EVENT #11: ADVERSITY 4590683

[expiationmods]

EVENT #11: REMEMBER YOU ARE MORTAL

This event takes place in conjunction with a player plot that is open for participation! Participation in that plot is not needed to experience the world effects outlined in this log. You can find the log for the player event here!

THE STORY SO FAR (click to expand)

-Over time, characters have discovered that the world of Expiation is actually a large, elaborate simulation run by an AI that seems to be intent on helping them atone for their crimes. This news is well-known by the Chosen, enough so that any new character who wishes to handwave this knowledge is able to do so.

-In September 2024, that AI needed to be reset as a consequence of some catastrophic systems failures. So far, there has been no downside to this reset–but the AI has also been strangely absent since then.

-Things have been quiet in Aldrip since September, aside from the routine arrival of new Chosen. The locals seem less than happy with the Chosen, though, as if they have already branded them all criminals. As if they no longer trust them…

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

The moon looms large and full over the buildings of Aldrip this morning.

… Wait. The moon?

It’s true: Aldrip seems to have settled into an eerie perpetual twilight, lit by the full moon and little else. The ambient lighting is dim, but not dark, still light enough to see by. Which is good, because nothing else seems to be serving as a source of light. No sun, no street lamps–nothing. How odd is that?

In fact, it seems that no electronics are working during this strange week. Tablets don’t turn on, computers won’t work, even the lights inside the houses are unresponsive. STEM club’s dark web devices remain capable of some rudimentary communication, however.

The Dark Hour permeates Aldrip entirely. Well. Almost entirely–more on that in a minute. But first: monsters of all kinds will be more prominent during this time. If you would like to add new monsters to the bestiary, you can do so here! Monsters will be more aggressive and enterprising, freely roaming the streets of the city and attacking more boldly than they otherwise would.

Now, all is not lost, here. Because some Chosen-owned spaces remain immune to its effects. Notably: the Inn, the Willow Clinic, and some other player-run businesses can serve as safe houses, as well as some storehouses that were constructed long ago. The lights will still go on in these locations, though the network restrictions above still remain in effect.

For the most part, monsters and other event happenings will avoid safe houses, though if you’d like to play around with that, we see no reason why you shouldn’t. Just remember that characters and players who choose to limit their participation in the event are making use of these spaces, and be respectful of that.

As for outside of the city…who knows? A thick, impenetrable mist surrounds Aldrip, keeping all characters within the city for the duration of the event. Anyone who may have been outside of Aldrip before the event began will mysteriously find themselves inside the city as the Dark Hour takes hold. Better make your way to a safe house…and good luck out there.

MY OWN WORST ENEMY

Who is the monster and who is the man?

It seems that monsters aren’t the only obstacle roaming the city. The Chosen may find themselves facing doppelgangers, of themselves or of fellow Chosen. In terms of appearance, they may be identical to the Chosen they reflect, to the point of being difficult to tell apart. Some may have minor changes–different eye color, different clothing, things like that. But in many cases, it may be impossible to tell which is real and which is not based on looks alone.

These doubles reveal a dark reflection of the characters they look like: their deepest fears and regrets, repressed desires they refuse to admit, feelings and experiences they’ve never told anyone about…all of these things and more will come to the surface with them. These doubles desperately want to see a character’s accused crime confronted, and they will do anything to make that happen, even resorting to violence if they must. The doubles have all the original powers and abilities of their real counterparts, making them extremely difficult (but not impossible!) to fight one-on-one.

Some characters may find themselves inexplicably drawn to their doppelgangers, as if called by some force. They may feel compelled to seek them out, as if they’re unable to rest so long as their double roams free. This is an optional effect, but should you be looking for an excuse to get your character out and about–please feel free to utilize it.

Doubles can be injured and incapacitated, but not killed; the only way to eliminate them is through acceptance and recognition. Characters do not have to do this alone; in fact, having some moral support or coaching may prove useful. Confronting the double and accepting or seriously reflecting upon the crime they’re charged with will make the doppelgangers first turn docile, and then disappear, leaving the original character feeling lighter and more sure of themselves.

A MINOR TECHNICALITY

What happens to a simulation when the electronics stop working?

Good question.

Occasionally, you may see what looks like a strange, thin line, just from the corner of your vision. Early in the week, trying to look at this line straight on reveals…nothing. It seems to vanish.

As the week continues, this strange happening seems to intensify, bit by bit. By midweek, Wednesday or so, you’re able to look at this line head-on. It seems to be a small crack, little more than a hairline fracture, outlined in light. As the weekend creeps closer, this crack seems to grow, bit by bit, becoming more pronounced, the gaps between it getting larger.

By the weekend, it’s wide enough that you can see through it.

What you see is difficult to describe. You seem to be looking into a large metallic structure, so large that the end seems to curve off into the horizon. How far does this go on? There’s a ceiling overhead, so high up that you can’t make out details. Much of this structure seems to be empty within, but you see a floor at foot level, made of metal.

The gap is wide enough that you can stick your hand right through it. When you do so, you begin to feel a strange tingling, starting at the tips of your fingers and extending to the part of your arm that goes into the crack. Nothing about your hand changes, really, but when the tingling subsides, you get the strange sensation that you’ve been unable to feel anything with that hand, up til now. Something about the air against your skin feels more real, here. As if your senses were muted before…

The crack never widens more than this. It is sometimes visible to just one person, and sometimes it can be visible to a group. This crack can appear in any surface, in any location, but it always looks the same and always reveals the same structure within.

Interesting…

ENDING

In conjunction with the conclusion of the player plot, the Dark Hour comes to an end one week later, on November 18. Monsters vacate the city, the sun reappears…this happens slowly, over the course of the day. By Tuesday, the network and electronic usage is restored. By Wednesday, the crack in the world seems to be gone for good. By the weekend after the event, all doppelgangers seem to have vanished.

This is fine, we always say. And it is! Everything is back to normal!

…

Or is it…?

WILDCARD

Make your own fun! Just because it’s not in the prompts doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Have at it! Go crazy! Try not to break anything (too much)!

♡

Comments

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS / CONCERNS

[expiationmods]

[nightwild]

i'm pre-emptively sorry for this question.

but if someone were to, for example, after pulling their hand back from the crack, say. get a running start and attempt to forcibly dive through the crack head-first. what might happen to this clearly very intelligent individual.

[solitarysoul]

What happens if someone repeatedly denies their double is them/shows their true feelings? Do they just get more forceful/violent? Or do they turn into a monster or something?

[nightwild]

i. monday (a) - closed to x-mansion

[Fauna's always been a nocturnal person. The night is safer. Quieter. It's easier for her to move around, and she likes the night better. But after she's moved into the X-Mansion, she's trying to match everyone else's schedules. Which means it's surprising to wake up to see twilight....

... and more surprising to look out her window and see strange monsters swarming at the mansion's gates.

She's immediately rushing out of her room to start kicking down other people's doors. She trusts the other X-Men can take care of themselves in a fight, but if she's the first one awake... She needs to make sure everyone's up. No one should get taken out in their sleep.]

i. monday (b)

[The X-Mansion is safe. It's literally populated by major superheroes. But the city itself... Not so much.

Fauna wanted to coordinate defenses with the communication systems... and, go figure, they're down. Right when she needs it. Stupid unreliable technology.

Still, if she's gotta act independently, she has to. So the armored superhero Night Wild is taking the scene instead. She's patrolling Aldrip, looking for any civilians. She'll be jumping in to fight any monsters she sees, especially if any civilians look like they're in danger... but she doesn't actually know about the safehouses.

By the end of the day, though, she looks pretty haggard even with the mask. She's spent the whole day cleaning up trash monsters, but even her stamina isn't infinite... She may need help herself.]

ii. wednesday, thursday

[At night, Fauna wanders Aldrip. Or at least, it looks like Fauna- Red hair, fox ears, the works. But this one has bright yellow eyes instead of Fauna's brown, and rather than her punk fashion, she's wearing... A cute, frilly dress. It's a weird look on her, especially given that this Fauna still has that strange device on her left wrist, too.

Despite that, though, she doesn't seem to want to fight. In fact, just looking at her, she seems far less combative than Fauna herself. She mostly just looks terribly sad, as she wanders aimlessly.

