. For someone to approach right out of the blue after something so unusual occurred.\n\nWhile Shiratori was silent for a few moments, when she next spoke, perhaps it would make the truth obvious. Or perhaps it wouldn't.\n\n\"So, um...\" she trailed off for a moment, \"Have you noticed anything strange going on, lately? I know everyone is talking about that Strange Gospel thing, but that can't be true, right? It's not as if that kind of thing can really happen, right?\"\n\nEven as she spoke, she paused for a moment, idly glancing around. It was likely it would appear as a perfectly normal behavior, something any ordinary person might do on a walk.\n\nBut Shiratori was checking to make sure no-one was in earshot before she spoke again.", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\n\"Yes, this is the first time we've talked.\" Yuichi affirmed Kauro's statement. It didn't seem like Kauro was too bothered by him speaking to him. While that was good, it didn't change the fact that the heartbeat was still pounding in his head. In fact, it made him feel worse, since it made Yuichi feel like he was insane for hearing abnormal noises. Thankfully, it would seem that Kauro was going back to talking to the cashier, given Yuichi a small reprief.\n\nLooking off to the side, Yuichi held his head down and pinched the bridge of his nose. \"What's wrong with me,\" Yuichi muttered darkly to himself. The heartbeat seemed to become more prominent with each beat. When was this strange noise going to finally cease? Taking a deep breath; Yuichi counted up his multiples by two and calmed himself.\n\nKauro must have been done with his order. Turning back around, Yuichi noticed the concerned look on his orange hair peer's face. He hadn't caught the last bit of what Hattori said, but by looking at the cashier, Yuichi could get what it was about. The boy, who looked around his age, was pale. If Yuichi wasn't currently undergoing a slow mental breakdown, he would have shown some concern for the cashier. Unfortunately, Yuichi didn't have the mental energy to spare.\n\n'Hattori-kun will probably handle it,' with being a social guy and all, he'd probably be able to calm down the cashier. Maybe even crack a joke or two for a smile. That is what Yuichi thought.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\n\"Hey, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale there\" \n\nWhen he heard that question Kazama wanted nothing more than kick himself, he had let the events that transpired a few minutes ago impact his job. It didn't matter that it was a minor thing, in his mind any and all mistakes were unforgivable, but that just showed how much it affected him, and that damned heartbeat didn't help at all. He could still hear it, thumping and thumping at the back of his head, but he needed to concentrate on the client in front of him first. \"Y-yeah, just had a weird day is all, no need to worry\"] , he said with the best smile he could muster. Kazama noticed Kauro had the money in his hand and was about to extend his own when he paused, and against his better judgment decided to ask his peers in front of him \"Actually, just a quick question if you don't mind, did any of you notice anything weird in the way here? I think a gas line broke up or something, I became a little lightheaded a few minutes ago, saw some weird stuff\" . That was the only logical explication Kazama could think of to explain what he saw and wanted to be sure.\n\nIf there really was a broken gas tube he would need to tell his boss so he could pass it up to the neighborhood association before anything too bad could happen.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" } ]

[ { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise offered a slight smile as Shiratori responded in affirmative. He turned again towards his destination and waited for her to follow along next to him as they started to walk. For a few moments, the company of something normal seemed to ease his nerves a bit. But it did little to quell his mind.\n\nHer next inquiry had the opposite effect, actually. As she spoke, his eyes darted to look at her out of the corner of his vision as they walked.\nWell.. that's surely not a coincidence.. he thought. He made a conscious effort to subtly increase the distance between the two of them by a foot or so as they walked, even as he slowed his pace once again. Surely that was.. how could it have been a prank?? How was this girl tied to what he had just seen? It couldn't have been a coincidence that she just showed up out of the blue..\n\nChise paused before responding, casting a diagnostic glance over her. \"Define strange..\" He said simply, probing her for a response that might reveal more than she was initially letting on.", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "\"Mmm, something a bit out of the ordinary, I guess, like... a vision? Everything getting dark for a bit, that kind of thing,\" Shiratori continued, cocking her head to one side, her pigtails swaying as she spoke, \"It's just I heard about things like that because of that weird strange gospel thing, you know? So I was wondering if you saw anything.\"\n\nShe paused for a moment when her phone buzzed, and she swiftly fished it from her bag to tap out a message.\n\n\"Ah, hold on!\"\n\nive got him. as soon as we find all the others we should report back to hq. plz dont kill anybody.\n\nShe let out a sigh as she put her phone away.\n\n\"Aah, some people really invest in some patience, it'd go a long way,\" she commented, \"Anyway, um, so-\"\n\nHer phone buzzed again, this time with a different tone. Immediately she was fishing it out of her pocket once more.\n\nIt's happening. Sending you the target coordinates now. Report back to HQ immediately when you've found them all.\n\n\"Eh?! Wait, that's...!\"\n\nWhen the coordinates arrived, it at least looked like three of them were all in the same place, but-\n\nShe couldn't complete that though.\n\nThe world stilled.\n\nThe sky darkened.\n\nBlood splattered on the inky black of the nearby buildings.\n\nThe tower loomed in the distance.\n\nIt was earlier then expected this time. It didn't work like this very often, most of the time it waited until nightfall. It must have wanted these people just as badly as they did.\n\n\"... Nozaki-san,\" Shiratori began, turning to face the boy, \"There's not a lot of time to explain, but if you get separated from me then you will die. This isn't a joke. This isn't a laughing matter. This is as serious as serious gets.\"\n\nShe glanced at her phone again.\n\n\"There's some other people trapped here. We're going to get them, and then we're going back to our headquarters.\"\n\nShe wasn't taking no for an answer, taking a step forward and waiting for the boy to follow.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe world had once again descended into darkness. The moon above, almost like the face of a taunting figure looking down upon them. The tower standing above the dark, seemingly-featureless buildings.\n\nBut that wasn't all, this time.\n\nThe heartbeat had reached its full strength again, but now there was another sound.\n\nA slimy, gooey sound, like something wet smacking into the concrete.\n\nAnd it was getting closer. It had to be near to begin with, perhaps located in an alley not too far away.\n\nWhatever it was wasn't far.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAll other humans in the area had disappeared.\n\nThe darkness had risen again.\n\nBut this time, they weren't alone.\n\nThe convenience store itself, in spite of the seemingly featureless nature of the building exteriors in this place, appeared largely unchanged. At least, aside from what seemed to be blood coating the floor and leaking out from inside of refrigerator units.\n\nThe sound of a heartbeat had returned, but this time there was something else. A strange shuffling noise from beyond the store's windows could be heard, though what was making it was impossible to tell.\n\nCertainly, there didn't appear to be any humans out there.\n\n@DarckLeon@AThousandCurses", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nYuichi looked at the cashier and then at Kauro. Back at the cashier and then at Kauro. It took Yuichi a long time to process Kauro's theories and speculation on what was going on. Was the app out to kill them? How was it going to kill them? More importantly, why was it going to kill them?! Kauro's theories and conjectures only added more questions to Yuichi's mind as he couldn't properly understand what the orange hair man was saying. \"Wait, hold on a second.\" Yuichi let go of Kauro's shoulder and held up his hands.\n\n\"I get that the app might have a connection to the recent disappearances late. I understand that all the coincidences are connected, but...\" Yuichi had a frown on his face. \"The proverbial chopping block? Don't you think that's a bit much?\" How the hell was this guy popular again? It took a lot of restraint from Yuichi to fully voice out his thoughts, but he continued. \"Even if it's an alternate future or a parallel dimension, you have no proof for it. I think it'd be best if we'd keep the theories down for now.\" \n\nAh, that's right, he forgot to introduce himself. It was better to know the names of the people who were afflicted by the same plight that he had been under. \"My apologies; I forgot to introduce myself. My name is-\" Yuichi stopped stone cold as he could feel some sort of wave flow through him. The purple-haired boy didn't have to turn around to confirm what had happened. Yet, he still did it out of foolishness. \n\nBlood seemed to leak through the doors of the convenience store. Yuichi took a few steps back and ended up bumping into Kauro, who was right behind him. There was something beyond the windows. Whatever it was, Yuichi wasn't going to find out what. \"Cashier-san.\" In a quiet yet booming voice, Yuichi looked over toward Kazama. \"Where's the back exit?\"", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nHe stood there and listened to Hattori's hypothesis about what was going but the wild theories only served to confuse him even further. Parallel worlds? Seeing the future? Concepts that only existed in manga and anime now were possible answers to the problem they were facing. But... Kazama's previous experience didn't only serve as proof, but it also matched with what the teen in front of him was telling him, and going by the expression on the tall guy's face, the three of them were in a similar situation. \n\nFaced with facts and a solid explanation, or at least more solid than anything he could come up with, he could only nod, taking a few moments to organize the many ideas floating in his head before speaking. \"So, let's say you're right, that this is some kind of parallel world or whatever, then the question becomes just what the hell do we do? My first idea would be going to the police but that's just asking for them to laugh at us or worse, taking us for addicts of some kind\" Or at least that was his line of thought. With no way of actually showing other people what they have seen there was no way, they would believe them. \n\nKazama sighed, a tired, nervous sound leaving his mouth. He had noticed something in Hattori's tirade and he just had to ask. \"And not to change the topic or something, but aren't you a little too carefree when talking about this Hattori-san? We may as well be talking about our possible deaths here...\" Then again, in the face of such excitement? He wasn't sure if that was the correct word, but nevertheless, Hattori's way of speaking helped in soothing his mind a little, at least he wasn't afraid of his own shadow anymore. He was about to introduce himself when the tallest guy in the room decided to speak up, voicing his displeasure at the orangette's wild conjectures. A valid opinion to have in the face of all this that's for sure, but what else did they have aside from theories? \"Well, maybe that's true, but any reason for what's happening is going to be a crazy one anyway\"\n\nSadly for Kazama, his peace of mind wouldn't last for long. It was an imperceptible change, a blink of an eye. One moment everything was alright, but one second was all it took for him to notice something was amiss. The first thing he noticed was the lack of movement outside, once again the street became deserted of all life. Then the blood started to seep from the floor, from the fridge, and even from the ceiling. That damned heartbeat that he finally managed to ignore returned but now it wasn't just a heartbeat. A strange sound came from the outside, unidentifiable to his ears, a shuffling of some kind or something. Even the shadows seemed to move on their own, the alien moonlight illuminating the ambiance a stark reminder that they weren't in the normal world anymore.\n\n\"G-guys what the fuck do we do, there's something out there!\" He said, frantically looking at the store, seemingly looking for something, his eyes never straying from the entrance for too much, afraid of what could step inside. Having found what he was looking for, Kazama rapidly went to one of the nearest aisles, taking the biggest kitchen knife for sale in one hand and a small but sturdy-looking meat tenderizer in the other before going back behind the counter.\n\n\"Q-quick! come here and take one of these, there's also a fire extinguisher behind the counter! Just grab whatever!\" He was clearly panicking, remembering the earlier sensation of being watched, of having something coming from behind. His thoughts were so frantic that he didn't even consider the back exit until after he was asked by the purple-haired boy. \"R-right, there's one on the back, in the storage area. The door's over there\" He said while pointing to their right, a nondescript door with an 'Employees only' sign in it some 5 meters of distance from where they were standing.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" } ]

[ { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nNodding to Kauro's command, Yuichi followed it to a T. Though, Yuichi felt this wasn't to be resolved quietly. If Kauro's insane theories were true, and given the context of the situation, were probably true, then Yuichi doubted this would be the only creature that was roaming out of the streets. \"Cashier-san. Take the meat tenderizer for yourself. I'll figure out something for myself.\" \n\nYuichi doubted he could effectively use the meat tenderizer to its fullest potential, though when the Cashier said something about the fire extinguisher, he nodded. Slowly walking behind the counter, he picked up the fire extinguisher. It was slightly heavy, but Yuichi was accustomed to heavier objects when he was still in training.\n\n\"Cashier-san. Hattori and I will keep watch on the door. Can you take a peak outside to see if there's anything out there too?\" Yuichi suggested to the Cashier. Out of them all, it seemed like the Cashier would have difficulties in his current state. Not that it mattered since whatever was outside could probably murder them in seconds.\n\n\"So what's your theory now, Hattori?\" Yuichi said as he dropped the honorifics. With this situation being as tense as is, he doubted honorifics mattered at the moment. He continued while lowering his voice. \"Do you think the devil's coming back to drag humanity into hell, or is this god's punishment on the populace for not heeding his word?\" A sarcastic tone could be traced in Yuichi's words as he slowly backed up. Though after a few moments, he frowned and looked gloomy. \"Never mind. I shouldn't have said that. Sorry.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Shiratori allowed herself to smile, at least for a moment, before nodding her head.\n\nWith a brief glance at her phone, she took another step forward.\n\n\"Follow me, we're going to meet up with some others who've gotten pulled over to this side,\" she said, \"Stay close!\"\n\nWith that, she broke into a sprint.\n\nEverything looked the same, here. The same inky black buildings. The same strangely red shadows. The same gore-spattered streets. But Shiratori Nozomi knew where she was going. Even if she hadn't had any experience here before, the map provided to her from her phone would have done its job.\n\nShe wasn't at all concerned with finding her way.\n\nRather, it was finding her way with Nozaki in tow and without running into-\n\nA sound like creaking wood came from an alleyway ahead.\n\nThe thing that emerged from it was spindly, shaped something like a child's idea of a spider. The lengthy, joined black limbs ended with five-fingered, grasping hands, currently being used to scuttle across the ground and suspending it in the air above both Nozaki and her own heads.\n\nEach limb connected to a central body, a circular shape with three white masks, each sporting a simple pair of black eyesockets and a thin smile.\n\nWhen it caught sight of them, a lengthy crimson tongue emerged from each of the masks, hanging, twisting in the air below it.\n\nDamn it, in a tight place like this, with someone she had to protect...!\n\n\"Tch...! This way!\"\n\nGrasping Nozaki's hand in her own, Shiratori Nozaki immediately tugged him down the nearest alley, as the creature started to follow after them.\n\n\"Don't look back!\"\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nUnfortunately for both of the girls, it wasn't going to be so easy.\n\nNo sooner then they'd started running then the source of the slimy noise became apparent.\n\nA black, shadowy pool of darkness on the floor, sliding along it, leaving a trail of inky goo in its wake. But it wasn't entirely featureless.\n\nIn its center was a white mask, sporting two empty sockets and a wide smile. It stopped just in front of them, the strange thick fluid that made up its body roiling for a moment before suddenly rising into a black lump, about as tall as a grown man and twice as wide, the mask suspended in its center.\n\nA sound not unlike the giggling of a young child came from it, and the mask twisted upside-down, as numerous black hands rose from its base, suspended on long, thin arms, already reaching, grasping...\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe moment anyone made to peek outside, they would be greeted with what was perhaps a surprising sight.\n\nIt was a boy, a high schooler from the very same school as they were. He wasn't particularly recognizable. Maybe one of them had seen him before, maybe one of them hadn't. But he was most certainly clad in the very same school uniform as they were.\n\nHis gaze was fixed on the sky.\n\nOr more specifically the moon.\n\nHe was shaking. Trembling with terror, backing up as if something was looking at him. His trembling breaths were loud enough to be barely audible from the store.\n\nAnd then he grasped at his face, screaming, shuddering, falling to his knees as his entire body seized, spasming and twitching. Black fluid began to pour from his face, from his eyes, mouth, and nose, splattering onto the ground beneath him.\n\nMoments later, he fell face-first into the pool of inky darkness, and no longer moved.\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nKazama would be the first to admit that his life was very atypical for a teenage boy his age. The fact that he started working when he was 13 certainly stunted his social life, and he didn't have a lot of free time on his hands, but if you were to ask him, he would answer that he was satisfied with his lot in life, could be worse could be better, as they say. The truth was that he wasn't the only guy in existence who had it rough, and he wouldn't be the last. He even had a joyful and pleasant childhood, full of laughs at cheers. It was during this period of time that he got into anime, the 90s and 00s anime to be exact, there was something about the way it was animated that really got him. While nowadays he lost some interest in it, back then he loved it, watching every show he could on the old tv and DVD player in his room. He had his favorites, like Cowboy Bepop -Spike was THE man- and Dragon Ball, but there was one that left quite a mark on him: Neon Genesis Evangelion. Not really an anime a 12-year-old should be watching in his current opinion, yet at that time, as he gazed into the life of one Shinji Ikari and the tragedies that would befall him and the supporting cast, he was enraptured, he even begged his parents to buy him the movie. After watching it, a particular scene stayed in his mind for a while: The Third Impact and its effect on the people. He found it disturbing yet strangely captivating and wondered how would modern technology adapt it to the screen if there was ever a live-action adaptation of Evangelion, God hopes there wasn't.\n\nNow, 5 years later, Kazama got a childhood question of him partially answered, and the result wasn't pretty. The sheer fear in the student's eyes quickly got replaced by intense pain. The gruesomeness of the process that he experienced and the last look he and Kazama shared. This was a moment that would stay with him until the day he died, he was sure of it, and, if he knew he would see this, would have done anything to not be the one who had to go take a peek outside. He slowly closed the door and walked back to the cashier's desk, his movements erratic. Once he reached the two guys who were there he said \"There was someone outside. a student of our school, and he... black stuff started to come out of his mouth and eyes and he... he's dead\" he finally got out, his face ashen white.\n\nTo say Kazama was shaken would be a severe understatement, he was traumatized. Never before had he experienced such a sight in real life, not even when a guy broke his arm in a construction zone he was working with. \n\nAll his previous nervousness seemed to have left him, only a cold, almost robotic indifference permeated his movements as he reached for a key next to the cash register. \"This is the key for that door, if we got out we shouldn't look to the moon, that guy did that and... that happened\" He left the decision in the hands of his peers, he was too tired for that.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location: In the Gospel??\n\n\n---\n\nChise was quick to follow Shiratori's steps as they hurried towards their mystery destination.\n\nIt was instinctually that he started sprinting after her as she did, meanwhile his brain was back to thinking. \"Others who've gotten pulled over to this side,\" She said. Okay, now it really was starting to sound like some spooky manga. He spared a moment to look away from their surroundings to have a glimpse at her -- she seemed determined. The glances down towards her phone made it seem as if she didn't really know where they were going - maybe she was reading a map or something - but, she seemed confident in her path, nonetheless.\n\nHe took his eyes off her, again trying to examine their surroundings as they sprinted through the streets - not that there was much detail to examine. All the buildings were once again shaded out, and everything was thickly layered with blood. The smell was.. foul, but Chise tried not to breathe too deeply. His mind began to wonder as to the source of this blood just before the duo was halted by an ominous, creaking sound.\n\nChise's eyes almost glazed over at what emerged before them. A scarily tall, gangling creature that looked like it came straight out of a nightmare. Its dark, elongated hands scrabbling across the blood-spattered cement as it eerily crawled out of the alley. Chise's legs suddenly felt numb. As he look at the creature in disbelief, it managed to spot them, and three long, grotesque tongues slithered out of each of the baleful masks that adorned its body.\n\n\"H-Holy cra-\" Before he could even finish, Shiratori grasped his hand and tugged him away as they sprinted down a nearby alley. Every instinct pulled Chise to turn and look back, but also to run away as fast as he could. He turned up the pace and started sprinting even harder as he heard the terrifying sounds of the creature following them, his strides shortening but quickening. He was no stranger to sprints or runs - he enjoyed them, even. But running for your life was a different feeling altogether. His eyes glanced to his side at Shiratori and he raised a question between leadened breaths. \"What is that thing???\"", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" } ]

[ { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"From divine floods to this? God really decided to step up his game then,\" said Kauro with a chuckle at the mocking theories though he did not take it personally. How could he? Everything was completely absurd, and death was around every corner and behind every closed door. If it were not for the fact that doing so would attract whatever the hell was outside to them, Kauro would have busted his gut laughing at how preposterous it all was. Seriously, him and two other guys after figuring out they were experiencing the strange phenomena as him were pulled into a hellscape that looked like the flipside of their world. Everything about that should terrify him and yet, the ever-looming threat of death found no hold on him. He still had that same grin on his face.\n\nKauro patted the tall boy's back and said, \"Don't worry about it. Just focus on surviving.\" It was all they could do given the situation. \n\nThey waited while the cashier offered to take a peek outside the building followed by a shrill screaming that did not come from him. It came from outside though it did not overstay its welcome. They were not the only ones that were pulled into the world after all. It would have been foolish to think that it was the case. What was surprising, however, was that it was another student from that was a victim. In a city as large as theirs, filled with so many people what were the odds that it was another student from their school to be pulled into this world too? No, what were the odds that it was just that kid and them to be pulled from their world into this blood-soaked hell in the general vicinity? It was a statistical anomaly.\n\nKauro knew that his school was facing a disproportionate amount of missing people cases because of Strange Gospel, but thought at the very least that there had to be victims outside of the school that were under reported. It would have been odd if that was not the case, but that may have very well been the case. So why target Yamamura High School students? There were too many missing puzzle pieces. They had no way of solving the mystery if they hid themselves away. No, they couldn't hide anyway.\n\n\"There's no way we could barricade the entire store by ourselves; they're too many points of entry for us to cover and too few of us to stand guard. I don't know what's out there, but if we're cornered in here then we're dead.\" They were in a store. There were many windows, air ventilation, and of course doorways that any unsavory creature could use to force their way inside. If anything, they would have been trapped with it.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Well, Kauro had a sense of humor. The words of jest helped Yuichi lighten up in the bizarre situation where death was an evident possibility. It was still beyond him how Kauro was still calm, but it was probably best if one of them stayed level-headed. The Cashier and himself weren't doing too well, seeing as they were sweating enough to fill buckets. Moreso, the Cashier rather than himself. It seemed like the Cashier was taking this worse than him. Maybe because he was stressed out from working at his part-time job? Yuichi had a few friends that often complained about customers at their workplace.\n\n\"Hmmm,\" Yuichi grunted at Kauro's reassurance. He could agree with Kauro on that sentiment.\n\nA high pitch scream came from outside of the store. Yuichi's eyes darted toward the sound, and he raised his arm in preparation to throw the object at whatever was coming at them. Fortunately, it seems that wasn't the case. Unfortunately, a student splatted right in front of them. Yuichi paled at the sight of the now corpse. This student came from the same school as them judging by his uniform. Did that mean that they were going to end up like that as well?\n\nThe Cashier's voice snapped him out of his shock. He seemingly shared the same sentiment as well. \"It'll be alright. We'll get out of this alive.\" Yuichi said with the strongest voice he could. The taller male placed his hand on the Cashier's shoulder to reassure him, just like Kauro had done to him earlier. They would get out of this. Dying wasn't an option.\n\n\"Then we either say here or leave.\" Either option didn't sound too entirely great. The Cashier at least had a key for the store, but the convenience store didn't have too many places to hide without any windows. \"Then we should move, shouldn't we?\" Yuichi finally stated after a moment of contemplation. \"We don't know if there's anyone else who will come to help us or if this will all end eventually.\" Then Yuichi brought up his phone. \"Maybe the app will help us? If it brought us here, maybe we can try to find a way to make it bring us back.\"", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "\"All you need to know right now is it's a monster!\" asserted Nozomi, immediately. On the run, there really wasn't any time to explain anything involved. Right now she had to try and get to the others as fast as possible. At the moment they didn't have anyone to spare, so the people at the convenience store were in even more danger then Nozaki was.\n\nHopefully they'd at least stay hidden.\n\nThey weren't that far, either. Just a little bit more, and they'd not only be there but also in a far more open area.\n\nShe could still hear that thing crawling behind them, its limbs scraping up against the sides of the alley.\n\nThere! The alleyway opened up there! Now-\n\nAnother set of lengthy limbs crawled into view from around the corner, the pale masks swinging into vision as a second of the spider-like creatures emerged, crimson tongues hanging from the white masks.\n\n\"... I guess this is it, huh?\"\n\nNozomi took a deep breath, reaching into her bag.\n\n\"I can do this. I've got this. I can do it.\"\n\nFrom it, she pulled something that almost looked like a boxcutter, if one wasn't to look very closely at it.\n\n\"You can do it, Nozomi,\" she said to herself, again, \"You can do this. This time nothing's here to stop you.\"\n\nShe extended her right arm, spun the object around, and brought it down into her wrist. She winced, gritting her teeth as the object seemingly penetrated her skin and bit deep.\n\nBut there was no blood.\n\n\"Hecate!\"\n\nEven paying close attention, what happened next was difficult to understand. Suddenly, as if assembled from mist, a figure seemed to construct itself from thin air, floating behind Nozomi. As the dark matter that seemed to build it from nothingness faded and took on colors, a strange shape was revealed.\n\nIt resembled a young, slender girl, though in actual size it was larger then Nozomi herself. It was mostly silver, its body clad in what appeared to be a minidress of similar color to was as most likely its skin. Its arms were unattached to its body, instead floating at its sides in the form of two long, flat, ribbon-like structures hanging from a pair of spheres. Its head was mostly human-shaped, proportioned much like that of a young girl's with suitably youthful features, but its eyes were pure, bright blue. Lengthy silver hair poured down its back, past its hips, and it wore a large hat with two points projecting from the sides. Each point was adorned with a gold medallion shaped like an odd wheel.\n\nIts ribbon-like arms raised immediately, twisting around one another and gathering light between them, which quickly coalesced into a sphere of white. From the mist pouring off of it, it was evidently quite cold, and before the first of the monsters could draw closer it was sent hurtling towards it, careening into it head-on and slamming into one of the masks. A shard of porcelain(or at least what appeared to be porcelain) was sent spiraling into the air as the creature was knocked over entirely, trailing black ooze as it hit the ground.\n\nWithout pausing, Hecate spun, wrapping one of its ribbon-arms around the other spider creature's leg and swiftly upending it, tipping it onto its back and making room for their escape.\n\n\"Let's go!\"\n\nWithout pausing to explain what had just happened, Nozomi was already dragging the boy along, the drifting form of the entity she had summoned following behind them.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nResistance had been the las thing the oozing, masked creature expected. Especially no this powerfully.\n\nIt wobbled, reeling black, spewing black fluids as Belial's claws tore through its body, spattering oil-like liquid onto the ground. Several of its flailing limbs were severed, spiraling off and melting as they flew, splattering onto the dark backdrop and dripping down to meet the blood already staining the ground.\n\nThe blow to its side rocked through its entire body, as well, shredding through its goo-like flesh and causing it to writhe more intensely.\n\nIt was something like a dying worm, now.\n\nBut it wasn't done yet, as more arms rose from its back, grasping at the demon-like Echo and reaching for its summoner.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAs the boys spoke amongst themselves, trying to figure out how to escape from this dire situation, they likely didn't notice what was happening to the body outside.\n\nHe was sinking deeper into the black puddle. More and more of his body was breaking down. First it had been his mind, almost certainly the reason for the black liquid that poured from his eyes and nose. But now his entire body was melting, liquifying, turning into more and more of that black ooze.\n\nAnd it was starting to move.\n\nAs the body completely liquified, something rose from it.\n\nIt had a feminine shape, hourglass-like, its head adorned with a simplistic white mask portraying a distressed expression. From its head, the hair it appeared to possess ended into small, grasping hands.\n\nOne of these hands reached around, seeming to plunge into the creature's torso, before drawing out a spike of silvery metal.\n\nThen it drew it back...\n\nAnd hurled it towards the convenience store window.\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\nHe felt this sensation before, a dread creeping down his spine. It was bloodlust, the intention to kill whatever came across its path. Kauro turned around a split second before the window shattered to see what he could only describe as feminine humanoid creature standing where the dead body was previously. The next thing he knew, glass shrapnel flew towards them, and the tall boy pushed him out of the way before he started hosing the creature down with the fire extinguisher. \n\nKauro did not put up any argument with the tall boy's command. He followed the cashier who opened the backdoor to back alley with the tall boy soon to follow. The door was locked, but it did not take a genius to realize that the door was never going to hold the monster inside. In fact, in anticipation of a metal spike piercing through the door, Kauro grabbed the boys' arms and pulled them away before they were possibly skewered.\n\n\"Just shut up and run!\" He shouted not out of panic, but to get it through the cashier's head that there was no time to plan.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\n\n---\n\n\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location: In the Gospel??\n\n\n---\n\nThe vagueness of Nozomi's answer did little to quell Chise's concern, but it was understandable that she felt it wasn't the best time to explain - especially considering how intent the creature seemed on chasing them. To him though, there was no telling how close they were to their destination, or what it even really was. He was left only completely in the dark.\n\nAnd soon things would seem to take a turn for the worse as another one of the spindly, spider creatures crawled itself into view - this time blocking their path.\n\nShit.\n\nChise immediately looked around for anything that could help them in their escape. Maybe there was a fire escape they could escape up into? Or a at least a lead pipe or something they could use to somehow defend themselves?? His eyes darted around them, but there was nothing. They were defenseless.\n\nChise watched hopelessly as the things crawled closer to them, Nozomi muttering something to herself as she briefly rummaged through her bag. The boy watched on as he waited for the creatures to come closer and- wait, what was Nozomi-\n\nChise winced as he watched the girl bring some bladed object down, jabbing into her wrist.\n\n\"N-Nozomi!?\" Was all he had time to say before her efforts took effect. She shouted out and what happened next was beyond even Chise's ability to reason. A figure assembled itself there, behind her - from nothing. A girl clad in silver was suddenly amongst them, an air of supernaturality accompanying it as it floated before them. He instinctively went to step backwards, as it appeared so close to him, but part of his brain stopped him from getting any closer to the beast that was approaching from behind.\n\nAnd there was hardly time to examine the girl before it made its move. Its limbs - which were more ribbon than limb - rose and conjured an orb of light, which was launched towards the spider which blocked their path, smashing into it and sending it off its feet into a patch of its own goop. The silver girl then spun and dealt with the other spider in equally impressive fashion, sending it sprawling off its feet as well, this time by hand.\n\nChise barely had time to marvel before Nozomi was tugging him away once again. He allowed himself to be led as his feet started to pick up pace again into a run, his head swiveling around to see the silver girl begin following them.\n\nWhat had Nozomi said..? Hecate? Chise recognized the name as that of a Greek Goddess.. but.. he was ultimately so lost as to what had just happened. He turned his head back to Nozomi, looking over her as he followed, though this time as if she were different somehow. But he kept silent, seeing as their was little time to explain. His raving thoughts were kept to himself.\n\nWhat is going on here..??\n\nUltimately, he tried to shake the confusion from his head and keep his head in the game. His eyes were then sent to their surroundings, searching for any other monsters that could jump out at them at a moment's notice.", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "With Hecate trailing along behind her, the shape of the Echo peering over her shoulder briefly, Nozomi pulled the boy along, sprinting as quickly as she could manage. The sooner they reached the others, the sooner they could destroy all their attackers and escape. Not that Nozomi was lacking in confidence in Hecate, now that she'd managed to call her, but two Echoes would be far better then just one, and to be able to protect the others together would be far better then any other option.\n\nShe just had to make it.\n\nShe just had to-\n\nSuddenly, a shadow fell over them. Hecate immediately moved to shield her, raising and interweaving her ribbon-like arms to form a barrier, but her body simply wasn't large enough.\n\nThe spiderlike shape of another of the masked creatures was descending.\n\nGroping hands reaching.\n\nFalling straight towards Nozaki.\n\n\"No, you...!\"\n\nAnd then...\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe wall itself rippled beside them, and a dozen arms erupted from the darkness, a white mask at their center. All of them were reaching for Yuzu, surging towards her, to surround her. To crush her.\n\nAnd then...\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAs they exited the building, an inky black shape coated in maskes was just there. Each mask stretched out, red tongues emerging from their smiling maws and lashing towards the three boys. Behind them was the feminine creature. Before them was this monstrosity.\n\nAnd then...\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nA sea of white stood before them.\n\nAbove was darkness, filled with the twinkling lights of stars. Below of the featureless white held what seemed to be nothing at all.\n\nOr rather almost nothing.\n\nA single figure sat upon a velvet red chair.\n\nOn first glance, it appeared to be a slender young girl, wearing a frilly black dress, with lengthy white hair matching the pale shade of her skin.. But closer inspection revealed unusual details. The joints in her fingers. Her legs. Her bare feet. She was like some manner of life-sized doll, clutching a teddy bear with a strange scratched-out face on her lap.\n\nWhen she seemed to see them, her lips parted into a smile, as she tilted her head to the side. Her movement came with a clicking, jingling sound, almost like one would expect from a music box being wound.\n\n\"Ah, you're about to die, aren't you?\" she asked. It was a nonchalant, playful tone, spoken in the voice of a little girl, \"That's a shame, I suppose, but it can't be helped~\"\n\nThe little doll girl giggled playfully, as if the news that they were about to die was something to find amusing rather then horrific.\n\n\"It's just too bad, isn't it? You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. You looked at something that looked right back. Those ones didn't even get a chance, you know.\"\n\nWhatever she meant by 'those ones' was left unsaid.\n\nHer blue eyes seemed almost luminescent.\n\n\"Unless... there is something you can do, isn't there~? Two of you already know what I mean, I'm sure~!\"\n\nShe giggled again, holding her bear tightly to her chest.\n\n\"I think you can do it now. It's deep inside you, you'll have to pull it up. You don't have ones like they do, so it's going to hurt. You're going to cry. You're going scream your heart out. But everyone does sometimes, don't they? It's okay sometimes, isn't it? To let everything out, no matter how much it hurts?\"\n\nShe leaned forward, lightly kicking her feet.\n\n\"That's what you'll do, right?\"\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon@Pitsuji@Bartimaeus", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "She was there every night.\n\nEvery night, on those same streets.\n\nIt was the only choice she had.\n\nThey swarmed after her, sensing her very existence and converging on it, practically tasting her presence on the air. It would be far worse for anyone else caught here.\n\nShe killed them.\n\nAgain and again and again. The roar of gunfire, her limbs piercing inky blackness to be greeted with spurts of red blood. It splattered all over her, pouring down her body, pooling around her feet. Sometimes, she would end the night utterly coated in it, leaving crimson prints in her wake.\n\nAnd yet it was a failure. Every night was a failure. Simply killing them wasn't what it took.\n\nShe had to make it inside. She had to.\n\nIt was the reason she existed. The point to her entire being. Without it, there was simply no reason for her to be.\n\nEven if her body broke down, crumbled into nothing. Even if she could barely function. She had to keep trying. She had to break through. She had to.\n\nShe was coated in blood again.\n\nThe morning light had come.\n\nShe'd failed.\n\nTonight, she'd try again.\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe bell rang. The day was heading towards its end.\n\nThe halls were filled with students. Many of them were nervous. The main topic of conversation was Strange Gospel. It wasn't hard to see why. The news of the disturbing imagery that the rumored Strange Gospel had displayed was impossible to escape from, and now that people who had used the app had begun to disappear... well, needless to say, there were a lot of people who were scared. Was there a connection? Had someone been using the app, or website, or whatever it was to track its users and do something terrible? Was the Strange Gospel somehow behind it?! Was there something occult afoot? These possibilities swirled through conversation endlessly. Students were clinging to various theories. Some even thought it might be some kind of 'end of the world' scenario.\n\nA lot of the idle chat seemed to have been absorbed by Strange Gospel.\n\nOf course, that wasn't the only topic on everyone's mind as students steadily began to filter out of the school after classes and club meetings had concluded. Relationships, television shows, music, various other rumors... one particularly strange one pertained to a weird figure that had been sighted in town. Apparently, they tended to vanish and reappear at random, never seeming to interact with anyone and only visible just before the sun vanished for the night.\n\nAs the flow of students headed away from the school, some of them, those who had seen the darkness within Strange Gospel, may just find themselves running into one another...\n\nOne way or another, something would change their world tonight.\n\n@Bartimaeus@hatakekuro@Pitsuji@Psyker Landshark@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nFinally. Class and club were over for the day. Nagi sighed in relief as she finished helping the other members of the cooking club tidy up the clubroom before taking their aprons off and starting to file out. What a pain in the ass. As much as she liked what she did here, the other members being mildly intimidated by her was really starting to get old. At this rate, she might have to see about doing another study abroad for her senior year, like she did in middle school. At least overseas, no one knew or even cared that she was a yakuza boss's kid. Of course, that depended on if her current situation changed or not.\n\n\"Fuckin' a.\" Nagi muttered under her breath as she strode through the hallways, pulling her phone out. Huh. No orders yet, or even a missed call. Weird. Usually, her new bosses would've had something for her by the end of the day. Within her, Belial stirred slightly as Nagi palmed the Awakening Drive she kept tucked in her uniform blazer's pocket. At this point, it was force of habit. \n\nStill, if she wasn't needed yet, Nagi supposed she might as well go home. She still had to cook four meals' worth of food as usual: dinners and lunches for both herself and her old man. Not that they'd get to enjoy a family meal if things kept going on as they were. The government had been cracking down ever harder on the yakuza, and her dad and the rest of the clan were stretched thin trying to make ends meet under the new laws. Not that Nagi begrudged him that. She knew the score. Didn't make it suck any less, though. \n\n\"Let's see...\" She murmured as she strode through the school halls toward the entrance. \"What to make? Wait, did I run out of salt? Motherfucker.\" Guess a trip to the grocery store was in order as soon as she was free of the campus.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" } ]

[ { "text": "The threat of disappearing? Who heard of it? Certainly not this group of kids who were walking around the city streets after a fun session of karaoke. Kauro was chatting and laughing with his group of friends, talking about latest celebrity news, fads, and gossip. After zoning out like he had done so previously back on campus, he was making a concerted effort to be involved and make sure no one suspected his behavior though his sharp eyes were looking for any sign of the strange figure rumored to be about. Everything felt so normal, and yet he could not shake the feeling that there was something wrong. \n\nThe sound of a heartbeat shook his body, except it wasn't his. It did not feel like it was his. Somehow, it was as if he could feel the heartbeat of the world itself. It was sickening. His very being seemed to scream in repulsion against the violation of nature. \n\nWas it him or were the voices of his friends starting to lag, not matching the movements of their mouth? Were they moving just slower than they typically would? \"Hey, what are you guys...?\" His friends were suddenly still. No, it wasn't just them; it was the world. There was no breeze, no sound, or warmth. There was an unnatural stillness to the world though the only one that could move right now was himself. \n\nKauro looked up to see that the evening sky had been replaced by a blanket of black with only the light of an impossibly large moon to guide his path. He stepped forward to find that the silence was broken by the spatter of a puddle. \n\n\"The heck did I...?\" Looking down, he quickly realized that what he stepped in was not water, but a pool of blood that stained his shoes. The color left his face, and he quickly surveyed his surroundings. Blood painted every corner he could see, and the buildings were dark and featureless, casting strange purple shadows. Were they really buildings or were they just part of the land itself?\n\nThe heartbeat grew louder and louder, beating his eardrums relentlessly. Then, he saw it. The damn thing that stood at the heart of the mystery; that tower piercing into the moonlit abyss. He took a step forward towards it, as if by sheer compulsion when he heard something behind him rushing closer in. Kauro turned back and at that moment, the world turned back to normal. No, it would be more accurate to say that he was back in his own world, or if his theory of Strange Gospel was to be believed, the point of time he was supposed to be in. It was hard to tell.\n\nHe was staring back at the group of friends who were just walking as if nothing had happened. Kauro had fallen behind from the group though it had gone noticed as one of them turned back and said, \"Hey, you good? You look a bit pale.\"\n\nQuick to regain composure, he offered a reassuring smile and said, \"Um, I'm fine. I just remembered that I needed to pick something up from the supermarket. I'll catch you guys later.\" \n\nThey said their goodbyes and Kauro was left standing there, watching them go off into the distance. That charming grin was superseded by one of excitement with an almost crazed look in his eyes. Instead of the heartbeat from before, he could feel his own rise with his ever increase elation.\n\n\"Things have gotten very, very interesting,\" said Kauro with a chuckle. Now he was more determined than ever to solve this case. All that was left was the matter of surviving it.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nAh, shit. It was happening again. Just like it did the night she was first pulled in. Great. That meant Strange Gospel was about to grab more poor suckers. She'd have to call this in once it passed. Hopefully, they'd found more candidates by now. She wasn't exactly a recruiter herself, and her reputation did her no favors in getting people to give her the time of day. Nagi sighed as she glanced around while the endless night was still active. It was always so eerie to see herself alone in the streets-\n\nWait, what the fuck? \n\nAs reality asserted itself once more, Nagi peered suspiciously at the light-haired girl a few paces from her, also seeming to be on her way to the grocery store. The Yakuza princess was almost certain she'd seen her for an instant when the night passed, and now here she was, looking for all the world like something had just happened. Judging by the fact that no one else around seemed to be reacting aversely, Nagi was sure she'd finally found one. Now, who was this exactly...? Oh, right. Wasn't this the school genius? Kind of a bitch, if rumors and scuttlebutt were to be believed. Although she wasn't one to talk.\n\nRegardless, Nagi fished her burner phone out while deliberately keeping her gaze on Gotoh Yuzu. She hit a number on speed dial and held the phone up to her ear, starting to walk towards the other girl. Once the other end picked up, Nagi began to speak even as she approached.\n\n\"Boss? Think I found one. Pretty sure she was reacting during the shift.\" Nagi paused, as if realizing she'd forgotten something. \"By the way, there was a shift just now if you didn't notice. It's probably gonna go down tonight. Anyways, mind giving the onboarding speech? We both know I'm no good at this shit.\" \n\nNagi sidled up next to Yuzu, offering the burner phone. \n\n\"Look, I'm sure you've got questions, but save 'em for the guy on the other end. I can't be bothered with this crap. No, this ain't a cult and you're not being targeted. You just had the luck of being next to someone who knows what's going on when it happened. Now take the fucking phone.\"", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nYuzu hummed as she tapped away at her phone, though now she was barely looking at anything else, her thoughts were mostly drawn to what that odd video could possibly entail. So what if she was becoming impatient with it, it wasn't exactly an every day occurrence now was it? And also, what was that noise just now? \n\nYuzu dared to look up boredly, and what she saw felt like hell. \n\n\"H-huh.\" She mumbled, looking around at the people frozen in place, 'W-what...?\" And then down to where she was stepping in puddles of dark red blood. \"W-what!? What what what what!?\" \n\nYuzu's heartbeat raced but not over the beating sound that seemed to be coming from all over, and then, then something came up from behind her and-! \n\nYuzu squealed in terror, in advertently tossing her phone up into the air, which let her see that things had suddenly decided to turn back to normal. Oh, good, but now she had more pressing matters. \"M-my phone!\" She squealed again, smacking, grabbing, and swinging at the air and her phone until finally it was safely back into her hands. She sighed, okay, so. Maybe she just...imagined all that? \n\nJust as Yuzu was gonna be on her way, the Yakuza bitch decided to start talking to her. \"W-what? The fuck are you talking about? You just sound like someone whos targetting someone!\" She griped, frowning deeply and taking a step back, feelings of confusion giving way to some fear as the girl talked to her about...whatever that just was? She looked uneasily from the phone to the yakuza bitch (she earnestly forgot her name) and clutched onto her bag, \"Why should I? The hell is that even gonna do.\" \n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" } ]

