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]

[Not entirely lost, no. It's just gonna take some effort on your part, Kokichi. And some truth.]

[Shuichi nods, following after Kokichi once more, though in a much less despondent way this time.]

Right. Although...what exactly...are we supposed to be doing?

[Were they given directions before they were thrown in here? Because he sure as heck wasn't paying attention.]

[slieght]

I'm not sure! But I figure whatever our goal is, we'll figure it out if we just keep moving. We can't exactly pass it if we don't know what to do.

[This is code for Kokichi was only half paying attention himself. They are a pair of useless boys. Useless boys who reach the open end of the alley, where Kokichi stops and leans against a wall. Again, just because he's being cautious and not because he needs support. He's leaning out of it a little, sticking to the wall as he glances around.]

...it looks like the way to the next street is pretty clear.

[diffidentive]

A-ah...

[So are they both just dumb or is it poor planning on the part of the people in charge here? He can't be sure. But it seems pretty stupid that they've basically been given a test with no instructions.]

[He peers around the corner as well, eyes scanning the streets for any sign of movement or anything that seems odd. But it appears to be all clear, just as Kokichi said.]

Mmm...let's move then.

[slieght]

Mmm.

[With a nod, Kokichi slips out into the open, making sure Shuichi is following as he leads the way. And while he tries to look as non-suspicious as possible, he also tries to keep their pace somewhat clipped. They don't want to linger, after all...]

[diffidentive]

[And Shuichi follows after him, jogging a few steps here and there to make sure he keeps up with Kokichi's pace.]

[It will very quickly become apparent that this city is...unique. The way the walls and alleys are set up makes it a genuine maze, impossible to move through freely as one would be able to in a normal city. They'll encounter countless dead ends causing them to double back and retrace their steps, not to mention the further threat of mysterious shadow figures just getting their murder on whenever they please. If they aren't careful, they'll find themselves being chased down with knives or axes or guns...whatever these culprits can get their hands on, it seems. And attempts to enter any of the buildings are always met with some sort of failure. Either the door is firmly locked, there's a culprit lurking inside, or the building only has one way in and out, making it completely useless as a shortcut.]

[But at least they'll have the graffiti to help them when they need to retrace their steps. Also a number of movie posters, many of which feature a woman who looks surprisingly like Shuichi. And now that he's mostly out of his depressive funk, Shuichi can start putting his detective skills to work. He's very good at remembering features of the maze, which is helpful both in backtracking and in catching when they've started going around in circles.]

[After about half an hour of wandering, however, Shuichi comes to a stop, reaching forward to try and grab Kokichi's arm so he won't keep walking.]

Wait, stop. Look over there...

[He's pointing to a multi-level office building on the other side of the street. Specifically, to a level about halfway up the building, where there's a sign reading "Saihara Detective Agency" over one of the window panels. The lights are on inside the office, but there's no sign of movement from within, though that's probably not much of a surprise given that they're on the ground and the office is on the fifth floor.]

That...can't be a coincidence, right? Do you think it's a trap or...

1/2

[slieght]

[Of course it's a maze. Why wouldn't it be a maze? Why would they have an easy test? But thank god Shuichi's back to somewhat normal and using his head again. Kokichi's great with mazes, but it's hard to pay full attention when you're also trying to hide being in immense pain every so often. He excuses it as "the SHSL Detective is way better at details, so I'll just keep an eye out for murderers" and leaves it at that.

And he's pretty grateful when they get to stop, doing so immediately when Shuichi grabs his arm. Glancing up where he's told to, he shifts to face the building and looks it up and down first, then focuses on the window the detective is obviously talking about.]

...huh.

[There is definitely a chance that it's a trap, but...]

No, I think it's more likely a good thing. We don't know what we're doing beyond trying to get through this dumb maze, so we have to have clues and stuff to help us out, right?

[That makes the most sense to him.]

[slieght]

Uuuuunless we can't access the building and then it's probably a trap. I bet we'll be ambushed at the door by like. Ten murderer guys! And viciously torn apart, taha-!

[In other words, just in case, be prepared to run. Though god he hopes it's not something like that, running right now sounds awful.]

