trash bin PART TWO

[al2955]

the pygmalion. . . ??? OPENING PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . _PROGRAM CRASHED _PROGRAM REBOOT? >N >SCAN PROGRAM . . . _PROGRAM CRASHED . . . >EMERGENCY LEVEL . . . >EMERGENCY LEVEL . . . _EMERGENCY LEVEL LOADING LOADING. . . LOADING. . . LOADING TEXTURE-NIGHT-SKY, TEXTURE-FULL-MOON, TEXTURE-DIRT-PATH, TEXTURE-CAMPFIRE LOADING SOUND-CRICKETS, SOUND-GRAVEL, SOUND-WIND, SOUND-FIRE-CRACKLING UPLOADING USER UPLOADING USER UPLOADING USER UPLOAD SUCCESSFUL TRASH BIN It feels more like an electrical zap than dying. Dying might feel a little bit more like falling asleep, but this is harder, more painful. If you've ever been electrocuted, the feeling might seem familiar; the discovery you make when you open your eyes, too, is likely very familiar. It's the night sky. Stars twinkle, a fire cracks warmly. You sit up and observe the surrounding area, and it's like you've woken up in some sort of canyon. The fire burns brightly, the moon shines beautifully, the crickets sing, and it is ... peaceful. Mostly. You know you're dead. This must be, then, the after life? Or something like it, at least. The horizon stretches on forever, the dirt and gravel seemingly endless. The moon is so big and bright, it's like you could reach out and touch her. There's a shed not too far from the fire, only but a stone's throw away, as if someone else might have made it, and then went inside it. Approaching it, you can see the light glowing inside it through the dusty windows that are littered with fingerprints. A computer screen, so large and wide that it's baffling, sits, waiting. Turning knob reveals that the shed is unlocked, and stepping inside... it doesn't feel any different from the outside. A chair sits in the center of the room, a strange contraption strapped to the head of it. It looks like it would lower itself upon the head of whoever dares to sit on it, and wires from it's bottom curl up towards the machines attached to the screen. Several smaller desktop screens sit beneath the giant monitor. They, too, are hooked up to the machines scattered around the room, to the ominous one perched on top of the medical chair, and they blink, as if fighting to stay alive without use. Pressing the giant monitor on, it lights up, and displays, strangely enough... a security camera feed. You push the button. It switches to another room. Again, another room. Again, another room. So on and forth. You peeping tom! But no one can blame you, in the end. You might as well digitally haunt the rest of the ship until the game ends, and AL-2955 can clean out the trash bin. ...Right? rule book taken characters information cards

Comments

EVENT START

[al2955]

[Tuesday afternoon, the screens in the shed suddenly start glitching out again. A familiar male voice can be heard over the speakers, still distorted but a little clearer this time.]

--don't care, it's a risk we need to take! We are officially out of other options. Unless you have a better sugges-- [There's a burst of static before the voice returns.]

Pygmalion, do you copy? This is N--[...]. Can't get a damn two-way sig [...] but we're about to try something here. Figured you all should get a heads up, since this is either gonna [...] or be the stupidest thing we've ever [...]

On the count of three, then. Three...two...o--

[Wherever you are, the entire world seems to shake. Color leeches from the environment, objects all blur and meld, and above it all there's a continuous and incredibly loud screech, like the sound of nails dragged down a blackboard magnified a thousandfold. For the briefest of moments, the graveyard seems to suddenly filled with a lot more people; if you concentrate, you may even catch a glimpse of someone you recognize from the Nuwa's dead.

This lasts for about five seconds, and then everything goes back to normal, as if nothing happened at all. Well...almost normal.

Allen, Iron Bull, Lavi, Machias, and Hancock are nowhere to be found.]

Re: EVENT START

[tacklefordwhimsy]

[Shelley was in the shed when it all started. What's the word for this situation? Uuuuh...'dizzying'. That's the word. Shelley feels horribly disoriented for a couple minutes, covering her ears from the screech, and when it's over she looks around as if she expected to see something unusual.

Everything seems to be intact, though]

...that was freaky.

[To say the least. The short transmission did reveal her a couple details, though. She makes mental note of it for next time she contacts the living]

GROUP ONE

[al2955]

[After this happens, the five who vanished will find themselves suddenly transported to a very familiar hallway.