[ { "text": "\"I can confirm your report, we recorded the spike in the collective unconsciousness,\" came the immediate response from the man on the other end of the line. Matsuoka Takahiro was considered the 'advisor' for their club, but in reality he was the founder and the reason any of them were there in the first place. Without him, well... \n\nThings would look a lot more grim right now.\n\nTakahiro sighed heavily after a moment, \"Gotoh Yuzu-san, you said? If you can, it'd be the best if you can stay with her. Shiratori-kun just reported that she spotted another student during the transition, and Taniguchi-kun is tracking the signals of at least four more. Do you understand what that means, Nakano-kun?\"\n\nIt didn't need to be said. The fact that they were able to detect the signals of that many people meant that they were in immediate danger.\n\nBut it also meant they'd already found them before they were pulled to the other side.\n\nThat meant this was an unprecedented opportunity to stop anyone from dying tonight.\n\nFor Gotoh Yuzu, even though everything looked normal... Perhaps she would notice it.\n\nThe faintest beating, still lingering in her ears, seeming to come from no-where.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\"Hey, you're Nozaki-kun, right?\"\n\nGiven what he'd just experienced, the sudden voice from behind him was probably not the most welcome experience.\n\nBut if he turned to see who it was, he would be greeted by a somewhat unexpected sight.\n\nThe pigtailed head of Shiratori Naoko leaned into view.\n\n\"You are, right? Nozaki Chise?\" she repeated, taking a step forward. Shiratori Naoko was a relatively popular girl, due to her looks(sometimes referred to as doll-like), her fashion sense, and her fairly diligent and sociable behavior. She wasn't among the top most popular girls in the school, nor did she have a good reputation with everyone(such a thing was impossible even for the most popular student in any school, let alone someone like Shiratori), but it was enough that it would be something of a surprise when she approached a fellow student seemingly at random.\n\n\"It looked like you kind of zoned out, are you okay?\" she asked, cocking her head to one side.\n\nAnd indeed, Chise would feel fine.\n\n... Aside from the distant beating that still seemed to accompany him.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nIndeed, everyone who had just experienced the bizarre otherworldly look into what seemed to be a nightmare realm would still be sensing a strange heatbeat-like sound on the very edge of their hearing.\n\nPerhaps, in their distracted state, they'd find themselves running into one another...\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nNagi had kept the conversation on speaker phone from the moment Matsuoka mentioned Yuzu's name. She groaned quietly to herself as the man's response, resigning herself to her new task. Sure, it wasn't like there was much of a choice, considering she was one of the only active field agents they had at the moment. But it was still a huge pain in the ass to track down a bunch of students she barely knew, never mind having to convince the one next to her to follow along as she did so. Plus Matsuoka would delay explaining anything until everyone was gathered up, probably. Motherfucker.\n\n\"Yeah, yeah, I hear you.\" Nagi sighed, keeping the conversation on speaker for Yuzu's benefit. \"Get Taniguchi to send me and Shiratori that shit, alright? We'll probably meet up eventually.\" She very deliberately didn't bother using any honorifics for either. No point, if they weren't around to not hear it. \"Gonna drop the call. If you ain't explaining shit, guess I'll have to do it myself. I'll head out once I know where the others are.\"\n\nAfter hanging up, Nagi turned back to Yuzu with a resigned look, keeping her voice low so as to not attract any attention with the crazy shit she was about to spout. \n\n\"Alright, Gotoh-chan, right? Hear you're smart, so I better not have to explain all this more than once. You saw some freaky shit just now. Don't deny it, I did too. The short version of this is that app Strange Gospel is some supernatural crap. First time it shows you anything, it comes true. Second time, you see a full moon, a tower, a mask, and blood. Third time, well, there's a reason there's been rumors going around about disappearances.\" She really, really was not cut out to give these sorts of explanations.\n\n\"This all happened to me too. Only difference is I got lucky enough to get bailed out by the guy on the phone just not. Anyways, point is, come with me if you don't want to get jumped and probably killed. I know this sounds crazy, and really, I'm the worst person we've got to try and convince anyone. Still rather not see random people get killed though, so just save me the trouble and follow along, would you?\"", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nThis was probably the most extended conversation she had with someone she could not leverage an upper hand on in any capacity in a long time. Yuzu did not like this. \n\nHowever, that did have to take a quick trip to the backburner for oddities she was currently being made privy to. This just...could not be a prank right? Something to this degree couldn't be some odd, weird, airborne drug trick or something by the yakuza? Okay even that string of thoughts sounded too dumb to entertain. She had to believe what the Yakuza bitch was saying, for now at least, until she could figure out and judge things for herself. She didn't exactly sound impressive either, what was she, an errand girl for the guy on the phone?\n\n\"Heard I-I'm smart? Do you even know who I am!?\" Fortunately for Yuzu, Nagi's offhand comment gave her just the right foothold to bring herself back to reality. \"Your talking to a Once-In-A-Lifetime Genius here! And being the Genius I am, I probably can't deny the things I saw just now. A tower, mask, and blood? Thats...way too ominous to ignore...\"\n\nYuzu didn't like the prospect of someone helping her, especially someone who was apparently not cut out for the job in the first place, but at this point she would be a fool for now at least trying to hear things out. \"Fine, I'll go with you. Just to get a proper explaination as to what the hell is going on here! Lead the way, not like I'll be getting answers out of a meathead, that is what you are for these people, right?\" Yuzu straightens out her back and manages to look at Nagi condecendingly, going from panicked to bitchy with just a few exercises in mental gymnastics. \n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\nIt would've been inaccurate to say that Kauro was distracted. Or maybe he was? Kauro's thoughts were a racing, jumbled mess and yet, at the same time completely hyper focused on Strange Gospel. How could he not after everything he saw? There were so many questions that just needed to be answered! His blood was pumping, adrenaline deluged his body as he walked through the sunset-kissed streets of the city. It was a strange sort of joy, something that was manic, yet such a high that it was almost unbearable. \n\nWas it his heartbeat or was it that world's he heard?\n\nKauro wandered aimlessly focused only on his thoughts until he noticed the sound of a chime and the glow of florescent lights from above. He just stood there for a solid second to realize that he just walked into a market without much thought. His head was completely somewhere else though now it started to anchor itself back down to reality. Would it be weird if he walked into a store only to just walk out without buying anything? Yeah, it probably would be weird. \n\nJust for the sake of not looking out of place, Kauro just perused the aisles. Still, he could hear the heartbeat thump softly in the background. \n\nThis was probably the point when the students would disappear. If they made contact with whatever that world was, it must've meant he was going to be pulled back in soon. The reality has been breached and he was marked by whatever entity was in control of Strange Gospel if the repeated beating of the heart was an indication. The question was when he would be claimed. \n\nWould it be so bad though? It's not like he had much reason to stay. \n\nKauro grabbed a can of coke from the drinks section and walked over to the checkout. The cashier was some black- haired kid around his own age. Strangely enough, he looked familiar, but he was not sure where he would have seen him. Maybe from school? Who knows \n\n\"Hi, I'd like to get some chicken,\" he said pointing at the glass case convivence store fried chicken and other foods.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "Shiratori briefly seemed to pause a moment when referred to in such a familiar fashion, but she quickly recovered, giving Nozaki a smile of her own.\n\n\"What a coincidence! I'm heading the same way, we can walk together.\"\n\nCertainly, this reaction would just appear to be a friendly attempt to get to know a fellow student, as Shiratori Naoko approached the boy.\n\nBut the timing would certainly feel a little strange, perhaps, if one were to pause and think about it. For someone to approach right out of the blue after something so unusual occurred.\n\nWhile Shiratori was silent for a few moments, when she next spoke, perhaps it would make the truth obvious. Or perhaps it wouldn't.\n\n\"So, um...\" she trailed off for a moment, \"Have you noticed anything strange going on, lately? I know everyone is talking about that Strange Gospel thing, but that can't be true, right? It's not as if that kind of thing can really happen, right?\"\n\nEven as she spoke, she paused for a moment, idly glancing around. It was likely it would appear as a perfectly normal behavior, something any ordinary person might do on a walk.\n\nBut Shiratori was checking to make sure no-one was in earshot before she spoke again.", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\n\"Yes, this is the first time we've talked.\" Yuichi affirmed Kauro's statement. It didn't seem like Kauro was too bothered by him speaking to him. While that was good, it didn't change the fact that the heartbeat was still pounding in his head. In fact, it made him feel worse, since it made Yuichi feel like he was insane for hearing abnormal noises. Thankfully, it would seem that Kauro was going back to talking to the cashier, given Yuichi a small reprief.\n\nLooking off to the side, Yuichi held his head down and pinched the bridge of his nose. \"What's wrong with me,\" Yuichi muttered darkly to himself. The heartbeat seemed to become more prominent with each beat. When was this strange noise going to finally cease? Taking a deep breath; Yuichi counted up his multiples by two and calmed himself.\n\nKauro must have been done with his order. Turning back around, Yuichi noticed the concerned look on his orange hair peer's face. He hadn't caught the last bit of what Hattori said, but by looking at the cashier, Yuichi could get what it was about. The boy, who looked around his age, was pale. If Yuichi wasn't currently undergoing a slow mental breakdown, he would have shown some concern for the cashier. Unfortunately, Yuichi didn't have the mental energy to spare.\n\n'Hattori-kun will probably handle it,' with being a social guy and all, he'd probably be able to calm down the cashier. Maybe even crack a joke or two for a smile. That is what Yuichi thought.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\n\"Hey, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale there\" \n\nWhen he heard that question Kazama wanted nothing more than kick himself, he had let the events that transpired a few minutes ago impact his job. It didn't matter that it was a minor thing, in his mind any and all mistakes were unforgivable, but that just showed how much it affected him, and that damned heartbeat didn't help at all. He could still hear it, thumping and thumping at the back of his head, but he needed to concentrate on the client in front of him first. \"Y-yeah, just had a weird day is all, no need to worry\"] , he said with the best smile he could muster. Kazama noticed Kauro had the money in his hand and was about to extend his own when he paused, and against his better judgment decided to ask his peers in front of him \"Actually, just a quick question if you don't mind, did any of you notice anything weird in the way here? I think a gas line broke up or something, I became a little lightheaded a few minutes ago, saw some weird stuff\" . That was the only logical explication Kazama could think of to explain what he saw and wanted to be sure.\n\nIf there really was a broken gas tube he would need to tell his boss so he could pass it up to the neighborhood association before anything too bad could happen.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nSo help her, Nagi was going to throw this bitch into oncoming traffic. At the very least, Gotoh was listening. Being an unbelievable cunt about it, but still listening. Still, how the hell had the rumor mill not focused on the fact that the school genius was a walking stereotype insufferable know-it-all? That really should've been the first thing anyone even mentioned about Gotoh Yuzu. Fucking hell, she seriously wasn't paid enough to deal with this shit. For a moment, Nagi felt just a twinge of empathy towards her father and a good portion of the boys for their smoking habit. A cigarette didn't sound like the worst idea right now if it took the edge off dealing with this. Then the part of her that actually gave a shit about the health of everyone involved ruthlessly quashed that sentiment and gave her a dope slap on the back of the head for even considering it. \n\n\"God, just...fuck it.\" Nagi groaned in disgust as she pinched her brow. \"If it means something's gonna come out of your mouth besides another insult, just ask your questions while we're walking. Can't promise I can answer everything, but I'll tell you what I know and/or what I'm allowed to say before you meet the boss.\"\n\nAt the same time, Nagi fished her burner phone out, rapidly typing a text to her erstwhile classmate and co-worker. \n\nShiratori, you got your guy yet? Mine's driving me batshit insane from how much of a huge bitch she is, might kill her before Strange Gospel gets the chance to at this rate\n\n@VitaVitaAR", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nWhere this freaking delinquent got off talking to her like this, Yuzu could not guess!! She tried glaring holes into the back of her head, mostly because she felt like the yakuza bitch would hit her or something and she apparently already avoided death once today. Yuzu bit the inside of her lip and took a calming breath, okay. For now, she should just try and get information about this thing from the delinquent, even if she didn't look smart enough to do more than swing a bat against someone's skull. \n\n\"Well you can start by telling me how exactly I would have died.\" Even just thinking it makes a shiver go up her spine, her shoulders square as she followed behind. \"And why its happening through some phone app! You'd think a virus would be a lot easier, if someone was planning on killing people with...whatever this is.\"\n\nAs she talked, however, Yuzu did take notice of the Yakuza bitch typing away at her phone. She sped up behind her to try and see what exactly she was saying. It was hard, considering she was several inches shorter than the bitch and that they were both moving. Shiratori? And- Did she just call her a bitch!?\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"Uh huh...\" This would have been the part where this tall guy would introduce himself, but it looked like he did not seem to know the protocol for basic introductions. So, Kauro still had no idea who this guy was still, and the conversation came to a grinding halt. There was no salvaging that conversation and Kauro really just did not have the energy to care enough to try to maintain a conversation where he would never interact with again. He had more important matters at hand though he was stuck talking to an anxious store employee. \n\nThe clerk made a mistake with trying to hide behind a smile; don't try to bullshit a bullshitter. Clearly there was something wrong, but if he would not divulge information then there was nothing for Kauro to do. However, he let on a bit more than he might've intended. This could have been nothing though. It could have just been an actual gas leak, but there were too many strange phenomena occurring all at once all over the city; things that even Kauro has seen. There was a real chance that Kauro had just met another victim of Strange Gospel. It was a big jump to conclusions, but he had to take it. \n\n\"You saw it, didn't you? Strange Gospel, or whatever that world was,\" Kauro said to him point blank without blinking. \"You can hear it too. A heartbeat, but it's at the very edge of your hearing like it's background noise. That's why you're looking behind even when all there is behind you is a wall with shelves. Considering you suggested a gas leak, something you'd report immediately to your supervisor, you must've experienced it for the first time today. The same as me.\" \n\nHis blood was beginning to pump again. If he was correct, then that meant it was possible that there were other people that entered that world at the same time he did. Just how many others were pulled into it as well today?", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \nStrange Gospel! As he heard that name leave Hattori's mouth he knew why the morbid scenario he witnessed some minutes ago was familiar to him! It was the same imagery as those creepy videos that started to pop up in that app, and his eyes widened as he realized that perhaps he wasn't crazy, perhaps something more was going on behind the scenes... but if that really was the case, it only invited more questions to his mind. He looked at Hattori's, his cool and collected facade starting to disappear a little as his eyes became, for a lack of a better word, alive for the first time in the conversation.\n\nHe was about to answer the question when the guy behind him grabbed the orangette's shoulder. Now that he was closer, Kazama could see just how tall he was, considering he himself was taller than the average student and even some men he worked with, it was rare to find himself looking up to someone, even if slightly. He noticed that the grip he had on Hattori was perhaps stronger than it should be, but if they all experienced that same moonlight-filled world then he couldn't blame him if his nerves got to him. Still, that didn't mean it was correct, so he quickly spoke out, both to answer the questions and to try and calm the situation. \"Yeah, some minutes ago on the street\". Before continuing, he made sure no other customer was in the store, even if the entrance was visible from where they were, he didn't want anyone to overhear what he was about to say. \"Blood all over the place, a full moon, and a fucking enormous tower in the distance? Yeah I saw it, and I can still hear the heartbeats\". Even the memory of it made his blood run cold, it was the most disturbing thing he ever saw. \n\nHe sighed, a weight off his shoulders now that he could confirm he wasn't crazy, but that still begs the question. \"You say that weird app, Strange Gospel, has something to do with this?, I've heard the rumors and though they were only urban legends, now I'm not so sure.\" he shifted his view between Hattori and the still unidentified tall guy, seeing as the three of them were in a similar situation. \"Do you think the disappearances are also connected to this? because if they are...\". Then any of us could be next was left unsaid.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\"It has everything to do with it,\" responded Kauro as his eyes, as Kazama noticed, betrayed his cool and calm tone and the corners of his mouth were fighting back a grin. He glanced down at the hand clasped tightly on the shoulder like a vice and shaking from the anxiety of the unknown. Despite it actually being quite painful, he just looked up at the tall boy and chuckled. To them, the orange haired kid seemed more amused by the situation than concerned. Or perhaps more excited? What were the chances that he'd not only bump into two people who interacted with Strange Gospel, brought into that world, and be from the same school as him? Maybe he should buy a lottery ticket if he got out of this alive. \n\nHis attention was brought back to Kazama and continued with that calm and cool tone. \"There is no such thing as coincidences. I have my theories, but they are merely conjecture. However, what I am certain is that the app, that world, the disappearances, and that figure are all connected. Everything has a function, a point to its existence. The app's purpose was to communicate to us and make us marks though to what end I cannot say though I can only assume the worst. If I were gambling man, I'd say that we're next on the proverbial chopping block.\" \n\nFor someone that confidently said that they were about to be spirited away by some unknown force to that world to face their death, he seemed unperturbed. He picked up the can of cola in front and cracked it open like this was just him and the boys chilling around on a couch, taking a sip from it. Kauro either was unaware of the severity of the situation or he did not fear death. \n\nHe did that thing where when people in commercials after taking a drink make that 'ahh' sound and placed the can back on the counter. Kauro was enjoying this a bit too much, which was more than what was socially acceptable given the circumstances. For him, it was just nerding out at the fact that supernatural phenomena even existed and that he had a real mystery on his hands. He continued to ramble on. \"As to what to what that world is, well, I do have theories. My original theory was that it was the future if we are to go with the train of thought that the app shows us that first, but after being transported and getting a better look, it could be a parallel world given that there were similar, twisted versions of structures from our world. Or...\" \n\nThe student trailed off lost in thought, his fingers tapped on the counter rhythmically repeatedly. This went on for a god thirty seconds before he said \"Both theories are correct. Perhaps it will be a convergence of worlds and that's the final possible future the app showed us. We should know, we witnessed the walls of reality be breached by another.\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise offered a slight smile as Shiratori responded in affirmative. He turned again towards his destination and waited for her to follow along next to him as they started to walk. For a few moments, the company of something normal seemed to ease his nerves a bit. But it did little to quell his mind.\n\nHer next inquiry had the opposite effect, actually. As she spoke, his eyes darted to look at her out of the corner of his vision as they walked.\nWell.. that's surely not a coincidence.. he thought. He made a conscious effort to subtly increase the distance between the two of them by a foot or so as they walked, even as he slowed his pace once again. Surely that was.. how could it have been a prank?? How was this girl tied to what he had just seen? It couldn't have been a coincidence that she just showed up out of the blue..\n\nChise paused before responding, casting a diagnostic glance over her. \"Define strange..\" He said simply, probing her for a response that might reveal more than she was initially letting on.", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "\"Mmm, something a bit out of the ordinary, I guess, like... a vision? Everything getting dark for a bit, that kind of thing,\" Shiratori continued, cocking her head to one side, her pigtails swaying as she spoke, \"It's just I heard about things like that because of that weird strange gospel thing, you know? So I was wondering if you saw anything.\"\n\nShe paused for a moment when her phone buzzed, and she swiftly fished it from her bag to tap out a message.\n\n\"Ah, hold on!\"\n\nive got him. as soon as we find all the others we should report back to hq. plz dont kill anybody.\n\nShe let out a sigh as she put her phone away.\n\n\"Aah, some people really invest in some patience, it'd go a long way,\" she commented, \"Anyway, um, so-\"\n\nHer phone buzzed again, this time with a different tone. Immediately she was fishing it out of her pocket once more.\n\nIt's happening. Sending you the target coordinates now. Report back to HQ immediately when you've found them all.\n\n\"Eh?! Wait, that's...!\"\n\nWhen the coordinates arrived, it at least looked like three of them were all in the same place, but-\n\nShe couldn't complete that though.\n\nThe world stilled.\n\nThe sky darkened.\n\nBlood splattered on the inky black of the nearby buildings.\n\nThe tower loomed in the distance.\n\nIt was earlier then expected this time. It didn't work like this very often, most of the time it waited until nightfall. It must have wanted these people just as badly as they did.\n\n\"... Nozaki-san,\" Shiratori began, turning to face the boy, \"There's not a lot of time to explain, but if you get separated from me then you will die. This isn't a joke. This isn't a laughing matter. This is as serious as serious gets.\"\n\nShe glanced at her phone again.\n\n\"There's some other people trapped here. We're going to get them, and then we're going back to our headquarters.\"\n\nShe wasn't taking no for an answer, taking a step forward and waiting for the boy to follow.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe world had once again descended into darkness. The moon above, almost like the face of a taunting figure looking down upon them. The tower standing above the dark, seemingly-featureless buildings.\n\nBut that wasn't all, this time.\n\nThe heartbeat had reached its full strength again, but now there was another sound.\n\nA slimy, gooey sound, like something wet smacking into the concrete.\n\nAnd it was getting closer. It had to be near to begin with, perhaps located in an alley not too far away.\n\nWhatever it was wasn't far.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAll other humans in the area had disappeared.\n\nThe darkness had risen again.\n\nBut this time, they weren't alone.\n\nThe convenience store itself, in spite of the seemingly featureless nature of the building exteriors in this place, appeared largely unchanged. At least, aside from what seemed to be blood coating the floor and leaking out from inside of refrigerator units.\n\nThe sound of a heartbeat had returned, but this time there was something else. A strange shuffling noise from beyond the store's windows could be heard, though what was making it was impossible to tell.\n\nCertainly, there didn't appear to be any humans out there.\n\n@DarckLeon@AThousandCurses", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\n\"How you die?\" Nagi raised an eyebrow, deciding to humor the abrasive nerd. In the meantime, she glanced at the response she'd gotten back from Nozomi, immediately followed by coordinates from their handlers. Well, at least she knew where to go now. \"Well, one of two things, usually. First doesn't happen often, and it probably shouldn't to you since we got to you first, but sometimes people just have what's basically a mental shutdown. Ain't pretty. Second is-\"\n\nThe world shifted. It happened again. Nagi stilled, looking around for a brief moment before tucking her phone away. Shit, shit, shit. This was bad. Both she and Nozomi had to lug around civilians during this shift, while looking for three more. This...wasn't going to be pretty. \n\n\"God damn it.\" She groaned, thumbing her Awakening Drive once more as she glanced back to Yuzu, now deathly serious. \"Gotoh. That second way you die? Getting killed by monsters in here. I need you to follow me and listen, because if you don't, you're gonna get killed real quick.\"\n\nNagi turned, grabbing Yuzu by the shoulder and looking her dead in the eyes. \n\n\"I'm not fucking around. This shit's absolutely serious. Stay behind me, and do what I tell you, when I tell you to. I ain't yanking your chain, I'm trying to keep you from biting it. Until I get you to the boss, you're defenseless in here. And there's still three more people that me and my coworker are trying to track down and stop from getting killed too. Got it?\" Nagi's grip on Yuzu's shoulder turned into a brief pat before she turned back around, leading the way towards the coordinates she'd been given. It wasn't too far away, but anything could happen in the distance between the supermarket and the conbini.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"We can either figure out a way to save ourselves and investigate or we wait to see what happens. I don't know when we'll back pulled back in, but the reality is we are probably short on time if we can hear that heartbeat.\" What were they supposed to do? If they could be pulled back into the world whenever the forces wanted to, they would have no choice in the matter. The only thing they could do was to learn about what was happening and see if they could gleam anything from it. For Kauro, that was a joy, but for the others it was a terror.\n\nThe cashier caught on from Kauro's pretty blatant excitement and asked him why he did not seem to be panicking in the face of very possible death. All color in Kauro's face drained away as soon as he was called out for understandably his inappropriate level enthusiasm for their situation. He had been so excited by all the wild possibilities that the case presented that he forgot put on his 'Popular Guy' facade. \"Ah, sorry. Uh, you see,\" he trailed off to think of any excuse to get him out of this situation. Maybe death would have been better at this rate. \n\nHowever, a convenient distraction came in the form of a tall, rather dim purple haired boy. Kauro looked up at him with an expression that asked, 'how stupid could this guy be'. Yes, these theories were out there, but did this guy really understand what they saw and what's been happening? Kauro asked as bluntly and coldly as possible, \"What else would you call that blood flooded world other than a chopping block? In the face of absurdity, expect equally absurd theories. Yes, I have no proof, but is this seriously the time to be a sceptic when you witnessed it yourself? We're not playing by the rules of this world anymore so-\"\n\nThere was something wrong. It was as if everything seemed normal, like a living room that was neatly in order except for a picture frame that was just ever so slightly titled. Where were the other shoppers? The silence was unnatural; the busyness of the city streets ceased as if it was paused. This was then followed by the light being snuffed away. Then it was followed by the most pungent of smell, an overwhelming scent of iron that flooded his nostrils. Blood soaked the floor and blood poured in thick, viscous streams from fridges and the heartbeat echoed in their ears. They were back on the chopping block. \n\nKauro took the knife presented to him, his eyes never leaving the store entrance. \"Move quickly and quietly. Be on alert. We don't know what's here.\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise's glancing became more focused as his classmate continued on with her line of questioning, his eyes narrowing in concern. So she was involved in it somehow. Asking him if he \"saw something\"? It was far too much of a coincidence. Despite how sure he was, any doubts would almost immediately disappear as the scene unfolded before him.\n\nBefore he could break his pause with a response, they were interrupted by the buzzing of Shiratori's phone. Chise watched skeptically as she went to answer it, before bleating about whatever it was that she received. She was quick to stow it -- but even quicker to withdraw it once again as it buzzed off once more, this time more urgently.\n\nChise was about to make his own remark before the whole interaction flipped-tone on its head.\n\nShiratori's look of surprise at whatever she had been sent was accompanied only shortly afterwards by...the vision.\n\nEverything changed once again. The sun vanished, replaced by the pale gaze of a massive moon. The sky darkened with it, and the wind stilled - almost like it was out of fear of whatever this place was. Chise's sneaker momentarily slid before he caught his footing, the thick blood beneath his feet making for a more-slick-than-usual sidewalk.\n\nChise's eyes darted to his surroundings once again and he absorbed as much of what he could see as he could - lest it vanish again as fast as it had the first time. But it didn't seem to. Instead, Shiratori turned to face him, and he took a step back, posturing himself defensively as she began to speak.\n\nBut her next words, in honesty, confused him. They confused him, but he absorbed them nonetheless, and upon registering what she had said, he tried as well as he could to steel himself. So.. it's all real then, huh..? The gears in his head were turning - perhaps as urgently as they ever had before. She's really serious.. He couldn't believe he was thinking it, but this really was just like some sort of crazy manga he felt like he'd read before.\n\nIt took a few seconds for him to adjust to the reality he found himself in, before he finally managed to speak - doing so with a discernable amount of seriousness that would be unusual to those who knew him. \"Right.. I.. Okay. I understand. The exposition can come later- if things are really as urgent as you make them sound then we shouldn't wait.\" He spoke, his eyes scanning the area around him. The threat of death was something that he, at the least, would take serious for the time being - but he wasn't sure what it was that could rationalize such an idea. If he used manga logic, though.. he had the faintest idea that maybe something was out there..\n\nHe wasted no time in stepping up alongside Shiratori. He wasn't sure where they were going - especially with how all the buildings changed to look different - but he would match the urgency of her stride and follow along.", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nYuzu crossed her arms going into full on listening mode to at least properly absorb some information that she was going to have to know. \n\nThat was however, until the world changed around them. \n\nYuzu whimpered pathetically as her head whipped around to try and look for any escape from this horrible fucking place. What could you even describe it as? It was the world she knew and lived in all her life, but completely and utterly wrong. Like everything around her decided it was time for her to die once and for all, everything was against her, everything was out to get her. \n\n\"Uh...\" She flinches at Nagi in an ugly way, going from bitch to horribly frightened in a second flat. Her mind fought between trying to listen to Nagi and smacking her hand away. She nods along hurriedly, now she just wanted to get the hell out of here as fast as possible. Though, upon her patting on the shoulder she immediately latches onto Nagi's arm. Somehow, the yakuza bitch seemed like a very comforting thing to be around. \"W-whatever! Okay! J-just get me outta here! W-why do we have to get those guys? A-aren't they getting someone to escort them like your doing!? Don't you hear that!?\"\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" } ]

[ { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nKazama would be the first to admit that his life was very atypical for a teenage boy his age. The fact that he started working when he was 13 certainly stunted his social life, and he didn't have a lot of free time on his hands, but if you were to ask him, he would answer that he was satisfied with his lot in life, could be worse could be better, as they say. The truth was that he wasn't the only guy in existence who had it rough, and he wouldn't be the last. He even had a joyful and pleasant childhood, full of laughs at cheers. It was during this period of time that he got into anime, the 90s and 00s anime to be exact, there was something about the way it was animated that really got him. While nowadays he lost some interest in it, back then he loved it, watching every show he could on the old tv and DVD player in his room. He had his favorites, like Cowboy Bepop -Spike was THE man- and Dragon Ball, but there was one that left quite a mark on him: Neon Genesis Evangelion. Not really an anime a 12-year-old should be watching in his current opinion, yet at that time, as he gazed into the life of one Shinji Ikari and the tragedies that would befall him and the supporting cast, he was enraptured, he even begged his parents to buy him the movie. After watching it, a particular scene stayed in his mind for a while: The Third Impact and its effect on the people. He found it disturbing yet strangely captivating and wondered how would modern technology adapt it to the screen if there was ever a live-action adaptation of Evangelion, God hopes there wasn't.\n\nNow, 5 years later, Kazama got a childhood question of him partially answered, and the result wasn't pretty. The sheer fear in the student's eyes quickly got replaced by intense pain. The gruesomeness of the process that he experienced and the last look he and Kazama shared. This was a moment that would stay with him until the day he died, he was sure of it, and, if he knew he would see this, would have done anything to not be the one who had to go take a peek outside. He slowly closed the door and walked back to the cashier's desk, his movements erratic. Once he reached the two guys who were there he said \"There was someone outside. a student of our school, and he... black stuff started to come out of his mouth and eyes and he... he's dead\" he finally got out, his face ashen white.\n\nTo say Kazama was shaken would be a severe understatement, he was traumatized. Never before had he experienced such a sight in real life, not even when a guy broke his arm in a construction zone he was working with. \n\nAll his previous nervousness seemed to have left him, only a cold, almost robotic indifference permeated his movements as he reached for a key next to the cash register. \"This is the key for that door, if we got out we shouldn't look to the moon, that guy did that and... that happened\" He left the decision in the hands of his peers, he was too tired for that.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location: In the Gospel??\n\n\n---\n\nChise was quick to follow Shiratori's steps as they hurried towards their mystery destination.\n\nIt was instinctually that he started sprinting after her as she did, meanwhile his brain was back to thinking. \"Others who've gotten pulled over to this side,\" She said. Okay, now it really was starting to sound like some spooky manga. He spared a moment to look away from their surroundings to have a glimpse at her -- she seemed determined. The glances down towards her phone made it seem as if she didn't really know where they were going - maybe she was reading a map or something - but, she seemed confident in her path, nonetheless.\n\nHe took his eyes off her, again trying to examine their surroundings as they sprinted through the streets - not that there was much detail to examine. All the buildings were once again shaded out, and everything was thickly layered with blood. The smell was.. foul, but Chise tried not to breathe too deeply. His mind began to wonder as to the source of this blood just before the duo was halted by an ominous, creaking sound.\n\nChise's eyes almost glazed over at what emerged before them. A scarily tall, gangling creature that looked like it came straight out of a nightmare. Its dark, elongated hands scrabbling across the blood-spattered cement as it eerily crawled out of the alley. Chise's legs suddenly felt numb. As he look at the creature in disbelief, it managed to spot them, and three long, grotesque tongues slithered out of each of the baleful masks that adorned its body.\n\n\"H-Holy cra-\" Before he could even finish, Shiratori grasped his hand and tugged him away as they sprinted down a nearby alley. Every instinct pulled Chise to turn and look back, but also to run away as fast as he could. He turned up the pace and started sprinting even harder as he heard the terrifying sounds of the creature following them, his strides shortening but quickening. He was no stranger to sprints or runs - he enjoyed them, even. But running for your life was a different feeling altogether. His eyes glanced to his side at Shiratori and he raised a question between leadened breaths. \"What is that thing???\"", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nIf the situation wasn't so serious, Yuzu's shift from haughty bitch to terrified child would be almost comical. Okay, scratch that, it was still fucking funny right now. The only reason Nagi didn't crack up was because Yuzu latching onto her arm was actually annoying enough to dampen her mood. \n\n\"Get off of me, would ya?.\" Nagi grunted, shaking her arm out of Yuzu's grasp as they trudged along. \"I can't make sure we don't die if you're latched on.\"\n\nOf course, the universe chose just then to screw with her life just that tiny bit more. As the shadowy monster rose up, Nagi shoved Yuzu back with one hand. Damn. She'd fought this sort of thing before, but not with a goddamn civilian in tow! \n\n\"Get the fuck back! I got this! BELIAL!\" Nagi bellowed her last word as she slammed her Awakening Drive into the side of her wrist, a crimson winged demon emerging into existence behind her with a roar. A mental nudge directed her Echo forward, claws outstretched to rip into the monster. Even as Belial charged forward, Nagi wasn't far behind, quickly reaching into her jacket pockets to slip on the other thing she kept hidden on her person, a pair of brass knuckles. Belial's claws descended upon the creature even as Nagi moved to flank it, aiming to land a haymaker into its side.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"From divine floods to this? God really decided to step up his game then,\" said Kauro with a chuckle at the mocking theories though he did not take it personally. How could he? Everything was completely absurd, and death was around every corner and behind every closed door. If it were not for the fact that doing so would attract whatever the hell was outside to them, Kauro would have busted his gut laughing at how preposterous it all was. Seriously, him and two other guys after figuring out they were experiencing the strange phenomena as him were pulled into a hellscape that looked like the flipside of their world. Everything about that should terrify him and yet, the ever-looming threat of death found no hold on him. He still had that same grin on his face.\n\nKauro patted the tall boy's back and said, \"Don't worry about it. Just focus on surviving.\" It was all they could do given the situation. \n\nThey waited while the cashier offered to take a peek outside the building followed by a shrill screaming that did not come from him. It came from outside though it did not overstay its welcome. They were not the only ones that were pulled into the world after all. It would have been foolish to think that it was the case. What was surprising, however, was that it was another student from that was a victim. In a city as large as theirs, filled with so many people what were the odds that it was another student from their school to be pulled into this world too? No, what were the odds that it was just that kid and them to be pulled from their world into this blood-soaked hell in the general vicinity? It was a statistical anomaly.\n\nKauro knew that his school was facing a disproportionate amount of missing people cases because of Strange Gospel, but thought at the very least that there had to be victims outside of the school that were under reported. It would have been odd if that was not the case, but that may have very well been the case. So why target Yamamura High School students? There were too many missing puzzle pieces. They had no way of solving the mystery if they hid themselves away. No, they couldn't hide anyway.\n\n\"There's no way we could barricade the entire store by ourselves; they're too many points of entry for us to cover and too few of us to stand guard. I don't know what's out there, but if we're cornered in here then we're dead.\" They were in a store. There were many windows, air ventilation, and of course doorways that any unsavory creature could use to force their way inside. If anything, they would have been trapped with it.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "\"All you need to know right now is it's a monster!\" asserted Nozomi, immediately. On the run, there really wasn't any time to explain anything involved. Right now she had to try and get to the others as fast as possible. At the moment they didn't have anyone to spare, so the people at the convenience store were in even more danger then Nozaki was.\n\nHopefully they'd at least stay hidden.\n\nThey weren't that far, either. Just a little bit more, and they'd not only be there but also in a far more open area.\n\nShe could still hear that thing crawling behind them, its limbs scraping up against the sides of the alley.\n\nThere! The alleyway opened up there! Now-\n\nAnother set of lengthy limbs crawled into view from around the corner, the pale masks swinging into vision as a second of the spider-like creatures emerged, crimson tongues hanging from the white masks.\n\n\"... I guess this is it, huh?\"\n\nNozomi took a deep breath, reaching into her bag.\n\n\"I can do this. I've got this. I can do it.\"\n\nFrom it, she pulled something that almost looked like a boxcutter, if one wasn't to look very closely at it.\n\n\"You can do it, Nozomi,\" she said to herself, again, \"You can do this. This time nothing's here to stop you.\"\n\nShe extended her right arm, spun the object around, and brought it down into her wrist. She winced, gritting her teeth as the object seemingly penetrated her skin and bit deep.\n\nBut there was no blood.\n\n\"Hecate!\"\n\nEven paying close attention, what happened next was difficult to understand. Suddenly, as if assembled from mist, a figure seemed to construct itself from thin air, floating behind Nozomi. As the dark matter that seemed to build it from nothingness faded and took on colors, a strange shape was revealed.\n\nIt resembled a young, slender girl, though in actual size it was larger then Nozomi herself. It was mostly silver, its body clad in what appeared to be a minidress of similar color to was as most likely its skin. Its arms were unattached to its body, instead floating at its sides in the form of two long, flat, ribbon-like structures hanging from a pair of spheres. Its head was mostly human-shaped, proportioned much like that of a young girl's with suitably youthful features, but its eyes were pure, bright blue. Lengthy silver hair poured down its back, past its hips, and it wore a large hat with two points projecting from the sides. Each point was adorned with a gold medallion shaped like an odd wheel.\n\nIts ribbon-like arms raised immediately, twisting around one another and gathering light between them, which quickly coalesced into a sphere of white. From the mist pouring off of it, it was evidently quite cold, and before the first of the monsters could draw closer it was sent hurtling towards it, careening into it head-on and slamming into one of the masks. A shard of porcelain(or at least what appeared to be porcelain) was sent spiraling into the air as the creature was knocked over entirely, trailing black ooze as it hit the ground.\n\nWithout pausing, Hecate spun, wrapping one of its ribbon-arms around the other spider creature's leg and swiftly upending it, tipping it onto its back and making room for their escape.\n\n\"Let's go!\"\n\nWithout pausing to explain what had just happened, Nozomi was already dragging the boy along, the drifting form of the entity she had summoned following behind them.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nResistance had been the las thing the oozing, masked creature expected. Especially no this powerfully.\n\nIt wobbled, reeling black, spewing black fluids as Belial's claws tore through its body, spattering oil-like liquid onto the ground. Several of its flailing limbs were severed, spiraling off and melting as they flew, splattering onto the dark backdrop and dripping down to meet the blood already staining the ground.\n\nThe blow to its side rocked through its entire body, as well, shredding through its goo-like flesh and causing it to writhe more intensely.\n\nIt was something like a dying worm, now.\n\nBut it wasn't done yet, as more arms rose from its back, grasping at the demon-like Echo and reaching for its summoner.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAs the boys spoke amongst themselves, trying to figure out how to escape from this dire situation, they likely didn't notice what was happening to the body outside.\n\nHe was sinking deeper into the black puddle. More and more of his body was breaking down. First it had been his mind, almost certainly the reason for the black liquid that poured from his eyes and nose. But now his entire body was melting, liquifying, turning into more and more of that black ooze.\n\nAnd it was starting to move.\n\nAs the body completely liquified, something rose from it.\n\nIt had a feminine shape, hourglass-like, its head adorned with a simplistic white mask portraying a distressed expression. From its head, the hair it appeared to possess ended into small, grasping hands.\n\nOne of these hands reached around, seeming to plunge into the creature's torso, before drawing out a spike of silvery metal.\n\nThen it drew it back...\n\nAnd hurled it towards the convenience store window.\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nWhatever the hell was going on with Strange Gospel, it was definitely making her stronger when she was pulled over to the other side. Or maybe she just got juiced up as her Echo did. Either way, Nagi's punch certainly wouldn't have hit these monsters that hard even a month ago. Hell, it slammed back a good distance away. Not that she was going to complain about it. The piece of crap was dying. Time to move in for the kill.\n\nOr at least Nagi would have, if the thing didn't decide to offer up some last-ditch resistance. Her first instinct was to just evade the grasping arms and weave through them to finish the fucker off, but some part of her brain remembered that Gotoh was still in the back. Fuck. If Nagi dodged, it might go for her instead. And as annoying as the girl was, Nagi really didn't want Yuzu's death on her conscience. Oh, this was going to blow. \n\nA mental command had Belial returning to her, arms outstretched protectively in front as both of them charged forward, one behind the other. Hellfire surrounded her Echo as they made a mad dash, aiming to reach the beast before it could do too much damage to Belial. Her Echo's flames weren't that strong compared to its claws, and enough of the monster's arms grasped it to the point where Nagi was feeling a good amount of pain, but she powered through, Belial grasping the monster with its own arms and spinning it around to pin it in place. \n\n\"Eat it, shitbag!\" She bellowed, leaping up onto the monster and holding on with her left hand as her right began to mercilessly pound into it. One punch. Two. Three. Before long, nothing was left of the beast besides blood and black ichor, some of it splashing on Nagi and staining her clothes as she landed back down on the ground, Belial hovering menacingly next to her. She stayed there for a moment, taking in a few gulps of air as she caught her breath and checked on her own condition. The fuckwit had gotten a few hits in at the last moment there, but she could still keep going. She'd been in worse shape after taking on those punks from across town a few months back. \n\n\"Alright,\" Nagi stood back up, glancing back towards her charge. \"C'mon, Gotoh. We've still got somewhere to be. Get your ass in gear. And don't worry about the stains, they kinda just disappear once we're out of here.\" She beckoned Yuzu forward, starting to move towards her objective again afterward.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nCompletely consumed by fear, Yuzu freaked out a little. \n\n\"GET IT AWAAAY!\" She cries, all but running away from both the monster that laughed so fucking oddly and the girl who was probably going to get herself killed thinking she could fight it! She was right on the money, she had to be, no way a normal person could fight off something like that! She was going to die here, she was going to die here and now, and all she could do was cower away and cover her head with her bag in futile defense. \n\nAnd then a demon showed up. \n\nYuzu looked back at Nagi who was suddenly spouting english at the monster and then a demon, Belial? Showed up. All muscle, wing and power, the two of them made that monster look like it had been the stupid one for even daring to approach them. She was....she could cope with the demon thing being so strong and tearing that thing apart, but how the fuck was Nagi so....supernaturally strong!? Was this how she fought them, how the people she was with fought them? \n\nMore than nauseous now, Yuzu could only watch as the monster thing fell underneath Nagi's fists, her fear mostly cleared away and somewhat redirected back to the yakuza bitch who could beat down monsters with her bare hands like nothing. Timidly, she stepped back up toward Nagi, visibly shaking in her shoes as she looked at the remains of the monster. \n\n\"H-how did you do that? How could- What even was....Is this cult!?\" She suddenly accused, because truly the only thing her mind could comprehend right now was how she summoned a being known as Belial, a very well known demon in Judeo Christian cultures. Even as she complained she practically latched back onto Nagi, an approximate inch of distance away from her since she didn't wanna touch her. She was probably covered in monster residue...stuff! \"Y-your not gonna make me summon a demon right? I-I'm not about to get s-sacrificed or whatever the fuck!\"\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" } ]

[ { "text": "She was there every night.\n\nEvery night, on those same streets.\n\nIt was the only choice she had.\n\nThey swarmed after her, sensing her very existence and converging on it, practically tasting her presence on the air. It would be far worse for anyone else caught here.\n\nShe killed them.\n\nAgain and again and again. The roar of gunfire, her limbs piercing inky blackness to be greeted with spurts of red blood. It splattered all over her, pouring down her body, pooling around her feet. Sometimes, she would end the night utterly coated in it, leaving crimson prints in her wake.\n\nAnd yet it was a failure. Every night was a failure. Simply killing them wasn't what it took.\n\nShe had to make it inside. She had to.\n\nIt was the reason she existed. The point to her entire being. Without it, there was simply no reason for her to be.\n\nEven if her body broke down, crumbled into nothing. Even if she could barely function. She had to keep trying. She had to break through. She had to.\n\nShe was coated in blood again.\n\nThe morning light had come.\n\nShe'd failed.\n\nTonight, she'd try again.\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe bell rang. The day was heading towards its end.\n\nThe halls were filled with students. Many of them were nervous. The main topic of conversation was Strange Gospel. It wasn't hard to see why. The news of the disturbing imagery that the rumored Strange Gospel had displayed was impossible to escape from, and now that people who had used the app had begun to disappear... well, needless to say, there were a lot of people who were scared. Was there a connection? Had someone been using the app, or website, or whatever it was to track its users and do something terrible? Was the Strange Gospel somehow behind it?! Was there something occult afoot? These possibilities swirled through conversation endlessly. Students were clinging to various theories. Some even thought it might be some kind of 'end of the world' scenario.\n\nA lot of the idle chat seemed to have been absorbed by Strange Gospel.\n\nOf course, that wasn't the only topic on everyone's mind as students steadily began to filter out of the school after classes and club meetings had concluded. Relationships, television shows, music, various other rumors... one particularly strange one pertained to a weird figure that had been sighted in town. Apparently, they tended to vanish and reappear at random, never seeming to interact with anyone and only visible just before the sun vanished for the night.\n\nAs the flow of students headed away from the school, some of them, those who had seen the darkness within Strange Gospel, may just find themselves running into one another...\n\nOne way or another, something would change their world tonight.\n\n@Bartimaeus@hatakekuro@Pitsuji@Psyker Landshark@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nFinally. Class and club were over for the day. Nagi sighed in relief as she finished helping the other members of the cooking club tidy up the clubroom before taking their aprons off and starting to file out. What a pain in the ass. As much as she liked what she did here, the other members being mildly intimidated by her was really starting to get old. At this rate, she might have to see about doing another study abroad for her senior year, like she did in middle school. At least overseas, no one knew or even cared that she was a yakuza boss's kid. Of course, that depended on if her current situation changed or not.\n\n\"Fuckin' a.\" Nagi muttered under her breath as she strode through the hallways, pulling her phone out. Huh. No orders yet, or even a missed call. Weird. Usually, her new bosses would've had something for her by the end of the day. Within her, Belial stirred slightly as Nagi palmed the Awakening Drive she kept tucked in her uniform blazer's pocket. At this point, it was force of habit. \n\nStill, if she wasn't needed yet, Nagi supposed she might as well go home. She still had to cook four meals' worth of food as usual: dinners and lunches for both herself and her old man. Not that they'd get to enjoy a family meal if things kept going on as they were. The government had been cracking down ever harder on the yakuza, and her dad and the rest of the clan were stretched thin trying to make ends meet under the new laws. Not that Nagi begrudged him that. She knew the score. Didn't make it suck any less, though. \n\n\"Let's see...\" She murmured as she strode through the school halls toward the entrance. \"What to make? Wait, did I run out of salt? Motherfucker.\" Guess a trip to the grocery store was in order as soon as she was free of the campus.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nYuichi walked along with the stream of students back home. Seeing that there was no reason to stay at school now that the hours were over, going home and studying would be good. Despite the amount of time he spent on studying, nothing seemed to stick. Perhaps he didn't exactly have the talent or memorization to make himself a good student. Though his grades seemed to improving if only slightly, which was a good start. \n\n\"Hey did you here? About Strange Gospel...\"\n\n\"Yeah, someone went missing! I heard the police were involved, but they couldn't anything.\"\n\n\"How many people have gone missing? I heard a girl from next class disappeared as well.\"\n\nStrange Gospel. He heard that name multiple times in the classroom when he was studying. His classmates even brought it up to him when they approached him. While he was also worried about the string of disappearance, Yuichi thought that it was superstition. How could a phone app be the cause of this? It seemed bizarre at best to blame everything on an app. Many people even theroized that it had some sort of tracking programmed into the app that lead to its users being kidnapped. If that were the case, why wasn't it removed from the app store?\n\nRegardless, Yuichi ignored the rumors that were spreading amongst the masses. It didn't effect him, so there wasn't any point on pushing on it. He needed to get back to studying. If he got a good grade on his next test, his GPA would be servicable to enter in to a college next year. If only that didn't happen. He may have gotten a scholarship with subpar grades and gotten into a college that way. Though that's just how life was. Even if it was a little to start studying now, if he worked hard enough he could still get into the college he wanted to get into. \n\nA sound of a bat hitting a ball stopped him in his tracks. Thanks to his height, he could see a little over his peers. In the distance, he could see a small corner of the school yard. A student was running across the yard to reach home base. A white ball was soaring through the sky and another student was trying to catch it. Instinctually, Yuichi wanted to run in and join. To throw the ball at a mach speed that nobody could react to. He wanted to run and catch ball with his bare hand and prevent the other team from moving to another base.\n\nThough all he felt was bitterness as Yuichi turned back around and headed home. He needed to study, that's all he oculd do.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" } ]

[ { "text": "It was a throbbing, unpleasant sound.\n\nThe thudding rhythm not unlike that of a heartbeat. It wasn't exactly heard so much as it was felt, reverberating through each of their bodies.\n\nBut it wasn't their own. It seemed to come from the very air around the, the ground beneath their feet.\n\nAs the sun began to sink lower, drifting further towards the horizon, and the shadows grew longer, something felt strange to them. Unnatural.\n\nIt felt as if they were steadily going out of synch with the world around them.\n\nAnd then they could see it. The entire world froze.\n\nEvery single person around them stopped moving.\n\nThe breeze died.\n\nEvery sound ceased.\n\nThey could still move, but they were seemingly alone in their ability to do so.\n\nAnd then every single person was gone.\n\nThe scenery remained, but it was empty. The sun was gone, as well, an enormous moon seeming to dominate the sky, which was otherwise without a single star.\n\nIf they were to look down, they would discover the ground beneath them was red. Further observation would lead to a far more unpleasant discovery.\n\nThere was blood, everywhere. The concrete beneath their feet was coated in it. Walls, buildings, splatters of what could only be blood adorned most surfaces. It stood out even more against the pitch black of the buildings, who had lost all their identifying features. Even the shadows seemed strange, almost purple on coloration.\n\nThe heartbeat sound had only grown louder.\n\nAnd then it would be hard not to look. Somehow, some way, their eyes would be drawn to it.\n\nA great, looming spire, a jagged shape jutting above all other structures in the city, like a spear thrust towards the moon.\n\nThere was a shuffling, wet sound behind them, and-\n\nThey were back.\n\nAs if nothing had happened, the world was suddenly back to normal. People were still around. There was light and life aside from themselves again.\n\nEven the tower was gone.\n\n@Bartimaeus@hatakekuro@Pitsuji@Psyker Landshark@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "The threat of disappearing? Who heard of it? Certainly not this group of kids who were walking around the city streets after a fun session of karaoke. Kauro was chatting and laughing with his group of friends, talking about latest celebrity news, fads, and gossip. After zoning out like he had done so previously back on campus, he was making a concerted effort to be involved and make sure no one suspected his behavior though his sharp eyes were looking for any sign of the strange figure rumored to be about. Everything felt so normal, and yet he could not shake the feeling that there was something wrong. \n\nThe sound of a heartbeat shook his body, except it wasn't his. It did not feel like it was his. Somehow, it was as if he could feel the heartbeat of the world itself. It was sickening. His very being seemed to scream in repulsion against the violation of nature. \n\nWas it him or were the voices of his friends starting to lag, not matching the movements of their mouth? Were they moving just slower than they typically would? \"Hey, what are you guys...?\" His friends were suddenly still. No, it wasn't just them; it was the world. There was no breeze, no sound, or warmth. There was an unnatural stillness to the world though the only one that could move right now was himself. \n\nKauro looked up to see that the evening sky had been replaced by a blanket of black with only the light of an impossibly large moon to guide his path. He stepped forward to find that the silence was broken by the spatter of a puddle. \n\n\"The heck did I...?\" Looking down, he quickly realized that what he stepped in was not water, but a pool of blood that stained his shoes. The color left his face, and he quickly surveyed his surroundings. Blood painted every corner he could see, and the buildings were dark and featureless, casting strange purple shadows. Were they really buildings or were they just part of the land itself?\n\nThe heartbeat grew louder and louder, beating his eardrums relentlessly. Then, he saw it. The damn thing that stood at the heart of the mystery; that tower piercing into the moonlit abyss. He took a step forward towards it, as if by sheer compulsion when he heard something behind him rushing closer in. Kauro turned back and at that moment, the world turned back to normal. No, it would be more accurate to say that he was back in his own world, or if his theory of Strange Gospel was to be believed, the point of time he was supposed to be in. It was hard to tell.\n\nHe was staring back at the group of friends who were just walking as if nothing had happened. Kauro had fallen behind from the group though it had gone noticed as one of them turned back and said, \"Hey, you good? You look a bit pale.\"\n\nQuick to regain composure, he offered a reassuring smile and said, \"Um, I'm fine. I just remembered that I needed to pick something up from the supermarket. I'll catch you guys later.\" \n\nThey said their goodbyes and Kauro was left standing there, watching them go off into the distance. That charming grin was superseded by one of excitement with an almost crazed look in his eyes. Instead of the heartbeat from before, he could feel his own rise with his ever increase elation.\n\n\"Things have gotten very, very interesting,\" said Kauro with a chuckle. Now he was more determined than ever to solve this case. All that was left was the matter of surviving it.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nAh, shit. It was happening again. Just like it did the night she was first pulled in. Great. That meant Strange Gospel was about to grab more poor suckers. She'd have to call this in once it passed. Hopefully, they'd found more candidates by now. She wasn't exactly a recruiter herself, and her reputation did her no favors in getting people to give her the time of day. Nagi sighed as she glanced around while the endless night was still active. It was always so eerie to see herself alone in the streets-\n\nWait, what the fuck? \n\nAs reality asserted itself once more, Nagi peered suspiciously at the light-haired girl a few paces from her, also seeming to be on her way to the grocery store. The Yakuza princess was almost certain she'd seen her for an instant when the night passed, and now here she was, looking for all the world like something had just happened. Judging by the fact that no one else around seemed to be reacting aversely, Nagi was sure she'd finally found one. Now, who was this exactly...? Oh, right. Wasn't this the school genius? Kind of a bitch, if rumors and scuttlebutt were to be believed. Although she wasn't one to talk.\n\nRegardless, Nagi fished her burner phone out while deliberately keeping her gaze on Gotoh Yuzu. She hit a number on speed dial and held the phone up to her ear, starting to walk towards the other girl. Once the other end picked up, Nagi began to speak even as she approached.\n\n\"Boss? Think I found one. Pretty sure she was reacting during the shift.\" Nagi paused, as if realizing she'd forgotten something. \"By the way, there was a shift just now if you didn't notice. It's probably gonna go down tonight. Anyways, mind giving the onboarding speech? We both know I'm no good at this shit.\" \n\nNagi sidled up next to Yuzu, offering the burner phone. \n\n\"Look, I'm sure you've got questions, but save 'em for the guy on the other end. I can't be bothered with this crap. No, this ain't a cult and you're not being targeted. You just had the luck of being next to someone who knows what's going on when it happened. Now take the fucking phone.\"", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" } ]

[ { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\n\"That would be 2570 yen. Here's your change, I hope you have a good day sir\" Kazama said, as he smiled amicably at the old man. It has been a slow day, with only 5 customers so far. On days like these he liked to review what they did in class, his notebook tucked in a corner of the cashier's desk that couldn't be seen from the front. Of course, even if it was unseen, Kazama still closed it whenever a customer came in, as to not get distracted. He was a firm believer that any task, especially a job, should be done with 100% of your attention, no matter how small. It was a philosophy that had served him well so far, and one that he would continue using in his everyday life.\n\nHe was about to open his notebook again when a sound interrupted him. It was a \"thump-thump\" that started to increase in volume. It felt like a heartbeat, a strange, creeping \"thump-thump\" that seemed to come from his surroundings, entering his body and making him sick to his bones. But the weirdness didn't end there. He could see, from where he was, that a woman was about to enter the market, except she didn't move. It was as if she was frozen in time. Kazama moved from behind the desk and took a few hesitant steps toward the entrance, wondering if a gas leak nearby made him hallucinate what was going on. Once he reached the double doors, he realized it wasn't only the woman who was frozen, but the world itself. The characteristic sounds of machinery or birds had ceased to be. Not even the slightest breeze could be felt. He was about to ask the woman if she was ok when suddenly she disappeared, and with her the light of the sun, an enormous moon in its place. \n\nThe moonlight was the only source of light, but, after seeing the state of his surroundings, Kazama wished for darkness instead. Everywhere he looked, from the walls to the floor to the street signs was bathed with blood and gore. It was surreal, the combination of red, white, and black formed an otherwordly combination, a sight so alien it made his stomach churn. The heartbeat got louder, and he didn't have time to guess it this time it was his own because a structure he could swear wasn't there a moment ago entered his view. It was a tower, if it could be called that, a gigantic spire in the distance that didn't belong to this world and went up and up and up, seemingly without end. He was so entranced by it that he didn't hear the wet thump behind him until he could feel it right on his neck. \n\nKazama looked back, a scream in his mouth when everything stopped. He was back in the normal world. No blood, no moon, and definitely no tower. The woman that was about to enter the market seemed to hear him because she looked at him for a moment before a worried expression crossed her face. \"Oh my, are you ok young man? your face is white\" \n\nThe words broke him from his trance, and he realized what strange sight he was giving. He tried to regain his composure and answered the woman \"Y-yeah, I was just... grabbing some trash from the street, come in madam, we are still open\" he said with a smile and went inside. If he could, he would go to the bathroom to throw up, but he couldn't leave a client unattended, it would look bad for the cameras, so he just gulped down the sickness he felt and tried to get his mind in his work.\n\nBut there was just one thing that couldn't leave his thoughts. Even if what happened just now felt like a fever dream, he could feel, deep inside him, that it was somehow familiar.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "\"I can confirm your report, we recorded the spike in the collective unconsciousness,\" came the immediate response from the man on the other end of the line. Matsuoka Takahiro was considered the 'advisor' for their club, but in reality he was the founder and the reason any of them were there in the first place. Without him, well... \n\nThings would look a lot more grim right now.\n\nTakahiro sighed heavily after a moment, \"Gotoh Yuzu-san, you said? If you can, it'd be the best if you can stay with her. Shiratori-kun just reported that she spotted another student during the transition, and Taniguchi-kun is tracking the signals of at least four more. Do you understand what that means, Nakano-kun?\"\n\nIt didn't need to be said. The fact that they were able to detect the signals of that many people meant that they were in immediate danger.\n\nBut it also meant they'd already found them before they were pulled to the other side.\n\nThat meant this was an unprecedented opportunity to stop anyone from dying tonight.\n\nFor Gotoh Yuzu, even though everything looked normal... Perhaps she would notice it.\n\nThe faintest beating, still lingering in her ears, seeming to come from no-where.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\"Hey, you're Nozaki-kun, right?\"\n\nGiven what he'd just experienced, the sudden voice from behind him was probably not the most welcome experience.\n\nBut if he turned to see who it was, he would be greeted by a somewhat unexpected sight.\n\nThe pigtailed head of Shiratori Naoko leaned into view.\n\n\"You are, right? Nozaki Chise?\" she repeated, taking a step forward. Shiratori Naoko was a relatively popular girl, due to her looks(sometimes referred to as doll-like), her fashion sense, and her fairly diligent and sociable behavior. She wasn't among the top most popular girls in the school, nor did she have a good reputation with everyone(such a thing was impossible even for the most popular student in any school, let alone someone like Shiratori), but it was enough that it would be something of a surprise when she approached a fellow student seemingly at random.\n\n\"It looked like you kind of zoned out, are you okay?\" she asked, cocking her head to one side.\n\nAnd indeed, Chise would feel fine.\n\n... Aside from the distant beating that still seemed to accompany him.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nIndeed, everyone who had just experienced the bizarre otherworldly look into what seemed to be a nightmare realm would still be sensing a strange heatbeat-like sound on the very edge of their hearing.\n\nPerhaps, in their distracted state, they'd find themselves running into one another...\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nNagi had kept the conversation on speaker phone from the moment Matsuoka mentioned Yuzu's name. She groaned quietly to herself as the man's response, resigning herself to her new task. Sure, it wasn't like there was much of a choice, considering she was one of the only active field agents they had at the moment. But it was still a huge pain in the ass to track down a bunch of students she barely knew, never mind having to convince the one next to her to follow along as she did so. Plus Matsuoka would delay explaining anything until everyone was gathered up, probably. Motherfucker.\n\n\"Yeah, yeah, I hear you.\" Nagi sighed, keeping the conversation on speaker for Yuzu's benefit. \"Get Taniguchi to send me and Shiratori that shit, alright? We'll probably meet up eventually.\" She very deliberately didn't bother using any honorifics for either. No point, if they weren't around to not hear it. \"Gonna drop the call. If you ain't explaining shit, guess I'll have to do it myself. I'll head out once I know where the others are.\"\n\nAfter hanging up, Nagi turned back to Yuzu with a resigned look, keeping her voice low so as to not attract any attention with the crazy shit she was about to spout. \n\n\"Alright, Gotoh-chan, right? Hear you're smart, so I better not have to explain all this more than once. You saw some freaky shit just now. Don't deny it, I did too. The short version of this is that app Strange Gospel is some supernatural crap. First time it shows you anything, it comes true. Second time, you see a full moon, a tower, a mask, and blood. Third time, well, there's a reason there's been rumors going around about disappearances.\" She really, really was not cut out to give these sorts of explanations.\n\n\"This all happened to me too. Only difference is I got lucky enough to get bailed out by the guy on the phone just not. Anyways, point is, come with me if you don't want to get jumped and probably killed. I know this sounds crazy, and really, I'm the worst person we've got to try and convince anyone. Still rather not see random people get killed though, so just save me the trouble and follow along, would you?\"", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" } ]

[ { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise no longer mingled or chatted with those he passed by on the street, instead his head and gaze faced forward directly towards where he was walking -- but, said gaze was not focused on anything in particular - he was thinking, hard.\n\nNow, Chise was not an outright denier of the supernatural, but he had never experienced such a thing in his life. And he had never heard of a credible source experiencing anything like it either. There had to be some sort of sensible explanation for what had just happened. As his mind wriggled in anxiousness, trying to make sense of it all, he heard a voice from behind address him. His feet stopped in place instinctively as he realized how fast he had just begun walking. He stutter-stepped to balance himself out as he came to a stop, and turned to meet the face behind the voice, forcing his shoulders to release some of the tension they now held.\n\nHis features softened ever-so-slightly as he saw the speaker, losing some of their seriousness. He wasn't sure who or what he expected it to be, but he was somehow relieved to see that it was just one of his school-mates.\n\nHis face developed a smile which only he might know was partially fake. \"H-Hey there.. Naoko-chan, yeah?\" He responded, his hand rising to brush a bit of hair to the side with a slight nervousness. He had never really talked to the girl, maybe once or twice in passing, but he knew the names of most of his school-mates - something he made sure to do for himself. He steadied himself and tried to allow his body and mind to relax a bit as he continued his response, looking-over the girl and past her, briefly. \"Ahh, yeah, I'm doing fine!\" He ensured. \"I-I was just.. trying to remember my grocery list, haha.\" He tossed a light glance over his shoulder, just before he turned back to her and felt the distant bmp once again. He blinked in surprised, his eyes fluttering a couple times as he realized whatever it was that he saw seemed like it was still.. there, somehow.\n\nHe swallowed. \"Aha.. yep. Anyways, did ya wanna, like, walk or something, or was that all?\" He inquired as he began to take a couple short steps backwards towards his previous destination. \"I'm heading to the grocer's square, so my trip'll be short since it's pretty close.\"", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"Ah, take your time,\" said Kauro. He watched the cashier get his order, completely unaware of the absolute unit that was standing behind him. There was no way that an other worldly force would try to take him away in a public space, but then again time stopped, and he was pulled into another world, so that was probably useless. His thoughts were drifting until he heard someone refer to him by name.\n\nTypically, Kaoru was someone that would be unphased by surprises. He had consumed so much horror media that it had rendered him immune to jump scares. Given the strange and dangerous circumstances, however, he almost seemed to recoil as he turned around to see who exactly it was that knew him. It was just some guy wearing his school's uniform, so that would explain how he knew who Kauro was. After all, Kauro worked quite hard to get his position within the school's hierarchy. \n\nHoly shit this dude was tall. \n\nQuickly recovering, Kauro flashed a charming smile and said, \"It was fine. I don't think we've had the chance to meet before.\" His attention though was brought back to the cashier who had his order ready.\n\n\"Uh, yeah that would be all. Thank you.\" Kauro had the money ready in hand though his perceptive eyes caught the cashier's strange behavior. It was as if he was looking behind him, despite there being nothing behind him.\n\nKauro arched his brow in confusion, standing a bit skewed to see whatever the cashier was looking for. All he could see though were just shelves with cigarettes. \"Hey, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale there,\" asked the redhead. Right now, he had no reason to assume that this guy had any involvement with Strange Gospel. For all he knew, the poor guy just faced harassment from management.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Shiratori briefly seemed to pause a moment when referred to in such a familiar fashion, but she quickly recovered, giving Nozaki a smile of her own.\n\n\"What a coincidence! I'm heading the same way, we can walk together.\"\n\nCertainly, this reaction would just appear to be a friendly attempt to get to know a fellow student, as Shiratori Naoko approached the boy.\n\nBut the timing would certainly feel a little strange, perhaps, if one were to pause and think about it. For someone to approach right out of the blue after something so unusual occurred.\n\nWhile Shiratori was silent for a few moments, when she next spoke, perhaps it would make the truth obvious. Or perhaps it wouldn't.\n\n\"So, um...\" she trailed off for a moment, \"Have you noticed anything strange going on, lately? I know everyone is talking about that Strange Gospel thing, but that can't be true, right? It's not as if that kind of thing can really happen, right?\"\n\nEven as she spoke, she paused for a moment, idly glancing around. It was likely it would appear as a perfectly normal behavior, something any ordinary person might do on a walk.\n\nBut Shiratori was checking to make sure no-one was in earshot before she spoke again.", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\n\"Yes, this is the first time we've talked.\" Yuichi affirmed Kauro's statement. It didn't seem like Kauro was too bothered by him speaking to him. While that was good, it didn't change the fact that the heartbeat was still pounding in his head. In fact, it made him feel worse, since it made Yuichi feel like he was insane for hearing abnormal noises. Thankfully, it would seem that Kauro was going back to talking to the cashier, given Yuichi a small reprief.\n\nLooking off to the side, Yuichi held his head down and pinched the bridge of his nose. \"What's wrong with me,\" Yuichi muttered darkly to himself. The heartbeat seemed to become more prominent with each beat. When was this strange noise going to finally cease? Taking a deep breath; Yuichi counted up his multiples by two and calmed himself.\n\nKauro must have been done with his order. Turning back around, Yuichi noticed the concerned look on his orange hair peer's face. He hadn't caught the last bit of what Hattori said, but by looking at the cashier, Yuichi could get what it was about. The boy, who looked around his age, was pale. If Yuichi wasn't currently undergoing a slow mental breakdown, he would have shown some concern for the cashier. Unfortunately, Yuichi didn't have the mental energy to spare.\n\n'Hattori-kun will probably handle it,' with being a social guy and all, he'd probably be able to calm down the cashier. Maybe even crack a joke or two for a smile. That is what Yuichi thought.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\n\"Hey, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale there\" \n\nWhen he heard that question Kazama wanted nothing more than kick himself, he had let the events that transpired a few minutes ago impact his job. It didn't matter that it was a minor thing, in his mind any and all mistakes were unforgivable, but that just showed how much it affected him, and that damned heartbeat didn't help at all. He could still hear it, thumping and thumping at the back of his head, but he needed to concentrate on the client in front of him first. \"Y-yeah, just had a weird day is all, no need to worry\"] , he said with the best smile he could muster. Kazama noticed Kauro had the money in his hand and was about to extend his own when he paused, and against his better judgment decided to ask his peers in front of him \"Actually, just a quick question if you don't mind, did any of you notice anything weird in the way here? I think a gas line broke up or something, I became a little lightheaded a few minutes ago, saw some weird stuff\" . That was the only logical explication Kazama could think of to explain what he saw and wanted to be sure.\n\nIf there really was a broken gas tube he would need to tell his boss so he could pass it up to the neighborhood association before anything too bad could happen.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nSo help her, Nagi was going to throw this bitch into oncoming traffic. At the very least, Gotoh was listening. Being an unbelievable cunt about it, but still listening. Still, how the hell had the rumor mill not focused on the fact that the school genius was a walking stereotype insufferable know-it-all? That really should've been the first thing anyone even mentioned about Gotoh Yuzu. Fucking hell, she seriously wasn't paid enough to deal with this shit. For a moment, Nagi felt just a twinge of empathy towards her father and a good portion of the boys for their smoking habit. A cigarette didn't sound like the worst idea right now if it took the edge off dealing with this. Then the part of her that actually gave a shit about the health of everyone involved ruthlessly quashed that sentiment and gave her a dope slap on the back of the head for even considering it. \n\n\"God, just...fuck it.\" Nagi groaned in disgust as she pinched her brow. \"If it means something's gonna come out of your mouth besides another insult, just ask your questions while we're walking. Can't promise I can answer everything, but I'll tell you what I know and/or what I'm allowed to say before you meet the boss.\"\n\nAt the same time, Nagi fished her burner phone out, rapidly typing a text to her erstwhile classmate and co-worker. \n\nShiratori, you got your guy yet? Mine's driving me batshit insane from how much of a huge bitch she is, might kill her before Strange Gospel gets the chance to at this rate\n\n@VitaVitaAR", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" } ]

[ { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\n\"How you die?\" Nagi raised an eyebrow, deciding to humor the abrasive nerd. In the meantime, she glanced at the response she'd gotten back from Nozomi, immediately followed by coordinates from their handlers. Well, at least she knew where to go now. \"Well, one of two things, usually. First doesn't happen often, and it probably shouldn't to you since we got to you first, but sometimes people just have what's basically a mental shutdown. Ain't pretty. Second is-\"\n\nThe world shifted. It happened again. Nagi stilled, looking around for a brief moment before tucking her phone away. Shit, shit, shit. This was bad. Both she and Nozomi had to lug around civilians during this shift, while looking for three more. This...wasn't going to be pretty. \n\n\"God damn it.\" She groaned, thumbing her Awakening Drive once more as she glanced back to Yuzu, now deathly serious. \"Gotoh. That second way you die? Getting killed by monsters in here. I need you to follow me and listen, because if you don't, you're gonna get killed real quick.\"\n\nNagi turned, grabbing Yuzu by the shoulder and looking her dead in the eyes. \n\n\"I'm not fucking around. This shit's absolutely serious. Stay behind me, and do what I tell you, when I tell you to. I ain't yanking your chain, I'm trying to keep you from biting it. Until I get you to the boss, you're defenseless in here. And there's still three more people that me and my coworker are trying to track down and stop from getting killed too. Got it?\" Nagi's grip on Yuzu's shoulder turned into a brief pat before she turned back around, leading the way towards the coordinates she'd been given. It wasn't too far away, but anything could happen in the distance between the supermarket and the conbini.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"We can either figure out a way to save ourselves and investigate or we wait to see what happens. I don't know when we'll back pulled back in, but the reality is we are probably short on time if we can hear that heartbeat.\" What were they supposed to do? If they could be pulled back into the world whenever the forces wanted to, they would have no choice in the matter. The only thing they could do was to learn about what was happening and see if they could gleam anything from it. For Kauro, that was a joy, but for the others it was a terror.\n\nThe cashier caught on from Kauro's pretty blatant excitement and asked him why he did not seem to be panicking in the face of very possible death. All color in Kauro's face drained away as soon as he was called out for understandably his inappropriate level enthusiasm for their situation. He had been so excited by all the wild possibilities that the case presented that he forgot put on his 'Popular Guy' facade. \"Ah, sorry. Uh, you see,\" he trailed off to think of any excuse to get him out of this situation. Maybe death would have been better at this rate. \n\nHowever, a convenient distraction came in the form of a tall, rather dim purple haired boy. Kauro looked up at him with an expression that asked, 'how stupid could this guy be'. Yes, these theories were out there, but did this guy really understand what they saw and what's been happening? Kauro asked as bluntly and coldly as possible, \"What else would you call that blood flooded world other than a chopping block? In the face of absurdity, expect equally absurd theories. Yes, I have no proof, but is this seriously the time to be a sceptic when you witnessed it yourself? We're not playing by the rules of this world anymore so-\"\n\nThere was something wrong. It was as if everything seemed normal, like a living room that was neatly in order except for a picture frame that was just ever so slightly titled. Where were the other shoppers? The silence was unnatural; the busyness of the city streets ceased as if it was paused. This was then followed by the light being snuffed away. Then it was followed by the most pungent of smell, an overwhelming scent of iron that flooded his nostrils. Blood soaked the floor and blood poured in thick, viscous streams from fridges and the heartbeat echoed in their ears. They were back on the chopping block. \n\nKauro took the knife presented to him, his eyes never leaving the store entrance. \"Move quickly and quietly. Be on alert. We don't know what's here.\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise's glancing became more focused as his classmate continued on with her line of questioning, his eyes narrowing in concern. So she was involved in it somehow. Asking him if he \"saw something\"? It was far too much of a coincidence. Despite how sure he was, any doubts would almost immediately disappear as the scene unfolded before him.\n\nBefore he could break his pause with a response, they were interrupted by the buzzing of Shiratori's phone. Chise watched skeptically as she went to answer it, before bleating about whatever it was that she received. She was quick to stow it -- but even quicker to withdraw it once again as it buzzed off once more, this time more urgently.\n\nChise was about to make his own remark before the whole interaction flipped-tone on its head.\n\nShiratori's look of surprise at whatever she had been sent was accompanied only shortly afterwards by...the vision.\n\nEverything changed once again. The sun vanished, replaced by the pale gaze of a massive moon. The sky darkened with it, and the wind stilled - almost like it was out of fear of whatever this place was. Chise's sneaker momentarily slid before he caught his footing, the thick blood beneath his feet making for a more-slick-than-usual sidewalk.\n\nChise's eyes darted to his surroundings once again and he absorbed as much of what he could see as he could - lest it vanish again as fast as it had the first time. But it didn't seem to. Instead, Shiratori turned to face him, and he took a step back, posturing himself defensively as she began to speak.\n\nBut her next words, in honesty, confused him. They confused him, but he absorbed them nonetheless, and upon registering what she had said, he tried as well as he could to steel himself. So.. it's all real then, huh..? The gears in his head were turning - perhaps as urgently as they ever had before. She's really serious.. He couldn't believe he was thinking it, but this really was just like some sort of crazy manga he felt like he'd read before.\n\nIt took a few seconds for him to adjust to the reality he found himself in, before he finally managed to speak - doing so with a discernable amount of seriousness that would be unusual to those who knew him. \"Right.. I.. Okay. I understand. The exposition can come later- if things are really as urgent as you make them sound then we shouldn't wait.\" He spoke, his eyes scanning the area around him. The threat of death was something that he, at the least, would take serious for the time being - but he wasn't sure what it was that could rationalize such an idea. If he used manga logic, though.. he had the faintest idea that maybe something was out there..\n\nHe wasted no time in stepping up alongside Shiratori. He wasn't sure where they were going - especially with how all the buildings changed to look different - but he would match the urgency of her stride and follow along.", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" } ]

[ { "text": "\"All you need to know right now is it's a monster!\" asserted Nozomi, immediately. On the run, there really wasn't any time to explain anything involved. Right now she had to try and get to the others as fast as possible. At the moment they didn't have anyone to spare, so the people at the convenience store were in even more danger then Nozaki was.\n\nHopefully they'd at least stay hidden.\n\nThey weren't that far, either. Just a little bit more, and they'd not only be there but also in a far more open area.\n\nShe could still hear that thing crawling behind them, its limbs scraping up against the sides of the alley.\n\nThere! The alleyway opened up there! Now-\n\nAnother set of lengthy limbs crawled into view from around the corner, the pale masks swinging into vision as a second of the spider-like creatures emerged, crimson tongues hanging from the white masks.\n\n\"... I guess this is it, huh?\"\n\nNozomi took a deep breath, reaching into her bag.\n\n\"I can do this. I've got this. I can do it.\"\n\nFrom it, she pulled something that almost looked like a boxcutter, if one wasn't to look very closely at it.\n\n\"You can do it, Nozomi,\" she said to herself, again, \"You can do this. This time nothing's here to stop you.\"\n\nShe extended her right arm, spun the object around, and brought it down into her wrist. She winced, gritting her teeth as the object seemingly penetrated her skin and bit deep.\n\nBut there was no blood.\n\n\"Hecate!\"\n\nEven paying close attention, what happened next was difficult to understand. Suddenly, as if assembled from mist, a figure seemed to construct itself from thin air, floating behind Nozomi. As the dark matter that seemed to build it from nothingness faded and took on colors, a strange shape was revealed.\n\nIt resembled a young, slender girl, though in actual size it was larger then Nozomi herself. It was mostly silver, its body clad in what appeared to be a minidress of similar color to was as most likely its skin. Its arms were unattached to its body, instead floating at its sides in the form of two long, flat, ribbon-like structures hanging from a pair of spheres. Its head was mostly human-shaped, proportioned much like that of a young girl's with suitably youthful features, but its eyes were pure, bright blue. Lengthy silver hair poured down its back, past its hips, and it wore a large hat with two points projecting from the sides. Each point was adorned with a gold medallion shaped like an odd wheel.\n\nIts ribbon-like arms raised immediately, twisting around one another and gathering light between them, which quickly coalesced into a sphere of white. From the mist pouring off of it, it was evidently quite cold, and before the first of the monsters could draw closer it was sent hurtling towards it, careening into it head-on and slamming into one of the masks. A shard of porcelain(or at least what appeared to be porcelain) was sent spiraling into the air as the creature was knocked over entirely, trailing black ooze as it hit the ground.\n\nWithout pausing, Hecate spun, wrapping one of its ribbon-arms around the other spider creature's leg and swiftly upending it, tipping it onto its back and making room for their escape.\n\n\"Let's go!\"\n\nWithout pausing to explain what had just happened, Nozomi was already dragging the boy along, the drifting form of the entity she had summoned following behind them.\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nResistance had been the las thing the oozing, masked creature expected. Especially no this powerfully.\n\nIt wobbled, reeling black, spewing black fluids as Belial's claws tore through its body, spattering oil-like liquid onto the ground. Several of its flailing limbs were severed, spiraling off and melting as they flew, splattering onto the dark backdrop and dripping down to meet the blood already staining the ground.\n\nThe blow to its side rocked through its entire body, as well, shredding through its goo-like flesh and causing it to writhe more intensely.\n\nIt was something like a dying worm, now.\n\nBut it wasn't done yet, as more arms rose from its back, grasping at the demon-like Echo and reaching for its summoner.\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAs the boys spoke amongst themselves, trying to figure out how to escape from this dire situation, they likely didn't notice what was happening to the body outside.\n\nHe was sinking deeper into the black puddle. More and more of his body was breaking down. First it had been his mind, almost certainly the reason for the black liquid that poured from his eyes and nose. But now his entire body was melting, liquifying, turning into more and more of that black ooze.\n\nAnd it was starting to move.\n\nAs the body completely liquified, something rose from it.\n\nIt had a feminine shape, hourglass-like, its head adorned with a simplistic white mask portraying a distressed expression. From its head, the hair it appeared to possess ended into small, grasping hands.\n\nOne of these hands reached around, seeming to plunge into the creature's torso, before drawing out a spike of silvery metal.\n\nThen it drew it back...\n\nAnd hurled it towards the convenience store window.\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nWhatever the hell was going on with Strange Gospel, it was definitely making her stronger when she was pulled over to the other side. Or maybe she just got juiced up as her Echo did. Either way, Nagi's punch certainly wouldn't have hit these monsters that hard even a month ago. Hell, it slammed back a good distance away. Not that she was going to complain about it. The piece of crap was dying. Time to move in for the kill.\n\nOr at least Nagi would have, if the thing didn't decide to offer up some last-ditch resistance. Her first instinct was to just evade the grasping arms and weave through them to finish the fucker off, but some part of her brain remembered that Gotoh was still in the back. Fuck. If Nagi dodged, it might go for her instead. And as annoying as the girl was, Nagi really didn't want Yuzu's death on her conscience. Oh, this was going to blow. \n\nA mental command had Belial returning to her, arms outstretched protectively in front as both of them charged forward, one behind the other. Hellfire surrounded her Echo as they made a mad dash, aiming to reach the beast before it could do too much damage to Belial. Her Echo's flames weren't that strong compared to its claws, and enough of the monster's arms grasped it to the point where Nagi was feeling a good amount of pain, but she powered through, Belial grasping the monster with its own arms and spinning it around to pin it in place. \n\n\"Eat it, shitbag!\" She bellowed, leaping up onto the monster and holding on with her left hand as her right began to mercilessly pound into it. One punch. Two. Three. Before long, nothing was left of the beast besides blood and black ichor, some of it splashing on Nagi and staining her clothes as she landed back down on the ground, Belial hovering menacingly next to her. She stayed there for a moment, taking in a few gulps of air as she caught her breath and checked on her own condition. The fuckwit had gotten a few hits in at the last moment there, but she could still keep going. She'd been in worse shape after taking on those punks from across town a few months back. \n\n\"Alright,\" Nagi stood back up, glancing back towards her charge. \"C'mon, Gotoh. We've still got somewhere to be. Get your ass in gear. And don't worry about the stains, they kinda just disappear once we're out of here.\" She beckoned Yuzu forward, starting to move towards her objective again afterward.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" } ]

[ { "text": "She was there every night.\n\nEvery night, on those same streets.\n\nIt was the only choice she had.\n\nThey swarmed after her, sensing her very existence and converging on it, practically tasting her presence on the air. It would be far worse for anyone else caught here.\n\nShe killed them.\n\nAgain and again and again. The roar of gunfire, her limbs piercing inky blackness to be greeted with spurts of red blood. It splattered all over her, pouring down her body, pooling around her feet. Sometimes, she would end the night utterly coated in it, leaving crimson prints in her wake.\n\nAnd yet it was a failure. Every night was a failure. Simply killing them wasn't what it took.\n\nShe had to make it inside. She had to.\n\nIt was the reason she existed. The point to her entire being. Without it, there was simply no reason for her to be.\n\nEven if her body broke down, crumbled into nothing. Even if she could barely function. She had to keep trying. She had to break through. She had to.\n\nShe was coated in blood again.\n\nThe morning light had come.\n\nShe'd failed.\n\nTonight, she'd try again.\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe bell rang. The day was heading towards its end.\n\nThe halls were filled with students. Many of them were nervous. The main topic of conversation was Strange Gospel. It wasn't hard to see why. The news of the disturbing imagery that the rumored Strange Gospel had displayed was impossible to escape from, and now that people who had used the app had begun to disappear... well, needless to say, there were a lot of people who were scared. Was there a connection? Had someone been using the app, or website, or whatever it was to track its users and do something terrible? Was the Strange Gospel somehow behind it?! Was there something occult afoot? These possibilities swirled through conversation endlessly. Students were clinging to various theories. Some even thought it might be some kind of 'end of the world' scenario.\n\nA lot of the idle chat seemed to have been absorbed by Strange Gospel.\n\nOf course, that wasn't the only topic on everyone's mind as students steadily began to filter out of the school after classes and club meetings had concluded. Relationships, television shows, music, various other rumors... one particularly strange one pertained to a weird figure that had been sighted in town. Apparently, they tended to vanish and reappear at random, never seeming to interact with anyone and only visible just before the sun vanished for the night.\n\nAs the flow of students headed away from the school, some of them, those who had seen the darkness within Strange Gospel, may just find themselves running into one another...\n\nOne way or another, something would change their world tonight.\n\n@Bartimaeus@hatakekuro@Pitsuji@Psyker Landshark@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nFinally. Class and club were over for the day. Nagi sighed in relief as she finished helping the other members of the cooking club tidy up the clubroom before taking their aprons off and starting to file out. What a pain in the ass. As much as she liked what she did here, the other members being mildly intimidated by her was really starting to get old. At this rate, she might have to see about doing another study abroad for her senior year, like she did in middle school. At least overseas, no one knew or even cared that she was a yakuza boss's kid. Of course, that depended on if her current situation changed or not.\n\n\"Fuckin' a.\" Nagi muttered under her breath as she strode through the hallways, pulling her phone out. Huh. No orders yet, or even a missed call. Weird. Usually, her new bosses would've had something for her by the end of the day. Within her, Belial stirred slightly as Nagi palmed the Awakening Drive she kept tucked in her uniform blazer's pocket. At this point, it was force of habit. \n\nStill, if she wasn't needed yet, Nagi supposed she might as well go home. She still had to cook four meals' worth of food as usual: dinners and lunches for both herself and her old man. Not that they'd get to enjoy a family meal if things kept going on as they were. The government had been cracking down ever harder on the yakuza, and her dad and the rest of the clan were stretched thin trying to make ends meet under the new laws. Not that Nagi begrudged him that. She knew the score. Didn't make it suck any less, though. \n\n\"Let's see...\" She murmured as she strode through the school halls toward the entrance. \"What to make? Wait, did I run out of salt? Motherfucker.\" Guess a trip to the grocery store was in order as soon as she was free of the campus.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nYuichi walked along with the stream of students back home. Seeing that there was no reason to stay at school now that the hours were over, going home and studying would be good. Despite the amount of time he spent on studying, nothing seemed to stick. Perhaps he didn't exactly have the talent or memorization to make himself a good student. Though his grades seemed to improving if only slightly, which was a good start. \n\n\"Hey did you here? About Strange Gospel...\"\n\n\"Yeah, someone went missing! I heard the police were involved, but they couldn't anything.\"\n\n\"How many people have gone missing? I heard a girl from next class disappeared as well.\"\n\nStrange Gospel. He heard that name multiple times in the classroom when he was studying. His classmates even brought it up to him when they approached him. While he was also worried about the string of disappearance, Yuichi thought that it was superstition. How could a phone app be the cause of this? It seemed bizarre at best to blame everything on an app. Many people even theroized that it had some sort of tracking programmed into the app that lead to its users being kidnapped. If that were the case, why wasn't it removed from the app store?\n\nRegardless, Yuichi ignored the rumors that were spreading amongst the masses. It didn't effect him, so there wasn't any point on pushing on it. He needed to get back to studying. If he got a good grade on his next test, his GPA would be servicable to enter in to a college next year. If only that didn't happen. He may have gotten a scholarship with subpar grades and gotten into a college that way. Though that's just how life was. Even if it was a little to start studying now, if he worked hard enough he could still get into the college he wanted to get into. \n\nA sound of a bat hitting a ball stopped him in his tracks. Thanks to his height, he could see a little over his peers. In the distance, he could see a small corner of the school yard. A student was running across the yard to reach home base. A white ball was soaring through the sky and another student was trying to catch it. Instinctually, Yuichi wanted to run in and join. To throw the ball at a mach speed that nobody could react to. He wanted to run and catch ball with his bare hand and prevent the other team from moving to another base.\n\nThough all he felt was bitterness as Yuichi turned back around and headed home. He needed to study, that's all he oculd do.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nYuzu was begrudgingly walked through the crowd of students, her head down looking at her phone as she tapped her way through an endless stream of social medias. She had no club to be at and no real friends she wanted to be around, so she had to wrestle with the daily issue of what she could be doing with her time that wasn't studying or doing more scholorship papers. Yuzu figured that either way, she would probably be heading right back home but that was far too unappealing. \n\nThere was something that was on everyones mind that even Yuzu had to admit was interesting, this Strange Gospel stuff? \n\nIf you asked Yuzu, it was either a hard scam or a cult thing, both of which were very appealing to high school students with nothing but free time. Unluckily, Yuzu was also a highschool student with nothing but free time. \n\nAs Yuzu began breaking away from the greater rabble she made way for the grocery store, may as well get a snack or something while she does this. She did have the link to this Strange Gospel thing after all, off of a number she doesn't recognize of all things. If you wanna do a scam, at least obfuscate it a little, right? All she had to do now by the looks of it was wait for that next day response. \n\n\"I swear to God if this is just a fucking virus...\" She grumbled to herself, idly looking around and- hey was that the fucking Yakuza chick? \nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" } ]

[ { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: N/A Location:School Courtyard\n\n\n---\n\nChise's hands sat nestled comfortably in each of his front pockets as the repetitive, brief \"chht-ing\" sound of his skipping footsteps struck out with each of his shallow strides. Said strides led him away from his previous location - the school track. The period before the sound of the school's final bell had consisted of Chise hanging out at the edge of the track, slacking off as he is wont to do. One might see such behavior as a display of his disinterest in track club, but on the contrary, he did enjoy his time there - he just didn't take the sport itself that seriously. Which is why the tense environment of the school as of late what starting to irritate him a little.\n\nHe drew his hands from his pockets and splayed them out in front of him as his skipping changed into a jaunty walk.\n\"Oh, come one, everybody!\" He called out to nobody in particular as he passed by a few groups of students, a few of whom he gauged as being a bit more skittish than usual. \"Loosen up a bit! All these nerves are starting to feel a bit contagious!\" He expressed, tossing a couple edifying glances at a few students who looked over to him. Perhaps he didn't know them personally, but Chise was no stranger to strangers, and he had a bit of a reputation for having little filter or ambitions, so it only seemed natural for him to address even a small student body.\n\nAlthough he hadn't expected much change, the lack of any shift in the tone of the area left him shoving his hands back into his pockets as his walk continued forward. The tail-end of one of his glances left him heedless to the person which he was about to collide with, until they clashed. Chise let out a short \"oof\" before rolling with the collision and saving himself from a tumble as he unsteadily backpedaled a few steps. \"Ack- sorry, friend. My head was screwed on a bit backwards there, won't happen again!\" He apologized with an atoning glance even as he continued his path with an unabated pace, offering a brief two-finger salute in friendly adieu.\n\nHe was in no hurry, and so his stride was on the casual side. If he kept his current trajectory, he'd be hitting the sidewalk which would lead away from the school and towards the middle of town. He had taken it upon himself to decide to get a few groceries for his Aunt on his way home - though he had to admit he also wanted to get a few things for himself as well. He shifted the weight of his backpack, which casually hung off his back on one shoulder.\n\nWhile his demeanor seemed just like his usual, carefree self, in the back of his head he was wondering about what just-about-everyone-else was. The \"Strange Gospel\". There were those who didn't believe it - thought it a prank of some sort - and there were those who feared it. Being the wildcard he was, Chise wasn't settled on any particular theory - it could be fake.. or maybe it was real. In truth, only time could tell.\n\nAnd he would know personally within two weeks..", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\n\nKazama stretched his arms in his seat as he heard the bell ring. The school day has ended and, contrary to the rest of his schoolmates, he still tried to pay attention to what was happening in the class, even with all these rumors flying around. He had to, after all, it was part of the deal Kazama had with the principal. The school knew of his situation and permitted him to have part-time jobs, as long as his grades didn't fall below the average of the class. It wasn't easy, but as long as he concentrated in class and read his notes every now and again he had managed to do it so far.\n\n\"Today is... cashier at the market, right, I should get going now\" he said to himself. He was about to finish grabbing his notes when a voice behind him interrupted him. \"Hey Kazama, me and the boys are going to the arcade, if you're free come with us! it will be fun!\". Kazama turned around, an apologetic smile already on his face while an automatic response left his mouth: \"I would love that, seriously, but I'm kinda busy right now, maybe another day\" he said and finished packing his stuff in his bag. He appreciated that they keep asking, even if nowadays the invitations started getting more and more scarce. Kazama couldn't blame his classmates for that, and it wasn't his fault either, it was just how things were. \"Have fun guys!\" he finally said, before leaving the classroom.\n\nOut in the hallways, even in the cacophony of voices, it was impossible to miss out on the main topic of conversation. Strange Gospel appeared out of nowhere and managed to become the only thing the students of the city talked about. Kazama thought it would fade out within the first week and another weird thing would take its place, yet after several weeks people still kept gossiping about it. Even he had downloaded it one afternoon, surprised it even worked on his crappy phone. He had to admit, the fact that the video he saw came to pass WAS pretty spooky, concerning even, but after a long day of classes followed by an even longer day of working, he forgot about it. Then the weird videos began to pop up. Then the disappearances started. He wasn't all that scared, he had other stuff to worry about after all, like maintaining his grades and bringing food to the table... but he stopped using most alleys as shortcuts and tried to walk home with his coworkers if he could in the evenings. It was for precaution, he told himself. Nothing more and nothing less.\n \nKazama reached the school entrance and started his walk towards the market. As a result of being wary of walking through the various alleys of the city alone, he had to use a more rapid pace if he wanted to reach his destination in time to confortably change into his uniform. So with that in mind, his walk became a slight jog. He wondered if today was going to be a slow day, and hoped there was a deal in tuna, his mom loved those and they didn't eat fish in some time. Maybe he'll even find money on the ground. \n\nAt the end of the day Kazama was an optimistic at heart,so he was sure all this Strange Gospel business would resolve itself quickly. Maybe it was all a big prank that some guys and gals though it would be funny, who knows, he certainly didn't that's for sure.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "It was a throbbing, unpleasant sound.\n\nThe thudding rhythm not unlike that of a heartbeat. It wasn't exactly heard so much as it was felt, reverberating through each of their bodies.\n\nBut it wasn't their own. It seemed to come from the very air around the, the ground beneath their feet.\n\nAs the sun began to sink lower, drifting further towards the horizon, and the shadows grew longer, something felt strange to them. Unnatural.\n\nIt felt as if they were steadily going out of synch with the world around them.\n\nAnd then they could see it. The entire world froze.\n\nEvery single person around them stopped moving.\n\nThe breeze died.\n\nEvery sound ceased.\n\nThey could still move, but they were seemingly alone in their ability to do so.\n\nAnd then every single person was gone.\n\nThe scenery remained, but it was empty. The sun was gone, as well, an enormous moon seeming to dominate the sky, which was otherwise without a single star.\n\nIf they were to look down, they would discover the ground beneath them was red. Further observation would lead to a far more unpleasant discovery.\n\nThere was blood, everywhere. The concrete beneath their feet was coated in it. Walls, buildings, splatters of what could only be blood adorned most surfaces. It stood out even more against the pitch black of the buildings, who had lost all their identifying features. Even the shadows seemed strange, almost purple on coloration.\n\nThe heartbeat sound had only grown louder.\n\nAnd then it would be hard not to look. Somehow, some way, their eyes would be drawn to it.\n\nA great, looming spire, a jagged shape jutting above all other structures in the city, like a spear thrust towards the moon.\n\nThere was a shuffling, wet sound behind them, and-\n\nThey were back.\n\nAs if nothing had happened, the world was suddenly back to normal. People were still around. There was light and life aside from themselves again.\n\nEven the tower was gone.\n\n@Bartimaeus@hatakekuro@Pitsuji@Psyker Landshark@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\nIt would've been inaccurate to say that Kauro was distracted. Or maybe he was? Kauro's thoughts were a racing, jumbled mess and yet, at the same time completely hyper focused on Strange Gospel. How could he not after everything he saw? There were so many questions that just needed to be answered! His blood was pumping, adrenaline deluged his body as he walked through the sunset-kissed streets of the city. It was a strange sort of joy, something that was manic, yet such a high that it was almost unbearable. \n\nWas it his heartbeat or was it that world's he heard?\n\nKauro wandered aimlessly focused only on his thoughts until he noticed the sound of a chime and the glow of florescent lights from above. He just stood there for a solid second to realize that he just walked into a market without much thought. His head was completely somewhere else though now it started to anchor itself back down to reality. Would it be weird if he walked into a store only to just walk out without buying anything? Yeah, it probably would be weird. \n\nJust for the sake of not looking out of place, Kauro just perused the aisles. Still, he could hear the heartbeat thump softly in the background. \n\nThis was probably the point when the students would disappear. If they made contact with whatever that world was, it must've meant he was going to be pulled back in soon. The reality has been breached and he was marked by whatever entity was in control of Strange Gospel if the repeated beating of the heart was an indication. The question was when he would be claimed. \n\nWould it be so bad though? It's not like he had much reason to stay. \n\nKauro grabbed a can of coke from the drinks section and walked over to the checkout. The cashier was some black- haired kid around his own age. Strangely enough, he looked familiar, but he was not sure where he would have seen him. Maybe from school? Who knows \n\n\"Hi, I'd like to get some chicken,\" he said pointing at the glass case convivence store fried chicken and other foods.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nIt didn't go away. The thumping of a heartbeat echoed into his ear, no matter how many steps he was away from the school. Sweat slid down as Yuichi tried to think. Was it the app? Taking out his phone again, he tried to delete the app. When he did, it just popped up again. \"What's with this thing,\" Yuichi muttered to himself. With the stress getting to him again, he looked up from his phone. He was far from the sports center, but there was a convenience store.\n\nEntering inside, he recognized a certain orange hair man browsing through the aisles. Hattori Karuo, if he remembered correctly. They hadn't met personally, but Yuichi often caught his name when he passed by him and his friends at school. A social star, as Yuichi would have likened it as. Yuichi considered the possibility of walking up and talking to him. Maybe all of this was in his head, and it'd go away if he talked to someone,.\n\nNo, that would be too awkward. Yuichi didn't even know what to open with to start a conversation, and he didn't know Hattori that well, either.\n\nGoing off to one of the display refrigerators, Yuichi picked out a water bottle and picked up a snack. By the time he arrived to order himself up, Hattori was already standing in front of the cashier. The cashier, himself, seemed familiar as well. Was it Kosubaku? If he remembered the name correctly. They might have shared a class at one point, though Yuichi could have remembered better.\n\nThough, now he was in an awkward situation. Standing right behind Hattori, Yuichi stood behind and stared straight ahead at the shelf behind Kosubaku. Should he speak up? It didn't help that the uncomfortable sound was still beating somewhere right behind him.\n\nMentally steeling himself, he spoke up. \"Hi, Hattori-kun. How's your day?\" Yuichi said casually. A simple conversation opener. Though forget that, Hattori didn't know who he was. How would Hattori feel if some stranger came out of nowhere, called him by his name, and greeted him out of nowhere? A frown formed on his face as he tried to work things out inside his head.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\nBeing a rather small, off-the-road market, Kazama was the only employee around, and he served the function of both the cashier and a stock clerk and so it was also his job to replenish any missing item when he thought no client would arrive. He was in the middle of this, alone in the store when his mind had time to realize one crucial detail: that nauseating sound, the thumping of that alien heart hadn't stopped, it only became fainter, almost inaudibly when he didn't actively look for it, but now that he had he couldn't get it out of his head. \n\nHis thoughts became mumbled, he wanted to forget what happened, write it off as a stress-induced hallucination, a consequence of his routine, but the constant heartbeat was a reminder that he was going crazy, or what he experienced was no delirium. Kazama was so lost in his thoughts that he almost didn't hear the chime signaling a new customer had arrived. \"stop thinking about crap and concentrate on the job\" he said to himself, and really mean it. There were few things worse than slacking in a job you got paid for in Kazama's mind, and besides that, it would be good for him to take his keep his mind busy with anything other than the events from some minutes ago. \n\nHe walked down the aisle and got behind the cashier's desk, put on the best salesman smile he could muster on, and waited till the client got what they wanted and went to pay, but what he did not expect was it to be a fellow student from his school looking at the aisles. He was about his height, had orange hair, and carried himself with confidence, even if he looked kinda distracted from what he could see.\n\nThe oranged-haired boy was still searching for something to buy when the bell at the entrance sounded yet again, and another peer of his entered the store. Not only twice in a day but at the same time? Not that it was weird or anything, but usually students didn't pick such a small market to buy things... well, not like he was ashamed to be seen working here, so he didn't care either way. \n\nThe first guy that entered reached the checkout and asked for some chicken to accompany his coke. He smiled at him as he answered \"Hi! Wait for just a second and I get it for you\" . With that said, Kazama crouched, the opening for the glass door being on his side of the desk. Just as he was about to grab the chicken he heard the second customer greet the now named Hattori. His name didn't ring any bells in Kazama's mind, but to be fair he didn't know a lot of people in school to be honest.\n\nHe got back up and put the plastic plate on the counter, \"That would be 2000 yen, would that be all?\" . He looked behind Hattori and nodded to the other boy, his face seemed a little more familiar to him, but still not enough to put a name to it. There was a moment of silence, but it was enough for that creepy thumping to return to his ears. The smile on Kazama's face weakened a little, and he turned his head slightly to the left as if to make sure there was nothing behind him. The paranoia was starting to affect his mind on the job he noticed and grimaced for one second, before returning to his smiling self. He hoped neither of the boys had seen that.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise no longer mingled or chatted with those he passed by on the street, instead his head and gaze faced forward directly towards where he was walking -- but, said gaze was not focused on anything in particular - he was thinking, hard.\n\nNow, Chise was not an outright denier of the supernatural, but he had never experienced such a thing in his life. And he had never heard of a credible source experiencing anything like it either. There had to be some sort of sensible explanation for what had just happened. As his mind wriggled in anxiousness, trying to make sense of it all, he heard a voice from behind address him. His feet stopped in place instinctively as he realized how fast he had just begun walking. He stutter-stepped to balance himself out as he came to a stop, and turned to meet the face behind the voice, forcing his shoulders to release some of the tension they now held.\n\nHis features softened ever-so-slightly as he saw the speaker, losing some of their seriousness. He wasn't sure who or what he expected it to be, but he was somehow relieved to see that it was just one of his school-mates.\n\nHis face developed a smile which only he might know was partially fake. \"H-Hey there.. Naoko-chan, yeah?\" He responded, his hand rising to brush a bit of hair to the side with a slight nervousness. He had never really talked to the girl, maybe once or twice in passing, but he knew the names of most of his school-mates - something he made sure to do for himself. He steadied himself and tried to allow his body and mind to relax a bit as he continued his response, looking-over the girl and past her, briefly. \"Ahh, yeah, I'm doing fine!\" He ensured. \"I-I was just.. trying to remember my grocery list, haha.\" He tossed a light glance over his shoulder, just before he turned back to her and felt the distant bmp once again. He blinked in surprised, his eyes fluttering a couple times as he realized whatever it was that he saw seemed like it was still.. there, somehow.\n\nHe swallowed. \"Aha.. yep. Anyways, did ya wanna, like, walk or something, or was that all?\" He inquired as he began to take a couple short steps backwards towards his previous destination. \"I'm heading to the grocer's square, so my trip'll be short since it's pretty close.\"", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" } ]

[ { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\n\"Hey, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale there\" \n\nWhen he heard that question Kazama wanted nothing more than kick himself, he had let the events that transpired a few minutes ago impact his job. It didn't matter that it was a minor thing, in his mind any and all mistakes were unforgivable, but that just showed how much it affected him, and that damned heartbeat didn't help at all. He could still hear it, thumping and thumping at the back of his head, but he needed to concentrate on the client in front of him first. \"Y-yeah, just had a weird day is all, no need to worry\"] , he said with the best smile he could muster. Kazama noticed Kauro had the money in his hand and was about to extend his own when he paused, and against his better judgment decided to ask his peers in front of him \"Actually, just a quick question if you don't mind, did any of you notice anything weird in the way here? I think a gas line broke up or something, I became a little lightheaded a few minutes ago, saw some weird stuff\" . That was the only logical explication Kazama could think of to explain what he saw and wanted to be sure.\n\nIf there really was a broken gas tube he would need to tell his boss so he could pass it up to the neighborhood association before anything too bad could happen.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nSo help her, Nagi was going to throw this bitch into oncoming traffic. At the very least, Gotoh was listening. Being an unbelievable cunt about it, but still listening. Still, how the hell had the rumor mill not focused on the fact that the school genius was a walking stereotype insufferable know-it-all? That really should've been the first thing anyone even mentioned about Gotoh Yuzu. Fucking hell, she seriously wasn't paid enough to deal with this shit. For a moment, Nagi felt just a twinge of empathy towards her father and a good portion of the boys for their smoking habit. A cigarette didn't sound like the worst idea right now if it took the edge off dealing with this. Then the part of her that actually gave a shit about the health of everyone involved ruthlessly quashed that sentiment and gave her a dope slap on the back of the head for even considering it. \n\n\"God, just...fuck it.\" Nagi groaned in disgust as she pinched her brow. \"If it means something's gonna come out of your mouth besides another insult, just ask your questions while we're walking. Can't promise I can answer everything, but I'll tell you what I know and/or what I'm allowed to say before you meet the boss.\"\n\nAt the same time, Nagi fished her burner phone out, rapidly typing a text to her erstwhile classmate and co-worker. \n\nShiratori, you got your guy yet? Mine's driving me batshit insane from how much of a huge bitch she is, might kill her before Strange Gospel gets the chance to at this rate\n\n@VitaVitaAR", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nWhere this freaking delinquent got off talking to her like this, Yuzu could not guess!! She tried glaring holes into the back of her head, mostly because she felt like the yakuza bitch would hit her or something and she apparently already avoided death once today. Yuzu bit the inside of her lip and took a calming breath, okay. For now, she should just try and get information about this thing from the delinquent, even if she didn't look smart enough to do more than swing a bat against someone's skull. \n\n\"Well you can start by telling me how exactly I would have died.\" Even just thinking it makes a shiver go up her spine, her shoulders square as she followed behind. \"And why its happening through some phone app! You'd think a virus would be a lot easier, if someone was planning on killing people with...whatever this is.\"\n\nAs she talked, however, Yuzu did take notice of the Yakuza bitch typing away at her phone. She sped up behind her to try and see what exactly she was saying. It was hard, considering she was several inches shorter than the bitch and that they were both moving. Shiratori? And- Did she just call her a bitch!?\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"Uh huh...\" This would have been the part where this tall guy would introduce himself, but it looked like he did not seem to know the protocol for basic introductions. So, Kauro still had no idea who this guy was still, and the conversation came to a grinding halt. There was no salvaging that conversation and Kauro really just did not have the energy to care enough to try to maintain a conversation where he would never interact with again. He had more important matters at hand though he was stuck talking to an anxious store employee. \n\nThe clerk made a mistake with trying to hide behind a smile; don't try to bullshit a bullshitter. Clearly there was something wrong, but if he would not divulge information then there was nothing for Kauro to do. However, he let on a bit more than he might've intended. This could have been nothing though. It could have just been an actual gas leak, but there were too many strange phenomena occurring all at once all over the city; things that even Kauro has seen. There was a real chance that Kauro had just met another victim of Strange Gospel. It was a big jump to conclusions, but he had to take it. \n\n\"You saw it, didn't you? Strange Gospel, or whatever that world was,\" Kauro said to him point blank without blinking. \"You can hear it too. A heartbeat, but it's at the very edge of your hearing like it's background noise. That's why you're looking behind even when all there is behind you is a wall with shelves. Considering you suggested a gas leak, something you'd report immediately to your supervisor, you must've experienced it for the first time today. The same as me.\" \n\nHis blood was beginning to pump again. If he was correct, then that meant it was possible that there were other people that entered that world at the same time he did. Just how many others were pulled into it as well today?", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\n\"Can you say that again?\" Suddenly, the tall student came close behind Kauro and grabbed his shoulder. While his tone seemed polite, the serious expression that demanded an explanation betrayed his feelings. Yuichi wasn't paying attention to what was said beside him. The youth took out his phone shortly after he looked away. Eyeing the same app that seemingly was the source of his stress, he tried to delete it from his phone a second time until he heard the word 'Strange Gospel.'\n\nWhether Yuichi noticed or not, his grip on Kauro's shoulder tightened. \"What do you know of this Strange Gospel?\" There was no attempt to connect the two. If Kauro was experiencing the same auditory illusion, then he definitely was the only one. The cashier as well if Kauro's guess was correct. How many people were involved with this app? The entire school? Maybe even more?\n\nA chill ran down his spine as he remembered a classmate who passed by him who first mentioned it. Did that mean that kid was also? His grip slightly loosened on Kauro's shoulder. Yuichi's eyes glanced over to the cashier, \"Is it the same for you?\" Considering that the cashier looked as bad, or worse, than him, Yuichi guess that it would be a yes.\n\nThough what did this all mean? Yuichi's eyes furrowed as he became aware that the arm he had used was his dominant arm. His arm shook as Yuichi tried to contain himself.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \nStrange Gospel! As he heard that name leave Hattori's mouth he knew why the morbid scenario he witnessed some minutes ago was familiar to him! It was the same imagery as those creepy videos that started to pop up in that app, and his eyes widened as he realized that perhaps he wasn't crazy, perhaps something more was going on behind the scenes... but if that really was the case, it only invited more questions to his mind. He looked at Hattori's, his cool and collected facade starting to disappear a little as his eyes became, for a lack of a better word, alive for the first time in the conversation.\n\nHe was about to answer the question when the guy behind him grabbed the orangette's shoulder. Now that he was closer, Kazama could see just how tall he was, considering he himself was taller than the average student and even some men he worked with, it was rare to find himself looking up to someone, even if slightly. He noticed that the grip he had on Hattori was perhaps stronger than it should be, but if they all experienced that same moonlight-filled world then he couldn't blame him if his nerves got to him. Still, that didn't mean it was correct, so he quickly spoke out, both to answer the questions and to try and calm the situation. \"Yeah, some minutes ago on the street\". Before continuing, he made sure no other customer was in the store, even if the entrance was visible from where they were, he didn't want anyone to overhear what he was about to say. \"Blood all over the place, a full moon, and a fucking enormous tower in the distance? Yeah I saw it, and I can still hear the heartbeats\". Even the memory of it made his blood run cold, it was the most disturbing thing he ever saw. \n\nHe sighed, a weight off his shoulders now that he could confirm he wasn't crazy, but that still begs the question. \"You say that weird app, Strange Gospel, has something to do with this?, I've heard the rumors and though they were only urban legends, now I'm not so sure.\" he shifted his view between Hattori and the still unidentified tall guy, seeing as the three of them were in a similar situation. \"Do you think the disappearances are also connected to this? because if they are...\". Then any of us could be next was left unsaid.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" } ]

[ { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nYuichi looked at the cashier and then at Kauro. Back at the cashier and then at Kauro. It took Yuichi a long time to process Kauro's theories and speculation on what was going on. Was the app out to kill them? How was it going to kill them? More importantly, why was it going to kill them?! Kauro's theories and conjectures only added more questions to Yuichi's mind as he couldn't properly understand what the orange hair man was saying. \"Wait, hold on a second.\" Yuichi let go of Kauro's shoulder and held up his hands.\n\n\"I get that the app might have a connection to the recent disappearances late. I understand that all the coincidences are connected, but...\" Yuichi had a frown on his face. \"The proverbial chopping block? Don't you think that's a bit much?\" How the hell was this guy popular again? It took a lot of restraint from Yuichi to fully voice out his thoughts, but he continued. \"Even if it's an alternate future or a parallel dimension, you have no proof for it. I think it'd be best if we'd keep the theories down for now.\" \n\nAh, that's right, he forgot to introduce himself. It was better to know the names of the people who were afflicted by the same plight that he had been under. \"My apologies; I forgot to introduce myself. My name is-\" Yuichi stopped stone cold as he could feel some sort of wave flow through him. The purple-haired boy didn't have to turn around to confirm what had happened. Yet, he still did it out of foolishness. \n\nBlood seemed to leak through the doors of the convenience store. Yuichi took a few steps back and ended up bumping into Kauro, who was right behind him. There was something beyond the windows. Whatever it was, Yuichi wasn't going to find out what. \"Cashier-san.\" In a quiet yet booming voice, Yuichi looked over toward Kazama. \"Where's the back exit?\"", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nHe stood there and listened to Hattori's hypothesis about what was going but the wild theories only served to confuse him even further. Parallel worlds? Seeing the future? Concepts that only existed in manga and anime now were possible answers to the problem they were facing. But... Kazama's previous experience didn't only serve as proof, but it also matched with what the teen in front of him was telling him, and going by the expression on the tall guy's face, the three of them were in a similar situation. \n\nFaced with facts and a solid explanation, or at least more solid than anything he could come up with, he could only nod, taking a few moments to organize the many ideas floating in his head before speaking. \"So, let's say you're right, that this is some kind of parallel world or whatever, then the question becomes just what the hell do we do? My first idea would be going to the police but that's just asking for them to laugh at us or worse, taking us for addicts of some kind\" Or at least that was his line of thought. With no way of actually showing other people what they have seen there was no way, they would believe them. \n\nKazama sighed, a tired, nervous sound leaving his mouth. He had noticed something in Hattori's tirade and he just had to ask. \"And not to change the topic or something, but aren't you a little too carefree when talking about this Hattori-san? We may as well be talking about our possible deaths here...\" Then again, in the face of such excitement? He wasn't sure if that was the correct word, but nevertheless, Hattori's way of speaking helped in soothing his mind a little, at least he wasn't afraid of his own shadow anymore. He was about to introduce himself when the tallest guy in the room decided to speak up, voicing his displeasure at the orangette's wild conjectures. A valid opinion to have in the face of all this that's for sure, but what else did they have aside from theories? \"Well, maybe that's true, but any reason for what's happening is going to be a crazy one anyway\"\n\nSadly for Kazama, his peace of mind wouldn't last for long. It was an imperceptible change, a blink of an eye. One moment everything was alright, but one second was all it took for him to notice something was amiss. The first thing he noticed was the lack of movement outside, once again the street became deserted of all life. Then the blood started to seep from the floor, from the fridge, and even from the ceiling. That damned heartbeat that he finally managed to ignore returned but now it wasn't just a heartbeat. A strange sound came from the outside, unidentifiable to his ears, a shuffling of some kind or something. Even the shadows seemed to move on their own, the alien moonlight illuminating the ambiance a stark reminder that they weren't in the normal world anymore.\n\n\"G-guys what the fuck do we do, there's something out there!\" He said, frantically looking at the store, seemingly looking for something, his eyes never straying from the entrance for too much, afraid of what could step inside. Having found what he was looking for, Kazama rapidly went to one of the nearest aisles, taking the biggest kitchen knife for sale in one hand and a small but sturdy-looking meat tenderizer in the other before going back behind the counter.\n\n\"Q-quick! come here and take one of these, there's also a fire extinguisher behind the counter! Just grab whatever!\" He was clearly panicking, remembering the earlier sensation of being watched, of having something coming from behind. His thoughts were so frantic that he didn't even consider the back exit until after he was asked by the purple-haired boy. \"R-right, there's one on the back, in the storage area. The door's over there\" He said while pointing to their right, a nondescript door with an 'Employees only' sign in it some 5 meters of distance from where they were standing.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\n\"How you die?\" Nagi raised an eyebrow, deciding to humor the abrasive nerd. In the meantime, she glanced at the response she'd gotten back from Nozomi, immediately followed by coordinates from their handlers. Well, at least she knew where to go now. \"Well, one of two things, usually. First doesn't happen often, and it probably shouldn't to you since we got to you first, but sometimes people just have what's basically a mental shutdown. Ain't pretty. Second is-\"\n\nThe world shifted. It happened again. Nagi stilled, looking around for a brief moment before tucking her phone away. Shit, shit, shit. This was bad. Both she and Nozomi had to lug around civilians during this shift, while looking for three more. This...wasn't going to be pretty. \n\n\"God damn it.\" She groaned, thumbing her Awakening Drive once more as she glanced back to Yuzu, now deathly serious. \"Gotoh. That second way you die? Getting killed by monsters in here. I need you to follow me and listen, because if you don't, you're gonna get killed real quick.\"\n\nNagi turned, grabbing Yuzu by the shoulder and looking her dead in the eyes. \n\n\"I'm not fucking around. This shit's absolutely serious. Stay behind me, and do what I tell you, when I tell you to. I ain't yanking your chain, I'm trying to keep you from biting it. Until I get you to the boss, you're defenseless in here. And there's still three more people that me and my coworker are trying to track down and stop from getting killed too. Got it?\" Nagi's grip on Yuzu's shoulder turned into a brief pat before she turned back around, leading the way towards the coordinates she'd been given. It wasn't too far away, but anything could happen in the distance between the supermarket and the conbini.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" } ]

[ { "text": "Shiratori allowed herself to smile, at least for a moment, before nodding her head.\n\nWith a brief glance at her phone, she took another step forward.\n\n\"Follow me, we're going to meet up with some others who've gotten pulled over to this side,\" she said, \"Stay close!\"\n\nWith that, she broke into a sprint.\n\nEverything looked the same, here. The same inky black buildings. The same strangely red shadows. The same gore-spattered streets. But Shiratori Nozomi knew where she was going. Even if she hadn't had any experience here before, the map provided to her from her phone would have done its job.\n\nShe wasn't at all concerned with finding her way.\n\nRather, it was finding her way with Nozaki in tow and without running into-\n\nA sound like creaking wood came from an alleyway ahead.\n\nThe thing that emerged from it was spindly, shaped something like a child's idea of a spider. The lengthy, joined black limbs ended with five-fingered, grasping hands, currently being used to scuttle across the ground and suspending it in the air above both Nozaki and her own heads.\n\nEach limb connected to a central body, a circular shape with three white masks, each sporting a simple pair of black eyesockets and a thin smile.\n\nWhen it caught sight of them, a lengthy crimson tongue emerged from each of the masks, hanging, twisting in the air below it.\n\nDamn it, in a tight place like this, with someone she had to protect...!\n\n\"Tch...! This way!\"\n\nGrasping Nozaki's hand in her own, Shiratori Nozaki immediately tugged him down the nearest alley, as the creature started to follow after them.\n\n\"Don't look back!\"\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nUnfortunately for both of the girls, it wasn't going to be so easy.\n\nNo sooner then they'd started running then the source of the slimy noise became apparent.\n\nA black, shadowy pool of darkness on the floor, sliding along it, leaving a trail of inky goo in its wake. But it wasn't entirely featureless.\n\nIn its center was a white mask, sporting two empty sockets and a wide smile. It stopped just in front of them, the strange thick fluid that made up its body roiling for a moment before suddenly rising into a black lump, about as tall as a grown man and twice as wide, the mask suspended in its center.\n\nA sound not unlike the giggling of a young child came from it, and the mask twisted upside-down, as numerous black hands rose from its base, suspended on long, thin arms, already reaching, grasping...\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe moment anyone made to peek outside, they would be greeted with what was perhaps a surprising sight.\n\nIt was a boy, a high schooler from the very same school as they were. He wasn't particularly recognizable. Maybe one of them had seen him before, maybe one of them hadn't. But he was most certainly clad in the very same school uniform as they were.\n\nHis gaze was fixed on the sky.\n\nOr more specifically the moon.\n\nHe was shaking. Trembling with terror, backing up as if something was looking at him. His trembling breaths were loud enough to be barely audible from the store.\n\nAnd then he grasped at his face, screaming, shuddering, falling to his knees as his entire body seized, spasming and twitching. Black fluid began to pour from his face, from his eyes, mouth, and nose, splattering onto the ground beneath him.\n\nMoments later, he fell face-first into the pool of inky darkness, and no longer moved.\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nKazama would be the first to admit that his life was very atypical for a teenage boy his age. The fact that he started working when he was 13 certainly stunted his social life, and he didn't have a lot of free time on his hands, but if you were to ask him, he would answer that he was satisfied with his lot in life, could be worse could be better, as they say. The truth was that he wasn't the only guy in existence who had it rough, and he wouldn't be the last. He even had a joyful and pleasant childhood, full of laughs at cheers. It was during this period of time that he got into anime, the 90s and 00s anime to be exact, there was something about the way it was animated that really got him. While nowadays he lost some interest in it, back then he loved it, watching every show he could on the old tv and DVD player in his room. He had his favorites, like Cowboy Bepop -Spike was THE man- and Dragon Ball, but there was one that left quite a mark on him: Neon Genesis Evangelion. Not really an anime a 12-year-old should be watching in his current opinion, yet at that time, as he gazed into the life of one Shinji Ikari and the tragedies that would befall him and the supporting cast, he was enraptured, he even begged his parents to buy him the movie. After watching it, a particular scene stayed in his mind for a while: The Third Impact and its effect on the people. He found it disturbing yet strangely captivating and wondered how would modern technology adapt it to the screen if there was ever a live-action adaptation of Evangelion, God hopes there wasn't.\n\nNow, 5 years later, Kazama got a childhood question of him partially answered, and the result wasn't pretty. The sheer fear in the student's eyes quickly got replaced by intense pain. The gruesomeness of the process that he experienced and the last look he and Kazama shared. This was a moment that would stay with him until the day he died, he was sure of it, and, if he knew he would see this, would have done anything to not be the one who had to go take a peek outside. He slowly closed the door and walked back to the cashier's desk, his movements erratic. Once he reached the two guys who were there he said \"There was someone outside. a student of our school, and he... black stuff started to come out of his mouth and eyes and he... he's dead\" he finally got out, his face ashen white.\n\nTo say Kazama was shaken would be a severe understatement, he was traumatized. Never before had he experienced such a sight in real life, not even when a guy broke his arm in a construction zone he was working with. \n\nAll his previous nervousness seemed to have left him, only a cold, almost robotic indifference permeated his movements as he reached for a key next to the cash register. \"This is the key for that door, if we got out we shouldn't look to the moon, that guy did that and... that happened\" He left the decision in the hands of his peers, he was too tired for that.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location: In the Gospel??\n\n\n---\n\nChise was quick to follow Shiratori's steps as they hurried towards their mystery destination.\n\nIt was instinctually that he started sprinting after her as she did, meanwhile his brain was back to thinking. \"Others who've gotten pulled over to this side,\" She said. Okay, now it really was starting to sound like some spooky manga. He spared a moment to look away from their surroundings to have a glimpse at her -- she seemed determined. The glances down towards her phone made it seem as if she didn't really know where they were going - maybe she was reading a map or something - but, she seemed confident in her path, nonetheless.\n\nHe took his eyes off her, again trying to examine their surroundings as they sprinted through the streets - not that there was much detail to examine. All the buildings were once again shaded out, and everything was thickly layered with blood. The smell was.. foul, but Chise tried not to breathe too deeply. His mind began to wonder as to the source of this blood just before the duo was halted by an ominous, creaking sound.\n\nChise's eyes almost glazed over at what emerged before them. A scarily tall, gangling creature that looked like it came straight out of a nightmare. Its dark, elongated hands scrabbling across the blood-spattered cement as it eerily crawled out of the alley. Chise's legs suddenly felt numb. As he look at the creature in disbelief, it managed to spot them, and three long, grotesque tongues slithered out of each of the baleful masks that adorned its body.\n\n\"H-Holy cra-\" Before he could even finish, Shiratori grasped his hand and tugged him away as they sprinted down a nearby alley. Every instinct pulled Chise to turn and look back, but also to run away as fast as he could. He turned up the pace and started sprinting even harder as he heard the terrifying sounds of the creature following them, his strides shortening but quickening. He was no stranger to sprints or runs - he enjoyed them, even. But running for your life was a different feeling altogether. His eyes glanced to his side at Shiratori and he raised a question between leadened breaths. \"What is that thing???\"", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nIf the situation wasn't so serious, Yuzu's shift from haughty bitch to terrified child would be almost comical. Okay, scratch that, it was still fucking funny right now. The only reason Nagi didn't crack up was because Yuzu latching onto her arm was actually annoying enough to dampen her mood. \n\n\"Get off of me, would ya?.\" Nagi grunted, shaking her arm out of Yuzu's grasp as they trudged along. \"I can't make sure we don't die if you're latched on.\"\n\nOf course, the universe chose just then to screw with her life just that tiny bit more. As the shadowy monster rose up, Nagi shoved Yuzu back with one hand. Damn. She'd fought this sort of thing before, but not with a goddamn civilian in tow! \n\n\"Get the fuck back! I got this! BELIAL!\" Nagi bellowed her last word as she slammed her Awakening Drive into the side of her wrist, a crimson winged demon emerging into existence behind her with a roar. A mental nudge directed her Echo forward, claws outstretched to rip into the monster. Even as Belial charged forward, Nagi wasn't far behind, quickly reaching into her jacket pockets to slip on the other thing she kept hidden on her person, a pair of brass knuckles. Belial's claws descended upon the creature even as Nagi moved to flank it, aiming to land a haymaker into its side.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" } ]

[ { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nWhatever the hell was going on with Strange Gospel, it was definitely making her stronger when she was pulled over to the other side. Or maybe she just got juiced up as her Echo did. Either way, Nagi's punch certainly wouldn't have hit these monsters that hard even a month ago. Hell, it slammed back a good distance away. Not that she was going to complain about it. The piece of crap was dying. Time to move in for the kill.\n\nOr at least Nagi would have, if the thing didn't decide to offer up some last-ditch resistance. Her first instinct was to just evade the grasping arms and weave through them to finish the fucker off, but some part of her brain remembered that Gotoh was still in the back. Fuck. If Nagi dodged, it might go for her instead. And as annoying as the girl was, Nagi really didn't want Yuzu's death on her conscience. Oh, this was going to blow. \n\nA mental command had Belial returning to her, arms outstretched protectively in front as both of them charged forward, one behind the other. Hellfire surrounded her Echo as they made a mad dash, aiming to reach the beast before it could do too much damage to Belial. Her Echo's flames weren't that strong compared to its claws, and enough of the monster's arms grasped it to the point where Nagi was feeling a good amount of pain, but she powered through, Belial grasping the monster with its own arms and spinning it around to pin it in place. \n\n\"Eat it, shitbag!\" She bellowed, leaping up onto the monster and holding on with her left hand as her right began to mercilessly pound into it. One punch. Two. Three. Before long, nothing was left of the beast besides blood and black ichor, some of it splashing on Nagi and staining her clothes as she landed back down on the ground, Belial hovering menacingly next to her. She stayed there for a moment, taking in a few gulps of air as she caught her breath and checked on her own condition. The fuckwit had gotten a few hits in at the last moment there, but she could still keep going. She'd been in worse shape after taking on those punks from across town a few months back. \n\n\"Alright,\" Nagi stood back up, glancing back towards her charge. \"C'mon, Gotoh. We've still got somewhere to be. Get your ass in gear. And don't worry about the stains, they kinda just disappear once we're out of here.\" She beckoned Yuzu forward, starting to move towards her objective again afterward.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nCompletely consumed by fear, Yuzu freaked out a little. \n\n\"GET IT AWAAAY!\" She cries, all but running away from both the monster that laughed so fucking oddly and the girl who was probably going to get herself killed thinking she could fight it! She was right on the money, she had to be, no way a normal person could fight off something like that! She was going to die here, she was going to die here and now, and all she could do was cower away and cover her head with her bag in futile defense. \n\nAnd then a demon showed up. \n\nYuzu looked back at Nagi who was suddenly spouting english at the monster and then a demon, Belial? Showed up. All muscle, wing and power, the two of them made that monster look like it had been the stupid one for even daring to approach them. She was....she could cope with the demon thing being so strong and tearing that thing apart, but how the fuck was Nagi so....supernaturally strong!? Was this how she fought them, how the people she was with fought them? \n\nMore than nauseous now, Yuzu could only watch as the monster thing fell underneath Nagi's fists, her fear mostly cleared away and somewhat redirected back to the yakuza bitch who could beat down monsters with her bare hands like nothing. Timidly, she stepped back up toward Nagi, visibly shaking in her shoes as she looked at the remains of the monster. \n\n\"H-how did you do that? How could- What even was....Is this cult!?\" She suddenly accused, because truly the only thing her mind could comprehend right now was how she summoned a being known as Belial, a very well known demon in Judeo Christian cultures. Even as she complained she practically latched back onto Nagi, an approximate inch of distance away from her since she didn't wanna touch her. She was probably covered in monster residue...stuff! \"Y-your not gonna make me summon a demon right? I-I'm not about to get s-sacrificed or whatever the fuck!\"\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "Yuichi jumped at the sound of broken glass. The student turned to see in the corner of his eye a humanoid woman, if he could call it that, burst through the windows. Words failed to described its figure, but Yuichi could perfectly what he felt at that moment. Fear. \"The backdoor.\" Yuichi suddenly the said. Then with a sudden surge in volume, \"GET TO THE BACKDOOR, NOW!\" Yuichi screamed. Whatever that that thing was, it wasn't human. They didn't know what it could do, but he had a feeling that they didn't stand a chance at fighting that thing.\n\nPushing Karou behind him, Yuichi brought up the nozzle of the fire extinguisher. Release the pin, aim it at the monster, and press it down. A gush of foam immediately shot out of the fire extinguisher. The convenience store's front was engulfed foam, which would act like a temporary smokescreen for them to use. \"GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!\" After the fire extinguinsher seemly ran out of foam, he threw the exntugisher into the foam and turned to follow classmates.\n\nWhat the hell was that thing? Whatever it was definitely wasn't human. They needed to get out of the area and try to find another place to hide.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nKazama nodded at the boys and their attempts at encouragement, he didn't know what he would have done if he had been alone when all of this happened but surely more of a mess than he was now. He only hoped, maybe selfishly, that this thing only affected people of a certain age, at least that way he could be sure his mom would be safe. \n\nHe nodded once again, psyching himself up, as it would seem their best course of action was leaving the store behind. He was about to turn around and head for the door when he heard the characteristic sound of glass breaking before being pushed to the ground by Yuichi using the hand already on his shoulder. He frantically looked around to see a long spike directly behind the place he was a few moments ago and quickly shifted his gaze to the front of the store, where a humanoid figure stood.\n\nKazama instantly recognized the black substance the thing was made of, having seen where it came from personally. The thing looked vaguely feminine and had a white mask and creepy-looking hair. It was one of the most terrifying sights in his life, and it was looking their way. \n\nThe tallest teen in the room acted rapidly, using the fire extinguisher as a weapon and reminding Kazama what he had to do. Desperately he got up and ran towards the door that would lead them to the alleyway, using his hands to get some of the foam out of his way. When he reached his destination he miraculously could control his trembling hand to open the door on the first try, using his whole body to push it open.\n\nA small, cramped room full of boxes and other miscellaneous items welcomed them. \"The exit is this way, quick!\" he shouted to the boys who were following him, traversing the storage efficiently and quickly, the adrenaline coursing through his veins making him act reasonably well in spite of his fear.\n\nOnce they reached the exit, Kazama used the same key to open the door, the alley behind him was painted the same red, bloody colour as the rest of the street. They heard a strepitous crash behind them and he quickly locked the door again, hoping it would give them some time. \"Now what?! Where do we go? The main street? Our houses? What if more of those things are out there, waiting for us?!\" he asked, not entirely panic driven but not in the best state of mind either.\n\nThe only thing he had clear was to not, under any circumstances, shift his view upwards. He didn't know if it could happen to him, but Kazama would not risk the chance of the moon entering his sight", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" } ]

[ { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nYuzu was begrudgingly walked through the crowd of students, her head down looking at her phone as she tapped her way through an endless stream of social medias. She had no club to be at and no real friends she wanted to be around, so she had to wrestle with the daily issue of what she could be doing with her time that wasn't studying or doing more scholorship papers. Yuzu figured that either way, she would probably be heading right back home but that was far too unappealing. \n\nThere was something that was on everyones mind that even Yuzu had to admit was interesting, this Strange Gospel stuff? \n\nIf you asked Yuzu, it was either a hard scam or a cult thing, both of which were very appealing to high school students with nothing but free time. Unluckily, Yuzu was also a highschool student with nothing but free time. \n\nAs Yuzu began breaking away from the greater rabble she made way for the grocery store, may as well get a snack or something while she does this. She did have the link to this Strange Gospel thing after all, off of a number she doesn't recognize of all things. If you wanna do a scam, at least obfuscate it a little, right? All she had to do now by the looks of it was wait for that next day response. \n\n\"I swear to God if this is just a fucking virus...\" She grumbled to herself, idly looking around and- hey was that the fucking Yakuza chick? \nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "Another day of school ended, but let's be honest, no one really cared about what was happening around the school these days with the rumors circulating about disappearances and a strange man being seen about town at night. At the heart of it all though was Strange Gospel, something that no one was entirely sure what it was. Well, it was an app, but the purpose or even the origin was dubious. An app that that showed someone the future that was now feared to be the source of various missing cases throughout the damn city and who knows where else. Still, it sounded like a work of fiction, a rumor that someone made up and posted on the web. \n\nLife has a funny way of being though. The sick twist is that it was real, and Hattori Kauro found himself stuck in this mess. One way or another he found the app or more accurately, the app found him. He knew that there was something greater than what the rumors because he had seen what he assumed to be a potential future. If the design of the app was to show the future, then the next logical step would be that the second video showed him a bleak, terrifying future. The next question is the purpose of the app. No, the purpose isn't to just show the future; it was to communicate though to what end was beyond Kauro. However, he did have one working theory about where the abductees were taken. They were most likely in that tower that he saw in the video.\n\nThe sensation to solve something beyond mortal comprehension was a thrill that one would have difficulty to describe, but he was also not stupid. He only had two weeks to solve this mystery or else he was going to disappear just like everyone else who had made contact with this app. Ruin was creeping around the corner, ready to draw Kauro down with all the other victims, but he was going to be a step ahead. He had to be. \n\nThese were the kind of thoughts he had when walking down the school corridor with his friends. He was completely dead to the world, his eyes glazed over, and his ears deafened to the conversation going around him though over time he could almost hear his name being called. Well, that was until a girl just shouted into his ear. Kauro almost jumped from his skin, which was pretty unusual for him given how used to jumpscares he was and turned to look at the group.\n\n\"Yo Kauro! What're you zoning out for? We've called you out like five times!\" One of them said, a girl with long black hair.\n\nThe truth was that he had not told anyone in his friend group that he used the app. The last thing he wanted to do was make any of them worry. Kauro smiled and said, \"My bad, my bad. Just lost in thought. So, what's the plan?\"\n\nSomeone else from the group piped up. \"We're thinking Karaoke to blow off some steam. Things have been way too tense at school recently with everything that's happened.\"\n\n\"Sounds like fun. I'll just text my aunt to let her know that I'll be out late,\" said Kauro as he whipped his phone out. Going out with his friends wasn't the entire reason why he was so keen on this. He needed an excuse to go around and look for whatever the hell that mysterious figure popping in and out of town. Of course, finding it was an incredible risk because it could be the thing responsible for the kidnappings, or it could be his ticket out. It was his only lead given how little information he had. \n\nWith all that in mind, he exited the campus with his school friends and made their way through the town.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nYuzu hummed as she tapped away at her phone, though now she was barely looking at anything else, her thoughts were mostly drawn to what that odd video could possibly entail. So what if she was becoming impatient with it, it wasn't exactly an every day occurrence now was it? And also, what was that noise just now? \n\nYuzu dared to look up boredly, and what she saw felt like hell. \n\n\"H-huh.\" She mumbled, looking around at the people frozen in place, 'W-what...?\" And then down to where she was stepping in puddles of dark red blood. \"W-what!? What what what what!?\" \n\nYuzu's heartbeat raced but not over the beating sound that seemed to be coming from all over, and then, then something came up from behind her and-! \n\nYuzu squealed in terror, in advertently tossing her phone up into the air, which let her see that things had suddenly decided to turn back to normal. Oh, good, but now she had more pressing matters. \"M-my phone!\" She squealed again, smacking, grabbing, and swinging at the air and her phone until finally it was safely back into her hands. She sighed, okay, so. Maybe she just...imagined all that? \n\nJust as Yuzu was gonna be on her way, the Yakuza bitch decided to start talking to her. \"W-what? The fuck are you talking about? You just sound like someone whos targetting someone!\" She griped, frowning deeply and taking a step back, feelings of confusion giving way to some fear as the girl talked to her about...whatever that just was? She looked uneasily from the phone to the yakuza bitch (she earnestly forgot her name) and clutched onto her bag, \"Why should I? The hell is that even gonna do.\" \n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nAn unpleasant sound resounded in his ears. The moment the world had seemingly changed, Yuichi stopped in his tracks. Everything was frozen. His peers's conversations, the rustling of the trees, everything seemed to be still. Turning around the ball was still soaring through the skies. As if fixed in the air, it did not move just like everything else. Now that he was looking up even the sun was gone. A chill went down his spine as if to make it obvious that the world wasn't warm and safe anymore.\n\n\"What the...\" Yuichi said. Shock was evident on his face as he tried to back away. To his surprise, there was a small patter sound when he moved his feet. His eyes focused down towards his feet. As if it had rained, there was blood on the concrete.\n\nIt didn't stop there. Pieces of gore and blood was spread all around the area. If the phrase, 'let's paint the town red,' was used a descriptor, this would be an apt situation to use it in. Yuichi still couldn't believe he was seeing. Not even his own shadow was safe from the strange environment that had unfurled. The more that Yuichi looked, the more that he felt sick in the inside. Seeing this amount of blood brought back unsavory memories. \n\nYet, the heartbeat beated louder and louder. \n\nAs if beckoning him to look ahead and see for himself, Yuichi saw the towering structure. It loomed over every building that was around them. Like a looming tree hovering over a child, Yuichi could not help look up at the spire. What was it? When was it there? How did it get there? Many questions were probed into his head, but they all found themselves unanswered.\n\nThen everything went back to normal.\n\nA student who had noticed Yuichi staring wide eyed to sky spoke to him. \"Hey, dude, are you alright?\"\n\n\"...Yes, I'm fine. Sorry to worry you.\" Yuichi said, his expression turning unexpressive. Turning back around, he went back to his walk. Instead of going home, Yuichi decided to head to the sports center. After witnessing a near world changing event, Yuichi couldn't tell what he saw was real or not. What needed was to take his mind off of it for a moment and reset his focus. Or that was he would have liked to done until he saw a certain app on his phone.\n\nStrange Gospel\n\nIf Yuichi went paler, no one would have noticed. Putting his phone back into his pocket, he turned directions and headed the other direction. He needed to clear his mind.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" } ]

[ { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\nIt would've been inaccurate to say that Kauro was distracted. Or maybe he was? Kauro's thoughts were a racing, jumbled mess and yet, at the same time completely hyper focused on Strange Gospel. How could he not after everything he saw? There were so many questions that just needed to be answered! His blood was pumping, adrenaline deluged his body as he walked through the sunset-kissed streets of the city. It was a strange sort of joy, something that was manic, yet such a high that it was almost unbearable. \n\nWas it his heartbeat or was it that world's he heard?\n\nKauro wandered aimlessly focused only on his thoughts until he noticed the sound of a chime and the glow of florescent lights from above. He just stood there for a solid second to realize that he just walked into a market without much thought. His head was completely somewhere else though now it started to anchor itself back down to reality. Would it be weird if he walked into a store only to just walk out without buying anything? Yeah, it probably would be weird. \n\nJust for the sake of not looking out of place, Kauro just perused the aisles. Still, he could hear the heartbeat thump softly in the background. \n\nThis was probably the point when the students would disappear. If they made contact with whatever that world was, it must've meant he was going to be pulled back in soon. The reality has been breached and he was marked by whatever entity was in control of Strange Gospel if the repeated beating of the heart was an indication. The question was when he would be claimed. \n\nWould it be so bad though? It's not like he had much reason to stay. \n\nKauro grabbed a can of coke from the drinks section and walked over to the checkout. The cashier was some black- haired kid around his own age. Strangely enough, he looked familiar, but he was not sure where he would have seen him. Maybe from school? Who knows \n\n\"Hi, I'd like to get some chicken,\" he said pointing at the glass case convivence store fried chicken and other foods.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nIt didn't go away. The thumping of a heartbeat echoed into his ear, no matter how many steps he was away from the school. Sweat slid down as Yuichi tried to think. Was it the app? Taking out his phone again, he tried to delete the app. When he did, it just popped up again. \"What's with this thing,\" Yuichi muttered to himself. With the stress getting to him again, he looked up from his phone. He was far from the sports center, but there was a convenience store.\n\nEntering inside, he recognized a certain orange hair man browsing through the aisles. Hattori Karuo, if he remembered correctly. They hadn't met personally, but Yuichi often caught his name when he passed by him and his friends at school. A social star, as Yuichi would have likened it as. Yuichi considered the possibility of walking up and talking to him. Maybe all of this was in his head, and it'd go away if he talked to someone,.\n\nNo, that would be too awkward. Yuichi didn't even know what to open with to start a conversation, and he didn't know Hattori that well, either.\n\nGoing off to one of the display refrigerators, Yuichi picked out a water bottle and picked up a snack. By the time he arrived to order himself up, Hattori was already standing in front of the cashier. The cashier, himself, seemed familiar as well. Was it Kosubaku? If he remembered the name correctly. They might have shared a class at one point, though Yuichi could have remembered better.\n\nThough, now he was in an awkward situation. Standing right behind Hattori, Yuichi stood behind and stared straight ahead at the shelf behind Kosubaku. Should he speak up? It didn't help that the uncomfortable sound was still beating somewhere right behind him.\n\nMentally steeling himself, he spoke up. \"Hi, Hattori-kun. How's your day?\" Yuichi said casually. A simple conversation opener. Though forget that, Hattori didn't know who he was. How would Hattori feel if some stranger came out of nowhere, called him by his name, and greeted him out of nowhere? A frown formed on his face as he tried to work things out inside his head.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \n\nBeing a rather small, off-the-road market, Kazama was the only employee around, and he served the function of both the cashier and a stock clerk and so it was also his job to replenish any missing item when he thought no client would arrive. He was in the middle of this, alone in the store when his mind had time to realize one crucial detail: that nauseating sound, the thumping of that alien heart hadn't stopped, it only became fainter, almost inaudibly when he didn't actively look for it, but now that he had he couldn't get it out of his head. \n\nHis thoughts became mumbled, he wanted to forget what happened, write it off as a stress-induced hallucination, a consequence of his routine, but the constant heartbeat was a reminder that he was going crazy, or what he experienced was no delirium. Kazama was so lost in his thoughts that he almost didn't hear the chime signaling a new customer had arrived. \"stop thinking about crap and concentrate on the job\" he said to himself, and really mean it. There were few things worse than slacking in a job you got paid for in Kazama's mind, and besides that, it would be good for him to take his keep his mind busy with anything other than the events from some minutes ago. \n\nHe walked down the aisle and got behind the cashier's desk, put on the best salesman smile he could muster on, and waited till the client got what they wanted and went to pay, but what he did not expect was it to be a fellow student from his school looking at the aisles. He was about his height, had orange hair, and carried himself with confidence, even if he looked kinda distracted from what he could see.\n\nThe oranged-haired boy was still searching for something to buy when the bell at the entrance sounded yet again, and another peer of his entered the store. Not only twice in a day but at the same time? Not that it was weird or anything, but usually students didn't pick such a small market to buy things... well, not like he was ashamed to be seen working here, so he didn't care either way. \n\nThe first guy that entered reached the checkout and asked for some chicken to accompany his coke. He smiled at him as he answered \"Hi! Wait for just a second and I get it for you\" . With that said, Kazama crouched, the opening for the glass door being on his side of the desk. Just as he was about to grab the chicken he heard the second customer greet the now named Hattori. His name didn't ring any bells in Kazama's mind, but to be fair he didn't know a lot of people in school to be honest.\n\nHe got back up and put the plastic plate on the counter, \"That would be 2000 yen, would that be all?\" . He looked behind Hattori and nodded to the other boy, his face seemed a little more familiar to him, but still not enough to put a name to it. There was a moment of silence, but it was enough for that creepy thumping to return to his ears. The smile on Kazama's face weakened a little, and he turned his head slightly to the left as if to make sure there was nothing behind him. The paranoia was starting to affect his mind on the job he noticed and grimaced for one second, before returning to his smiling self. He hoped neither of the boys had seen that.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" } ]

[ { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"Uh huh...\" This would have been the part where this tall guy would introduce himself, but it looked like he did not seem to know the protocol for basic introductions. So, Kauro still had no idea who this guy was still, and the conversation came to a grinding halt. There was no salvaging that conversation and Kauro really just did not have the energy to care enough to try to maintain a conversation where he would never interact with again. He had more important matters at hand though he was stuck talking to an anxious store employee. \n\nThe clerk made a mistake with trying to hide behind a smile; don't try to bullshit a bullshitter. Clearly there was something wrong, but if he would not divulge information then there was nothing for Kauro to do. However, he let on a bit more than he might've intended. This could have been nothing though. It could have just been an actual gas leak, but there were too many strange phenomena occurring all at once all over the city; things that even Kauro has seen. There was a real chance that Kauro had just met another victim of Strange Gospel. It was a big jump to conclusions, but he had to take it. \n\n\"You saw it, didn't you? Strange Gospel, or whatever that world was,\" Kauro said to him point blank without blinking. \"You can hear it too. A heartbeat, but it's at the very edge of your hearing like it's background noise. That's why you're looking behind even when all there is behind you is a wall with shelves. Considering you suggested a gas leak, something you'd report immediately to your supervisor, you must've experienced it for the first time today. The same as me.\" \n\nHis blood was beginning to pump again. If he was correct, then that meant it was possible that there were other people that entered that world at the same time he did. Just how many others were pulled into it as well today?", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\n\"Can you say that again?\" Suddenly, the tall student came close behind Kauro and grabbed his shoulder. While his tone seemed polite, the serious expression that demanded an explanation betrayed his feelings. Yuichi wasn't paying attention to what was said beside him. The youth took out his phone shortly after he looked away. Eyeing the same app that seemingly was the source of his stress, he tried to delete it from his phone a second time until he heard the word 'Strange Gospel.'\n\nWhether Yuichi noticed or not, his grip on Kauro's shoulder tightened. \"What do you know of this Strange Gospel?\" There was no attempt to connect the two. If Kauro was experiencing the same auditory illusion, then he definitely was the only one. The cashier as well if Kauro's guess was correct. How many people were involved with this app? The entire school? Maybe even more?\n\nA chill ran down his spine as he remembered a classmate who passed by him who first mentioned it. Did that mean that kid was also? His grip slightly loosened on Kauro's shoulder. Yuichi's eyes glanced over to the cashier, \"Is it the same for you?\" Considering that the cashier looked as bad, or worse, than him, Yuichi guess that it would be a yes.\n\nThough what did this all mean? Yuichi's eyes furrowed as he became aware that the arm he had used was his dominant arm. His arm shook as Yuichi tried to contain himself.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku \nStrange Gospel! As he heard that name leave Hattori's mouth he knew why the morbid scenario he witnessed some minutes ago was familiar to him! It was the same imagery as those creepy videos that started to pop up in that app, and his eyes widened as he realized that perhaps he wasn't crazy, perhaps something more was going on behind the scenes... but if that really was the case, it only invited more questions to his mind. He looked at Hattori's, his cool and collected facade starting to disappear a little as his eyes became, for a lack of a better word, alive for the first time in the conversation.\n\nHe was about to answer the question when the guy behind him grabbed the orangette's shoulder. Now that he was closer, Kazama could see just how tall he was, considering he himself was taller than the average student and even some men he worked with, it was rare to find himself looking up to someone, even if slightly. He noticed that the grip he had on Hattori was perhaps stronger than it should be, but if they all experienced that same moonlight-filled world then he couldn't blame him if his nerves got to him. Still, that didn't mean it was correct, so he quickly spoke out, both to answer the questions and to try and calm the situation. \"Yeah, some minutes ago on the street\". Before continuing, he made sure no other customer was in the store, even if the entrance was visible from where they were, he didn't want anyone to overhear what he was about to say. \"Blood all over the place, a full moon, and a fucking enormous tower in the distance? Yeah I saw it, and I can still hear the heartbeats\". Even the memory of it made his blood run cold, it was the most disturbing thing he ever saw. \n\nHe sighed, a weight off his shoulders now that he could confirm he wasn't crazy, but that still begs the question. \"You say that weird app, Strange Gospel, has something to do with this?, I've heard the rumors and though they were only urban legends, now I'm not so sure.\" he shifted his view between Hattori and the still unidentified tall guy, seeing as the three of them were in a similar situation. \"Do you think the disappearances are also connected to this? because if they are...\". Then any of us could be next was left unsaid.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\"It has everything to do with it,\" responded Kauro as his eyes, as Kazama noticed, betrayed his cool and calm tone and the corners of his mouth were fighting back a grin. He glanced down at the hand clasped tightly on the shoulder like a vice and shaking from the anxiety of the unknown. Despite it actually being quite painful, he just looked up at the tall boy and chuckled. To them, the orange haired kid seemed more amused by the situation than concerned. Or perhaps more excited? What were the chances that he'd not only bump into two people who interacted with Strange Gospel, brought into that world, and be from the same school as him? Maybe he should buy a lottery ticket if he got out of this alive. \n\nHis attention was brought back to Kazama and continued with that calm and cool tone. \"There is no such thing as coincidences. I have my theories, but they are merely conjecture. However, what I am certain is that the app, that world, the disappearances, and that figure are all connected. Everything has a function, a point to its existence. The app's purpose was to communicate to us and make us marks though to what end I cannot say though I can only assume the worst. If I were gambling man, I'd say that we're next on the proverbial chopping block.\" \n\nFor someone that confidently said that they were about to be spirited away by some unknown force to that world to face their death, he seemed unperturbed. He picked up the can of cola in front and cracked it open like this was just him and the boys chilling around on a couch, taking a sip from it. Kauro either was unaware of the severity of the situation or he did not fear death. \n\nHe did that thing where when people in commercials after taking a drink make that 'ahh' sound and placed the can back on the counter. Kauro was enjoying this a bit too much, which was more than what was socially acceptable given the circumstances. For him, it was just nerding out at the fact that supernatural phenomena even existed and that he had a real mystery on his hands. He continued to ramble on. \"As to what to what that world is, well, I do have theories. My original theory was that it was the future if we are to go with the train of thought that the app shows us that first, but after being transported and getting a better look, it could be a parallel world given that there were similar, twisted versions of structures from our world. Or...\" \n\nThe student trailed off lost in thought, his fingers tapped on the counter rhythmically repeatedly. This went on for a god thirty seconds before he said \"Both theories are correct. Perhaps it will be a convergence of worlds and that's the final possible future the app showed us. We should know, we witnessed the walls of reality be breached by another.\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\n\"How you die?\" Nagi raised an eyebrow, deciding to humor the abrasive nerd. In the meantime, she glanced at the response she'd gotten back from Nozomi, immediately followed by coordinates from their handlers. Well, at least she knew where to go now. \"Well, one of two things, usually. First doesn't happen often, and it probably shouldn't to you since we got to you first, but sometimes people just have what's basically a mental shutdown. Ain't pretty. Second is-\"\n\nThe world shifted. It happened again. Nagi stilled, looking around for a brief moment before tucking her phone away. Shit, shit, shit. This was bad. Both she and Nozomi had to lug around civilians during this shift, while looking for three more. This...wasn't going to be pretty. \n\n\"God damn it.\" She groaned, thumbing her Awakening Drive once more as she glanced back to Yuzu, now deathly serious. \"Gotoh. That second way you die? Getting killed by monsters in here. I need you to follow me and listen, because if you don't, you're gonna get killed real quick.\"\n\nNagi turned, grabbing Yuzu by the shoulder and looking her dead in the eyes. \n\n\"I'm not fucking around. This shit's absolutely serious. Stay behind me, and do what I tell you, when I tell you to. I ain't yanking your chain, I'm trying to keep you from biting it. Until I get you to the boss, you're defenseless in here. And there's still three more people that me and my coworker are trying to track down and stop from getting killed too. Got it?\" Nagi's grip on Yuzu's shoulder turned into a brief pat before she turned back around, leading the way towards the coordinates she'd been given. It wasn't too far away, but anything could happen in the distance between the supermarket and the conbini.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"We can either figure out a way to save ourselves and investigate or we wait to see what happens. I don't know when we'll back pulled back in, but the reality is we are probably short on time if we can hear that heartbeat.\" What were they supposed to do? If they could be pulled back into the world whenever the forces wanted to, they would have no choice in the matter. The only thing they could do was to learn about what was happening and see if they could gleam anything from it. For Kauro, that was a joy, but for the others it was a terror.\n\nThe cashier caught on from Kauro's pretty blatant excitement and asked him why he did not seem to be panicking in the face of very possible death. All color in Kauro's face drained away as soon as he was called out for understandably his inappropriate level enthusiasm for their situation. He had been so excited by all the wild possibilities that the case presented that he forgot put on his 'Popular Guy' facade. \"Ah, sorry. Uh, you see,\" he trailed off to think of any excuse to get him out of this situation. Maybe death would have been better at this rate. \n\nHowever, a convenient distraction came in the form of a tall, rather dim purple haired boy. Kauro looked up at him with an expression that asked, 'how stupid could this guy be'. Yes, these theories were out there, but did this guy really understand what they saw and what's been happening? Kauro asked as bluntly and coldly as possible, \"What else would you call that blood flooded world other than a chopping block? In the face of absurdity, expect equally absurd theories. Yes, I have no proof, but is this seriously the time to be a sceptic when you witnessed it yourself? We're not playing by the rules of this world anymore so-\"\n\nThere was something wrong. It was as if everything seemed normal, like a living room that was neatly in order except for a picture frame that was just ever so slightly titled. Where were the other shoppers? The silence was unnatural; the busyness of the city streets ceased as if it was paused. This was then followed by the light being snuffed away. Then it was followed by the most pungent of smell, an overwhelming scent of iron that flooded his nostrils. Blood soaked the floor and blood poured in thick, viscous streams from fridges and the heartbeat echoed in their ears. They were back on the chopping block. \n\nKauro took the knife presented to him, his eyes never leaving the store entrance. \"Move quickly and quietly. Be on alert. We don't know what's here.\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "Shiratori allowed herself to smile, at least for a moment, before nodding her head.\n\nWith a brief glance at her phone, she took another step forward.\n\n\"Follow me, we're going to meet up with some others who've gotten pulled over to this side,\" she said, \"Stay close!\"\n\nWith that, she broke into a sprint.\n\nEverything looked the same, here. The same inky black buildings. The same strangely red shadows. The same gore-spattered streets. But Shiratori Nozomi knew where she was going. Even if she hadn't had any experience here before, the map provided to her from her phone would have done its job.\n\nShe wasn't at all concerned with finding her way.\n\nRather, it was finding her way with Nozaki in tow and without running into-\n\nA sound like creaking wood came from an alleyway ahead.\n\nThe thing that emerged from it was spindly, shaped something like a child's idea of a spider. The lengthy, joined black limbs ended with five-fingered, grasping hands, currently being used to scuttle across the ground and suspending it in the air above both Nozaki and her own heads.\n\nEach limb connected to a central body, a circular shape with three white masks, each sporting a simple pair of black eyesockets and a thin smile.\n\nWhen it caught sight of them, a lengthy crimson tongue emerged from each of the masks, hanging, twisting in the air below it.\n\nDamn it, in a tight place like this, with someone she had to protect...!\n\n\"Tch...! This way!\"\n\nGrasping Nozaki's hand in her own, Shiratori Nozaki immediately tugged him down the nearest alley, as the creature started to follow after them.\n\n\"Don't look back!\"\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nUnfortunately for both of the girls, it wasn't going to be so easy.\n\nNo sooner then they'd started running then the source of the slimy noise became apparent.\n\nA black, shadowy pool of darkness on the floor, sliding along it, leaving a trail of inky goo in its wake. But it wasn't entirely featureless.\n\nIn its center was a white mask, sporting two empty sockets and a wide smile. It stopped just in front of them, the strange thick fluid that made up its body roiling for a moment before suddenly rising into a black lump, about as tall as a grown man and twice as wide, the mask suspended in its center.\n\nA sound not unlike the giggling of a young child came from it, and the mask twisted upside-down, as numerous black hands rose from its base, suspended on long, thin arms, already reaching, grasping...\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe moment anyone made to peek outside, they would be greeted with what was perhaps a surprising sight.\n\nIt was a boy, a high schooler from the very same school as they were. He wasn't particularly recognizable. Maybe one of them had seen him before, maybe one of them hadn't. But he was most certainly clad in the very same school uniform as they were.\n\nHis gaze was fixed on the sky.\n\nOr more specifically the moon.\n\nHe was shaking. Trembling with terror, backing up as if something was looking at him. His trembling breaths were loud enough to be barely audible from the store.\n\nAnd then he grasped at his face, screaming, shuddering, falling to his knees as his entire body seized, spasming and twitching. Black fluid began to pour from his face, from his eyes, mouth, and nose, splattering onto the ground beneath him.\n\nMoments later, he fell face-first into the pool of inky darkness, and no longer moved.\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nKazama would be the first to admit that his life was very atypical for a teenage boy his age. The fact that he started working when he was 13 certainly stunted his social life, and he didn't have a lot of free time on his hands, but if you were to ask him, he would answer that he was satisfied with his lot in life, could be worse could be better, as they say. The truth was that he wasn't the only guy in existence who had it rough, and he wouldn't be the last. He even had a joyful and pleasant childhood, full of laughs at cheers. It was during this period of time that he got into anime, the 90s and 00s anime to be exact, there was something about the way it was animated that really got him. While nowadays he lost some interest in it, back then he loved it, watching every show he could on the old tv and DVD player in his room. He had his favorites, like Cowboy Bepop -Spike was THE man- and Dragon Ball, but there was one that left quite a mark on him: Neon Genesis Evangelion. Not really an anime a 12-year-old should be watching in his current opinion, yet at that time, as he gazed into the life of one Shinji Ikari and the tragedies that would befall him and the supporting cast, he was enraptured, he even begged his parents to buy him the movie. After watching it, a particular scene stayed in his mind for a while: The Third Impact and its effect on the people. He found it disturbing yet strangely captivating and wondered how would modern technology adapt it to the screen if there was ever a live-action adaptation of Evangelion, God hopes there wasn't.\n\nNow, 5 years later, Kazama got a childhood question of him partially answered, and the result wasn't pretty. The sheer fear in the student's eyes quickly got replaced by intense pain. The gruesomeness of the process that he experienced and the last look he and Kazama shared. This was a moment that would stay with him until the day he died, he was sure of it, and, if he knew he would see this, would have done anything to not be the one who had to go take a peek outside. He slowly closed the door and walked back to the cashier's desk, his movements erratic. Once he reached the two guys who were there he said \"There was someone outside. a student of our school, and he... black stuff started to come out of his mouth and eyes and he... he's dead\" he finally got out, his face ashen white.\n\nTo say Kazama was shaken would be a severe understatement, he was traumatized. Never before had he experienced such a sight in real life, not even when a guy broke his arm in a construction zone he was working with. \n\nAll his previous nervousness seemed to have left him, only a cold, almost robotic indifference permeated his movements as he reached for a key next to the cash register. \"This is the key for that door, if we got out we shouldn't look to the moon, that guy did that and... that happened\" He left the decision in the hands of his peers, he was too tired for that.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" } ]

[ { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nCompletely consumed by fear, Yuzu freaked out a little. \n\n\"GET IT AWAAAY!\" She cries, all but running away from both the monster that laughed so fucking oddly and the girl who was probably going to get herself killed thinking she could fight it! She was right on the money, she had to be, no way a normal person could fight off something like that! She was going to die here, she was going to die here and now, and all she could do was cower away and cover her head with her bag in futile defense. \n\nAnd then a demon showed up. \n\nYuzu looked back at Nagi who was suddenly spouting english at the monster and then a demon, Belial? Showed up. All muscle, wing and power, the two of them made that monster look like it had been the stupid one for even daring to approach them. She was....she could cope with the demon thing being so strong and tearing that thing apart, but how the fuck was Nagi so....supernaturally strong!? Was this how she fought them, how the people she was with fought them? \n\nMore than nauseous now, Yuzu could only watch as the monster thing fell underneath Nagi's fists, her fear mostly cleared away and somewhat redirected back to the yakuza bitch who could beat down monsters with her bare hands like nothing. Timidly, she stepped back up toward Nagi, visibly shaking in her shoes as she looked at the remains of the monster. \n\n\"H-how did you do that? How could- What even was....Is this cult!?\" She suddenly accused, because truly the only thing her mind could comprehend right now was how she summoned a being known as Belial, a very well known demon in Judeo Christian cultures. Even as she complained she practically latched back onto Nagi, an approximate inch of distance away from her since she didn't wanna touch her. She was probably covered in monster residue...stuff! \"Y-your not gonna make me summon a demon right? I-I'm not about to get s-sacrificed or whatever the fuck!\"\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "Yuichi jumped at the sound of broken glass. The student turned to see in the corner of his eye a humanoid woman, if he could call it that, burst through the windows. Words failed to described its figure, but Yuichi could perfectly what he felt at that moment. Fear. \"The backdoor.\" Yuichi suddenly the said. Then with a sudden surge in volume, \"GET TO THE BACKDOOR, NOW!\" Yuichi screamed. Whatever that that thing was, it wasn't human. They didn't know what it could do, but he had a feeling that they didn't stand a chance at fighting that thing.\n\nPushing Karou behind him, Yuichi brought up the nozzle of the fire extinguisher. Release the pin, aim it at the monster, and press it down. A gush of foam immediately shot out of the fire extinguisher. The convenience store's front was engulfed foam, which would act like a temporary smokescreen for them to use. \"GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!\" After the fire extinguinsher seemly ran out of foam, he threw the exntugisher into the foam and turned to follow classmates.\n\nWhat the hell was that thing? Whatever it was definitely wasn't human. They needed to get out of the area and try to find another place to hide.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Kazama Kosubaku\nKazama nodded at the boys and their attempts at encouragement, he didn't know what he would have done if he had been alone when all of this happened but surely more of a mess than he was now. He only hoped, maybe selfishly, that this thing only affected people of a certain age, at least that way he could be sure his mom would be safe. \n\nHe nodded once again, psyching himself up, as it would seem their best course of action was leaving the store behind. He was about to turn around and head for the door when he heard the characteristic sound of glass breaking before being pushed to the ground by Yuichi using the hand already on his shoulder. He frantically looked around to see a long spike directly behind the place he was a few moments ago and quickly shifted his gaze to the front of the store, where a humanoid figure stood.\n\nKazama instantly recognized the black substance the thing was made of, having seen where it came from personally. The thing looked vaguely feminine and had a white mask and creepy-looking hair. It was one of the most terrifying sights in his life, and it was looking their way. \n\nThe tallest teen in the room acted rapidly, using the fire extinguisher as a weapon and reminding Kazama what he had to do. Desperately he got up and ran towards the door that would lead them to the alleyway, using his hands to get some of the foam out of his way. When he reached his destination he miraculously could control his trembling hand to open the door on the first try, using his whole body to push it open.\n\nA small, cramped room full of boxes and other miscellaneous items welcomed them. \"The exit is this way, quick!\" he shouted to the boys who were following him, traversing the storage efficiently and quickly, the adrenaline coursing through his veins making him act reasonably well in spite of his fear.\n\nOnce they reached the exit, Kazama used the same key to open the door, the alley behind him was painted the same red, bloody colour as the rest of the street. They heard a strepitous crash behind them and he quickly locked the door again, hoping it would give them some time. \"Now what?! Where do we go? The main street? Our houses? What if more of those things are out there, waiting for us?!\" he asked, not entirely panic driven but not in the best state of mind either.\n\nThe only thing he had clear was to not, under any circumstances, shift his view upwards. He didn't know if it could happen to him, but Kazama would not risk the chance of the moon entering his sight", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Kazama Kosubaku" }, { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\nHe felt this sensation before, a dread creeping down his spine. It was bloodlust, the intention to kill whatever came across its path. Kauro turned around a split second before the window shattered to see what he could only describe as feminine humanoid creature standing where the dead body was previously. The next thing he knew, glass shrapnel flew towards them, and the tall boy pushed him out of the way before he started hosing the creature down with the fire extinguisher. \n\nKauro did not put up any argument with the tall boy's command. He followed the cashier who opened the backdoor to back alley with the tall boy soon to follow. The door was locked, but it did not take a genius to realize that the door was never going to hold the monster inside. In fact, in anticipation of a metal spike piercing through the door, Kauro grabbed the boys' arms and pulled them away before they were possibly skewered.\n\n\"Just shut up and run!\" He shouted not out of panic, but to get it through the cashier's head that there was no time to plan.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" } ]

[ { "text": "@AThousandCurses\n\nIt would've been inaccurate to say that Kauro was distracted. Or maybe he was? Kauro's thoughts were a racing, jumbled mess and yet, at the same time completely hyper focused on Strange Gospel. How could he not after everything he saw? There were so many questions that just needed to be answered! His blood was pumping, adrenaline deluged his body as he walked through the sunset-kissed streets of the city. It was a strange sort of joy, something that was manic, yet such a high that it was almost unbearable. \n\nWas it his heartbeat or was it that world's he heard?\n\nKauro wandered aimlessly focused only on his thoughts until he noticed the sound of a chime and the glow of florescent lights from above. He just stood there for a solid second to realize that he just walked into a market without much thought. His head was completely somewhere else though now it started to anchor itself back down to reality. Would it be weird if he walked into a store only to just walk out without buying anything? Yeah, it probably would be weird. \n\nJust for the sake of not looking out of place, Kauro just perused the aisles. Still, he could hear the heartbeat thump softly in the background. \n\nThis was probably the point when the students would disappear. If they made contact with whatever that world was, it must've meant he was going to be pulled back in soon. The reality has been breached and he was marked by whatever entity was in control of Strange Gospel if the repeated beating of the heart was an indication. The question was when he would be claimed. \n\nWould it be so bad though? It's not like he had much reason to stay. \n\nKauro grabbed a can of coke from the drinks section and walked over to the checkout. The cashier was some black- haired kid around his own age. Strangely enough, he looked familiar, but he was not sure where he would have seen him. Maybe from school? Who knows \n\n\"Hi, I'd like to get some chicken,\" he said pointing at the glass case convivence store fried chicken and other foods.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nIt didn't go away. The thumping of a heartbeat echoed into his ear, no matter how many steps he was away from the school. Sweat slid down as Yuichi tried to think. Was it the app? Taking out his phone again, he tried to delete the app. When he did, it just popped up again. \"What's with this thing,\" Yuichi muttered to himself. With the stress getting to him again, he looked up from his phone. He was far from the sports center, but there was a convenience store.\n\nEntering inside, he recognized a certain orange hair man browsing through the aisles. Hattori Karuo, if he remembered correctly. They hadn't met personally, but Yuichi often caught his name when he passed by him and his friends at school. A social star, as Yuichi would have likened it as. Yuichi considered the possibility of walking up and talking to him. Maybe all of this was in his head, and it'd go away if he talked to someone,.\n\nNo, that would be too awkward. Yuichi didn't even know what to open with to start a conversation, and he didn't know Hattori that well, either.\n\nGoing off to one of the display refrigerators, Yuichi picked out a water bottle and picked up a snack. By the time he arrived to order himself up, Hattori was already standing in front of the cashier. The cashier, himself, seemed familiar as well. Was it Kosubaku? If he remembered the name correctly. They might have shared a class at one point, though Yuichi could have remembered better.\n\nThough, now he was in an awkward situation. Standing right behind Hattori, Yuichi stood behind and stared straight ahead at the shelf behind Kosubaku. Should he speak up? It didn't help that the uncomfortable sound was still beating somewhere right behind him.\n\nMentally steeling himself, he spoke up. \"Hi, Hattori-kun. How's your day?\" Yuichi said casually. A simple conversation opener. Though forget that, Hattori didn't know who he was. How would Hattori feel if some stranger came out of nowhere, called him by his name, and greeted him out of nowhere? A frown formed on his face as he tried to work things out inside his head.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" } ]

[ { "text": "Chise Nozaki\nMentions: @VitaVitaAR Location:Sidewalk, near grocer's square\n\n\n---\n\nChise no longer mingled or chatted with those he passed by on the street, instead his head and gaze faced forward directly towards where he was walking -- but, said gaze was not focused on anything in particular - he was thinking, hard.\n\nNow, Chise was not an outright denier of the supernatural, but he had never experienced such a thing in his life. And he had never heard of a credible source experiencing anything like it either. There had to be some sort of sensible explanation for what had just happened. As his mind wriggled in anxiousness, trying to make sense of it all, he heard a voice from behind address him. His feet stopped in place instinctively as he realized how fast he had just begun walking. He stutter-stepped to balance himself out as he came to a stop, and turned to meet the face behind the voice, forcing his shoulders to release some of the tension they now held.\n\nHis features softened ever-so-slightly as he saw the speaker, losing some of their seriousness. He wasn't sure who or what he expected it to be, but he was somehow relieved to see that it was just one of his school-mates.\n\nHis face developed a smile which only he might know was partially fake. \"H-Hey there.. Naoko-chan, yeah?\" He responded, his hand rising to brush a bit of hair to the side with a slight nervousness. He had never really talked to the girl, maybe once or twice in passing, but he knew the names of most of his school-mates - something he made sure to do for himself. He steadied himself and tried to allow his body and mind to relax a bit as he continued his response, looking-over the girl and past her, briefly. \"Ahh, yeah, I'm doing fine!\" He ensured. \"I-I was just.. trying to remember my grocery list, haha.\" He tossed a light glance over his shoulder, just before he turned back to her and felt the distant bmp once again. He blinked in surprised, his eyes fluttering a couple times as he realized whatever it was that he saw seemed like it was still.. there, somehow.\n\nHe swallowed. \"Aha.. yep. Anyways, did ya wanna, like, walk or something, or was that all?\" He inquired as he began to take a couple short steps backwards towards his previous destination. \"I'm heading to the grocer's square, so my trip'll be short since it's pretty close.\"", "username": "Bartimaeus", "char_name": "Chise Nozaki" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"Ah, take your time,\" said Kauro. He watched the cashier get his order, completely unaware of the absolute unit that was standing behind him. There was no way that an other worldly force would try to take him away in a public space, but then again time stopped, and he was pulled into another world, so that was probably useless. His thoughts were drifting until he heard someone refer to him by name.\n\nTypically, Kaoru was someone that would be unphased by surprises. He had consumed so much horror media that it had rendered him immune to jump scares. Given the strange and dangerous circumstances, however, he almost seemed to recoil as he turned around to see who exactly it was that knew him. It was just some guy wearing his school's uniform, so that would explain how he knew who Kauro was. After all, Kauro worked quite hard to get his position within the school's hierarchy. \n\nHoly shit this dude was tall. \n\nQuickly recovering, Kauro flashed a charming smile and said, \"It was fine. I don't think we've had the chance to meet before.\" His attention though was brought back to the cashier who had his order ready.\n\n\"Uh, yeah that would be all. Thank you.\" Kauro had the money ready in hand though his perceptive eyes caught the cashier's strange behavior. It was as if he was looking behind him, despite there being nothing behind him.\n\nKauro arched his brow in confusion, standing a bit skewed to see whatever the cashier was looking for. All he could see though were just shelves with cigarettes. \"Hey, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale there,\" asked the redhead. Right now, he had no reason to assume that this guy had any involvement with Strange Gospel. For all he knew, the poor guy just faced harassment from management.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Shiratori briefly seemed to pause a moment when referred to in such a familiar fashion, but she quickly recovered, giving Nozaki a smile of her own.\n\n\"What a coincidence! I'm heading the same way, we can walk together.\"\n\nCertainly, this reaction would just appear to be a friendly attempt to get to know a fellow student, as Shiratori Naoko approached the boy.\n\nBut the timing would certainly feel a little strange, perhaps, if one were to pause and think about it. For someone to approach right out of the blue after something so unusual occurred.\n\nWhile Shiratori was silent for a few moments, when she next spoke, perhaps it would make the truth obvious. Or perhaps it wouldn't.\n\n\"So, um...\" she trailed off for a moment, \"Have you noticed anything strange going on, lately? I know everyone is talking about that Strange Gospel thing, but that can't be true, right? It's not as if that kind of thing can really happen, right?\"\n\nEven as she spoke, she paused for a moment, idly glancing around. It was likely it would appear as a perfectly normal behavior, something any ordinary person might do on a walk.\n\nBut Shiratori was checking to make sure no-one was in earshot before she spoke again.", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\n\"Yes, this is the first time we've talked.\" Yuichi affirmed Kauro's statement. It didn't seem like Kauro was too bothered by him speaking to him. While that was good, it didn't change the fact that the heartbeat was still pounding in his head. In fact, it made him feel worse, since it made Yuichi feel like he was insane for hearing abnormal noises. Thankfully, it would seem that Kauro was going back to talking to the cashier, given Yuichi a small reprief.\n\nLooking off to the side, Yuichi held his head down and pinched the bridge of his nose. \"What's wrong with me,\" Yuichi muttered darkly to himself. The heartbeat seemed to become more prominent with each beat. When was this strange noise going to finally cease? Taking a deep breath; Yuichi counted up his multiples by two and calmed himself.\n\nKauro must have been done with his order. Turning back around, Yuichi noticed the concerned look on his orange hair peer's face. He hadn't caught the last bit of what Hattori said, but by looking at the cashier, Yuichi could get what it was about. The boy, who looked around his age, was pale. If Yuichi wasn't currently undergoing a slow mental breakdown, he would have shown some concern for the cashier. Unfortunately, Yuichi didn't have the mental energy to spare.\n\n'Hattori-kun will probably handle it,' with being a social guy and all, he'd probably be able to calm down the cashier. Maybe even crack a joke or two for a smile. That is what Yuichi thought.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" } ]

[ { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nSo help her, Nagi was going to throw this bitch into oncoming traffic. At the very least, Gotoh was listening. Being an unbelievable cunt about it, but still listening. Still, how the hell had the rumor mill not focused on the fact that the school genius was a walking stereotype insufferable know-it-all? That really should've been the first thing anyone even mentioned about Gotoh Yuzu. Fucking hell, she seriously wasn't paid enough to deal with this shit. For a moment, Nagi felt just a twinge of empathy towards her father and a good portion of the boys for their smoking habit. A cigarette didn't sound like the worst idea right now if it took the edge off dealing with this. Then the part of her that actually gave a shit about the health of everyone involved ruthlessly quashed that sentiment and gave her a dope slap on the back of the head for even considering it. \n\n\"God, just...fuck it.\" Nagi groaned in disgust as she pinched her brow. \"If it means something's gonna come out of your mouth besides another insult, just ask your questions while we're walking. Can't promise I can answer everything, but I'll tell you what I know and/or what I'm allowed to say before you meet the boss.\"\n\nAt the same time, Nagi fished her burner phone out, rapidly typing a text to her erstwhile classmate and co-worker. \n\nShiratori, you got your guy yet? Mine's driving me batshit insane from how much of a huge bitch she is, might kill her before Strange Gospel gets the chance to at this rate\n\n@VitaVitaAR", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nWhere this freaking delinquent got off talking to her like this, Yuzu could not guess!! She tried glaring holes into the back of her head, mostly because she felt like the yakuza bitch would hit her or something and she apparently already avoided death once today. Yuzu bit the inside of her lip and took a calming breath, okay. For now, she should just try and get information about this thing from the delinquent, even if she didn't look smart enough to do more than swing a bat against someone's skull. \n\n\"Well you can start by telling me how exactly I would have died.\" Even just thinking it makes a shiver go up her spine, her shoulders square as she followed behind. \"And why its happening through some phone app! You'd think a virus would be a lot easier, if someone was planning on killing people with...whatever this is.\"\n\nAs she talked, however, Yuzu did take notice of the Yakuza bitch typing away at her phone. She sped up behind her to try and see what exactly she was saying. It was hard, considering she was several inches shorter than the bitch and that they were both moving. Shiratori? And- Did she just call her a bitch!?\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "@DarckLeon\n\n\"Uh huh...\" This would have been the part where this tall guy would introduce himself, but it looked like he did not seem to know the protocol for basic introductions. So, Kauro still had no idea who this guy was still, and the conversation came to a grinding halt. There was no salvaging that conversation and Kauro really just did not have the energy to care enough to try to maintain a conversation where he would never interact with again. He had more important matters at hand though he was stuck talking to an anxious store employee. \n\nThe clerk made a mistake with trying to hide behind a smile; don't try to bullshit a bullshitter. Clearly there was something wrong, but if he would not divulge information then there was nothing for Kauro to do. However, he let on a bit more than he might've intended. This could have been nothing though. It could have just been an actual gas leak, but there were too many strange phenomena occurring all at once all over the city; things that even Kauro has seen. There was a real chance that Kauro had just met another victim of Strange Gospel. It was a big jump to conclusions, but he had to take it. \n\n\"You saw it, didn't you? Strange Gospel, or whatever that world was,\" Kauro said to him point blank without blinking. \"You can hear it too. A heartbeat, but it's at the very edge of your hearing like it's background noise. That's why you're looking behind even when all there is behind you is a wall with shelves. Considering you suggested a gas leak, something you'd report immediately to your supervisor, you must've experienced it for the first time today. The same as me.\" \n\nHis blood was beginning to pump again. If he was correct, then that meant it was possible that there were other people that entered that world at the same time he did. Just how many others were pulled into it as well today?", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Hattori Kauro" }, { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\n\"Can you say that again?\" Suddenly, the tall student came close behind Kauro and grabbed his shoulder. While his tone seemed polite, the serious expression that demanded an explanation betrayed his feelings. Yuichi wasn't paying attention to what was said beside him. The youth took out his phone shortly after he looked away. Eyeing the same app that seemingly was the source of his stress, he tried to delete it from his phone a second time until he heard the word 'Strange Gospel.'\n\nWhether Yuichi noticed or not, his grip on Kauro's shoulder tightened. \"What do you know of this Strange Gospel?\" There was no attempt to connect the two. If Kauro was experiencing the same auditory illusion, then he definitely was the only one. The cashier as well if Kauro's guess was correct. How many people were involved with this app? The entire school? Maybe even more?\n\nA chill ran down his spine as he remembered a classmate who passed by him who first mentioned it. Did that mean that kid was also? His grip slightly loosened on Kauro's shoulder. Yuichi's eyes glanced over to the cashier, \"Is it the same for you?\" Considering that the cashier looked as bad, or worse, than him, Yuichi guess that it would be a yes.\n\nThough what did this all mean? Yuichi's eyes furrowed as he became aware that the arm he had used was his dominant arm. His arm shook as Yuichi tried to contain himself.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" } ]

