Lunar Interlude 5

[balancemod]

looks like i'm in charge now NAVIGATION Click here for the RNG thread! 1. FROM THERE TO HERE AND THERE IS GONE A. YOUR ARRIVAL For those of you who were just casually (or not so casually) pulled between the universes, depending on how you viewed your home world, your day just got a whole lot worse. You can't really remember what happened, but the grass beneath you is plush and comfortable, and out in the well manicured field of trees you're sitting in are ... well, a fairly sizeable crowd of people. The Director has pulled in new Reclaimers so often by this point that it's become something of an event. And quite frankly, according to the murmurs of other members of the Bureau, she's become pretty adept at picking some real weirdos. The Director, standing before you dressed in regal robes, clears her throat and begins to speak. She doesn't appear to be wearing any mics, but her voice is somehow amplified so that it booms through the Quad, and onto the Bracers of those who aren't in the Quad. When she's done, there's silence. In the distance, trains. No, really, you most definitely heard the sound of a train just now. That's probably normal. In any case, you have a few minutes to gather your bearings before you're taken to your initiation. You can talk with other newbies who are sitting there with you, or if you happen to spot somebody you know among the crowd watching, now's your chance to reunite with them. And maybe one of those people out there will be able to relay a fact to you, even if you can't remember exactly how: Your world, and the people who were there and are not here, are now gone. B. THE VOIDFISH Once you have your bearings, you are divided into small groups of three or four and brought to the easternmost geodesic dome, to an elevator in a well maintained, but sparsely landscaped field. There's nothing particularly ominous feeling about the space — in fact, the two guards who greet you at the elevator entrance seem pleased with your arrival. You are, after all, one of the few chosen by the Director, the few who will reclaim what the Hunger has destroyed. And in a few moments, you're about to find that out for yourself. After a tightly packed elevator ride, your group is ushered out to a rather grand looking hall, banners of the Bureau of Balance adorn both sides of smooth metal walls. And inside the Voidfish's chamber stands a tank — impossibly tall, and soaked in a black ink that obscures whatever the tank may be holding. Standing by the tank is a bard, who happens to be reciting the lyrics to a song. Considering what he's about to do with the sheets of paper in his hands, the lyrics might be apt enough. When he's finished, he takes the sheets of paper — sheet music — opens a drawer at the bottom of the tank, drops the papers in, and shuts it. And swiftly, you feel as if there's something you can't just shake off about the melody you just heard. If you seem alarmed, the bard takes notice of it. "Yeah, man, like... don't think too hard about it, it's like that every time. I'm guessing you're here to be inoculated? Just a heads up, you might want to, like, seriously, hold your nose while you drink it down. It tastes wicked gross, man." You sort of get the sense that he's said this speech once or twice in the past. It's well rehearsed, much like the stories you'd expect a bard to be able to recite. "Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you that you have a choice. If you drink the black stuff, you'll be able to hear through the, uh... Huh, how do I describe it? Through the [TSHCSCHTSHCHSC] sound. You guys like, hear that? Anyway, it's all about knowledge or something. I don't know, I'm just here to, like, feed the thing. We call it the [TSCHHSCHSCH], by the way. So, like. You get a choice. You can drink it and understand stuff, or not drink it and then hear that crackling noise all day every day. If I were you, I'd drink it. But, hey man, I'm not like, your dad or anything." The bard takes five cups and draws liquid from a spigot connected directly to the basin of the large tank. Stormy, muddy looking ichor is drawn into them, one by one. He offers each of you a sip. Drink it (he wasn't kidding about what it tasted like), and you're inoculated to the wisdom of the Voidfish. You try to remember the song this bard sang a few moments ago and the melody, the meter, every octave, all come back to you. And if you think back to your arrival, some of the things you may have heard other people in the Quad say, that simply sounded like static, are suddenly clear. Bureau of Balance. Grand Relic. Reclaimers. Yet you still can't remember the Hunger or what it had done to your world. And as you look back to the tank in front of you, the water has become clear. There's a jellyfish, as tall as a building, floating within. You look into the body of the creature and you can almost make out a beautiful, tiny universe floating within it. 2. TEST OF INITIATION You are immediately divided into pairs and brought to the Arena, a large building that is capable of running several simulations for combat training, events, or, in this case, your Test of Initiation. When you and your partner walk into the Arena, the simulators switch to Initiation Mode, the scenery shifts, and your test begins. The experience is wildly different for each group — that's because the test will be drawing from both of your experiences back home. Initiation Mode replicates an amalgam of thoughts, metaphors, and ideas between the two people who signed up in order to make an obstacle course suited to appropriately test their ability to stay focused. This is a good opportunity to introduce new CR to some of the thoughts and feelings that your character has going on through their mind, their preferences, or give away a piece of information about themselves that might not be on the surface level. For example, let's say that your character was born on a ship, and spent their entire childhood growing up at sea. Your partner's life involves a lifetime of academic research (setting aside our dearth of smart archetypes for a sec here). An amalgamation suited for the Test of Initiation may involve navigating a ship through choppy seas with flying book monsters that breathe fire. Be as creative as you want! The design is 100% left up to you. All tests will eventually lead