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redactable2020-11-15 01:53 pm
retellers) wrote in redactable2020-11-15 01:53 pm
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WEEK SEVEN: MINGLE
WEEK SEVEN: MINGLE (21 remain) Rise and shine, gremlins. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and it's the start of a new week. To the participants, yesterday's events may seem distant now—albeit not as distant as their life before this. Whether or not they notice, they will have lost a memory upon waking up. As usual, the participants will find that their lodgings have changed, and should anyone check their PHS, Chiron, Ochako, Soo-won, and Dorothy's profiles have been removed. They may also find that they have difficulty recalling complete details of the past weeks. Furthermore, it looks as though the rules have updated. Not everything is the same as the previous pattern, though. The barrier to the north is back up, and once more, what lies beyond is an empty field. In contrast, however, participants may notice that they can finally access a place they haven't been able to before... Additionally, it looks like the Leaders aren't around. No matter where the participants look, they're nowhere to be found. Should anyone try calling for them in the Planetarium, there will be no response—not even a message telling the participant that they're busy. Finally, everything around the participants begins to... glitch? Buildings may suddenly blink out of existence and then back in, random items like chairs or cups may suddenly distort even while they're being used, and looking at any particular thing for too long may give someone a headache. It's worse than it was that one week, though: participants will find that it's happening to themselves as well. Body parts might suddenly glitch out of existence then back in, and there will be a shot of pain when it occurs. It'll happen randomly, but it also seems to occur more often if they're touching something or another person. |
NAVIGATION locations ₓ˚. statuses *+:｡ ic profiles :ₓo ic rules ･ﾟﾟ･｡ audience requests murder proposals ｡✧o private conversations ･ﾟo｡ curfew ･ﾟ✧ memories |
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Hua Cheng gives it a stinkeye - which is the only eye he has, anyways - when it reforms, not sheathing the sword, but not going to attack it again. So long as it behaves itself, he won't have a reason to slice it in half. But he thankfully decides to move on past! The whole name thing! Because he can tell Xie Lian noticed.
Better to focus on this for now, and herding an injured Zuko, since Sipp is going to go to study and we are taking care of him. Good luck on your test tomorrow, Sipp! ]
It sounds like that's where we need to go. [ vibing ] Xue Yu.
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[ meanwhile she'll be here also fussing over Zuko because she feels bad. GANBA SIPPU. we'll take very good care of him. for now. ]
I'm- [ mii music.mp3 ] Serenity. What's your name??
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Sweet! I'm Lexter. Nice to meetcha.
[ Off they go! The journey will, in some ways, feels like a blur—both like it felt longer than it really is, and that it's longer than it felt. Which is to say, I'm not going to make you reenact an entire season from this canon, but they will sense that they experienced the following:
Lexter, as it turns out, is a chatterbox, so he'll also explain some things! The Demans are a race that first appeared and attacked a couple of years ago, and while no one's quite sure where they came from, it's well-known they used to be human.
They also really fucking suck, in Lexter's unbiased opinion. A year ago, they carried out a large scale massacre, and now this entire place is under their rule. Humans are killed, kidnapped, used in experiments, treated as livestock, etc.
As they pass through the "zones"—gates that divide each section—and head further into the heart of the land, the group will have seen scenes of desolation, as if this entire place is a warzone. There are no humans who live within these walls (aside from Lexter himself, anyway). All the "free" humans would be in the outermost aka least dangerous zones, forming the militia against the Demans, however futile their efforts largely are.
All the while, the black blob thing trails behind them.
Once they approach the gateway to Zone 2, Lexter starts talking about his past. His mother went missing during the first Deman attack, and he became estranged from his father then. Still... ]
... That's my dream—that even if it's not with my family, one day we'll all get to go home, just sit down at a table, and have a meal together. It might sound pretty underwhelming, but... that's all I want, really.
What about you guys?
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so many things about goat's memories are so wildly different from his own, but... as lexter chatters about his family, it's clear that some things never really change. people are still people, no matter what, aren't they? what a nice young man. 10/10. ]
I think that is a perfectly wonderful dream, my young friend. Sometimes the simplest happinesses are the ones we treasure the most, in times of great strife - they are a beacon of hope that shines in the darkness.
[ pulling his gaze away from the gateway, he tilts his head at the question, thoughtful. ] Our dreams and wants, hmm....?
[ hmm.... ] ...My dream, then, is the common people. [ to "save the common people", a xie lian who did not know the common people once said. that dream has matured quite a bit, since, but the heart of it is the same. ] That is to say - to help as many people as I can. It may not always be successful, but... even if I can just reach one person - there is nothing in this life or any that has mattered more to me than that.
