{ 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 9

[quizpersona]

aldrip's favorite power couple tag-teams a route

[orphne]

[After getting their talismans from Seimei, Kotone and Scott will head toward the docks. She's outfitted in her old SEES uniform, complete with naginata strapped to her back and Evoker holstered at her hip. You know, just in case! Assuming most people will have the center of town covered, either intentionally or by accident, she'll lead them both closer to the outskirts. The docks have been more dangerous as of late, so best that it's the two of them who take that area, plus the area nearby.

ooc: we're not too worried about tag order; either Scott or Kotone can respond!]

[cursegod]

[Everything seems relatively fine in this area, aside from the whole snakes invasion. The only noticeable clue appears when they wander closer to the fish processing plants stationed close to the docks. It's a smell-- no, not low tide. A pungent, acidic odor permeates the air. It becomes stronger the closer they get to the large buildings.

Is it a blessing that the place seems deserted? It seems all the workers have called out sick, which Kotone and Scott can thank the plague for that.

Among all the buildings, one in particular appears to be the source of the smell...along with a metallic creaking sound coming from behind one of the large shutter doors. At least the lock on this one seems to be no problem, but approaching it reveals a spike in temperature. The metal exterior feels warm. Do they try to get inside?]

[orphne]

[Luckily, after having had several snake Personas in the past, Kotone's not even fazed by the little guys roaming around. They're doing their best, presumably, so she won't bother them. They're snakes with jobs!

It's kind of creepy how quiet and deserted everything is, though maybe that's a blessing. She doesn't cover her nose at the smell, but her face wrinkles with disgust as she glances back at Scott and tilts her head to indicate the door. Rather than use her hand to open it, she draws her naginata, intending to use that to pry it open. She doesn't have to look to know Scott's ready behind her with one hand on his glasses in case there's anything dangerous.]

[cursegod]

[With enough force, the lock breaks and the shutter door slides open. The two teens are immediately greeted by a blast of hot air and a dark haze. Unlike the outside, the miasma inside the building has concentrated to the point of becoming visible to even those without the aptitude for spiritual sight. The effect of the cursed energy would immediately disable anyone in range without a talisman-- wretching as if their insides were turned inside-out and set aflame.

The source of it all sits in the middle of the factory atop its self-made island while all other equipment shows signs of pitting. Dara's stomach lays inside the remains of what may have been a metal container, now barely hanging together with the corrosion that has occurred. The organ spews a greenish-brown acid that has eaten away at the floor to the point of creating its own moat. How lovely. And to make matters worse, the acid has spread to the point of reaching one of the metal support beams for the roof. So that's where all the creaking was coming from...

Is it worth the risk to venture inside?]

[laserguy]

[Scott's hand lowers from his glasses to his nose, pinching harshly as the full concentrated smell blasts through from the now open door. He barely has the thought to be thankful for having those talismans on them, not as his eyes focus on Dara's stomach just... lying there. Out in the open. Something surges up from his chest and nearly enters his throat, but he pushes it down, a grim and serious countenance to the mutant as he shoves his initial reaction down to focus on what's going on.

Okay, the organ's clearly been there for a while. It's corroding everything around it and they probably have to do something fast. He glances at Kotone-- frowning when he notices that she's just about ready to go in.]

Kotone, we can't just walk in there. For one thing, we don't have a way to transport her organ. [Because obviously they're not touching that!!]

[orphne]

[In a way, she's grateful that Scott's managing to keep himself together -- it smells awful, and it's like something out of a horror movie, but again, she's glad it was them who found something like this instead of somebody else who might not handle it quite as well.

A way to transport it- right. It's obvious they can't just pick it up with their bare hands or anything, but that creaking is really, really ominous.]

Maybe I could use one of my Personas...? [She straps her naginata to her back to instead draw her Evoker, her gaze going a little distant as she rotates each of them around in her mind to try to decide which one is the best for this kind of situation. Weirdly enough, "acidic miasmic organ" wasn't something either Igor or Theo had given her guidance for.] And carry it to the talisman-guy.