[diffidentive]

Ah...well I hope that won't happen. But I thought it might be something like that. That's definitely my uncle's office building but...this isn't the city we live in. I don't recognize anything else about this place.

[...except for those movie posters but he's choosing to just ignore those in the hopes that Kokichi didn't notice them and he won't have to answer any questions about them. Though he's not sure why those are here either, for that matter.]

[He lets go of Kokichi's arm and moves into the alleyway at the side of the building.]

The entrance is around back... [He peers around the corner once he reaches the end of the very short alleyway leading to the small lot behind the building.] And there's nobody else back here so I think we're safe...

[Unless the ambush is INSIDE the office, in which case they're just gonna be fucked, probably.]

[slieght]

[No such luck Shuichi, he definitely saw those posters. And is definitely going to ask about them.

He follows after him, keeping an eye behind them to make sure they aren't followed into the alley. And once Shuichi says it seems to be safe, he peeks out too before walking into the lot.]

Wooooow I get to see a real detective's office! I've never gotten to see one of those. I've only dealt with the police, and their buildings are super lame. Lead the way, Saihara-chan!

[diffidentive]

Well...I'm not sure this is going to be any more exciting than a police station...it's just an office building, you know?

[But he leads the way up the stairs attached to the outside of the building, nevertheless. It's a bit of a walk, but a relatively easy one as the steps aren't particularly steep. He pauses once he reaches the door, pressing his ear against it with a look of concentration on his face. Apparently he's taking Kokichi's joke about an ambush very seriously... But, after a few moments, he seems satisfied that there's nothing waiting inside for them and carefully opens the door to peer inside before opening it fully.]

It's clear...no ambush. [He holds the door open for Kokichi, gesturing him inside. And if the leader enters, he'll find that Shuichi was right: it really is just an office. There's a couch and table functioning as a sort of waiting area near the door, as well as a pod coffee machine. A number of bookshelves and filing cabinets line the walls, as well as a few potted plants. There are two desks back by the window which overlooks the street they just left, on opposite sides of the room. There are three doors, which apparently lead to a bathroom, a kitchen, and Shuichi's uncle's office. Overall, the office is oddly cozy, and very organized.]

[slieght]

[Thank you, steps, for not being steep.

With Shuichi sure that the office is safe, Kokichi invites himself in with no hesitation once the door is held open for him, looking around as he enters. Cozy...]

No way, this is a lot better! The police station is just dull grey concrete without any soul. Obviously someone with a soul works here.

[It looks really nice, and he immediately peeks through all the doors available to confirm what they are and that they're empty too before returning to Shuichi.]

So where do you think we should start?

[diffidentive]

[Meanwhile, Shuichi closes the front door behind him and locks it while Kokichi is checking the other doors. There. Now they're...hopefully safe. And then he walks over to the window and lets down the blinds. Just...just in case.]

[Kokichi will find that the rooms are exactly what the rooms behind the doors are, indeed, a bathroom, kitchenette, and office. There's nothing really of note in the bathroom or kitchen, though the office has a large box sitting rather conspicuously on the desk.]

Well...before anything else, I think we should clean you up a little bit... I know it's important to finish this test, but as long as we have a relatively safe place to rest for a little but...we should do something about all that blood and any wounds you might have. [He didn't SEE any, but...all that bloor had to come from somewhere. And he definitely noticed that Kokichi's been trying to hide the fact that he's in pain while they were out roaming the streets.] Take a seat on the couch, I'll be right back.

[And with that, he disappears into the kitchen before KOkichi has a chance to protest or argue.]

[slieght]

[Wow, disappearing before he can argue? That's rude! What if he likes the blood?

Truth be told he doesn't, really, so beyond protests that protect his pride he didn't have much of an argument or reason to say no to begin with. Plus, sitting down sounds nice, and that couch looks comfy. Shuichi will find him actually on the couch like he was told, hands tucked under his thighs as he continues to just glance around the office, taking everything in. Noting anything of interest to check out after they're done.]

[diffidentive]

[There's not much of interest out here in the main office, though maybe those failing cabinets have some interesting things in them? Those are usually good snooping, right?]