[ { "text": "Yuichi Miyasato\n\nNodding to Kauro's command, Yuichi followed it to a T. Though, Yuichi felt this wasn't to be resolved quietly. If Kauro's insane theories were true, and given the context of the situation, were probably true, then Yuichi doubted this would be the only creature that was roaming out of the streets. \"Cashier-san. Take the meat tenderizer for yourself. I'll figure out something for myself.\" \n\nYuichi doubted he could effectively use the meat tenderizer to its fullest potential, though when the Cashier said something about the fire extinguisher, he nodded. Slowly walking behind the counter, he picked up the fire extinguisher. It was slightly heavy, but Yuichi was accustomed to heavier objects when he was still in training.\n\n\"Cashier-san. Hattori and I will keep watch on the door. Can you take a peak outside to see if there's anything out there too?\" Yuichi suggested to the Cashier. Out of them all, it seemed like the Cashier would have difficulties in his current state. Not that it mattered since whatever was outside could probably murder them in seconds.\n\n\"So what's your theory now, Hattori?\" Yuichi said as he dropped the honorifics. With this situation being as tense as is, he doubted honorifics mattered at the moment. He continued while lowering his voice. \"Do you think the devil's coming back to drag humanity into hell, or is this god's punishment on the populace for not heeding his word?\" A sarcastic tone could be traced in Yuichi's words as he slowly backed up. Though after a few moments, he frowned and looked gloomy. \"Never mind. I shouldn't have said that. Sorry.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" }, { "text": "Shiratori allowed herself to smile, at least for a moment, before nodding her head.\n\nWith a brief glance at her phone, she took another step forward.\n\n\"Follow me, we're going to meet up with some others who've gotten pulled over to this side,\" she said, \"Stay close!\"\n\nWith that, she broke into a sprint.\n\nEverything looked the same, here. The same inky black buildings. The same strangely red shadows. The same gore-spattered streets. But Shiratori Nozomi knew where she was going. Even if she hadn't had any experience here before, the map provided to her from her phone would have done its job.\n\nShe wasn't at all concerned with finding her way.\n\nRather, it was finding her way with Nozaki in tow and without running into-\n\nA sound like creaking wood came from an alleyway ahead.\n\nThe thing that emerged from it was spindly, shaped something like a child's idea of a spider. The lengthy, joined black limbs ended with five-fingered, grasping hands, currently being used to scuttle across the ground and suspending it in the air above both Nozaki and her own heads.\n\nEach limb connected to a central body, a circular shape with three white masks, each sporting a simple pair of black eyesockets and a thin smile.\n\nWhen it caught sight of them, a lengthy crimson tongue emerged from each of the masks, hanging, twisting in the air below it.\n\nDamn it, in a tight place like this, with someone she had to protect...!\n\n\"Tch...! This way!\"\n\nGrasping Nozaki's hand in her own, Shiratori Nozaki immediately tugged him down the nearest alley, as the creature started to follow after them.\n\n\"Don't look back!\"\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nUnfortunately for both of the girls, it wasn't going to be so easy.\n\nNo sooner then they'd started running then the source of the slimy noise became apparent.\n\nA black, shadowy pool of darkness on the floor, sliding along it, leaving a trail of inky goo in its wake. But it wasn't entirely featureless.\n\nIn its center was a white mask, sporting two empty sockets and a wide smile. It stopped just in front of them, the strange thick fluid that made up its body roiling for a moment before suddenly rising into a black lump, about as tall as a grown man and twice as wide, the mask suspended in its center.\n\nA sound not unlike the giggling of a young child came from it, and the mask twisted upside-down, as numerous black hands rose from its base, suspended on long, thin arms, already reaching, grasping...\n\n@Psyker Landshark\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe moment anyone made to peek outside, they would be greeted with what was perhaps a surprising sight.\n\nIt was a boy, a high schooler from the very same school as they were. He wasn't particularly recognizable. Maybe one of them had seen him before, maybe one of them hadn't. But he was most certainly clad in the very same school uniform as they were.\n\nHis gaze was fixed on the sky.\n\nOr more specifically the moon.\n\nHe was shaking. Trembling with terror, backing up as if something was looking at him. His trembling breaths were loud enough to be barely audible from the store.\n\nAnd then he grasped at his face, screaming, shuddering, falling to his knees as his entire body seized, spasming and twitching. Black fluid began to pour from his face, from his eyes, mouth, and nose, splattering onto the ground beneath him.\n\nMoments later, he fell face-first into the pool of inky darkness, and no longer moved.\n\n@hatakekuro@DarckLeon", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Nakano Nagi\n\nWhatever the hell was going on with Strange Gospel, it was definitely making her stronger when she was pulled over to the other side. Or maybe she just got juiced up as her Echo did. Either way, Nagi's punch certainly wouldn't have hit these monsters that hard even a month ago. Hell, it slammed back a good distance away. Not that she was going to complain about it. The piece of crap was dying. Time to move in for the kill.\n\nOr at least Nagi would have, if the thing didn't decide to offer up some last-ditch resistance. Her first instinct was to just evade the grasping arms and weave through them to finish the fucker off, but some part of her brain remembered that Gotoh was still in the back. Fuck. If Nagi dodged, it might go for her instead. And as annoying as the girl was, Nagi really didn't want Yuzu's death on her conscience. Oh, this was going to blow. \n\nA mental command had Belial returning to her, arms outstretched protectively in front as both of them charged forward, one behind the other. Hellfire surrounded her Echo as they made a mad dash, aiming to reach the beast before it could do too much damage to Belial. Her Echo's flames weren't that strong compared to its claws, and enough of the monster's arms grasped it to the point where Nagi was feeling a good amount of pain, but she powered through, Belial grasping the monster with its own arms and spinning it around to pin it in place. \n\n\"Eat it, shitbag!\" She bellowed, leaping up onto the monster and holding on with her left hand as her right began to mercilessly pound into it. One punch. Two. Three. Before long, nothing was left of the beast besides blood and black ichor, some of it splashing on Nagi and staining her clothes as she landed back down on the ground, Belial hovering menacingly next to her. She stayed there for a moment, taking in a few gulps of air as she caught her breath and checked on her own condition. The fuckwit had gotten a few hits in at the last moment there, but she could still keep going. She'd been in worse shape after taking on those punks from across town a few months back. \n\n\"Alright,\" Nagi stood back up, glancing back towards her charge. \"C'mon, Gotoh. We've still got somewhere to be. Get your ass in gear. And don't worry about the stains, they kinda just disappear once we're out of here.\" She beckoned Yuzu forward, starting to move towards her objective again afterward.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Nakano Nagi" }, { "text": "Gotoh Yuzu\n\nCompletely consumed by fear, Yuzu freaked out a little. \n\n\"GET IT AWAAAY!\" She cries, all but running away from both the monster that laughed so fucking oddly and the girl who was probably going to get herself killed thinking she could fight it! She was right on the money, she had to be, no way a normal person could fight off something like that! She was going to die here, she was going to die here and now, and all she could do was cower away and cover her head with her bag in futile defense. \n\nAnd then a demon showed up. \n\nYuzu looked back at Nagi who was suddenly spouting english at the monster and then a demon, Belial? Showed up. All muscle, wing and power, the two of them made that monster look like it had been the stupid one for even daring to approach them. She was....she could cope with the demon thing being so strong and tearing that thing apart, but how the fuck was Nagi so....supernaturally strong!? Was this how she fought them, how the people she was with fought them? \n\nMore than nauseous now, Yuzu could only watch as the monster thing fell underneath Nagi's fists, her fear mostly cleared away and somewhat redirected back to the yakuza bitch who could beat down monsters with her bare hands like nothing. Timidly, she stepped back up toward Nagi, visibly shaking in her shoes as she looked at the remains of the monster. \n\n\"H-how did you do that? How could- What even was....Is this cult!?\" She suddenly accused, because truly the only thing her mind could comprehend right now was how she summoned a being known as Belial, a very well known demon in Judeo Christian cultures. Even as she complained she practically latched back onto Nagi, an approximate inch of distance away from her since she didn't wanna touch her. She was probably covered in monster residue...stuff! \"Y-your not gonna make me summon a demon right? I-I'm not about to get s-sacrificed or whatever the fuck!\"\n\nLandshark", "username": "Pitsuji", "char_name": "Gotoh Yuzu" }, { "text": "Yuichi jumped at the sound of broken glass. The student turned to see in the corner of his eye a humanoid woman, if he could call it that, burst through the windows. Words failed to described its figure, but Yuichi could perfectly what he felt at that moment. Fear. \"The backdoor.\" Yuichi suddenly the said. Then with a sudden surge in volume, \"GET TO THE BACKDOOR, NOW!\" Yuichi screamed. Whatever that that thing was, it wasn't human. They didn't know what it could do, but he had a feeling that they didn't stand a chance at fighting that thing.\n\nPushing Karou behind him, Yuichi brought up the nozzle of the fire extinguisher. Release the pin, aim it at the monster, and press it down. A gush of foam immediately shot out of the fire extinguisher. The convenience store's front was engulfed foam, which would act like a temporary smokescreen for them to use. \"GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!\" After the fire extinguinsher seemly ran out of foam, he threw the exntugisher into the foam and turned to follow classmates.\n\nWhat the hell was that thing? Whatever it was definitely wasn't human. They needed to get out of the area and try to find another place to hide.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Yuichi Miyasato" } ]

[ { "text": "Current Location: Tamer Union\n\n---\n\n\n\nIt's another day in the digital world. People and digimon roam the streets, playing mobile games, buying things at stores, talking with friends, and of course, falling victim to the occasional scam artist.\n\nYet not too far away from the main streets lies the local Tamer Union. An alliance of problem solvers made of many people and digimon. Lately, they've been overloaded with requests from people about an influx of bots posing as people, stealing and selling people's personal information, credit card numbers, selling shady programs, or spreading malware through shady links and websites. It's even gotten to the point where these bots are reporting fake problems, flooding the Tamer Union's inboxes and request forums. The Union's Tamers are running thin, and manpower is running low, as most have just been assigned to just clearing out the Union's inboxes of spam, or handling one of the many monotonous requests made by the victims of these bots. Fortunately for our local Union, a brand new pair of hires are here to lend a hand.\n\nIn a small room just by the main entrance, a lone, brown haired woman sat behind a desk, tending to a mountain of paperwork, likely false requests, and many pieces of mail. A tall Taomon stood nearby, organizing several documents into various filing cabinets, and pulling out files as requested. Both seemed mentally exhausted from their labors.\n\nJust then, a bell rang as the door at the front of the building opened, and a brown-haired boy stepped through, accompanied by a short but animated Lunamon, who always seemed to be playing with something, or otherwise grooming herself. The young man approached the front desk, the woman on the computer behind it clacking away at the keys at a surprising pace. \"Uh, Hello? My name is Joshua, I'm here to see Julia. I'm one of the new hires.\" The woman behind the desk let out a long sigh, though Joshua couldn't tell if it was from annoyance, exhaustion, or relief. She pointed to a set of chairs by the a door on the other side of the room. \"I'll let her know you're here. Go sit down and she'll come get you soon. Probably.\" Joshua turned towards the chairs, noticing the room was empty of others except for himself, his Lunamon, and the front desk lady.\n\nNevertheless he made his way over to the chairs, His Lunamon, Rio, walking shortly behind. They both took their seats, Rio, swinging her short legs as they dangled off the ground, and Joshua leaning forward staring at the white tile floor as he began waiting for the door next to him to open.", "username": "Lord Orgasmo", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Kuro sniffed at the air in the building. He was uneasy in places like this. He was at home in the forests and jungles, not in buildings like the Tamers Union. He was nervous, and that made Yuri nervous. X-Antibody Digimon were notoriously quick to fight, especially when they relied more on instinct than their standard counterparts. Yuri rested a hand on Kuro's head. She could feel the energy beneath his warm, leathery skin.\n\n\"Easy... easy...\" she murmured. \"You're fine. Nobody's a threat here.\"\n\nKuro snorted. \"Sure?\" The Digimon's speech was simple and almost childlike.\n\n\"You trust me, don't you?\" Yuri scratched beneath the Digimon's chin.\n\n\"Kuro always trusts Yurimon.\" The Digimon let out a purr.\n\n\"Stay close to me. No attacking unless I say so.\"\n\n\"Okay, Yurimon.\" Yuri opened up the message that had been sent to her. One of the perks of being in the Digital World like this was little hacks and mods that could be implemented, like being able to set a waypoint on a world map. This particular waypoint was for a specific office. Yuri made her way to the office before knocking on the door.", "username": "JDubs", "char_name": "Tsuda Yuri" }, { "text": "Current Location: Tamer Union\n\n---\n\n\n\nJoshua looked up as he heard the sound of a door being knocked on. He turned his head to the door next to him, instinctively to greet Julia. Only, that wasn't the door being knocked on. It was the front entrance. A mailman perhaps? No, wait, why would they have mailmen? This was the digital world. Everything was digital. Maybe it was a worker arriving late? Rio seemed excited at the prospect of someone new arriving, but Joshua held an arm out to remind her to stay seated.\n\nThe woman at the desk let out a deep sigh as her head drooped, and the clacking of keys came to an abrupt halt. She stood up, the chair she was sitting on rolling behind her as the wheels glided across the floor. It was only a few quick steps for her as she approached the door.\n\nShe pulled the door open, before looking down at the duo of a young looking white-haired girl, and a Black Augumom with red markings across it. She looked down disdainfully at the two. \"Can I help you young lady? If you have a request, come on inside and...\" she looked back at the desk she was working at with a dour expression. \"...I'll help you get set up.\" she gestured towards the desk.", "username": "Lord Orgasmo", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "In the midst of a vast sprawling desert wasteland rested a grandiose colosseum somewhat buried in the sand. Its once lavish exterior had been wasted away from the ravages of time. The sun unimpeded by a lack of clouds unrelentingly gleaned on the dilapidated structure. Sitting in the middle of this arena was a lone figure. Looking to be a humanoid beast of sorts, its body and head was fully leonine in nature. The well muscled from was a golden brown color while a lush mane of goldenrod pelage covered his cranium. Protruding from his backside however was a triple set of vibrant wings with scarlet coverts, orange centers and golden bottoms. At the end of his lengthy tail were a series of rectrices of the same hue, only reversed.\n\nWith this amalgamation of avian and feline attributes one could make the distinction this was some sort of Griffin. However, this was no ordinary combination of creatures. With the nigh impenetrable hide of a Nemean Lion uniting the fire mastery and ash resurrection of a Phoenix, this being known as Archontikos was a primordial warrior who lived many lifetimes over numerous millennia. Becoming jaded from a seemingly limitless existence, the heraldic hybrid would often seek out anything remotely entertaining to fill the void of nothingness. For decades he remained at this location awaiting a worthy opponent. So far only weaklings that were hardly worth his energy had been encountered, but the ancient combatant remained steadfast. Something of substance was bound to break through the barricade of monotony eventually.", "username": "Griffintaur", "char_name": "Archontikos" }, { "text": "It arrived in the form of a shadow, a winged silhouette passing in front of the sun so high up above that for a moment, the entire arena was cast into darkness. \n\nA circling vulture, perhaps? No, there was no bird alive with wings like that. Bony, chiropteran, like great webbed hands extending to grasp the sky itself. Any denizen of any fantastical universe ought to recognize the wings of a dragon, and know enough to cower in fear at the sight of them. When their shadow fell upon you, chances were it was already too late.\n\nThe wings folded, and the distant shape dove downwards in a spiraling arc towards the half-buried Colosseum. Sunlight glinted off bright crimson scales, the red hunter swooping in to eye up its latest prey. After circling one final time, it slowed to a gentle glide and alighted delicately atop the highest point of the arena ruins, where it stood up straight and cocked its head at the tender morsel sat down below upon the sandy floor.\n\n\"Oh good, you're already kneeling. I do prefer mortals with some semblance of self-awareness.\"\n\nNot quite a dragon, as it turned out. She certainly had the wings of one, and the nigh-impenetrable red scales, but up close her form was almost fully humanoid, a slender and feminine shape clad in nothing but her own reptilian hide. Her delicate features and soft black hair were more elven than draconic, and her voice brought to mind a beautiful siren luring sailors to their deaths in the open sea. Bright, inquisitive golden eyes fixed themselves upon the feline champion, and the hunter's lips curled into a gentle smile.\n\n\"I hunger, beast-man. You may be thankful that it is so. Slit open your throat, and I will do you the honor of taking your flesh as my sustenance.\"", "username": "Drifting Pollen", "char_name": null }, { "text": "As he had done for the last few sunrises, Archontikos continued to reside in his meditative state. Honing his mental as well as spiritual fortitude was crucial to retain the prime perfection that was his condition. This was until the radiance of the sun was blocked out in a peculiar pattern. It appeared his newest visitor had arrived to perish under his might. With additional senses he had gained and honed over hundreds of millennia, the winged feline had known of this one's presence for some time now. Things had progressed as he predicted thus far and his prevailing of this foe would follow suit soon enough.\n\n\"Foolish creature.\" The Lordly Lion would rigidly respond, the ferocity of his vocal cords reverberating throughout the stadium. He'd remained situated as he was, only one of his eyes opened to examine this challenger. The draconian would be met by a stern listless stare from his amber irises. It was a gaze that had seen life and death over abundantly. Almost tortured and shackled by his own prowess. With an abrupt swish from his hexad of wings, the grand beast had risen to his feet in the blink of an eye. Those same limbs would then flare themselves out fully. At that moment their tri-colored plumage would erupt into reddish orange and yellow fire constructs. Rhythmic strokes would send the Griffin Supreme upwards as his tail feathers fanned out in an identical fashion.\n\n\"You dare look down on such divinity? The magnitude of your ignorance cannot be fathomed.\" Archontikos would continue dully as he drifted upwards, stopping and hovering at a level just above his opponent. With the pads of his palms facing up, a stream of flame began to billow around the murder mittens. Even with this mild display of his Pyromancy, the surrounding temperatures began to skyrocket greatly.\n\n\"I will incinerate you into nothingness.\" finished the primordial warrior as without warning he'd unleash a perpetual torrent of intensely hot fire directly towards the scaley lady. The flow would persist after the initial launch and would trail her in the chance she would evade. This one did seem somewhat promising though, so perhaps it won't be so much of a disappointment after she's reduced to a smoldering heap of ash.\n\nPollen", "username": "Griffintaur", "char_name": "Archontikos" }, { "text": "The scaled woman's horned head tilted just slightly on hearing his growled insults. \"I am Tiamat, you little bug. Mother of life, and first goddess of the primordial sea. That you are graced with my gaze at all is far more than you deserve.\"\n\nHer knees bent, and she spread her arms wide. Each of her fingertips bore a great curved talon, as long as a carving knife and wickedly sharp. A mere flick of her wrist would have sufficed to slice an ordinary man into a half-dozen pieces, but in this case that would evidently not be enough. She beckoned, instead, egging on the beast as he rose up and drew level with her. \"Much better. You may be uncouth for a meal, but at the very least...\"\n\nA stream of fire erupted in her direction, and she sprang up off her perch. \"...You have the good grace to come to me already well-cooked!\"\n\nThe stone where she'd stood less than a second before was promptly blasted into molten slag, but the dragon was already beyond the reach of the flames. Her wings snapped open, and she threw her weight forwards, plunging headfirst towards her prey. The blazing river rose to follow her, but she bobbed up a little further with every inch it adjusted, always flying just barely out of its reach. She did not beat her wings, nor attempt to desperately maneuver, but merely glided along the full length of the attack with an almost effortless grace. The searing, vaporizing fire of the phoenix might as well have been a bright orange carpet laid out to welcome her arrival.\n\nWas it magic? One of her six godly powers? Hardly! This was only the natural result of the attack itself, and Tiamat's own mastery of flight. Any mass of fire so formidably large and hot created waves of heated, expanding air around it, which naturally rose upward due to the resulting loss of density. It was this air that Tiamat was gliding on, catching the upward flow with her extended wings and letting it buoy her just above the raging inferno as it moved to follow her. In this way she rode the flames straight to Archontikos, their crackle and roar mingling with the sound of her mocking laughter.\n\nPerhaps the lion would realize his mistake and stop the torrent, but by then it would already be too late. Tiamat had altitude, she had momentum, and her agility in the air was such that a mere tilt of her wings brought her swooping upward just a fraction of a second before collision. As she flashed past above her prey, her left leg whipped downwards, a full set of talons extended to rake across the back of his uppermost right wing.", "username": "Drifting Pollen", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "The scaled woman's horned head tilted just slightly on hearing his growled insults. \"I am Tiamat, you little bug. Mother of life, and first goddess of the primordial sea. That you are graced with my gaze at all is far more than you deserve.\"\n\nHer knees bent, and she spread her arms wide. Each of her fingertips bore a great curved talon, as long as a carving knife and wickedly sharp. A mere flick of her wrist would have sufficed to slice an ordinary man into a half-dozen pieces, but in this case that would evidently not be enough. She beckoned, instead, egging on the beast as he rose up and drew level with her. \"Much better. You may be uncouth for a meal, but at the very least...\"\n\nA stream of fire erupted in her direction, and she sprang up off her perch. \"...You have the good grace to come to me already well-cooked!\"\n\nThe stone where she'd stood less than a second before was promptly blasted into molten slag, but the dragon was already beyond the reach of the flames. Her wings snapped open, and she threw her weight forwards, plunging headfirst towards her prey. The blazing river rose to follow her, but she bobbed up a little further with every inch it adjusted, always flying just barely out of its reach. She did not beat her wings, nor attempt to desperately maneuver, but merely glided along the full length of the attack with an almost effortless grace. The searing, vaporizing fire of the phoenix might as well have been a bright orange carpet laid out to welcome her arrival.\n\nWas it magic? One of her six godly powers? Hardly! This was only the natural result of the attack itself, and Tiamat's own mastery of flight. Any mass of fire so formidably large and hot created waves of heated, expanding air around it, which naturally rose upward due to the resulting loss of density. It was this air that Tiamat was gliding on, catching the upward flow with her extended wings and letting it buoy her just above the raging inferno as it moved to follow her. In this way she rode the flames straight to Archontikos, their crackle and roar mingling with the sound of her mocking laughter.\n\nPerhaps the lion would realize his mistake and stop the torrent, but by then it would already be too late. Tiamat had altitude, she had momentum, and her agility in the air was such that a mere tilt of her wings brought her swooping upward just a fraction of a second before collision. As she flashed past above her prey, her left leg whipped downwards, a full set of talons extended to rake across the back of his uppermost right wing.", "username": "Drifting Pollen", "char_name": null }, { "text": "With the rushing inferno persisting, the keen eyes of Archontikos never relinquished their hold of his opponent as if gauging her capabilities. From the absurd processing prowess of the beast's mental faculties, it was as if he was watching things play out in slow motion. The majestic coordination of her movements was admittedly remarkable and very befitting of the title she claimed. He even nearly found himself taken off guard by her last minute maneuverability. Sure his mind was able to perceive things in such a way, but his body was still limited to the bounds of physiology. The moment he lost sight of her for a moment as she sprang up and behind him, his flames ceased while he pivoted his body to turn towards her.\n\nTiamat's decisive strike did indeed connect. The ensuing collision would create a shockwave that rattled the entire structure and threatened to collapse it entirely. If the humanoid reptile were to look, she would see that her claws had connected with the forearm of the Godly Griffin raised at the last second. Completing a half rotation, the arm that hadn't released the flame was used to block her strike. Only losing a bit of altitude from the impact, he remained otherwise undamaged. The impervious nature of his hide held firm and the flame still coated around the limb was somewhat used as additional protection. The durable defenses were slightly dented, essentially, but only a strike in that exact spot could whither it further, which was unlikely. The ancient warrior would look up at his adversary with that deadpan expression seemingly fixed on his visage.\n\n\"Impressive.\" he would initially say, his blazing wings continuing to keep him afloat. Each beat of the fiery constructs sent embers scattering randomly and the heat only seemed to still be rising. Arch wasn't just a master of fire, but a living embodiment of it. He wills the flames as naturally as he draws breath.\n\n\"I am Archontikos. The mightiest of the Allagimorfis. An eternal force of nature that will endure long after you perish.\" continued the fiery feline. Just then, the very wing she intended to target as well as the one beside it would bend into makeshift fists and lunge themselves towards her fleshy midsection with blinding speeds looking to deliver a plethora of powerfully burning blows.\n\nPollen", "username": "Griffintaur", "char_name": "Archontikos" }, { "text": "\"Ha!\"\n\nThe dragon bared her fangs, her forked tongue taunting him through their deadly points. \"The mightiest of the ants, challenging the heavens themselves! And he thinks himself eternal!\" A fresh bout of laughter shivered through her, and she had to raise one set of claws to hide her vicious grin. \"Oh dear, little one. I haven't heard such comedy in centuries...\"\n\nHer biting words slithered through a storm of oncoming blows, pricking at the griffin's fluffy ears. Archontikos had taken no significant damage from her claws, and other than a faint tingling sensation in his arm, there was little to stop him from launching his brutal retaliation. Those wings of his were veritable siege weapons, and their barrage would have pulverized even the thickest of castle walls—but Tiamat was a leaf on the wind, and against such a simple assault she was all but untouchable. Strike after strike ripped through the empty air beneath her, and her stinging claws snipped and sliced at the lashing wings, punishing every attempt to bring her down.\n\nOnce again, positioning was key. She'd launched her previous attack from above, and the impact had cost Archontikos just a few feet of altitude. Not an insurmountable obstacle, but here was the thing: every action produced an equal and opposite reaction, and the same impact that knocked the griffin down had pushed Tiamat upward, the recoil of her own blow giving her a burst of extra lift to gain distance. Her opponent had begun his counterattack without bothering to close the distance first, and though his sizeable wingspan gave him sizeable reach, Tiamat had only been gliding up to this point. As the beast unleashed his first mighty strike, her own wings beat down, and she darted up still higher, so that her body passed beyond the maximum range of his blow.\n\nIt was the flying equivalent of footwork, the kickboxer's agile backstep adapted for use in aerial combat. Any oversized bird could use its wings as weapons, but Tiamat had honed them into the primary tools of a full-blown airborne martial art, one that many a former foe had learned to fear and respect.\n\nMore quick wingbeats kept her clear of the initial follow-up strikes, but the dragon knew better than to wait for her enemy to change targets. The griffin's remaining four wings might have sufficed to keep him aloft, but in this moment his lift was nonetheless reduced, and it couldn't be easy to stay balanced in the air while constantly throwing out one's wings like that. Tiamat had used her wings as bludgeons many times in the past, and it only took her a couple of seconds to figure out the timing, and spot her opportunity. An upward strike, a missed blow... And before the next could arrive, her own wings snapped closed. Without any remaining lift, the dragon dropped like a stone.\n\nAnd this, too, was a part of her art.\n\nIn the air, gravity became yet another weapon, another tool to use in outmaneuvering one's enemy. Archontikos had just thrown up a wing to try and strike at her, and that wing had yet to fully draw itself back into position after the blow. Before it could, Tiamat came down on it like a fucking guillotine, leading with a brutal axe kick powered by the full gravity-assisted weight of her falling body. The raw force of it absolutely dwarfed her skimming slash from before, and no amount of toughened hide was going to keep that from leaving a bruise.\n\n...But that wasn't the point, or not entirely. The fact was, in using two of his wings to attack, Archontikos had sacrificed a degree of balance and stability. And while his physical toughness could reduce damage, it didn't prevent transfer of velocity, meaning it wouldn't keep him from being knocked out of the sky and sent hurtling towards the ground in an uncontrolled spin.", "username": "Drifting Pollen", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "There is nothing here.", "username": "Jeddaven", "char_name": "The Federal Monarchy of Gilneas-Lordaeron" }, { "text": "Gilneas, Northern Headlands\n\nIt'd been ages since Genn heard the sound of tens of thousands of Gilnean soldiers on the march. Years, as far as he could recall -- even when Gilneas had abruptly rejoined the Alliance, its army had practically rushed out from the wall -- but now, with wounds healed and a new weapon in their arsenal, he felt they were truly ready for the war ahead.\n\nMarching astride his army atop his ash-white steed, white fur bleeding into grey and black toward its extremities, he allowed himself a moment to survey the soldiers moving apace before him, past his steed's dark mane.\n\nToward the fore of the formation stood its most hardened, elite close combat troops, several handfuls' worth of worgen clad in light brigandine and flexible mail, clad in the navy-blue tabards of Gilneas replete with yellow-gold trim. Each one was a towering hulk in their own right, fur ranging from snow white akin to their gin to night-black coats, and everything in between. Unlike many of the other Gilnean soldiers, they carried no weapons -- only their wicked, dagger-like claws and crushing jaws were necessary. At their head stood none other than the towering form of Ivar bloodfang, each shoulder marked with the sword-and-shield icon of a Knight-Champion of the Alliance, so massive that he stood taller than every last person in his already physically outsized unit of shock troops. Every step the man took seemed to radiate cold, barely-contained fury, his rigid movements orchestrated as though his muscles were constantly at tension.\n\nNext came the first units of standard close combat troops -- more worgen, like those who came ahead of them, though generally not nearly as large as the soldiers that followed the Knight-Champion. They all wore the royal livery of Gilneas, replete with sallet-style helms and extended visors, necks protected by reinforced, brassy-gold scale, the very same that covered their legs and arms in brigandine, those few pieces of solid steel visible on their helms, gauntlets, and shoulder a stark, bluish silver.\n\nPerhaps the most archetypal feature of the Gilnean uniform, however, were the reinforced pieces of silvery steel over the nose, around the eyes, and all the way up to the rear of the helmet -- replete with sharp angles and a large spike toward the helmet's top, the design was made to both convey aggression and imitate the three-pronged Gilnean flaw, a band more of steel reach backward along the helmets toward the protruding spike.\n\n\"Your Majesty Greymane?\" \n\nThe voice of his Grand Marshal -- Darius Crowley -- broke him from his reverie, and Genn shifted to face his once friend-turned enemy-turned friend, spending a quiet moment or two regarding the man's concerned expression, framed by his auburn hair and extended goatee.\n\n\"You aren't worried about the army, are you? They-\"\n\nGenn scoffed, cutting Darius off with an abrupt wave of his hand. \n\n\"Not in the least. Not the army.\" He said, gritting his teeth. \"We have what damn well might be the strongest army of the living on Azeroth! Our artillery nearly rivals Khaz Modan in volume, we've enough hand-guns to equip ourselves for years ahead, we have the Worgen -- [i]ourselves[/i.] I'm not worried about the damned army, Crowley.\"\n\nWhen he noticed that Darius, the very same man who was trying to depose him a handful of years ago, was still looking at him with that same expression of concern, he sighed in defeat. Whether for his King or for his people, Genn didn't know for certain -- but he had a few guesses.\n\n\"You were right. That's it. About the Alliance, about needing to intervene against the Scourge -- can you imagine what would have happened if we brought this to bear when it was asked for? When that disgusting traitor of a Prince left for Northrend, or when he murdered his father? If we'd never left the Alliance in the first place?\"\n\n\"If you hadn't left the Alliance and dragged us with you, Your Majesty.\" Genn corrected him, his expression briefly shifting to one of sour hostility before flattening out again.\n\n\"But it is, as empty as this may sound, in the past. You're aware of your mistakes, no? That you won't make them again? Your people need you to lead them now, to make up for those mistakes. You know I won't forgive you for what you did. Plenty of people won't -- but all you can do now is do better. You have to.\"\n\nThe concern Darius'd shown was gone now, Genn noted. His features were mostly flat, expressionless -- except for a deep furrowing of his brow. Judging. Silent.\n\nGenn found that reassuring, somehow, managing a sharp nod as he held out a hand, leaning toward Crowley as he pointed toward the looming silhouette of the Greymane Wall.\n\n\"We're nearing the gates,\" he said, clearing his throat.\n\n\"Make our presence known!\" He shouted -- mere moments later, the sound of drums and brass joined the din of marching feet.\n\n\"Louder, louder -- and signal to have those damned gates opened!\"\n\nFor Gilneas, he thought.\n\n\"For Gilneas! For the Alliance!\"", "username": "Jeddaven", "char_name": "The Federal Monarchy of Gilneas-Lordaeron" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\"Ugh, I can't believe we've already got exams this week! Do you wanna study together later?\"\n\n\"Sure! Do you wanna ask Damien too? His dad owns SmartSolutions, plus he kinda seems into you...\"\n\n---\n\nA message was slipped under the door of each of your dorms during the night. A piece of A4 paper - cheap, printed in black and white, and neatly folded into a little frog.\n\n\"come to\nthe dockhouse at 7pm\nbring towel\nmap printed below\"\n\n...Well, that's one way to get your attention.", "username": "Aviaire", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\"Do you need any help?\"\n\nThat was what Maive had most often repeated to other students. Whenever someone looked like they needed assistance, Maive offered a helping hand. Of course, it resulted in mixed responses. Some students looked at her with emnity. A busy-body getting involved with strangers and being annoying. Some viewed her with distrust, as though she had ulterior motives. Others had been genuinely glad they had someone to help carry a few boxes around. Though, many other students didn't quite remember her name from these interactions. She was often called things like Blondie, Glasses, and Shortcake. Such names didn't bother her, but such names did often lead to weird and awkward back-and-forths. \n\nThe icebreaker meeting was fairly lackadaisical. Sofia had left extraordinarily quickly and Maive assumed she was just busy. The possibility that Sofia simply didn't want to deal with the group wasn't something she thought about. Maive introduced herself to the others before they had dispersed from their sudden lack of leadership and memorized anyone else who had introduced themselves. If she saw them in or between classes, she would pleasantly greet them. Of course, this was a rare occurrence if they also weren't part of the arts track or lived in the same dorm hall.\n\nHer room in the dorm halls was well-organized, but mostly empty. She had little personal amenities besides family pictures and childish handicrafts. The majority of it consisted of basic amenities, stationery given to her by the school, and a keyboard on loan from the school. Even though she was given a living stipend as part of her scholarship, she most often chose not to spend it. This was especially true about things that could be considered as frivolities. One of the few things she bought was a basic first-aid kit. After all, she always wanted to carry one. Though, her idea of a first-aid kit was frightfully modest; it consisted of a tube of antibiotic cream, some bandaids, and some regular soap. Things she individually bought on sale on her first weekend.\n\nOnce she returned back to her dorm after classes, she usually studied and practiced. As a result, her initial classes were fairly easy outside of the occasional confusion from her rickety foundation of knowledge. Such studying and revision was the life of someone who had not yet joined any extracurricular. While she often got held up helping a stranger or a teacher with something, her initial week at HAGAY had her inundated with time. Nobody to look after, no meals to make, and quite literally one chore that most students would entirely ignore throughout the school year. She couldn't tell if it was pleasant or unpleasant. It was more like something was missing.\n\nIt came as a surprise when a note had been slipped under her door on an uneventful night. While Maive functioned with little sleep, she wasn't the type to stay awake during ungodly hours. It was early in the morning when she noticed the letter. Was it someone asking for assistance...? A strange way to do so.\n\nAfter finishing her Thursday classes and, like usual, being slowed by helping other people, she prepared to visit the dockhouse. After stuffing her boo-boo kit into her backpack, taking one of her school-issued towels, and grabbing a few water bottles, she followed the winding path down to the dockhouse.\n\nReally, she was wondering what all of this was going to be about.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Was it a hazing incident? \n\nVictoria Yarwood had experienced hazing before, though not quite like this. The girls back home employed much different tactics, though she wasn't able to make heads or tails about it. Her hands were buried in her pockets with her backpack concealing the towel that she was encouraged to bring to the location at the end of the dockhouse. The waters were likely not the ideal temperature for any sort of activities, though she felt compelled none the less to show.\n\n\"Erm…\" Words struggled to leave the tall girl, \"I'm not sure I get it, either.\"\n\nShe sighed as her eyes looked around and she joined the boy's side with her backpack in tow. It was awkward, weird, it didn't make any sense. She wasn't so bold to hoist her towel over her shoulders like others and her eyes bounced across every corner as if trying to make sense of the invitation to the dockhouse. Her words felt like they were glued to the roof of her mouth as she mumbled hesitation and confusion. If she was already being hazed at this academy she felt she had failed to start a new leaf, but at the same time she had been noticed by someone all the same so it wasn't the same old situation of being ignored either. \n\n\"This is weird.\" She finally said clearly, though with about the same confidence as before.", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" }, { "text": "---\n\nThe group stood along the pier, no more than two metres above the water and devoid of other life. The sea itself was calm, reflecting the end of a sunset and shimmering gently. It had been warm during the day, but the bite of a light breeze made it ever so slightly uncomfortable to be standing in place.\n\nThe door to the boathouse slammed open as Sofia jumped out, arms spread wide. \"Surprise! I bet you didn't see this coming, huh?\"\n\nNobody really reacted. Considering everyone was part of the Icebreaker, they'd all reasonably expected her to show up eventually.\n\n\"Ahaha. Yeah. Surprise! Again, I guess..\" Sofia's smile wavered slightly as she hit the jazz hands, her wrists jingling. She'd taken off all the wristbands and replaced them with equally busy metal bracelets. \"Um, anyway… You may be wondering why I gathered you all here! And first of all, I want to thank you all for um, being here.\"\n\n\"Okay well, this is sort of a Harbour Academy tradition. You're supposed to jump into the water, and it'll give you luck in your exams. Well, you're meant to do it in the first week, but… it'll do!\"\n\nShe clapped her hands together, a wide smile plastered on her face. A little awkwardly, she continued, \"If you're wearing anything heavy you should um, take it off first. Just leave it on the pier. The water isn't actually that deep, so make sure you tuck in your legs when you jump, and it'll be really easy to get out after. There's some psychological explanation or whatever for why this helps, actually, but I won't bore you all with the details.\" \n\nSofia pointed at the multiple ladders and the set of stairs attached to the pier. \"...And there's nothing in the water that's dangerous. Probably. Haha! So, um. Yeah! Let's hop to it!\"", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "\"For real.\"\n\nTo say that nobody reacted was a bit of an overstatement. Someone certainly reacted. And on the part of the girl on the roof, that reaction came in the form of slow applause, one that was neither ironic nor mocking, but one that seemed to hold a certain tinge of condescension. Like an older sibling, perhaps, slapping their hands together when their younger sister and her equally young friends showed off some double dutch skipping. Verity was impressed. It was fun to see that Top 15 Science Track could do cryptic messages too! And the origami had been hers? Certainly, there was some depth to her after all!\n\nAnd as for the whole tradition of jumping into the waters for exam luck...\n\nShe tipped the remaining contents of her bag of chips into her mouth, wiped the powder and crumbs off the corner of her mouth, and then, in a very cat-like fashion, licked clean the back of her hand. It was in a very human fashion afterwards that she crushed the plastic bag into a ball before stuffing it into the pockets of her sweatpants. Shallow waters, but she was pretty light. Distance from dockhouse to water was doable too. She'd confirmed that earlier. And while she had been 70-30 on whether or not Sofia was going to show, she was 100-0 on whether or not water was going to be involved.\n\n\"Exam luck.\"\n\nVerity laughed. Almost derisively.\n\nThen, she began to strip, flinging her clothes down onto the boardwalk haphazardly. If anyone was buried beneath it, well, it wasn't as if she was carrying rocks in her pockets or anything.\n\n\"Like penguins, Sofia?\"\n\nGooseflesh rose from pale skin that was awash in the afterglow, the sting of the sea breeze felt ever more keenly now that Verity was in nothing more than her swimsuit, a plain yellow bikini that complemented her figure only in that her body itself was plain and non-descript, like a eraser right out the box.\n\nThe girl was certainly nothing to look at.\n\nBut the way she stood, standing on the slant of the dockhouse roof, one foot raised as she rolled the digits of her toes, both hands back to pull her hair into a ponytail, her forehead gleaming the magenta hues of twilight, perhaps one would get a strange feeling.\n\nWhether weather fair or foul, whether winter or summer, whether traditions or superstition, whether in solitude or in company, Verity Oxenbridge had always intended on a swim.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" } ]

[ { "text": "Victoria Yarwood wasn't afraid of the water.\n\nShe was afraid of many things, but never had she felt particularly despondent towards the ocean. However, the atmosphere of her new surroundings had made her rethink that fear almost instantaneously.\n\n\"I-\" \n\nThe shrill scream of Sofia as she fell to the ground caused Victoria to take pause with her own thoughts. They had plunged themselves to the deep and had ended up in a place that made no sense, a place that all logical conclusions in her mind resisted. The United Kingdom could not support sub-tropical flora or weather, even with the advent of climate change, so Victoria too was very confused and rattled by the sudden change in her environment. She grabbed her knees tightly as she sat on the ground, shaking, however subtly. Her anxiety felt like a domino that was cascading in a loop.\n\nThe waters around the academy certainly had a sick sense of humor, but Victoria, well, she didn't find it very funny. She subtly rocked back-and-forth in her position, looking down at the ground as she did so. She must've looked like she had entirely shut down to anyone who was looking her way.", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" }, { "text": "---\n\nSofia sat up with a gasp, slamming her forehead into Daniel's face and leaving a rather noticeable bruise on her forehead.\n\n\"Aaaaaah! Okay! Okay. Everyone remain calm!\" She hopped to her feet. This was her time to shine as group leader. How to Win Friends and Influence People said to get people doing something in times of crisis. \"First, uh, let's get some water. We can't drink the ocean water, so maybe going inland a bit and looking for a stream would be the right choice. Um. Victor! Veri- oh, she's already... Okay. Victor! Daniel... and, uh, Orlando! Can you go with Verity? Just make sure she doesn't get attacked by... whatever the hell might be out there.\"\n\nSofia looked over and saw Frankie and Victoria… well, they didn't look too great. And was that Imogen yelling at Maive? She had to step in!\n\n\"Hey! Imogen! Let's, uh, maybe calm down a little, haha! No good to get our emotions all pumped up when we've got survival on our minds!\" Sofia said in a sickeningly sweet tone. She had no idea what she was inviting onto herself.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Well, someone was certainly going to die soon, and that person sure looked like either Maive or Imogen. As Verity left the others behind, the wind nevertheless carried their arguments and anger towards her, unfamiliar voices mixing together into a cacophony of shouts and pleas, of reasonable people being swept away by emotions and bullshit. That Victor kiddo looked to be trying his best, and Sofia was getting it together after waking up a second time, but so long as they were stuck there, Verity herself was free!\n\nIndeed, it was wonderful to be off on her own once more, and a skip joined her steps as she strode into the tropical unknown. Greenery this lush meant that there was water, and if one were to think about deserted islands, one would imagine palm trees and coconuts too! And where there's vegetation, there'll be wildlife! Had to be careful where she got her hands and feet in, of course, considering all the dangerous creepy-crawlies that gotta be around, but those were things to be considered at a later time too. Ah, but it would've been so much easier if she had at least jumped in with a t-shirt on.\n\nAfter all, if she died, she died. Couldn't really do anything about it. But dying in only a bikini? That'd be embarrassing. She'd be a lobster by the time someone found her.\n\nThe dry heat abated as Verity ducked her head into the brush, replaced by a moist heat instead. Slick leaves crunched underfoot, and the buzzing of invisible life seemed to vibrate against her bare skin. Streams of light pierced through the canopy, feeding the bottomfeeders of the ecosystem, while the wind that once felt so wonderful was stifled now in her surroundings, its only hint being the rustling of the massive palms up above. She craned her neck upwards, felt a crick-crack of her spine, and let out a laugh. It was different looking at it up close, but the surface of the trunk was as smooth as she had expected. Made it clear, the difference between coconut trees and just palms. The shortest one was still a good story or two tall, but their fruits dangled still like a bundle of grapes.\n\nOut of reach, unless one climbed.\n\nThankfully, materials were nearby.\n\nVerity wasn't deaf to the world, after all. She had heard Sofia sicc some boys onto her, and when she turned, well, they were clearly in view. Them, and their pants. Daniel's speedos were the most ideal material, but she'd be fine with swim trunks too. So, as naturally as breathing, the pale-skinned girl extended a hand, palm up.\n\n\"Give me your pants. One pair'll do.\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nThis was definitely a dream; the situation was too absurd to be real. Putting aside the obvious implausibility of washing up completely dry on the shores of the Bahamas or wherever the hell they'd ended up, half the crew exploded into hysterics and the other half seemed about as bothered as if nothing unusual had happened at all. Honestly, Daniel just wanted confirmation that they weren't all dead right now, even if the only other explanation was that the dockhouse was haunted or something.\n\nFrance and Brazil had a point, as ridiculous as their supposed nonchalance was, but he couldn't help but find himself in agreement with the angry girl and the last boy in their entourage. Somebody was at fault here, though Danny was more inclined to rest the blame on the girl whose ankles he currently held over Maven or whatever her name was. At least until he noticed the crack running down one of the lenses of the angry one's glasses. A sympathetic wince escaped him - yeah, that was all Meeve's clumsiness right there; he'd be pissed too. Though, just as he was about to add his own fuel to the fire, the unconscious Sofia suddenly rose from the dead and slammed right into him, sending him recoiling backward with a whine.\n\nTo his absolute incredulity, now Sofia had tried to join the pragmatist camp, as if she hadn't just been psychically assaulted by the Ghost of Harbour Academy just moments prior. Was this just the norm around here?! Haha, prank the new kids by sending them careening through a portal to Tahiti, classic HAGAY hazing! Daniel gave up trying to rationalize any of it and just dumbly stared as Sofia barked out orders. \n\n\"You- but- I thought- I thought you were dead,\" he stammered out as Sofia turned foolishly into the path of Imogen's ire, quietly at first, then rising in panicked intensity, \"How are you so calm about this?! Did you know this would happen? You can't seriously just-\" He abruptly cut himself off with a frustrated groan. If it was her fault, then it would probably be prudent to listen to her, at least until they were back to somewhere he recognized - if she thought there was danger out there, there might well be; to say nothing of what would happen if Sofia were deliberately holding them hostage. Everyone else could chew her ass in the meantime, apparently he had a girl to save from a tiger or something.\n\n\"Fine,\" he huffed after a moment of internal turmoil, \"But I'm expecting an explanation when we get back.\" Danny stormed off in search of Verity - he assumed that was the girl from the roof; she was the only one that had the gall to wander off alone - though his pace slowed from aggressive and determined to a cautious hopping as he crossed the threshold from silky sand to jungled dirt. If he'd've known he was about to be ripped into a survival movie, he would have brought shoes.\n\nWhen he reached Verity at last, he saw no tiger nor monkey nor even particularly aggressive seagull; just a teenage girl asking him to whip his dick out in broad daylight. A bit early to be thinking about repopulating the human race, wasn't it? This had to be a very realistic dream. Or he had died and this was divine punishment for leading that girl on.\n\nWhatever flirty response a more lucid Daniel would've concocted outside of a life-or-death emergency died on his tongue. \"You really did hit your head on that jump, holy shit.\"\n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\nThankfully, nobody acquiesced to Verity's weird request, though Victor did suggest something with vines that made Daniel the slightest bit wary. What the hell was she going to do with vines that she needed pants for? Actually, that was pretty solid dream logic, so maybe that meant he'd be waking up soon.\n\nHis question - which he really didn't need answered, honestly - was answered regardless moments later, when the girl threw herself at the tree in an attempt to climb it. He almost yelled at her to get down, but to his surprise, she was actually decent at it. Danny watched in perplexed awe as she hopped her way up the palm one weird movement at a time. Not that he was a physicist or anything, but it didn't even seem possible. All he needed her to do was outright start walking up the tree to confirm his dream theory, but unfortunately she remained just inside the realm of plausibility just to spite him. This dream sucked.\n\nAs the coconuts began to rain down, Danny immediately raced backward, leaving the fruit-catching to the other two - one head injury was enough for today. Possibly two, depending on whether or not he really did take a rock to the head and die back at the dockhouse. To his chagrin, he couldn't even get mad at the tree-climbing psychopath either; that was food and water they could use right there. \n\nOh, god, they'd have to find food out here. If a boat didn't pass by quickly, they were fucked; this island probably didn't have enough resources to sustain two people, let alone nine kids who didn't know the first thing about survivalism. They'd probably end up eating Mav first. Or Sofia if she cracked one too many bad jokes. \n\nHe needed to get the fuck out of here.\n\nThat feeling of his stomach twisting itself in three different directions at once sunk in with a vengeance. The one he gets when he has to tell people he doesn't like girls. God, what a pathetic comparison; imminent death weighed against getting called a fag by a teenager. He was suddenly hyper-aware of the thin sheen of sweat on his skin - was that already there from the tropical heat or had it just formed? He hadn't noticed.\n\n\"Don't suppose you can see where we are from up there,\" he called up, not even believing the hope in his own voice. He doubted her vantage point provided anything they couldn't see from the shore, but Danny didn't exactly trust his less-than-stellar vision to take in a comprehensive account of their surroundings. Yeah, yeah; he could've completely missed something. No one pointed it out because it seemed obvious. Even broken glasses girl still had one functional eye over him. Ugh, this sounded like a cope even before the thought had finished. Turning back to the other two boys, Daniel barely restrained himself from pleading, \"You guys didn't see anything back on the beach either, right? There's no, like, weird little cabanas on a nearby island we can call for help at?\"\n\nHis voice had quivered a little. Idiot.\n\n\"I think,\" Danny abruptly muttered as he turned his gaze downward in thinly veiled horror, \"I- I think I'm freaking out. Sorry, sorry. We should... get back to the others.\" \n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "Mentions: @TGM\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n A cold hand had struck his cheek. It was hard, amplified by the lingering phantom chill that stained his skin. He flinched sideways in accordance to the smack. And then he sat there, rather quietly. It was there, with a little vague familiarity to it, and he tried his best to put up and sit there, quietly as he could. The panic still flooded through. It was one question answered. He was real, and he then wished he wasn't.\n\n He put an inch's distance between them as he thought it indicative of a response. Franciszek found the words evermore difficult to spill from his lips and he froze up. The thoughts that ran through his head mostly consisted of the far-reaching span of questions and lacking answers. One answered simply pronounced eighteen more. Where? What? Why? How? If it were all real then how was she so sure of it? Did she know anything? He dared not to ask. There was no use asking anyone, it felt like, for with it came a lack of knowledge or sudden paranoia - much alike his. Some people had already soldiered on, leaving with a bop in their stride. They were loving it, he thought to himself, and honestly part of his resented it. Relishing in what he thought his own experience. He never quite knew if Victoria had experienced what he had, or perhaps he was simply so abhorrently weak that his insecure understanding had made him much of a laughing stock.\n\n He breathed. Calm - he called upon. It didn't work much, but he eased himself enough to hold his tongue and to not be erratic. Off to the side, Maive had started to bawl. Imogen denounced her own aggression so monstrously and, whilst Franciszek felt bad about it all, he most definitely felt that lingering degree of animosity - not for the crying girl in particular, but everyone. Sofia had brought him no sense of comfort or understanding. He was panicked. None of his thoughts were clear, and it was a matter of absorbing wonderland in order to remain any kind of level-headed over it.\n\n It hadn't really clicked with him how quiet he'd suddenly gone. He wanted to talk to prove that he could still provide something, valued or not, to the ever-growing dysphoria of reality. He looked down and shook his head. The volume of the ocean around them spoke to him again, in heeded warning. He shuddered. All again, so callous. He didn't feel himself at all, yet it had come to him so naturally.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "The clear slap across the face seemed to make the boy more quizzical than calm, though at least he wasn't frantically trying to grasp onto answers. \n\nFor Victoria, all of the chaos around her seemed to make her get a sense of calm. Had Frankie not shambled over asking her questions in a manic state perhaps she would've gone fully catatonic. She had to thank him for helping keep her head clear at some point, though given the expression on his face and the lack of a reply of any kind, she was certain it was not the time. She took a light breath as she jumped to her feet as she looked at the island more clearly for the first time since she awoke to its sights. She closed her eyes, inhaling the smells of the island, as she commented on the situation.\n\n\"None of this makes sense, so we have to focus on what makes sense. The rest will come after.\"\n\nShe looked over to Imogen and Maive, and then back to Frankie.\n\n\"Other people need our help. We can't afford to… you know. C'mon.\"\n\n\nMentions: @LetMeDoStuff", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" }, { "text": "Victor didn't really know what to expect to be honest. When he suggested vines, he thought she was going to stuff rocks or something to create a makeshift flail or something. Instead, he just watched her tie vines together until she had made... sandals? Whatever she was doing, she was committed to doing it herself since she was not interested in getting them to assist in her endeavor. \n\nHe watched her with equal parts confusion and intrigue as she waddled her way towards the tree. Verity was looking upwards with her focus completely honed on her prize, completely forgetting that she wasn't alone. Then she just started climbing. Actually, it was more like hopping. Frankly, it was actually impressive; Victor never would've never actually expected someone with her rather unimpressive physique to actually be able to have the strength and stamina to make her way up a couple of stories. That and he was not really expecting a rich kid from HAGAY to be able to do any of the skills she displayed.\n\nThen the coconuts started to rain down. \n\nVictor was quick to catch what was in his range. It was either that or get his head split in half by an errant coconut. Under other circumstances, this actually would be quite fun, he thought to himself. Really, having an island to themselves to just goof around on was something that a lot of people would have loved to have. It was just a shame that they were stuck on an island in the middle of God knows where and had to fight for their own survival. For his own sake he kept his own thought to himself, especially since everyone was barely keeping themselves together.\n\nDaniel was struggling and try as his might to hide it his trembling voice gave himself away.\n\n\"I'm going be honest... I think we're the only humans here,\" said Victor to Daniel. There was a clear distinction to what he had meant. The people on the raft that he had seen when he fell through the water looked human. Well, the only one he got a good look of was the valet. The eyes of that man were nothing he ever had seen before; a shiver that traveled down his spine when even thinking about that cold golden eye. Something screamed in Victor that the valet was only human in form. Why would there be humans in whatever that place was on a bloody raft with a desk on it and one of them dressed like a hotel valet? Either Victor had seen too many movies, or he witnessed something that typical people weren't meant to see. \n\nThat was assuming that they were nearby. He was only running on the assumption that everyone else saw what he saw because for all he knew only he saw it. With all the adrenalin and panic, he did not even think to ask if they had the same experience as him.\n\nVictor dropped that train of thought though when Daniel asked if they could go back. The poor boy looked like he was not about to drop to his knees at a moment.\n\n\"We'll drop you off at the beach, but the rest of us will-\" Victor cut himself off when he realized something. Why was not Verity back on the ground? Surely if she was able to climb up the tree that she could get down. There's no way she was stuck in the tree like an overzealous cat that climbed too high up.\n\nHe looked up the tree to the coconut girl and asked, \"Uh, can you get down?\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" } ]

[ { "text": "It was quite the curious thing to see. Conventional wisdom would suggest that in order to go downwards, they would have to climb down. 'What comes up must come down' though it seemed that the concept did not exist in the mind of that cracked gremlin stuck up in that tree like a cat. It was bizarre how she was able to just treat the situation like it was just another day, as if it was a normal thing to do to wake up on a mystery island and then climb up a tree to get coconuts like she was grabbing produce from a supermarket. Rather than a comfort, Victor found himself a bit unsettled that she either was detached from the reality of the situation or she just didn't care. \n\nJust like she did not care for her own personal safety. Verity decided to take a page from a George of the Jungle and climb down the tree recklessly. Sure, it got the job done, but he found himself holding his breath hoping that she did not fall because it was already bad enough that they were in this situation, it was another to be in this situation while she had a broken leg. Still, it was quite impressive to see her make her way down the tree. She definitely was tougher and outdoorsy than any of the rich kids that he had met at school. \n\n\"Uh, thanks for the food, \" said Victor to the rich girl plucking splintered bark from her hands. After all the effort she had gone through, it was only appropriate that he would express his thanks. \n\nShe followed up asking them if they were to explore the island and Orlando already beat him to the punch, so the Frenchman just nodded in agreement since there was not much else to add. They needed to find a more consistent source of food and clean water that can sustain their group as well as shelter if they were going to survive long enough to get off the island. At least that's what he should've been thinking about. What was going through his mind was a completely different story. \n\nThis situation was an impossibility; one moment they were on a brisk English shore at night and then they woke up on a sunny tropical beach ripped out of the Caribbeans and that was not mentioning what happened in-between getting from point A to point B. It wasn't a dream either; he was painfully lucid. There was a clarity in his thoughts and sensory perceptions. He could feel the individual grains of sand between his toes, the salt licked humid breeze of the beach, crunching of foliage beneath his feet, and the smoothness of the young coconuts that he caught. He could hear the caws of seagulls, waves crashing, and the cacophony of insects crying in the jungle as the backdrop to their conversation. He was far too aware of his surroundings and his awareness of space was just as clear as ever. All of this was real... so where were they? \n\nHis train of thought, however, was broken by Daniel who desperately looked at Victor as if he had any sort of plan because yeah, he would most certainly have anything resembling a bloody plan after being transported through what he could only guess was a portal when they hit the water, or maybe they died, and hell was literally other people. It was beginning to feel like the latter. What was he supposed to tell Daniel? That he had no master plan to get off the plan and that his apparent confidence was the only thing keeping him from crumpling into a fetal position.\n\nWell, he never got the chance due to Daniel's attention being whisked away to the rustling of foliage like a nervous squirrel. He dropped the coconuts and picked up the branch that he was holding until the hail of coconuts courtesy of Verity. His grip tightened around it, prepped to strike at whatever wild animal that came his way. Well, it probably wouldn't actually do much damage though it made him feel better, like a toddler with a safety blanket. \n\nThankfully, depending how one would look at it, it wasn't an animal, but Sophia and the rest of the entourage. Personally, he would've preferred a wild boar over her. \n\nThe rest of them did not look like they were in tiptop shape. Maeve looked the worst, her eyes red and puffy from crying after Imogen laid into her. There was a tinge of guilt for not stepping in to try and comfort her. Actually, he really was a bit of a jerk to just walk away from her when she was sobbing. He just wanted to get away from the situation. Whenever there was a chance, Victor knew he should apologize. At least Imogen and her made up if their hand holding was any indication. Then there was that blonde boy who the last time he checked did not have a cheek that was redder than the other. \n\nEverything was normal until Victor noticed that there was one more addition to the group that he did not recognize, a black-haired girl. Was she always there? He thought to himself. Actually, it was a question of how he did not recognize her because this girl was crazy tall by comparison to the rest of the girls. Not wanting to be rude, he only took a quick glance at her though shifted his gaze away as staring is quite impolite. Still, had she been there the entire time? How in the world did he not notice her with her black hair against the pale sand? He noticed Verity and that girl was camouflaged. There was not a chance in hell he was going to ask something like that, however. \n\nVictor grabbed his own coconut and took page from the wild woman's book and smashed it against the tree, splintering and the sweet water trickled out between his fingers. He took a sip and despite being a tad messier than he would've liked, it was refreshing in this humid heat. It was stupid of him to relax though because as soon as he felt like he could take a rest, an eerie silence hung in the air. The cacophony of sounds ceased to be.\n\nAn icy chill ran down his spine as a sense of dread weighed his stomach down like a block of lead. Unsurprisingly, Sophia was ignorant to the deafening silence that now enveloped them and claimed that she saw a spring. If this was like the movies and shows that he grew up watching, it meant clean water. They had a means of survival and yet, the read did not leave. \n\nHe placed his hand on his chest, trying to remember that warm sensation when he was sinking in the darkness, the comfort that he felt when his being was slipping away. Hey, disembodied voice. If you weren't an auditory hallucination, I could really use some guidance to get me out of here alive.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nSomething splashed in the distance. A thump. Another thump. The ground shook, the leaves rustled. A coconut fell from a distant tree and cracked open on a rock.\n\nFrom her position up on the log, Sofia turned to look. She screamed, then fainted once more, flopping down from the log and landing into some bushes.\n\nA great big beast, about the length of a bus, crawled out onto the beach from the waves. It looked like a massive frog, but with considerably more horrifying features than any amphibian the group had seen before. Eyes like a goat, six of them, lined its head. Green skin, speckled with brown, coated in a dripping, slimy mucus. At its sides flopped two massive wings, each the size of a large bedsheet, translucent yellow. It hopped forward on two powerful legs, with webbed toes the width of a man's torso.\n\n\n\nIt leapt forward from the shore, landing on the pearly sands of the beach. As it held itself up with its massive wings, it opened its mouth and bellowed. A massive wave of sound blasted the treeline, knocking down leaves and upending small bushes. Each of the six eyes swivelled about, unbound by a reasonable line of sight.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Thump...\n\nThump...!\n\nVictor perked up at the sudden deep, repeated thumping off at the distance, the ground shaking from the sheer size of whatever was causing it. \"What the hell is that?\" He asked to no one in particular as he looked around to see the source of the tremors, but tried as he might, he couldn't catch a glimpse of anything that would stand out. His search though was broken by the shrill screaming of Sophia and watched her pass out again in the bushes. The stick and the coconut that he was holding fell with a light 'thud' as he rushed over to the girl and lifted her limp body up, checking for any bruising or cuts along the head. \n\nWhat the hell did she see? Victor's gaze followed where Sophia had been looking through the tree line back towards the beach and saw... What the fuck was that? It looked like a frog, but it was the size of a bus and had six goat-like eyes lined up in a row, and from its front legs were a membrane that looked like wings. There was no creature on Earth that looked like that. Wherever that water spirited them away to, they were not in Kansas anymore. \n\n\"Mon Dieu,\" was the only thing he could muster to say, his eyes widened in disbelief and his jaw slack. Forget sticks and stones breaking bones, a damn rifle wouldn't be able to put that behemoth down. It would only just piss it off. There was nothing they could do that thing to kill it. Whatever it was, it was the apex predator, and they were the flies.\n\nWithout warning, the thing bellowed, the force of that thing's scream ripped bushes from the ground and shook trees. Victor as best as he could tried to cover his ears while trying not to drop Sophia, as much as he wanted to. His gave soon returned to the create and he just watched its many eyes dart around, making it unpredictable of where it was looking. However, it was very likely that one of the eyes was looking at them.\n\nWithout break his line of sight on the hell frog Victor said to the group, \"We need to run, now.\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" } ]

