{ Player Event } What's true of all the evils in the world is true of the plague as well

[quizpersona]

Who: You. (Open to all)
Where: All over Aldrip.
What: This is the log for what we’ve been affectionately dubbing The Organ Player Plot. Various places around Aldrip are facing dangerous supernatural occurrences. It’s a scavenger hunt in some way.
Warnings: MANY SNAKES, Body Horror, Organ Trafficking, Horror Themes, Violence, and we will be updating this as we go along.



A waking scream in the darkness is the first unheard omen.

Snakes, hundreds if not thousands, slither forth from the depths of Lorentia Cave and swiftly invade Aldrip. They are the heralds of the terrible things to come, and there are no corners safe from their encroachment. The serpents come in all shape and sizes, venomous or not, and are quick to become agitated if approached. Their readiness to strike and unwillingness to back off once provoked indicates the lack of survival instinct to flee. They are on the search for what's missing, and they will put up a fight.

An invisible haze sets upon the city , filled with anguish and fury, afflicting residents as it washes through the air and buildings. Children, the elderly, and the sickly are the first to complain of ailment. Within the next few days, patients begin to flood the doors of any hospital or clinic with more serious conditions-- fevers burning from them inside out and excruciating phantom pains that make them writhe in bed.

The longer what's stolen is not returned, the worse things get. Who knows how many bodies will pile high from these plagues if nothing gets done...





ooc//
[ Dara is currently locked behind a barrier in Lorentia Cave to stave off the further spread of deadly miasma. Please retrieve a protection talisman from Seimei and retrieve what she’s lost (and hopefully return it…) !

How This Works–
To begin the search for the supernatural sources a participant can select a number that corresponds to one of the squares on the map (seen below). To go on a route head on down to the numbered top levels in the comments and reply to it. This is your character kicking off their investigation. Some routes will lead to nowhere, some to something, and others to ;)? You’ll find out.

During exploration you will receive responses from either quizpersona or cursegod. This is not an interaction with that particular character unless indicated otherwise.

This event will handwave wrap up by the 20th if no conclusion is reached before then because Dara needs her poor organs back. ]

The Map


Happy Belated Easter lol

Comments

ROUTE 7

[quizpersona]

[ Prolonged exposure to miasma can have detrimental effects on any living creature, including but not limited to fatigue, soreness and pain, heaviness, feelings of anxiety, aggression, or despair, violent urges, and eventually death.

Seimei is parked about halfway between the inn and the library making and giving out talismans to stave off the miasma's effects and giving unsolicited advice on how to survive. ]

PROTECTION / CLEANSING

[foxphorus]

[ Seimei has, as advertised, set up shop on the side of the road about halfway between the new inn and library. He's got a mat laid out for him and his sizeable stack of papers which you can watch him fold and tear into long strips and brush strong, confident characters onto while chanting under his breath before leaving them aside to dry. Those must be the talismans he mentioned.

Despite how dire the situation is the process is calm, careful--a rushed talisman might not work as well, after all, and he intends for each and every one of these things to do their jobs.

Even so, there will be plenty of chances to approach him. Maybe you need the promised protection, or cleansing from having set foot in a nasty area. Maybe you just want to chill out with this guy, his nice smelling incense, and calligraphy asmr. He won't stop you, he's got work to do. ]

[strength_of_will]

[ As promised, William shows up. He actually looks a little more like a knight as well, wearing some light chest armour underneath his cloak and carrying a spear and shield.

He has to pause for a second though as it really hits him: Abe no Seimei, the onmyoji? ]

Are you Abe no Seimei?

[ His question carries an undercurrent of wonder. ]

[foxphorus]

[ Though it's not exactly the image of a warrior Seimei's used to, it's close enough to register when William approaches. The face also matches the one he'd been speaking with on the network not too long ago, so he doesn't have to guess what the other man's here for. ]

I am. And you must be William.

[ Luckily he'd just finished up a sheet of paper, so he busies his hands with folding a new one while he talks. ]

If you've dealt with cursed energy and miasma before, I assume I won't need to tell you the danger you'll be stepping into.

[strength_of_will]

I have dedicated my life to fighting demons on Gracefeel's behalf. Usually I would have a party to support me, but I know how to fight alone.

[ He glances over the paper talismans with interest. ]

You said you wanted me to defend a group?

[foxphorus]

Correct. At least two people have volunteered to investigate as a group for safety purposes, which I agree with.

[ He'll be moving two talismans a little bit away from the group, apparently already dry and now awaiting those brave little soldiers. ]

I know not their experience in demons and purification, so sending someone with the appropriate knowledge would set my mind at ease. At least for the moment.

[strength_of_will]

Alright. Have they already set off? I should hurry if so.

[ He says this briskly, the initial awe of meeting someone he's only ever read about waning as practical matters take precedence. Though time is plainly of the essence, he still waits patiently for the man to finish his talisman. ]

[foxphorus]

Not yet. I know not when they'll arrive, but I remember their voices well enough.

In the meantime, you may sit if you like.

