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expiationlogs2023-11-25 09:31 am
{event #5.5} adversity 3386435.8364
| MOD NOTES: Please direct any questions to the corresponding comment below. Note that character decisions and actions taken on these prompts will affect future events, storylines, and relationships with other peoples of Expiation. - The kidnapped and attempted kidnapped have been chosen. - All questions will be answered and addressed by the 28th, as half of the mod team is being slayed by Thanksgiving weekend. - If you wish, you may give a summary of what has happened to your character here. There will be no poll for this part of the event. - There is a CONTENT WARNING for prompt iv. RED SKY AT MORNING for brief mention of suicide. - Reminder that there is possibility for character death in this part of the event. The various prompts are, of course, optional. |
Until now, the Chosen have enjoyed a fair bit of hospitality during their stay in Rumpitur, and Ketsora’s attitude aside, they’ve been made to feel quite welcome. After the first several days, the kidnapping investigation seems to hit a quiet lull, leading to Rumpiturian demeanors becoming…strangely relieved? Starting the 26th or so, Chosen will begin seeing news of various meetings–Rumpiturians only. They may think little of it, for now.
Overnight on the 27th, this changes.
NOVEMBER 28TH
The early morning brings a few discoveries–this will be different for different groups, as determined by results of the RNG selection. Those who didn’t sign up for RNG (or who were not chosen) will wake and discover that some of their friends are missing, with little evidence to point at what has happened.
The Rumpiturians are tight-lipped about this development, but some attempted kidnappees among the Chosen may be willing to talk about what happened to them. Those who go looking for answers will find a trail of struggle signs (drag marks, an occasional discarded rag or blunt object) leading from the inns all the way to the docks, where their one remaining boat is still chained up…at a different berth from before. One of the boathouses, previously locked and unavailable, also stands ajar: it contains a small stack of rowboats in various states of repair, all seemingly free for the taking.
Those who have made friends with the Rumpiturians will be able to access information a little easier. Tug on their heartstrings and they may even whisper that while they don't know anything for sure, they would check the island ruins off the mainland first.
The characters chosen by RNG have a very different experience. They wake in the morning with their faces in the dirt, cold and a little woozy, very much outside and in an unfamiliar place. They can see the water…some sort of island, perhaps? On the north side is a tall ruin, a building facade with no interior remaining. Those who have looked across the sea from Rumpitur may recognize it: the Ruins of Forlinet.
The Chosen have no idea how they got here, for the most part. They may hazily remember some hints of suspicious activity designed to get them alone, they may even recall being knocked out or rendered unconscious. Maybe they remember going to sleep in their bed. Either way, they are here now, and there are no boats. No way to get off the island. The only thing they can see is the ocean barring them from returning from the mainland, and a forested island to explore. They have no personal items on them–most kidnappers aren't kind enough to bring you your stuff–but those still wearing charms will find that they still work. They seem to be at the outer limits of their range, and there may be some static, but they can still send voice or text messages this way.
So. What now?
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 4
Whether by way of clues or straight from the mouth of an attempted victim, the Chosen remaining on the mainland are slowly able to piece together what has happened to their missing friends: they have been kidnapped by Rumpiturians and sent offshore to the Ruins of Forlinet.
Why? A younger Rumpiturian, cornered after messing up and letting someone escape, is willing to talk. He's too terrified to say much, but the most useful thing he says is this:
”We haven’t been able to find another way! The monster…it drains the life from our lands! It leaves us alone if we feed it well enough, so…so…”
The Chosen are able to find, through this admission, that it’s the Rumpiturians who have been behind the other kidnappings as well, for similar reasons. That they thought the Chosen would be onto them, so they faked a kidnapping of their own to throw off suspicion. That they’ve been doing this for a long time to stave off the mysterious blight caused by an even more mysterious creature.
And now, it seems, they want to make the Chosen into its next meal.
Rumpiturians will offer resistance if the Chosen try to get past them, to the docks and the boats. If they save their friends, then the Rumpiturians will be left at the mercy of this creature. But can they really leave their friends out there…?