[Dripping acid the whole way... yeah... good plan...]

[cursegod]

[CREEEEEEEAAAAAAAKKKK...

Oh, it seems like the moat is spreading further towards the doorway. Does it seem like the acid is pumping out faster?]

[laserguy]

[Scott's under no illusion that between the two of them, Kotone is far more experienced. As such, he's not surprised that she's not reacting to the smell or sight before them. Honestly, it just reminds him how she's very much the leader of SEES that led her friends against dangerous situations. While Scott doesn't really view her as his leader, it's still nice having her experience guide them. Listen to her input and everything...

Even if said input makes Scott send a raised eyebrow at her.]

The acid's melting through solid metal and the floor. I don't think we should have your Personas carry that.

[Should they just contact the talisman guy-- but his thoughts are interrupted by that ominous creaking, the noise making Scott frown and look at the acid that seems to flow out faster.]

Could try and destroy part of the floor, make some of the acid flood there. Guide it away from the doorway and the pillar.

[orphne]

Do it.

[Not only because she thinks it's a genuinely good idea, but because as the more experienced leader, part of her job is making sure that he feels like he has the agency to make his own decisions.

That also means she can elect to ignore his, though, lips pressing tightly together at the sound of that creaking and shaking her head.]

I don't wanna risk the building collapsing on it. Lemme try something.

[A breath, then she brings a hand to her heart and her Evoker to her head. Of her Personas, the one best equipped for this situation is-]

Orpheus Telos!

[Her newest Persona swims into view above her. Maybe it's overkill to cast both Makarakarn and Tetrakarn on it, but she has no way of knowing if what this organ is spewing out is considered magic or physical -- one of those spells should block it, at least temporarily. If the building collapses, that's physical for sure, so if nothing else, it'll protect Dara's exposed stomach.]

[laserguy]

[Scott really doesn't have time to argue when she brings her Evoker to her head, his flinch upon witnessing such a sight barely visible now. He's used to it, but... it's still startling in a way. He's only distracted for a second, watching as her newest Persona forms above her. And okay, maybe Scott is a little biased, but it's his favorite Persona that she has because... he's kind of involved with its formation. He watches as she places a barrier over Dara's stomach and right, good idea.

But no more thoughts are focused on that, because he still has his part to do.

It's always a little scary to use his optic blasts at first. His feelings aren't helped by the fact that he really hasn't used them that much since 'returning' to this new version of Aldrip and they were completely sealed away during the entire time in Fake Aldrip. However, with her affirmation earlier that was both supportive and maybe even a little commanding, he pulls his shades off to start blasting the floor around the stomach, starting at the section that held the most acid.]

[cursegod]

[What great teamwork! Kotone will notice quickly that the acid is, in fact, both physical and magical in nature. A great combo, especially when it begins to burn tiny holes into the shielding spells.

Meanwhile, Scott's attempt to create a channel for directing the flood is successful! The acid level shifts as it pours into the new chamber...but it can't be that easy, right?

It would really suck if the acid started tunneling into the ground level beneath the support beam's foundation. Then again, if it burns too deep, what sort of pipes might it get into? Wouldn't it be an interesting experiment if all this acid got into the sewer system?

CREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAKKKKKK...]

[orphne]

[Not for the first time, Kotone's left wishing for a navigator. Mitsuru had guided them through the monorail, letting them know exactly how much time they had left before disaster. Fuuka could probably have told them exactly how much force was needed. With her and Scott, it's painfully obvious that neither of them have the faintest idea of what to do next. But something has to be done.]

I'm going in there!

[Like spinning the barrel of a revolver within her heart, Kotone focuses on Thanatos. She tends not to use him around Scott, thanks to almost killing him with Thanatos almost a full year ago now, but his coffin-like shields might be helpful. Her head knocks back with the recoil as she brings her Evoker to her head and fires, dismissing Orpheus to instead bring forth the manifestation of Death as she runs forward.

She's careful to avoid as much of the acid as she can, just needing to get Thanatos close enough for the Persona to try scooping Dara's stomach up in both hands. From there, it's an attempt at a hasty retreat.]

