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expiationlogs2023-10-23 02:25 pm
- !event,
- arcane: jinx,
- arcane: violet / vi,
- blazblue: ragna the bloodedge,
- bungo stray dogs: nikolai gogol,
- fh2 termina: levi,
- magia record: mitama yakumo,
- marvel comics (earth 616): quentin quire,
- persona 4: yu narukami,
- persona 5 royal: goro akechi,
- reiwa no dara-san: dara,
- umineko wtc: ange ushiromiya,
- x-men movieverse: scott summers
MINGLE LOG: OCTOBER
Aldrip locals are buzzing with excitement as the end of the month draws near. According to them, two beloved traditions are just around the corner: the gathering and the witch hunt!
Let's get started!
WE GATHER HERE
I. EVERYBODY MAKE A SCENE
Those who come from worlds with trick-or-treating will find that this sounds pretty familiar: dress in costume, get treats. Rather than going door-to-door, however, the locals have set up a whole line of booths in the bustling marketplace. Participating locations will have pumpkin-shaped lanterns over their stalls, and will hand out various items: candies are traditional, of course, but pastries, treats, and even savory foods may be available. Some booths may also offer drinks (alcoholic or not) or small trinkets like pins, stickers, or scarves.
What's the catch? You must be in costume, of course! Some Chosen may welcome this as a fun activity—costumes are available at Rin's Shop from now until the end of the month. A number of traditional costumes will be readily available, of course, but the Tresed locals who have taken over the shop also have some...let's call it "eclectic" original designs. They also take requests. And they seem even more excited than the Aldrip locals, if you can believe it. Some reluctant Chosen may find themselves bullied into participating, if they're not careful.
We leave these costumes entirely up to you: they could be generic costumes like "witch" or "ghost," or something from your character's world. The tailors currently operating Rin's shop are capable of making mostly anything.
At various points during the night, Chosen could discover that they've been either TRICKED or TREATED by participating in this tradition. Comment in the thread below if you'd like to participate, and we'll roll you a random effect.
A WITCH! A WITCH!
The Aldrip Witch Hunt is a symbolic tradition that, according to locals, goes back by countless generations. Local opinions seem to be mixed on whether there is a real witch to speak of: some claim that the Council has chosen someone to act as the witch every year since its inception. Others claim that it's all conceptual. Either way, with a small number of frightening fruits still on the loose, locals are willing to let the Chosen deal with any dangers.
Those intrepid Chosen who wish to seek out the witch are told to head into the forest, where small electric lanterns will show the way. These lanterns seem to be scattered across the forest, in some cases leading Chosen off course or off the beaten path. Some may end up lost in the woods. But some lanterns do seem to light the way to different locations. Visiting these locations may yield some…interesting results. If you’re interested in investigating these areas, leave a comment in the thread below to let us know which location(s) you visit, and we’ll roll something for you.
Following a stream in the woods eventually leads to a cave opening. The floor of the came is wet and a little slippery, so take care where you step. The cave is deep, and as explorers move through it, they're going at a gentle descent, the Chosen will uncover old cave paintings, faded and worn with age. Most of these are little more than marks upon the wall, but occasionally some may find images that look almost like worship, figures captivated by strange boxes, hands in the air as if in veneration.
Occasionally, items from other parts of Expiation can also be found. The odd tablet part, an old-looking shoe, a piece of rusted jewelry or a shell that looks like it belongs more on the beach…these don't seem like they should be here.
The Chosen who explore this cave ought to be wary of the time. As the tide comes in, water begins to slosh around their ankles, filling the bottom of the cave and rising quickly.
Those who took it upon themselves to investigate the strange chimera creatures from earlier in the month might have seen this weird little bunker before, but the turrets that seemed to protect it at the time are now powered down, allowing access inside.
That said, whomever was there seems to be long gone, leaving behind a flurry of documents, diagrams, and other miscellaneous work in their wake. The bunker has two levels, connected by stairs. The first level seems to house medical experiments, ranging from various herbal concoctions (if you get my drift) to precise surgical work. Things have been meticulously cleaned up on that front, so they won't be walking into a bloody mess. Everything has the faint smell of rubbing alcohol and bleach. Notes on this level are mostly medical in nature and quite rudimentary, some aspects bordering on pseudoscience or magic. Near the stairs, the Chosen will find cages, all empty. Strangely, even though the animals were only recently released, things are coated in a deep layer of dust, as if this place hasn't seen activity in a long, long time.
The second level seems to be comprised of mechanical experiments, builds, and engineering work. There's all sorts of different types of technology down here: some looks familiar, in a similar style to the tablets. Some is quite advanced, from the look of it…but it all seems to have been taken apart, cannibalized, and put back together in ways that make no sense. Glass screens drilled onto metal casings, keypads that don't seem to attach to anything, engines tied to attempted vehicles with rope. Most of these elements have been damaged beyond repair with hammers and staple guns.
Something interesting of note is that some areas within this bunker still seem to have power. Among them, a small block of video screens that seems to be used as surveillance. Most of these screens show areas just outside of the bunker or within the entry way. Other screens seem to flicker, occasionally showing static, but sometimes showing something that seems like faces within the static, figures moving in some way.
This abandoned house sits derelict at the edge of town. Has it been there this whole time? It certainly doesn't look new…
A graveyard stands just beyond its gate, in front of the house, warning away trespassers. These graves don't look terribly worn with age, and have no years carved into them, but have names and some even list cause of death. "Threatened the wrong scoundrel," "may Those Who Were There have mercy upon their soul," or "charged with a crime they did not commit" are not uncommon claims. There are dozens of them, daring intrepid Chosen to pass them and enter the house.
Said house is old, creaky, and creepy. Inside, the already-spooky effects of the forest seem to be more pronounced: one may occasionally hear voices or see visions from the corner of their eye, only to look and find nothing there. Peculiar things seem to happen in this house, though. Mirrors still hang in some rooms, and while they often show a true reflection of those who look at them, they occasionally show others as well: shadowy figures, strange people the Chosen have never seen before, even some faces of Aldrip locals, distorted and sometimes missing parts. The shadows within the house seem to shift, as if they can't quite decide what they should be hiding. Portraits also hang in the hallways, faded and dusty. Mostly they show unrecognized people in old-fashioned clothes, but occasionally one might think they see their own face, or the face of someone they knew from home.
The attic is of particular interest, containing among its many cobwebs a single large chest in the middle of the room. Opening this chest reveals an item of great importance to the person who first touches it, something sentimental or meaningful to them. Upon touching this item, it seems to crumble away into nothing.
Some lanterns lead past the forest, out to the meadows and fields where most of the Aldrip locals plant their crops. On a hill beyond those fields stands a circle of ancient-looking stones, their edges dulled with age, covered in moss and lichen. This stone circle stands within a large earthen barrier, little more than a hill beneath the grass. Opening doors within this barrier reveals what looks like ancient offerings: broken pieces of earthenware, bits of metalwork or broken pieces of armor, even the occasional rusted, useless weapon.
The stones themselves encircle a paved circle with markings at regular points. It almost looks like a clock or a sundial. Standing within the paved circle, one may imagine that they hear voices of people they don't recognize, along with a faint ringing in their ears. Within this circle, the sun always seems to be directly overhead, during the day. At night, the stars twinkle, but seem to move in their nightly pattern much faster than they normally would.
Go wild! If there's anything that you'd like to do in the Trick or Treating portion especially, go right on ahead! Other than that, anything else that you may think of may go!
A Note: The festival will be available every night, and the lanterns will be visible until the next State of the Game post.
no subject
Not only is he one of the guys that Kotone has been dating or whatever at the festival, but the one in her memories, Ryoji, right? He remembers the scene that played out before him like a movie, showing the discussion they had, how he nearly pleaded with her to kill him, because he's... Thanatos? Somehow? It's honestly more stuff that he doesn't understand, because he's not a Persona user, he's not from her world. He's just a stupid kid that can't control his optic blasts, not in this universe or any, probably.
His teeth clenches as he turns his head away from Ryoji, although he catches a glimpse of those figures in the mirror, one familiar and one not, and suppresses a shudder. He hasn't fully gotten over his encounter with Thanatos, and that other figure looks even scarier, somewhat realizing that he's probably talking to someone dangerous (even if he seems really nice). Maybe it's that unease that's able to cut through some of the hurt and anger that he's been dealing with the past few days, but Scott still clings to the remnants of it, if only because it's familiar to him.
Getting mad at others feels normal, even if he's snapping at some form of death. Whatever.]
No, do I look like I need help? [His wounded hand clenches slightly, and yeah, he doesn't feel any pain from it. That's... probably not good, but he's fine.]
no subject
You do, actually. [His voice is a little lower. More serious.] You're hurt. Please let me help, or at least until we can find someone to heal you.
[As Death he can't exactly 'fix' things that way. Even in his costume, he has the yellow scarf he wears, draped around his neck. He takes it off and moves to go and try to help him bandage his hand and get the shards out, if the other lets him.]
no subject
I said I'm fine!
[Scott snaps at him again, trying to glare at him through his ruby quartz shades. He does pull off a rather upset expression rather well, but there's something pained in his face as he swallows past the lump in his throat. He really is fine, his hand doesn't hurt and it's just stupid feelings and all that crap that's making him feel like shit. And what kind of boy cries over stuff like that??