[Shuichi doesn't keep his companion waiting long, however, and returns from the kitchen with a small first aid kit and a damp washcloth within minutes. He takes a seat next to Kokichi, placing the kit down on the coffee table and holding up the washcloth.]

Turn around so I can get your back first...there's a lot more blood back there than on your arm...

[slieght]

...mm.

[There's a tiny bit of hesitance, but Kokichi turns around as requested, sitting straight to make the job easier on Shuichi. The detective will notice that, despite the fact that there is a ton of blood, there's no open wound. But there is a round scar in the middle of his back, between his shoulder blades, where the blood starts. So that's likely where the blood came from.]

[diffidentive]

[Weird...so much blood, yet the wound is completely healed already? Why is that...]

[Gingerly, Shuichi lifts the washcloth and begins to wipe the blood from Kokichi's back. Slowly, just in case it the area is still tender. For a few moments, he says nothing, just does his best to clean the blood. But eventually, he just has to ask...]

Did Harukawa-san really do this to you?

[slieght]

...she did, yeah.

[Dammit, he was hoping he wouldn't ask. Kokichi laughs a little, trying to make light of it in some way.]

I was really surprised! She came riding in on an exisal, y'know? I thought the hangar was impenetrable but she found a way to get through. A prince coming to save her princess, nishishi! Ah, not that he really needed any help. He's the one who hurt my arm. Ahh...it was such a mess.

[diffidentive]

[Wait what?!]

[Somehow, Shuichi manages to keep the cloth in his hands, despite the fact that what Kokichi just said gave him a pretty severe shock. Because he just can't beleive it...Kaito attacking someone? Punching them is one thing, but attacking them badly enough to make them bleed like this...]

M-Momota-kun did that!?

[slieght]

Yeah, mhm! He didn't want to let me just waltz around doing whatever I wanted, so he wanted to like. Tie me up or something I guess. And of course I wasn't going to just let him. So he attacked me and we had this big fight!

[It was great. So fun. They were having a wonderful time.]

And then Harukawa-chan showed up.

[diffidentive]

[After a few moments of dumbfounded staring at the leader's back, Shuichi resumes wiping away the blood. He can't believe it...he just can't believe it but he knows if he says that, Kokichi will get angry and he'll never hear the rest of the story. And he needs to hear the whole thing before he makes final judgement on this.]

And...she shot you? No... that's not it. This isn't a bullet wound...

[It's round like one but...not quite the same. What on earth leaves a scar like this? An ice pick??? A really fat ice pick?]

[slieght]

No...she still shot me. They both did, actually. I don't know how Momota-chan got it, but they both had crossbows.

[Not a bullet but a bolt.]

They're definitely going to get married and have a billion gross kids. It's a tradition that two people who attack the same villain with the same weapon are destined for that, you know! Ah, but that's a lie, nishishi~

[diffidentive]

[Good question...how DID Kaito have a crossbow? He definitely didn't have one with him when Kokichi had taken him away...]

And...? Then what? [A beat.] You can turn back around, I'm done cleaning your back. It doesn't look like there's anything back here too bandage...somehow the wound is already healed.

[Had someone from the bureau perhaps done it while Kokichi was lead down here? Though that's...some insane technology right there, if that's the case.]

[slieght]

[He does as told once again, now holding his arm out to the other boy.]

Well...Harukawa-chan was aiming to kill me. Her arrows were dipped in poison. She was asking me weird things that made no sense, and when she couldn't get whatever info she wanted out of me, she tried to shoot me again to kill me. But...Momota-chan saved me instead. So she ran off to get the antidote and I locked her out of the hangar again.

[diffidentive]

[Once again, Shuichi wipes the blood off slowly, watching for any signs of discomfort or pain from the leader. Not that he really expects to see any. Kokichi seems to be fairly good at hiding his pain. And he can only imagine it's easier when he's just sitting here, compared to when they were walking around outside.]

Weird things that made no sense? Like what?

[slieght]

[There are indeed no hints of pain from the leader and it is because he's just sitting there. It takes less effort when he's just sitting or standing around than when he's moving.]

Like...something about "Remnants of Despair"? I don't know. I really didn't understand what she was asking me at all.