Looks like you seem to be standing in the hallway of the middle deck of the Pygmalion again, boys. There doesn't seem to be anyone in the halls at the moment, but you may as well take the time to get yourselves reacquainted with the layout.]

[qundercover]

[Don't worry, he's got a good eye for this type of thing.]

Never been resurrected before, so can't say for sure if that's what it feels like.

EVENT INFO SHARING

[qundercover]

[Seems like Bull is suddenly back on earth and/or in the graveyard again. Doesn't look any worse for wear except for maybe the small emotional scars of being totally ignored by his precious son. He will recover in time. }:( ]

So, that sure was a trip.

[bloodbiter]

—You've come back! What happened?

GROUP TWO

[al2955]

[ Shortly after Group One's return, there's another sharp lurch in the dead's domain. Instead of the colors seeping away, the contrasts within the realm heighten, pushed to their limits, until the world is blindingly white, every inch of it washed away. If you don't cover your eyes, they might start to hurt.

When Adelina, Shelley, Arumat, Kazuma and Elizabeth open their eyes, however, they'll notice that they're most definitely not in the trash bin.

Actually, this definitely does seem to be Captain Perkins' cottage. You find yourself standing in the living room of her cottage.

What do you do now? ]

[baptizer]

[ Die like Snow White, wake up like Snow White? Her eyes flutter open, knees weak and head feeling a bit dizzy from her awakening. Elizabeth looks around in confusion, careful footsteps taking her to the nearest window to take a peek out. ]

Where...? I'm really getting tired of waking up in places I don't know.

zombies return

[mnasthai]

[ Well that sure happened.

It doesn't feel pleasant dying a second time, but hey at least he didn't get to healed to death this time.]

Ah they were all really surprised weren't they... [ He is just going to pull himself into a siting position and rest because that was exhausting.]

[bloodbiter]

[ughhhhhh why death 2.0]

...I only hope it works.

[shakily standing up]

honestly this is worth the popcorn of a lifetime

[qundercover]

[Everything happens so much hashtag yikes but Bull is definitely at the monitors regretting he doesn't have tea for the dramabomb doubledoxx of a lifetime. Does anyone else want to popcorn.]

You know, I was expecting some shit to go down, but this is like setting a Saarabas loose in the gaatlok factory.

[bloodbiter]

This is hardly funny.

[okay yes it is but she isn't going to say that]

blue screen of death @ alice

[baptizer]

[ Get your Goddamn popcorn ready because Fallout Boy killed Alice. It had been an intense day and even if Elizabeth isn't happy to see Fiona or anyone, really partnered with those vile creatures... it's kind of like you can't pull away. Like a trashy reality TV show.

After all of this, all bets are off on what's going to happen to the Nuwa or the "suspects" of this trial. ]

Wait... what just happened?! Is she -

[bloodbiter]

This... This is horrible, we have to do something!

week 11, saturday, 5:46pm

[al2955]

[ Immediately following the Queen Mother's appearance, every datapad in the graveyard begins to vibrate violently. Furry Passing auto-opens again, and there's a message from Perkins. ]

CANNOT TALK LONG
TELL THEM TO GO TO THE FUEL RESERVE ROOM
NEED TO STOP THE SHIP FROM GOING FURTHER
WE'LL ALL DIE IF WE DON'T
MANAGED TO CONNECT TO EVERYONE'S DATAPADS SO IT'LL DISPLAY IMMEDIATELY
YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES
BE QUICK, WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR EMOTIONAL REUNIONS
THE RESERVE ROOM HAS TO BE DESTROYED
THE SHIP WILL KEEP THEM ALIVE FOR A WHILE LONGER BUT THIS IS OUR ONLY CHANCE
MOVE OUT, TEAM
- S. Perkins

Week 12

[tacklefordwhimsy]

[That sure is a motive. All Shelley could do is stare at the screen. Once the announcement is done she goes silent, takes off her glasses and cleans them. Yeah, she's gaining time for whatever she wishes to say. Once she's done she puts them back on]

If the life support also keeps us here and kind-of-alive, wherever we are, then the moment they run out of it will be our doom too.

Hard to believe our days are numbered unless something is done on either side, eh?