You can find her alone, where the Shadow will try to approach you to quietly talk to you! Or you can find the real Fauna with her double... where Fauna hasn't even transformed, but the very first thing she's going to try to do is punch her double in the face.

as a note: this prompt has a high chance of involving transphobia and child abuse in the replies from the shadow! Threads will be labeled and warned appropriately as this comes up.]

iii. saturday

[Fauna pulls her hand back from the crack. Something's going on here... And she wants to get to the bottom of it. So she needs to go through that crack if she wants any answers.

So Fauna takes a few steps back. She gets a running start, and dives, trying to just force her entire body through that crack...

... just to pass through it like it's not there, landing face-first in the dirt.

Hopefully, no one was watching that. That would just be embarrassing.]

iv. wildcard

[Other ideas? You can plot with me on discord or at lastbastion or just hit me here and we can make stuff happen!]

i.b

[chimericalclaw]

[Altius has headed out himself in the hopes of locating supplies to bring back to the inn; while he has no intentions of doing everything himself—that would give the game away, for one—his charitable persona demands that he do something worthwhile, and they have no idea of how long this will go on. There's a bag slung over his shoulder, but the shops he's come across so far that might have been useful have been smashed enough to keep him from filling it much at all.

The sounds of the monsters around are impossible to miss, but the presence of the locals going about their business as usual means he has no idea if any Chosen might be about—to his senses, they're no different from the accused, for the most part. As a result, he can't be overt about his powers without risking discovery, and he's relying on the cover of alleyways to avoid nasty encounters.

He can't avoid them forever, though. Hell, there might even be something stealthy itself just waiting to pounce on him, and he's reached a part of the city that's much more open than he'd prefer...]

[followyourstar]

01. Trumpet

[It isn't the change in scenery that shocks Dante so much as the sudden barrage of sensation, familiar and unfamiliar at once, and all over the city.

Even without a face and thus no clear expression, Dante's confusion is plain. They frequently change direction, pursuing one goal only to drop it and aim for another. There's something out there, they know that much, can feel that much--five points in the distance with more presence than the others. But is even worth checking out on their own? Can they?

A noise pulls them from their thoughts, and as they catch sight of someone else they rush forward, sliding to a stop nearby.]

< H-Hey, are you all right? I can get you to safety if you need it. I'm... pretty good at avoiding these things. >

02. Safe Room - Inn

< Three days already... >

[And everything's still a mess, they think as they stare out the window of the inn.

Those points in the distance... Dante can still see them when they block out their sight.]

< I wonder if they have anything to do with it. >

03. Audite, Pauper -- cw for both prompts: may include themes of dehumanization and death

A
[Whether you're actively looking for Dante or just so happened to come across them now, there's something... different, about them, their features flipped as if reflected in a mirror, though it may not be immediately noticeable, given that any and all text remains readable.]

< What is it that makes you "you?" >

[The question comes out of nowhere, but they say no more. Their stare demands an answer.]


B -- cw: blood, gun, injury
[The crack of a gun echoes through the night, followed by a loud, rapid, winding tick that translates itself to a shocked cry of pain.

Anyone who comes to investigate will find two Dantes, mirror images of one another. One clutches their side while the other lowers the gun, one hand still resting in their pocket.]

< It's okay. I won't aim for the head. But I had to get your attention somehow. >


((Note: Dante will not be able to overcome their shadow doppelganger this event! This is more to get them started on the path.))

3B!

[starringsecond]

[The gunshot is enough to make Yuri sprint, but seeing Dante confronting his other self makes him run even faster.

It isn't hard to see which one he should point his sword at, either.]

I dunno what's your problem, but I wouldn't shoot again if I were you.

[magnamedicinal]

i — DAY 1 AFTERNOON NIGHT?

[The moon hangs high over Daan's pale face. He looks up to it, cigarette held between his fingers, and his expression is twisted into something between disbelief and mild annoyance.

If he had a shilling for every time the moon decided to cause problems for him, he'd have two shillings. Which isn't much, but - ah, what the hell. He can't even consider it weird anymore. Not after everything that's happened his whole life. Still, it would be just his luck that this would happen right when he felt he was starting to get a handle on things.

The mist reminds him of the one that had enveloped the forest by the train in Prehevil, what feels like both a lifetime ago and just yesterday. He wonders if it'll function the same - if it'll prevent them from going anywhere that Rher - or, he supposes, whatever the equivalent is in this world - doesn't want them to.

In the hand that doesn't hold a cigarette, a scalpel is ready. If monsters wish to show themselves, he'll be prepared. It's not his first time dealing with unruly patients. But he certainly won't be averse to teaming up - or to examining any bodies left behind.]

ii — a children's tale, repeated

A. over and -
[There is a man in checkered pants standing in an alley, reading a book. He looks at you with slit eyes more yellow than grey, both seeming to glow in the darkness of the buildings' shadows. His other hand is deep in his pocket. He gives you a genuine smile.]

"So? Will you hear the tale?"

((Should you choose to do so, please be aware this tale may have mentions of child neglect, violence, ritual sacrifice, eye trauma and war.))

B. - over.
[This too, is familiar. He remembers seeing the twisted versions of the others. Of mouths that would take up entire faces, of voices that would be identical until they became a shriek. He supposes he should be thankful his is not quite so monstrous.

Before his parents lost themselves, they would tell him stories. He knows he's living one now.]

"So? Will you repeat the tale?"

[Daan smiles. Daan does not smile back.

The grip on his scalpel tightens.]

ii-A

[thenicerone]

[Yukina had no idea what was going on but all she knew was that she had to find shelter. In the midst of running away from any creatures, she found herself in an alley. Wishing to find some relief from the chase, she hoped that she was safe. However, that didn't seem to the case.

When she heard a voice behind her, she immediately took a step back as she turned around. Looking at the man with yellow eyes, she wasn't sure what to do.]

I...I suppose...?

[Because the last thing she wanted was to anger him. She didn't want to get hurt.]

[chimericalclaw]

⬬ so many things that we've been through | inn

[Although Altius spends much of the week at the Inn, he's not idle; he's not waiting for anyone to formally ask him before doing his part with whatever might be needed for whoever's taking refuge there, be it carrying heavy boxes of supplies or injured folks themselves, cooking or passing around a meal or two, even the occasional cleanup. He also knows enough first aid to be of assistance, though he's far from a doctor. However he ends up approaching another Chosen, it's likely he'll express something like:]

Try to get some rest.

⬬ there's no time | monsters (a)

[However, he's not going to be hiding the entire week.

For one, he has to actually investigate. He wants information as much as anyone else, and he's more than capable of protecting himself from the supernatural, as much as he might pretend otherwise. But even if he were largely helpless against the worse of the monsters, his false persona would lead him out, if just to help others who might be caught in some kind of dangerous situation. There are always layers of reasoning to everything he does; the facade with built-in excuses hiding the multiple motives underneath. Being seen as a coward won't help his reputation, either.

But this is a new sort of situation for him, really. Before, whenever he was injured, he would never stick around long enough for anyone to witness how suspiciously quickly he recovered, if they saw him at all. Here, however... he can't be certain that Chosen won't witness and remember his magic. So many of them have abilities of their own and discuss it openly, and perhaps his hypnosis won't even work on them, should he really wish to make them forget seeing him. The rules are different. He has to get comfortable with the idea of not being able to avoid an unpleasant encounter with some aggressive creature, should he come across anyone.

So of course, that means he will be unfortunate enough to encounter a monster in the vicinity of someone else—glancing over at them and back to the creature—and he'll have to deliberately suppress his magic and avoid dodging a slash or a bite or blast he's absolutely capable of getting out of the range of. A "normal" person wouldn't be able to escape, so neither must he. He'd consider his half-attempted evasion pathetic to watch if he had to see it from the outside.]

Shit—

[Just because he's willing to take the hit doesn't mean it's not going to suck, though.]

⬬ you know you have to survive | monsters (b)

[Or maybe he's the one protecting you—if a monster goes for anyone who appears unarmed, they might find themselves getting hit instead by the near-full weight of a broad six-foot-two man to get them out of the way. His sharp amber eyes will be on the attacker even as he attempts to then pull the person towards cover without stopping. Whatever happens, they'll have to act quickly; whatever beast has taken a swipe at them is aggressive enough to try again shortly.]