[ { "text": "Verity was two seconds away from turning Maive into the next Sofia, before something truly, utterly, hilariously strange happened: the day darkened, the bookish woman started muttering to herself, and with the invocation of 'PERSONA', a cocoon of storm gave birth to massive hand that squeezed the bus-sized toad with such force that its mouth was forced open.\n\nPresumably, there was some correlation here, so of course, while Verity was still hanging off of Maive's back, she tried it as well.\n\n\"Persona.\"\n\nThe only response to that attempt was the inflation of the toad's mouth though, and before it could belch out its tongue a second time, Verity sprung off of Maive, kicking off the woman's head like a swimmer from a diving block. An instant later, a shockwave of force barely grazed the soles of her feet, before she was rolling in the detritus of shrubbery and ruin once more. Not a tongue, which was good, because that meant Maive wasn't eaten. But an air cannon was also pretty bad, and while Maive's ghost friend could squeeze the toad, the toad's breath was enough to send her ragdolling into a tree before smashing her skull against the trunk.\n\nIt was a miracle that her head wasn't lolling about at some odd angle. That her brains weren't painting her lips.\n\nAnd really, it just sorta proved that one ghost friend wasn't enough when you were a human being up against a bus-sized frog with a taste for human flesh.\n\n...\n\n\"Ha...\"\n\nVerity picked herself up. Funneled her thoughts down in one direction. What did she know about toads. What did she know about this toad? It had no useful front limbs, but cannot walk. It possesses the ability to leap great distances. It shoots out with its tongue, and can shout in the same method. It hasn't shown much ability to turn around; it probably couldn't. Its tongue was sticky, but Sofia hadn't been crushed to death yet, so that was fine. Alright.\n\nRunning over to Maive, the pale-skinned girl returned the favor, delivering a hearty slap to her face before pulling her behind the tree. Tongue would have to go through a tree first. Roar wasn't strong enough to uproot it as well. All that mattered would be whether or not the toad went for another big jump, but they had a bit of time anyhow.\n\n\"Listen up.\" Her hands grabbed the sides of the bespectacled bitch's face, fingers pressed against her temples. If Maive didn't, then she was just bait. \"It's a toad. Can't walk on land with how it is. Get your ghost to carry you. Fly close and fly around it. Bully it that way. If it leaps up for a stomp, throw yourself away and get the ghost to go for the belly. Think like a rat. No, a roach. You're a roach with that thick head of yours. A magic roach. Scurry around and fuck it up. That's how you get Top 15 Science Track out.\"\n\nHer eyes flickered back and forth, checking to see if the toad was happy to eat or hungry for more.\n\n\"Now, tell me. What are you?\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\nHe heard another enormous thump, small branches, and dirt crashing on his legs, the air pressure has carried them from the place the monstrous frog descended from its leap, closer than he expected, but he did not stop. He saw, from his peripheric vision, that a handful of people were starting to lag behind him, but he did not stop. Orlando kept running, ignoring the inkling of guilt that slowly but surely started to become bigger and bigger. The thoughts of running that dominated his mind started to be replaced by excuses and justifications. 'I don't even know them. They would do the same. It's not my fault. I don't want to die'. As long as he focused only on putting one foot after the other he could forget about everything else, he could deal with his emotions after he was safe.\n\nAnd then a body flew over past him. He froze, looking as Victor, now that he could discern better, felt into the spring, making a splash from the impact. Orlando stood there for a few moments, the gravity of the situation weighing on his mind. His body moved almost on its own, bypassing the last few meters he needed to reach the border of the spring. He slowly moved his gaze toward the place Victor's body had hit the surface, but instead of finding a corpse, he found nothing. \n\n\"W-what?\" Was all he could say. He could see the bottom from his position, but no matter where he shifted his gaze there was nothing on the water that even resembled the shape of a person. Just another item to add to the already large list of impossibilities they lived through since they magically arrived at this... wait! Could it be? He remembered how they arrived at the beach to begin with, how it all started with a slip, a fall, and cold water, perhaps Victor returned to that old pier? Maybe he just needed to take a dive and everything would return to normal, no creepy men in a raft, no unsettling ocean, and no giant monster frog. But then a doubt surfaced in his mind, an image of him waking up in another weird place, an eternal nightmare where he could never wake up.\n\nHis doubts were interrupted by a tingling sensation in the base of his neck. Orlando looked around and noticed something strange: It was darker, the bright sun that hounded them since they got here became shadowed by some black clouds, a strange sight made all the weirder by a sound that reached his ears. It was Maive voice, but its characteristic softness that seemed to encompass the bespectacled girl was replaced by loudness, the single word he could hear from his position at the edge of the spring resonated with him in a strange way, like the lullabies his mother used to sing when he was younger.\n\n\"Persona!\"\n\nHe reached the clearing just in time to witness Maive facing the gigantic toad alone, but not for long. It started with a breeze, but it rapidly became a gale, scattering branches and leaves all over the place. Then the winds started to gather behind the girl, forming a shape similar to a cocoon before exploding outwards, and in its place, an ethereal entity stood in silence. It exuded tranquility not dissimilar to the girl in front of it, yet Orlando could feel a sense of power emanating from it, and he was proven right when the figure extended all six of its hands towards the beast, who now looked wary, scared even.\n\nWhirlinds started to zero in on the frog, forming a hand that squeezed it with what he expected to be considerable strength. It was then that he realized there was someone inside its mouth, the toad's large tongue unrolling just enough to see Sofia's unconscious body in its grip. He mentally cheered, whatever the hell that thing was it seemed to be able to stop the frog, just a few more hits like that and it would be over! \n\nSadly, Maive's opponent decided to stop being passive and bellowed its greatest scream yet, so strong was its force that it blew her away, making her crash into a thick branch, the phantasmal apparition disappearing for some reason, and Orlando only managed to stay in its place due to the three he managed to grab. Things were looking rough, he saw Verity managing to take Maive behind a tree, but he didn't know how much time they had before the beast decided to follow them. He racked his brain for any ideas but came up with none, and after looking around, identified some of his peers also watching the fight. \n\nFor all he knew, Maive was the only thing guarding them against a slow and painful death, and she needed time to recover, he couldn't guess just how severe was the hit she took. Perhaps it was the heat of the sun, the sight of Victor's body getting tossed like a ball or the toll this entire situation took in his brain, but his mind reached a single conclusion: They needed to distract the thing and make some time or they would die, so he did just that, not before telling anyone near them about his plan, if it could be called that. \n\n\"Guys we need to distract the frog so Maive can recover! Just do whatever you can!\" He screamed and started to throw stones toward the head of the toad, trying to hit an eye from his position, perhaps he could blind it so they would have an easier time escaping if things didn't work out. He didn't know what he would actually do if he managed to get its attention, his plan didn't far, but he hoped that the living tornado didn't need that much time to heal.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" } ]

[ { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\n\nAfter having thrown his 4th rock Orlando realized that perhaps this wasn't one of his brightest ideas. The frog stood unfazed by his puny artillery and yet what he truly feared is what would he do if he did get to attract its attention, run and hide behind a tree? Luckily he didn't have to wait for too long, out of the corner of his eye he could see Maive getting up, he didn't know how she could call the spectral wind figure but as long as that thing could save them from the frog he honestly didn't care. He saw her raising her hand... and then faltering.\n\nThe situation worsened by the second, and Orlando could only hope the frog stayed tired for a few more seconds, maybe a miracle would end out happening? But it wasn't an act of God that got his attention, it was a familiar voice instead, and he could turn his head around just in time to witness, for the second time in the day, something truly mind-boggling. \n\nDanny stood there, all the fear and nervousness having left his face, as a cold that chilled Orlando to his soul started to permeate the area. An icy, shadowy mist seemed to follow him, but on closer inspection, he could see it started to coalesce on an approximation of a person. Once Danny and the weird figure approached the monster frog, a hand that looked like it belonged to a long-dead corpse appeared within the mist, in its grasp was an oar made of extremely old wood, which the figure used to dissipate the mist that cloaked it.\n\nIt was Death, no other way around it, who had finally come to reap their souls. But instead of taking their lives, it raised a finger towards the monstrous amphibian and from it, liquid blackness flew towards the frog. He could not see what it did from his position, but the way it started thrashing around it looked like it worked. \n\nSo enraptured was Orlando with the events in front of him that he almost didn't see the big chunk of upturned dirt that almost pulled him, but he managed to dive out of the way in time. He rolled a few times to stay as far away from the berserk frog as he could, and after a few seconds, the trashing stopped and only the necrotic remains of what was once the biggest threat to their lives could be seen, before even it evaporated, leaving no traces behind. And he could only stay there, flat on the ground, breathing big mouthfuls of breath and trying to calm his beating heart. They had managed to survive, and the others started to approach their part of the jungle.\n\nHe had a fuckton of questions swimming in his mind, each one crazier than the other, but after the ordeal, they survived only one left his mouth: \"...Now what?\"\n\nHe didn't expect a coherent answer, hell he didn't expect an answer at all, but that didn't stop him from asking.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nDespite the chill in the air, Daniel looked as if he'd just run a marathon. A droplets of sweat ran down his face as he panted in unsteady, adrenaline-fueled breaths. He wasn't quite sure what he expected to happen. He wasn't sure anything even would happen. But of all the possible options, he definitely hadn't expected to watch the frog waste away over the course of a few seconds. He supposed he did intend to kill it and Kharon apparently obliged. As he turned back to the spectre in question, Kharon dissipated with little of the fanfare that preceded his arrival.\n\nWas that, like, a one time thing, or...?\n\nVerity's question popped him out of his thoughts. Right. Sofia was in its mouth - no, it spat her out, he saw it, so that meant- no, she went flying. Oh god, did she break her neck or something? It all happened so fast- wait, they could find a body if so. She could be fine. Unless she had been hit and turned into a puddle like the frog did. \n\n\"I- I don't know. Did I? I don't even know what that was,\" Danny mumbled, eyes squinted in a lackluster search for the missing girl. Imogen drew his attention next, with a much less distressing question. Was he okay? He was tired. Antsy. Still in fight-or-flight mode. May have just killed someone. But aside from that? He felt great. A rush of power churned in his soul, a cold hand extended that offered purpose and competence and freedom.\n\nHe nodded after a few moments of deliberation. \"I think so. Did anyone see where Sofia fell?\" With luck, someone would've kept track. Then they could get back to more pressing issues, because any time wasted meant more questions asked and none of them seemed to have answers.\n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "---\n\nMentions: @hatakekuro\n\nUnfortunately for Victor, the moonlit figure did little to answer his questions. Rather, the man from his visions simply turned and left, disappearing behind the cliff face.\n\nIt was now nearly 8:30PM. Victor had luckily gotten somewhat dry and fully clothed, but that couldn't be said about the others. What would happen if, no, when they came back? Make the same trip down to the docks?\n\nOr would he try and make it back to the island?", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\nBack on the island, the buzz of insects resumed. In the frog's rampage, most of the island's plant life had been devastated—flattened or torn from their roots.\n\nLooking at the ocean wasn't giving the group as much of a headache as before, but there was still a sense of discomfort every time they glanced at its depths.\n\nSofia was nowhere to be seen. No struggling about, no flailing in the water, nothing. No signs of anyone drowning. And still no sign of Victor, either.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "\"Were you here for the tornado monster?\"\n\nVictor blinked in silence while he processed what he had just been asked. \"Here for the what now?\" Daniel would then explain in his bumbling manner the summary of the events that transpired while Victor snuck through the school grounds to get back to this world. It sounded like the words of a mad man. Summoning monsters called Personas to act as summons for combat? Monsters dissolving into sea water upon defeat? In any other situation he would never had believed such an insane claim, but after everything that had happened that was least craziest thing he heard today. If anything, it explained one mystery; the voice and sensation of warmth that he had been experiencing ever since they broke through the boundary. \n\nFrom what he could understand, these Personas were part of them as if they were an extension of themselves if Daniel could still feel its presence. What they were specifically was up in the air, but whatever they were they were it was clear that they were to be of help. More importantly than that though was the state of the rest of the group.\n\nThankfully everyone else was alive as corroborated by Imogen, but those that figured out that they could leave the island without telling Daniel or checked to see if Maive was alive. It was weirdly fucked up considering from what he heard, the two of them saved everyone from the monster frog though maybe they expected them to figure it out on their own since it did not take a genius to put two and two together. Then there was Daniel. \n\nVictor watched Daniel flail about with excuses and the pure silliness of hearing someone say they killed a frog with their mind was met with a laughter from the French boy. After everything they had been through today, falling through a portal, being nearly killed by that hell frog, and just being stuck with Sophia, appearing stupid was the one thing that Danny was afraid of. It was just so absurd. All of the tension and stress that he had just melted away.\n\n\"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm not laughing at you. You're just funny,\" explained Victor calming down with a few deep breaths, but still smiling. \"In hindsight I should have guessed you guys would have found your way back without me, but I was panicking too. I'm glad that you're all safe.\"\n\nAnd on cue, Imogen suggested that they left while they still could. Victor could not have agreed more. \"Yeah, let's do that. I did find something back in our world, but it can wait until we're safe. Come on, let's go.\" \n\nGlasses girl picked up the other glasses girl though she shunned any offer to help her bring Maive to the spring. Soon enough, the two girls fell into the spring and were gone. Victor eagerly followed and jumped into the spring with no hesitation. \n\nAnd there he was, back in the school bathroom drenched to the bone though instead of being drenched in his swim trunks his entire uniform was sopping wet. The only improvement was the lack of being arrested for public indecency.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nUnsurprisingly, Maive did not wake up when Verity let her fall nor did she wake when Imogen half-dragged her and submerged her in water. She only woke when Imogen nudged her; a holdover from having early-rising children nudging her awake. From Maive's perspective, she had summoned a persona, been flung into a tree, had a fuzzy conversation, then woke up in a bathroom. A normal person would take it all as a dream induced by some toilet-related disaster were it not for the sand and water.\n\nThe first words out of Maive were not of existential dread as Imogen would quip. Instead, it was of worry. \n\n\"Is everyone okay?\"\n\nShe shot up from Imogen's side and glanced every which way. Just her and Imogen. It made sense that it would be that way. After all, having two people in a stall together was already a tight fit. Cooperative toiletry was not exactly an spacious experience for either party.\n\nLike a bat out of hell (more accurately, a magic roach in a public restroom), she quickly sprinted out of the stall. Her worn-down and wet soles squeaked as she slid into a stop. Then, she turned and faced Imogen. Their eyes met and Maive's body bent into a fierce bow. Then she spun again and ran out of the washroom.\n\nOf course, she didn't exactly think her next move through. Traumatic brain injuries did that to a person. It would be her first time storming a men's washroom. Thank goodness there was nobody there to watch, save for the group being put through the way-home-randomizer.\n\nOr maybe it wasn't a good thing they were there, considering how Maive immediately ran into a sopping wet Swim McTrunks.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\nThey're laughing. He bore his soul to Victor and they're laughing. \n\nThe other boy at least felt the need to clarify that he wasn't laughing at Danny, but presumably at what he said, and he supposed it was probably incoherent enough to be funny. He'd just have to take Victor at his word and hope Imogen was barely suppressing a giggle for the same reason. His mouth floundered open a few times as he mustered a defense, but the duo - and Maive - had already vacated the island before he had a chance to get his thoughts in order. Probably for the best, lest he say something to further embarrass himself. The adrenaline dump he felt coming on certainly wasn't doing his brain any good anyway.\n\nDaniel followed close behind, tentatively deciding escape was more pressing than defending his reputation. He dipped a foot experimentally into the spring and, as it never seemed to touch the sand at the bottom, continued until his entire body had slipped past the veil between worlds. No weird vision or dream of flying accompanied the return trip, and instead he found himself seated on a toilet in a cramped little stall with a suspicious lack of dicks drawn all over it.\n\nThe spring really did lead to the toilets. Gross.\n\nA relieved sigh escaped his mouth and, although his body urged him to stay seated and rest, the remaining higher reasoning centers of his brain convinced him that being found asleep on the shitter in the morning probably wouldn't be a good look for him. Unfortunately, said higher reasoning centers seemed to be working on a slight delay, as when Danny exited the stall and found himself staring at Imogen, it took him far too long to notice anything amiss. No urinals. Girl standing there. \n\n\"Oh fuck- Is this the girl's room?\" He didn't wait for an answer, and instead dipped his head and power walked out the door. At least it wasn't occupied, Imogen aside. \n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" } ]

[ { "text": "Mentions: @TGM\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n Though mostly from the shock of it all, he could barely believe how calm some of them were. This wasn't helped in any instance by the reawakening of Sofia - their guide into the mess. Such a strong urge to rile up and explode at her, to demand the answers they needed and were owed, was set aside as someone else had already occupied themselves with her. He breathed, uneasily, and hoped that their message was to get through to the absurdly positive state. He threw his hands into the air and collapsed back into the sand. It was warm, but no comfort or luxury derived from its touch. He shuddered whilst that cold sensation was still fresh in his mind.\n\n Had he any idea of what he'd seen, even pre-emptively, it was still doubtful that Franciszek would've coped any better. These were the sorts of happenings of fiction, the tales and stories of classics and beyond. The wade into wonderland, and the fabrication of all reality, founded in a supernatural state. Tales of realism faired no better, and he was impartial to the idea of implying any sort of kidnapping of the sorts, simply out of the fear of it. He blinked and ran his arms across one another. God - why was he so cold? So brutal were those shivers that he quite literally forced himself to focus on something other than himself.\n\n Off to his side, maybe a metre or so away, was a face he'd only just recognised. A strong fluctuation of guilt ransacked his temper as he noticed Victoria, with barely a motion left in her. In all his desperation, he'd latched on to her hand and had pulled her in with him, no different to how Sofia had dragged him in. Almost immediately, he felt the world fall around him. As though he'd kept up his remedy of bringing all those down around him, just as it always had been. He sighed, and crawled just a little closer to her. She looked just as bad, if not a little worse, than he was. There wasn't any sign of reception to see from her. And though it was, in no doubt of his, a move that had the potential to simply worsen her situation, he could not sit idly whilst a billion questions still ran amok.\n\n\"I...I'm sorry...but-\" He didn't even know who Victoria was. She was there, as he had been, as silent as the winds themselves. He breathed in, but only shocked himself as he imagined a phantom taste in his mouth of saltwater and suffocation. Panic still rested inside of him, but he pushed to at least reconcile within another. \"But I need to know that I'm-...that this is all real, that I'm not dead, or insane or whatever else. Did...did you see it? Experience it? All of...all of that? Please, I just...I'm sorry.\"", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "It seemed before Victoria could get a hold of all of her faculties, that someone crawled over to her. \n\nThe boy, probably more distressed than she was, showed it in a way that was far more assertive and pleading. Her grip on her legs seemed to loosen as his words, eschewed together like they were taped together with gum, seemed to distract her from her own awful anxiety. It was a thing that in a less distressing situation she may have smiled at the fact someone was caring about her, about noticing her. She wasn't invisible. However, she was on a sub-tropical island in the middle of nowhere after being pushed into British waters. \n\nThis was not a situation she could shake so easily.\n\n\"Uh-\" \n\nThat is until he asked her if she saw what he saw–if he felt what he felt. And then it came to his neurotic pleading to know that everything was real and he wasn't dead. Assuming insanity was something Victoria hadn't ruled out, but given their entire surroundings and the facts of the situation it seemed that they were not all having delusional fits. Logically, one could surmise that they had been taken from England to somewhere in the South Pacific. But that would also imply that anything that happened between point a and point b made any sense. Logic was out of the window. Though, perhaps she could apply logic to help the boy in front of her?\n\nShe held out her hand.\n\nAnd she smacked him as hard as she could.\n\n\"There. You're real. See?\" Somehow the smile she doubted she could muster appeared on her face. \n\n\nMentions: @LetMeDoStuff", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" } ]

[ { "text": "Mentions: @TGM\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n Victoria's resolve was more or less as strong as the others, with the desire to immediately get to it. And she was right, but it still frustrated him. He wanted to find a way out, but as she had said, none of it made sense. It was for them to make sense of it, and if there was anything he was convinced of, he felt as if he had nothing to contribute. The others had the confidence and headspace to really make a difference. They were tenacious, and brave, and determined to make light of the dark situation they'd found them in. Perhaps he could've been too, but the shock of the experience had weighed so heavily upon his mind that he remained but a hopeless individual, one that no student around him could've relied on.\n\n\"How am I supposed to make sense of it, if you just told me none of it makes any?\" He muttered, albeit a little bit bitterly. He had incorrectly channelled the frustration, rapidity and speed toward the others, when in reality he had aimed it internally. It hurt to be so pessimistic, and it did little for the others, but shaking that visceral experience was not an easy feat.\n\n He looked down as she suggested they go to help. There was no way around it. If he said no, he'd have been left there, perhaps even to die, if they were so willing. It was dramatic to even consider such a factor. But wherever they were, he was so greatly untrustworthy of them all - the way they all slipped into working mode, as though they'd done this before. That's what worried him the most. Had he stumbled upon a secret society, or a cult of sorts? No one could know. No one knew. Everyone had no idea. And those that did, they must've kept quiet about it. That paranoia leeched off of him.\n\n He sighed, there was no way to really figure anything out without moving. To him, it was a sure way to walk into death, but it was better than sitting by the desolate sea, that called to him with harsh words. So what did he do? Well, he sat up a little, wiped his cheek as the sting still remained, and just nodded. He didn't sulk, nor did he make a fuss, but deep down, he was back where he was again, following others, and he had that lingering worry that once it was over, if it ever was over, then he'd fade back into the winds.\n\n\"Well...I guess there's nothing else...\"", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "---\n\nSofia's can-do attitude quickly melted the moment Imogen turned her fury onto her.\n\n\"I-I ah...\" she stammered. \"I didn't...\"\n\nShe backed off, then looked around and saw Victoria and Frankie, looking slightly less shaken than before. She pointed into the trees. \"Um, guys, I think I saw the boys find coconuts. Just... head over there, without screaming or anything, haha...\"\n\nThere was still the matter of Maive and Imogen. Sofia knelt down slightly beside Imogen, head lowered.\n\n\"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just... trying to make sure everyone is okay.\" She looked over at Maive and touched a hand to her shoulder. \"Hey, Maive, it's okay. Um. Let's try not to cry too much, okay? Your body needs those fluids. Maybe a coconut would help...?\"", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nCrying is a strange thing. So many thoughts went through Maive's head that, really, she couldn't pinpoint an exact one. She had an inkling of what made her cry, but couldn't quite put it to words if she was asked. It was more that she was thinking in feelings. When she finally felt the hand of someone else, she instinctively reacted.\n\nMaive's arms wrapped around Sofia's torso as the crying girl grasped for comfort. Anything at that moment would have done.\n\nThen Sofia became acutely aware of a bizarre fact about Maive.\n\nHer diminutive stature didn't mean she was weak.\n\nNo.\n\nShe was condensed.\n\nLike a vice grip, Sofia was now being fully assaulted by the most brutal hug she must have ever experienced. Two neodymium magnets had suddenly found each other and connected. Sofia's shirt had suddenly been blessed by a deep imprint of Maive's crying and snotty face. Her feverish wailing changed to sobs. Then, it changed to deep breaths and hiccups.\n\nFinally, Maive let go. Her glasses were smudged. Her eyes looked more like coloured marshmallows. She desperately wiped the remaining snot off her face using her forearms. \n\nShe'd bury it. It didn't matter if it was a hatchet or her own feelings at this moment. Sure, she was alone and confused. But she had to be strong. She always did.\n\nSuddenly slapping both cheeks, Maive looked to the trees. She took one last deep breath.\n\nRather than acknowledge what Imogen had said, Maive turned back to Imogen. Her face wasn't that of embarrassment, nor was it full of sorrow. Now, her cheeks were red from determination--at least temporarily. She stretched a hand towards Imogen. Thankfully, all of her snot had been wiped on her forearms and Sofia.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\nThankfully, Sofia didn't say anything about Maive's choice of handkerchief. She did, however, gulp in desperate gasp of air as the small underclassman let go, and doubled over briefly.\n\n\"Argh… whew…!\" She gasped. \"Wow! You're… really good at hugging, Maive. Wow. That was… a lot of hug.\"\n\nSofia led the way towards the trees, the five from the beach in tow. \"I'm sorry, guys. That was. Yeah. Okay. A lot's happening. Sorry for getting you all into… whatever the hell this is. And sorry about being all bossy. Truth is, I've never even been to the beach... I just got really carried away, and I've seen a lot of shows about this… Personally, I really like Lost, but I know that's an older one, and— oh, Verity! You made a climbing doodad! That's so good!\"\n\nAs the group entered the vegetation to grab coconuts, Sofia excused herself in order to climb a nearby fallen trunk and take a look around. As she did so, the observant members of the group noticed something unsettling.\n\nNo animal cries. There were seagulls squawking and bugs buzzing just moments before. And yet… The entire area had gone silent. Even the sound of waves lapping against the shore seemed to fade.\n\nSofia, who was most certainly not observant, called from her position atop the trunk. \"Hey, guys! I think I see a spring over there!\" She pointed towards the undergrowth.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "As Daniel drank, Verity watched him. For immediate reactions, delayed reactions, to anything odd with the coconut water.\n\nHe looked fine at a glance, of course, but she could wait regardless. She could wait for a good while, especially if Sofia really had spotted water as well. A spring, indeed, that Verity somehow missed while she was up on her tree. That was good news too. Someone else could drink from there too, and she could continue to wait in comfort to see what would happen.\n\nBut the silence was a more curious thing. It came suddenly, the stilling of seagulls and insects. A silence to stoke up a ringing in her ears, a silence that encouraged her to take a step closer to the tree she had climbed up upon, encouraged her to check her surroundings slowly, looking for a sign of something that wasn't just vegetation.\n\nAnd of course, she too was prepared to ghost.\n\nAfter all, Verity had prioritized food and water over weaponry. And though there were many things that she has done and wanted to do, punching an animal to death wasn't one of them.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nMaive was happy that Imogen took her hand. Anger was painful and scary. As was the guilt that came alongside. It was always something that Maive tried to avoid. She was just glad that everything seemed to resolve in some sort of catharsis. As for Sofia's reaction, Maive did indeed have the best hugs in Europe. \n\nThat's what her parents said, at least. Usually moments before they had to take a few minutes to catch their breath. She always wondered why they did that.\n\nThe two squads managed to reconvene at the coconut trees. Maive was glad that everyone was back together. Though, she was also a little glad that not everyone saw her crying fit. It was a moment of weakness, that was for sure. Unfortunately, her eyes still looked like confectioneries.\n\nMaive took a backseat to the more adventurous members of the group. Honestly, she was tuckered out from her fit of crying. A less emotionally exhausted Maive would have been aware enough to worry about the vanishing soundscape. Unfortunately, this was a Maive that had just gone through a torrent of emotion. She'd need a moment to recover. A nice seat made from dirt and trunk found itself home to Maive. She'd take a little rest before the group decided to gallivant (though that word was probably the exact opposite for anyone who wasn't named Verity) further.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "That was a big frog. A sharpened stick probably wouldn't help here, and it wouldn't even feel a rock slung by a sling, hm? And it came from the sea too. Sea-frogs weren't a thing, so that meant...\n\n\"Yup. This isn't Earth.\"\n\nSofia fell over. First to fall, first to die, but her sacrifice will buy others time. Victor was giving out orders he wasn't following. Frankie looked to be hydrated at last, and disappeared into the brush. Imogen followed soon after. Prodigious size alone made it out to be the sort of monster that could swallow them all whole. Were those webbed arms meant to help it swim, or could it achieve true flight too? Did it come here, chasing after castaways, or was it a migratory predator that leapfrogged (heh) from one island to the next? If she had an oxygen tank and some sort of hooking implement, could she ride on its back to the next island?\n\nMhmm, yeah, Verity could understand what was happening. In the face of the truly incomprehensible, she kept her emotions in check through pointless musings. And as its six eyes looked into the treeline, she sank further down into the brush, comfortable enough with following in the example of the birds and bugs. Her breaths measured. Her heart pounding. A smile on her face, and a flicker of regret in her mind.\n\nOh, if she had brought a gun to her swim, imagine how great their food situation would be!", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nFear.\n\nThat's what filled Maive at this moment.\n\nThe surreal island holiday had turned into a nightmare as the massive chimerical beast landed and shook the island with its screech. It was no longer a mysterious scenario where they'd bond and find a way home. Now, it was a matter of surviving in the immediate moment.\n\nShe looked towards the collapsed Sofia. Victor was already carrying her. That was good. If Victor hadn't done so, Maive would have hauled her like a sack of potatoes. \n\nVerity, on the other hand, had gone with her personal flow the second she tripped. Rather than make a mad dash to escape, she resigned and decided the best course of action was to hide. A good plan with a fatal flaw in Maive's mind: everyone else was running. If the toad-beast decided to unleash a second, closer screech as it gave chase, Verity would have certainly been popped like a microwaved egg. Plus, the thing had six eyes. It was probably good at seeing things.\n\nMaive made her escape plan. She'd throw Verity on her shoulders and dash for safety with her. Better to run than crushed like an ant under foot.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\nSudden quiet in nature was bad, wasn't it? If everything shut up, it had to stem from wariness. A predator drew near, a natural disaster loomed, a calamity was surely in the making. But Daniel couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what had everything on the island so spooked. The sky was still sunny as ever, so that ruled out hurricanes. The island didn't seem big enough to support any particularly dangerous carnivores. Did they feel an earthquake? Was this pathetic excuse for a sandbar about to be wiped off the map by a sudden tsunami?\n\nIt seems Sofia had seen it, judging by her second fainting spell. That woman needed to see a doctor. His concern was short-lived, however, as a resounding thud from the distance stole Danny's attentions from the girl near immediately. Stress clenched its way up his frame as he turned; he really hoped everyone else had a good enough vantage point to see the thing too, because asking Sofia what the hell they were dealing with seemed out of the question. (Un)luckily for him, the steadily-increasing hindrance that was his eyesight made little difference; the threat was still quite visible from a distance. It wasn't quite Jurassic Park, but it was close. Some grotesque monster had shambled its way onto the island, somewhere between a frog and... well, he really didn't know what else to classify it as.\n\nFor once, he found himself in agreement with just about every comment his fellow islanders had made. Even Verity. It was a dream after all! This was, of course, the part where he'd start running in slow motion, because that always happened in dreams. Then the frog-thing would be moments from eating him, and he'd wake up. It really would just be simpler to accept his fate and let it happen.\n\nBut why did that feel like such a bad idea?\n\nWith that primal, instinctive urge driving him, Danny took off without a word. He had no idea how frogs found their prey or if dinosaur frogs even worked the same as real frogs, but he certainly wasn't going to stay there and be trampled, if not eaten. Though, that begged the question, what was he hoping to find? Sure, big reptiles - amphibians too, probably - weren't exactly known for their stamina, but there was only so much island and the thing would recover eventually. It wasn't like they had any way to kill such a massive thing even while it rested.\n\n\"Where are- we running- to?! This- island- isn't big- enough!\" Danny huffed out toward his fellow runners between exhales, taking care not to exhaust himself prematurely with something as mundane as manic questions.\n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" } ]

[ { "text": "Her disappointment was immeasurable and her day was ruined.\n\nThe second ghost seemed to have done it, and the toad itself proved to not have been so tough after all, rotting away from its face at the behest of the reaper-like monstrosity that speedo-boy had pulled out of the aether. Really then, it must have simply been the case that Maive was lacking. So Verity didn't even bother to stop her from falling a second time. She survived one spine-cracking hit. She wouldn't die from a nap.\n\nInstead, she turned towards Daniel, motioning towards the sheer nothingness that was there. No frog, thus no food. No frog, but also no Sofia. Made sense. If the rot-blast hit the face, the rot-blast would hit the arm hanging from the face too. So, as for the fate of top twenty sciences track...\n\n\"So you hit Sofia with that too?\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "Imogen Reed\n\nA captive audience, Imogen watched from down the beach as Maive and her gale-force poltergeist stood against the monstrous frog. She trembled instead of cheering, and she dared not raise her voice even if it couldn't be heard above the howling wind lest she attract even a modicum of the terror's attention, but all the same she fervently wished the other girl the best, and hoped that she would succeed. Whether she knew or liked Maive made no difference; this nightmare was an enemy far greater than petty interpersonal quibbles, and against such a foe, human beings stood together. Well, at least in spirit, if not in the flesh. The knowledge of Imogen's own powerlessness gnawed her with shame and despair, but those feelings hadn't quite quenched something else that smoldered inside her. Deep within she still burned with anger, but that pilot light still sputtered in the dark, searching for more fuel. It wasn't yet time to ignite.\n\nSome of the others did what they could, however. Orlando hurled rocks to try and give Maive a chance to recovery, and Verity gave…'advice'. A Maive couldn't live on words alone, though, and she needed more time than the Orlando's courageous distraction could provide. But help did, coe, and came from an unexpected source: after a very long internal dialog, and no small amount of head-splitting agony, Daniel made his entrance. In the wake of the windstorm that rolled across the tropical island came a sudden, terrible chill. As its frigid fingers brushed across her skin Imogen tensed up with a gasp, hunkering down as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders in a protective self-embrace. Her gaze snapped to the figure that emerged from the foliage, wreathed in pearlescent fog. \"H-huh!?\" Behind him he cast a long shadow, deep and black as the bowels of the earth itself, and from the fated union of cold and dark rose a terrifying specter, hooded and shrouded in archetypal black robes. Imogen gawked, shivering in the sand. That tornado-mummy had been one thing, but this? It could only be Death.\n\n\"Kharon!\" Danny shouted.\n\n...Oh. Imogen blinked. The boatman from Greek myth, right? Not Death. Gotcha.\n\nBut like the apparition that preceded it, Kharon. seemed less interested in finishing the haggard students off, and more interested in the frog. In what seemed like a matter of seconds, the fearsome Persona smacked the frog in the face with his Boatman Blast, and things went poorly for it. The bug-eyed beast freaked out, its already-reprehensible face melting away as if doused in acid. In its death throes it hurled its captive (who Imogen could now identify as Sofia, restoring her belief in justice) into the air for a wild aerial rave. It reminded Imogen of old Sauce Engine physics. Unfortunately for Sofia, but fortunately for the world at large, her majestic flight soon turned into a headlong plummet into the eldritch ocean. Sploosh.\n\nDiverting her attention from the toad's gruesome demise, Imogen watched the spot where Sofia disappeared. No sign of her could be seen either attempting to breach or struggling beneath the surface. \"That sucks,\" Imogen muttered. Despite her righteous vitriol toward Sofia, she didn't actually want the other girl to die. But Imogen wasn't about to risk a dip in that weird water. She glanced back toward the action to find that everything seemed to be over. The frog was gone, the wind subsided, and the cold relented, so Imogen walked over. She could see no sign of either of the mysterious beings that appeared to help the students in their hour of need. Maive passed out, and Daniel looked like death, but even if they seemed fine Imogen felt no need to pester them with useless questions. In a make-believe world like this, things didn't need to make sense.\n\nThat said, Imogen did have one question. She'd be lying if she said she didn't care about their well-being. With Maive unresponsive, she furrowed her brows toward Daniel, a worried frown on her face. \"Are you okay?\" she asked. Their future might be uncertain, if any future awaited them beyond this purgatorial place, but at the very least she could focus on the present.", "username": "Lugubrious", "char_name": "Imogen Reed" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\nBack on the island, the buzz of insects resumed. In the frog's rampage, most of the island's plant life had been devastated—flattened or torn from their roots.\n\nLooking at the ocean wasn't giving the group as much of a headache as before, but there was still a sense of discomfort every time they glanced at its depths.\n\nSofia was nowhere to be seen. No struggling about, no flailing in the water, nothing. No signs of anyone drowning. And still no sign of Victor, either.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n His autopilot was based on fear. Fingernails dug into the sand as he breathlessly dragged his scorched, tormented imagination across the island, toward the spring. There was not a clear set of emotions laid across his face. He drooped and staggered in his blinks, and his breath was akin to suffocation. Franciszek had callousness all across his skin, his mind and soul. So harshly did his chest burn, as though it were a pressurised valve awaiting eruption. Sickness plagued him from within. How much more could it hurt? As if he were allergic to the beach itself, everything was in accordance to a horrific reaction. The amphibian and its demise, the relished power of some other no-name's of his, all mixed in how brilliantly or sourly they relished in their abilities. There was no explanation. It was a cosmic confusion, a horror of the unknown and by all cases it terrified the living hell out of the boy. He was quiet. Alone even. A soul that hadn't been paid even in pittance. He was there, soulless. His contributions were like gales in a storm. So he crawled, onward ahead, as he isolated further away to the island spring.\n\n The water was still. Whenever he looked at it, there was no way to tell if it looked right at all. Something, if not everything, felt off. It was like an translucent pane of glass, awaiting its shatter. His fingers touched it and he confused its calm for aggression. He withdrew his hand and gagged on his own spit. Not one shade of comfort - the island had made its way through him. He despised it, and it despised him. There wasn't a way to comprehend any of the madness around him. How could he accept something so heinously against reality, so vicious in its mockery towards all that is normal? He ran his hand back into the spring. It burned again, like acid to skin, yet he kept going. He crawled further, and further, to escape it all, as with the spring came the allure of freedom. Yet after what he'd seen, what he'd felt, the doubtless sense that it was never a dream, was it possible to be free, and true, to remove himself from what he'd seen?\n\n\"Just take me home...\" A voice inside of him rebuked it, and asked him to stay, but Franciszek's body did everything else to let that notion go forth. He crawled into the spring.\n\n Back into the burning depths he went. In a downward spiral his body twisted and turned as the descent became a burning ascent. The further up he rose, he twirled upward into the burning heat of the water. He trusted himself enough not to scream and drown, and the submersion ended in the blink of a watered eye. Franciszek emerged in a blur, in a far more familiar place - a stall, with several pencil scribbles on the wall, and with a confused mess latched onto his head. His body was soaked and his heart was ablaze. But he did not get up. He gasped, in a panic, then settled, and Franciszek spent a while sat, with his legs against his chest, back to the stall wall, and he breathed slowly.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "\"Hey, I'm talking to you! Don't you walk away from me!\" shouted Victor uselessly at the figure that retreated into night. He stood there, bewildered and shaking with rage. \"What the hell is wrong with this school?!\" The boy shouted again and, in his frustration, kicked someone's clothes that were left strewn about.\n\nHis anger did eventually simmer down. Victor tiredly looked down at the water like the valet was. He could not help, but to think what that voice said. \n\n\"Water... I see. The gateway, the horizon, the boundary...\" \n\nIt really was the water that was the doorway. He had a suspicion, but it was strange. If this stupid tradition existed and it was not some sick joke concocted by Ms. Top 15 Science Track, then this should have happened before. Some other students, even the freshman this year, pressured by tradition should have been sent to that piña colada deathtrap and either died or made it out, but either way there would've been rumors and urban legends. There should have been panic over students disappearing. There should've been, so why was it happening now?\n\nIt wasn't just some freak accident that they ended up in another world and it was not some weird coincidence that the blue valet appeared in their world when he went to investigate the docks. No, he absolutely refused to believe that it was some cosmic coincidence that the fabric of reality opened its maw and spat them out in another dimension just because they won the eldritch lottery. Something happened, something forced a gateway between their world and that other world, and they were either collateral or they were being strung along by something greater than what they could comprehend. All of this led back to the blue valet and the man in black. They were the only lead that he had.\n\nIt was crazy and even a jump to conclusions with what little evidence he had, but it was either believe that there was meaning in what he went through or fall into existential dread. \n\nThe question was if he could bring himself to take a leap of faith into the sea. For all he knew, there was a possibility that he could be sent to a completely different world. And what were the odds that his peers were still alive? If they were he knew how to get them out of there though surely, they would've figured it out on their own, but they would have to Mission Impossible it back to the docks like he did. It was not like he needed to do it. Why should he risk himself his safety for them? \n\nVictor glanced at the water, to the clothes, back to the water, and sighed. He gathered up their clothes and looked down at the water. \"If I die over this, I swear...\"\n\nHe jumped into the water and hoped to whatever god there was that he would make it out this alive.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "There was a lot Verity could say, of course.\n\nShe could go on about how this must be a world that was way more fantastical than expected, if monsters such as the frog could appear and then disappear like the mist. She could talk about the necessities of gathering food and water and shelter, as the nights would definitely be a killer when all they had was swimwear. She could mention that 'Persona' was a weird word to use to invoke magical monsters. If Maive's Persona was full of hot air and Daniel's Persona was the incarnation of death, what exactly did that say about the two of them?\n\nProbably that they were both fucked up human beings. Not that Verity cared enough to think any further than that.\n\nExcept even that was what she would consider an extraneous thought, when she noticed one of the weaker boys crawl over the spring and then crawled in.\n\nDisappearing, just like that.\n\n\"Ah. That makes no fucking sense.\"\n\nBut it'd explain where Victor went. Where Sofia went. Was the internal logic here 'saltwater foreign, freshwater home' because humans could only drink freshwater? Because humans depended on freshwater sources to found civilization? If she left now, could she ever return again? If she left now, could she return, but this time with everything she needed to truly explore? Across the ocean, within the islands, searching for new springs and new beasts?\n\nWell, no matter.\n\n\"Peace.\"\n\nIt took ten seconds for Verity to walk into the spring.\n\nIt took an eternity before she could walk out of the toilet.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" } ]

[ { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\n\nIs this what being on drugs felt like? He never tried them, he promised his mother that when he was still a kid, but he had friends that did, and they always said the trip made you forget about all the problems you had, a real out-of-the-world experience, and right now, while Orlando could admit that he was undergoing a sensation he never experienced in the past, he sure as fuck thought about his problems more than ever before.\n\nBeing raised as a devout Christian, he never doubted the existence of God, but there were still questions he asked the neighbourhood priest when his family and he went to mass. One of those was \"is my soul next to my heart?\" and, even if he forgot the answer that he was given that day, he could now confirm it was somewhere in his body because the cold that he felt right now chilled him to his soul. That same coldness made him forget most of what happened in that endless sinking, but those piercing gold eyes and the warm presence afterward would remain in his mind for the rest of his life. For one moment he even though he was in Heaven before the warm turned unbearable and he opened his mouth to scream. Or tried to at least. What happened instead was that he almost choked on the sand. The sand that he was on top of. The sand that wasn't in any way shape or form near them before they were thrown into the water. \n\nHe got up, spat the sand in his mouth, and looked at his surroundings. What greeted him was a sight more in tune with his home rather than the cold shores of England. \"Filho da puta, what just happened...\" he asked, before realizing the others were just as clueless as he was. He looked over to the sea, and a foreboding sensation crept all over him. Swimming back to England wasn't his first idea but that sealed the deal right there. Whatever the answer was, they would need to find it on this island.\n\nHis line of thought was interrupted by a sudden scream. It would seem miss Icebreaker abandoned them once again to their luck. That would be funny if their lives weren't at risk because of it, but what could you do? It's not like Sofia gave the image of being useful in a situation like this anyway... or in any really, maybe it was for the better that she fainted. Orlando himself was scared as fuck, but he felt showing it in front of these rich kids was just admitting they were better than him, and that was just not true. So he counted to 10 in his head and steeled himself mentally. \n\nThe rest of the people on the beach were in a variety of moods. That crazy chick just didn't give a fuck about anything it seemed, unlike Maive who apologized for their situation. While it was true that they felt mainly because of her, who, in their wildest dream would think this would have happened? He felt the need to reassure his fellow Art student. \"Hey, it's not your fault, if anything it's Sofia's, if it wasn't for her we wouldn't have been in the docks to start with\". There was just something right in throwing Sofia under the bus, he pondered. \n\nThen he saw the blond dude, Frankie or something. Out of all of them, he looked the worst by miles, the guy couldn't even stand up. It was a sorry sight and Orlando felt pity for him. He walked towards him, got on his knee, and put a hand on his shoulder. \"Frankie right? hey amigo, no need to panic, things are looking bad but that just means they can only get better, like my grandma liked to say, worrying is just like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it won't get you anywhere, so chin up and let's help Victor look for a way out of here\". Perhaps it was not the best advice but well, it was the best he could come up with at the moment. With that said, he got up and said to the Frenchman \"I'm going too\".\n\nHe was looking for some stones to put in his pockets when the girl with the funny accent started verbally assaulting Maive. He would have liked to say something, but honestly, the girl seemed pretty heated up at the moment, he was sure she would tire herself out. It's not like he was scared or something, no sir. He kept looking for the sharpest rocks he could find in the sand.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n All the whilst Imogen expressed her upmost disappointment, anger and all towards the others, until one lad came up to him. Franciszek had never met the guy, at least not from what he could remember, but he tried his best to console him. Yet there was something so off about it, so casual and calm that even Franciszek couldn't quite gel with the notion. Not whilst the memories were still fresh in his mind, of the drowning, the descent into the sea, the way that the water boiled inside his lungs and stomach, and how desperately they tried to drown him. The way in which the visuals, so esoteric and inexplicable, showered his eyes. He almost laughed at the idea that perhaps he was right about his cultish scepticism - almost.\n\n He looked up, and met Orlando. He offered him some sort of wisdom, some abstract metaphor to help ease him through the pain. And did it? Well, the boy looked up at him, then back down to his balled up knees. A strong sense of disbelief washed over him. And for what seemed like his first time ever, a great uproar brewed inside of him.\n\n\"Chin...up? Chin up?! No...no! You stub your toe. You fail a test. Your dog dies. That's when you lift your chin up!\" He tried to stand up, but he felt all too weak in the legs. Something about the way the other girl, Imogen, had let herself loose, it almost gave him an excuse to do it himself. \"You call this a fucking \"chin up\" situation? Look for a way out of here? I...I...Am I the only one in the right mindset here? I didn't wake up in North Camden, I'm in the middle of fuck-knows with people I don't know, spouting grandma wisdom as if I have no fucking clue-\"\n\n He cut himself off and crumbled in place, laid with his back in the sand and his eyes faced outward to the great beyond, the sea of nothingness. There was such a powerful repellent, urging his heart to steer near of the waters. Fear ran amok through him. Was it because he'd awoken on an island? Of course, for it simply showed that not once could things have been normal, not just once.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" } ]