[ Far be it from him to deny a warrior their anxious pacing if that's what William wants to do, but if not, every little bit of rest counts. ]

[drugsnotclubs]

[This had gotta be the place. It doesn't take long to find Seimei-- after all, he's exactly where he'd said he would be. But even then there's the surrounding incense and the old-timey seals or charms he's laying out, and a distinct lack of serpents hissing and snapping in the area. On top of thatz the air feels... lighter maybe.]

...Hey. You're the guy helping Dara, right?

[He approaches anyway, sitting down across from the man's workstation and holding up his hand-- where a small snake lays wrapped around his fingers, colours and patterns identical to those on their resident god. Unlike its brethren, the snake doesn't appear hostile-- only tightens its hold protectively.]

This came to me a little bit ago. I... thought it was her somehow. 'Til all the rest of this shit started happening.

[foxphorus]

[ Seimei's attention is grabbed long before he's spoken to. Something, someone, carrying around an awful lot of Dara-specific energy is approaching after all, and at first he's alarmed by it--has something gone seriously wrong? Does he need to get actively involved now?

No, it's just a guy. Maybe? The snake this guy has curled around his hand is the spitting image of Dara's little messenger the other night, so if anything he's not Just A Guy to her. Dara wanted his attention, or his safety, so he could be very important for how events are going to be playing out in the coming days.

In any case, ] Yes, I am. And you are...?

[ He'll offer his own hand towards the snake, if not for it to crawl on over then at least to investigate so it might know he means no harm. Gonna have to have a look at it once it's more comfortable regardless. ]

[cursegod]

[If it were anyone else reaching out to it, the snake would be hissing and spitting in an instant. But because it's Seimei, the tiny serpent extends its head towards the closest digit with a flickering tongue. That brief second of contact transmits an exorbitant amount of information-- a last moment of her thought: dread, fondness, anguish, and a desperate need to protect.

The little guardian pulls away and returns to clinging onto Shinjiro's hand.]

[drugsnotclubs]

Shinjiro Aragaki. I'm... close to Dara.

[He's awkward with the words, never having been one to be overt about... well. Anything. But it's true and it gives context. While he doesn't know who this priest-type is, he can acknowledge that they're allies in this, at least.

He watches his little snake guardian flicker it's tongue, and waits for it to return to its relaxed position before he continues.]

I wanna help her.

[And-- see her, despite Seimei's warnings. Even knowing it would be horrific and useless. It's not a truth he intends to avoid or run from, after all. While whoever Dara was as a human and whoever the curse god was beforehand were originally seperated, they're now inexoriably linked. Something new, composed of it all. All his words to her before would be bullshit if he shied away now.]

You mentioned that this kinda... unbalanced her. So it's mostly that curse-god, yeah?

[foxphorus]

[ More context than Shinji realizes, after that deceptively brief exposition from his snake friend. While 'close' doesn't say nearly as much as the peek into Dara's state of mind on the surface, combined with everything else it says enough for Seimei to land on a word: consort.

It makes sense, with the feelings of attachment, the mystery magic coating this man like an aggressive marking of one's territory.

Good for her. He'll have to keep it in mind in future interactions. ]

Correct. There isn't enough of her left to keep Yamatagi Madara contained, which is why they needed to be bound during these...preparations, shall we say.

[drugsnotclubs]

[Thankfully oblivious to Seimei's (correct) assumption, he nods, following along with the grim news. It makes a grotesque sort of sense-- after all, she was part human, the deceased priestess, and the rest was the god. And if most of her human portion was peeled away...

He sighs, lip curling up in clear distaste.]

....Any idea on how many pieces we could be looking for? Or-- I guess no way of knowing what some psycho did after...

[Either way, they know what they have to do. And quickly.]

Where is she sealed?

organ delivery!

[laserguy]

[Perhaps he or Kotone should've sent Seimei a message before they started to run towards his way, but both of them are pretty distracted with the whole handling and delivering one of Dara's organs. Not to mention that said organ is still leaking miasma everywhere through the makeshift hold of his jacket, which, thanks for the talisman and everything. Scott's also still pretty angry for various reasons, but he's shoved it all down for the time being, really just focused on heading straight to Seimei.

As such, he really is relieved to see the other man still sitting where they found him before.]

Hey, Seimei!

[Kotone will most likely be right next to him, perhaps both panting because they really made tracks to get here. He's also just. Worried about her despite being super upset, but having her hand in his has sort of helped knowing that she's... okay for the time being.]

[ooc: tag order Scott -> Kotone -> Seimei work?]

[orphne]

[Kotone has managed to mostly get herself back together after the horrid experience of picking up Dara's stomach with her Persona. The horrors are still there, lingering on the back of her tongue with the taste of iron, but she's keeping her hand in Scott's and a firm expression on her face. She might have an agreement with Scott not to pretend she's fine in front of him, but she doesn't have anything like that with Seimei, so she's donned her bravest face as she steps up beside him.]

We got it. Warehouse by the docks. You probably saw Scott's optic blasts from the area.