[laserguy]

Kotone!

[Before he can protest further, she's running straight into the building that's filled with miasma, with acid. A building that's fucking threatening to collapse. What on Earth is she thinking?! He's almost tempted to chase after her, but feeling that wouldn't help in any way, he clenches his teeth and just. Tries to focus his powers on the acid still, trying to create more of a channel so that it's pooling away from the support beam. While also making sure that he's not hitting his girlfriend now.

Seeing Thanatos again doesn't even really phase him, because he's kind of pissed. But he shoves all his emotions down for now, focused on helping Kotone in any way and getting Dara's stomach out of here. They're just banking on her Persona carrying that organ safely aren't they? It feels so reckless.]

[cursegod]

[Ah, Death. An old friend of Dara's. Perhaps that's why the moment the stomach is scooped up, the flow of acid from it stops. How convenient! Except Kotone will be frozen in place temporarily as her head fills with gruesome images; a centuries old memory takes over as she becomes Dara.

Biting straight through flesh and bone like butter. The iron flavor of blood is delicious now that it's pouring down her throat because it satisfies the burning desire to inflict pain. An eye for an eye, they say. Which means her twin owes her two arms and two legs.

The screaming, pleading, and feasting in Kotone's mind continues even as the support beam begins to buckle. Metal groans in defeat, and roof begins to sag inward, primed to collapse any second.

Is this the start of another tragedy?]

[orphne]

[She barely has time for relief that the acid has stopped when every muscle is locked in place, her lips parting as the memory takes over. She doesn't fully understand, but maybe she doesn't need to, the feeling of rending, tearing, biting something she'd been overwhelmed with once before -- by Thanatos, actually.

Maybe it's that selfsame recognition that, though it leaves her frozen in place, drags a ghastly, enraged shriek from the lipless jaws of Death, one that echoes as loudly as the squealing metal. Without Kotone's will, he crouches over her, coffin-like shields enveloping her as if that could somehow protect her from any falling debris. Never mind that any damage Thanatos takes is of course transferred to her mentally -- her mind should be strong enough to withstand what her body wouldn't.]

[laserguy]

[The moment Kotone just freezes in place, Scott finds himself running straight into the warehouse as well, mind no longer thinking about the danger or how bad of an idea this is. She wouldn't just freeze like that, not without reason, so there's something wrong and that's further accentuated with Thanatos shrieking next to her. That scream along with the screeching metal drives the mutant, heart pounding, his anger at her still guiding his mind as he reaches her side. Her Persona may be protecting her, but that's not enough. Instead, he stares up at the roof that's threatening to cave in.

If this is a bad idea, it's a bad idea. Guess they're both filled with that lately.

With a sharp yell, Scott yanks his glasses off him, shooting the roof and driving the debris away from him-- mostly Kotone, hoping to just blast everything away with the force of his powers. He's never pushed himself this far before, but his anger and everything sharpens his focus, that concussive force almost stronger as he continues to yell along with the noise accompanying the usual sound of his powers going off.

If he can at least protect her, that's good enough.]

[cursegod]

[The factory begins to cave in around them, but the roofing isn't strong enough to survive that optic blast. The metal disintegrates as it falls towards them, and Thanatos' form is enough to protect against any shrapnel or melted materials.

Dara's stomach appears to squirm within the persona's grip while it continues its mental invasion on Kotone through the conduit. Seimei did make a point that it shouldn't be touched directly.]

[laserguy]

[Once the debris clears to some degree, Scott shuts his eyes once more before placing his glasses back on, only stumbling a little from the force of having his powers shoot from his eyes like that before. It... felt stronger for some reason, or maybe he's just still pissed, the source of that feeling pulling Scott and reorienting once more as he looks at Thanatos and the organ he's still carrying. It's clear that holding Dara's stomach is what is making Kotone act like this, after all, she only froze once she picked up the organ and he's still doing fine standing right next to her.

Didn't Seimei also mention that they shouldn't pick things up with their bare hands? This is probably why.