⬬ you can see the city lights | shadow encounters/wildcard

[Want a supportive mentor figure to guide you through your Shadow encounter? Altius is willing and able. Any other ideas? Feel free to throw me a starter or contact me via plotting post or lumierersdedragon. Relevant to those with supernatural senses, you can find more information about Zekarion and his powers here!]

inn

[memori3s]

[ He's just finished ensuring the group of Chosen he'd guided to the inn were properly situated when an unfamiliar man approaches him. Minato's posture straightens, the weariness in his irises temporarily gone as he offers the stranger a nod. The moonlight filtering through the window reveals a glint of metal at his side, his Evoker nestled within its holster. ]

I will.

[ ... ]

...when I can.

[ He's spent the past couple of days going in and out of the inn, diligently and dutifully searching for those who've been stranded in the dark. There's no time to waste, not when he's already intimately familiar with just how dangerous the mysterious night that's engulfed Aldrip can be. ]

manjiro sano "mikey" / tokyo revengers

[invinciblemikey]

cw mentions of blood, violence, accidents and neurological damage/medical issues in this tl.

this is how villains are made

(at first, it was actually thrilling. there's something he missed in the danger of the night, the fighting, the sweat, blood and tears that come when he's engaged. it's been a year or two since he disbanded the manji back home, and although the life path he decided to take as a professional moto racer doesn't come without adrenaline, this was something else.

he's covered from head to toe in blood, his, the monsters, and god, he's alive! until he isn't. on the corner of his eye, he can see... himself. none of his essence behind his eyes, his skin thin, and barely any weight holding his body together. shit, shit. he can't be out in the open, he can't-- defend himself.

shit. he bolts to his other self, and the first door he finds, he'll open to hide within the space, alongside with the younger manjiro.

shit, fuck, shit. how is he going to-- how can he take him to some place safe by himself?

help. he can't ask for it.)

one tells the truth, the other one is lying

(maybe he jinxed it. all this time being here and only now he's looking at himself and that stupid crime looming over his head being loved. he knew what it means, all the sacrifices that have ever been made to fix what manjiro himself had broken, and what he would break later on. his accident had been caused simply because he didn't have it in him to share a stupid damn toy, and down the stairs he goes. comatose, vegetative state, friends falling deeper and deeper into the whole of despair, his brother trading everything for him-- until blood was spilled to bring him back.

all the horrors manjiro committed thereafter a curse and consequence of what his brother had done for him, even the man's life had been payment for it. all takemichi endured to save him. all because he's so damn loved. he hates this, hates this, hates this.

there's no light other than torches in the front yard and surrounding the dojo, but the sounds are what's really attention-grabbing. he's kicking the living shit out of the punching bags, superstrength bringing them to break irreversibly, but manjiro's not stopping, his fists will be sore and bruised tomorrow.

the other boy is comfortable in his wheelchair in the next room.)

wildcard

(this one is real, guys, he's not doing well and FINALLY dealing with some of his core issues outside the curse, feel free to boop him in the dojo, or outside before he finds the other manjiro... and if you wanna plot something, feel free to msg me!)

one tells the truth

[jaganshi]

[ Hiei has taken to the woods on most nights specifically because of the monsters there. It isn't anything worse than what he's faced down in the demon world, and it gives him a good enough excuse to be as violent as he wants to be in the face of everything going on among their group or even privately. He worries very little about the possibility of injury, at least of anything that he couldn't heal on his own given he had time for a little nap in a tree, and failing that... their house is not very far from here.

He's run harder and longer with injuries, as far as he is concerned.

The sound of something being mercilessly beaten is what draws the little fire demon. He strolls in to the lighted area casually enough, hands still tucked in to that dark cape as he follows his ears to the sound.

For a moment he watches, before finally piping up - ]

Have those bags offended you personally, somehow?

[cupidsammo]

one; be a big damn hero
[ On day one, the perpetual night is... concerning, but news of the real dangers have yet to reach Koharu. Still under the impression that creatures and wildlife rarely breach the town, she makes an attempt to go about her daily business.

Yet the attempt doesn't end successfully. Down the streets of the shopping district, Koharu witnesses a pack of core hounds suddenly rounding a corner at full speed, and they are on the hunt; it isn't long before a pair launches themselves at a man coming down the road, and another at the next nearest pedestrian. As they aggressively chase down others, it sends the people into a chaotic frenzy in a matter of seconds.

Unfortunately for Koharu, she gets swept up in the panicking crowds, shoved and bumped into until she trips and finally fumbles up against a storefront. But by the time she manages to regain her bearings, she looks up only to find another one of the hounds looming over her, hints of flames flickering from its mouths. And in that moment? She freezes, just barely managing to squeak out: ]

... H— help!

two; safehousing
[ So, the rest of the time after? Koharu is definitely staying inside—more notably within the inn, her current place of residence (and, most recently, place of employment). Within the lobby, she approaches a window, looking out; should anyone be nearby, she ventures into the silence: ]

It feels like it's never going to end...

wildcard
( Feel free to drop something else! Or if you'd like for me to write a starter, you can hit me up and we can work something out :|b )

one!

[computation]

[ This is her life now, or rather, her afterlife: saving random people. Root has no question what the Machine would want her to do here, and learning that the Machine took her voice after her death only makes her devotion that much tighter. And there's a strange stability and confidence to her actions now, to her moral position, that just wasn't present when she first started doing this a few years ago. It's become more than habit-- it's become who she is.

She doesn't need the Machine's voice in her ear to act as her interface anymore.

Today that looks like smashing a store window from the inside to protect a young woman being pursued by a rabid flame-breathing dog. Root stands on the wrecked store display in her sleek black boots and coat and looks down the sights of her shotgun, plants her feet and braces the stock against her shoulder, then fires.

The shotgun is modern and tactical, semi-automatic, one of her favorites. She'd lifted it from a police officer back home and requested to have it back here, just in time for this occasion. There's a gratifying splatter of gore, but she doesn't wait; she hops down through the broken glass neatly to her feet on the sidewalk and fires again from almost point-blank range at the second head even as the first is reeling.

Root watches closely as it stumbles and crumples to the ground, making sure it's dead before turning to Koharu. ]

Whoops. Hope you don't mind getting messy!

[ She's probably covered in blood and tissue now. Root has a healthy splatter covering her as well, but that's part of the reason she's wearing head-to-toe black. ]

Levi | Fear & Hunger 2: Termina

[solitarysoul]

I. Patrol

A dark city, streets empty aside from monsters and the all too close full moon looming over head. Levi has lived this nightmare before. Perhaps that's why he's back in his army jumpsuit with his rifle in his hands as he walks the streets. He's also got a satchel with the handle of a large blade sticking out of it. Its a good bet that within the satchel and the coat he's wearing Levi has more ammo and weapons stashed, but they'll remain hidden until he needs them.

Ammo is not limited here, so he's maining the firearm he's most comfortable with and taking shots at monsters. Perhaps you're in a tough spot and a solid hit from the sharpshooter gives you just enough time to break away or finish the beast. Or perhaps you come across Levi in a tight spot himself, either having run out of ammo at a bad time or misjudged a monsters weak spot (what do you mean some of these are immune to piercing damage?!?). Or maybe you come across him standing on a street corner and staring up at the moon. Every time he looks at, he expects it to have a sadistic grin.


II. I AM LEVI (doppelganger)

cw: hard drugs, needles, addiction, probably child solders and general war trauma

Of all the monsters Levi thought he'd come across in the twilight city, a copy of himself was not one. His previous doppelgänger hadn't elicited much of a response from him, but this one was different. The other one had felt kind of...unfinished, unable to fully copy his form, but this one had it almost perfectly. The gold eyes were a dead give away, but it also looked more...strung out that Levi. Paler and dangerously thinner, and the tract marks that Levi preferred to hide were quite visible, having spread to most of his body. If there was a vein somewhere, the doppelganger had apparently tried and botched one or more attempts to use it as a target.

It was better at speaking, too, but what bothered Levi the most was the needle it held out towards him. "You sure," the copy said, "you know you want to."

The real Levi responded by taking a step back and cooking the revolver in his hands.