Any who dare to get past the Rumpiturians and to the boats will find that the waters are a little choppier than they had been days prior, and that it will take some effort to get to the island. But with enough luck, and some basic boating knowledge (we’re talking really basic, like “this is how you row”), they will be able to make it within the day. However, not all is as it seems: as the boats make land, human-sized octopus-like monsters will descend upon the shores, dragging whatever they can into the water and revealing unnatural rows of sharp teeth in the process. They’ll take whatever they can get: boats, shoes, weapons, people, and anything they get their tands (tentacles?) on will be torn apart. They may follow inland a bit, but not more than a few yards past the shore.
Those who were unfortunate enough to wake in the Ruins will have plenty of time to explore during the next several days…and a good thing, too, because they can learn quite a bit about their predicament by doing so. The island is fairly long, but thin; find a high enough vantage point and they can see from one end of the island to the other. There is also a fair amount of rubble and garbage around–or what looks like garbage. Looking closer at it, it looks more like personal effects left behind by someone long gone. Items of clothing, weapons (swords, spears, and bows), perhaps the remains of some non-perishable food: canned goods, bars, things like that. These things look old, as if they’ve been left out in the elements for months, but most are still in shape to be used.
As they explore the island, the Chosen will see a number of alarming things. First, bones, all humanoid in appearance, some intact and some in pieces, as if they’ve been fractured by some force. There are some that form complete skeletons, but not all do, and they are scattered as if they’ve been tossed here and there. Second, they will see a number of trees that seem to have been downed either at the roots or by being torn in half. It looks like this island has seen some struggle. Most alarming, they will be able to find a handful of charms, not unlike the ones some of them wear. Not unlike the locals from Aldrip. One or two of these can be accessed for a moment, confirming what they may be dreading: this is where the missing locals were taken. And there’s no sign of the people these charms belonged to.
Near a small freshwater pond in the middle of the island, the Chosen will find the remains of a tent. There’s a cooking pot and a recessed firepit, as if someone spent quite a bit of time here: days, maybe weeks. There is some canned food here, and fishing materials, along with the freshwater in the pond. Inside the tent, they’ll find a number of articles of clothing, as well as another charm, this one a little more worn with age. They’ll find some text messages still embedded within it.
Three days on this blasted island and no sign of any reason why we are here. Food supplies are dwindling, and so is morale. They look to me for advice on what to do next. I wish I had an answer. I wish I knew why.
Day five. Ainsworth flung himself into the ocean, attempting to swim to the mainland for help. We watched him swim into the deep water. We watched something grab him from below and pull him down. We watched in horror as the water began to churn, and pieces of him began to drift away. Are we going to die here?
Day seven. They’re dead. They’re all dead. The monstrous creature rose from the sea and swallowed them all. It took them into its tentacled arms and drained the life from them. I do not know how I escaped, but maybe it cannot reach me here, in the very center of the island, so far from the water. I am terrified. I see their faces when I close my eyes. This is hell.
Day eight. It came back. It has come back and it’s coming for me. I hear it storming through the trees. I know nothing but death awaits me here, but I will leave my charm in hopes that someone will find it. That someone will learn of what has happened to me. If anyone else is unlucky enough to find themselves here: run. Find some way to run, and never come back. All who come here are dead. All who come here will die.
At the south end of the island, a grisly sight awaits. Around a dozen human remains, decked in the tattered, weathered scraps of cloaks, their bodies worn down to bones and surrounded by the damp smell of decay. Those who have been in Aldrip long enough will recognize these robes: the cultists who previously caused so much trouble for them. So that's where they went. There are few personal artifacts around, though each of them seems to have some sort of small, handheld weapon. Looking close enough to one of the dead bodies, the Chosen can find scraps left in a leather-bound book: handwritten, clearly some sort of journal. The only legible article reads as such:
Who Were There welcome us into their arms and into the loving embrace of paradise.
Damn these evil creatures and their accursed city. Damn them all.”
To the east, the Chosen will find the ocean; off in the distance, if the weather is clear and cloudless, they can see the mainland, a bare sliver on the horizon. If the drag marks in the dirt are any indication, this seems to be where the Rumpiturians have been landing on shore and dumping victims. For how long? It’s hard to say. There are no boats to be found, but there may be some scraps of old vessels: wooden boards, some tattered sailcloth. Not much, but it’s better than nothing.