[ { "text": "Mentions: @TGM\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n A cold hand had struck his cheek. It was hard, amplified by the lingering phantom chill that stained his skin. He flinched sideways in accordance to the smack. And then he sat there, rather quietly. It was there, with a little vague familiarity to it, and he tried his best to put up and sit there, quietly as he could. The panic still flooded through. It was one question answered. He was real, and he then wished he wasn't.\n\n He put an inch's distance between them as he thought it indicative of a response. Franciszek found the words evermore difficult to spill from his lips and he froze up. The thoughts that ran through his head mostly consisted of the far-reaching span of questions and lacking answers. One answered simply pronounced eighteen more. Where? What? Why? How? If it were all real then how was she so sure of it? Did she know anything? He dared not to ask. There was no use asking anyone, it felt like, for with it came a lack of knowledge or sudden paranoia - much alike his. Some people had already soldiered on, leaving with a bop in their stride. They were loving it, he thought to himself, and honestly part of his resented it. Relishing in what he thought his own experience. He never quite knew if Victoria had experienced what he had, or perhaps he was simply so abhorrently weak that his insecure understanding had made him much of a laughing stock.\n\n He breathed. Calm - he called upon. It didn't work much, but he eased himself enough to hold his tongue and to not be erratic. Off to the side, Maive had started to bawl. Imogen denounced her own aggression so monstrously and, whilst Franciszek felt bad about it all, he most definitely felt that lingering degree of animosity - not for the crying girl in particular, but everyone. Sofia had brought him no sense of comfort or understanding. He was panicked. None of his thoughts were clear, and it was a matter of absorbing wonderland in order to remain any kind of level-headed over it.\n\n It hadn't really clicked with him how quiet he'd suddenly gone. He wanted to talk to prove that he could still provide something, valued or not, to the ever-growing dysphoria of reality. He looked down and shook his head. The volume of the ocean around them spoke to him again, in heeded warning. He shuddered. All again, so callous. He didn't feel himself at all, yet it had come to him so naturally.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "The clear slap across the face seemed to make the boy more quizzical than calm, though at least he wasn't frantically trying to grasp onto answers. \n\nFor Victoria, all of the chaos around her seemed to make her get a sense of calm. Had Frankie not shambled over asking her questions in a manic state perhaps she would've gone fully catatonic. She had to thank him for helping keep her head clear at some point, though given the expression on his face and the lack of a reply of any kind, she was certain it was not the time. She took a light breath as she jumped to her feet as she looked at the island more clearly for the first time since she awoke to its sights. She closed her eyes, inhaling the smells of the island, as she commented on the situation.\n\n\"None of this makes sense, so we have to focus on what makes sense. The rest will come after.\"\n\nShe looked over to Imogen and Maive, and then back to Frankie.\n\n\"Other people need our help. We can't afford to… you know. C'mon.\"\n\n\nMentions: @LetMeDoStuff", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\nMaive thought it was a good thing that she helped Verity back up. With the toad landing on where they once were, Verity would have, at best, eaten the things that the toad's landing kicked up. Her thoughts were quickly dashed when she looked back and saw Victor being struck by the toad and Sofia being grabbed by the tongue.\n\nDoubts clouded Maive's mind.\n\nShould she have gone to help Victor pick Sofia up?\nWould Verity be fine if she did?\nWhat if she warned everyone that the pier was slippery?\nHad she not tripped and dragged everyone with her?\n\nHer pulse quickened. A nervous and stressed heat bubbled over her. She felt herself about to cry once again.\n\nAre you snivelling in the face of another tragedy?\nCrying seems to be what you do the most.\n\nA voice resounded through her mind. Maive clenched her fists in response, her nails leaving imprints on her palm.\n\nIf you truly care for those around you...\nWouldn't you be more than a servant left to fate?\nConcern does not solely lie within compassion.\nYou should know this.\nI am thou, thou art I...\nShall we avert this tragedy together?\n\nMaive's voice first came as a mumble.\n\n\"I cry...\"\n\nHer voice became louder.\n\n\"Not just now... Every night.\"\n\nFinally, she was practically yelling.\n\n\"I just want to see my family!\"\n\nMaive's arm stretched towards the toad beast that swallowed Sofia. Her eyelids squeezed out every last tear that had welled.\n\n\"Persona!\"\n\nA torrent of wind spun around Maive and made her loose-fitting clothes flutter. Electricity crackled off her skin, power barely being restrained.\n\nSomething appeared behind Maive as the winds coalesced into a physical form behind her: a cocoon of manifested gales. Once fully formed, the cocoon exploded and unleashed a forceful pulse. A ghostly figure obscured by a cloak of storms was now in full view. Its dour expression was hidden except for a single eye that looked upon the beast with contempt. Six ephemeral hands joined Maive as they pointed towards the toad beast.\n\nInstinct took over Maive as she clenched her fist. The ephemeral hands vanished back into the winds rapidly converging upon the toad beast. Once again, the wind gained form: a hand as large as the toad beast. The wind assailed it from all sides, the newly-formed hand gripping the toad. It was an attempt at freeing Sofia by treating the toad as a squeeze toy.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\nmentions: @OwO\n\nEven under the midday sun, the sky darkened as Maive called her persona for the first time. As the cocoon of wind formed behind her, branches and bushes and sand whirled about, pushed away by the sudden energy ripped from her soul.\n\nEnergy crackled about her, bright white. The air smelled of ozone and sea breeze, the pressure dropping rapidly, like an oncoming thunderstorm. Her senses cleared, suddenly sharp, the fog in her mind instantly cleared.\n\nMaive knew. She knew who stood behind her. She felt the history, the mythos, in her mind. And she knew the words to say.\n\n\"Persona!\"\n\nAs she called forth her power, the frog began to shuffle back slowly. All six of its eyes were laser focused on Maive. \n\nThen, the single hand rose, and squeezed the toad. The pressure forced the toad's mouth open, and its tongue unrolled partway like a massive Fruit Winder. Sofia was still partially wrapped in its sticky hold, but it was a start.\n\nAnd, as the frog's mouth opened, it bellowed again, right towards Maive. The wave of force produced by its maw shoved her back, snapping more branches, leaves, and sand like an overclocked leaf blower. Maive flew backwards into one of the few standing trees, hitting her head against the trunk. Her Persona faded into a light breeze, her concentration disrupted by the sudden pain.\n\nAn ordinary person might've died from that blow. Instead, she only felt the comings-on of a minor headache, and some bruises that would definitely turn purple tomorrow. But—she was alive, and somewhat well.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "\"Hey, I'm talking to you! Don't you walk away from me!\" shouted Victor uselessly at the figure that retreated into night. He stood there, bewildered and shaking with rage. \"What the hell is wrong with this school?!\" The boy shouted again and, in his frustration, kicked someone's clothes that were left strewn about.\n\nHis anger did eventually simmer down. Victor tiredly looked down at the water like the valet was. He could not help, but to think what that voice said. \n\n\"Water... I see. The gateway, the horizon, the boundary...\" \n\nIt really was the water that was the doorway. He had a suspicion, but it was strange. If this stupid tradition existed and it was not some sick joke concocted by Ms. Top 15 Science Track, then this should have happened before. Some other students, even the freshman this year, pressured by tradition should have been sent to that piña colada deathtrap and either died or made it out, but either way there would've been rumors and urban legends. There should have been panic over students disappearing. There should've been, so why was it happening now?\n\nIt wasn't just some freak accident that they ended up in another world and it was not some weird coincidence that the blue valet appeared in their world when he went to investigate the docks. No, he absolutely refused to believe that it was some cosmic coincidence that the fabric of reality opened its maw and spat them out in another dimension just because they won the eldritch lottery. Something happened, something forced a gateway between their world and that other world, and they were either collateral or they were being strung along by something greater than what they could comprehend. All of this led back to the blue valet and the man in black. They were the only lead that he had.\n\nIt was crazy and even a jump to conclusions with what little evidence he had, but it was either believe that there was meaning in what he went through or fall into existential dread. \n\nThe question was if he could bring himself to take a leap of faith into the sea. For all he knew, there was a possibility that he could be sent to a completely different world. And what were the odds that his peers were still alive? If they were he knew how to get them out of there though surely, they would've figured it out on their own, but they would have to Mission Impossible it back to the docks like he did. It was not like he needed to do it. Why should he risk himself his safety for them? \n\nVictor glanced at the water, to the clothes, back to the water, and sighed. He gathered up their clothes and looked down at the water. \"If I die over this, I swear...\"\n\nHe jumped into the water and hoped to whatever god there was that he would make it out this alive.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "There was a lot Verity could say, of course.\n\nShe could go on about how this must be a world that was way more fantastical than expected, if monsters such as the frog could appear and then disappear like the mist. She could talk about the necessities of gathering food and water and shelter, as the nights would definitely be a killer when all they had was swimwear. She could mention that 'Persona' was a weird word to use to invoke magical monsters. If Maive's Persona was full of hot air and Daniel's Persona was the incarnation of death, what exactly did that say about the two of them?\n\nProbably that they were both fucked up human beings. Not that Verity cared enough to think any further than that.\n\nExcept even that was what she would consider an extraneous thought, when she noticed one of the weaker boys crawl over the spring and then crawled in.\n\nDisappearing, just like that.\n\n\"Ah. That makes no fucking sense.\"\n\nBut it'd explain where Victor went. Where Sofia went. Was the internal logic here 'saltwater foreign, freshwater home' because humans could only drink freshwater? Because humans depended on freshwater sources to found civilization? If she left now, could she ever return again? If she left now, could she return, but this time with everything she needed to truly explore? Across the ocean, within the islands, searching for new springs and new beasts?\n\nWell, no matter.\n\n\"Peace.\"\n\nIt took ten seconds for Verity to walk into the spring.\n\nIt took an eternity before she could walk out of the toilet.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\n\"Well, that's that I guess\" The group of students became even smaller after Verity followed briefly over the blond guy to the spring. It seems the unspoken theory that the calm waters near them could get them home was accepted by the majority, or perhaps the alternative, that is, spending more time on the deserted island was so much worse than whatever could happen to them if they dived in. \n\nHe breathed a few more mouthfuls of air before seating in the dirt, the cold presence of the hooded corpse no longer pressing on them. Looking around, Orlando noticed less than half of them were still there, and after a few moments of thinking, decided that he would enter the waters next to last. The logic behind his decision was based on the fact that if for some unknown reason the \"portal\" closed before the last one could pass through it he wouldn't be the unlucky guy or gal to stay on a deserted island until who knows when, and on the other hand, gave him more time before he had to deal with Sofia again who, in his mind and maybe unjustifiedly decided, was the main person to blame for all of this. \n\nWith a set course of action, all that was left was to wait for another student to take the plunge. With no other way to pass the time, Orlando asked a question that begged to be asked, one that he got from some time back. \n\n\"Hey sooo, do you think that crazy chick, Verity, is, you know...\" At this, he used his right index finger to circle the side of his head a few times before continuing. \"...for real?\"\n\nHe only hoped she didn't find out he asked that question, not that Orlando thought she would even care, the little time he had spent with her didn't paint Verity as someone who really cared about the opinion of others, to say the least.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" }, { "text": "---\n\nThose who entered the spring on the island found themselves in the school restrooms, on the second floor of the main building, soaked in seawater and sand. It'd be a hell of a night getting back to their bed, but given enough effort, carefulness, and stealth maneuvers that would make even Solid Snake blush, they'd make it.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\nAs for Victor, however, he found himself once again soaring through dark skies above an endless ocean. Still, a bone-chilling cold ached through his soul, and he saw the same vision again, of a raft on the waves.\n\nHowever, the valet was conspicuously absent from the raft—the same man he'd seen before that very evening. He'd try to call out, but no voice emanated from his lungs. Only the roar of the high seas sounded out in that world between worlds.\n\nWhen he washed ashore once again, Victor found himself about as dry as he was before he jumped in. Things had clearly changed in his absence. Maive looked bruised to hell and back, and was collapsed facedown on the ground. A few members had disappeared from the island—Sofia, Frankie, Victoria, and Verity were all absent.\n\nHe arrived just in time to hear Daniel's question.\n\n\"...Did anyone see where Sofia fell?\"", "username": "stone", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\nWhether by some twisted intervention of fate, or just sheer chance, each and every member of Sofia's Icebreaker group ended up in the sea.\n\nAll the willing students stood at the edge of the dock. Verity prepared a relaxed stance atop the dockhouse. Then, seeing the tides shift towards actually doing what their group leader suggested, Victoria and Frankie rather let themselves be guided into position purely by social pressure.\n\nOnly Imogen remained in her opposition, not least of all because she hadn't come in any sort of swimwear.\n\n\"No pressure!\" Maive said. \"The only want-to-be after the first step is wet.\"\n\nWhile her words didn't do much to assuage Imogen's worry, it was the heart that mattered. But good intentions can only do so much.\n\nIt may be worthwhile to examine what, exactly, the group was standing on. Words like \"dock\" or \"pier\" get thrown around in times like these, but the mental imagery they conjure up may not be accurate. It's more accurate to describe the dock as a \"floating piece-assembled rowing dock,\" constructed of forty interlocking 1m\n2\n plastic panels that floated on the surface, allowing them to rise and fall with the tides. None of the students on the dock knew this, of course, but a few certainly did know something else: the dock was extremely slippery.\n\nMaive knew this. It was part of her nature, the sort that observes every little detail in people and places, the kind that one develops after watching 7 young, energetic family members. What she hadn't thought about, however, is how, by no fault of her own, her shoe soles had been worn smooth from years of use–courtesy of her background. And as Maive moved between Victor and Imogen, her shoes failed to find proper purchase on the sea-washed plastic.\n\nAnd so she slipped. She slipped, and as one is wont to do while slipping, immediately reached out and grabbed for any handhold within reach. Which, of course, happened to be Victor and Imogen—who, in turn, slipped as well, all three crashing down onto their bums. Their combined fall, unfortunately, unbalanced the dock, canting it to one side, sending them into the water.\n\nThe chain reaction wasn't finished yet, of course. Sofia, Frankie, and Victoria, surprised by the sudden shift, fell face forward into the ocean only moments after. Orlando teetered on the edge, his martial arts training serving him well, but only for a moment. He slipped backwards into the water, throwing a hand out—to Daniel, who had maintained his balance, only for the swimmer boy to grab it purely by instinct—thus yanking him into the water as well.\n\nWhen all was said and done, only Verity remained dry. She'd watched the entire sequence play out to completion with great amusement, like a human Rube Goldberg machine. Then she, too, jumped into the water.\n\nAnd as each student's head passed below the surface, their thoughts slowed, their bodies relaxed, and their minds drifted off to sea…", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nWhirls of blue and silver echoed through your mind's darkness. It was cold, a sort of deep, aching cold, that permeated your bones and made you feel very very small. You didn't know who you were.\n\nSuddenly, the darkness disappeared, wiped away like raindrops on a windshield. You were flying over an endless sea, though fog surrounded you, restricting your sight. It was still cold.\n\nYou passed over something. A small, wooden life raft on the waves. On it was a man, hunched over at a desk, which seemed to be fixed in place, never sliding as the waves tossed the raft about. You couldn't make out his face, looking down from above. He was dressed in black, and seemed to be examining a small object.\n\nTo the man's right was another man, dressed in blue. He looked rather like a valet. He stood stock-still, just like the desk, never moving or sliding as the raft crested wave after wave.\n\nYou stopped flying. You fell towards the ocean, wind whirling past your ears. Just before your head hit the surface, the man in blue turned and made eye contact. He had one brown eye, and one golden one. You'd never thought the color of gold could be described as \"icy\" before, and yet this man's golden eye seemed even colder than the ocean floor.\n\nYou hit the water, though you didn't feel wet at all. Instead the darkness returned. The cold remained.\n\nA haze descended upon your thinking…. You felt a warm presence, heating you up like a new winter coat. You felt your hands reaching out, grasping, but unable to hold onto the ethereal feeling.\n\nWho are you? You asked.\n\nI am thou… The presence replied.\n\nThe warmth increased, heating your heart, your soul up, more, more, more and more, until the heat was unbearable. You opened your mouth to scream, but the sound never left your lips.\n\nRather, you jolted awake to scream, and were instead greeted by a mouthful of sand.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nIt was an island. A humid, hot, tropical island, complete with seagulls, coconut trees, and a bright, blue ocean to boot. The group had washed up on the sandy beach. They were wearing what they'd fallen in (or in one person's case, jumped) with, except they were completely dry.\n\nIt wasn't a very large island. One could almost make out the opposite shore through the trees. In fact, it looked almost as if one of those cartoon deserted islands had been placed right in the real world. There was no sign of the cold, grey English shore.\n\nSomething was definitely up with the ocean, though. Every time you looked at it, you could feel the start of a headache coming on. And if you were to swim at it for an extended period of time, well… You felt, in your soul, that it would be a very bad idea.\n\nSofia screamed and dropped to her knees, then promptly fainted.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Victoria Yarwood wasn't afraid of the water.\n\nShe was afraid of many things, but never had she felt particularly despondent towards the ocean. However, the atmosphere of her new surroundings had made her rethink that fear almost instantaneously.\n\n\"I-\" \n\nThe shrill scream of Sofia as she fell to the ground caused Victoria to take pause with her own thoughts. They had plunged themselves to the deep and had ended up in a place that made no sense, a place that all logical conclusions in her mind resisted. The United Kingdom could not support sub-tropical flora or weather, even with the advent of climate change, so Victoria too was very confused and rattled by the sudden change in her environment. She grabbed her knees tightly as she sat on the ground, shaking, however subtly. Her anxiety felt like a domino that was cascading in a loop.\n\nThe waters around the academy certainly had a sick sense of humor, but Victoria, well, she didn't find it very funny. She subtly rocked back-and-forth in her position, looking down at the ground as she did so. She must've looked like she had entirely shut down to anyone who was looking her way.", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" }, { "text": "---\n\nSofia sat up with a gasp, slamming her forehead into Daniel's face and leaving a rather noticeable bruise on her forehead.\n\n\"Aaaaaah! Okay! Okay. Everyone remain calm!\" She hopped to her feet. This was her time to shine as group leader. How to Win Friends and Influence People said to get people doing something in times of crisis. \"First, uh, let's get some water. We can't drink the ocean water, so maybe going inland a bit and looking for a stream would be the right choice. Um. Victor! Veri- oh, she's already... Okay. Victor! Daniel... and, uh, Orlando! Can you go with Verity? Just make sure she doesn't get attacked by... whatever the hell might be out there.\"\n\nSofia looked over and saw Frankie and Victoria… well, they didn't look too great. And was that Imogen yelling at Maive? She had to step in!\n\n\"Hey! Imogen! Let's, uh, maybe calm down a little, haha! No good to get our emotions all pumped up when we've got survival on our minds!\" Sofia said in a sickeningly sweet tone. She had no idea what she was inviting onto herself.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Well, someone was certainly going to die soon, and that person sure looked like either Maive or Imogen. As Verity left the others behind, the wind nevertheless carried their arguments and anger towards her, unfamiliar voices mixing together into a cacophony of shouts and pleas, of reasonable people being swept away by emotions and bullshit. That Victor kiddo looked to be trying his best, and Sofia was getting it together after waking up a second time, but so long as they were stuck there, Verity herself was free!\n\nIndeed, it was wonderful to be off on her own once more, and a skip joined her steps as she strode into the tropical unknown. Greenery this lush meant that there was water, and if one were to think about deserted islands, one would imagine palm trees and coconuts too! And where there's vegetation, there'll be wildlife! Had to be careful where she got her hands and feet in, of course, considering all the dangerous creepy-crawlies that gotta be around, but those were things to be considered at a later time too. Ah, but it would've been so much easier if she had at least jumped in with a t-shirt on.\n\nAfter all, if she died, she died. Couldn't really do anything about it. But dying in only a bikini? That'd be embarrassing. She'd be a lobster by the time someone found her.\n\nThe dry heat abated as Verity ducked her head into the brush, replaced by a moist heat instead. Slick leaves crunched underfoot, and the buzzing of invisible life seemed to vibrate against her bare skin. Streams of light pierced through the canopy, feeding the bottomfeeders of the ecosystem, while the wind that once felt so wonderful was stifled now in her surroundings, its only hint being the rustling of the massive palms up above. She craned her neck upwards, felt a crick-crack of her spine, and let out a laugh. It was different looking at it up close, but the surface of the trunk was as smooth as she had expected. Made it clear, the difference between coconut trees and just palms. The shortest one was still a good story or two tall, but their fruits dangled still like a bundle of grapes.\n\nOut of reach, unless one climbed.\n\nThankfully, materials were nearby.\n\nVerity wasn't deaf to the world, after all. She had heard Sofia sicc some boys onto her, and when she turned, well, they were clearly in view. Them, and their pants. Daniel's speedos were the most ideal material, but she'd be fine with swim trunks too. So, as naturally as breathing, the pale-skinned girl extended a hand, palm up.\n\n\"Give me your pants. One pair'll do.\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" } ]

[ { "text": "That was a big frog. A sharpened stick probably wouldn't help here, and it wouldn't even feel a rock slung by a sling, hm? And it came from the sea too. Sea-frogs weren't a thing, so that meant...\n\n\"Yup. This isn't Earth.\"\n\nSofia fell over. First to fall, first to die, but her sacrifice will buy others time. Victor was giving out orders he wasn't following. Frankie looked to be hydrated at last, and disappeared into the brush. Imogen followed soon after. Prodigious size alone made it out to be the sort of monster that could swallow them all whole. Were those webbed arms meant to help it swim, or could it achieve true flight too? Did it come here, chasing after castaways, or was it a migratory predator that leapfrogged (heh) from one island to the next? If she had an oxygen tank and some sort of hooking implement, could she ride on its back to the next island?\n\nMhmm, yeah, Verity could understand what was happening. In the face of the truly incomprehensible, she kept her emotions in check through pointless musings. And as its six eyes looked into the treeline, she sank further down into the brush, comfortable enough with following in the example of the birds and bugs. Her breaths measured. Her heart pounding. A smile on her face, and a flicker of regret in her mind.\n\nOh, if she had brought a gun to her swim, imagine how great their food situation would be!", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nFear.\n\nThat's what filled Maive at this moment.\n\nThe surreal island holiday had turned into a nightmare as the massive chimerical beast landed and shook the island with its screech. It was no longer a mysterious scenario where they'd bond and find a way home. Now, it was a matter of surviving in the immediate moment.\n\nShe looked towards the collapsed Sofia. Victor was already carrying her. That was good. If Victor hadn't done so, Maive would have hauled her like a sack of potatoes. \n\nVerity, on the other hand, had gone with her personal flow the second she tripped. Rather than make a mad dash to escape, she resigned and decided the best course of action was to hide. A good plan with a fatal flaw in Maive's mind: everyone else was running. If the toad-beast decided to unleash a second, closer screech as it gave chase, Verity would have certainly been popped like a microwaved egg. Plus, the thing had six eyes. It was probably good at seeing things.\n\nMaive made her escape plan. She'd throw Verity on her shoulders and dash for safety with her. Better to run than crushed like an ant under foot.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Imogen Reed\n\nA captive audience, Imogen watched from down the beach as Maive and her gale-force poltergeist stood against the monstrous frog. She trembled instead of cheering, and she dared not raise her voice even if it couldn't be heard above the howling wind lest she attract even a modicum of the terror's attention, but all the same she fervently wished the other girl the best, and hoped that she would succeed. Whether she knew or liked Maive made no difference; this nightmare was an enemy far greater than petty interpersonal quibbles, and against such a foe, human beings stood together. Well, at least in spirit, if not in the flesh. The knowledge of Imogen's own powerlessness gnawed her with shame and despair, but those feelings hadn't quite quenched something else that smoldered inside her. Deep within she still burned with anger, but that pilot light still sputtered in the dark, searching for more fuel. It wasn't yet time to ignite.\n\nSome of the others did what they could, however. Orlando hurled rocks to try and give Maive a chance to recovery, and Verity gave…'advice'. A Maive couldn't live on words alone, though, and she needed more time than the Orlando's courageous distraction could provide. But help did, coe, and came from an unexpected source: after a very long internal dialog, and no small amount of head-splitting agony, Daniel made his entrance. In the wake of the windstorm that rolled across the tropical island came a sudden, terrible chill. As its frigid fingers brushed across her skin Imogen tensed up with a gasp, hunkering down as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders in a protective self-embrace. Her gaze snapped to the figure that emerged from the foliage, wreathed in pearlescent fog. \"H-huh!?\" Behind him he cast a long shadow, deep and black as the bowels of the earth itself, and from the fated union of cold and dark rose a terrifying specter, hooded and shrouded in archetypal black robes. Imogen gawked, shivering in the sand. That tornado-mummy had been one thing, but this? It could only be Death.\n\n\"Kharon!\" Danny shouted.\n\n...Oh. Imogen blinked. The boatman from Greek myth, right? Not Death. Gotcha.\n\nBut like the apparition that preceded it, Kharon. seemed less interested in finishing the haggard students off, and more interested in the frog. In what seemed like a matter of seconds, the fearsome Persona smacked the frog in the face with his Boatman Blast, and things went poorly for it. The bug-eyed beast freaked out, its already-reprehensible face melting away as if doused in acid. In its death throes it hurled its captive (who Imogen could now identify as Sofia, restoring her belief in justice) into the air for a wild aerial rave. It reminded Imogen of old Sauce Engine physics. Unfortunately for Sofia, but fortunately for the world at large, her majestic flight soon turned into a headlong plummet into the eldritch ocean. Sploosh.\n\nDiverting her attention from the toad's gruesome demise, Imogen watched the spot where Sofia disappeared. No sign of her could be seen either attempting to breach or struggling beneath the surface. \"That sucks,\" Imogen muttered. Despite her righteous vitriol toward Sofia, she didn't actually want the other girl to die. But Imogen wasn't about to risk a dip in that weird water. She glanced back toward the action to find that everything seemed to be over. The frog was gone, the wind subsided, and the cold relented, so Imogen walked over. She could see no sign of either of the mysterious beings that appeared to help the students in their hour of need. Maive passed out, and Daniel looked like death, but even if they seemed fine Imogen felt no need to pester them with useless questions. In a make-believe world like this, things didn't need to make sense.\n\nThat said, Imogen did have one question. She'd be lying if she said she didn't care about their well-being. With Maive unresponsive, she furrowed her brows toward Daniel, a worried frown on her face. \"Are you okay?\" she asked. Their future might be uncertain, if any future awaited them beyond this purgatorial place, but at the very least she could focus on the present.", "username": "Lugubrious", "char_name": "Imogen Reed" }, { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\n\nAfter having thrown his 4th rock Orlando realized that perhaps this wasn't one of his brightest ideas. The frog stood unfazed by his puny artillery and yet what he truly feared is what would he do if he did get to attract its attention, run and hide behind a tree? Luckily he didn't have to wait for too long, out of the corner of his eye he could see Maive getting up, he didn't know how she could call the spectral wind figure but as long as that thing could save them from the frog he honestly didn't care. He saw her raising her hand... and then faltering.\n\nThe situation worsened by the second, and Orlando could only hope the frog stayed tired for a few more seconds, maybe a miracle would end out happening? But it wasn't an act of God that got his attention, it was a familiar voice instead, and he could turn his head around just in time to witness, for the second time in the day, something truly mind-boggling. \n\nDanny stood there, all the fear and nervousness having left his face, as a cold that chilled Orlando to his soul started to permeate the area. An icy, shadowy mist seemed to follow him, but on closer inspection, he could see it started to coalesce on an approximation of a person. Once Danny and the weird figure approached the monster frog, a hand that looked like it belonged to a long-dead corpse appeared within the mist, in its grasp was an oar made of extremely old wood, which the figure used to dissipate the mist that cloaked it.\n\nIt was Death, no other way around it, who had finally come to reap their souls. But instead of taking their lives, it raised a finger towards the monstrous amphibian and from it, liquid blackness flew towards the frog. He could not see what it did from his position, but the way it started thrashing around it looked like it worked. \n\nSo enraptured was Orlando with the events in front of him that he almost didn't see the big chunk of upturned dirt that almost pulled him, but he managed to dive out of the way in time. He rolled a few times to stay as far away from the berserk frog as he could, and after a few seconds, the trashing stopped and only the necrotic remains of what was once the biggest threat to their lives could be seen, before even it evaporated, leaving no traces behind. And he could only stay there, flat on the ground, breathing big mouthfuls of breath and trying to calm his beating heart. They had managed to survive, and the others started to approach their part of the jungle.\n\nHe had a fuckton of questions swimming in his mind, each one crazier than the other, but after the ordeal, they survived only one left his mouth: \"...Now what?\"\n\nHe didn't expect a coherent answer, hell he didn't expect an answer at all, but that didn't stop him from asking.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" } ]

[ { "text": "There was a lot Verity could say, of course.\n\nShe could go on about how this must be a world that was way more fantastical than expected, if monsters such as the frog could appear and then disappear like the mist. She could talk about the necessities of gathering food and water and shelter, as the nights would definitely be a killer when all they had was swimwear. She could mention that 'Persona' was a weird word to use to invoke magical monsters. If Maive's Persona was full of hot air and Daniel's Persona was the incarnation of death, what exactly did that say about the two of them?\n\nProbably that they were both fucked up human beings. Not that Verity cared enough to think any further than that.\n\nExcept even that was what she would consider an extraneous thought, when she noticed one of the weaker boys crawl over the spring and then crawled in.\n\nDisappearing, just like that.\n\n\"Ah. That makes no fucking sense.\"\n\nBut it'd explain where Victor went. Where Sofia went. Was the internal logic here 'saltwater foreign, freshwater home' because humans could only drink freshwater? Because humans depended on freshwater sources to found civilization? If she left now, could she ever return again? If she left now, could she return, but this time with everything she needed to truly explore? Across the ocean, within the islands, searching for new springs and new beasts?\n\nWell, no matter.\n\n\"Peace.\"\n\nIt took ten seconds for Verity to walk into the spring.\n\nIt took an eternity before she could walk out of the toilet.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\n\"Well, that's that I guess\" The group of students became even smaller after Verity followed briefly over the blond guy to the spring. It seems the unspoken theory that the calm waters near them could get them home was accepted by the majority, or perhaps the alternative, that is, spending more time on the deserted island was so much worse than whatever could happen to them if they dived in. \n\nHe breathed a few more mouthfuls of air before seating in the dirt, the cold presence of the hooded corpse no longer pressing on them. Looking around, Orlando noticed less than half of them were still there, and after a few moments of thinking, decided that he would enter the waters next to last. The logic behind his decision was based on the fact that if for some unknown reason the \"portal\" closed before the last one could pass through it he wouldn't be the unlucky guy or gal to stay on a deserted island until who knows when, and on the other hand, gave him more time before he had to deal with Sofia again who, in his mind and maybe unjustifiedly decided, was the main person to blame for all of this. \n\nWith a set course of action, all that was left was to wait for another student to take the plunge. With no other way to pass the time, Orlando asked a question that begged to be asked, one that he got from some time back. \n\n\"Hey sooo, do you think that crazy chick, Verity, is, you know...\" At this, he used his right index finger to circle the side of his head a few times before continuing. \"...for real?\"\n\nHe only hoped she didn't find out he asked that question, not that Orlando thought she would even care, the little time he had spent with her didn't paint Verity as someone who really cared about the opinion of others, to say the least.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" }, { "text": "---\n\nThose who entered the spring on the island found themselves in the school restrooms, on the second floor of the main building, soaked in seawater and sand. It'd be a hell of a night getting back to their bed, but given enough effort, carefulness, and stealth maneuvers that would make even Solid Snake blush, they'd make it.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\nAs for Victor, however, he found himself once again soaring through dark skies above an endless ocean. Still, a bone-chilling cold ached through his soul, and he saw the same vision again, of a raft on the waves.\n\nHowever, the valet was conspicuously absent from the raft—the same man he'd seen before that very evening. He'd try to call out, but no voice emanated from his lungs. Only the roar of the high seas sounded out in that world between worlds.\n\nWhen he washed ashore once again, Victor found himself about as dry as he was before he jumped in. Things had clearly changed in his absence. Maive looked bruised to hell and back, and was collapsed facedown on the ground. A few members had disappeared from the island—Sofia, Frankie, Victoria, and Verity were all absent.\n\nHe arrived just in time to hear Daniel's question.\n\n\"...Did anyone see where Sofia fell?\"", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Bloody hell, he will never be able to get used that. Victor stood up with a start and looked around with an urgency that quickly faded away as he realized that there was no Pepe le Hell Frog jumping around. From what he could tell, there were still survivors though Maive looked ready to be buried in a grave and the others were unaccounted for. Dread sat in his stomach like a lead ball. \n\nProbably to the surprise of the remaining group, Victor said, \"If she fell in the water, the second floor bathroom if my experience is anything to go by. That's where the spring led to.\" The French boy hesitantly glanced around, bundled clothes in hand, to see if maybe the rest were just wandering around. No, they had to be alive. If they weren't then the rest of them would be either panicking or shell shocked from seeing someone eaten alive. Tired and stressed, yes, but this was strange. \n\nHe settled the wad of clothes on a rock for the two people left in their swimwear, Orlando and Daniel, to grab their clothes. \"What happened? Where is everyone else?\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" } ]

[ { "text": "\"Were you here for the tornado monster?\"\n\nVictor blinked in silence while he processed what he had just been asked. \"Here for the what now?\" Daniel would then explain in his bumbling manner the summary of the events that transpired while Victor snuck through the school grounds to get back to this world. It sounded like the words of a mad man. Summoning monsters called Personas to act as summons for combat? Monsters dissolving into sea water upon defeat? In any other situation he would never had believed such an insane claim, but after everything that had happened that was least craziest thing he heard today. If anything, it explained one mystery; the voice and sensation of warmth that he had been experiencing ever since they broke through the boundary. \n\nFrom what he could understand, these Personas were part of them as if they were an extension of themselves if Daniel could still feel its presence. What they were specifically was up in the air, but whatever they were they were it was clear that they were to be of help. More importantly than that though was the state of the rest of the group.\n\nThankfully everyone else was alive as corroborated by Imogen, but those that figured out that they could leave the island without telling Daniel or checked to see if Maive was alive. It was weirdly fucked up considering from what he heard, the two of them saved everyone from the monster frog though maybe they expected them to figure it out on their own since it did not take a genius to put two and two together. Then there was Daniel. \n\nVictor watched Daniel flail about with excuses and the pure silliness of hearing someone say they killed a frog with their mind was met with a laughter from the French boy. After everything they had been through today, falling through a portal, being nearly killed by that hell frog, and just being stuck with Sophia, appearing stupid was the one thing that Danny was afraid of. It was just so absurd. All of the tension and stress that he had just melted away.\n\n\"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm not laughing at you. You're just funny,\" explained Victor calming down with a few deep breaths, but still smiling. \"In hindsight I should have guessed you guys would have found your way back without me, but I was panicking too. I'm glad that you're all safe.\"\n\nAnd on cue, Imogen suggested that they left while they still could. Victor could not have agreed more. \"Yeah, let's do that. I did find something back in our world, but it can wait until we're safe. Come on, let's go.\" \n\nGlasses girl picked up the other glasses girl though she shunned any offer to help her bring Maive to the spring. Soon enough, the two girls fell into the spring and were gone. Victor eagerly followed and jumped into the spring with no hesitation. \n\nAnd there he was, back in the school bathroom drenched to the bone though instead of being drenched in his swim trunks his entire uniform was sopping wet. The only improvement was the lack of being arrested for public indecency.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nUnsurprisingly, Maive did not wake up when Verity let her fall nor did she wake when Imogen half-dragged her and submerged her in water. She only woke when Imogen nudged her; a holdover from having early-rising children nudging her awake. From Maive's perspective, she had summoned a persona, been flung into a tree, had a fuzzy conversation, then woke up in a bathroom. A normal person would take it all as a dream induced by some toilet-related disaster were it not for the sand and water.\n\nThe first words out of Maive were not of existential dread as Imogen would quip. Instead, it was of worry. \n\n\"Is everyone okay?\"\n\nShe shot up from Imogen's side and glanced every which way. Just her and Imogen. It made sense that it would be that way. After all, having two people in a stall together was already a tight fit. Cooperative toiletry was not exactly an spacious experience for either party.\n\nLike a bat out of hell (more accurately, a magic roach in a public restroom), she quickly sprinted out of the stall. Her worn-down and wet soles squeaked as she slid into a stop. Then, she turned and faced Imogen. Their eyes met and Maive's body bent into a fierce bow. Then she spun again and ran out of the washroom.\n\nOf course, she didn't exactly think her next move through. Traumatic brain injuries did that to a person. It would be her first time storming a men's washroom. Thank goodness there was nobody there to watch, save for the group being put through the way-home-randomizer.\n\nOr maybe it wasn't a good thing they were there, considering how Maive immediately ran into a sopping wet Swim McTrunks.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "As Sofia left the room, she saw someone, waiting right outside.\n\nA flimsy, short girl, pale as can be, the fluorescent lighting of the hallways casting a dull sheen on her large forehead. Her eyes, once transfixed upon the gap between the door and the doorway, turned up to the Top 15 Sciences track student. It was a steady, focused gaze, darting from the accessories to the wristbands to the balled-up fist that held up crumpled notes to the redness of her ears to the growing confusion, apprehension, building up as wrinkles upon the tastefully-applied makeup that she never went without.\n\n\"Um, you m-\"\n\n\"Oh, don't mind me.\" The girl broke her gaze immediately afterwards, making a shooing motion. \"Carry on as you would. And, mm, good luck. In five years.\"\n\nAnd with that comment, she turned a one-eighty and strode off. Right towards the window. Right onto the window. Right off the window.\n\nOf course, they were on the first floor, but also, an exit was just ten meters away.\n\n...\n\nIt was the 15th of September, and Verity had adjusted well enough. Harbour Academy was, after all, a relatively expensive international school. Competitive as it was, no-nonsense as it was, the school's approach to academics was such that so long as you passed, you remained. Classes were immensely beneficial, for sure, but when you brought the best, the brightest, and the richest together, even mandatory classes could end up becoming…optional.\n\nAfter all, a prodigious programmer certainly didn't need to attend the computer sciences classes his track demanded of him, when he could get much more done on his own time. And would you truly expect the reincarnation of Mozart to sit through music theory classes that covered materials she learned five years ago? Indeed, so long as one continued to compete, so long as one didn't absolutely fail, there was no problem, in particular, with not showing the greatest enthusiasm in class.\n\nOr, well, with showing up to class at all.\n\nIt was the 15th of September, and while other students stressed over the first exam of the school year, Verity was playing with a frog. A paper one. The bell for first classes had rang some time ago, but she was still lying on the hard, wooden floor, enjoying the coolness of it as she rolled from side to side, flicking the frog to and fro. Her room was barren. Minimalistic, if someone wanted to nice about it. A sleeping bag and an air mattress. A desk and a stool. The outlets were plugged with her laptop's charger and her phone's charger, and a hanging closet contained all the clothes she cared to keep.\n\nAnd on the wall opposite of the patio?\n\nA map of Harbour and its surroundings, blown up to encompass nearly the entire face of the wall, from floor to ceiling. Printed piece by piece on A4 paper. Pinned with brass thumbtacks, marked with scribbles in blue ink.\n\nThe dockhouse. Evening. And a towel. Swimming? Oh, hazing? Sounded like an experience.\n\nBut it was all still in the evening. As for the hours that preceded it…\n\nVerity's eyes settled on her map once more, tracing the network of roads, the names of buildings, the shifting of elevation and the crisscrossing of blue ink. Wouldn't be a full-day sort of thing, not when she woke up so late today, but there was an area nearby she'd like to take a peek at.\n\nMm. Decided then.\n\nShe stuffed the frog into her pockets, hopped onto her feet, grabbed her bag, and promptly fucked off.\n\nOut through the window, of course. She didn't pick a suite with a tree nearby just to not use it, after all.\n\n...\n\nAfterglow dyed the waters red, the skies still ablaze with the sun's fall. Up atop the roof of the dockhouse, Verity leaned back against the warmed tiles, tearing open a bag of chips to much on. This high up, the sea looked just that much more expansive, while the breeze that drew inland actually felt like the autumns she was used to. There was the tang of salt working their way into her sinuses, but anything that had to do with smell, sound, or taste was promptly obliterated upon the first bite of Takis. Spices burned her palate, and crunching deafened her ears.\n\nBut not enough, it seemed, to drown out a boy's voice from below.\n\n\"This like a prank, or a hazing thing, or did I just miss some event announcement?\"\n\nShuffling over to the edge, the young lady peered down upon the bobbing heads down on the boardwalk. Some were colorful enough to be instantly recognizable. Others were vague blobs that seemed to fit the parts. Icebreaker group.\n\nTop 15 Sciences Track did this? Huh.\n\n\"For real?\"\n\nShe popped a couple more dynamite sticks into her mouth and crunched away, continuing to lounge as she watched those below her.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "Was it a hazing incident? \n\nVictoria Yarwood had experienced hazing before, though not quite like this. The girls back home employed much different tactics, though she wasn't able to make heads or tails about it. Her hands were buried in her pockets with her backpack concealing the towel that she was encouraged to bring to the location at the end of the dockhouse. The waters were likely not the ideal temperature for any sort of activities, though she felt compelled none the less to show.\n\n\"Erm…\" Words struggled to leave the tall girl, \"I'm not sure I get it, either.\"\n\nShe sighed as her eyes looked around and she joined the boy's side with her backpack in tow. It was awkward, weird, it didn't make any sense. She wasn't so bold to hoist her towel over her shoulders like others and her eyes bounced across every corner as if trying to make sense of the invitation to the dockhouse. Her words felt like they were glued to the roof of her mouth as she mumbled hesitation and confusion. If she was already being hazed at this academy she felt she had failed to start a new leaf, but at the same time she had been noticed by someone all the same so it wasn't the same old situation of being ignored either. \n\n\"This is weird.\" She finally said clearly, though with about the same confidence as before.", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" }, { "text": "---\n\nThe group stood along the pier, no more than two metres above the water and devoid of other life. The sea itself was calm, reflecting the end of a sunset and shimmering gently. It had been warm during the day, but the bite of a light breeze made it ever so slightly uncomfortable to be standing in place.\n\nThe door to the boathouse slammed open as Sofia jumped out, arms spread wide. \"Surprise! I bet you didn't see this coming, huh?\"\n\nNobody really reacted. Considering everyone was part of the Icebreaker, they'd all reasonably expected her to show up eventually.\n\n\"Ahaha. Yeah. Surprise! Again, I guess..\" Sofia's smile wavered slightly as she hit the jazz hands, her wrists jingling. She'd taken off all the wristbands and replaced them with equally busy metal bracelets. \"Um, anyway… You may be wondering why I gathered you all here! And first of all, I want to thank you all for um, being here.\"\n\n\"Okay well, this is sort of a Harbour Academy tradition. You're supposed to jump into the water, and it'll give you luck in your exams. Well, you're meant to do it in the first week, but… it'll do!\"\n\nShe clapped her hands together, a wide smile plastered on her face. A little awkwardly, she continued, \"If you're wearing anything heavy you should um, take it off first. Just leave it on the pier. The water isn't actually that deep, so make sure you tuck in your legs when you jump, and it'll be really easy to get out after. There's some psychological explanation or whatever for why this helps, actually, but I won't bore you all with the details.\" \n\nSofia pointed at the multiple ladders and the set of stairs attached to the pier. \"...And there's nothing in the water that's dangerous. Probably. Haha! So, um. Yeah! Let's hop to it!\"", "username": "stone", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\nWhirls of blue and silver echoed through your mind's darkness. It was cold, a sort of deep, aching cold, that permeated your bones and made you feel very very small. You didn't know who you were.\n\nSuddenly, the darkness disappeared, wiped away like raindrops on a windshield. You were flying over an endless sea, though fog surrounded you, restricting your sight. It was still cold.\n\nYou passed over something. A small, wooden life raft on the waves. On it was a man, hunched over at a desk, which seemed to be fixed in place, never sliding as the waves tossed the raft about. You couldn't make out his face, looking down from above. He was dressed in black, and seemed to be examining a small object.\n\nTo the man's right was another man, dressed in blue. He looked rather like a valet. He stood stock-still, just like the desk, never moving or sliding as the raft crested wave after wave.\n\nYou stopped flying. You fell towards the ocean, wind whirling past your ears. Just before your head hit the surface, the man in blue turned and made eye contact. He had one brown eye, and one golden one. You'd never thought the color of gold could be described as \"icy\" before, and yet this man's golden eye seemed even colder than the ocean floor.\n\nYou hit the water, though you didn't feel wet at all. Instead the darkness returned. The cold remained.\n\nA haze descended upon your thinking…. You felt a warm presence, heating you up like a new winter coat. You felt your hands reaching out, grasping, but unable to hold onto the ethereal feeling.\n\nWho are you? You asked.\n\nI am thou… The presence replied.\n\nThe warmth increased, heating your heart, your soul up, more, more, more and more, until the heat was unbearable. You opened your mouth to scream, but the sound never left your lips.\n\nRather, you jolted awake to scream, and were instead greeted by a mouthful of sand.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nIt was an island. A humid, hot, tropical island, complete with seagulls, coconut trees, and a bright, blue ocean to boot. The group had washed up on the sandy beach. They were wearing what they'd fallen in (or in one person's case, jumped) with, except they were completely dry.\n\nIt wasn't a very large island. One could almost make out the opposite shore through the trees. In fact, it looked almost as if one of those cartoon deserted islands had been placed right in the real world. There was no sign of the cold, grey English shore.\n\nSomething was definitely up with the ocean, though. Every time you looked at it, you could feel the start of a headache coming on. And if you were to swim at it for an extended period of time, well… You felt, in your soul, that it would be a very bad idea.\n\nSofia screamed and dropped to her knees, then promptly fainted.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\nDid he have a date tonight? Well, technically no, but he thought he did. Frankly, it was relieving that he wouldn't have to disappoint that girl tonight, but Sofia didn't need to know that.\n\n\"Err. Well. Not really. I thought that frog was from another girl, but,\" Daniel tried to explain, though the sudden shift in the dock's integrity cut him off. A laugh escaped him as most of their motley crew was flung into the water in a blink of an eye and, while Danny had done an excellent job of shifting his weight back and forth enough to stay upright, a hand grabbed his and suddenly he was falling. Not a huge deal - he'd intended to jump in anyway - but it would've been nice if he'd gotten to practice that dive he'd been working on. He really hoped no one still had their phone on them or anything.\n\nThe water was absolutely frigid, moreso than expected. It was darker than he'd expected too, with none of the dying sunlight breaching the surface. Had it gotten dark that fast? He was totally going to freak out if a frond of seaweed caressed his leg or something down here. Until, abruptly, he wasn't swimming any more, and Daniel was suddenly given a much more pressing issue to freak out about.\n\nDid he hit his head on a rock? Surely he wouldn't drown with all those people about, but it'd be pretty embarrassing for the academy swim team's future star to need to be dragged out of a whole five feet of water. The fever dream offered no hints as to where he was. There was a guy, and another guy in a stupid outfit, and a raft that moved but also didn't move and- oh, dark again. But a warm dark now. Someone was there. Probably someone fishing him out. This was going to be so embarrassing. And he'd have to make some stupid joke about getting CPR kisses from a girl the moment he was lucid again. How exhausting.\n\nActually, it was getting a little too hot in there. Like, burning hot. When his mouth opened next, there was air in it. Well, air and a little bit of sand. Danny sputtered in confusion, thankful he wasn't coughing up seawater but a bit concerned they left him face down after pulling him out. It wasn't until he rose to his knees and noted there was no trace of him throwing up earlier - or dripping at all - that the alarm bells started ringing. This definitely wasn't the beach near the school. It was too warm, too sunny, too picturesque.\n\nOh god, was he dead?\n\nNo, the shore around him was littered with everyone else that had fallen in with him. There was no way they all died after a little slip and, no offense to everyone else, but they were not the people he wanted to spend eternity with in weird castaway island heaven. So he had to still be dreaming. Or... Sofia was a witch. Or something. Danny was about to jump right back in the water and see if it would somehow wake him up - or just give him the swim he'd been waiting for all day, even if it was in his head - when a scream pierced his ears. Their resident maybe-witch seemed to be in some type of physical distress, and the boy jumped to his feet in a panic as she collapsed.\n\n\"Wait! Wake up! Where the hell are we?! What just happened?\" Danny frantically questioned as he crossed the sands toward her. \n\nSofia's limp body offered nothing in response.\n\nOnce he'd reached her, he grabbed her ankles and elevated them, hoping the girl would drift back into consciousness and possibly offer an explanation. She had to have something to do with it, right?\n\n\"Uh, he mumbled lamely as he noted the others looking just as confused as he was, \"Sorry, are you all real?\"\n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nWith her critical blunder, Maive had sent the entire group ocean-bound. A cold splash of water didn't away her. Instead, she sunk. She sunk into a velvet-black sea as though it were a dream.\n\nCold. Eyes. Drifting black. Warmth. Searing warmth. Like a dream, it was difficult to remember what had happened. The newfound heat seemed to. The sudden fit didn't help her memory. She coughed and coughed, her throat desperate for any relief. Her hands had instinctively found their way into her backpack and quickly grasped one of her plastic bottles. The twist-cap could have easily been mistaken for a flying cork as she mashed and twisted it open. \n\nWith the water finally meeting her lips, she tried in vain to clear her mouth. The water only made her cough more as she choked. Her body unable to figure out what to do, it made a confused attempt to stop her fit. Maive gagged as her body made one final check to see if it needed to escalate.\n\nThankfully, it didn't. The contents of her stomach remained a mystery.\n\nWith her body no longer trying to reject water, she took a few small sips until her mind was in order. First, her surroundings. The strange landscape completely different from the rest of Europe. The fronds waving in the wind. The radiant waves that looked like someone had dyed the ocean.\n\nThey definitely weren't at HAGAY anymore.\n\nThen she thought about why they were in such a place. Only one thing came to mind: the fact that she slipped and sent everyone careening. Her face had once again become blush. The tropic heat was worsened by the heat of embarrassment. \n\n\"Sorry!\" The words quickly escaped Maive's lips as she gave a panicked bow. Even though Maive wasn't responsible for the sudden shift in location, the sense of guilt rapidly overwhelmed whatever rational thought she had. She was, frankly, a mess that could barely recognize the limp Sofia or the confused Daniel acting the part of a cornerman.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\n All the whilst Imogen expressed her upmost disappointment, anger and all towards the others, until one lad came up to him. Franciszek had never met the guy, at least not from what he could remember, but he tried his best to console him. Yet there was something so off about it, so casual and calm that even Franciszek couldn't quite gel with the notion. Not whilst the memories were still fresh in his mind, of the drowning, the descent into the sea, the way that the water boiled inside his lungs and stomach, and how desperately they tried to drown him. The way in which the visuals, so esoteric and inexplicable, showered his eyes. He almost laughed at the idea that perhaps he was right about his cultish scepticism - almost.\n\n He looked up, and met Orlando. He offered him some sort of wisdom, some abstract metaphor to help ease him through the pain. And did it? Well, the boy looked up at him, then back down to his balled up knees. A strong sense of disbelief washed over him. And for what seemed like his first time ever, a great uproar brewed inside of him.\n\n\"Chin...up? Chin up?! No...no! You stub your toe. You fail a test. Your dog dies. That's when you lift your chin up!\" He tried to stand up, but he felt all too weak in the legs. Something about the way the other girl, Imogen, had let herself loose, it almost gave him an excuse to do it himself. \"You call this a fucking \"chin up\" situation? Look for a way out of here? I...I...Am I the only one in the right mindset here? I didn't wake up in North Camden, I'm in the middle of fuck-knows with people I don't know, spouting grandma wisdom as if I have no fucking clue-\"\n\n He cut himself off and crumbled in place, laid with his back in the sand and his eyes faced outward to the great beyond, the sea of nothingness. There was such a powerful repellent, urging his heart to steer near of the waters. Fear ran amok through him. Was it because he'd awoken on an island? Of course, for it simply showed that not once could things have been normal, not just once.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "There was a myriad of different reactions to their predicament. For some their first reaction was disbelief, for some it was amusement, and for some it was panic. They, save for the cracked gremlin who just fucked off to the trees, were processing what just happened to them. The girl that he had tried to convince to jump in released the floodgates and made her displeasure everyone's problem. The only one that seemed to have a level head in the situation was his fellow art student, Orlando. His classmate was trying to comfort the panicking blonde that was just short from rocking in place with some encouraging words that fell flat harder than when they hit the water. \n\nThat blonde kid took a page out of the angry glasses girl's page and just vented his vitriol. Victor stood there and let them him say their piece without interruption until they finished. That being said, his patience was waning from listening to them wallow in their self-pity. They did not have the luxury to just lay around on the sand waiting for someone to save them. It was better than giving up already.\n\nHe sighed frustratedly at the sorry sight before him. It wasn't like he had no sympathy for his schoolmates that fell into despair, but someone had to take the reins of the situation. At least that's what told himself. \"I get it, I really do. The situation is beyond absurd, and we're all scared, but right now it's sink or swim. No one knows we're here; we don't even know where 'here' even is. The only people that can get us out of this situation is us. We can't afford to lay down and die.\" Victor did his best to explain to them, but it probably wouldn't work.\n\nThe only thing he could do is just stand there, waiting to see if anyone else would volunteer to explore the island. He could only hope that more would join him because this place was not normal. There was something wrong with this beach. Looking at the water for a prolonged amount of time caused a dull throbbing pain in the head and his very soul screamed to not touch it. Just where the hell were they?", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "Victoria Yarwood wasn't afraid of the water.\n\nShe was afraid of many things, but never had she felt particularly despondent towards the ocean. However, the atmosphere of her new surroundings had made her rethink that fear almost instantaneously.\n\n\"I-\" \n\nThe shrill scream of Sofia as she fell to the ground caused Victoria to take pause with her own thoughts. They had plunged themselves to the deep and had ended up in a place that made no sense, a place that all logical conclusions in her mind resisted. The United Kingdom could not support sub-tropical flora or weather, even with the advent of climate change, so Victoria too was very confused and rattled by the sudden change in her environment. She grabbed her knees tightly as she sat on the ground, shaking, however subtly. Her anxiety felt like a domino that was cascading in a loop.\n\nThe waters around the academy certainly had a sick sense of humor, but Victoria, well, she didn't find it very funny. She subtly rocked back-and-forth in her position, looking down at the ground as she did so. She must've looked like she had entirely shut down to anyone who was looking her way.", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" }, { "text": "---\n\nSofia sat up with a gasp, slamming her forehead into Daniel's face and leaving a rather noticeable bruise on her forehead.\n\n\"Aaaaaah! Okay! Okay. Everyone remain calm!\" She hopped to her feet. This was her time to shine as group leader. How to Win Friends and Influence People said to get people doing something in times of crisis. \"First, uh, let's get some water. We can't drink the ocean water, so maybe going inland a bit and looking for a stream would be the right choice. Um. Victor! Veri- oh, she's already... Okay. Victor! Daniel... and, uh, Orlando! Can you go with Verity? Just make sure she doesn't get attacked by... whatever the hell might be out there.\"\n\nSofia looked over and saw Frankie and Victoria… well, they didn't look too great. And was that Imogen yelling at Maive? She had to step in!\n\n\"Hey! Imogen! Let's, uh, maybe calm down a little, haha! No good to get our emotions all pumped up when we've got survival on our minds!\" Sofia said in a sickeningly sweet tone. She had no idea what she was inviting onto herself.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\nSofia's can-do attitude quickly melted the moment Imogen turned her fury onto her.\n\n\"I-I ah...\" she stammered. \"I didn't...\"\n\nShe backed off, then looked around and saw Victoria and Frankie, looking slightly less shaken than before. She pointed into the trees. \"Um, guys, I think I saw the boys find coconuts. Just... head over there, without screaming or anything, haha...\"\n\nThere was still the matter of Maive and Imogen. Sofia knelt down slightly beside Imogen, head lowered.\n\n\"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just... trying to make sure everyone is okay.\" She looked over at Maive and touched a hand to her shoulder. \"Hey, Maive, it's okay. Um. Let's try not to cry too much, okay? Your body needs those fluids. Maybe a coconut would help...?\"", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nCrying is a strange thing. So many thoughts went through Maive's head that, really, she couldn't pinpoint an exact one. She had an inkling of what made her cry, but couldn't quite put it to words if she was asked. It was more that she was thinking in feelings. When she finally felt the hand of someone else, she instinctively reacted.\n\nMaive's arms wrapped around Sofia's torso as the crying girl grasped for comfort. Anything at that moment would have done.\n\nThen Sofia became acutely aware of a bizarre fact about Maive.\n\nHer diminutive stature didn't mean she was weak.\n\nNo.\n\nShe was condensed.\n\nLike a vice grip, Sofia was now being fully assaulted by the most brutal hug she must have ever experienced. Two neodymium magnets had suddenly found each other and connected. Sofia's shirt had suddenly been blessed by a deep imprint of Maive's crying and snotty face. Her feverish wailing changed to sobs. Then, it changed to deep breaths and hiccups.\n\nFinally, Maive let go. Her glasses were smudged. Her eyes looked more like coloured marshmallows. She desperately wiped the remaining snot off her face using her forearms. \n\nShe'd bury it. It didn't matter if it was a hatchet or her own feelings at this moment. Sure, she was alone and confused. But she had to be strong. She always did.\n\nSuddenly slapping both cheeks, Maive looked to the trees. She took one last deep breath.\n\nRather than acknowledge what Imogen had said, Maive turned back to Imogen. Her face wasn't that of embarrassment, nor was it full of sorrow. Now, her cheeks were red from determination--at least temporarily. She stretched a hand towards Imogen. Thankfully, all of her snot had been wiped on her forearms and Sofia.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\n\nWhen Victor said she could use vines, Orlando didn't expect her to actually do it. It took him far more time than he liked to admit to realize that no, she wasn't making a skirt out of vines, but some footwear instead. They were good too, taking into account they were made out of literal vines and leaves. He would have asked her to make him some if she were just a little less crazy for his tastes. Honestly, that could be said for all the girls on this island except for Maive. Shorty here acted like she was the queen of the world and nothing could hurt her, the glasses girl looked like she was one comment away from killing someone, and Sofia was, well, Sofia. \n\nCrazy girl, and Orlando realized he really needed to start learning some of the names of the people he was stranded with less he blurts out the nicknames he called them in their head, and started to climb a nearby tree. He had to admit, her core strength was nothing to scoff at and her technique was good too. He tried to look up to see what was her objective and saw some coconuts far above them. Right, food and water, necessary things for their survival, it would seem that, under all her quirkiness she had a good head over her shoulders to think of that. Orlando started to look for more coconut trees when one pelted him on his right shoulder. \"Caralho!\" He shouted and hastily took some steps back as he grabbed what he could and dodged the rest, thinking her early assessment of that girl was correct, she really was crazy. \n\nSoon after, the coconut apocalypse stopped, and only the sounds of the jungle could be heard. It was flirt... no, his name was Danny if he remembered right, who spoke first. He didn't look the part, but it seems he was more shaken by the events that happened that he led on. Orlando couldn't blame him, he was sure he was going to throw up the moment he was alone and it was only his pride that fueled him along. \n\nDanny spoke again, this time with more nervousness showing, and it was Victor who answered him. He supposed he should add something too, even if the last time he tried to cheer someone only made the guy flap his gums at him, but well, it would only help them to have more people with a cool mind, or at least not being a ball of panic and whatever emotion Sofia had. \"Hey no need to apologize amigo, you were brave enough to come here with us, you already did more than the rest\", he said with what he thought was friendliness in his voice. It was Victor who reminded him that there was a missing member of their little group. He looked up and saw shorty in the same exact place that some minutes ago, with no signs of trying to go down, yet with not one iota of fear on her face. Orlando hoped that she wasn't thinking of jumping on top of one of them, the last thing they needed was two injured people and honestly, with all the things she already did, he could imagine a scenario where that happened. So he gave her the only help he could in his position: \"Just climb down the same you climbed up but this time put one hand under the other and slide down with your feet when you need to! just uh, don't lose contact with the tree\". It was like he did it when he was young, and he had a lot less confidence in himself at that age that coconut girl, she should be fine... but just in case he whispered to Victor: \"hey, you think we should y'know, get under the tree to catch her if she falls or something?\"", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" } ]