III. ???

Wild card! Hit me with whatever or contact me at connectivetrick or nvrknwsbst discord. as always will match style (unless i forget when its real early or im at work lol sorry)

For Silco

[solitarysoul]

The safe houses were nice, but one couldn't spend the whole week in them. Levi, for one, got restless and felt the need to move around. Or maybe he just wanted to get his frustration at this place out by killing monsters, since it was one of the few things that made him feel useful here. So it didn't really matter to him why Silco wanted to travel between one safe house and another, he was more than willing to escort his boss.

Tsunayoshi Sawada | Kateyou Hitman Reborn

[theskyaccepts]

Doppelganger

[Tsuna hates this. He hates all of this.

It's dark and scary and like a Test of Courage but somehow ten times worse. There are monsters everywhere and he would very much just like to get back to his house and hide under the blankets until it's over. Except, he's not entirely sure where that is, right now. With the way everything's changed, it's hard to find his bearings.

And it probably doesn't help that he's running right now.

About a block away, following Tsuna at a very deliberate pace, is a tall man with a similar haircut. He wears a sharp black suit with a black tie, and it wouldn't take long to put together that in a few years, this might be who Tsuna becomes. But hopefully not, because this Tsuna's expression is a lot colder, and the flames burning around him lack the familiar warmth that Tsuna's do. That warmth that wants to welcome and protect.]

You can't run forever, Tenth! It was your choice that led to this!

Safehouse

[In whatever safehouse he's found, whether it's a business or a storehouse, Tsuna has probably found a wall away from the door and is pressed up against it, trying to make himself small. He's breathing hard, from running, and maybe looks a bit singed from the few times his doppelganger has managed to catch up him.]

How am I even supposed to stop that thing?

[He knows what he is accused of is a crime, but it's a burden he's taken on willingly. It's a hard situation to be in.]

A Boss's Memory; Magician and Strength cw: descriptions of suffocation and violence

[The memory starts with a dark void. There's a thin sliver of light that you try to chase after but it's gone before you can take a step towards it, encasing you in black. If there are walls here, you don't know where they are. The air is thick and heavy and you are sore and tired. And with each breath, it just gets harder. And the question can't help creeping up. What happens if you die in here?

Is that it? Is it over? Does Byakuran win?

And then, light, briefly, from the ring on your middle finger. You barely have time to register it before the light is shooting into your forehead and the darkness fades. But it fades into unwelcome sights. The sound of gunfire as gangsters fight in the streets and civilians run for cover, bombs exploding and leaving behind carnage, children being left behind in an assassination attempt.

Nine figures surround you, each face hidden by a mask of orange flames.]

This is the Sin of the Vongola. This is the Greatness of the Vongola. Do you accept it?

[Wildcard]

[ooc: Want something different? Want to plot? urbaninja]

doppelganger;

[laserguy]

[It's not the first or even the second time that Scott has come across doppelgangers in the past. There was that labyrinth, then that incident with Yu months later, and all of that feels very similar to what's happening now. Scott himself had to deal with glitching the past few months, something that only stopped with the reset, and while that isn't quite the same thing, he knows when he's facing someone that isn't quite his friend.

Tsuna's older here. Taller, with a black suit. Of course still recognizable with that haircut, but that cold expression on his face is something he's never seen before. It's disconcerting and gets Scott to frown, pose a little tense but not wholly combative just yet. This is still Tsuna in some way, after all. Maybe he's finally the mafia boss that he was going to become in the future.

He still doesn't want to believe his friend would turn out like this though.

Directly fighting these doppelgangers in the past never really solved anything, so that's his first assumption, but he doesn't want to be caught off guard either. His hand is close to his glasses, but he doesn't attack otherwise.]

Hey, why don't you stop for a while.

[elfsplaining]

A. Monsters (cw: a giant spider)

[You know what?

This is fine, actually. Great, even! Morrigan's been angry and there's nothing more stress relieving than turning into a giant spider and ripping a monster's head off. These are 'acceptable' targets, after all, and the spider (which, btw, is definitely bigger than a horse) is almost gleeful as it spits poison, wraps monsters up in web cocoons, or straight up just launches itself at them to stick fangs into heir bodies, or tear their heads clean from their bodies.

But the bodies aren't left to waste, either, as the spider has no problem eating the remains.

You might think the spider is one of the monsters too-- understandable, really, except that it's clearly ignoring all native NPCs and nonnative PCs.

Once in a while, the spider will suddenly glow and shrink, revealing Morrigan kneeling in the blood and carnage. She sighs deeply and stretches her limbs, standing as gracefully as one can. She'll spare anyone who might be near-by a quick glance to make sure they're not injured and simply say:] Greetings.

B. Doppleganger

[The Other Morrigan is indistinguishable from the real one, except it looks very upset and distraught.

Real Morrigan looks equally offended and disgusted at the sight]

Be gone, foul creature. I have no time nor patience for your games.

[The Other Morrigan stares with dull eyes, shaking its head]

Nothing but Mother's puppet, doing what she wants. The Dark Ritual, seducing the Warden, getting pregnant...An Old God Soul stolen, just to use for your whims

Stop it. [Real Morrigan's voice is sharp suddenly and she stands straighter]

Power hungry. Greedy. We tried to kill Mother, we stole her grimoire. Just for power. That's all Kieran is. A tool. You'll use and kill anyone. The Warden should have stabbed you at the mirror. You're not deserving of his love.

[The real Morrigan throws out her hand, ice snaking around the doppleganger's feet and mouth to hold her sill and silence her]

I said be silent! I will shatter you into a million pieces. Why won't you die!?

C. Wildcard

[For everything else! Dm me or w/e if you wanna plot something specific, I don't mind writing top levels!]

A

[baldrshand]

G--greetings.

[When Ethlyn had seen the spider the size of a dumpster absolutely chowing down in the streets, her first instincts were I have to fight this thing. It was something she very deeply did not wish to do, given that it was a spider the size of a dumpster, but she was just steeling herself to run at it with her sword when suddenly it was not a spider, but a woman. And a perfectly normal-sized one at that.]

That's--quite a talent you have there.

[endcaller]

[OOC: Misc starters below. Want a starter for something new? Feel free to hit me up at "denofwolves" on Discord or comment to my plotting post]

Taking Shelter (OTA)

[endcaller]

[While many places in the city of Aldrip go suddenly dark, the Aetherochemical Research Facility remains aglow. Its shimmering lights are a beacon for the tired and frightened. Within its walls, people can set up bedrolls and tents to shelter from the monsters roaming outside.

Hyperetes wheels around the gathered Chosen, beeping, delivering foods (where did it get food?) and urgently trying to make everyone feel welcome.]

((ooc: Anyone who wants to shelter at the ARF is encouraged to tag among each other here! Fandaniel may occasionally emerge to talk to people.))

Silco | Arcane

[conflictresolution]

i. Moonlit Monster Madness

[This sudden influx of aggressive creatures was unfortunate. It wouldn’t stop him from navigating, but he chose his opportunities with more care. Silco set out with both pre-planned routes and multiple escape options should he require them, and he moved slowly with numerous pauses to listen and look for signs of roaming creatures looking to hamper his route.

He had been forced to re-route a number of times already when he came to one of the larger main streets. He spied some small canine like creatures down the block digging in some trash cans, and he made his move to cross the road when a much larger threat arrived nearby. He knew exactly what they were capable of, and he moved a few steps to attempt to bypass and redirect its attention to the canines down the street.

Silco did not enjoy running. However, as the razorfin charged, he was forced to dodge its claws and break into a run down the street, gazing looking for a nearby escape route. Unfortunately for him, his attempt to grab an emergency fire ladder was thwarted with the beast rammed into him mid jump and knocked him to the ground. He rolled and tried to come up, but he was overtaken and slammed to the ground with a clawed foot.

He seized on the opportunity to draw his knife and stab the creature, aiming for eyes but puncturing flesh nearby instead. It screamed and tried to bite him, but he was already squirming down between its four legs, though it stepped on him several times as they rearranged themselves in the scuffle. He scored a hit on a hind leg, and the beast whipped around.