Stewing in his thoughts, he doesn't think to really pull away when Ryoji takes his hand to bandage it, although his posture is still stiff and unwelcoming, like he's just a few seconds away from ripping his arm back.]
You know, when someone yells at you, you're supposed to either yell back or fuck off.
no subject
[He moves his free hand, and the shards that were imbedded in fly out as if pulled out by an inisible force before landing on the ground. As he covers the hand, the small drops of red blood coloring the bright yellow scarf, he adds;]
Kotone told me you're someone special to her, which means you're also now someone special to me.
[There. He finishes tying it up best he can with as much human memories that he has.]
Besides, sometimes people get angry...[He looks back up.]...or sad.
no subject
the Forcesome power he has. Usually, this is the moment when he gets excited, or at least interested, in another teen that has powers, but it's a little dampened by his current mood and just knowing who the other boy is.Hearing Kotone's name only worsens his mood and he sharply pulls his arm from him, just as Ryoji's about done tying his hand. Yeah. Sure, special. Scott bites his lip, kind of hoping that Ryoji actually means that, but he squishes down that stupid feeling because it's dumb and everything. Also, what does the hell does he mean that he's special to him too??]
Sure, right. [...] Look, just because you're friends with her doesn't mean you have to be friends with me.
And who said I'm sad?! [Look how not sad he is!! In fact, he's going to show how fine he is by wrapping his injured arm across his stomach while looking away from him. ...It's definitely a good thing he has shades and everything.] Everything's fucking peachy.
no subject
I know. I'm doing this because I want to. To be your friend, that is.
[You aren't fooling anyone, and certainly not 'Death'. He has a second chance to do this, to be part of what makes humans human, do you think he's just going to squander it? Hell no. He leans to one side with a hand on his hip.]
Besides, you'll find that I'm pretty stubborn.
[:D]
Maybe we should get out of here. The atmosphere doesn't help at all...especially when there are booths offering free food.
no subject
...
[He doesn't want to go back to the festival and be stupidly jealous when Kotone is on a date with another guy (which is 100% happening and not because Scott can't communicate or just ask what's happening). She said months ago that they'll always be casual and he just... thought otherwise because of recent events. Look, he knows he's an idiot. It's been tempting to just walk up to her and interrupt, but he doesn't want to her to stop having fun or be miserable because she's been through so much crap and her future is grim and-- he just wants her to be happy.
He just kind of hoped that he would be a major part of that.
Scott also doesn't want her to be upset with him because that thought hurts more than anything, losing her friendship and... whatever they had. Of course, instead of saying any of this, the teen goes with something else.]
I don't have any interest going to the dumb festival and getting food. It's mostly crap anyway.
[Wow, he sounds like such a fucking party pooper, but Scott can't bring in himself to care too much.] At least this place is trying to be scary. Like what Halloween is supposed to be.
no subject
...
[Ryoji is silent during Scott's introspection. Mostly because he can't read minds, but also knows it's a lot to take in. His reply seems to surprise him tho, and he thinks about it in silence before answering.]
Really? I think most of the food is very delicious. Do you have some sort of food allergy?
[An honest question for Mr. Party Pooper. He does seem to brighten up a bit at the other comment, weirdly enough?]
That's true! It reminds me a little of home, weirdly enough. I don't know if she's told you about...
[He goes to look behind him and finally notices the mirror. It reflects back to him again, but this time, the cracks not only show the Avatar of Nyx and Thanatos, but also his current self and much younger boy with the same dimple.]
...oh!
[He turns around again, back to his new friend.]
You see it too, right? Has Kotone told you about me? You didn't seem surprised when I pulled the shards from your hand.
no subject
[Scott meant for that comment to come as snippy, but in a way, he just sounds sort of tired. Don't worry, his anger is still there, in case he decides to be upset again with no context for anyone but himself because that's how teenagers deal with problems, at least if you're Scott Summers right now.
At the small exclamation, he finally looks away from the very interesting paint chip to the other teen in front of him, although his eyes manage to catch a glimpse of the broken mirror again, this time seeing an added figure among the two monstrous ones. A boy this time, but it's just more mysteries to be added on an already confusing situation.
The question, however, manages to draw Scott's full attention, and he looks at Ryoji, his mouth thinned into a small frown. He doesn't want to talk about Kotone, but... something compels him to at least talk about this. It's a good distraction-- he'd definitely be on this if it wasn't about her, and it's not, right? This is about Ryoji.
He takes in a deep breath before letting out a long exhale, his bandaged hand leaving its folded position, as he finally responds.]
She didn't say too much. [...] I know that you're... Thanatos, or related to him at least.
no subject
[Sarcasm or an honest observation? It's hard to tell with him. He watches Scott seemingly fight with his own thoughts, until he explain what he does know. Which doesn't seem to be all that much, but it makes sense. Truth be told, he started and ended as an entity more than a person...not that he's really one either.]