[Shelley tries to grin determinedly, but this is a terrifying situation. Permanent death is something she hoped to not to encounter anytime soon.

Still, this is Shelley Winters and she'll try to keep a cheerful demeanor for as long as possible]

WEEK 12, EVENT START

[al2955]

[ You've probably come to expect the messages from Perkins, even if they're unpredictable and often lead to disaster. This time, when Furry Passing auto-opens, there's a little avatar of a red headed woman outside your home. She places a letter in your mailbox, and suddenly disappears.

Opening the letter reveals a long note. ]

You have all, in a way, been on your own from the start. But with River dead, you're out of life lines. I've been working since the moment I sent out that last message, and I think I cracked through. The ship's going to need a boost of power to finish up, but I have faith you don't need to pass information along this time to get that done. What I'm getting at is that I need you to function as repairmen one last time.

You've noticed the little platforms. They're a hint toward the Cradle's purpose. At the last moment of your life, your brain was scanned and the scan was moved to the Cradle. It's a Virtual Reality, if you know what those kind of things are. You're not fake or a copy. You're yourself. The point of the Cradle Project was always to save lives, to preserve life, and that's why you're here. If we'd left you where you were, you would have died. So we took your consciousness in the form of a brain scan, and brought it on the Pygmalion. It was the best way to test the bodies -- the ones you were in last week and the ones you were in on the ship. The Cradle was a way for us to store consciousness until those bodies were ready.

They told us we were playing God, but I'm alive right now and able to help you because of this "God-forsaken" project. Lin's alive because of our research, too. Dr. Lin, that is -- she's Nuwa's AI.

I'm gonna cut the walls of text out now. You know exactly why you're here now. I knew you from start up tests; they'd last a day at the most, and when we put you back into hypersleep, you'd wake up without memories. I'm sorry for that. You should have known about the project from the beginning. If you had, then maybe more of you would have survived.

That's what we're changing tonight. We're on our last piece of shit alien, boys and girls. We cannot bullshit around anymore, let's fix the connection to Furry Passing. If we work now, we'll get shit up and running just in time for the last trial; don't you want revenge? To get that bastard? I broke through, and I don't know if I can go with you. I'm on alpha, so I won't make promises, but the fact is this: I know a way to get you all communicating again. You need to work with me one last time, crew.

The platforms. Step on them. I didn't alter much but I managed to get some wires crossed enough that you'll be transferred to your own Cradle. The point of the Cradle was to bring happiness and bliss to the dead while they waited for their new body, but we can't risk you in your bodies just yet. The datapads are pretty much indestructible, but you've only got one other body left a piece, so we're doing this through the game first.

Once we've got the fucker bagged, we'll work on the bodies part.

So after you step on the platform, the scanner will pop up. Scan your hand. If you've used the Comfort Zones before, you'll have no problem here. Someone else should be on the platform with you when you scan your hand -- this is your life line. Don't care who it is or how you choose them, just make sure it's someone who will respect your own decision.

Because I'm giving you a choice.

You can stay in your Cradle, or your buddy can help you break through. Break through, reject the Cradle, and you'll be able to communicate through Furry Passing without any time limits. If we're lucky, the video function might work, even. You better hope we're lucky.

Regardless, it's your call. To be or not to be, I guess. You can stay or you can go. If your buddy wants to stay, nab someone who has already broken through and make your own choice from there. You've worked hard, soldier. If you want to take retirement, that's fine by me.

Good luck. They're waiting.

( paris - sunset )

[baptizer]

[ Once you arrive, you'll have to wander the cobblestone and brick streets of Paris for a few minutes. The gold and magenta sky begins to darken, casting the city in a warm hue before at once - all the lights in the city begin to twinkle on. Even the expansive tower in the distance lit up as if everyone was greeting you. Surely, that couldn't be it, right?

You see the painters at the channelside, painting the incoming gondolas and tower in the distance. You hear the sound of children getting yelled at by their parents to come for supper. You smell the last few loaves of freshly baked bread being given to the poor and less fortunate by the friendly, plump bakers.

However, all three senses combine. The scent of a familiar lavender perfume, the undeniable laugh and exclaim of a young girl, and the sight of short brown strands in the distance. By now, the sky was nearly pure blue and if you follow this young girl - you'll see the hustle and bustle of the nightlife for the Moulin Rouge. Luckily, it hadn't quite burned down yet!