[ and today, that person is going to be mr. god. and... any other people they can help, in this strange adventure from someone's memory. ]
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The question gives him pause, but not for very long. That's always been simple, to him. He looks at Xie Lian when he answers, disgusting. ]
My dream is his, and him. [ (If your dream is to save the common people, then my dream is only you.)
Anyways, wow, neat gateway! Looking at that now. ] Though I suppose no harm comes in taking care of things while we're here.
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My dream is to protect those I can, so we can live happily.
[ her's on the other hand has changed a little since her initial dream of protecting the whole planet thanks to a heavy dose of murder reality but the core goal is certainly still there. ]
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Once they reach the gate, though? Everyone will find themselves transported. Specifically, they're all now in what looks like a modern fighting ring, all dressed neatly in suits. Any weapons they had on them previously are mysteriously gone!
They're not alone in the ring, either. There are about four Demans, but there are also some familiar faces. Anyone from home, dead or alive, whom they might be willing to punch in the face but wouldn't necessarily try to strangle on sight—they may very well be one of their opponents in this crowded space.
Surrounding them in the bleachers is a roaring crowd, also dressed up. It's composed entirely of Demans.
Lexter's not in the ring, instead sitting at a table nearby (on which the black blob chills, because they can't seem to get rid of it even when magically shifted to a new situation).
Amidst the cheers, the announcer speaks. ]
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! It's the final match of the Gentleman's Pub, the hottest thing here in Zone 2!
You know the rules! No weapons, only your good ol' fists! If you're knocked out of the ring or down for the count, you're out!
Last ones standing are granted the amazing privilege of advancing to Zone 1, and an audience with Lord Ares himself!
Now... start!
[ With that, the fighting begins, as the other opponents begin punching each other.
Despite the announcer's words, the four will find that they (and only they) have no way of exiting the ring, as if blocked by a barrier.
Lexter nervously mouths good luck at them from where he's spectating, because this NPC is useless with the weaponry ban. ]
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the fact that his weapon (and breadsleeves) are missing is a little concerning at first, and xie lian's on high alert as he assesses the situation around them, immediately putting himself protectively in front of the group.
once the rules come out, it's - well, this isn't ideal for a lot of reasons, but, xie lian goes from "deeply concerned about their current situation" to "oh I just have to punch things?" in about five seconds. this is honestly kind of ideal, in terms of terrible situations to be stuck in, as long as they don't have to punch each other. ]
Let's watch each other's backs. [ he says, just loud enough to be heard - though that seems pretty obvious, and takes on a martial stance.
and then the fighting starts! if there is one thing xie lian is really good at, it's punching, so therefore, this is a pretty great situation to be stuck in. the best defense is a good offense here - xie lian springs forward first to try and draw as much attention as he can. he's immediately going to tussle with one of the demans, a graceful blur of dark hair as he ducks under its first swing, so that it connects with this guy's face instead. xie lian has the vague feeling he should probably recognize this guy? but he doesn't. his gut instinct just tells him he sucks.
anyway he's got one of the demans and the-stinky-green-guy-he-doesn't-remember-but-feels-the-deep-need-to-silence-immediately on lock, taking on the both of them at once with all of the martial arts skills you've probably come to expect from xie lian.
let's gooooo ]
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He tightens his fist, cracking his knuckles. That doesn't mean he needs it.
The wardrobe change doesn't faze him, as his gaze sweeps over the situation, taking a step back to mirror Xie Lian and keep the teens between the two of them for a moment. Letting them all get their bearings, assess what needs to be done while the announcer speaks. Oh, this place continues to be just like home.
Funnily enough, while he'd also punch the green one that Xie Lian contends with, Hua Cheng has two punchable people, which are essentially a unit anyways. Admittedly, their faces don't really stay in focus for him, but he knows who they are even without their names and their faces, and something... wild? comes over his expression. ] Oh, so that's how it is.
[ ... he is maybe a little made for this. ] En. Zuko, Serenity - if you find yourselves needing help, call out.
[ Zuko is injured and carrying precious cargo, and Usagi is Baby, but he's not going to coddle either of them. He's just going to cold clock a Deman when it gets within range so that he can focus on Dumb and Dumber. ]
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serenity is Not Particularly a punch 'em person- she'd rather leave that to the people who enjoy it but still, she puts up her fists and a brave face. she might do only 2 damage but that's still 2 less damage for the others to do! ]
I'll be okay!