I suppose that's a part of it, yeah. [How to even start this? Especially for someone who hasn't been in their world. He runs a hand under his chin to think about it.] In the simplest of human-like terms, I was a being called Death. About ten years ago, my parts were scattered and a piece of me was sealed into a small child...her. The connection allowed me to grown a human form, or at least I think that's why. It might also be why Kotone is able to use Thanatos in turn as well...when all my parts were finally brought back together, I briefly walked around in the same human form you see now. I didn't remember much of anything. I was able to 'play' being human for a while. [It's his turn to look a little sad.] The next full moon...I remembered who I really was. What I had to do, and that I couldn't stop it.
no subject
Although, said behavior diminishes further, at least temporarily, as Ryoji talks about himself, finding it easier to honestly shove his emotions back when concentrating on something important or interesting. So... he is Death, Thanatos. Isn't that the same thing, basically? That's what Scott figured at least. Maybe another time, he would've asked where his scythe is at or why he's not wearing a cloak, but not now.
...
Wait, is Ryoji saying that... a piece of him was in Kotone?? The fuck is that supposed to mean? How does that make any sense? He doesn't think he's lying, but it's just weird? Bizarre?? He doesn't know. But as Scott runs that thought through his mind (even though his chest throbs painfully thinking about her), it kind of explains why her Persona Thanatos looks like him.
...Isn't he the reason why she's dead back home? No, she specifically mentioned Nyx-- and as that memory crops up, that's probably who that other monstrous figure was in that mirror, huh? Still doesn't mean he's 100% okay with Ryoji here, but it's pretty clear that he didn't want any of this to happen. He pleaded Kotone to kill him, after all.
Plus, being mad at death is probably stupid, but honestly, that's not what really stops Scott right now. Ryoji just looks so fucking sad that it's getting a little hard yelling at him.]
Lucky for you, you don't have to end the world or anything like that here. [Also, how powerful are the people in charge if they can bring Death to this place?? Scott's not worried what do you mean--] So congratulations, you're a fucking human.
no subject
[Honest questions. Again. Ryoji is full of those. He looks pretty happy, none-the-less.]
That's right! Without Nyx being here, I can't really fuse with it to become the Nyx Avatar. [A pause.] Oh right I didn't really talk about that, but that's what happened. Basically I was no longer a being with an existence, if that makes sense.
[Then he shakes his head.]
I don't think it makes me a human. I don't really deserved to be called that anyway. Besides, I can still do non-human things, right?
no subject
[Scott grumbles, taking Ryoji's comment to be more of an insult than actual curiosity. Look, the dude's smiling and everything!! So, definitely making fun of him.
...But at least they don't have to worry about Nyx and the world ending here (why is Persona stuff so crazy though man). Relief for Kotone-- for everyone, really. They already have enough on their plates, like dealing with... sentencing and shit, yeah. He's definitely not talking or thinking about romance problems.]
No, it doesn't make sense.
[He responds flatly.]
But you're about as annoying as everyone else, so it still counts. [Double congratulations, asshole.] And a lot of teens here have weird powers, so find a different argument.
[Scott's not sure why he's really arguing about this in the first place, maybe just to be contrary to whatever he's saying.]
no subject
Kotone told me you were nice. Did something happen?
[A swift of a change as he once did going from one arcana to another.]
no subject
In fact, he's going to show how much he doesn't care by being pissed off about it, with the mutant snidely replying:]
Yeah? Well, Kotone says a lot of shit.
no subject
Ahhh. I think this is where I reply, "no, you're full of shit." [Look he's trying to be human-like again but it's harder with all the memories added up.] I think something happened with her that made you angry. Have you talked with her about it? She's a good listener.
no subject
Scott just looks even more incensed by his words, his shoulders tensing, because what does he know?? He just got here.]
No, I'm not talking to her-- here's some advice about being human, things suck, emotions suck, and life is more crappy than not! So, enjoy!!
no subject
I don't know everything about being a human, but I do know talking to others about your emotions is important.
[Wise words from "please kill me so that you don't get to remember about the upcoming apocalypse" Ryoji.]
At the very least, please think about it? If I learned anything in the past few days, is that life is precious and it would be a waste if something happened that made you regret waiting.
no subject
I didn't ask for your advice.
[.....]
Why don't you go find someone that actually wants to talk to you.
Sorry RL happened
[...he doesn't want to leave but at this point he feels it's moot point. Humans can be very stubborn, for good or worse.]
Okay. We can talk when you feel better. Please take care of my scarf until then!
[And off he goes, if Scott doesn't try to toss it back at him.]