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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.
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With horror in his eyes, Kurapika finally gets back to his senses, slowly, as the adrenaline settles and the chains dissipate from his fingers. Holy-- what has he done?! Anger and compulsion take a step back, leaving way for embarrassment and instant regret when he comes to the man's aid, a hand on his shoulder in the most non-threatening manner he could find.)
I'm so sorry, sir, I don't know what happened.
(It's pained the way his words come out, true concern leaking through them as he kneels, offering a hand for the man to meet him on the ground. His eyes return to the hazy black, and he tries to breathe in.)
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...and thankfully for Abel, they seem to abate all at once and all together as a flood of a sick sort of horror blooms in the blond-haired stranger's eyes. like a switch has been flipped, the pressure of the chain dissolves as the weapon is recalled (amazing-- was that some sort of... magic?), and Kurapika's hand at his shoulder is one pressed with a gentility rather than violent intent.
the wash of relief in response is palpable. so he doesn't much mind it if the both of them sink down a bit, even if Abel will satisfy himself with a graceless flop right on down onto his butt. ]
Thank goodness...
[ that is, undoubtedly, exhaled in the way of man who feels a good ten thousand pound weight lifted off his shoulders-- and though it's a little rough around the edges, Abel is offering Kurapika something in the way of a decidedly grateful, if wobbly smile. ]
--You scared me half to death, you know that...? Are you alright?
[ his fingers finally release the other man's shoulder, hand coming to grip the opposite arm-- but his eyes are raking the other man over with no shortage of worry, trying to ascertain that Kurapika is really okay. because, that... whatever it was-- was definitely not okay, ]
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What had been a murderous aura now sits as gloom, as he's much more concerned with the man's well-being considering he knows just how strong he truly is, despite the delicate appearance.)
Please, refrain from talking right now. You should gather your strength -- I'm taking you to a medical facility.
(The compulsion had at least subsided a bit when the chains engulfed the man's arm, but with the scarlet eyes, his vision went absolutely crimson in response to such sudden duress. The thought of it worsens Kurapika's guilt, and he pulls on the jacket the man had been wearing, once pristine.)
Would you allow me to take a look?
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to see the concern and regret in the blond-haired man's eyes furthers it-- whatever it was, it wasn't a welcome or intentional event. Abel is shaking his head quickly to try and assuage the worry for his well-being, gesturing with his good hand placatingly-- ]
H-hey, please don't go and make such a face! I think my coat got the worst of it, and you'll be happy to know I didn't even buy it myself~! It's the little things in life. No harm done, sir...
[ he gently reaches for those fingers plucking at his sleeve, a warm and easy smile on his face now that the danger has seemingly passed. good... he's-- he is really glad it was just temporary. ]
I'm a bit more worried about what in the world happened to you, truth be told-- [ he'd ask if the stranger is okay, but... he has a feeling he knows the answer to that particular question, ] ...so-- maybe we should think about getting out of here...? I don't know about you, but I'm not interested in a refrain if whatever caused that to happen decides it wants a repeat performance--
[ Abel is holding his hand out; if Kurapika would be so kind as to help an
old mandear fellow to his feet? that would be much obliged!! ]no subject
(Don't lie to him, please. Kurapika saw the man's body tense up, and he knows just how much force he applied when his foot met his ribcage. He won't take a 'no' for an answer, Kurapika just happens to be rather stubborn and only partial to what he'd like to hear, and this isn't it right now.)
Again, let me see.
(Technically, he could heal it if he so wanted, but he has yet to agree with using his abilities after ADI's warning. The fact that he did without thinking is a problem, and the fact that he could, even more so. Something to deal and mull over once he's out of the most immediate issue.
It appears that the man lacks concern about his own health, focusing on Kurapika's well-being first and foremost, and once more, it goes straight over his head.)
I did tell you that I am taking you to a hospital. Let us be on our way.
(And another proof of strength coming from a twig as he pulls Abel up to his feet. For a while, Kurapika's eyes don't leave his feet, melancholy pressed in each and every step until he finally comes to speak.)
I'm truly sorry. At first, I really felt manipulated into inflicting pain... After that, my anger took over. I truly hope that you can find it in you to forgive me, although I assure you it won't be easy for me to do the same.