[Because her boyfriend did literally blow the roof off the place. She squeezes Scott's free hand with hers as she glances toward the miasma-leaking organ. Please help.]

[foxphorus]

[ Brave face or not, a kind of taint Seimei isn't entirely familiar with is clinging to this young lady here. A pointed glance of concern her way may unintentionally rat out to Scott that something is indeed wrong when he's looking the two of them over, but he's quick to take the offered bundle and start transferring it over to a length of carefully torn paper for wrapping. ]

I saw something, certainly. Good to know what it was.

[ Scott's jacket is unfortunately not looking the best covered in cursed stomach juices while Seimei's getting to work affixing enough talismans to fully cover the paper he'd just wrapped it in, but, ]

If you're intent on keeping that, I can cleanse it as well.

[ And a glance up at Kotone. ]

After I see to you.

[laserguy]

[So, he noticed

Hard to miss the pointed look that Seimei sent to Kotone, the stare making him glance at his girlfriend for a moment with that same worried frown. If he can sense that she touched the organ, that's pretty bad, right? Is something bad going to happen to her? Concern tears at his insides, but he does his best to keep it down. At least they're in front of the person that can probably help her the most...? He really doesn't know this man too well, but he's glad that he's here.

Something like trust starts to form, something that he hasn't felt for an adult here in a while.]

Don't worry about the jacket.

[After watching Kotone for a few extra long seconds, Scott sucks in a breath before turning to face Seimei.]

Kotone touched the stomach with her hands. Well, her Persona did, but her Persona is connected to her-- whatever pain he feels, she gets it too. When her Persona grabbed it, she became frozen, totally unaware of her surroundings.

[Is he ratting out his girlfriend? Maybe. But he wants to tell Seimei everything that he knows, so he has a better understanding of what happened. So he can help her more. Maybe Kotone would've said all this herself, but Scott is still kind of mad at her.]

[orphne]

[She opens her mouth to respond that she's fine -- only for Scott to jump in. He's treated to a frown for his efforts; not because he's speaking on her behalf, but because he seemed more worried than he really ought to be. She presses her lips tightly together and returns her attention to Seimei.]

I saw a memory, [she says reluctantly, still without letting go of Scott's hand. "Saw" is probably too mild of a word; "experienced" is probably better.] Of Dara-san's. It didn't stop until Thanatos put her stomach down.

[It was horrible, but she seems to at least outwardly be taking it in stride.]

dropping off ONE lung and ONE asshole

[bonobos]

[ sha-ming is in a state of disarray when he appears before seimei.

there's an angry, red snake bite protruding through his midriff; it's purpling with miasma, his hand swelling with the same toxin. his breath is labored, a hand clenched over his stomach -- despite the pain, he's... remarkably quiet, a kind of calmness washing over him as he stumbles towards the man.

he gestures his hand towards seimei -- in its palm is a lung, ripe and ready. ]

Remember... when I said I wasn't gonna touch that shit...

[ ahem. ]

Real... fuckin' funny... take it, dude...

[ and then, more earnestly: ]

...Please help me.

[foxphorus]

[ Oh holy hell, my guy.

Seimei's up and acting before Sha-Ming even speaks, a carefully torn length of paper held up to receive the lung and wrap it like an order at a butcher's shop. He needs to get this squared away not only quickly but securely, so while he's wrapping with one hand and reaching for already dry talismans with his other, he barks an order, ]

Lay down. Now.

[bonobos]

[ no complaints here -- sha-ming drops to the ground immediately, very pathetically flopping onto his back. his throat is tightening, vision hazy, fingers twitching idly as he slips in and out of reality. ]

Probably should start coverin' my stomach, [ he grits out. ] Whoopsieeee.... am I gonna die, Mr. Priest...

[foxphorus]

[ Well that works. He has to stop what he's doing for a second to grab and drag Sha-Ming a little closer, but even a thin mat under you is slightly better for morale than the middle of a street, right? ]

You aren't going to die, but I would wager the next few hours aren't going to be the most comfortable.

[ Okay, he's making quick work of covering the lung in a layer of talismans so he can safely set it aside and give Sha-Ming and those bite wounds his full attention. This'll involve a little more grabbing and dragging, propping up as much of Sha-Ming's upper half that can fit onto Seimei's lap while his hands are up and multitasking again the second they're free--lighting up a new incense stick, freshly grinding out some ink and wringing the tip of his brush. ]

Keep your breathing as even as you can. Alright?

1/2

[bonobos]

[ everything is a haze -- and every sway, every motion is nausea inducing. bile sits at the back of his throat, the bite marks gnawing at his stomach, trepidation stalling his movements.

his shoulders shift onto seimei's lap, and his chest heaves up and down, up and down in an attempt to regulate his own breathing. sha-ming lapses into silence before finally speaking-- ]

Hey...

[ a beat. ]

[bonobos]

You uh, some kind of angel?

[ ...

what? things are really dire right now, and this guy is practically his savior -- it's not a baseless come-on! ]