toward a room with a relic locked within it. What that looks like is up also up to you! If you need a few ideas, though, it could be: A bright red pair of gloves that can manipulate matter, or a ball of yarn that can roll up pretty much anything. Regardless of what the relic looks like, all you have to do to pass is retrieve the relic without using it. 3. AROUND THE MOON BASE The Director's sudden absence isn't particularly anything new, given she spent the majority of her time on Lyrabar, leaving the Moon Base to manage itself. It is the first time Lucas has been left entirely in charge of it though. Controlled chaos becomes something of a much less controlled chaos. The sound of trains in the distance, though nobody can seem to pinpoint where they're coming from, isn't helping. Though, that isn't necessarily Lucas' fault It's largely the fault of a technomancer supposedly stuck on a different plane and infecting the Moon Base's tech. She's figured out where the Director went, and she's going to be using the next two weeks to her advantage. It's hard to say what her motives are here. But then, Miss Zarves has always been a little bit inexplicable. C. WHAT A CRUMMY WEEKEND THIS HAS BEEN Oh man, Miss Zarves has been wanting to try this thing she wrote for ages, and for a few weeks at least, she's figured out how to override the Director's simulation settings. Did you know the Moon Base has an arcade? You're about to find out if not: If you happen to wander into the Arena, you'll find yourself inexplicably trapped in a simulation based off of an arcade game — and no, you're not going to get out until you win. As a note, you can't die in these simulations, but you can be busted up a bit. You can repeatedly get game overs until you win. You can run with any game on the conveniently copyright infringement free list linked above however you like, but here are a few settings to get you started: ○ Mesozoic Park: The Lost Chult. You and a friend find yourselves in a lush jungle, with no clear path to the escape helicopter. Using your wits and path actions, you are going to need to clear one for yourselves. And thanks to not wanting to be sued by Michael Crichton's estate, the T-Rex that's chasing you down in this game is actually in the correct era. Once both you and your friend are safely strapped into the helicopter, the simulation will end. (As a side note, Lucretia would actually approve of this one — there are many very powerful monsters out there in Faerun, and learning to outrun/outwit/defeat them is a vital ability.) ○ Immortal Wombat: Actually becoming a wombat is optional. You and a friend will be situated in the middle of the arena, with a very loud and very rowdy simulated crowd surrounding you. As the name of the game implies, this simulation will not end until one of you is KO'd. Again, these are just a few examples! Feel free to use any of the games listed as you see fit. E. THERE'S NO ESCAPE The town, though it might not rely as heavily on Moon Base tech as the rest of the Bureau does, isn't exactly escaping unscathed either. It's more like, Miss Zarves find you Reclaimers a lot more entertaining than a bunch of shopkeepers who have had to put up with a deals warlock's shenanigans long enough that it's hard to surprise them. That said, if shopping or the occasional dining is on your agenda in town, then you'll find that you'll be able to do so largely unhindered. Shopping at Fantasy Costco is normal, too, if Garfield being himself falls under your usual definition of normal. There is one exception, though: It's a small alleyway that leads to the back entrance of Madame Frione's Tea Kettle. Step into it, and weirdly, you'll find that something unseen is blocking your exit. And then, a message appears on your bracer. From: Zarves♥Scarves hello!!!! since madam in charge is off tryin to fix something i thought id help out a bit you know like a team building exercise so you can do the bureau thing better sounds fun right??? anyway what would u say is your least favorite thing about yourself go on dont be shy You won't get a response from Miss Zarves, but you will find that you won't be able to leave until you respond to her text with something. And you'll also find that whatever you answer? It's automatically sent to the entire network. FYI: If you lie in your response, whatever's blocking you in will suddenly give way — you'll be able to move about three feet before there's suddenly another one blocking your escape. Unfortunately, it looks like if you want to escape this, you're going to have to be honest with yourself. And the network, as it were! E. LET'S JUST ESCAPE There is a very easy way to avoid anything a technomancer tries to do to mess with you, of course: Avoid the tech she's using to mess with you. And after the sort of messed up mission that Lyrabar was, and after the sort of screwed up ordeal that is being initiated into the Bureau to begin with, some of you will probably want to just chill out for a bit, too. Here are a few suggestions! ○ Another small art studio with a supply of magic paintbrushes has been set up in the Academy. Previously, the paintbrushes had painted in a color that represented the energy you're giving off. Nowadays, it's a bit more versatile: You can now change the color you're painting with by simply thinking about it. ○ Speaking of the Academy, there are a few new classes available: "Logic and Puzzles for the Easily Puzzled," led by a rather intelligent chemist who tends to speak in riddles herself; "Charmed, I'm Sure," led by a warlock who seems to have an uncanny sort of charisma, and knitting. What? You guys don't want to knit? Additionally, if you are interested in reading up on some of the advanced paths unlocked so far, the materials unlocked have been made available in the Artificer's Office. If there's an advanced path your character wants to reach someday, now's a good time as any for them to start studying it. ○ Before leaving, the Director set up a comfortable pile of large pillows and blankets out by the Whomping Willow in the Quad. Feel free to have as many sleepovers as you want. The Whomping Willow will also offer advice if you ask it, though it's particularly good at dispensing love advice. ○ WILDCARD: This is, of course, your time to rest as you see fit. Please feel free to use the setting however you wish!