You'll see well-dressed men and scantily clad women paired off and laughing in the streets before entering the brightly lit display. The words "MOULIN ROUGE" undeniably present for anyone who may need to remember where they are. Among the sea of people, a girl was far more moderately dressed, but Elizabeth looks so diferent. She interacts with people through the crowd and even if you're an abnormal/not human visitor, they pay you no mind. As she enters into the cabaret, you'll see her dancing and laughing - time to break the news! ]

[bloodbiter]

[it's hard not to be caught up in the sights and sounds of this place - it's so different than anything she's ever seen or experienced, so dazzling; it threatens to overwhelm as she hurries through it all with the others. still, though, she knows what she and the others are here to do. it isn't time to indulge in any of this amusement.

it's why she ignores the objectionable dress of the young women as she enters the theater. she glances around for her friend as she starts to call over the din of the crowd, coming closer once she's spotted her.]

Elizabeth?

[bloodbiter]

[as you all come into her cradle, the scene is simple in a way. a blanket is spread on a patch of grass in a meadow. a lake lies nearby, the breeze sending gentle ripples through the water. songbirds carry out short tunes as the flit through the air, and clouds move lazily through the sky above. it's a beautiful day; warm, but not too hot, with the sun brightening the afternoon.

as you look around this peaceful place, you may notice several figures near the water speaking happily. the first, as expected, is adelina; she wears a summer dress and holds a piece of cloth, needle and thread in her hand. she seems to be idly embroidering as she speaks to the others. there's none of her typical determination or seriousness to be found in her expression. instead, there's a smile on her face that turns into a laugh every so often as the wind gently blows through her hair, brushes upon her dress.

though you aren't quite close enough to make out the words, you can see who she's talking with - her sister, of course, and her husband, recognizable from the motives that revealed their likeness. unfamiliar are the older man and woman who are accompanying the younger three individuals. all sit around the blanket, where several dishes and plates of food lay as well; it seems to be a picnic. everyone smiles and laughs, careless and without worry, with nothing to be concerned about or frightened of. she looks happier than anyone has seen her during the project.

it's like watching a moment captured in a painting, but one that doesn't end.]

[baptizer]

[ This place was - beautiful! Unlike the cities she's dreamed of, the countryside had never been her focal point. She regrets it now.

Elizabeth looks around at the scene, feeling the overgrown grass brush up against her dress as she hikes it up. Caught up in the beauty of nature it takes a moment for her to really connect that - it's Adelina. She's off amongst a group of people and Elizabeth hesitates from intruding. She stands off in the distance where their attention wasn't focused, chewing her bottom lip nervously. ]

Should we ...? Should we really bother her - look how happy she is...

[thanatosincarnate]

{ It is a wonder how each and everyone's happiness can be measured in comparison to others -- would the situations displaying one's perfect, ideal world mean that there was always smiles on the individuals' faces that roamed these "worlds"? Surely not. For some people, their ideal world was not one exactly full of ostensible contentment. Perhaps it may be the little things, such as when Arumat walked, it was lighter, and his gait in general just the same.

Most of the "people" around him on the bridge surely weren't exactly smiling in the traditional sense. Yet, it was undeniable, that from the way their eyes lit up or how they rested in their seats, relaxed and hardly tense -- their situation was something they surely approved of.

There were, of course, the few who did easily share the traditional expression of joy and camaraderie by their animated talk, movement, and small, conservative smiles. Of those few was a blond haired man who smiled and gave Arumat a friendly greeting. A little later, another one of those few included a red-haired man on board the ship, who followed Arumat straight out into the lounge. The white-haired man didn't seem to mind much.

The only thing noticeable about the exchange is that the red-haired man was able to place a hand, however temporary, upon the taller man's shoulder, before removing it -- all done without fear or reprisal. Arumat seemed to hardly react, except with an expression that seemed a touch softer than the usual.

...And then the red-haired man is off, leaving the Eldarian by himself. Yet, it was a peaceful solitude, where he didn't have thoughts or feelings that assailed him. No worries, his mission a success, and his brethren, including his friends... all safe.

What more could he wish for? }

[mnasthai]

[ You know what happens when Kazuma is stressed? He just defaults back to being awful, so sorry in advance for this Arumat. Kazuma doesn't take more than a few moments to look at the scenery-- it's similar enough to the Pygmalion that his brain dismisses it as such. The people also don't get much of acknowledgement, except for the red-haired man.

He whispers to whoever is close by, but likely loud enough for Arumat to hear it:]

Ohhh, is that his boyfriend?

[ The 0th Rune City ISYANA ]

[mnasthai]

[ The first thing you'll notice is that the area you've arrived in is blue, oh so blue. The walls, the ceilings, the floor, even the light in this room is blue in illumination. It seems to be a massive chamber, and from the feeling in here it appears like you're very deep underground. The architecture of this place is decidedly old and archaic-- the floor composed of worn stone, the roof engraved with sweeping runes. After that, your eyes are probably drawn to the coffins, of which there are dozens and dozens of them. They're arranged haphazardly around the room in a circular pattern, and some of them are even open. If you dare to peek...there's actually nothing in them but a lot of dust.

There are only two people here, besides the rest of you.

The first would be Kazuma, and he looks...exactly the same as you saw him moments ago. Unruly green hair, mages uniform with a long black cape and purple ribbon. And then there would be Terumi who stands just opposite him. He's hard to miss, what with the bright garish orange jacket, and black bandages wrapped around his arms. Their appearances are a mirror of each other even if their clothing and posture is decidedly different: same height, same build. If they're saying anything, you can't make it out from this distance, but they seem to be standing around a hole in the floor, which looks down into a swirling blue vortex.

Approach?]

Re: [ The 0th Rune City ISYANA ]

[tacklefordwhimsy]

[Hell no. Shelley doesn't approach. She keeps her distance, staring at Terumi and Kazuma]

Why do I have the feeling that going ahead and saying hi won't be well received.

[Rhetorical question, because damn it's obvious why. She'll approach, she'll just wait for a moment to be sure she won't do it alone]

The Great Tackleford Show - Tackleford - England

[tacklefordwhimsy]

[Isn't it great that, after months of being either in a ship or in a weird canyon graveyard place, you can feel the sun now? You know it isn't real, but it feels so warm and pleasant...

But the place you're in is far from being calm or pleasant. Looks like you found yourself in middle of a country fair. Not exactly the place you'd think Shelley Winters would be at. There are several posters around, announcing 'The Great Tackleford Show'. The year is blurry, for some reason. There are many large event tents around, showcasing the pleasantries of rural life. It seems that, yes, the town is hosting a country fair. Try not to get lost.

Where's Shelley, though? She can't be too far away. Everywhere you see there are lots and lots of people you don't know, strangers you don't care about.

Not too far from where you're all standing, there are noises of animals. In the distance, there's a tent with a large sign: 'Jam contest'. Or of course you could just stand still, or ask for help and hope for the best. Anything is better than wandering cluelessly, at least]

[thanatosincarnate]

{ Verily, it's really nice to once again feel the warmth of the sun's radiance upon one's skin, even if Arumat's been accustomed to living in space even before the whole situation with the Cradle Project occurred. He begins to step forward, pushing past the few individuals here because he sure as hell didn't give a crap about the strangers lingering here or there.

Arumat's patience runs out when he hears the sound of animals admist the peoples' hustle and bustling, and suddenly he's reaching out to grab the shirt of the poor passerby, pulling him towards his person. He's growling, irritability singing in his eyes. }

You. Tell me ... where the hell Shelley Winters is?

party up

[todorable]

[There is a loud party going on, not raucously so, but it could get there in a few hours. For now, it is just a pleasant mass of people enjoying themselves in the large, semi-outdoor venue; dancing on one side, chattering away at tables and sofas to the other. A dark-haired man provides a steady bass thud from the DJ booth, and snazzily-dressed waitstaff with perfect abs shuttle platters of food and drinks to and from the large, gleaming bar at the back, watching the fancy bartenders fix fancy drinks. The sun is warm, but not too warm or bright; the pool looks refreshing, with plenty of room to lounge or swim. As you enter, attractive people smile and wink at you, interested (but not too interested); they are friendly and happy to dance, but don't block your way if you're trying to do anything. If only every party had guests so courteous!

