balance_logs | Lunar Interlude 5

Entry tags:

Lunar Interlude 5

	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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He quickly takes his hand, gladly accepting the help up and in. Ace is sure to shut the window tight behind him, while D.I.C.E. members in other rooms continue their barrage to keep the killers at bay. While Ace hangs back, letting the boys catch their breaths, Kokichi is immediately at Shuichi's side.]

Are you okay? He didn't break your ankle or anything, right?

[There's a look of genuine concern on his face, and he's pale from the fright from earlier.]

[Well that's...surprising. He certainly didn't expect Kokichi to come immediately to his side, or to look so worried. Yeah, it was scary, but it's not like...Kokichi was the one who'd been grabbed.]

N-no, I'm fine. [He looks over at Ace.] Thank you, by the way, um...

[he looks back at Kokichi. What's this one's name? He doesn't know it.]

[Surprise Shuichi. This is a boy who secretly cares. Who has secretly cared this whole time...

Said boy turns to Ace, then back to Shuichi.]

That's Ace.

[The taller boy nods politely before turning to walk down the hall now in front of them without a word. He doesn't get far though, wanting to make sure the other two are actually following. Kokichi isn't just yet, looking the detective over one more time just in case first...]

...Ace-san.

[Just had to finish his thank you, there. Now he's good to go. Except, no, he's not, because Kokichi is still looking him over. And it's weirding him out just a little bit. Why is he so concerned?]

Um...Oma-kun, I'm fine. Really. Your group hit him before he could do any actual damage...

[It just scared him a little, that's all!]

[...okay, it scared him a lot. But either way, no physical damage was done.]

[He's quiet for a few moments, then tilts his head.]

Do you want to take a rest? [It scared him a lot, so that'd probably be good for him, right? Right. And, just in case Shuichi says no...]

Really, I could probably use one after that whole ordeal. My ribs are pretending like they're all cracked and broken again, taha-! So let's sit down and catch our breath!

[How did you know he was going to say no? Because he was definitely going to say no. But since Kokichi says he needs a rest...he can't really do that. Even if he's pretty sure it's a lie.]

[Shuichi glances at the closed window.]

Okay, but...in the hallway. Let's put another lock between us and those people outside, just in case...

[Windows are easily broken, after all. Though if they come up and find the apartment empty...they may give up and leave to find easier victims.]

[He's just good like that.

But he seems to agree with moving to the hallway, seeing as he nods and turns to Ace.]

Okay simulated minion, lead the way!

[And Ace does as asked, taking them out into the hallway, locking the door behind them as they go. Once safely there, Kokichi takes a seat on the floor, leaning up against one of the walls.]

Much better. Nothing like relaxing when your body feels like it's just big meat bag about to be squished, right? Especially after that excitement.

[Shuichi slides down the wall to take a seat next to Kokichi on the floor. He winces just a little bit at Kokichi's wording. "Excitement" isn't how he would have described what just happened. And the comment about being squished makes him feel vaguely unsettled. For Kokichi to be alluding to his own death so carelessly...and so soon after it happened...]

A-ah...I guess.

[Sorry Shuichi. Making light of things is just the best method of coping he has. That and bottling up how he really feels. If he just pushes all of that down and down and down, eventually he'll finally die for real and never have to care about it again.]

It's a shame this is just a simulation. I could really go for some tea right now. But fake tea just isn't the same, y'know?

I can't say I've ever had fake tea before...but it seems like it wouldn't be as satisfying. [He wraps his arms around his knees and pulls them up to his chest.] Maybe we can get some tea once the test is over...there has to be somewhere to eat around here, right?

[There's a small pause before he hums in agreement, just a slight bit of hesitation.]

Mm, maybe! I mean, they can't bring us here and then expect us to starve.

[No guarantee that they'll go get some tea after the test though...]

[Awww, don't you want to go on a tea date with him, Kokichi? Why the hesitation?]

Mmm, that was my thought as well.

[He glances up at Ace, somewhat uncertainly. It's a little unnerving...the way he's just been standing silently by. Is he always like this?]

Do you not want to take a rest as well, Ace-kun? You don't have to stay standing, you know...

[He'd love to, but he'd also enjoy it more, he thinks, when he knows he and Shuichi are on better standing with each other. He feels like he destroyed what chance they had at being friends pretty successfully, so he's just not sure how to go about doing anything with him once the test is over. "You're alone and you always will be," doesn't exactly say, "hey, we can still totally have pleasant tea dates together, even if you tell me the truth about everything."

And being honestly also doesn't make anything he did right, either...

Ace, though, looks down at Shuichi when the offer to rest is given to him. And then he looks to Kokichi, who stares at him for a moment before encouraging him to sit.]

You can relax! Your Boss is here and he says taking a rest is a-okay right now. With everyone else keeping those murderers at bay, we'll be alright to sit here for a few minutes. And then you can return to your task.

[With the okay from his boss, Ace does as told, taking a seat in front of the two boys.]