Comments

[diffidentive]

Wh-what?!

[He doesn't want to believe it, but...well, Maki does hate Kokichi and he did just kidnap Kaito...]

[So it's not completely unthinkable, her attacking him. That's definitely a logical outcome to the series of events that happened before he arrived here. He doesn't get a chance to question the matter further, however. Because Kokichi brings up two very good points about their surroundings.]

Oh...um. R-right...

[Moving...they should do that. Though...where to?]

[slieght]

[Kokichi apparently thinks towards a nearby alley is the best place to start, motioning for Shuichi to follow and leading the way as quickly as possible. Though he makes sure that the detective is able to keep up and isn't left behind. After they've ducked down the little side street he slows down some, lightly checking the handles of any doors they pass as they walk.]

We need to find somewhere we can just stand around and talk...didn't see anything on that street back there, so let's check the one ahead of us.

[He's in no rush to make it there though. Kind of hoping one of these doors will be unlocked and lead to an abandoned building or something...]

[diffidentive]

Mmm...

[Shuichi follows after him, noting that it's not just the leader's arm that's bleeding as he does so. His back is an even bigger mess of blood...just what the hell happened to him? And was Maki really the one who did it?]

[slieght]

[Both are good questions Shuichi, and he'll actually be willing to tell you here in a bit! When they reach the other street, Kokichi doesn't fully exit the alley. He just leans out of it, glancing around that way instead. No sense waltzing out into the open just yet, when they have no information to go off of...]

Lots of stores and stuff...see anything that might be useful Saihara-chan?

[Come on SHSL Detective, help him out here.]

[diffidentive]

Huh? Oh, um...

[He glances around halfheartedly.]

Not r--

[His answer is cut off by a loud, piercing scream coming from the street before them. Good call on not waltzing right out into it, Kokichi. Because it sure sounds like someone is being murdered out there. And if he happens to peek around the wall, he'll find that that is exactly what is happening. One of the mysterious figures has suddenly become a whole lot shadier and seemingly attacked a much smaller, still-purple figure with a knife. There is...so much blood. The culprit really seems to be enjoying stabbing this poor nameless figure, because he keeps doing it, over and over...even though his victim has stopped screaming or struggling or doing anything other being dead as a fucking doornail on the pavement.]

[Shuichi is still behind Kokichi, and seems reluctant to move forward and see what's happening beyond the confines of the alleyway for himself. When he speaks it's in a very quiet whisper:]

What was that?

[slieght]

[Ah. Well. That sure is a thing that's happening. If Kokichi could get any paler, he probably would, because that's...so gruesome. So horrible. It has him lifting an arm when the detective speaks up to try and encourage him to not look. You go ahead and stay reluctant Shuichi, that's probably for the best. He backs back into the alley a little, lowering his voice to a whisper as well.]

It was a murder. One of those weird people turned into this...shady looking guy and just killed someone else...

[He knew it he knew that cage didn't mean anything good where's that dumb bear he's around here somewhere right?! Right?!]

[diffidentive]

A-ah...

[Maybe it's just something about being trapped inside an end wall that makes people want to get their murder on. Who can say.]

...let's go back to where we started. Maybe we can find different way around...

[slieght]

Yeah...

[Sounds like a good idea to him...Better to avoid than fight right now. So he's going to lead the other way too.]

I think I saw another alley a block down...plus another street entirely. We could use one of those?

[diffidentive]

Mmm...let's try one of those.

[Dimly, he becomes aware of a certain...incongruity with Kokichi's behavior. Something the detective part of his brain likely picked up on a few minutes ago, but his conscious brain is only now starting to pick up on. Something is...off. Compared to how things were when last he saw the leader. But he doesn't really care enough to think on it at the moment. What does it matter, really?]