Todomatsu apparently isn't coming out to give you the royal welcome, but it's obvious he's here. Not just because that's the whole point of this thing, but because Totty's name comes up just enough in the conversations around you that it's obvious this is his party, and he is the one everyone's come to see and be seen by. So yeah, you should probably look for him at some point...but you did get a free pass past the bouncer, so maybe you should just have a few drinks and relax?]

[mnasthai]

Do you think there are hard boiled eggs here? [ Clearly, Kazuma has his priorities in order. He actually really doesn't like parties too much because of all the people, but he hasn't had an egg in months and there are hors d'oeuvres so he might actually hit the jackpot here.

...and you know what he's going for it, and he approaches the first waiter he sees:]

Excuse me, do you have deviled eggs or hard-boiled eggs or...any kind of eggs? [ Who cares about alcohol.]

A Tavern, Somewhere.

[qundercover]

[ When you first enter the tavern It’s loud. It’s obvious there’s a celebration going on. People of all shapes and sizes are milling about: a few beautiful elven red-heads are pushing through the crowd and delivering tankards of beer, men and women with swords still strapped to their belts chatter excitedly amongst themselves, a few couples even dance to the tune of bard industriously plucking away. But, like in every room he’s ever been in it’s hard to miss Bull sitting in the corner - obviously enjoying the company (and the beer). Oddly enough, there isn’t anyone else that really looks like him here, no other gray horned men or women. He’s surrounded by friends, some faces maybe even familiar if they were paying attention to his hostage, a motley crew of mercs - a few elves, humans with varying amounts of limbs, even a dwarf. If you get close enough you can hear snippets of the conversation - they all call him Chief with equal parts respect and a tone of familial teasing, and laugh at his jokes despite themselves. It seems he’s in the middle of a story.]

-- And then, after all this he’s getting so worked up he sets the damn bed on fire!

[baptizer]

[ There is a difference between being under charms and seeing first hand this cradle. As Elizabeth settles, she isn't exactly comfortable - she isn't exactly formidable fighter like Bull so she can only imagine what that means. Elizabeth goes ahead and sits off on her own table, watching carefully as the celebrations unfold around them. She's leaning over to anyone to hear her: ]


I hope these girls keep their pants on long enough for us to speak with Bull...

( thors military academy; front entrance )

[breakshot]

[ Upon being drawn into the cradle, those who awake are greeted with the sight of a town covered in festive decorations. The signs on each building won't offer much help to their location, though if they look behind, there's another building with lettering over the entrance reading: "Trista Station". Another building nearby also reads "Radio Trista". Seems as good a guess that's where you folks are!

If they follow the decorations, they'll discover all of them lead towards the back part of town. Indeed, past the bridge they'll see a path leading uphill to a gate with a crowd of people gathered in front. Behind the gates appears to be a large campus, with a couple students in front addressing the crowd. Directly in front of the gates, a young girl with brown hair tied with a ribbon addresses the crowd.

"Thank you very much for your patience. Without further ado, I hereby declare the 127th Thors Military Academy Festival open!"
The gates open. All sorts of stalls line up along the cobblestone paved paths, some offering delicious food, others offering visitors games and a chance to win prizes. Colorful flags and balloons line each stalls, creating an inviting atmosphere, and all of them are run by the students of course. Interestingly they're not wearing the same red colored uniform Machias usually wears. Instead, most are green colored, with the occasional student found in white variants.

In fact, it doesn't look like anyone within the crowd is wearing a red uniform. Which naturally means Machias, of course, isn't anywhere near the front gates. The campus is rather large, with several buildings surrounding their vision. However, there is the Main Building right in front of them, if they want to try that. Or perhaps they should ask around? ]

[bloodbiter]

[she doesn't feel right about being here - she suspects he wouldn't want her to be. but in the end, doesn't she owe him at least to break through this illusion? to help him find the strength to embrace the truth? she can't bear to not at least assist in that goal.

the environment itself is incredible to her; she's heard about far off festivals and vast marketplaces, but she hadn't had the desire or courage to travel to any such thing while she was among the living. as she walks through this area, she finds herself regretting that.

still, she didn't come here for enjoyment - she knows what she came here for. she's looking around for the nearest person to ask for machias' whereabouts.]

Excuse me? Might you offer some help?

england countryside!