DECEMBER 5
The promised day arrives. Seven days after the weary Chosen woke up on the island, anyone left there will be set upon by the monster they have been inadvertently warned about. Those who have been here for a while will note that this creature, while slightly different, has some similarities to an old foe fought once before. It rises from the deep: gargantuan, a golden beast of tentacles with an enormous mouth, too many teeth within. It’s large enough that it could easily grab onto a person and lift them into the air, swallowing them whole.
This creature seems to be in control of the small octopus-like monsters reining terror upon any boat trying to escape the island. Distract the giant creature, and the smaller ones seem to go still for a little while, as if they’re in a trance–or maybe awaiting orders that have not yet come. The creature can be distracted by being made to fight, or chase…and of course, it will be distracted while eating, as well. But be warned: those chosen by RNG will be of particular interest to the creature, and the smaller monsters will do everything they can to stop those characters in particular from leaving. Perhaps it bonded with them over their seven days on the island. Perhaps it feels that it knows them better.
The smaller monsters can be thrown off in other ways besides distracting the big one, of course. They can be fought and injured, slinking away into the water, or even killed. For those not inclined to fight, they’ll follow sudden movements or sounds, such as something being thrown.
Anyone left on the island after the very last boat leaves will not make it back. They will become part of the creature’s next meal, and it will be an agonizing death. So. Now is the time.
Get out while you can.
vi. A RECKONING OF WILLS
As the Chosen head for shore, the giant monster sinks beneath the waves. Maybe enough people missed the boat that it’s gotten a good meal. Maybe it just decides that they weren’t worth it. Either way, the monster disappears, slinking back into the deep of the ocean, and the smaller creatures pull away once Rumpitur is in sight.
It’s a quiet moment, now, a good opportunity to tend to wounds and injuries. To mourn any who were not so lucky to leave.
The next question comes into clarity as soon as the Rumpiturians start appearing from their homes: what should you do with these kidnappers, who were so ready to feed you to the beasts?
WILDCARD
Just because there’s not a prompt for it doesn’t mean that your character’s actions aren’t acceptable. If you wish to do anything that hasn’t been directly addressed by the prompts, leave a message for the mod team to say what your character would do. If you choose to go down this path, note it as a comment on the OOC poll when it goes up, and leave a link to your threads so that we can take all actions into consideration for the next State of the Game.
no subject
His eyes slip close behind his glasses for a moment as he decides to go with something else entirely.]
Everything really fucking sucks.
[He says, because that's how he dealt with his emotions for the longest time. He accepted how he felt and sometimes he talked about it, and sometimes he lashed out at others. Less with the latter, hopefully, not after that One Week, but he can usually admit when he's upset.]
Do you have to figure out what to do now? You can just be pissed and upset for a while.
no subject
Against all odds, against all reasoning, the sound that escapes him is a full laugh. It's little broken, frayed around the edges, laced with regret and desperation, but he nods against Scott's shoulder anyway.]
Yeah. It fucking sucks.
[The words sound strange out of his mouth, not nearly as natural as the way Scott says it, and yet-- it just feels like the right thing to say. It's not quite cathartic, but he'll take what he can get, at this point.
As for the rest...]
I guess not. But being directionless... [Yu is used to being on his own, more or less -- at least he was. It never bothered him before, going home to an empty house, knowing that his parents weren't coming home for days. But somehow... he thinks back to last December when Nanako and his uncle were both in the hospital. The quiet house, the snowy days...it was hard, going home to a place that wasn't supposed to be empty. He had to find ways to fill the time.]
I think having something to do will help.
no subject
He's the cool and collected one, from what Scott's seen of him. Back in the maze, and even when he briefly threatened him with his powers, he's just always... put together? He has a hard time fully describing it, but little moments like these do feel impactful as a result.
But if he really wants to focus on something, he won't stop him. Scott sort of gets it, having a similar feeling, perhaps, when he was able to focus on everyone else's shit instead of his own when everyone was trapped in that labyrinth. Still, he doesn't let go of Yu, not yet.]