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--but Abel doesn't have overmuch time to dwell as his hand is taken and the priest is swept up to his feet; he exhales a soft noise of surprise, stumbling a step at the unexpected momentum. m-my...! ]
--Ah! S-sir, you... you really are deceptively strong, aren't you?
[ 'Methuselah;' the thought echoes in the back of his mind; old habits die hard. but the principles and rules of his world don't stand, here; for all Abel knows, the kind of strength his blond-haired stranger commands is perfectly normal where he's from-- just a part of daily life for denizens of his world.
either way, now is no time to permit his head to be lost in the clouds. Kurapika's explanation for what had come over him is... distressing, to say the least. compelled; manipulated... a loss of control. an outside influence, then? an Entity...? there is a soft knit at his brow as the priest takes this in, staying in step beside his companion. ]
You said it yourself, didn't you? Whatever happened to you-- it wasn't you, was it? I don't think you signed up for being manipulated by something creepy in a graveyard today, if I had to hazard a guess.
[ his gaze is sincere and apologetic; there is no cloud of judgment nor wariness as Abel regards his friend. Kurapika is as much a victim as Abel in Abel's eyes, and that's all there is to it. ]
There's really no need to apologize... but-- I have a feeling hearing that isn't going to stop you from beating yourself up about this, is it?
[ Kurapika looks, at this moment, like he feels as though he's the most wretched man in the world?? bro. harsh. please be kind to yourself...!! ]
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(Especially someone like Kurapika. Delicate, lady-like features on the outside, immaculate fury, and loathing on the inside - trauma does that to a young lad like him, doesn't it? The question makes him hum, now his turn to be lost in thought. It-- it's him, frequently. Kurapika is known to lose his temper, although for good reason. Not unlike him to beat someone up, on the occasion that such person deserves it as perceived by Kurapika. Injustice, selfishness, immorality, all things Kurapika despises, and can't control his reaction when he sees it... Not to mention the situation with the Phantom Troupe and his clan.
So, with an embarrassed sigh, Kurapika attempts to explain it the best he can.)
Not fully on this occasion... However, it'd be a lie to tell you it doesn't happen. Oftentimes, my rage does get the best of me in certain situations. I did not sign up to get compelled into letting it sink, but it does not excuse my actions in any way. I could easily have killed you if it hadn't subsided.
(And he'd hate himself for it forever. Pretty straightforward, no? At least they've started walking, getting away from the graveyard should do them good.)
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[ the priest's tone is a gentle one to offset the note of guilt and underlying pain in Kurapika's; Abel can, at the very least, understand that struggles of this nature-- ones dealing with base emotions like rage-- are often the most difficult to deal with and just as often fed by grief and fear. if that's the case, then...
...it breaks his heart to think it, but. maybe his new friend, here, struggles against echoes of a painful past. that he had found himself lost in a place to pay respects to the dead isn't lost to Abel at all.
and that, that is...
... ]
Things could have been worse-- maybe you're right. But they weren't, mm?
[ so... if it's like that, then... ]
But if you're intent on making that gloomy face, I suppose there's something you could do to make it up to me, if you'll hear me out...?
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(The tone is firm, almost authoritarian even if his voice is melodically soft. Please, Abel, listen? His hands move to his pockets, noticing that the other is having no issue with walking even after his side had suffered an impact. That means that he's overall not so bad, the trip to the hospital might just come as a quick inspection and nothing more. At least that is a relief in itself.)
Of course, anything. What is it, Mister...?
(No introductions thus far, so the pause is so that Abel can finish the sentence with his name if he feels inclined.)
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Let's start over, shall we? Wipe the slate clean and start over again~!
[ Abel's footsteps are coming to slow; it's funny that introductions should be on Kurapika's mind, because the priest is gently holding out his hand with an amiable and cheery smile despite the gloomy nature of their meeting, ]
I'm Abel. Father Abel Nightroad, at your service...! How nice for our paths to cross on the way back toward town, which happens to be the first and only time we've seen each other~! I sure am glad we didn't meet in any unfortunate and awkward encounters in a graveyard of all places, personally, h-haha!
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(Exactly possible, is it? Psychologically speaking, people make judgments about such things as trustworthiness, competence, and likeability within a fraction of a second after seeing someone’s face... And let's say that the moment in which Abel had gotten a glimpse of it, it wasn't at its best.