[deformity]

[ Allen's Cradle opens with a warm, clear sky and sunset wheat fields. A trail leads through the fields to an open area of vibrant grass not too far in the distance. There's a old oak tree, thick and tall, its branches reaching out to embrace both the sky and the earth.

Next to the tree is an old church, its white stone walls now gray and dirty with age; its tiny cemetary crooked and cracked. Parts of it are in need of repair, but still it stands, stubborn and strong. It looks rather out of place against the picturesque backdrop of lush grass and colorful flowers, like a rickety rocking chair in a room full of plush comfort. And yet, there's something warm – beloved – about the church, too. The flowers seem to all turn to it, seeking its warmth rather than the sun's.

Lastly, a large red circus tent peeks out from behind the church and the happy tune of the calliope calls to any visitors. One part of the trial leads to the steps of the church; the other curves around it to the circus behind.

Where to, friends? ]

[booklore]

[ For the first few seconds, Lavi's expression shows his utter lack of surprise at the scenery. He can recognize a circus tent when he sees one, but the church is interesting.

So interesting that his gaze tarries on it before focusing on the circus tent. ]

I wonder if they have candy apples.

[booklore]

[ The last thing anyone sees before entering Lavi's cradle is his bright smile. For what's about to happen, this is either a very promising expression or a very worrying one.

Thinking about it overlong is a difficult feat though. As soon as you enter Lavi's cradle it becomes apparent that this place isn't normal. There's no sun, in fact there's no light at all. There's only a darkness so dense it's disorienting. No matter how hard you squint or how close you move your hand to your face, you can't see anything. For all intents and purposes this is a pitch black world.

There are two other notable traits. The first is a heavy, lingering scent of oil hanging in the air. From the smell, it's obvious there's something flammable around but the aroma is so thick it's difficult to discern which direction it's coming from. The second trait is much more subtle. Every now and then there's a whisper or the sound of footsteps echoing through the area. This, too, is difficult to pinpoint. The whispers are coming from different directions at different times and their proximity appears to change at random intervals.

If you reach out to your left or right there are tall, sturdy shelves filled with books. The shelves themselves are cool to the touch and appear to be made of stone. The only grooves in the surface of the shelves are ornamental, which likely won't help you any. There is nothing to your front or back.

Follow the shelves forward or backward? ]

[deformity]

[ Forward, of course. That's his motto after all. Always keep walking, etc...

He does it with a great amount of hesitation, however. This place is so creepy that he's getting the chills. His expression, if it can be seen at all, is distinctly unhappy. Lavi, what the heck...! ]

Lavi, are you there...?

[ crowd booing ]

[refactor]

[ It's not actually immediately that anyone would be able to find Jack. As soon as he arrives, there are other priorities in mind, so he certainly goes to find Elizabeth and Rhys first to speak with them privately. He has his biases, and those two are absolutely at the top of his list. They are also the entire list.

But eventually, if you'd like to talk to Jack for some reason, it won't be hard to find him. He's hardly hiding, because he doesn't seem at all concerned about his death. He doesn't even seem terribly surprised to be here, because he's made quite a few guesses at just what this place was, and between Elizabeth's messages and actually arriving here? It seems like he was pretty damn close. Not that it makes him that much happier, because being pretty damn close, that just makes him all the more bitter at Alice. She is the worst AI, Jesus Christ.

But, hey. If you want to come chat, you can probably find Jack chilling outside of his cabin or whatever. He doesn't look thrilled if anyone comes to chat, but with the way his face is set, it's clearly because he's deep in thought about something. ]

God, so, it's some kinda friggin' sim, right? Like, I knew we were working on a simulation here, but, yeah, proving that? Total bullshit. God. I hate this load of crap.

[ tbh you guys were better off in death not having to deal with him ]

[bloodbiter]

["sorry for almost scapegoating you that one time" - addie, kind of, probably

this is awkward, she's awkward. she pauses when she sees him, uncertain whether to turn back the other way, but--]

Simulation?

[toprotecttheworld]

Well, this sucks.

[Jessie is here, and she's sounding really nonchalant about her murder. It's kind of hard not to, because finding out she's been murdered feels more like an inconvenience than a horror. She'd been chloroformed to hell and back, after all.

A good five minutes or so later, Arbok appears right next to her, and that's when the emotions start.]



Arbok!