Sure, but I'll even offer a one-time 'You can yell at Scott Summers' opportunity. [Because Yu's feeling bad and all!! And maybe to make up for that One Time.] It's a rare ticket, man.
no subject
It's exhausting. He's exhausted.
If Scott was looking for an out, he's just missed his chance. Yu's head goes to his shoulder, and now, this is just where they are. Sorry.]
A rare opportunity. [There's a bit of wry smile in his tone, just the faintest sliver. He's pulling whatever levity he can out of it all.] What am I yelling at you for, exactly?
no subject
And look, he kind of needs it too. It's just sort of easier when he says that Yu needs it more.]
For how much things suck? For being upset? I been there before.
[And it wasn't even over a friend dying, but a stupid miscommunication. Yu has way more reason to actually be pissed and hurt and hey, he is giving him the chance. Sure, he really isn't the person that deserves to be yelled at right now, but it's probably better than trying to pick a fight with the locals or something. Although, he can imagine Yu regretting yelling at him later, so maybe this isn't the best plan, but oh well.]
I sometimes feel better afterward. Wanna give it a try? [He asks, his voice reflecting a small amount of humor.]
no subject
The offer gets a short, humorous chuckle. But-- Scott is trying, here, and it's something Yu appreciates more than he can put into words. So eventually he nods.] Alright. I'll give it a try. [There's a little trepidation in his expression as he shuffles a bit, trying to figure out how to approach this. Primal yelling into the void feels a little...hmm, wild? for his taste, but maybe he can take it in an equally useful direction.]
You... [It feels a bit weird, at first. He pushes through it anyway, hands balling into fists at his sides.] You idiot! I never wanted you to--!
[Ohhh yeah sorry Scott, you seem to be a stand-in for dead bestie right now. His voice shakes, words seizing in his throat for a second. When he finds his voice again, it's strained, softer than before. His eyes sting a bit with unshed tears.] Asshole! We were both supposed to come back-- we were supposed to do this together...!
no subject
...
Well, he thought he was prepared and everything, until it's become very clear that Yu's using him as a stand in to shout at Yosuke. Scott sometimes misses the point or doesn't catch onto people's emotions, but he's not completely blind to this. He'd have to be a complete moron. But shit, this actually got really serious, the weight of it hitting him as he hears the slight tremor in his voice.
He can feel his throat tightening while keeping silent, not planning on speaking up until Yu's fully done. Partly because he doesn't want to interrupt him and also because he doesn't know what to actually say. Right now, he'd prefer it if Yu actually yelled at him nonsensically, but... this is how his friend really feels, huh? That guilt's really been eating him. Luckily, he can just continue to hug him for a hot minute as he desperately comes up with something to say.
Does... does he pretend to be Yosuke or be himself???
also yo heard you like rping, so i added some rp to the rp--]Uh, yeah, I'm an asshole. [Look, it kind of fits both of them.] But I wanted to protect my friend.
[Is that something Yosuke would say?]
no subject
That's not fair. What about me? I wanted to...
[Wanted to protect you. The words seize up before they're even out of his mouth, choked out by a small sob. Letting it out feels good, but so real it hurts. His stupid, cringey, embarrassing best friend. The one who can make him laugh, who makes him think that honestly anything is impossible, so long as they're together. A comforting arm around him, a shoulder to rest his head against, late-night texts and weird questions about stupid nothings out of nowhere--
His heart plummets into his stomach, crashing down into the floor, because suddenly he realizes it, and it feels nauseating--] I need you, you goddamn idiot...!
no subject
I know, man.
[Scott's not sure how long he can really keep this going, especially since it feels like he's about two seconds away from getting a love confession that's not supposed to be directed towards him in the first place. Are him and Yosuke like that...? It's cool and all, doesn't bother him, but he mostly didn't expect that from Yosuke. He was all about them titties--
Or maybe he's just reading too much into it. Yu is feeling fucking raw right now, the strangled sob pricking at Scott, and he has to take in a deep breath so that he doesn't start crying too. He wants Yu to just... not be okay for a moment, even if that doesn't sound great in his head.]