Not that Kurapika has time to spill his smartness at the man, because he's back at talking, and quite a lot...)
I'm Kurapika. I got here around one or two days ago. Father... Such as in a priest?
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he simply and jovially bobs his head in confirmation! ]
Mm, that's right~! I was an itinerant priest before, well-- all this. [ 'this' is accompanied with a gesture in the direction of the town proper. ] So you're really new, aren't you, Mr. Kurapika...? Ah, that's... quite a first impression of things you've gotten, isn't it? I'm so sorry-- Gloucester certainly has its moments, but... I'm happy to say not many have been quite like that one.
[ ...okay, so maybe there had been a month of sleepiness and sour dreams leading up to the Nightmare Incident, but we don't need to talk about that, h... haha, like-- no reason to further gloom up this poor soul's already deplorably dejected expression, ]
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But Kurapika smiles at the man, finally a break from the gloom and doom surrounding him. It's good, a man whose vocation is to help others find salvation. Kurapika is sure he's too far gone for that, but it's not too late for everyone else.)
Between this and the sky nearly dropping on me, I'm near feeling like it might have a quarrel with me specifically, then. I'm not exactly having a great time.
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...
o-oh. Abel catches a glimpse of that little smile, and... his own seems all the more pleased in response; goodness!! what a sight for sore eyes... ]
Or on the flipside, maybe it's Gloucester's way of trying to say hello? Y-you know, like an over-eager and excitable puppy that doesn't know it's own strength? Maybe it's flattering!
[ ......yeah, probably not that, huh. ]
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(What a nice way to say... That his optimism might be good or completely idiotic...
Either way. Kurapika already sees ADI and he finds relief as he enters the building, expecting fully that this man shared of the same fate as Kurapika.)
Well, if it hadn't been that, it surely seemed like it, either way.
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...Well, either way-- please let me welcome you to town properly another day, alright? Maybe we could have lunch together once you've settled in a bit?
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(IT'S NOT A COMPLIMENT, ABEL!!!!)
Of course, but I feel like I will become busier by the second. This world is completely different from my own, even the countries and customs. I need a moment to study it.
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Abel is waving his hand in dismissal, giving something of a soft chuckle as if his dear company has said something decidedly silly, ]
Oh, isn't it just...? America? The year 2021?! It's quite a bit to take in, so don't be in a rush to wrap your head around everything, alright? I mean... there's the business of deciding where you'll work in ADI, the crushing realization of a possibly impending apocalypse and entities curling their grimy paws around your proverbial throat in encroaching doom to say nothing of trying to balance a checkbook in a foreign currency and... you know, i-it's really quite a headache and easy to get overwhelmed and end up having a panic attack in a broom closet~!
[ haha that was oddly specific but dw about it, ]
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(While he is only a Zodiac because it aids him in his quest, he is one, isn't he? As well as a Hunter, once with a sparkle in his eyes and the dream of adventure.)
However, the way you say it makes me think this situation you described is too close to home.
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[ oh, that bit piques Abel's curiosity and he's peering side-long as they turn the corner toward the elevator, ]
Um-- what precisely did you hunt, Mr. Kurapika?
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(As of late, Kurapika guards Prince Wobble from the gruesome Succession War - a job he's taken in order to approach the last of the scarlet eyes... And he finds himself more and more entangled, more and more protective.)
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Do you mind if I ask why you got into that line of work? It seems dangerous-- especially if it's criminals you're hunting, right?
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(And also, the less people know about him, the better. That way, he can be quiet on his spot, working on returning home as soon as possible.
Perhaps Abel, who now has heard from Kurapika and seen his rage, might have an idea about it, though.)
Do not ask me such questions again.
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Abel is clearing his throat a tad awkwardly at that THOROUGH decline, well!! Kurapika certainly isn't shy about setting boundaries... that's good for him, though, he's certainly no pushover is he? ]
Ah, I see! The mysterious type, aren't you? That kind of person is pretty cool, Mr. Kurapika, I'll admit it~!
[ he'll leave it be for now - considering the, ah. rough day the poor man has had, it probably isn't the right time to press, anyway. ]
...Then maybe you'll humor me with a less personal question? Do you have a sweet tooth, by chance?
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