It seized his leg in its teeth and lifted him right from the ground before giving him a jarring shake. Adrenaline had him slashing at its thick neck, but his knife went wayward. It bit down hard and managed to slam him into the nearby building wall.]

ii. Safe Spaces

[The Last Drop, the Flower Shop, and both of his restaurants (the Seafood Shack & Sandwich Hut) were all covered to safe spaces. He had made certain that there were spaces and resources for people to come and rest, sleep if they wanted to and grab a meal. As he proclaimed himself a pillar of the community, he knew when and where it was time to make a show of that to continue potential sleepiness of the Chosen around him.

For the most part, he could be found organizing his staff – those that were still around anyway – and when things ran thing, he forced himself to provide support personally. It went against every grain of his being to do so, but appearances mattered. He knew better than to be disingenuous about it as well as he handed out blankets or food.

He paused to look at the door when someone entered.] What is it that you require?

iii. Looking in the Mirror

[Silco moved through the streets between safehouses, and for all intensive purposes, he looked as he always did aside from one key different. His scarring and mutilated was on the right side of his face rather than the left, but otherwise, everything remained perfectly identical. He moved through each safe house as if searching for something, and when he couldn’t find it, he would take some time to settle in and people watch.

What is truth but a survivor's story.

Near the end of his patience to simply be inactive, he rose to his feet from where he had been sitting and approached. His hands were folded behind his back, his body language disarming and seemingly passive as he closed the distance.]

Do you believe that the crime assigned to you is fitting for the life that you've lived? This place does seem intent on enacting all manner of dangers a punishment regardless.

iii. but it's their doppelgangers communicating

[starringsecond]

[People with scars often have stories to tell, many of which could tell much about one’s character. The size and depth that mars Silco’s complexion is sure to tell a great tale on its own — you don’t get something like that just by dilly dallying around.

Yuri himself has no visible scars, but that’s he doesn’t like to tell his own stories. His doppelganger even moreso, with dark clothes that cover nearly every inch of his skin. Only the upper half of his face is visible, alongside the dark eye that lazily stares back at his new companion.]

If anything, it feels like we’ve gotten off lightly. [Yuri’s copy gives a lazy shrug.] Do you really think we’re being punished when we’re free to do whatever we want within these walls? Besides, some of us have committed more than the one crime we’ve been sentenced of.

[He should know. Yuri has broken more laws than fighting knights and evading taxes, after all.]

Hiei | Yu Yu Hakusho

[jaganshi]

o1. THE DARK HOUR

Hiei is actually quite content with the network being down and no annoying devices needing to be answered. In fact, once he is sure that their little home in the woods is well lit and warm enough for the others who cannot self-regulate their temperatures, he is out seeing that new horrors lurk out in the woods. The demon is used to these kinds of things - monsters in other demons, or even those so low level they are truly more like animals than a sentient being of any kind.

If anything the fire demon is more keen on observing than taking on any of the beasts - most would be an easy slaughter and, besides that… he isn’t really in to killing animals just for the fun of it. Perhaps when he was a child that would have been an amusement that led to a meal, but Hiei as he is now leans toward non-intervention of the monster’s deep night activities.

Unless, of course, there is an unfortunate party headed toward one, to which the little fire demon will warn from a low branch :

“I would not continue straight ahead unless you are looking for a fight.”

o2. DOPPELGANGER BEATDOWN

… Lately, Hiei’s had a few frustrations. Most to do with himself and his own inability to face who he is, who Yukina is to him, and his own cowardice about the entire situation. His frustration at himself finds Hiei very much willing and able to make his doppelganger very aggressive on purpose.

His doppelganger will skid by anyone unfortunate enough to be in their general area face down, with Hiei following closely after. It seems they’ve been at this a little while as he wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth with a bandaged hand, panting softly. The little fire demon isn’t really that much worse for wear, but it is very interesting and enlightening to take on yourself in very little fashion, if not a bit more whiny about their current shared frustration about the entire situation with Yukina.

Narrowed red eyes cut to their new guest, for the moment assured that the look-alike is incapacitated for the moment.

“You want to join in?”

o3. CRACK INVESTIGATION

Curious as Hiei is, he cannot simply walk away once he spots the crack.

Instead, he’ll pace around it, observing fairly carefully, head tilting and shifting his position this way and that as if trying to get new angles on whatever he’s looking at inside of it. And failing that..

Hiei intends to try and make good use of his small frame. After his hand is not gone when he pulls it back, he slowly sinks his arm further and further inside, reaching his shoulder before he comes to a point too wide to fit. He does try, shifting and wriggling to try and get in any further, but of course it doesn’t work.

Instead, he draws his hand back, scowling at it as if the limb has offended him personally, and not for the first time.

o4. WILDCARD

If you’d like to play a scenario I haven’t started here let me know / hit me with a starter.

I don’t mind playing prose or brackets, so tag in whichever you’re more comfortable with and I will match.

doppelganger beatdown;

[laserguy]

[Well, at least it's nice that Hiei isn't struggling against his doppelganger...? Scott almost feels bad for the phantom that's pushed to the ground by its original, but he also knows that things aren't that simple around here. It usually takes more than just brute strength to get rid of these things; it is never just win a fight against your clone.]

You're asking me to punch you-- or at least something that looks like you? [He asks almost blandly, some sarcasm in his voice, although he's still taking this rather seriously. He's ready for things to turn south, his hand by his glasses, as he looks from the doppelganger over to Hiei.]

Thought you'd never ask.

Atsushi Nakajima | Bungo Stray Dogs BEAST

[beastundermoonlight]

i — razorfins extermination;

[ What the hell was going on here? In all his time working in the Port Mafia, Atsushi had never encountered actual monsters before. He was used to fighting humans, with or without inhuman abilities. While killing monsters was definitely easier for him, there were still hundreds of them swarming the area despite him cutting down so many.

He tenses up when he hears a scream from nearby. Oh no! Were the civilians being caught up into this? ]

Byakko!

ii — doppelganger; who is the real beast?

[ There was no way Atsushi was going to idle in the safehouse with the hordes of monsters attacking in this strange situation. As exhausted and weary he is, as long as he had the tiger's power in him, he could fight an entire army.

An agent of the Port Mafia he may be, but his conscience could not ignore protecting innocent people caught up in this. Otherwise—— ]

You are unworthy of living.

[ Atsushi's eyes opened wide, his skin immediately crawling with a chill. That wasn't his own voice speaking. He turns around to see another figure wearing black behind him, but the color and shape of the hair was unmistakable. Its glowing yellow eyes stared into his own, gleaming with maliciousness. ]

Isn't that what you're thinking right now, me?

AUGH!!

[ The Port Mafia agent immediately launches himself at his doppelganger with a roar, as he immediately shifts into his tiger form. ]

Shut up! Shut up!!

ii.

[humandispel]

[The roar of the tiger is so loud it could have woken up the entire neighborhood.

It's the familiarity of that sound, of that grief, that clues Dazai at the location of his young charge. He's not surprised to know that Atsushi is outside, really, not when he has always been a kind person at heart. He has no doubt any time in the Port Mafia would be able to change that aspect of that boy's heart.

Now he has to protect that heart, as best as he can.

This routine is familiar to him now: to step in the middle of two Atsushis, hand outreached towards the tiger. It's a blinding flash of blue and unraveling light does the other return to his human form.]

Calm down, Atsushi-kun. [His voice is steady and stern, but absent of the terror he used to ground him when they first met.

The doppelganger can try to attack them if he wants, he would just nullify his abilities all thesame.]

Morph | X-Men '97

[mightymorphin]

A. Roaming Around Town
[Sometimes Morph stops off in a safehouse to catch a nap and eat, but you're more likely to find them out in the streets trying to keep the monster population down to a manageable size. In fact, they might be mistaken for one of the beasties considering the form they're favoring for roaming around is that of a fairly large black panther, something that could blend in the shadows but still had good eyesight in the gloom.

The constant twilight was one thing, but the lack of electric lighting whatsoever cast most of the city into the kind of darkness that reminded Morph of an apocalyptic movie. The monsters only added to that atmosphere, but they knew how to deal with those. They were more concerned with making sure their friends were okay, something that was a lot harder without the network. They were worried about Rogue in particular; she hadn't been at any of the safehouses, and Morph hadn't spotted her by air either.