It's fine if you want to cry.
no subject
And yet it's those words that seem to open the floodgates. Like he wasn't looking for permission, but a sign, and maybe it's not the words but how Scott says them, or the breath he hears the other boy take -- suddenly he can't hold it back anymore. Wanting to is a little foolish and stubborn in the first place, but he's so tangled up in his feelings right now that he can't bring himself to admit it.
It's a stuttering sob, set to a backdrop of the same deafening thought hitting his mind over and over-- it wasn't supposed to end like this.
There is no such thing as an elegant crier. It's messy and wet and snotty, it leaves you with red eyes and soggy cheeks, barely able to breathe, torn apart by your own feelings. And yet somehow it does help him feel better. More exposed than he ever wants to be, exhausted and hollowed out from the effort of it but still-- better.
...
It takes a few minutes for his shoulders to stop shaking. He inhales, his breath steadying as he does so. It's only at this point that he pulls away from Scott, drags a sleeve across his eyes to sop up the tears that Scott's shirt didn't catch-- sorry, bud. He pulls out a handkerchief (look, he's japanese, okay) to wipe the rest of his face. It's hard to figure out what to say once you've fallen apart, so he may be stalling for a moment.
Finally, voice hoarse,] Scott. ...Thanks.
no subject
He just wants to be better.
While he doesn't rub Yu's back or anything, Scott doesn't even think to pull away, keeping his arms wrapped around him for as long as needed. He finds some mild discomfort in this, because hearing his cries is rough, hard in many ways that's really difficult to put into words. It just sucks seeing any friend breakdown, even though he's been encouraging this, but he pushes away any of those disconcerting emotions. Supporting Yu is far more important.
As they pull away, he offers a small smile, not even mad about his now wet shirt. It's cool, man. Not like he goes around wearing designer outfits--]
Anytime, alright?
no subject
It's not exactly his first experience with loss. But what he remembers most completely about the feeling is how it hits you at the strangest moments, over and over, a sudden hollow spot between your ribs. You feel better, sometimes, but even when it's better it doesn't go away.
For now, all he can do is deal with this moment. And this moment is one where he's indescribably grateful for the support of a friend. How had he gone so long without seeking this out? How did he possibly spend so much of his life thinking he didn't need it? He manages a little flicker of smile, neatly folding the cloth and replacing it in a pocket.]
I mean it. [He emphasizes it because he knows how difficult it is for some people. That whole "crying is for girls" thing again.] And the same goes for you. [As he's come to figure out, that's how friendship works. The mutual lean.
But the question remains-- what the hell is he going to do now? His first thought is to put himself to work. He doesn't know about the longterm; where he's going to stay, what to do with any of Yosuke's things, how to tell people once they get out of this place. So he's just going to focus on one thing at a time.] I'm-- going to see what I can do to help. Keep myself busy for a while.
no subject
[Scott acknowledges almost softly, because while everything still kind of sucks, he feels a little better, maybe accomplished, that he managed to help Yu out in some way. All that awkwardness and uncertainty that he felt earlier dissipates hearing the appreciation in his voice. Yeah, nothing wrong with hugging someone who fucking needs it, boy or girl or whatever. He can't be stuck in his own head about something as dumb as that when he wants to help his friends.]
If you're sure, Yu. [His eyebrows furrow in worry, because it sounds like the other teen is going right back to throwing himself at tasks, but maybe it's okay this time. He at least got some time to himself to cry and everything.]
If you wanna go yelling at a tree or something later on though, let me know. Been thinking about it.
[Maybe not the most productive thing to do, but Scott's mostly just offering the idea for Yu's sake.]
no subject
Somehow, the offer to yell at a tree sounds very much like him. It draws an expression out of Yu that almost reads as a smile, though it seems more reflexive than anything.]
You'll be the first one I call. [... He's probably not going to do it, admittedly. It sounds exhausting, somehow. But it's nice to know who would join him if he did.]
... I'll see you later, Scott.
[He doesn't say thanks again, but there's definitely some gratitude in the nod that he gives before he goes to find something to help with.]