[ she can at least dodge really well, uwu. of course, that's until she spots this guy and her eyes narrow. she doesn't particularly recognize him but he sure does look like someone punchable, huh? given how he's heading right her way, with a loud yell, and a surprisingly decent punch usagi throws herself at him ]
V-punch!
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[ as for his enemy, well. here he is! everyone's favorite book 1 antagonist. ]
[ zuko's eyes widen slightly as fire nation music plays in the background. there's someone he hasn't seen in a long time -- someone he thought was dead, actually. ]
[ but is any of this for real.... or not? ]
-- I can handle him.
[ and apparently he really can??? as zuko attacks zhao with one of the broadswords he used as the blue spirit. wow, adding insult to injury. ]
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But everyone starts throwing their punches and presumably having a good time.
Though things apparently didn't go quite this well in the original memory, since as they fight, they might see images of other figures: Demans, someone recognizable as Goat, and a man that Hua Cheng and Xie Lian might identify as the grown-up version of the boy they saw in the vision, who celebrated his baby sister's birthday, all dressed in suits.
The red-haired man shoves Goat. "Stop. Get off before it gets rough."
And then Goat, looking uncharacteristically furious— "You... You are stopping me...?"
Then, they disappear.
Anyhow, lots of punching! You're all probably going to end up at least a little bruised after all the tussling with your definitely very beloved people, but since you all did well on your rolls and because I'm not going to make you fight for another million tag rounds, I assume none of the four gets knocked out, and so they end up as the last ones standing. ]
And our winners are... Hua Cheng, Xie Lian, Usagi Tsukino, and Zuko! Who could've seen this coming!?
[ After they're given a few moments to bask in their victory, they're ushered off the ring and into a hallway by a few Demans—before Lexter, seemingly wandering around, casually bumps into Xie Lian just because he's first in the tag order. ]
Whoops! Well, congrats on your victory, everyone! See you around!
[ He waltzes off because he's not exactly safe here. However, Xie Lian might now find a note in his pocket:
Can't go cuz I didn't fight but I'll find a way. Try not to cause commotion until you meet Ares. King guy. Zone 1 gonna be way more dangerous. Getting my road of light ready.
Also if they tell you to take vapour say yes but DO NOT ACTUALLY TAKE IT. STAY AWAY FROM BALLOONS.
In any case, the group will be ushered from place to place, being requested to fill out paperwork, that sort of thing. Who knew soul-sucking, genocidal monsters were so bureaucratic?
This will end with them transported inside a limousine running on auto-drive, on their way to Zone 1. It's very fancy inside: comfy seats, mini fridges stocked with drinks, etc. If they look out the window, they'll see what look like pyramids—even if only Usagi would probably recognize them as such—peering above the walls of Zone 1.
But until you arrive, enjoy your sweet ride? You are all back in your normal clothes with your inventory again, unless you wanted to still be stuck in a suit. ]
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anyway. wow! that was cathartic!!! mister martial god had a great time whaling on just about anyone, and briefly smiles at lexter when he goes running off - hands settling peacefully in his pockets while they're escorted through paperwork. it's kind of wild how much this feels like ghost city. he's half expecting to see ... that one guy whose name he can't remember's mask around the corner.
such is not the case. it's only once they're settled into the limousine and it's driving off that xie lian feels for the paper again, which is now mysteriously among his sleeve inventory. he takes it out, and smooths it over his knee, and then passes it around to the rest of the group in the limo so they can read the rest of it. ]
...I think this "Ares" person is... well, I have a hunch, but I think they are someone very important to Brother Goat's past. Let's follow that young man's direction - he will certainly know more about this place than we do - and try to lay low while we can.
[ he has so many questions still. road of light? vapour (????) balloons???
that's fine ]
Is everyone alright, after that...? [ a beat, and then ] And our feathered friend, too? It was all quite unexpected.
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Also he likes the suit. He's going to look into this later.
But he climbs into the limo next to Xie Lian, taking inventory of his things now that they've been returned to him. He leans down to reach into his right boot, casually pulling out... the hilt of a goddamn knife, before he nudges it back down, like he was adjusting it. It's fine. ]
It might be like the Distance Shortening Array. [ Answering 1/3 of the question marks he can see floating around Xie Lian's head. The others he's not as sure about, but can hazard that the vapour has something to do with that smoke they saw. Better to pass on that.
