Welcome Participartypants

[balancemod]

Who: All y'all nerds
Where: The Arena
When: The night of the 15th
What: A small gathering to both welcome new members to the Bureau, and to congratulate veteran Reclaimers on their successful magic mitten procurement. Dress is as fancy or as not fancy as you want it. Manners, to the degree of which you are capable, are mandatory.
Content Warning: General content warning for the Reclaimers. Also general content warning for Miss Zarves

Formal, informal, never mind the dress code. NAVIGATION It's been two weeks since the Reclaimers returned, and since the newest Reclaimers arrived. Some of you have adapted better than the Director could have hoped, and some of you have made your best efforts to find a new sense of normalcy — testing Bender the food robot to his limits, forming book clubs, training together, musing over what sort of fashions one even wears to a party. Some of you, perhaps, have spent a little bit too much time in the simulation at the Dojo. It's understandable. Adjusting to the idea that your entire universe has been destroyed takes time, and sometimes, escapes are necessary. And tonight, she's hoping to provide you with a temporary escape with this party. 1. ONCE UPON A TWO WEEKS' WEARY A. TO WASH AWAY THE ACHING BLEARY The Director, using the Moon Base's simulation technology, has turned the Arena into a ballroom to behold. The sprawling hall is decorated in ornate wooden carvings, and a large maple floor meant for dancing is encircled by tables and a large banquet table. In the corner, on a raised platform, stands a baby grand piano, freshly tuned and polished. Anyone is free to have a spin on it, if the mood strikes. At some point during the evening, Johann the Bard, violin in hand, will stand on the platform and provide a performance that could only ever be heard on the Moon Base, among members of the Bureau of Balance — because he did, after all, give this particular song to the Voidfish. If you would like something with a heavier beat, there's a tablet on the wall next to the platform, where you can make music requests of your own, from the Artificer's collection of songs from across the universe. The collection may not be all that extensive, but The Cupid Shuffle is probably in there. Get down and boogie, is what we're saying. B. THEY WERE THROWN A BANQUET CHEERY And what's on the banquet table? Snacks provided by Bender, of course — which means they could have any manner of magical effects. Here are some of the snacks available, including one that the Director was lucky enough to roll for herself. Cupcakes of every flavor imaginable, utterly delicious — so delicious, in fact, that whoever eats one will have flowers grow in their footsteps for the next two hours. The flowers are magic and disappear on their own, so go turn the dance floor into a garden (Courtesy of Lion). Mead that puts you in such a good mood, you'll be unable to resist the urge to sing in whatever measure of talent you have (Courtesy of Lancelot). An energy drink that will literally give you wings for two hours. Enjoy looking absolutely angelic for your friends (Courtesy of Akechi). Nachos that have a curiously JPG quality to them, but no other magical effects (Courtesy of Terezi). The most delicious cheeseburgers you ever did taste (Courtesy of Maya). Finger sandwiches that, when eaten, light up your entire body in an assortment of different colors — the light trails behind your movements, like the way lights look on a low shutter speed. Enjoy the raving (courtesy of The Director). 2. BUT THEN, SHE ROSE FROM THE ICHOR Some of you may have heard a thing or two about Miss Zarves — perhaps the rumors circulating around town, or the strange connection to Garfield and the Bracer Chasers some of you may have bought to decorate your Bracers. Maybe words like "catalyst" and "Ouija Board" have come up once or twice. Because there is a being trapped in a plane of existence right next to yours, largely forgotten, as if she had somehow been reverse Voidfish'd. Forgotten, that is, until the Bracer Chasers — curiously laced with high amounts of aluminadium, a word that might sound familiar to McCree and Faolan. For two years, she's waited, and watched, wanting a chance to be seen again, to speak with the Bureau herself once again, cursed with a maddening loneliness. And the second one of those cute decorations was pressed against a Bracer, Miss Zarves had it — her catalyst. She would know, after all: She was once a leading researcher on using catalysts to travel through dimensions, after all — and the Bracer Chasers were one of her original designs. At the very end of the party, perhaps one or two piano songs away from shutdown, the simulation suddenly shuts down. The lights blink off with a systemwide shudder. After five seconds, the lights flare back to life, and the entire Arena is its default white blank slate. And a message, from username @Zarves❤Scarves, slowly blinks across the screen. Hello. I would like to play a game. And then the Arena goes dark. A. HACKER VOICE: I'M IN That little stunt isn't the only one Miss Zarves, who now has a connection to the dimension you're residing in and some of the Bureau tech, is going to pull. For the rest of your stay at the Moon Base, until you're whisked away to the next mission (Or unless you figure out a way to stop her), you may experience some of the following: Wonky simulations: You may have been traveling to the Dojo to recall a certain piece of your home world. And maybe one day, while you're minding your own business, that same simulation may suddenly appear outside the Dojo. Or perhaps you're wandering down a hallway, and you come across a mishmash of other people's simulations, torn apart and stitched back together haphazardly. Bender: As if this guy weren't a big enough mess already. If you happen to ask Bender for one of the items that were available at the party, you may instead be given food that has the opposite effect. Think cupcakes that leave behind wilted plants, mead that makes you cry uncontrollably, or energy drinks that not only do not give you literal wings, but put you straight to sleep. If you happen to have a subscription to Webflix, regardless of what movie you pick to watch, it'll pick a specific movie instead: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. Also, you won't be able to turn it off. 3. AND THEN THINGS JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE The arena's simulation has decided to take a sabbatical, a spectral being from another plane of existence has invaded the Moon Base, and Madame Director is doing her best to keep the room calm and collected. First, the darkness needs to be handled with properly, so with a stomp of her elegant white oak staff down on the floor, a sound echoes above and beyond any panicked shouts, and soon the room is filled with dancing lights that emanate from the four cardinal directions of the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen! Excuse me. Thank you everyone for coming to this enchanted evening here with your fellow Reclaimers, but without proper lighting- Johann, Johann, please, I don't need signature music right now, this isn't a wrestling match for crying out- thank you, Johann. As I was saying- unfortunately, this evening's events will have to be---" Almost right on cue, as if there wasn't a possibly worse time in the world for this to happen, the doors of the arena bust open. Into the room swarms a dragonborn, looking rather beat up and worse for wear. It's impossible to tell if Dragonborn can cry the way humans can cry, but her amphibian-like eyes shine oddly in the colors of the magical lights surrounding the room. The Director's eyes go wide for a moment, this was rather- no, extremely, unsuspected. The Regulator approaches the Director. "We found him! Lucretia, we found him! And h-he. That son of a bitch has Killian!" And lacking in the proper finesse that's demanded of her as a leader, she rubs her forehead. "Carey, come with me to my office and we'll sort this out." She looks around the room, her Reclaimers all gathered and standing, watching this interaction take place. "Please, everyone, return to your apartments for the evening." A. TWO WEEKS UNTIL ROLLOUT The Director hasn't slept a wink throughout the night, dealing with a host of problems facing the Bureau at the moment. She consults with the clerics on how to get rid of this ridiculous joke-entity that Garfield has proliferated long enough. She speaks with Carey about all the details she can offer, attempting to calm her down, despite her unraveled state. Killian means the world to Carey, after all, and the Director, no- Lucretia, was waiting for the wedding invitation for far too long. Sometime around mid-day, the Reclaimers will receive a message on their bracer from her. Reclaimers, we will deploying in approximately two weeks. We've discovered the location of a relic that we haven't heard about in quite some time now. A full briefing will be provided at a later date, but please prepare accordingly. The area you all will be assigned to is known as the Netheril, a vast desert that splits the continent in half between the western and eastern fronts. We've instructed the tailors to offer special clothing designs that are particularly good for protection against sand and heat — at a heavily discounted price. Ensure that you have a weapon, as there's no telling what sort of beasts you can encounter out in such a wasteland. Train intensively over the next few days. We anticipate that it will be quite some time before you are able to return to Base, so please ensure that your BIAS is restocked and ready to go. Two weeks. blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

[gotyourbach]

1A. Dear Vienna;

[That baby grand? Kaede has all but commandeered it, excitedly brushing past the table of food, the tablet, and anyone who might have been looking to ask her to dance. She's been practicing waltzes since the ball was announced, after all! This is her chance to use her talent as the Super High School Level Pianist to really make a positive impact on her friends. Watch out! She's wearing a flowing purple sleeveless dress that swirls around her ankles.

She's an extremely skilled pianist; even someone with no background in music at all can easily tell that she's not doing this because she thinks she has to, but because she's genuinely enjoying herself. At various times she can be seen playing waltzes from all kinds of different worlds; sometimes there's a little hamster, a certain Gundam Tanaka's warlock familiar, turning the pages for her; sometimes she's doing a duet with Minato Arisato on violin. Once she even gets to play an improv game with Johann! The highlight of her evening so far tbh.

She's not unavailable to chat, though! As much as she'd love to play waltzes all night, she knows it's not really everyone's preferred type of party. When someone picks something from the tablet, she lifts her fingers from the keys to take a short break. If anyone else wants to play it, she'll happily give up her seat! Music should be shared, after all, and she'll be more than happy to gush about the fun of piano.

Compliment her piano playing? Ask her to dance? Her first dance is going to Akechi, because he'll insist, but the rest of the night is hers!]

2A. Rise and Shine, Ursine!

[Oh, the simulation rooms? They're fine. It's fine.

But you might find yourself unexpectedly in a classroom, lit strangely as though from a sunset outside. A glance toward the windows shows them sealed shut and covered in thick barbed wire, the floor and ceiling overgrown with vines. The blackboard and the desks themselves are LCD screens, but they're currently blank.

It flickers, and suddenly the wall with the windows falls away as if they were nothing but cardboard as it flickers into part of Nagito Komaeda's simulation room, just for a second. Just long enough for some robotic bears coated in blood in the distance to become visible. Then the classroom flickers back into place.

Kaede screams, both hands covering her mouth. Maybe it's just the affects of the robotic bears in the distance, or maybe your own simulation room is starting to take over. Whatever it is, she looks terrified, her knees shaking as she tries to keep herself together.]

Wildcard!

[Kaede will be having a fun time at the dance, mostly playing piano, but she's definitely open to dancing! She'd prefer to be asked, but if someone seems shy, or we talked about it already, feel free to use this option for her to ask them to dance!

For the simulations, the sky is the limit! Only the classroom is part of hers. As always, feel free to hit me up @jaderhade if you want to do something else!]

2.A

[blodsvorr]

[All the details can be understood later. For now, Kaede needs help.]

Hey.

[Qrow immediately puts his hands on her shoulders, bending so he's eye-to-eye with her.]

Kaede. It isn't real. You're here with me, Kaede. You aren't there.

[gotyourbach]

[She can hear it outside, in the distance, a sound she can only surmise is the sound of claws rending flesh -- oh God, that was a body, wasn't it?! -- over what sounds like a crowd of children's voices even further out.

But she can hear Qrow's voice, too, hear his heartbeat. It's nearer and realer than anything else around her.]

Qrow-sensei, I...

[She fumbles, grabs one of his hands from her shoulder and squeezes it like a lifeline, eyes wide as she pleads,] We have to get out of here!

[blodsvorr]

[Qrow doesn't let her hand go. He's here. He's real. The rest is an illusion. It's a split second decision: would it help more to stay and push through, or run? Maybe it would help to face this, see it, fight it—

She's panicking. She isn't ready.]

Alright. Let's go.

[He keeps hold of that hand as he leads her in the opposite direction of the noise. If they're lucky, nothing else will go wrong.]

1A

[seasaltkeys]

[Roxas is one such novice when it comes to music. Outside of Demyx's sitar, he's never really had much experience with music, and even that was only from afar. Usually what Roxas would find Demyx doing rather than their mission.

But it's still enough to make him stop and listen. When the song is over, he'll speak up.]

That was really good.

[gotyourbach]

Oh! Thank you!

[She beams brightly, shifting a little on the piano bench to give him her full attention.]

That was Chopin's Grand Valse Brillante. It's a light, airy tune that lets your fingers just pop over the keys!

[There's... a lot more to it than that, but apparently that's how she's describing it.]

Did you like it...?

[seasaltkeys]

I did! I mean...I don't know a whole lot about music, really, but it sounded really nice.

[Never mind whoever Chopin is.]

1a

[soundsurfing]

[ It's honestly easy to see why - or hear why - Kaede wins competitions. The only classical music he'd heard before coming here was vinyl records, and the quality is nothing to listening to it live.

When she stops, he claps gently but enthusiastically and waves like a giant dork before moving over. ]

What song was that? It kicked ass!

[gotyourbach]

[The applause and his waving makes her giggle a little as she shifts on her seat and waves back. It's nice, knowing she'll be playing for people who will support her no matter what... ah, not that that means she won't play her best as always!!]

I don't know about that, but... it's Chopin's Minute Waltz! Ah, that's "minute" like small, not "minute" like how long it's supposed to take. A lot of people get that confused!

Are you having fun?

1A

[grakraka]

[As she plays, she draws an admirer! She probably won't notice or understand the intentions, though, perhaps thinking the admirer is interested in the music and not the player herself. Now, Akechi doesn't mind, but he does watch the person waiting for an opening to ask for a dance. A shame, really, because he would love to allow him that but Kaede's first dance is his. He promised. So he just has to assert himself.

At the end of a song, he stands in her line of sight, where she'll see him when she breaks her music trance, and claps, applauding with gusto and a bright smile as he cheers for her. Unsurprisingly, the admirer can't get a word in.]

Bravissimo!

[Dressed in his suit with his hair pulled back in a casual ponytail, he walks to the platform and offers his hand.]

But I believe an intermission is in order.

[gotyourbach]

...Oh!!

[Unsurprisingly, she doesn't notice her poor admirer at all. She was busy thinking about which song she wanted to play next when she hears Akechi's voice, a bright, almost silly smile spreading across her face. She was content to just be music in the background, but hearing him praise her is something really special.

Kaede turns toward him, mouth open to ask if he'd liked the song -- Satie's Fantaisie-valse, if he'd recognize it -- but instead, her mouth just stays open as she takes in his whole appearance.]

...You look like Mozart! [she blurts. It's the combination of a cravat and the little ponytail that brings that composer to mind, though immediately, she's laughing and taking his hand, allowing him to lead her from the bench.]

I guess you do look "particularly handsome," [she teases, using his words.]

[grakraka]

[Excellent. Akechi feels quite satisfied that the admirer had no chance against him. Well, he hopes that he didn't ruin Kaede's chances to dance later but the first dance had to be his. Escorting her down, he can't help a laugh.]

If I look like Mozart, then yes, I think I must look handsome.

[He would not be surprised if she held that opinion about at least a few composers.]

You look beautiful. That dress suits you nicely. Have you been having a nice evening playing?

[He also knows she probably has been sincerely having fun doing this.]

2A

[discerp]

[The classroom itself isn't terribly familiar, except in that vague way that most classrooms have. She tells herself that's all it is.

But... Even Mikan can't deny the familiarity of those bears. And... the blood She freezes, those Kaede's scream brings her back to the present, and she turns quickly to the younger girl.]

A-Akamatsu-san! [She reaches up to grab Kaede's arm, moving in front of her to examine her face, her breathing-- Taking in everything.] H-here, come sit down, put your head between your legs...

[gotyourbach]

H-Huh?!

[Kaede follows her and falls into one of the desk seats, though she doesn't put her head between her knees just yet. Instead she just tries to stand back up, breath coming hard through her nose. It's not just her right now, it's Mikan, also. She has to do what she can to protect her!!]

H-Hang on, Tsumiki-san, we have to go, now isn't the time to sit down! E-Even if it's not real, it could be dangerous!

[discerp]

[Mikan's hands press firmly on Kaede's shoulders]

I-it's fine! Akamatsu-san, it'll be fine, but you need to breathe and calm down. None of these things are real, right? The Monokuma can't hurt you, not really.

[Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned that she recognizes those bears, but. Whatever!! it's not a secret!! Everyone knows those damn bears]

And...And it's my job as a nurse to make sure you're taken care of!

2a

[unrecovered]

[The simulation itself is horrifying, but in a horror movie fashion more than anything Wash would ever peg as real. It's all overblown imagery, blood and jump scares and screams, and he-]

[-wait- shit- the screams actually are real-]

[He comes upon Kaede, screaming for all she's worth, and immediately puts himself in front of her, hands gripping her shoulders, his back to the simulation.]

It's not real. It's Zarves messing with you.

[But "your hallucination isn't real" isn't always the most helpful thing to hear - he knows that firsthand.]

C'mon, let's go.

[There has to be an end to this illusion somewhere.]

[gotyourbach]

[The hands on her shoulders startle her enough that she stops screaming, voice catching in her throat as her eyes go wide. It takes another second for her to recognize him-- right, Wash, from class-- and she stares into his eyes. He's real. He's real, and the simulation isn't. The Monokumas aren't real, she's just overreacting. Even if it's a dead body in the distance, it's still...

She nods. He's an adult. He should know what to do, she's sure of it.]

O-Okay. Okay, I'm... I'm coming, but please, we need to make sure it doesn't notice us... i-if it's like the monsters the Arena makes, we can't fight it. Promise me... promise you won't try.

[She looks him in the eye again, trying to impress just how serious she is. She has no way of knowing for sure that this time, it isn't a malfunction in the Arena that will send those robotic bears after them. She's terrified, not just for herself, but for him, too.]

[unrecovered]

[She's cogent. She's responding. That's good - much better than it could have been.]

[He's pretty sure this isn't real - he's faced some horrific shit, sure, but he doesn't think any simulation can bring it to life to the point where it does lasting physical damage - but he's not willing to gamble Kaede's well-being on it. He holds her gaze, steady as he can.]

I promise. But if something happens, you let me take care of it.

[He doesn't leave room for assent or argument. He's the brawler in this partnership; it only makes sense for him to be the one to fight if it comes to that.]

Let's go.

[He drops his grip on her shoulders, takes her hand instead, and goes, moving low and quick and heading for the first piece of cover available. Stealthing away from monsters in order to survive? Yeah, he's got this.]

2A; is the blood pink this is important

[ribticklers]

[Well, this is definitely weird. A classroom with barbed wire and bars on the window is creepy enough, but then there's some weird robot bears. And Kaede is screaming, which is also not a great thing.

He hangs back a little from Kaede--he doesn't really want to get attacked out of surprise or something.]

Hey. Wanna go somewhere else?

wow how dare u it's blood-colored obviously

[gotyourbach]

[Not a bad call!! Though from the way she flinches and shrinks back at the sudden voice, it's clear that attack isn't her first instinct, even after all the training she's done on the base.

Sans the skeleton. Right. Right, he's not a monster. Or, well, he is, but not like, in the connotative sense?? That's too complicated for her to try to think about when she's still just trying to breath, shrinking back against the wall as if to make herself a smaller target for if -- when -- those Monokumas notice her and decide to charge.]

Y-Yeah.... yeah. Please, we should... we have to go.

[She takes a deep breath, but doesn't push herself off the wall just yet. Maybe Sans knows which way he wants to go?]

2A

[petsthedog]

[Shinjiro hadn't entirely intended to come, honestly. He'd thought about just staying in his room until the next time the Director called on them, but she'd asked him to come listen to her play, and he'd hemmed and hawed a bit before acquiescing. She seemed like a nice girl and all, and she hadn't gotten too nosy about that stuff she saw in the simulation room, which he appreciates. He's got nothing better to do, anyway.

Agreeing to come doesn't make him any more comfortable socializing, though, and he's certainly not going to be dancing. Instead, he's just sort of wallflowering along the edges until Kaede has a free moment. He looks awkward when he approaches, and he's uh, still dressed like a hobo??? He's not a party person, sorry Kaede.]

Hey.

[ . . . . ]

I heard you play. You're pretty good.

[#nailed it]

[gotyourbach]

Aragaki-kun, you came!! I'm so glad!

[She slides off the bench without a second thought, taking both of his hands in hers with a genuinely delighted laugh. She really hadn't been sure he was going to make it... apparently his decision was made too late for him to get dressed properly, but being here is better than not! So she'll accept it.

...Oh, but it's rude not to acknowledge that he gave her a compliment, isn't it?]

Oh, and, um... thank you. Playing piano is about the only thing I'm good at, so I'm happy you like it.

[petsthedog]

[Oh....she's so enthusiastic.....about his presence.....

Shinjiro flusters slightly as she takes both of his hands, and his gaze shifts off to the side. He'd rub at his neck, but both of his hands are currently??? taken?? He supposes he is never moving again, this is fine.]

Yeah...you asked me to, so.

[This is Literally the only reason he came. But she looks really happy, so he doesn't regret it so much as he's totally at a loss for what to do now.]

It's not a bad thing to be good at. That uh, your favorite song or whatever?

1A

[hightouch]

[Though classical music isn't usually Shouyou's type of music, he'll pause to listen because it's Kaede playing and he can appreciate her talent.]

Akamatsu-sannnn. [As soon as he notices she's taking a break from the piano later on, Shouyou zooms over to her.] It sounded really nice! Are you gonna go back and play some more later?

[gotyourbach]

[To be fair, it's not most of her peers' type of music, which just makes the people who do stop and listen even more important to her. She was heading over to get some food from the buffet when she hears Shouyou's voice, a bright smile crossing her face as she turns to him.]

Hinata-kun! Thanks... I'm really glad you liked it! And yeah! As long as no one's using the tablet, I'd love to keep playing. Arisato-kun and I practiced a bunch.

[She really isn't sure if Minato actually had fun being bullied into playing violin with her, but... she'll take it! She laughs, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.]

Are you having fun?