It's as they're prowling down the sidewalk in panther form that something makes them pause. Did one of those shadows move? Morph's ears twitch in that direction, and they approach more slowly, peering intently for any further movement as they creep forward to check it out.]


B. Their Other Face
[The sound of a crying child rings out from one of the gardens scattered around the town square. Anyone coming to investigate will find an alarming sight: a brown-haired boy who looks to be only five or six, whose wailing has drawn the attention of a couple of raptors who are starting to circle around him.

Morph is already on the scene, but they're seemingly frozen in shock, not moving an inch as they stare at the kid. Anyone familiar with Morph might even have an inkling as to why - that child looks an awful lot like the human disguise they typically use, except much younger, and downright sickly-looking in comparison. The boy's skin is sallow, and there's deep purple circles under his eyes, as though he hasn't slept for weeks.

While Morph's trying to process what they're seeing, precious seconds are ticking by as the raptors begin to close in.]


C. Wildcard
(OOC: I'm on a slowatus for about a week but feel free to throw other scenarios at me!)

their other face;

[laserguy]

[It's definitely the echoing cry of a kid that draws Scott to Morph's current location. Something about it is strange, like the fact that there really aren't a lot of kids around, not Chosen at least, but a lot of that is pushed to the back of his mind as he rushes to the scene. Someone's calling for help and that's all that matters, right? He's honestly not expecting to see his teammate already here and normally Scott would be relieved to see Morph, but they're frozen. Unmoving. Despite the fact that those monsters are closing in on them.

What??

He doesn't really have time to really question or think about it, eyes focused on the raptors as he reaches a hand up towards his glasses.]

Morph! [Scott calls out, putting as much command as he can into his tone as he pulls his glasses off.] Snap out of it!!

[That's the only real warning he gives before he lets his optic blasts fly out, shooting through and blasting one of the raptors and sending it careening across the field.]

Yuri Lowell | Tales of Vesperia | ota!

[starringsecond]

i. knight in shadowed armor

[There’s always fun times ahead when you’re stuck in this place, huh? Either that, or Yuri’s luck is just that abysmal — it’s stubborn enough for it to follow him all the way to this simulation and everything.

For better or for worse, the experience with bad omens and terrible disasters meant that he’s mostly unperturbed by this sudden crisis. He never relied much on the network in the first place, and danger isn’t exactly a stranger to him. The green illumination is a bit annoying, though. It clashes with his colors.

What else is he supposed to do? Run around kicking monster ass, of course. It’s good exercise, and there’s always someone out there in need of saving. And you might be able to come across this unlikely savior, canine companion in tow, slashing down a silhouette with his sword.]

You alright? Nearest safe house is that way.

ii. dark enforcer

a.
[There is a man standing in front of you, and he is surrounded by an intimidating aura.

He stares with deadened eyes, expression unreadable thanks to the scarf covering his mouth. Whatever you decide to do, it doesn’t look like he’s going to let you leave peacefully.]

You there. What crime have you been sentenced by?

b.
[There are two identical men in front of you, and they are clashing each other with blades. It’s a clear stalemate, their skills mirroring each other down to the smallest detail.]

The way you keep doing these things with my face is making me sick.

[The only difference is that one seems to laugh with his eyes, while the other doesn’t laugh at all.]

Is that so? You can’t fool me — you think everyone stuck in here deserves to die, don’t you?

iii. wildcard

[Yuri is just out here having a time of his life — I’m game for any other ideas you have!]

i

[battlefieldbrat]

[out of the shadows, as yuri dispatches his current foe, steps a small child? well, he's pretty damn short, anyway, so much so that his own canine companion is easily half his height. he's wearing armor, though, a plate across his chest and greaves on his arms. he seems nonplussed at the scene, as though he's merely out for a walk with his dog and has no concern for the dangers of the perpetual night. a black mask covers his face up to his nose. he looks very...ninja.]

I'm good, thanks. Seen any other monsters around this area?

Ethlyn | Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War | OTA

[baldrshand]

Mirror mirror on the street

[It's another bad day at Black Rock Aldrip. Monsters roam the streets, and stranger things than that. Ethlyn has first-aid kits put together and ready to go in case of an emergency call... but the tablets aren't working anymore. Ethlyn grew up when communications were only as fast as a letter, perhaps one carried by a pigeon if it was truly urgent. But now she realizes just how accustomed she's become to having the whole town at her fingertips.

So far the Clinic is all right. Monsters veer away from its bounds, as though the willow that gives it its name acts like some kind of barrier. Ethlyn doesn't like leaving it in a situation like this. But she has to find out what the situation is out there, in a greater level of detail than 'bad'. So, reluctantly, she packs up a bag and walks out into the streets, her bag over her shoulder and her hand twitching ready to draw a her sword.

But something tugs at her mind, like a sixth sense, the hair standing up on the back of her neck. She turns quickly to see... her. Her, hair in a messy ponytail, rumpled clothes that look like she slept in them, holding a cup of wine.]

Oh, what is this? Are you turning your back on your duties?

[Ethlyn stares, and then groans.]

I simply do not have time for this. [She turns on her heel and marches towards the sidewalk... not with any particular direction, just towards someone who needs a healer's help.

Of course it's not that easy. Her double is following her.]

Of course it's not that easy. [Mirroring her thoughts. How unpleasant.] Why would it be? You don't get easy. It's aaaaalways down to Ethlyn.

Wildcard!

[Want Ethlyn to meet your shadow? Got an injury to fix? Get her to look at that weird reality fracture with you? HMU!]

[feintofhart]

[ The Apothecary seems to function well enough as a safe zone, from what Claude could tell -- but he's too bullheaded, too curious, too concerned about his people to leave it well enough alone. And so, sword and bow at his side, Claude strikes out into the great unknown to find his people. He has a list of them running in his head: everyone who works at the Apothecary, Ethlyn, Ange, Spock, Kirk, Manjiro, Root, the kids...

He won't be able to find all of them. But he can at least find some of them. When he sees Ethlyn (he's not sure if she was chief on his list, but not for lack of affection for Ethlyn is his closest friend here, but because she has the sort of common sense that means he can trust her to take care of herself), he brightens immediately, running towards her with a raised hand. ]

Ethlyn!

[ ...oh. ]

Two Ethlyns. [ It's easy to tell which is the real one: it's the one who isn't drinking in the middle of a crisis. He wouldn't hold it against her, truly, but she would be drinking in the comfort of her own lodgings and not in the middle of the street. He wastes no time in approaching her, gently grasping onto her shoulder and tugging her to his side and takes a protective step in front of her. ]

So. This is happening now, huh?

rosenkrantz 🔥 original character

[erschlagen]

I. Battling The Morbol Menance

[The lashing tentacles hit Rosen across the face, causing him to yelp in pain. He was able to evade the initial blow by swerving between the long tendrils, but Morbols are known for their intelligence. The beast struck him with a horrible fog that almost rendered him unconscious, then struck again, its barbed tendrils this time bringing the lancer to the pavement.]

Fuck! [Rosen grits his teeth as he tries to scramble onto his feet again, the effects of that awful smog impairing his senses. He is momentarily blinded by the stinging pain in his eyes. But that doesn't seem to stop him from using his trusty lance to block the next strike that comes his way. Although Rosen can roughly predict where the monster will attack next, he is not able to maintain this ability indefinitely. Even if you have all your senses intact, Morbols are difficult to kill.

While his arrogance might have gotten him in this mess, Rosen could definitely use some help. Hell, he would even be grateful for the assistance.]

II. The Shadowy Beggar

[Maybe you see this creature while searching the streets for survivors, or maybe you see its grotesque figure pleading for assistance in a nearby park. In any event, despite its frightening appearance, it seems that this mysterious doppelgänger isn't as vicious as the others. This ailing creature is frail, almost inhumanly thin, and weak. Despite the smoky tendrils rolling off its body, it almost has the appearance of a walking skeleton.

If you attempt to touch the creature, it will squirm away from you, hiding momentarily before gradually regaining the courage to plead for help. Of course, all of this is a ruse. Rosen is all too familiar with this ruse.]

I wouldn't go near it, if I was you.

[A trace of contempt appears on his face as he points his spear at the shadowy figure, muttering under his breath.]

An arkana will never leave you once it has a hold on you. It will gradually take over by using your negative emotions against you.