Flexing his hand absently, Hua Cheng mulls over their situation, watching the scenery outside for a beat, especially with how at odds everything seems to be with itself. ]
So long as we keep moving through the motions, while not succumbing to anything here, I think we should be fine. We just need to tread carefully. [ He looks to Usagi and Zuko, though, as he settles back with his arms behind his head, to make sure they're fine - and their bird friend. ]
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[ that's an absent explanation for her ancient folk while she reads. ]
I guess they filled it with something dangerous instead.
[ otherwise, she's just happy to sit back and vibe, since she knows absolutely nothing about what they're getting into. it's fine though, she's full of Fight Adrenaline, a punch well done and ready to fist fight
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... Yeah, maybe.
[ at xie lian. he has no idea what to say about balloons ]
Looks we can all handle ourselves, when we have to fight again.
[ not if... ]
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Eventually, it comes to a stop, and Demans outside open the door to let the four out. Though once they see how many there is, they give each other an odd look. ]
Four, huh...? Isn't that a lot more than normal? Well, whatever. We'll just divide them into groups.
[ A Deman points at Xie Lian and Hua Cheng. ]
Those two seem like they're together, so send them to Sir White Night. As for the other two... Well, better not send them to Lord Caleb—Lord Bark is around, isn't he?
[ These Demans apparently do not care about separating children from their parents.
Hua Cheng and Xie Lian will be led (whether or not it's against their will) to a building, although it'd probably be better described as a temple, going by the aesthetic. In particular, they're taken to a large and spacious room, on which an elegant, if prissy-looking man sits on a fancy bench. You can tell he's a pompous asshole because he's just sitting there in this giant fancy room with nothing else in it but him.
Also, the black blob thing has definitely followed the two of them here. Anyway, the Deman who led Hua Cheng and Xie Lian introduces them, as well as introducing this man as White Night, Captain of the Guard.
White Night gives them a look over. ]
So these two are the winners...? My, appearances can be deceiving. [ He stands up, giving them a smile. It's not unfriendly, at least. ] You two must have endured much, to reach this far. Is it not hard, bearing such burdens and expectations?
[ Meanwhile, over with Usagi and Zuko:
The Deman leading them around... wanders for quite a while, trying to find this Bark dude. They might get lost once or twice. Whoops.
The good news is that they succeed at some point and you don't spend the rest of this adventure lost! Bark, as it turns out, is a stoic-looking, hulking figure of a Deman. If Hua Cheng were here, this guy would still be towering over him. He big. ]
What am I supposed to do with them...? [ No one told him he'd be on babysitting duty?? ] Well, I suppose I can give you two a tour.
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...and with that, off they go! xie lian keeps his hands in his sleeves as he walks through the temple, giving off an aura of nothing but calm. this place feels like the heavens, and xie lian easily and naturally falls into routine, pressing his fist to his hand to greet this "sir white night" and bowing his head. he's just fine to do the talking, and his warm, if a little sheepish and airheaded smile stays firmly on his face. ]
Haha, perhaps so... [ the similarities with the heavens did not stop with the aesthetics, huh. wow. ] Well met, Sir White Night. We thank you for your hospitality.
[ as he straightens, he tilts his head, gaze flicking to hua cheng. ] As for burdens and expectations.... which ones would you mean?
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Yeah, he's not thrilled. After a glance back of his own, he falls in step with Xie Lian without missing a beat - or missing out on scrutinizing everything. For as much as this place has reminded both of them about Ghost City, it truly does resonate with the Heavens, too.
He doesn't bow. But he does smile (that is not a smile) in return. He'll play up appearances, whatever it is that this White Knight might be expecting of them. ]
And were those expectations met, I wonder.
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of course, that's if the person leading them knows where they're going and they don't end up lost here forever? but then it goes from bad to that sure is a giant. she probably comes up to his knee. ]
We'll be good......! Show us around!
[ they totally won't sneak off on their own or something.... ]
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[ zuko sizes him up... hm... ]
... I guess?
[ he's not that tall either so there are just puny teenagers pretending like they're going to behave. ]
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If you've come this far—and I've no doubt you shed the blood of countless believers along your way—then there must be something you want, correct? Something you believe in strongly enough that you would fight to reach it.
[ White Night takes a step forward. ]
I like the look in your eyes. Worry not. You will soon obtain the vapour and become one of us.
You may have seen it. In many places, the lives of humans are like hell. In others, they are treated like playthings. Yes, most of the time, they are traded. However, in Zone 1, our slaves do not suffer. They work and are compensated. It is natural for humans to swear loyalty to those greater than them.