[ { "text": "Imogen Reed\n\nWith most of the fight gone from her just from the realization of how badly she'd screwed up, Imogen wanted to sink into the sand, her hope drained away like rain in the desert. She'd reached a dead end with no way out, and there was nothing she could think of to do to solve any of the problems that hounded her. Ever since she came to that fateful conclusion, she had strived to live each day in caution, temperance, and control, avoiding anything that could cause conflict or bring any sort of misfortune down upon her head. Never good, never bad, just 'fine'. Reaching out for high notes just hadn't been worth the possibility of hitting the lows. What good could she possibly have found out there, after all? But now misery had befallen her regardless. Maybe it was karma, built up over the course of years to come crashing down. The wolves that once snapped at her heels had fallen so far into the background that she stopped running, and now they caught up with her. Despite doing her very best for so long, little as that might be, Imogen was going to die here, more disliked and alone than ever.\n\nAs she sat there in the sand, her face in her hands, Sofia approached her. Her apology and excuse weren't airtight, but Imogen didn't have the energy to snap at her anymore. Besides, weren't the two of them just the same, in a way? Imogen also lashed out in an unconstructive manner, after all, and far more vehemently too, only to unintentionally -but understandably- make others feel bad. That said, was Sofia still to blame for all this, and justifiably so? Absolutely. But Imogen knew she'd been a jerk. The embarrassment stung her even more acutely than the still-hard-to-process realization that she'd somehow appeared on a deserted island. Maybe. Either way, the fact remained that she'd broken character, and in a rather dramatic fashion too. There had been a lot more pressure behind that damn than she realized, and it burst with such power that she didn't know if she could put it back together again, at least not in the same way. But was there any point to picking up the pieces she'd held together for so long? If she was going to die anyway, didn't she deserve to be herself for once?\n\nOf course, her real self wasn't an asshole. At least, Imogen hoped it wasn't. Outspoken and impulsive, maybe. She wanted to be someone who meant what she said and said what she meant. But she didn't want to hurt anyone, not really. Even if it helped in the moment, she wouldn't feel any better in the long run, and considering how she felt right now, 'long' was probably an overstatement. She knew she needed to make amends, and so what if it hurt her pride? Not like she should have any pride to hurt in the first place.\n\nImogen rubbed her eyes, took a deep breath, and got shakily to her feet. She turned to see Maive, still a blubbering mess, but now locked in a powerful heartfelt embrace with Sofia. Imogen blinked, her brows upturned. Was Maive looking for some sort of support or stability, no matter the source? Was she thankful that Sofia got them into this mess for some bizarre reason? Could this be the startup of an elaborate wrestling move? Or was it…forgiveness?\n\nAll of a sudden Imogen found her contemplation time at an end as Maive turned her way, extended a hand to shake. Imogen almost recoiled from the proffered limb on instinct. If Maive meant to forgive her too, Imogen really didn't deserve it. She'd made quite the uproar taking out her frustrations and couldn't reasonably blame anyone if they communally decided to shut or out, or band together and chuck her in the ocean. Her cheeks reddened with the embarrassment of guilt, and for a moment she hung her head. If Maive meant it, though, Imogen owed it to her to accept. Though a small girl, Maive had chosen to be the bigger man. That took more guts than anything Imogen could remember doing. She pushed up her glasses, took a few steps forward, and shook Maive by the hand, secretly glad that it -and its owner- weren't as snotty as they could've been about this. \"Thank you,\" she mumbled, her voice small.\n\nBeyond this, she couldn't think of anything worthwhile to do. Might as well follow along with the others. If they left to find Team Coconuts, she'd trail along, smoldering quietly.", "username": "Lugubrious", "char_name": "Imogen Reed" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nDaniel still didn't understand how they could possibly be this calm, but their words of encouragement at least gave him something to focus on. Orlando was right, he was still doing better than the blubbering messes back on the beach, and walking back there to mope with them would probably only make him feel worse. He'd hoped to distract himself with whatever task Victor was insistent on them performing, but all they seemed to accomplish was taking note of the bleakness of the situation. At least they had a miniscule amount of food now.\n\nSpeaking of food, another coconut flew at him, this time from ground level rather than a lofty perch on high. The cracked fruit splashed a bit as it made contact with his chest as though it were a football before he caught it properly in his hands. Daniel raised a quizzical brow; Verity - who had evidently extricated herself from the tree - somehow made it sound unappealing. Who wanted a hot drink on the beach? Still, they couldn't really afford to waste it, and the boy promptly put the coconut to his lips to slurp from its innards.\n\n\"Uh, thanks,\" he mumbled sheepishly after he'd finished, wiping away any remaining dribble from his chin, \"All of you. I'm good now. I think.\" He wasn't, but they didn't need to know that. And if he kept himself distracted, they wouldn't. Because they'd all be back home soon. Yeah.\n\n\"So, what were you saying? We should look around?\" Danny focused his attention squarely on Victor now, internally hoping with desperate fervor that the other boy's confidence came from a plan that could get them out of here and not because he was a crazy person like Verity. His rapt interest didn't last very long, as the rustling of foliage nearby immediately drew Daniel's gaze like a startled deer. Sofia had mentioned animals, and while that would solve their woes about food, he had no idea how they'd manage to kill one, especially if it was dangerous. Was this island even big enough to support dangerous predators?\n\nThankfully, nothing jumped out at him abruptly. His eyes instinctively narrowed as he strained his vision into the not-so-distant distance, only to promptly let out a relieved exhale as he spotted movement from definitively person-shaped figures. They must've come looking for Verity after the trio of boys didn't return swiftly enough.\n\n\"Ah, hell, here comes more Sofia orders. Unless somebody already strangled her,\" he grumbled as he waved away his earlier train of thought. If she didn't have an explanation ready, he really didn't want any part of her hysterics, especially since the swimmer had just calmed himself down. He could feel the beginnings of a headache tingling at the base of his skull already, though he wasn't sure if it was the stress or if he was already dehydrated and really did need to drink that coconut.\n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "---\n\nThankfully, Sofia didn't say anything about Maive's choice of handkerchief. She did, however, gulp in desperate gasp of air as the small underclassman let go, and doubled over briefly.\n\n\"Argh… whew…!\" She gasped. \"Wow! You're… really good at hugging, Maive. Wow. That was… a lot of hug.\"\n\nSofia led the way towards the trees, the five from the beach in tow. \"I'm sorry, guys. That was. Yeah. Okay. A lot's happening. Sorry for getting you all into… whatever the hell this is. And sorry about being all bossy. Truth is, I've never even been to the beach... I just got really carried away, and I've seen a lot of shows about this… Personally, I really like Lost, but I know that's an older one, and— oh, Verity! You made a climbing doodad! That's so good!\"\n\nAs the group entered the vegetation to grab coconuts, Sofia excused herself in order to climb a nearby fallen trunk and take a look around. As she did so, the observant members of the group noticed something unsettling.\n\nNo animal cries. There were seagulls squawking and bugs buzzing just moments before. And yet… The entire area had gone silent. Even the sound of waves lapping against the shore seemed to fade.\n\nSofia, who was most certainly not observant, called from her position atop the trunk. \"Hey, guys! I think I see a spring over there!\" She pointed towards the undergrowth.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Thump...\n\nThump...!\n\nVictor perked up at the sudden deep, repeated thumping off at the distance, the ground shaking from the sheer size of whatever was causing it. \"What the hell is that?\" He asked to no one in particular as he looked around to see the source of the tremors, but tried as he might, he couldn't catch a glimpse of anything that would stand out. His search though was broken by the shrill screaming of Sophia and watched her pass out again in the bushes. The stick and the coconut that he was holding fell with a light 'thud' as he rushed over to the girl and lifted her limp body up, checking for any bruising or cuts along the head. \n\nWhat the hell did she see? Victor's gaze followed where Sophia had been looking through the tree line back towards the beach and saw... What the fuck was that? It looked like a frog, but it was the size of a bus and had six goat-like eyes lined up in a row, and from its front legs were a membrane that looked like wings. There was no creature on Earth that looked like that. Wherever that water spirited them away to, they were not in Kansas anymore. \n\n\"Mon Dieu,\" was the only thing he could muster to say, his eyes widened in disbelief and his jaw slack. Forget sticks and stones breaking bones, a damn rifle wouldn't be able to put that behemoth down. It would only just piss it off. There was nothing they could do that thing to kill it. Whatever it was, it was the apex predator, and they were the flies.\n\nWithout warning, the thing bellowed, the force of that thing's scream ripped bushes from the ground and shook trees. Victor as best as he could tried to cover his ears while trying not to drop Sophia, as much as he wanted to. His gave soon returned to the create and he just watched its many eyes dart around, making it unpredictable of where it was looking. However, it was very likely that one of the eyes was looking at them.\n\nWithout break his line of sight on the hell frog Victor said to the group, \"We need to run, now.\"", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n There was much abuzz within the group - several had occupied themselves with tree-clambering and food acquisition that they'd almost seemed apt at it. The nature in which they'd gathered, collectivised and made success in their trial instilled a sort of conspiracy within Franciszek's mind. Perhaps it was a disguised experience within the school, some sort of complex team building exercise. But all of it was too elaborate. Sure, Harbour was a very esteemed academy but to the extent of organising something along the level of Lost - or I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here - was just...well it was all ridiculous. And none it explained the sheer panic and transient experience he'd had, with the water that burned him inwards.\n\n It was pessimistic - rightfully so. Nothing about the situation sat well enough to let him forget. He thought about these sort of things all too much, and whilst it was counterproductive to those that simply wanted to go along with it, he saw caution as the only thing keeping him weary. Though even that was arguable, for the boy was shaken and still very much at unease.\n\n Yet the paranoia seemed to have paid off. Because it started with a light rumble off in the distance. The beating of wings far out beyond the shore. There was a collective silence when everyone noticed it. And his throat clogged up with fear and anxiety. Even before he spotted the beast, there was no doubt that the machinations of their twisted reality were without limitation. He lifted his head and turned over to the sea, and from the great expanse came a terrible creature, leaping forward and driving its wicked limbs into the sand with one fell maneuverer.\n\n The beast was upon their shores, and with a great wave of force it sent out a shockwave, one that forced Franciszek onto his arse in staggered panic. Instinct took the better of him and he raced to the side, stopping only when he saw one lad holding on to Sophia's passed out self - again. He wasn't sure as to why, but one would struggle on their own. He turned his eyes away from the beast that stared them down, aplenty in its horrific gazes, and he helped to lift Sophia off of the ground. Almost immediately, he trudged forward.\n\n\"Then shut up and start doing it!\" He beckoned to the french lad. He wasn't being brave, no not in his mind. He was scared shitless, and that was what caused him to act.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "Imogen Reed\n\nIn a silence sullen Imogen went along, plodding after Sofia, Maive, and the others at a slight distance. For now she'd had her fill of venting her suppressed frustrations, however much that actually made her feel better, but she didn't want Sofia thinking that everything was all hunky-dory just because the uproar died down, either. She took charge again and marched off toward the trees a little too readily for Imogen's liking, as if she'd personally averted the crisis and put her merry little band back on the road to sunshine, lollipops, and the power of friendship. Sofia hadn't done anything, though, and she hadn't earned anything. No matter whether the urge came out of self-centeredness or a misguided need to make up for her mistakes, if Sofia wanted to lead, she shouldn't except Imogen to follow.\n\nExcept this one time, but come on. Not like there was anything else to do.\n\nDespite a total lack of communication or planning, the beachgoers reunited with the junglers almost immediately. The island was just that small. When them arrived she found Victor holding a branch as if to strike them, which earned him a scary look from Imogen. Go ahead and try it, eyelashes, her expression dared him. Apparently the others had been on the hunt for coconuts, an endeavor that thoroughly uninterested Imogen. Whether or not she found herself on a tropical island with scarce resources, she didn't feel any thirstier than when she arrived at that pier back in the real world. Of course, the others panicking to clean this place out of any resources they could find -regardless of them possibly being toxic or diseased- might pose an issue in the long run, but all that survival nonsense supposed that things here would be running on real world logic, which they obviously wouldn't be. By now Imogen felt one hundred percent confident in her 'coma dream' theory, despite it not completely explaining how it seemed to be simulated the behavior of random strangers she didn't know. Then again, dreams were like that anyways. She was probably just projecting, although that made the fact that her attempt to vent and relieve stress in her own imagination got shut down by an imaginary crybaby even more sad.\n\nRegardless, she felt no need to start fires or weave hammocks from palm fronds. Those survival shows worked because the producers had medical teams off-camera to swoop in if anything bad happened. Even if one or two people here had a clue about how to prolong the inevitable, trying to make it feel like they were in control, they were ultimately powerless. As the others rested or busied themselves Imogen just leaned against a tree, waiting for the illusion to break down. She'd bet her bottom dollar that things were going to get screwy, and sooner rather than later.\n\nThanks to the lack of attention she paid to the other students, she noticed the strange silence within seconds of its manifestation. All of a sudden the soft washing noise of the surf formed the only natural sound within earshot. Oh, she thought, peering through the trees. There we go.\n\nEven with the damage done to her glasses, Imogen noticed something big moving straight away, especially with all the lead-up provided by the tremors. From the moment she arrived here she'd gotten the distinct impression that something was wrong with the water here. Normally the ocean should be the whole point of going to the beach in the first place, but this particular sea seemed to her less like a pleasant diversion and more like a yawning abyss, just waiting to pull her in and devour her if she immersed so much as a single foot within it. Like quicksand. But now this bizarre ocean, sick of waiting for people to enter its horror, had thrown something back, coughing it up from its deepest, most primeval recesses, far beyond human ken.\n\nA sagging, warty, blobbish behemoth dragged itself up from the water, revealing its unnatural size one weighty heave at a time. Even as the water rolled off its back, its rugose skin still glistened, moisturized by a thick, sludgy film. Its great googly peepers lolled around in their sockets, all six of them, searching for food. Searching for them. Imogen shrunk down behind her tree, her eyes wide with a mixture of horror and amazement as she tried to make herself as small as possible. \"Hah…hahah….\" After all her theorizing, this was vindication–but at what cost? The hideous monster hurled its massive bulk through the air, slammed down on the sandy shore, and blasted the island itself with a guttural roar. Despite her fervent desire to not look as weak as Sofia, Imogen locked up and toppled over backward into the underbrush from the force of the awful sound, even if just for a moment. She then scrambled to her feet, all the manic energy that dwelled within her a few moments ago back with a vengeance. Imogen didn't need Capitaine Évident to tell her to run; she was off like a shot in the opposite direction, running as fast and as far away from the froggy fiend as possible.\n\nWith the teens' departure from reality irrevocably proven, all bets were off. In the depths of Imogen's probably coma, did that beast somehow represent the end? Death coming to take her? She didn't plan to find out. All she knew was that, however bad things might be, she didn't want to die. This island wasn't big enough to outrun that thing indefinitely. With its monumental girth it could knock down any tree she tried to climb. Imogen's only hope was to flee, not get cornered on the far shore, and hope that monster plodded after someone else.", "username": "Lugubrious", "char_name": "Imogen Reed" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\nDespite the chill in the air, Daniel looked as if he'd just run a marathon. A droplets of sweat ran down his face as he panted in unsteady, adrenaline-fueled breaths. He wasn't quite sure what he expected to happen. He wasn't sure anything even would happen. But of all the possible options, he definitely hadn't expected to watch the frog waste away over the course of a few seconds. He supposed he did intend to kill it and Kharon apparently obliged. As he turned back to the spectre in question, Kharon dissipated with little of the fanfare that preceded his arrival.\n\nWas that, like, a one time thing, or...?\n\nVerity's question popped him out of his thoughts. Right. Sofia was in its mouth - no, it spat her out, he saw it, so that meant- no, she went flying. Oh god, did she break her neck or something? It all happened so fast- wait, they could find a body if so. She could be fine. Unless she had been hit and turned into a puddle like the frog did. \n\n\"I- I don't know. Did I? I don't even know what that was,\" Danny mumbled, eyes squinted in a lackluster search for the missing girl. Imogen drew his attention next, with a much less distressing question. Was he okay? He was tired. Antsy. Still in fight-or-flight mode. May have just killed someone. But aside from that? He felt great. A rush of power churned in his soul, a cold hand extended that offered purpose and competence and freedom.\n\nHe nodded after a few moments of deliberation. \"I think so. Did anyone see where Sofia fell?\" With luck, someone would've kept track. Then they could get back to more pressing issues, because any time wasted meant more questions asked and none of them seemed to have answers.\n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "---\n\nMentions: @hatakekuro\n\nUnfortunately for Victor, the moonlit figure did little to answer his questions. Rather, the man from his visions simply turned and left, disappearing behind the cliff face.\n\nIt was now nearly 8:30PM. Victor had luckily gotten somewhat dry and fully clothed, but that couldn't be said about the others. What would happen if, no, when they came back? Make the same trip down to the docks?\n\nOr would he try and make it back to the island?", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\nBack on the island, the buzz of insects resumed. In the frog's rampage, most of the island's plant life had been devastated—flattened or torn from their roots.\n\nLooking at the ocean wasn't giving the group as much of a headache as before, but there was still a sense of discomfort every time they glanced at its depths.\n\nSofia was nowhere to be seen. No struggling about, no flailing in the water, nothing. No signs of anyone drowning. And still no sign of Victor, either.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n His autopilot was based on fear. Fingernails dug into the sand as he breathlessly dragged his scorched, tormented imagination across the island, toward the spring. There was not a clear set of emotions laid across his face. He drooped and staggered in his blinks, and his breath was akin to suffocation. Franciszek had callousness all across his skin, his mind and soul. So harshly did his chest burn, as though it were a pressurised valve awaiting eruption. Sickness plagued him from within. How much more could it hurt? As if he were allergic to the beach itself, everything was in accordance to a horrific reaction. The amphibian and its demise, the relished power of some other no-name's of his, all mixed in how brilliantly or sourly they relished in their abilities. There was no explanation. It was a cosmic confusion, a horror of the unknown and by all cases it terrified the living hell out of the boy. He was quiet. Alone even. A soul that hadn't been paid even in pittance. He was there, soulless. His contributions were like gales in a storm. So he crawled, onward ahead, as he isolated further away to the island spring.\n\n The water was still. Whenever he looked at it, there was no way to tell if it looked right at all. Something, if not everything, felt off. It was like an translucent pane of glass, awaiting its shatter. His fingers touched it and he confused its calm for aggression. He withdrew his hand and gagged on his own spit. Not one shade of comfort - the island had made its way through him. He despised it, and it despised him. There wasn't a way to comprehend any of the madness around him. How could he accept something so heinously against reality, so vicious in its mockery towards all that is normal? He ran his hand back into the spring. It burned again, like acid to skin, yet he kept going. He crawled further, and further, to escape it all, as with the spring came the allure of freedom. Yet after what he'd seen, what he'd felt, the doubtless sense that it was never a dream, was it possible to be free, and true, to remove himself from what he'd seen?\n\n\"Just take me home...\" A voice inside of him rebuked it, and asked him to stay, but Franciszek's body did everything else to let that notion go forth. He crawled into the spring.\n\n Back into the burning depths he went. In a downward spiral his body twisted and turned as the descent became a burning ascent. The further up he rose, he twirled upward into the burning heat of the water. He trusted himself enough not to scream and drown, and the submersion ended in the blink of a watered eye. Franciszek emerged in a blur, in a far more familiar place - a stall, with several pencil scribbles on the wall, and with a confused mess latched onto his head. His body was soaked and his heart was ablaze. But he did not get up. He gasped, in a panic, then settled, and Franciszek spent a while sat, with his legs against his chest, back to the stall wall, and he breathed slowly.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "\"Hey, I'm talking to you! Don't you walk away from me!\" shouted Victor uselessly at the figure that retreated into night. He stood there, bewildered and shaking with rage. \"What the hell is wrong with this school?!\" The boy shouted again and, in his frustration, kicked someone's clothes that were left strewn about.\n\nHis anger did eventually simmer down. Victor tiredly looked down at the water like the valet was. He could not help, but to think what that voice said. \n\n\"Water... I see. The gateway, the horizon, the boundary...\" \n\nIt really was the water that was the doorway. He had a suspicion, but it was strange. If this stupid tradition existed and it was not some sick joke concocted by Ms. Top 15 Science Track, then this should have happened before. Some other students, even the freshman this year, pressured by tradition should have been sent to that piña colada deathtrap and either died or made it out, but either way there would've been rumors and urban legends. There should have been panic over students disappearing. There should've been, so why was it happening now?\n\nIt wasn't just some freak accident that they ended up in another world and it was not some weird coincidence that the blue valet appeared in their world when he went to investigate the docks. No, he absolutely refused to believe that it was some cosmic coincidence that the fabric of reality opened its maw and spat them out in another dimension just because they won the eldritch lottery. Something happened, something forced a gateway between their world and that other world, and they were either collateral or they were being strung along by something greater than what they could comprehend. All of this led back to the blue valet and the man in black. They were the only lead that he had.\n\nIt was crazy and even a jump to conclusions with what little evidence he had, but it was either believe that there was meaning in what he went through or fall into existential dread. \n\nThe question was if he could bring himself to take a leap of faith into the sea. For all he knew, there was a possibility that he could be sent to a completely different world. And what were the odds that his peers were still alive? If they were he knew how to get them out of there though surely, they would've figured it out on their own, but they would have to Mission Impossible it back to the docks like he did. It was not like he needed to do it. Why should he risk himself his safety for them? \n\nVictor glanced at the water, to the clothes, back to the water, and sighed. He gathered up their clothes and looked down at the water. \"If I die over this, I swear...\"\n\nHe jumped into the water and hoped to whatever god there was that he would make it out this alive.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" } ]

[ { "text": "\"Were you here for the tornado monster?\"\n\nVictor blinked in silence while he processed what he had just been asked. \"Here for the what now?\" Daniel would then explain in his bumbling manner the summary of the events that transpired while Victor snuck through the school grounds to get back to this world. It sounded like the words of a mad man. Summoning monsters called Personas to act as summons for combat? Monsters dissolving into sea water upon defeat? In any other situation he would never had believed such an insane claim, but after everything that had happened that was least craziest thing he heard today. If anything, it explained one mystery; the voice and sensation of warmth that he had been experiencing ever since they broke through the boundary. \n\nFrom what he could understand, these Personas were part of them as if they were an extension of themselves if Daniel could still feel its presence. What they were specifically was up in the air, but whatever they were they were it was clear that they were to be of help. More importantly than that though was the state of the rest of the group.\n\nThankfully everyone else was alive as corroborated by Imogen, but those that figured out that they could leave the island without telling Daniel or checked to see if Maive was alive. It was weirdly fucked up considering from what he heard, the two of them saved everyone from the monster frog though maybe they expected them to figure it out on their own since it did not take a genius to put two and two together. Then there was Daniel. \n\nVictor watched Daniel flail about with excuses and the pure silliness of hearing someone say they killed a frog with their mind was met with a laughter from the French boy. After everything they had been through today, falling through a portal, being nearly killed by that hell frog, and just being stuck with Sophia, appearing stupid was the one thing that Danny was afraid of. It was just so absurd. All of the tension and stress that he had just melted away.\n\n\"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm not laughing at you. You're just funny,\" explained Victor calming down with a few deep breaths, but still smiling. \"In hindsight I should have guessed you guys would have found your way back without me, but I was panicking too. I'm glad that you're all safe.\"\n\nAnd on cue, Imogen suggested that they left while they still could. Victor could not have agreed more. \"Yeah, let's do that. I did find something back in our world, but it can wait until we're safe. Come on, let's go.\" \n\nGlasses girl picked up the other glasses girl though she shunned any offer to help her bring Maive to the spring. Soon enough, the two girls fell into the spring and were gone. Victor eagerly followed and jumped into the spring with no hesitation. \n\nAnd there he was, back in the school bathroom drenched to the bone though instead of being drenched in his swim trunks his entire uniform was sopping wet. The only improvement was the lack of being arrested for public indecency.", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nUnsurprisingly, Maive did not wake up when Verity let her fall nor did she wake when Imogen half-dragged her and submerged her in water. She only woke when Imogen nudged her; a holdover from having early-rising children nudging her awake. From Maive's perspective, she had summoned a persona, been flung into a tree, had a fuzzy conversation, then woke up in a bathroom. A normal person would take it all as a dream induced by some toilet-related disaster were it not for the sand and water.\n\nThe first words out of Maive were not of existential dread as Imogen would quip. Instead, it was of worry. \n\n\"Is everyone okay?\"\n\nShe shot up from Imogen's side and glanced every which way. Just her and Imogen. It made sense that it would be that way. After all, having two people in a stall together was already a tight fit. Cooperative toiletry was not exactly an spacious experience for either party.\n\nLike a bat out of hell (more accurately, a magic roach in a public restroom), she quickly sprinted out of the stall. Her worn-down and wet soles squeaked as she slid into a stop. Then, she turned and faced Imogen. Their eyes met and Maive's body bent into a fierce bow. Then she spun again and ran out of the washroom.\n\nOf course, she didn't exactly think her next move through. Traumatic brain injuries did that to a person. It would be her first time storming a men's washroom. Thank goodness there was nobody there to watch, save for the group being put through the way-home-randomizer.\n\nOr maybe it wasn't a good thing they were there, considering how Maive immediately ran into a sopping wet Swim McTrunks.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\nThey're laughing. He bore his soul to Victor and they're laughing. \n\nThe other boy at least felt the need to clarify that he wasn't laughing at Danny, but presumably at what he said, and he supposed it was probably incoherent enough to be funny. He'd just have to take Victor at his word and hope Imogen was barely suppressing a giggle for the same reason. His mouth floundered open a few times as he mustered a defense, but the duo - and Maive - had already vacated the island before he had a chance to get his thoughts in order. Probably for the best, lest he say something to further embarrass himself. The adrenaline dump he felt coming on certainly wasn't doing his brain any good anyway.\n\nDaniel followed close behind, tentatively deciding escape was more pressing than defending his reputation. He dipped a foot experimentally into the spring and, as it never seemed to touch the sand at the bottom, continued until his entire body had slipped past the veil between worlds. No weird vision or dream of flying accompanied the return trip, and instead he found himself seated on a toilet in a cramped little stall with a suspicious lack of dicks drawn all over it.\n\nThe spring really did lead to the toilets. Gross.\n\nA relieved sigh escaped his mouth and, although his body urged him to stay seated and rest, the remaining higher reasoning centers of his brain convinced him that being found asleep on the shitter in the morning probably wouldn't be a good look for him. Unfortunately, said higher reasoning centers seemed to be working on a slight delay, as when Danny exited the stall and found himself staring at Imogen, it took him far too long to notice anything amiss. No urinals. Girl standing there. \n\n\"Oh fuck- Is this the girl's room?\" He didn't wait for an answer, and instead dipped his head and power walked out the door. At least it wasn't occupied, Imogen aside. \n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n The quiet was disturbed by the sudden arrival, or return rather, of several other people - assumedly those that had ventured into wonderland with Franciszek not too long before. The room was dark and, admittedly, the others had found themselves in other stalls than his. It should've beckoned for him to move right away but he didn't. He was scared. Afraid of opening that little stall door and to face the others, lest they were different. He'd seen the illusionary confusion that they'd gone through, the strangeness of creatures and their reactions. Them simply arriving at the same location as he had created the worst of all things that day - confirmation that something had happened.\n\n There was a strict sense of dread coated across his skin. He lifted his head and pressed his skull against the stall's wall. He listened to their conversations and was unsure of whether he should have or would ever speak. None of them knew his name either way, and he didn't know theirs. Did they share his problems? The ways in which the others reacted were all their own ways indeed but he couldn't shake how disturbing it all was. What had he encountered? That was the question that plagued and followed every second thought. Someone then left the door, proclaiming that they had ended up in the girl's bathroom. It almost broke a smile on his face for the sheer absurdity of it all, but it only hammered in one motive - to leave, to go back and to attempt to sleep again. But perhaps he'd had enough of sleeping. Those dreams weren't worthwhile anyhow.\n\n He got up, undid the stall and without as much as a word, he departed. It was cold, and the night was fruitful. He shivered so greatly. The march, the sneak back to his own dorm and bed, was the most discomforting of his time since arriving at the academy. And the hour he returned to his room, he laid on his bed - eyes peeled open, and he was kept restless until dawn.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" } ]

[ { "text": "Was it a hazing incident? \n\nVictoria Yarwood had experienced hazing before, though not quite like this. The girls back home employed much different tactics, though she wasn't able to make heads or tails about it. Her hands were buried in her pockets with her backpack concealing the towel that she was encouraged to bring to the location at the end of the dockhouse. The waters were likely not the ideal temperature for any sort of activities, though she felt compelled none the less to show.\n\n\"Erm…\" Words struggled to leave the tall girl, \"I'm not sure I get it, either.\"\n\nShe sighed as her eyes looked around and she joined the boy's side with her backpack in tow. It was awkward, weird, it didn't make any sense. She wasn't so bold to hoist her towel over her shoulders like others and her eyes bounced across every corner as if trying to make sense of the invitation to the dockhouse. Her words felt like they were glued to the roof of her mouth as she mumbled hesitation and confusion. If she was already being hazed at this academy she felt she had failed to start a new leaf, but at the same time she had been noticed by someone all the same so it wasn't the same old situation of being ignored either. \n\n\"This is weird.\" She finally said clearly, though with about the same confidence as before.", "username": "TGM", "char_name": "Victoria Morgaine Yarwood" }, { "text": "---\n\nThe group stood along the pier, no more than two metres above the water and devoid of other life. The sea itself was calm, reflecting the end of a sunset and shimmering gently. It had been warm during the day, but the bite of a light breeze made it ever so slightly uncomfortable to be standing in place.\n\nThe door to the boathouse slammed open as Sofia jumped out, arms spread wide. \"Surprise! I bet you didn't see this coming, huh?\"\n\nNobody really reacted. Considering everyone was part of the Icebreaker, they'd all reasonably expected her to show up eventually.\n\n\"Ahaha. Yeah. Surprise! Again, I guess..\" Sofia's smile wavered slightly as she hit the jazz hands, her wrists jingling. She'd taken off all the wristbands and replaced them with equally busy metal bracelets. \"Um, anyway… You may be wondering why I gathered you all here! And first of all, I want to thank you all for um, being here.\"\n\n\"Okay well, this is sort of a Harbour Academy tradition. You're supposed to jump into the water, and it'll give you luck in your exams. Well, you're meant to do it in the first week, but… it'll do!\"\n\nShe clapped her hands together, a wide smile plastered on her face. A little awkwardly, she continued, \"If you're wearing anything heavy you should um, take it off first. Just leave it on the pier. The water isn't actually that deep, so make sure you tuck in your legs when you jump, and it'll be really easy to get out after. There's some psychological explanation or whatever for why this helps, actually, but I won't bore you all with the details.\" \n\nSofia pointed at the multiple ladders and the set of stairs attached to the pier. \"...And there's nothing in the water that's dangerous. Probably. Haha! So, um. Yeah! Let's hop to it!\"", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "\"For real.\"\n\nTo say that nobody reacted was a bit of an overstatement. Someone certainly reacted. And on the part of the girl on the roof, that reaction came in the form of slow applause, one that was neither ironic nor mocking, but one that seemed to hold a certain tinge of condescension. Like an older sibling, perhaps, slapping their hands together when their younger sister and her equally young friends showed off some double dutch skipping. Verity was impressed. It was fun to see that Top 15 Science Track could do cryptic messages too! And the origami had been hers? Certainly, there was some depth to her after all!\n\nAnd as for the whole tradition of jumping into the waters for exam luck...\n\nShe tipped the remaining contents of her bag of chips into her mouth, wiped the powder and crumbs off the corner of her mouth, and then, in a very cat-like fashion, licked clean the back of her hand. It was in a very human fashion afterwards that she crushed the plastic bag into a ball before stuffing it into the pockets of her sweatpants. Shallow waters, but she was pretty light. Distance from dockhouse to water was doable too. She'd confirmed that earlier. And while she had been 70-30 on whether or not Sofia was going to show, she was 100-0 on whether or not water was going to be involved.\n\n\"Exam luck.\"\n\nVerity laughed. Almost derisively.\n\nThen, she began to strip, flinging her clothes down onto the boardwalk haphazardly. If anyone was buried beneath it, well, it wasn't as if she was carrying rocks in her pockets or anything.\n\n\"Like penguins, Sofia?\"\n\nGooseflesh rose from pale skin that was awash in the afterglow, the sting of the sea breeze felt ever more keenly now that Verity was in nothing more than her swimsuit, a plain yellow bikini that complemented her figure only in that her body itself was plain and non-descript, like a eraser right out the box.\n\nThe girl was certainly nothing to look at.\n\nBut the way she stood, standing on the slant of the dockhouse roof, one foot raised as she rolled the digits of her toes, both hands back to pull her hair into a ponytail, her forehead gleaming the magenta hues of twilight, perhaps one would get a strange feeling.\n\nWhether weather fair or foul, whether winter or summer, whether traditions or superstition, whether in solitude or in company, Verity Oxenbridge had always intended on a swim.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n The day had gone by as a slog - no change there from the usual. Yet on his mind was the eternal ponder over what it was he was asked to attend. It occupied half of his attention and only led to the day dragging. In time, however, the school hours were over, and he was back in his dorm, debating himself as to whether he should go. Of course, he thought it wasn't exactly something promising, but he hadn't made any enemies to his knowledge to justify something targeted. The school year was far too early for that to happen. Still, it did beckon as to why anyone would've requested him in any secretive \"under-the-door\" fashion.\n\n In the end, there was only one way to truly know whether the experience was to be grand or pointless. Attendance. Franciszek wasn't that particularly enclosed in the social sphere. There were ways to put yourself forward without risking anything, and for all he knew, that was just that. He grabbed a towel and made headway for the docks by the time the daylight turned sour. It wasn't anything atypical about the land; all the same, bitter, homely feeling, rather. Autumn's early bites were, however, rather demanding when it came to swimming.\n\n He'd changed into some nondescript swimming wear - some trunks and a spare t-shirt he'd had still packed in one of his bags. It wasn't anything fancy, nor really useful for swimming, but by the time he'd arrived, it all felt a little off. There were just people stood around. Waiting. Not talking. It was quiet. It was a little too uncomfortably quiet. And then all that silence was wiped away when Sofia sprung her surprise, and for once, Franciszek felt like he was the only one to actually jump inside of himself. He tried to hide it at least, barely.\n\n Sofia was...something. Enthusiastic, nonetheless, but not exactly on par with the school staff. There was a veneer of awkwardness, the slight second-handed embarrassment that came with trying just a little too hard. He didn't mind it though. It was loose, and gave an impression of genuine attempt when it came to witnessing failure. He didn't want to look too deep into it. Then, of course, she disclosed the purpose of their gathering. A belated tradition, left to hang at the last minute. That seemed to be her style - a little after it was cool for everyone else to do so. Honestly, he liked it. It was a lot less crowded, though the unrecognisable faces didn't exactly help ease him into volunteering himself first. He lingered just barely to the side of whoever, whilst some prepared themselves to jump in.\n\n Then it struck him - he hadn't gone swimming in a long while. There was a slight anxious tick to that thought. Did he still know how to swim? Well - she did say it wasn't deep, but what was her idea of not deep, she had acclimatised to the nautical school? She did come up with an answer but...bah, who paid attention to that? He stood amongst the unhazed, of course this was how it was meant to be; nervousness and confusion and just a general lick of anxiety to cover all his bases. He stood there, a little frozen. He wasn't scared of swimming, but he wasn't enthusiastic about what he was leaping his way into.\n\n\"Right...\" God, he kicked himself at how untalkative he had been. There was just standing there, and inaction, and spectating the others as they conversed a little with Sofia and back. He didn't interrupt, not straight away. But eventually, he did raise a halfward hand - though whether Sofia or who else had paid much attention was beyond him - and slowly ask. \"Like...right now? What happens after that?\"", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" } ]

[ { "text": "Orlando\n\n---\n\n\n\nIs this what being on drugs felt like? He never tried them, he promised his mother that when he was still a kid, but he had friends that did, and they always said the trip made you forget about all the problems you had, a real out-of-the-world experience, and right now, while Orlando could admit that he was undergoing a sensation he never experienced in the past, he sure as fuck thought about his problems more than ever before.\n\nBeing raised as a devout Christian, he never doubted the existence of God, but there were still questions he asked the neighbourhood priest when his family and he went to mass. One of those was \"is my soul next to my heart?\" and, even if he forgot the answer that he was given that day, he could now confirm it was somewhere in his body because the cold that he felt right now chilled him to his soul. That same coldness made him forget most of what happened in that endless sinking, but those piercing gold eyes and the warm presence afterward would remain in his mind for the rest of his life. For one moment he even though he was in Heaven before the warm turned unbearable and he opened his mouth to scream. Or tried to at least. What happened instead was that he almost choked on the sand. The sand that he was on top of. The sand that wasn't in any way shape or form near them before they were thrown into the water. \n\nHe got up, spat the sand in his mouth, and looked at his surroundings. What greeted him was a sight more in tune with his home rather than the cold shores of England. \"Filho da puta, what just happened...\" he asked, before realizing the others were just as clueless as he was. He looked over to the sea, and a foreboding sensation crept all over him. Swimming back to England wasn't his first idea but that sealed the deal right there. Whatever the answer was, they would need to find it on this island.\n\nHis line of thought was interrupted by a sudden scream. It would seem miss Icebreaker abandoned them once again to their luck. That would be funny if their lives weren't at risk because of it, but what could you do? It's not like Sofia gave the image of being useful in a situation like this anyway... or in any really, maybe it was for the better that she fainted. Orlando himself was scared as fuck, but he felt showing it in front of these rich kids was just admitting they were better than him, and that was just not true. So he counted to 10 in his head and steeled himself mentally. \n\nThe rest of the people on the beach were in a variety of moods. That crazy chick just didn't give a fuck about anything it seemed, unlike Maive who apologized for their situation. While it was true that they felt mainly because of her, who, in their wildest dream would think this would have happened? He felt the need to reassure his fellow Art student. \"Hey, it's not your fault, if anything it's Sofia's, if it wasn't for her we wouldn't have been in the docks to start with\". There was just something right in throwing Sofia under the bus, he pondered. \n\nThen he saw the blond dude, Frankie or something. Out of all of them, he looked the worst by miles, the guy couldn't even stand up. It was a sorry sight and Orlando felt pity for him. He walked towards him, got on his knee, and put a hand on his shoulder. \"Frankie right? hey amigo, no need to panic, things are looking bad but that just means they can only get better, like my grandma liked to say, worrying is just like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it won't get you anywhere, so chin up and let's help Victor look for a way out of here\". Perhaps it was not the best advice but well, it was the best he could come up with at the moment. With that said, he got up and said to the Frenchman \"I'm going too\".\n\nHe was looking for some stones to put in his pockets when the girl with the funny accent started verbally assaulting Maive. He would have liked to say something, but honestly, the girl seemed pretty heated up at the moment, he was sure she would tire herself out. It's not like he was scared or something, no sir. He kept looking for the sharpest rocks he could find in the sand.", "username": "DarckLeon", "char_name": "Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n All the whilst Imogen expressed her upmost disappointment, anger and all towards the others, until one lad came up to him. Franciszek had never met the guy, at least not from what he could remember, but he tried his best to console him. Yet there was something so off about it, so casual and calm that even Franciszek couldn't quite gel with the notion. Not whilst the memories were still fresh in his mind, of the drowning, the descent into the sea, the way that the water boiled inside his lungs and stomach, and how desperately they tried to drown him. The way in which the visuals, so esoteric and inexplicable, showered his eyes. He almost laughed at the idea that perhaps he was right about his cultish scepticism - almost.\n\n He looked up, and met Orlando. He offered him some sort of wisdom, some abstract metaphor to help ease him through the pain. And did it? Well, the boy looked up at him, then back down to his balled up knees. A strong sense of disbelief washed over him. And for what seemed like his first time ever, a great uproar brewed inside of him.\n\n\"Chin...up? Chin up?! No...no! You stub your toe. You fail a test. Your dog dies. That's when you lift your chin up!\" He tried to stand up, but he felt all too weak in the legs. Something about the way the other girl, Imogen, had let herself loose, it almost gave him an excuse to do it himself. \"You call this a fucking \"chin up\" situation? Look for a way out of here? I...I...Am I the only one in the right mindset here? I didn't wake up in North Camden, I'm in the middle of fuck-knows with people I don't know, spouting grandma wisdom as if I have no fucking clue-\"\n\n He cut himself off and crumbled in place, laid with his back in the sand and his eyes faced outward to the great beyond, the sea of nothingness. There was such a powerful repellent, urging his heart to steer near of the waters. Fear ran amok through him. Was it because he'd awoken on an island? Of course, for it simply showed that not once could things have been normal, not just once.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" }, { "text": "There was a myriad of different reactions to their predicament. For some their first reaction was disbelief, for some it was amusement, and for some it was panic. They, save for the cracked gremlin who just fucked off to the trees, were processing what just happened to them. The girl that he had tried to convince to jump in released the floodgates and made her displeasure everyone's problem. The only one that seemed to have a level head in the situation was his fellow art student, Orlando. His classmate was trying to comfort the panicking blonde that was just short from rocking in place with some encouraging words that fell flat harder than when they hit the water. \n\nThat blonde kid took a page out of the angry glasses girl's page and just vented his vitriol. Victor stood there and let them him say their piece without interruption until they finished. That being said, his patience was waning from listening to them wallow in their self-pity. They did not have the luxury to just lay around on the sand waiting for someone to save them. It was better than giving up already.\n\nHe sighed frustratedly at the sorry sight before him. It wasn't like he had no sympathy for his schoolmates that fell into despair, but someone had to take the reins of the situation. At least that's what told himself. \"I get it, I really do. The situation is beyond absurd, and we're all scared, but right now it's sink or swim. No one knows we're here; we don't even know where 'here' even is. The only people that can get us out of this situation is us. We can't afford to lay down and die.\" Victor did his best to explain to them, but it probably wouldn't work.\n\nThe only thing he could do is just stand there, waiting to see if anyone else would volunteer to explore the island. He could only hope that more would join him because this place was not normal. There was something wrong with this beach. Looking at the water for a prolonged amount of time caused a dull throbbing pain in the head and his very soul screamed to not touch it. Just where the hell were they?", "username": "hatakekuro", "char_name": "Victor Lafayette" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\nSofia sat up with a gasp, slamming her forehead into Daniel's face and leaving a rather noticeable bruise on her forehead.\n\n\"Aaaaaah! Okay! Okay. Everyone remain calm!\" She hopped to her feet. This was her time to shine as group leader. How to Win Friends and Influence People said to get people doing something in times of crisis. \"First, uh, let's get some water. We can't drink the ocean water, so maybe going inland a bit and looking for a stream would be the right choice. Um. Victor! Veri- oh, she's already... Okay. Victor! Daniel... and, uh, Orlando! Can you go with Verity? Just make sure she doesn't get attacked by... whatever the hell might be out there.\"\n\nSofia looked over and saw Frankie and Victoria… well, they didn't look too great. And was that Imogen yelling at Maive? She had to step in!\n\n\"Hey! Imogen! Let's, uh, maybe calm down a little, haha! No good to get our emotions all pumped up when we've got survival on our minds!\" Sofia said in a sickeningly sweet tone. She had no idea what she was inviting onto herself.", "username": "stone", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Well, someone was certainly going to die soon, and that person sure looked like either Maive or Imogen. As Verity left the others behind, the wind nevertheless carried their arguments and anger towards her, unfamiliar voices mixing together into a cacophony of shouts and pleas, of reasonable people being swept away by emotions and bullshit. That Victor kiddo looked to be trying his best, and Sofia was getting it together after waking up a second time, but so long as they were stuck there, Verity herself was free!\n\nIndeed, it was wonderful to be off on her own once more, and a skip joined her steps as she strode into the tropical unknown. Greenery this lush meant that there was water, and if one were to think about deserted islands, one would imagine palm trees and coconuts too! And where there's vegetation, there'll be wildlife! Had to be careful where she got her hands and feet in, of course, considering all the dangerous creepy-crawlies that gotta be around, but those were things to be considered at a later time too. Ah, but it would've been so much easier if she had at least jumped in with a t-shirt on.\n\nAfter all, if she died, she died. Couldn't really do anything about it. But dying in only a bikini? That'd be embarrassing. She'd be a lobster by the time someone found her.\n\nThe dry heat abated as Verity ducked her head into the brush, replaced by a moist heat instead. Slick leaves crunched underfoot, and the buzzing of invisible life seemed to vibrate against her bare skin. Streams of light pierced through the canopy, feeding the bottomfeeders of the ecosystem, while the wind that once felt so wonderful was stifled now in her surroundings, its only hint being the rustling of the massive palms up above. She craned her neck upwards, felt a crick-crack of her spine, and let out a laugh. It was different looking at it up close, but the surface of the trunk was as smooth as she had expected. Made it clear, the difference between coconut trees and just palms. The shortest one was still a good story or two tall, but their fruits dangled still like a bundle of grapes.\n\nOut of reach, unless one climbed.\n\nThankfully, materials were nearby.\n\nVerity wasn't deaf to the world, after all. She had heard Sofia sicc some boys onto her, and when she turned, well, they were clearly in view. Them, and their pants. Daniel's speedos were the most ideal material, but she'd be fine with swim trunks too. So, as naturally as breathing, the pale-skinned girl extended a hand, palm up.\n\n\"Give me your pants. One pair'll do.\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nThis was definitely a dream; the situation was too absurd to be real. Putting aside the obvious implausibility of washing up completely dry on the shores of the Bahamas or wherever the hell they'd ended up, half the crew exploded into hysterics and the other half seemed about as bothered as if nothing unusual had happened at all. Honestly, Daniel just wanted confirmation that they weren't all dead right now, even if the only other explanation was that the dockhouse was haunted or something.\n\nFrance and Brazil had a point, as ridiculous as their supposed nonchalance was, but he couldn't help but find himself in agreement with the angry girl and the last boy in their entourage. Somebody was at fault here, though Danny was more inclined to rest the blame on the girl whose ankles he currently held over Maven or whatever her name was. At least until he noticed the crack running down one of the lenses of the angry one's glasses. A sympathetic wince escaped him - yeah, that was all Meeve's clumsiness right there; he'd be pissed too. Though, just as he was about to add his own fuel to the fire, the unconscious Sofia suddenly rose from the dead and slammed right into him, sending him recoiling backward with a whine.\n\nTo his absolute incredulity, now Sofia had tried to join the pragmatist camp, as if she hadn't just been psychically assaulted by the Ghost of Harbour Academy just moments prior. Was this just the norm around here?! Haha, prank the new kids by sending them careening through a portal to Tahiti, classic HAGAY hazing! Daniel gave up trying to rationalize any of it and just dumbly stared as Sofia barked out orders. \n\n\"You- but- I thought- I thought you were dead,\" he stammered out as Sofia turned foolishly into the path of Imogen's ire, quietly at first, then rising in panicked intensity, \"How are you so calm about this?! Did you know this would happen? You can't seriously just-\" He abruptly cut himself off with a frustrated groan. If it was her fault, then it would probably be prudent to listen to her, at least until they were back to somewhere he recognized - if she thought there was danger out there, there might well be; to say nothing of what would happen if Sofia were deliberately holding them hostage. Everyone else could chew her ass in the meantime, apparently he had a girl to save from a tiger or something.\n\n\"Fine,\" he huffed after a moment of internal turmoil, \"But I'm expecting an explanation when we get back.\" Danny stormed off in search of Verity - he assumed that was the girl from the roof; she was the only one that had the gall to wander off alone - though his pace slowed from aggressive and determined to a cautious hopping as he crossed the threshold from silky sand to jungled dirt. If he'd've known he was about to be ripped into a survival movie, he would have brought shoes.\n\nWhen he reached Verity at last, he saw no tiger nor monkey nor even particularly aggressive seagull; just a teenage girl asking him to whip his dick out in broad daylight. A bit early to be thinking about repopulating the human race, wasn't it? This had to be a very realistic dream. Or he had died and this was divine punishment for leading that girl on.\n\nWhatever flirty response a more lucid Daniel would've concocted outside of a life-or-death emergency died on his tongue. \"You really did hit your head on that jump, holy shit.\"\n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "Mentions: @TGM\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n Though mostly from the shock of it all, he could barely believe how calm some of them were. This wasn't helped in any instance by the reawakening of Sofia - their guide into the mess. Such a strong urge to rile up and explode at her, to demand the answers they needed and were owed, was set aside as someone else had already occupied themselves with her. He breathed, uneasily, and hoped that their message was to get through to the absurdly positive state. He threw his hands into the air and collapsed back into the sand. It was warm, but no comfort or luxury derived from its touch. He shuddered whilst that cold sensation was still fresh in his mind.\n\n Had he any idea of what he'd seen, even pre-emptively, it was still doubtful that Franciszek would've coped any better. These were the sorts of happenings of fiction, the tales and stories of classics and beyond. The wade into wonderland, and the fabrication of all reality, founded in a supernatural state. Tales of realism faired no better, and he was impartial to the idea of implying any sort of kidnapping of the sorts, simply out of the fear of it. He blinked and ran his arms across one another. God - why was he so cold? So brutal were those shivers that he quite literally forced himself to focus on something other than himself.\n\n Off to his side, maybe a metre or so away, was a face he'd only just recognised. A strong fluctuation of guilt ransacked his temper as he noticed Victoria, with barely a motion left in her. In all his desperation, he'd latched on to her hand and had pulled her in with him, no different to how Sofia had dragged him in. Almost immediately, he felt the world fall around him. As though he'd kept up his remedy of bringing all those down around him, just as it always had been. He sighed, and crawled just a little closer to her. She looked just as bad, if not a little worse, than he was. There wasn't any sign of reception to see from her. And though it was, in no doubt of his, a move that had the potential to simply worsen her situation, he could not sit idly whilst a billion questions still ran amok.\n\n\"I...I'm sorry...but-\" He didn't even know who Victoria was. She was there, as he had been, as silent as the winds themselves. He breathed in, but only shocked himself as he imagined a phantom taste in his mouth of saltwater and suffocation. Panic still rested inside of him, but he pushed to at least reconcile within another. \"But I need to know that I'm-...that this is all real, that I'm not dead, or insane or whatever else. Did...did you see it? Experience it? All of...all of that? Please, I just...I'm sorry.\"", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" } ]

[ { "text": "There was a strange moment that passed as Victor's words lingered in the air, the last of the trio to refuse Verity. That open hand of hers closed into a fist, and that fist of hers…\n\n…laid at rest by her side.\n\n\"Mhmmm.\" Her eyebrows lifted up along with her chin, the smile that stretched to the corners of her face cat-like in nature. \"How unreasonable.\"\n\nBut by the way she about-faced immediately, feeling for a length of vine that was still flexible enough to be tied with, still sturdy enough to hold her weight, still weak enough that she could tear apart to an appropriate size, it looked as if it had been Verity's first choice as well. The choice she would have taken from the get-go, if the second choice hadn't been the funnier one. Couldn't lose one's sense of self just because they were stranded on an island, after all. The situation wasn't nearly so desperate yet.\nThough perhaps they would become desperate, depending on what happened in the next ten minutes.\n\nVerity squatted down, measuring out a loop of vine roughly her width, and tied it together. Braided that loop with another length of vine. Then a third. A fourth. Her fingers moved slowly but assuredly, building up a loop that grew stiffer with each iteration. The fourth was done, and then the loop itself was twisted into a double helix, which she set her bare feet against.\n\nA strange feeling, to have a half-dozen bumps dig against the arches of her feet. But it was flexible enough, and the lack of stretch would be accommodated by the increased friction. Now, it was just a matter of her body.\n\nWaddling over bowleggedly, the pale-skinned girl set her hands around the trunk of the tree, one on the far end, one on the near end. Main purpose was to keep her body perpendicular to the ground. Her feet rested at the base of the trunk, soles pressed against the surface alongside the twisted cordage. Her eyes, set on the prize. Her mind, having forgotten the others around her. What was it like again…\n\n\"Frogs.\"\n\nVerity stood up.\n\nLeapt up.\n\nLanded into a crouch.\n\nStood up.\n\nLeapt up.\n\nLanded into a crouch.\n\nStood up. Leapt up. Landed into a crouch. Stood up. Leapt up. Landed into a crouch. Stood up. Leapt up. Landed into a crouch. Stood up. Leapt up. Landed into a crouch. Stood up. Leapt up. Landed into a crouch. \n\nA splinter in her palm. She'd have to pick it out later. Better than the pinching of her skin, caught by the twisted vines. Her soles were tough enough though. Tough but malleable, able to get a feel for the bark that shoes wouldn't have. Shoulders were shaking more though, and in some lizard part of her brain, she could feel how insane it was, to stand like a mountain goat on the sheer side of a cliff. Except she had no hooves, and it was a tree instead.\n\nHuh. That explained the goat story.\n\nTwo stories ended too short, and it was almost a relief for Verity to reach the top, to be able to grab a branch with her hand. She stood up, looked back down, and once again smiled at those beneath her. A two-story drop would be uncomfortable on all of them, alas. They were saved by their bony, fleshless frames.\n\nThe video she watched had the beefcake twist a coconut off, smash it open against the trunk, and then guzzle it right then and there, atop the tree, but Verity's own sense of stability was perhaps not quite there yet. So she settled for only doing the first bit, reaching for the green fruits, twisting them methodically, and then tossing them down at the trio below.\n\n\"Catch.\"\n\nA fun experience, to be sure. A real tropical experience, even! But not something she'd want to do more than she had to, so Verity just…kept at it. Twisting them off and dropping them down. Emptying the tree of all but the smallest of the batch, whistling a tune all the while, until it was all done and there was enough to possibly feed people with if the coconuts actually had anything inside. Now, there was the other conundrum.\n\nGetting down, from a logical and mechanical perspective, was easy.\n\nBut mentally? Gravity was a bitch: fun to fight, hell to work with.\n\n...\n\nOf course, Verity wasn't stuck.\n\nThis all just required some mind-gaming.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": "Verity Oxenbridge" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nThankfully, nobody acquiesced to Verity's weird request, though Victor did suggest something with vines that made Daniel the slightest bit wary. What the hell was she going to do with vines that she needed pants for? Actually, that was pretty solid dream logic, so maybe that meant he'd be waking up soon.\n\nHis question - which he really didn't need answered, honestly - was answered regardless moments later, when the girl threw herself at the tree in an attempt to climb it. He almost yelled at her to get down, but to his surprise, she was actually decent at it. Danny watched in perplexed awe as she hopped her way up the palm one weird movement at a time. Not that he was a physicist or anything, but it didn't even seem possible. All he needed her to do was outright start walking up the tree to confirm his dream theory, but unfortunately she remained just inside the realm of plausibility just to spite him. This dream sucked.\n\nAs the coconuts began to rain down, Danny immediately raced backward, leaving the fruit-catching to the other two - one head injury was enough for today. Possibly two, depending on whether or not he really did take a rock to the head and die back at the dockhouse. To his chagrin, he couldn't even get mad at the tree-climbing psychopath either; that was food and water they could use right there. \n\nOh, god, they'd have to find food out here. If a boat didn't pass by quickly, they were fucked; this island probably didn't have enough resources to sustain two people, let alone nine kids who didn't know the first thing about survivalism. They'd probably end up eating Mav first. Or Sofia if she cracked one too many bad jokes. \n\nHe needed to get the fuck out of here.\n\nThat feeling of his stomach twisting itself in three different directions at once sunk in with a vengeance. The one he gets when he has to tell people he doesn't like girls. God, what a pathetic comparison; imminent death weighed against getting called a fag by a teenager. He was suddenly hyper-aware of the thin sheen of sweat on his skin - was that already there from the tropical heat or had it just formed? He hadn't noticed.\n\n\"Don't suppose you can see where we are from up there,\" he called up, not even believing the hope in his own voice. He doubted her vantage point provided anything they couldn't see from the shore, but Danny didn't exactly trust his less-than-stellar vision to take in a comprehensive account of their surroundings. Yeah, yeah; he could've completely missed something. No one pointed it out because it seemed obvious. Even broken glasses girl still had one functional eye over him. Ugh, this sounded like a cope even before the thought had finished. Turning back to the other two boys, Daniel barely restrained himself from pleading, \"You guys didn't see anything back on the beach either, right? There's no, like, weird little cabanas on a nearby island we can call for help at?\"\n\nHis voice had quivered a little. Idiot.\n\n\"I think,\" Danny abruptly muttered as he turned his gaze downward in thinly veiled horror, \"I- I think I'm freaking out. Sorry, sorry. We should... get back to the others.\" \n\n\n\n---", "username": "Scribe of Thoth", "char_name": "Daniel Burkley" }, { "text": "Mentions: @TGM\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n A cold hand had struck his cheek. It was hard, amplified by the lingering phantom chill that stained his skin. He flinched sideways in accordance to the smack. And then he sat there, rather quietly. It was there, with a little vague familiarity to it, and he tried his best to put up and sit there, quietly as he could. The panic still flooded through. It was one question answered. He was real, and he then wished he wasn't.\n\n He put an inch's distance between them as he thought it indicative of a response. Franciszek found the words evermore difficult to spill from his lips and he froze up. The thoughts that ran through his head mostly consisted of the far-reaching span of questions and lacking answers. One answered simply pronounced eighteen more. Where? What? Why? How? If it were all real then how was she so sure of it? Did she know anything? He dared not to ask. There was no use asking anyone, it felt like, for with it came a lack of knowledge or sudden paranoia - much alike his. Some people had already soldiered on, leaving with a bop in their stride. They were loving it, he thought to himself, and honestly part of his resented it. Relishing in what he thought his own experience. He never quite knew if Victoria had experienced what he had, or perhaps he was simply so abhorrently weak that his insecure understanding had made him much of a laughing stock.\n\n He breathed. Calm - he called upon. It didn't work much, but he eased himself enough to hold his tongue and to not be erratic. Off to the side, Maive had started to bawl. Imogen denounced her own aggression so monstrously and, whilst Franciszek felt bad about it all, he most definitely felt that lingering degree of animosity - not for the crying girl in particular, but everyone. Sofia had brought him no sense of comfort or understanding. He was panicked. None of his thoughts were clear, and it was a matter of absorbing wonderland in order to remain any kind of level-headed over it.\n\n It hadn't really clicked with him how quiet he'd suddenly gone. He wanted to talk to prove that he could still provide something, valued or not, to the ever-growing dysphoria of reality. He looked down and shook his head. The volume of the ocean around them spoke to him again, in heeded warning. He shuddered. All again, so callous. He didn't feel himself at all, yet it had come to him so naturally.", "username": "LetMeDoStuff", "char_name": "Franciszek Stanowski" } ]