[slieght]

[Good choice, Shuichi. Because it surely doesn't matter at all! All that matters is that they get through this test and.....

And whatever else comes after it.

But Kokichi's behavior and state of being are totally things you don't need to worry about. Right now it's so much more important to get to that other street, though once again Kokichi doesn't leave the alleyway immediately. He hangs back first, waiting to make sure it's safe before carefully leading the way into the open.]

Like I thought, there's an alley that way. But it looks like there's another direction we can head to over there - [He points across the street.] - if this doesn't work.

[diffidentive]

[Shuichi nods, still following the leader without complaint or comment. Actually, he seems like he might be at least halfway on autopilot, still. He seems more than content to let Kokichi call all the shots and make all the decisions.]

[slieght]

[That...worries him a little. Not that Shuichi isn't normally passive, but with how their last meeting ended, he should be...wary or more distrusting or something. Not willing to follow him without comment or complaint like this. Maybe even trying to go on his own way entirely. Though then again, this is a joint test, and working together was always the detective's favorite thing...

As they turn down the alley, he glances back at Shuichi.]

So is anybody home in there?

[diffidentive]

[Um, scuse you. His favorite thing is novels, actually.]

Huh?

[Well that probably answers that question.]

[slieght]

You're like totally brain dead Saihara-chan. What's up with that?

[Kokichi moves to hook his hands behind his head, though there's a slight flinch in the movement. Nothing major or dramatic, but enough to show that something hurt. But he doesn't comment on it or bring attention to it beyond that as they continue down the alley.]

Not that I dislike that, it's probably better that you listen to me in an area like this. But still, I'm a little worried!

[diffidentive]

......

[Are you fucking kidding him, Kokichi? Really? You have to ask why he's like this? You should KNOW why he's like this, it's your fault!]

What does it matter?

[As if Kokichi is actually worried about him. Ha!]

[slieght]

While I don't mind carrying you through this test, really, it'd be good to have us both alert and paying attention.

[Oh hey, the alley turns up ahead. That's not concerning at all. Definitely doesn't make him worry there's some murderer up ahead waiting for poor, unsuspecting test takers to run right into them.]

We don't know what they want us to do, or what they're going to throw at us, so it'd be better if we're working together.

[diffidentive]

[That actually makes Shuichi come to a dead stop, looking utterly dumbfounded. Who are you, and what have you done with the real Kokichi?]

...since when do you want to work together with anyone? On anything?

[slieght]

[He stops too, turning to look at the detective, seemingly mulling over his answer.]

This isn't the killing game, so it's more beneficial to work together directly, don't you think? Especially if we want to pass whatever test this is. Which I assume that's what we're aiming for.

[Is that a sufficient answer? You won't believe him if he says "since always" so they can just skip that, right?]

[diffidentive]

[Yeah, he definitely wouldn't believe "since always" because all the evidence says otherwise.]

I...guess.

[It's said somewhat lamely. Because he just can't bring himself to care enough to say anything else. Like how HE thought it was beneficial to work together during the killing game. Or ask what the point of passing this test is at all, since their world was already fucked before whatever calamity it was that brought them here.]

[slieght]

You guess?

[Frowning, he drops his arms to his side again, one moving to rest on his hip.]

Is that really all you have to say about it?

[diffidentive]

Yeah. [No. But Kokichi won't care about anything he has to say and he doesn't care enough to say it so it's gonna remain unsaid.] Let's just keep moving...

[He walks right past Kokichi without another word and turns around the bend in the alleyway. He probably should have stopped to look around it cautiously first, just in case there's a crazy murderer on the other side, but he doesn't. He does come to another stop almost immediately, though.]

[slieght]

Hey, don't just turn corners carelessly like that!

[It's almost a panicked shout, the leader following after him quickly. He comes to stand beside him, almost ready to throw fists with whatever's made him stop.]

What is it?

[What do you see? Should they run??]

[diffidentive]

[It's a dead end, which presumably Shuichi doesn't need to elaborate on since Kokichi should be able to see it now that he's standing next to him. It's a completely unscalable wall of dingy brick with some rude graffiti on it.]

We're going to have to go back and try that other street, I guess...

[Were those gunshots in the distance? Those sure were gunshots in the distance. Ominous.]

[slieght]

[Ah...a dead end. Frowning, he glances back towards the open mouth of the alley at the sound of gunshots, tensing.]

...yeah. Shit.

[He turns back to his partner instead of the direction to leave though.]

Be more careful, would you? You don't have to follow me if you don't want to but at least look before you just turn corners into unknown areas. What if there'd been a murderer waiting down here?

[diffidentive]

[He shrugs.]

Then they would have killed me, I guess.

[He seems supremely unbothered by this prospect.]