[ He smiles, as if justifying slavery is perfectly innocuous. ]
Not everyone can be happy. Humans always have a need to fight, for whatever reason. It is in their very nature—their selfishness. But if there exists a land where nothing collapses, would that not be paradise? Here, in Zone 1, we have achieved that.
... Sacrifices had to be made at first, of course. But through domination, Lord Ares has brought peace and prosperity.
Shall I take you to see him? And then, you too will be able to understand.
[ Over with Zuko and Usagi, who got the less conceited Deman:
He starts showing them around, going through streets between buildings. He doesn't have a lot to say, to be honest. At some point, though, another Deman approaches to pull him away for a moment. Something something Lord Caleb is, uh, causing trouble? Bark looks so tired. Fuck that guy.
But while he's distracted, Zuko and Usagi might see someone who looks suspiciously like Lexter waving at them from around the corner of a building...? ]
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xie lian's expression shifts away from his smile, falling to something more serious as white night speaks, though it could be easily taken that he's just listening to the gravity of his word, that they've captivated him.
in reality, distaste and anger stirs low in the back of his mind.
this is paradise? this?
his comparison to the heavens wasn't necessarily wrong. sometimes the gods of xie lian's own world seem to forget that they were human once. so often, they have forgotten the simple struggles of the world that they came from, even when they answer prayers. it always seems to come back to this, doesn't this? the idea that some 'other' thinks they can decide the value of humanity in one broad brushstroke. like they have ever for a moment experienced what it really meant to be human, with all of the pain and the struggles and the joy that comes with it. (that a calamity, thousands of years removed, thinks that xie lian can be his successor, that he will cause despair and destruction because he can?)
the words the white night speak ring with that same careless cruelty, and it strikes xie lian to his core.
gods, humans, ghosts - no one is better than the other. that's something that xie lian believes with every part of him. it is the nature of a being that makes it who it is, not their powers, or their genetic makeup, or their money, or their privilege. and humans may sometimes be selfish, and sometimes, they may be cruel, but... they can be extraordinarily compassionate, and kind, and selfless, too. he knows it. he's experienced it. in eight hundred years of life, he knows it intimately.
xie lian loves humanity. this is the kind of thing he cannot stand for.
(how many times has he had this very conversation in the realm?
the white night asks if they have something they believe strongly enough to fight for - and that is it. )
but they have to play along. they have to get to this lord ares - they have to get to goat. that's what matters - they have to get to goat, and bring him safely back.
xie lian tucks his hands back into his sleeves, and nods his head, bowing once more before lowing his arms. his hand curls into a fist, but it relaxes, slowly, and his voice is calm when he speaks. ]
How truly magnanimous.
[ not. xie lian's gaze flicks to hua cheng, for a moment, but otherwise, he's perfectly steady.
perfectly determined, to make it to their end goal. ] Please - it would be our honor to speak with Lord Ares. If my lord would be so kind.
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As someone that has walked through each of the three realms, and seen the best and worst of mankind spread out across mortals, gods, and ghosts, this isn't something he hasn't come across for all his hundreds of years. The White No-Face stands at the head of it all, or what he can remember - he could laugh, at the name of White Night, but he doesn't - but no one kind has ever been free of such egotism. Such megalomania. Paradise! ]
Ah, I see.
[ If he wants what the three realms have spun Hua Cheng into, then that's what he'll get. There is no twinkling spark of mischief, no warmth of kindness, in his dark eye - just a cold nothing, even as he doesn't pack away the edge of danger to him. Xie Lian's glance is returned, but otherwise full focus is given to their, ah, host. ]
Truly, you've found your heart in paradise. [ Without the full quote and its true context, this is... actually an insult, not that anyone besides Xie Lian (and the readers at home) will realize it. ] To have accomplished so much, carrying the burdens that you have of human selfishness... it's admirable. I do, sincerely, hope that we've met the expectations that Lord Ares much surely keep as his standard.
[ People are inherently selfish. They have desires, and wish to see them met, to have, to possess, to stand at the top of the world, to simply live. They will do anything, even tear one another apart, to accomplish it, to survive. Dog eat dog world, and all that.
But he dips his head to match Xie Lian's bow, and steals a glance from under the sweep of his bangs before straightening again, knowing that just one person can be selfless and kind, and still change everything. ]
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the bun currently called serenity looks bored to tears at this tour guide, not even remotely entertained by this silent tour. it’s a good thing Lexter shows up when he does because she's immediately ready to go and pokes Zuko on his good side. LOOK ZUKO, WE HAVE AN ESCAPE(?) ROUTE.
on three? ]
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