He's so mad, but he reasons that it's probably not a great idea to shoot Thanatos with his powers to make him let go. Smack his hands from the organ?? Also seems kind of stupid, maybe he'll do that if this first plan doesn't work. And that plan being--]

Let go of it!

[Scott shouts, trying to be as commanding as possible. Would Thanatos even listen to him? It's Kotone's Persona, not his, but. He's going to try.]

[orphne]

[If Kotone were more aware, she might argue that Thanatos is wearing some pretty hefty gloves, and also he's a mythological demon created from a piece of her soul. Unfortunately for Kotone, she's not in a fit state to argue much of anything, her body frozen stock-still. Evoker only loosely held in one hand as she stares straight ahead with sightless eyes, she's trapped in a seemingly endless wave of blood and sinew.

Thanatos turns quicker than might seem possible, a blink and suddenly he's there, looming directly over Scott and bobbing gently with an unseen force. Her Persona is a part of her, which means there's a part of him still experiencing that same all-consuming hunger. But there's a part of him that's also Ryoji, inseparable from her thanks to the ten years she'd spent unknowingly with him inside her. There's a part of him that is her, and also separate from her.

Were she capable of it, Kotone would listen to Scott. Maybe that's why the Persona, after regarding him carefully, sets Dara's stomach before his feet before vanishing into nothingness.]

[cursegod]

[With the organ settled on the ground, the vision ends and the acid production remains stopped. In fact, the moat of the vile liquid disappears as if it never existed in the first place! ...Except the factory and its foundation are still in a terrible state.]

[laserguy]

[It's only just a little scary to have the god of death hover right above you. He knows somewhere that his heart is pounding, that he's scared, but he stares up at Thanatos without budging, until he thankfully places the organ down.

He's torn between immediately checking on Kotone or dealing with the stomach that's now before his feet, but seeing that the organ is settled before him without any acid leaking out, it seems like a better idea to pick it up before it starts producing more of it once more. Take advantage of the situation and everything. So quickly removing his jacket, Scott manages to wrap it up without directly touching it before carefully lifting the bundle by using the tied up sleeves as a handle.

Hopefully secured???

It's only then that he looks back at Kotone, still upset, but clearly worried about her well-being. They also probably need to get out of here fast; he destroyed the roof and he's not feeling great about how long this building is going to remain upright.]

Kotone. [His voice is almost sharp, but he's trying to sound grounding as well.] We need to go.

[orphne]

[When Kotone finally comes to her senses, she's on her knees on the ground, only slowly able to hear and see things around her. Her knees sting, and distantly, she knows that means she had to have fallen down pretty hard to get where she is. Luckily there doesn't seem to be any more acid. Is this... real? Her hand goes to her heart, focusing on her Personas, trusting them to ground her more than she truly trusts herself. She's almost dizzy with the psychic backlash, and there's a part of her that wants to throw up, a part of her that tastes iron and she can't tell if it's because she's bitten her own tongue or because she was actually living through that entire-

It's Scott's voice that breaks through more than anything. He says they need to go, so she shoves herself back to her feet even if her legs are wobbling. The creak of a stressed foundation rings in her ears, and, not trusting her voice, she just nods. Making to try to hold his free hand, she realizes that her Evoker is still clutched in it, so there's an awkward moment where she's left staring down at it. Right. She has to holster it first before reaching for him once again with another nod.]

[cursegod]

[Congratulations, you have acquired one (1) magical stomach... that will continue producing miasma until delivered to Seimei!]

[laserguy]

[Scott's relieved, fully glad to see Kotone stand up and come to her senses. Some of that anger dulls knowing that she's... maybe not okay, but well-enough to still keep moving. The acknowledgement runs through his mind as he holds onto her hand, leading her out if she's still struggling to find her feet under her.

Next stop though, Seimei. No stopping until the organ is safely delivered to him, especially since it's still producing miasma through his jacket. He knows that article of clothing is pretty much gone now, but it's fine. He came into this situation knowing that possibility.]