[A sigh escapes him as he stares at this menacing fiend, his mismatched gaze glowing with contempt.]

What a sorry sack of shit you are. [Rosen is actually talking about himself. He doesn't accept that the shadowy monster is him.]

III. The Inn (safe hold)

[Rosen, exhausted after the last few days, sat on the window sill of the nearby inn. He's tired, okay? After having to come to terms with who he is, Rosen is not quite himself today. Usually, he would leap at the chance to cause some trouble and there, but today, he's just tired.

He lingers there for awhile, his eyes open but not quite seeing. It's almost as if the man is caught in some sort of a daze. Maybe being confronted with his true self left something to be desired. Either way, Rosen doesn't seem very interested in leaving any time soon.

For now, he's tired of fighting.]

IV. Wildcard

( have something else in mind? feel free to PM me at devillady or DM on Discord!)

II

[chimericalclaw]

[At the sight of someone or something in need of help, Altius is almost as willing as the hero-sorts of the Chosen to push past his worries over the danger involved. The motives behind that might not be nearly the same—he aims to build a particular reputation, mainly—but the outcome is ultimately this: with a mild frown of concern, he attempts to approach the frail shadow and offer a hand.

That attempt is cut short by Rosenkrantz's appearance, which draws his immediate attention. He maintains a careful level of expression between caution for the both of them and apparent concern, withdrawing his hand to rest over the half-full bag slung over his shoulder.]

This is from your world?

Visas Marr | OTA

[ashesofkatarr]

Shadowcast

[At first, Visas doesn’t realize what it is she’s being followed by. She just sees another grey figure in the crowd of grey figures… but when she notices that it has been with her all morning, she stops. The residents of this land may be fakes, but that doesn’t mean they’re incapable of inflicting harm.

She turns and sees that this simulation is of herself. But not herself as herself–the mirror reflection is imperfect. Warily, Visas steps closer. The skin on her copy’s face is pale and cracked and lined, like the captives in Nihilus’ ship, being slowly wasted by his hunger. Its lips are dark, not from cosmetics, but as though the blood beating through them has been poisoned.]

My life for yours.

[Visas takes a step back.]

No. Leave me.

[The copy takes another step forward, merciless, igniting a lightsaber.]

My life. For yours.

Monster Mash

[You know what’s easy to deal with? Compared to ominous reflections of your inner self? Giant, ravening beasts.

Visas has fought many. From packs of kath hounds on Dantooine to the tigerlike maalras and the aggressive garbage cans known as cannocks on Dxun, she has fought many a wild animal. She is not sure why the dark reflections of people means that the dangerous animals of Aldrip have invaded city limits, but it is, at least, an easy problem to deal with. All she has to do is avoid being mauled.

Therefore–when not plagued by her shadow–Visas is stalking down any given street. Her footsteps are quiet, silent even, from long practice as the deadly knife of a Sith Lord. So you may not notice her until you find yourself in company with a monster–and it starts choking, as though being strangled from afar.]

Do not move. I can handle this.

[Of course, you are free to listen to her, or not, as you desire.]

Wildcard

[Ayy! Want something else? PM me / hit me up @ compassinks or just drop something in here.]

shadow

[computation]

[ Root has dealt with her doppelganger by now. That was not a trivial or simple matter; it was the culmination of multiple days of cat and mouse, blasting off her legs over and over, drugging her, maybe even torturing her, taking her own injuries in the process and wrangling Shaw's double as well. But eventually even Root had understood the point: in her was the capacity to do evil, great evil, in the service of something more. It was too easy for her to shut her own agency off and give it over to something else.

She wanted to believe she was a better person now, had died a better person, but it was a thin line to walk and she was constantly in peril of teetering over it. So she knows how the doppelgangers work. She also knows they can't be conventionally killed. And she has some major frustration to burn off, which is why she has Shaw stationed on a rooftop with the .338 sniper rifle and she's stalking the streets with a pistol in each hand, practically radiating a willingness to do violence.

Maybe she has the capacity to do horrible things, but sometimes you need to do horrible things to do good, too.

And she's not about to leave Visas to face this alone. She likes her, in that swift unreasonable way Root decides she likes people. With her implant hooked up to the dark web and Shaw equipped with her own communicator, Root eyes the burgeoning fight from a distance away and says aloud to Shaw: ]

Standby for my signal -- friend of mine with a double. She's no walk in the park.

[ Root trusts that's all the warning Shaw needs about the seriousness of the situation. She marches up toward Visas and her lookalike, pistols first, both of them trained on the creepier-looking one. She's not sure what she can do against someone with a lightsaber who can choke someone out from a distance, but she's not coward enough to back away and she doesn't actually mind if she gets killed here.

Shaw might mind, but, well. Root isn't going to cater to her trauma. ]

Visas, [ she announces herself brightly, ] what did I say about leaving me out of the fun?

octavian | original

[manifestering]

doppels

[Street's double haunted. Or: there are two Octavians out and about today (tonight? whichever!), the original and his double, distinguishable only by, of all things, the cheaper-looking quality of his ghostly attire. Almost like the doppelganger doesn't care as obsessively as Octavian does about keeping every detail he can remember as accurate to life as possible, go figure.

The other ghost isn't really doing anything else besides that, though. Octavian is dead, and not the kind of dead that comes with combat-ready supernatural abilities; he's just dead, and so his double is equally as hopeless as he is when it comes to being physically aggressive.

It can complain, though: currently hovering there with its arms folded, watching Octavian distastefully while Octavian crouches in the street with a piece of chalk and a dream. He's drawing an alchemical circle of some kind on the pavement, occasionally looking up to either address his double or wave someone else away from walking into the circle.

The double says,] Still you persist. Why do you not give up.

[To which Octavian actually laughs, a sound like twigs breaking, and simply replies,] Hypocrite.

[They are at an impasse.]

assorted misc mini-prompts

[Hey Aldrip, it's ya ghost. Assorted options:

1. Octavian honestly doesn't believe any of these monsters can re-kill him, so he can be found just wandering around outside and testing the limits of the weird mist.

2. He will inevitably loiter in the inn because his usual haunted house is boring in the dark. While indoors he will be trying to observe the weird crack, but since he's not entirely solid, he'll be asking people to put their bodies in there for him, please and thank you. :) Haha yay :)

3. Anything else you have in mind, hmu at jojoveller or orbitallaser on discord.]

two of them (doppel prompt)

[humandispel]

[Considering how his modius operandi for this long night has been ‘break out fights and nullify dangerous abilities’, the sight in front of Dazai is almost laughable. It’s like the supernatural equivalent of watching old men shake their canes at each other, with no end in sight. Or at least until some unsuspecting monster shows up to kill one of them.

Wait, is it even possible to kill someone who’s dead? Can it be a double death?

It’s this absurd sight that has taken Dazai’s attention, alongside the magic circle being drawn at the ground. Not something he can make heads or tails upon, but based on the ghost’s OKCINDR profile he could take a guess.]

What’s wrong with wanting to try? Isn’t life all about struggling and suffering?

[Perhaps he’s a hypocrite too, defending someone who has attained the death he desired yet also does not desire, but life is just like that.]

ange ushiromiya | umineko (ota!)

[entreats]

[ It's probably not a good thing to be out here. The atmosphere would be enough to tell anyone as much, and the sight of all the monsters in the streets certainly make it even more clear that it's safer to stay away, out of danger.

But Ange has never really been one to stop doing something just because it's dangerous. She has to go out to check up on her friends she isn't sharing a house with at first, especially when she realizes she can't reach them through the tablets.

.. in doing so, however, the girl seems to have found something.

So if you happen to be out on the streets too - perhaps just not caring about the monsters, or wanting to fight them, or checking up on your friends, or out here for any other reason - then you might see a teenage girl trying to draw your attention. It might take a moment to notice her, since she isn't being loud to avoid attracting monsters, and she is a little bit out of the way like she was trying to hide from those things.

But if her gesturing is enough to make you come over, she will whisper-hiss at you: ]

Look!

[ She will gesture at the crack on the side of a building.

If it's earlier in the week, it will be just that. A crack. A weirdly placed crack, though, which is why the girl turns to you to ask: ] What is that doing here?!