[They both start to cry.]

Chaww!

[They embrace.]

ARBOOOOOOOOOOOK!!!! How could they get you, too?!

CHAWBAAAAAAAAAWK!!!! Chaw, kabawk, chaw!

[bloodbiter]

—Jessie?

[no?? she was supposed to live??]

...I'm so sorry.

Goodneighbor, The Third Rail, September 8th 2287

[isodope]

[The first thing anyone who enters Hancock's cradle will see is the entrance to a bar, right below a balcony adorn with a tattered red, white and blue banner. The broken light of the "I" in the full name, "The Third Rail", flickers dimly. Around the area are men and women dressed in raggedy old clothes that come from an era before they were born. A number of them are Ghouls, no different than Hancock, who may look worse for wear but are clearly happy.

Upon entering is a Ghoul dressed in a tuxedo and fedora. He greets you, saying Hancock welcomes all newcomers to Third Rail, and points you to go downstairs for the entertainment. Venturing down the stairs leads you straight to the bar. It isn't amazingly posh, as nothing really is in Goodneighbor, but spirits are high. The robot bartender is taking orders with his installed Cockney accent, people are chattering and laughing, and the singer naturally sings a tune she wrote herself.

It's clear that Goodneighbor is rather shabby to the everyday person, perhaps even shady, but that no one around cares.

And sitting in a special "mayoral booth" (which is really just his personal spot) is Hancock. He's drinking from a bottle of whiskey, has a couple discarded red inhalers on the table, and is relaxing against the worn plush of the seating. And while he sits alone, he doesn't look like he'd dislike company.]

[baptizer]

[ Luckily, you have Hancock's #1 fan to lead the way! She never thought she'd see Goodneighbor, but it's somehow... very much Hancock. She can see the red white and blue banners, feeling a bit more akin to it than most. It reminds her of Columbia, she thinks - but there's no time to really cement that fact.

They're ushered in before Elizabeth has a chance to explore and the beautiful singer eases her concerns. It's nice here and even if she's forced to have an old and questionably clean bottle of beer, Elizabeth takes a swig to "blend in", nearly gagging right after. ]

Ugh! Awful! [ She hisses, but looks to anyone else who wanted to join her to help Hancock - or to herself. ] How do I do this...? Oh, screw it, we don't have time -

[ Elizabeth is tired of it, tired of seeing people's happiness to take it away. She's off with or without anyone, giving Hancock a courtesy nod to introduce herself. ]

Excuse me, do you have a moment for a newcomer...? Someone a little lost, actually.

post-trial reaction??? reactions w/e

[thanatosincarnate]

{ Arumat's watching the whole thing going down and it's not going to help shooting messages to them now. But his expression when Clover gets hurt after Adrian's alien is being an asshole to everyone else (including her) is undeniable. }

...Tch! That bastard!

{ He'll just slam his fist into something probably-- whatever's close enough he can. }

[bloodbiter]

...We can only trust in them now.

[and that's terrifying - not because she doesn't trust them, but because she wishes there was something they could do.]

[al2955]

[ If you’re standing near the monitors as Dr. Lin appears, the first thing you’ll notice is the way the feed begins to warp. A low, electronic hum seeps through, but its origin is hard to determine. A static electricity feeling crawling lightly along your skin and if you turn to ask someone nearby what is going on, your words are distorted and indecipherable. If you’ve stood too close to an old television as it clicks off, you’re familiar with the sensation.

Go, ye heroes, go and die.

The feed cuts off sharply. Sights in the landscape start to fade and flicker out as if they’ve been hit by a power surge. First the monitor shed shuts down - seeming to blink out of existence - followed by the Cradle pedestals. Perkin's cabin, flickering, is - dilapidated, the roof caved in. On fire? Crawling with giant insects that weave their way through every window. Then gone. Your last chance for safety and comfort seems to have been taken from you. The sound of crickets rises to a crescendo before fading away into the static hum that you just can’t seem to shake from your head. The last thing you’ll lose is the moon. It twists into . . . something. If you look too long, the static in your head grows to unimaginable levels. You cannot look at her.

It seems like the Trash Bin is shutting down. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.

There’s a lurch in your body as if your insides are trying to shove themselves through your pores, followed by a violent sense of motion and then - . . . ]