[It doesn't. But admitting that he KNOWS nothing he did was right? That will help big time.]

[Shuichi glances between the Kokichi and Ace, his expression one of thoughtful uncertainty. HE can't help but wonder...is it worth trying to talk to the underling? He clearly knows something but...is he incapable of directly sharing that information? Is that why he still has yet to speak? Perhaps, as a simulation, he can't...]

Um...Ace-kun? Do you...know where D.I.C.E.'s hideout is?

[It doesn't hurt to ask, right? Worst that can happen is that the masked boy won't answer.]

[Ace turns his attention to Shuichi, staring at him silently for a few moments. But eventually he gives him one gentle nod. He does, yes.

Kokichi himself stays quiet as well, but he's interested in seeing how the simulation works. Ace should be talking to him. He would have started immediately once they were safe, probably berating him on safety and the like. But he hasn't spoken a word...and he's giving someone outside of their group information.

He's probably built like a very basic NPC...]

[Shuichi looks heartened. Can it...really be this easy?]

Can you take us there? We need to recover something that they've stolen...and we think their hideout is the most likely place for it to be hidden.

[He once again stares for a few moments before shaking his head. But, maybe surprisingly, that's not the only answer he gets. A hand raises to lift the mask on his face just enough to uncover his mouth, to make sure his soft spoken voice isn't muffled.]

Unfortunately I can only take you so far.

[Kokichi glances away as soon as Ace speaks up. Not out of disappointment, but more out of pain. Seeing them has been a little hard, but hearing his voice again...it just makes him think of his motive video. Of the situation his actual, real group is in. Captured. Beaten and hurt. Maybe dead...]

Oh! [He's actually a little surprised to hear the other boy talk. He kind of thought he'd just get the head shake and that was it.] Well...that's okay. We appreciate any help you can give us.

[He hadn't really expected it to be that easy. It's a test, after all. Although...Kokichi has been incredibly quiet these past few minutes. And now he's looking away from Ace, rather than at him? That's...definitely odd.]

Oma-kun? Are you feeling alright?

[Is he hurting again...? He did say he felt like he was about to be crushed earlier...]

We'll be sure to give you all the help we can. You're working with Boss, after all.

[They can't just abandon Kokichi. And the name has the leader hunching up his shoulders in response, another stab of pain hitting his heart. Though he does his best to force himself to relax when Shuichi addresses him, turning to face him with a smile. It doesn't reach his eyes however. He's clearly hurting, but it seems like maybe it's more emotional than physical. He has a sort of far away look in his eyes, like he's not fully here. Grounded just enough reply to Shuichi.]

Huh? Of course I am, Saihara-chan. Ace said they're gonna help us! This test will be a snap with my organization lending a hand. We're a well oiled machine, it probably won't take us any time at all to find the real location now, nishishi!

[Yeah...and Shuichi notices all of that. And he's a sharp boy, he can put two and two together. So he thinks he might know what the problem is. Or at least a part of it.]

[That said, he's not going to press the matter right now. Not in present company.]

Aha, I imagine not... Do you still need some more time to rest? Or should we start moving again?

Let's get moving! I'm feeling better. I could probably run 20 kilometers, I feel so great right now!

[Before he can get to his feet, Ace stands up and moves to assist him, offering him a hand. Which Kokichi takes almost naturally, without a hint of hesitation, and gets to his feet.

Shuichi is offered Ace's hand next. Want some help up, friend of his boss?]

Thank you...

[He would like some help up, yes. Such a considerate underling you are, Ace! Once standing, Shuichi brushes himself off before looking somewhat expectantly at the masked boy.]

[Where to, then?]

[Ace nods, letting them straighten themselves out before leading the way with a gesture of his hand.

Follow him boys.

Kokichi hooks his hands behind his head as they start walking, glancing around the hall as they go. He wonders if all of his members are hiding in those rooms...if they'll come out and talk to him. Visit a little, before they have to leave the simulation...

Then again, Would they be just as stiff feeling as Ace is? Probably...

He doesn't even notice as they're lead down a flight of stairs to the bottom floor of the hotel they're in. Looks like they're taking a backdoor to another alley...]

[Shuichi is just as silent as the other two, following Ace down the stairs and out the back door without comment. Though he does, occasionally, glance back at Kokichi. Just to check on him. Is he even paying attention to where he's going? It doesn't look like it...]

[So Shuichi will just have to do it for him, he guesses. Keep leading the way, Ace. He's right behind you! He won't let your boss get lost.]

[Thank you, Shuichi. Both Ace and Kokichi appreciate it, even if Kokichi doesn't even realize it. Once they're in the alley behind the hotel though, he seems to come back to it. He glances around first and then focuses on Ace, who gestures to the right most path.]

If the two of you follow this path, you will eventually come upon more help. We'll guide you as best as we can to the hideout.

[There's a hum of acknowledgement from Kokichi. Completely trusting his subordinate.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject