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redstringtheories2021-11-01 08:28 am
TDM #5
(cw: potential for severe disorientation/vertigo, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, body horror)
It happens in the blink of an eye. You may have been asleep. You may not have. You may have stepped through a door or turned a corner. You may have seen a flicker of something at the corner of your vision and turned to look. Or maybe you didn't.
It doesn't matter. What matters is that you find yourself somewhere entirely new and entirely unfamiliar. The arrival point is not always the same. (If you're lucky, it might be a canteen or an open office. If you're not, well... you aren't claustrophobic, are you? Or arachnophobic. These ducts do seem to be a bit cobwebby.) There is no one waiting for you but you don’t seem to be alone, either. Even in a janitor’s closet or the bathroom, you’ll find at least one person who seems to be just as out of place as you are.
If characters have arrived in a location devoid of NPCs, they may want to work together to figure out what is going on... or to avoid their 'kidnappers.' If you’ve arrived in the middle of the entry foyer or the gym, there may well be a few people who startle a bit at your arrival and try to approach (or discreetly leave the room... where are they going?). Will you cooperate or fight? Do you even understand what they're saying? You might need to find a translator, if you’re not immediately willing to follow a stranger.
After characters follow their new hosts (or are forcibly taken in) there will be a limited tour and the chance to settle in at the ADI-provided housing. (Do you enjoy living with strangers? Well. It's a new situation to navigate, anyway.)
(cw: nephophobia, claustrophobia, agoraphobia, potential for a fate worse than death)
Weird things happen in Dogtown, everyone knows it. The Apocalypse Disruption Initiative (ADI) is not above taking advantage of that to test out the waters for its newest arrivals. They're not looking to send anyone to their death, though, especially not with recent events that have transpired surrounding Dogtown. An employee gives you a number to call if anything truly dangerous happens and you've been left with another person at the trailhead. Maybe they're a new arrival, as well, or a more seasoned 'veteran.' Either way, you're together for the next while and you've been asked to find and record any paranormal activity in the park. You have your phones and any other equipment you might have brought with you. Those who succeed in documenting anything peculiar will receive a $100 reward to be used as they see fit.
It's a cool and cloudy November day, which, given the season, isn't unusual. The sky's the sort of dark gray that promises rain sooner rather than later, and there's a weight to what's above as pairs move about Dogtown in search of anything unusual. For once, the place seems to be… normal. It's just a walk or hike through the woods depending on the paths you decide to take.
At least until you look up. It's hard to tell there's anything off at first. The clouds loom above, rumbling moodily with thunder and continuing to threaten a cold shower. Perhaps you planned ahead and have brought an umbrella or donned a poncho or raincoat. ADI would be happy to provide such things. But each time you look up, the sky seems to be getting closer.
It's not elevation. There are some hills around Dogtown, but certainly nothing that would make a marked difference on how close the clouds are. No, those are coming down. Slowly, but surely, the sky is lowering itself toward you and even the least supernaturally aware person will likely have the sense that they are being menaced. The sky wants them.
It may be wise to find a lower elevation and get out of Dogtown… if that's even the problem. The gray wall above seems to stretch in every direction without an end. No breaks for blue skies, no lighter spots where the sun might be starting to burn through. It's a uniform and inevitable crush downward. Seemingly. Whether one can overcome the fear or not, that sense of oppression and vastness is inescapable. The sky is coming down and it will crush you, much like the other pressures in your life that come bubbling to the fore. There are so many of them, aren't there? Little things start to seem enormous when they're all stacked up together. Impossibly huge. How could anyone overcome this?
Those who escape the borders of Dogtown will quickly find that it's only the park that's been affected. The broader town is fine. It's a hazy day, but there are spots of sunlight and the clouds are heavy, but far above where they should be.
Those foolish enough to stay and see what happens… well…
Enjoy sky blue. It's where you'll be trapped forever.
(cw: body horror; uncanny valley; organs; items made from body parts; anatomical models)
Also on ADI's radar this month is Things of Beauty, a small antiques and curiosity shop in the heart of the city. It seems the shop has recently made radical changes to its inventory and marketing; seemingly overnight the previously sleepy little shop full of run of the mill antiques is now home to a bizarre assortment of unsettling curios of unspecified origin. A local-born staff member had brought the matter to the attention of ADI's higher-ups after observing the sudden change to what had been a local institution, if a quietly failing one (and an equally sudden influx of curious tourists at the shop), and off-worlders have now been requested to engage in subtle investigations into the matter.
Those who take on the work will be given a small allowance for purchases from Things of Beauty. Their mission is to observe the comings and goings in the shop for anything suspicious, take note of the inventory, and bring back sample items for testing (failing to bring back either the money or an item with a receipt will result in a black mark on one's employee record). You'll also be encouraged to try to get names of other customers, particularly any locals, to enable follow-up investigations in case the shop is distributing cursed objects to the general public. Above all, you are requested not to make a scene, as ADI's purpose in sending multiple off-worlders on separate visits (particularly new arrivals) is to get eyes on the scene without alerting the shop's owner or staff that they're under investigation. As such, you'll generally be dropped off a few blocks from the shop in pairs at various times of the day.
Things of Beauty itself might be described as cozy if only it weren't for the shelves upon shelves of uncomfortably organic-looking or body-themed knickknacks. Selections include beads and small toys carved from bone; half-animal, half-vegetable figurines; squeeze toys with realistic plastic guts that pop out of their mouths; and dolls that double as anatomical models, among others.
The shop is manned most of the time by its owner, Kahlil Nassiri. He's friendly enough but avoids engaging in conversation beyond small talk and won't respond to any questions about the change in inventory--if pressed, he'll find some excuse to go to the back room to deal with some urgent business there instead of continuing the conversation. Best not to take advantage of his absence, though; the shop does have security cameras.
(cw: ghosts, compulsion, potential for violence, severe injury, severed limbs)
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have all been buzzing with the latest meme: Real Magic? Real Magic! Cut together clips of what seems to be stage magic that can be explained followed by seemingly inexplicable 'real magic.' Fire, electricity, phasing through materials, flying… An endless parade of amateur and more expert videos have been popping up.
Some of them have been catching ADI's eyes as they seem like they might be legitimate. Particularly the ones with IP addresses that indicate they're relatively local. It's not the high production-value ones that ADI seems to be most concerned with, but rather, the ones where there's unusual blurring, distortion, or warping associated with the videos. For the most part, these are the ones that are, in fact, being roundly trounced on social media as being poor fakes.
ADI doesn't think so.
Given the sheer volume of these, they're farming out investigations to staff. Everyone will find themselves partnered up with another person and given a video or someone's account to investigate. The videos being investigated have all come from relatively local IP addresses, and ADI is requesting people track down the creators of the videos or the sites where the filming is occurring. More veteran off-worlders might well recognize one of the locations within the video. Or the tech savvy may be able to pinpoint a more specific location.
By and large, characters will discover that the videos are, in fact, fakes. But perhaps you'll get lucky. Perhaps you'll find someone who's got wrapped up with a cursed object or you'll find a location where something truly supernatural is going on. Strange toys that seem to move when you're not watching are especially prevalent around Dogtown, and ghostly figures linger in town, particularly in the remote graveyards and railyard just after sunset.
If the toys manage to reach you, you'll find yourself with an impulsive desire to stab someone. Just… one stab. Just a little violence. The spectral figures have a similarly vicious streak attached to them. Those who get too close to try to communicate will hear strange music, and find themselves compelled to inflict violence on the next person they come across. Violence that might coincide with whatever injuries appear to be present on the ghosts. A stab, a severed limb, maybe something else… Just the attempt at inflicting this violence seems to sate the bloodlust. For now.
- ARRIVAL (Nov 1 - 31): Two people will always arrive in the same general location together. Arrivals occur throughout the early month, not all on the same day or in the same place. Arrivals are not naturally fluent in English/other languages immediately upon arrival. Characters may attempt to evade capture, but they will eventually be snagged before they can leave the building. PC's already in-game are more than welcome to interact with and try to guide new PC's to get them oriented. Please refer to the Arrival page for details regarding the arrival and onboarding process.
- BOTH SIDES NOW (Nov 1 - 31): The descending clouds will cause characters to experience anxiety over the sheer number and size of problems in their lives. Even minor concerns will become mountainous, seemingly insurmountable in the face of everything else. Leaving Dogtown will stop the effects immediately. If a character remains in Dogtown to see the clouds come down all the way, they will be taken by an Entity to suffer a fate worse than death. Please bear in mind that if a character comes to this in the TDM prompt, they are gone. A different version who doesn't have TDM memories may be apped in their place.
- CURIOSITY SHOP (Nov 1-31): As Kahlil will not be available as a mod-played NPC for this prompt, players are requested to assume he generally avoids conversation. If you have any questions about how he or any unnamed NPCs would react to particular situations, please use the mod questions thread below. Characters who look into the shop's background will find that until very recently it was a completely ordinary antiques shop originally run by Kahlil's parents before he inherited it around ten years ago, and that the shop and its owner have been struggling financially. Items obtained from the shop will have no apparent supernatural effects whatsoever.
- SCREEN MAGIC (Nov 1-31): The videos your characters are investigating may be anything with a seemingly supernatural component. If you find an NPC making them, they will be an ordinary person (usually on the younger side) who has simply stumbled across something extraordinary. More likely, they're someone who's just faked what was on the screen and will be very upset that you're harshing their meme groove. It's just TikTok! It's just IG! They're doing it for the views! Toys in this prompt will vanish once they get close to your character or if a character destroys them. They cannot be collected. Ghosts will similarly vanish if characters get too close. Trying to communicate with them via ordinary or supernatural means will result in characters hearing strange music and feeling an overwhelming compulsion to go and inflict violence on the next person they see.
closed to abel
Hopefully the man has in him to forgive him, even if his edgelord self doesn't have it in him to forgive himself.)
no subject
...and Abel is blinking in muted surprise to find today's visitor is Kurapika. bearing... flowers?? and a cupcake?? o-okay, so maybe the priest might've chased him off with admonishment about how all of this is extremely unnecessary--
but like,
..........cupcake,
so he is smiling instead, stepping aside to permit the young man entry if he's so inclined! ]
Ah...! Mr. Kurapika~! You know, I wasn't expecting a house call when I suggested we keep in touch, but... you know what? I'm not going to complain at all, please do come inside, would you?
no subject
Ah, but too bright, perhaps? Kurapika awkwardly bobs his head, nearly shoving the bouquet and cupcake for Abel to grab. Help, he sucks at this.)
I thought a formal apology should be in order, so I tracked you down and purchased these. How is your arm, Father?
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or, well, he was about to when he finds a bouquet of flowers thrust into his face??? o-oh. there's a slight hesitation, before something in Abel's expression undoubtedly softens around the edges, and he accepts the flowers with a smile,
...and the slight sense of reverence as he plucks the cupcake up with his other hand, ]
You really didn't have to do all this... but-- flowers will certainly lively things up in here, so I'm not about to complain... You've found my mortal weakness while you're at it, Mr. Kurapika~! Did someone spill the beans...? I have a horrible sweet tooth...
[ he has enough sense to sheepishly chuckle, even if there's no shame about this fact at all-- before he's nodding toward the lounge, ] Please, would you take a seat? Make yourself at home, mm? Do you want tea? Coffee...?
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(Did this motherfucker just call Abel old)
(Also yes, Kurapika is very intelligent, look at him go.)
(Kurapika looks around for a moment, sighing in relief that he did get the apology gift right, even though the delivery could have been smoother, undoubtedly.
There's a couch, and that's where Kurapika directs himself to. He's still hasn't gotten a sense of fashion in this place, so of course, a suit and tie compose his outfit as of now.)
You haven't answered my question, Father.
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[ he isn't defensive, YOU're defensive,
...luckily he has this cupcake and flowers to soften this blow, since he's now petulantly grumbling under his breath as he takes them for the kitchen to dig out a vase and a pair of plates, as well as set the kettle on. and he'll just continue talking as he works, ]
But my arm is quite well, thank you~! I'm happy to say our friends in medical are good at their jobs, and it also gave me an excuse to visit Dr. Dyer, who's a very lovely woman if you haven't met her, yet, not-mister Kurapika...!
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(NOT BETTER??????? NOT BETTER AT ALL!!
At least he says it calmly, posh as always. He doesn't mind that Abel isn't in the same place as him, but maybe the other can tell he's not exactly the most comfortable here either. It's a strange situation, but at least Abel's strange quirks are making it slightly easier on the blonde.)
I haven't met many, and practically none in good circumstances.
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...Kurapika's reply to his question has Abel peering over the kettle as it fills beneath the tap, a tiny knit furrowing his brow. and it isn't until he's placed it atop the stove and let it begun to heat that he's taking the plates - each adorned with one half of the cupcake, and a fork for good measure - to the lounge, handing Kurapika half of this yummy-looking treat. ]
Then we'll have to do something to change that, hm? Maybe you should come by for dinner sometime, and I could introduce you to a few friendly faces? --Ah, if I'm really lucky, I can convince Ciel to cook and everything~! Do you like curry, by chance?
no subject
(And he's not moving towards it either. He won't be peer-pressured into accepting kindness he doesn't deserve, thank you SO much, Abel!!
While Kurapika would prefer to lay low, it's beneficial to him to get to know the people in the same situation as himself. Brows furrow, a sigh releases from his lungs, and he nods.)
Only if it won't be a problem. I've never actually had curry. Due to the nature of my work, sitting down for meals is a luxury. I tend to sandwiches and the like more often than not so I don't waste any time.
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[ permit him to gently nudge that plate with the second half of cupcake a little further in Kurapika's direction, before he shoves half of his own portion directly into his gob without any further hestiation, ]
Oh-- no problem at all, of course! Getting together and learning a bit about your colleagues is a perfectly normal and healthy thing to do, right? All of us are working together, and considering we're all in the same sort of straits... we should do what we can to make that all the easier, right? So please don't worry about it.
[ perhaps there are dinner plans in their future, oho... ]
...So you're always on the road? What do you do when you have time off, Kurapika? Is there somewhere you call home, or are you more of a nomad in your line of work?
cw genocide/human organ trafficking.......
And it feels like Abel has read his mind because Kurapika wakes from his trance like Abel has deliberately showered him with a bucket of ice water, his heart quick to race and he has to breathe in to stabilize himself - even his voice is more serious than normal when he speaks:)
I don't have a home. I'm the sole survivor of my clan, they've been all massacred.
(Not the sort of news that Kurapika would simply throw around like that, but a part of him feels like he owes Abel at least a smidge of information - he did, after all, nearly chop the man's arm fully. It's clear from his experiences here thus far that this place will manipulate him using his wrath, and it's important to have someone on his side if Kurapika can't fight it again.
Someone who might stop him if he gets too far. He's seen how strong Abel is under... All that.)
cw grown man crying inside like he's 5
Abel is frozen in the midst of his task of licking frosting from his fork - the ridiculousness of that act is shown in sharp relief as his hand hovers, then drops. the utensil clinks softly against the plate in his lap, and the priest is left openly staring in hard shock at his company.
his entire clan... massacred? no home to return to...
it takes but a second for his brow to furrow, a pensive consternation and apology crossing his face-- and Abel's mouth works once before he can manage to speak, much more sober than before. ]
I'm-- sorry. I'm sorry.
[ the anger, the grief... the flowers for graves for the dead Kurapika did not know and yet paid his respects for, regardless.
...it makes a little more sense, now. but-- Abel is sorry that it does. he had been hoping, praying, the reason behind the rage in those eyes wasn't something like this. ]
no subject
(It's heartbreaking, and Kurapika knows it. To someone as empathetic as Abel, it might have felt like a blow to the stomach, and Kurapika once more has to ground himself to speak. As his eyes close and open, Kurapika's eyes now portray that beautiful dance of scarlet, and he clasps his hands together as his gaze drops.)
Our eyes are considered to be one of the most beautiful things in the whole wide world. Their eyes were taken and sold. I work to collect the eyes of my brethren and return them to their resting place. I'm sorry I treated you harshly, but this is not information I simply give away. However, as I've briefly mentioned before, I'm rather quick to anger, especially if it pertains to my personal affairs. I've come here to humbly ask that we have each other's backs through this nightmare.
Look after me, and I'll protect you in return.
no subject
...
but what the young man says next is enough to have Abel's disconcertion and apology shifting to a muted surprise... and an understanding. so the reason Kurapika is telling him this... ]
...You would trust such a thing to me?
[ a man who has made no secret of being a fool? to have such faith placed in him is... moving, truly. Abel is not questioning that judgment, as much as simply appreciating that is has been extended his way at all. from Kurapika's disposition, the priest can tell that this had not been easy for him - and not a decision he had made lightly. ]
Then... please count on me, Kurapika. For whatever it's worth-- I'll be by your side, so... I'm trusting my back to you, too.
no subject
(Not that it would be easy. Abel's seen his chains, felt the strength within the boy and yet he sits here unharmed. Something's fishy-- but it's not like Kurapika has got anyone else.
When Abel looks again, Kurapika's eyes have gone back to their hazy black color, and he looks to the side for a moment.)
You can trust me. I'm a bodyguard, protecting others is what I do.
(Like, the mob, but still.)
no subject
...If the worst were to happen and I fall short in stopping you myself, I'll make sure you aren't made to do anything you'll later regret.
[ the priest isn't above asking for help from those more capable than he is - or going to whatever lengths are required to see it through. and though Abel could ask the same of Kurapika, he thinks the young man has good as vowed it. is it an unreasonable request...? to think of them being forced against one another is one among many worst case scenarios Abel truly rather not contemplate. ]
Maybe it's a bit foolish to say aloud, but... I hope I don't see the day either of us needs to make good on our words. Even so... I have to admit-- it makes me feel a bit better to hear you say it.
no subject
(Wrath boils within his blood, brings redness to his eyes, and disintegrates each and every logic and the reason that mandates his actions in a normal day. His voice, apologetically, remains firm through the conversation, at the very least:)
How so, Father?
no subject
Abel is shooting Kurapika something of a sheepish look as he takes to his feet, trotting back over to the kitchen to tend to it; as he readies the tea, however, he continues their """merry""" conversation, ]
Well, I guess you could say it's something of a relief to know that there's someone looking out for me who relies on me to do the same in return, you know?
[ pouring the hot water into the awaiting cups... ]
Knowing there's someone at your side-- it can go a long way, even when times aren't rough. Don't you think so?
no subject
(His mind goes to his friends. The same ones he hasn't spoken to since he's left York New. The one who recommended him as a Zodiac, and Kurapika can't help but think it's sentimentality on Leorio's part - a way to keep an eye on him when they stand side-by-side in the Association. Kurapika smiles a grateful one, albeit hidden in the corners of his mouth. Hadn't Leorio been there, God knows things wouldn't go as smoothly, considering that he did threaten a Zodiac right off the bat.
Oof.)
I do have a question for you in turn, though.
no subject
Oh, do you now? Go right on ahead, I'll see what I can do about getting you some answers, hm?
no subject
(The quick-to-forgiveness part of Abel, Kurapika can understand. After all, he is a Priest, and isn't forgiveness part of his job? That part doesn't astound Kurapika as much as the fact the strength a man his age and build possesses.
Something is not exactly right with Abel, Kurapika feels. Much like himself.)
no subject
he sinks down to sit beside his company, beginning the arduous process of dunking sugars into his own cup - and though Abel's usual joviality doesn't seem to have gone anywhere, maybe the edges are a little more-- guarded, even if his tone is still light and conversational. ]
I know you are a Hunter, Kurapika, but... just what are you hunting for, exactly? Asking a man his dirty laundry so up front... don't you think you could be a bit more subtle about it? Buy me a drink, first? G-goodness...
no subject
It's not like you spared much time yourself before you asked me about what made me a Blacklist Hunter.
(And with the information Abel has, it must be rather easy to connect the dots now.)
... We're drinking something already.
no subject
[ the haughty reply comes before he sips at his tea-sludge (thirteen sugars later, if Kurapika is the kind to count smh), taking his time as if he hasn't a care in the world, ]
And, please! You and I both know I'm not referencing that kind of beverage. You know, the alcoholic kind...? Isn't that kind of thing customary before trying to get a man to spill his guts? Proverbially, of course...
no subject
Not when it's regarding blacklists, though. I have a feeling you knew right away why I wasn't so keen on talking about it when I dismissed you. Either way, I'm bound to reveal something in a situation like this even if I don't.
(Damned if he talks, damned if he doesn't!)
It seems that I'm not old enough to do that here anyway, even if I am partial to whiskey on occasion.
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