[ If it's later in the week though, you will be able to gaze through the crack with her at the weird structure behind - or inside of - it. It will instead get Ange to tell you in that same whisper-hiss: ] There's something in there!

[ At least she's not telling you to stick your hand in.

Yet, anyway. ]

[anormalman]

[If people are being terrorized by monsters, then Superman will be there to help, even if he finds that the threats here are a bit sturdier than the ones he's dealt with back home. Naturally, this means he's spent quite a bit of time out on the streets. But what he doesn't expect is to be called over to look at a crack in the side of a building.

Clark recognizes Ange from when he first arrived here, of course, but whether she'll recognize him is another matter entirely; after all, he's wearing a very different outfit and has styled his hair differently. But that isn't really on his mind right now, so he flies down to take a look at what she's pointing at.]

There's...something there, alright. [He just hopes it isn't something dangerous.]

Ragna the Bloodedge | BlazBlue

[rebellions]

1. double trouble

[ The whole thing with permanent night and swarms of monsters attacking the city may be annoying, but aren't necessarily that big of a deal ─ in fact, this sort of thing is pretty much Ragna's specialty, so while he's not happy about the development, he can at least admit things could be way worse. As it is, he's roaming around Aldrip, leaving a trail of monsters' corpses in his wake, maybe even occasionally helping out those who can't protect themselves, though he never quite sticks around for long.

Of course, if the current situation ended up being just that, it would've been too good to be true, so before long he runs into an exact copy of himself. And his immediate reaction to that development is to just... let out an exasperated sigh. ]

Talk about bad taste... that's some cliché shit.

[ His doppelgänger seems to agree, as he shrugs nonchalantly, rolling his eyes. ]

Hey, that's my line. Like I haven't seen this one before.

[ Somehow, the fact he reacts similarly is only more aggravating. But the reasonable part of him remembers that if the copy has at least a fraction of his powers, their fight would be a disaster for the entire city, so he tries his best to swallow his pride and ignore the irritation. ]

Whatever. I'm not big on this "confrontation with yourself" bullshit, so I'm outta here.

[ The man waves his hand dismissively, and turns around, ready to walk away and ignore this newest challenge. He figures it'll disappear on its own eventually, once the whole place gets fixed, so it's not worth losing his temper over. ]

You're gonna destroy this world, too, aren't you?

[ That single sentence is enough to stop Ragna right in his tracks, slowly looking over his shoulder at "himself", cold fury burning in his eyes. ]

Don't give me that look. I'm you, remember? 'Course I know what you're thinking. After all...

Shut up.

[ He knows the copy's next words before he even speaks; he's heard this line before more times than he could count, yet he can't precisely remember any one of them. But what is clear as a day to him... is that he doesn't want to hear it ever again.

But his copy doesn't seem to care about what he wants, and carries on in a casual tone: ]

... that's what we were created to do.

I said, SHUT UP!!

[ Forgetting all about trying to avoid fighting his clone, Ragna draws his sword and charges at the other man, only to be met with the exact copy of his own blade. With his anger flaring up like this, it's unlikely they can talk it out. ]

2. where it doesn't belong
cw: dismemberment, eldritch horrors beyond human comprehension??

[ To be quite honest, Ragna isn't surprised in the slightest when he starts finding those little cracks in the fabric of reality itself. He doubts it's directly related to the unusually long night they've been dealing with, but he can't rule out its influence without investigating the thing further. If it can be investigated, that is. ]

The Embryo's not gonna last long if this keeps up...

[ He hesitates for a brief moment, before lifting his right hand up and gently pushing it through the opening. He figures he might be able to learn something useful about this world and the other side by doing this, but that's not quite what happens.

Instead, he immediately feels the presence that has accompanied him for since the reset ─ one that felt so natural that he barely even noticed it as something out of the ordinary ─ disappear the very moment he reaches out through the gap. The emptiness it leaves feels like a jolt of electricity, and Ragna instantly pulls his hand out, staring down at it with eyes wide in shock. ]

Wha─ No!

[ Even on the best of days, Ragna's decision-making process leaves a lot to be desired, but with panic clouding his judgement, it's practically non-existent ─ as evidenced by him shoving his arm back into the crack without a second thought. All that earns him is sharp pain, one that he's familiar with, though at first he's unsure why. It all becomes clear when he pulls back from the gap, only to find out his right arm from elbow down... gone. ]

... Shit.

[ Anyone with working eyes could easily consider that reaction to be an understatement of the century, but it quickly becomes apparent that losing a limb is the least of Ragna's concerns right now. One might expect this to be a bloody spectacle, but as it turns out, it's not blood that's seeping out from where the man's right arm should be ─ rather, it's some kind of dark shadow that trickles down from the wound, pooling into puddle at his feet. It doesn't stay that way for long, however, as it continues to spread across the ground quickly, forming something tangible, though it may be difficult to tell what the shape is ─ one moment it may look like a tentacle, the other a predator animal's claw, only to transform into a pitch-black humanoid arm. Whatever it may appear as, its goal remains the same, as tries to reach out towards any person in the vicinity. ]

2!

[humandispel]

[Dazai himself has been around to look at the cracks — they seem suspiciously out of place with what is going on around this endless night that it felt like a separate issue entirely. Of course, he’s just there to observe, not to interact: who knows what would happen if he ever touched one of those, considering his nullification abilities? It could end up with something painful, and he’s not stupid enough to stick his hand into something dangerous.

Which is why he would observe someone who is stupid enough to stick their hand into the crack, of course!

It’s why he didn’t yell at the white-haired man that whatever he’s trying isn’t a good idea. No, he was perfectly content in his comfortable corner away from sight, waiting to see the fruit of this man’s foolhardly actions.

Well, whatever he was expecting, it wasn’t that. Brown eyes widen at the grotesque sight, inky ichor pouring out from his wound. If that was blood, there’s no way a normal human would have survived.

The poor guy’s state of distress is a clear indication that this situation is out of his hands — pun unintended. And that would be his cue to step in, if his guess on this berserk wriggling thing is correct.

The moment he steps into view, the dark limb immediately darts straight towards him. Two things could have happened here: either Dazai nullifies it with his touch, or he gets tackled off or something worse by the evil arm-thing for his troubles. Thankfully his guess is correct: the moment it touches his hand, the dark appendage disappears in a flash of white light.

Not that it would last long, though. The limb is always free to take shape once more as long as there’s no physical contact between them. Despite the dire situation, Dazai greets mister grumpy with a wave and a smile.]

‘Sup. Any explanation to why your ex-right arm is now some kind of out of control creature?

Aether | Genshin Impact

[startraveler]

☆ Starshadow

[No footsteps can be heard but a young-looking blond-haired man appears before you. Upon closer inspection, it's no wonder you didn't hear him approach, as there are six translucent wings on his back, making him hover in the air slightly instead of allowing his feet to touch the ground. Some may recognize him as Aether, your resident helper who seem to be always reassuring everyone with a smile. However, this "Aether" seems different. His gaze is distant and devoid of any warmth, his expression is oddly serious. There's a sword in his hand.]

Why do you feel the need to keep all those secrets? You're well aware that nothing matters.

[The doppelganger speaks as if directing these words to someone else, not the person before him and that's the moment when the real Aether arrives. He too is holding a sword, but he has no wings and he quickly steps between whoever is around and the double.]

And why don't you go away if nothing matters?

[Is this going to end up with a fight?]

☆ Wildcard

[Aether can be found around trying to not answer his double's questions, fighting off monsters and trying to help as many people as possible! Feel free to make your own scenario or contact me at spiritualwhisper and let's plot!]

[spiritualize]

[ even with no sound, the presence of... something powerful, its edges stitched with the persistent darkness that permeated this neverending night, alerted riku to the doppelganger's presence. what he doesn't expect is for it to have aether's face, set in that serious impassivity. its words are spoken over, rather than to him. that's enough that instead of responding, riku raises braveheart into a battle stance - already in his hand from fighting off the ever-increasing hordes of monsters.

before he can decide whether to confirm its identity as Not Aether, or skip that and make the first attack, the decision is rendered pointless with aether's arrival. he suddenly feels pinned by the mystery, stuck between these identical faces. not an unfamiliar spot for him to be, all things considered, but a fresh experience here. ]

Aether...?