AWAKENING

[cordibus]

Who: Everyone
When: Midnight, June 6th
Where: Green Valley Orchids
What: It is time.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

The subway stop near the orchards was not the type of place that most people liked to be when darkness fell. The orchards near the school were set up almost like a public park, which wasn’t so bad in and of itself, but it’s also the area where over half of the murders happened before the curfew was first put in place. It was a place people didn't go unless absolutely necessary and most had started taking alternate routes to avoid the stop. As one of the first subway stations built in the city, its architecture didn't really mesh with those that came after it. It had jagged corners where the smell of wet earth lingered, making it unpleasant even for those brave enough to continue to use it, and there had even been talk of closing it permanently once routes and nearby stations had been revamped to be better able to take care of the traffic.

Due to this, it only has the bare-bones of a shelter, fallen into disrepair as the curfew was enforced city-wide, and a couple of night guards, (probably already asleep due to the lack of activity they’re expecting), so characters arriving there will be mostly unnoticed. For a place that had such a bad history, most people rightfully avoid it.

For most of them it will be their first meeting with each other. There will be a bit of time to talk before their phones display a zero. Plenty of time to talk about what they suspect and what might just happen...and that horrible vision they had shared. Then there’s that countdown on their phones...ticking away the last few minutes.

ZERO UNTIL MIDNIGHT

The lights go out when the countdown ends. The lack of sound is, for lack of better word, worrying. Very soon, only the light of the phones serves as makeshift flashlights for the small group. But soon, even as words get displayed, a deep male voice echoes, which could be much more worrying.

FINALLY! Ahahahahah! Ahhh, damn does it feel nice to be able to speak and not
just write. Hey lambs, are you all ready?

Considering the choice of words, that might be Luci.

It's time. Can you feel your heartbeats increasing? Your mind about to explode? Questions swirling in your mind? Just make sure you don't go alone. Groups are
best, go all together and you'll never find the answers.

The voice laughs again.

Not that you have much of a choice at this point! Have fun, give them hell, and tell
them I sent you! I'll be taking care of that pesky guard problem for you.
...Let's go for a night stroll."

Communication ends just as abruptly as it started. No time to back down now, as the door where the guards are staying is quickly locked on its own before the subway system itself appears to be taken over by a virus that flashes on every available screen. With a click, the locked doors to the outside are swung open.

A voice in your mind warns you this might be the biggest mistake you'll be making in your entire life...and yet your heart feels like it's going to burst from your body from the joy you feel...

AWAKENING

It begins with a scream nearby. The same noise that they heard during the vision. The trees begin to turn grey as the sounds of hundred of creatures moving can be heard from all sides. The application opens, displaying them all in real time.

The group is surrounded.

By all logic, they should be running, but their legs feel bolted to the ground. They can't move.

The creatures begin to get closer. The trees start to rot nearby.

Breathing begins to increase. The sound of voices and memories quickly flashing before their eyes that might cause some to clutch at their head...exactly the same thing that the man had been doing back in the vision. If they look down at their hands, they will see them fading, see-through.

Yet for them, something is different. Just as the creatures are about to attack, they stop. A vision of the Velvet Room flashes before the eyes of those gathered as the two attendants silently nod. Then a return to reality as a light of color pierces the night from their hearts. A single voice can be heard, drowning out anything they might be hearing.

The time is now. I am thou, thou art I! Your mind is trapped, but I can set your soul free! My other self, will you die, or fight back?

Accept me for who I am! Forge this contract by letting go of your fears! Revolt against this world, and TEAR OUT YOUR HEART!

It laughs and fades, as time quickly returns to this world. There's only a few seconds to react before it all goes to hell. A faded hand to reach into your chest.

The choice is yours. Death...or Awakening.

THE BATTLE IN APPLE GROVE

It’s a feeling unlike they have ever felt. Never have their bodies been so alive. Their minds fill with lost memories, their bodies adapting into tools to defeat the creatures before them.

Defeat...destroy...unlock the skills of your heart and show them what it means
to cross you."

The voice is encouraging, almost. To those with navigator skills, the voice speaks up once more as well.

Lead them into battle. Hone their skills into true annihilation!"

It’s time to reclaim the night.

[OOC: For the purpose of this battle, the shadows all have 1HP and are strong against nothing. That means any attack will be able to kill them, weapons and guns included. For this log only, CHARACTERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMBINE SPELLS, as knowledge of this will be unlocked later on. There are about a HUNDRED shadows to be defeated, so there are as many needed for your characters to enjoy killing off. You are free to NPC them and to create situations and close calls.

An OOC PLANNING POST can be used to ask questions or to form teams.]

Comments

Hotaru Tachibana | Leraje

[seigikan]

[Arrival]

[Harper lingers at the exit of the subway station, anxiously watching the timer on her phone tick down. She huddles against the wall, trying to make herself look as small as possible, as if somehow that would make all of this not be happening.]

We aren't supposed to be here.

[That's basically what she's been repeating to herself all night. They're not supposed to be here. They're not supposed to leave home this late at night. They're going to get in trouble. They're going to get in so much trouble.]

We can still leave right? If we just go back, it's okay, right?

[Awakening]

[There's an incredible surge of power, of memory, of right.

Harper Miles was afraid of coming here, of getting in trouble. After all, it's against the law.

Hotaru Tachibana...is still kind of worried about that, honestly.

But those visions she saw, the things the voices told them all, suddenly they aren't things to be feared. They aren't things to withdraw from and hide behind the excuse of it not being her problem. Of course it's her problem. Such an injustice as she's been forced to witness cannot continue to exist in this world. She stands tall, the looming form of her Persona taking shape behind her. Instinctively, she knows its name. From her regained memories, she can draw forth the meaning of the shape it's taken.]

LERAJE!

[A huge white rabbit dressed in green combat fatigues lifts an elaborate compound bow and shoots arrows that rain down poison the the Shadows accumulating in front of her. She may not quite understand what a Persona is, but she knows there's no form hers could take but this one.]

All of you shall be condemned in the name of Justice!

[Typical]

[A spray of bullets tears into the trees. The loud sound of gunfire fills the air, along with something else.]

PLEASE HIT!

[And it's not the horrible screeching of Shadows. They seem...remarkably unharmed.

She may have gained unspeakable power, but it seems Hotaru's aim is as bad as it every was...]

typical!

[torching]

[ um.

as a navigator, mako is. definitely not impressed, and kind of concerned for this poor girl. ]

You...know that you have to aim, right?

[seigikan]

Tachibana is aiming!

[Aiming is the part where you point your gun at the thing you're shooting at and shoot everything you have at it. Even with practice and experience, that's about the best she can manage in that department. She can count the times she's successfully hit a moving target on...wait...she's not sure she's actually done that at all.]

Everything keeps moving!

[Except the trees. Which are what's getting hit.]

[torching]

[ ....tachibana. mako almost quite literally facepalms; instead he presses his fingers to his temples and groans.

but then he can see that some of the shadows are targeting him, now, and he has no time to be astounded at how this girl is. missing the whole point of aiming, really. he goes into battle with a shadow, but goes forth with using his newfound telepathy as well. ]

Calm down. Focus in on a target, follow it, and then shoot.

Awakening -- omg they both have a rabbit theme, how perfect is that

[sociallyarcward]

[Jaune rushed forward, the sword that had appeared before him feeling just as familiar as a chef's knife would to John. The shadows were all around them now and the battle was chaos, but Jaune maneuvered through them. They really weren't all that different from the Grimm in terms of combat and numbers, though Jaune hoped that they weren't too similar. He didn't want to think about what 100 some-odd Grimm would bring with them.

He heard someone shouting about justice nearby and turned because gee did that voice sound familiar...]

Harper?!

[Well that was...how had he not NOTICED that! Jaune didn't have much more time to think as his distraction had left him open to an incoming Shadow. It swiped at him, knocking him down. Jaune grunted and pulled his shield around to prevent another attack from getting through his armor. He then slashed at it with the sword in his other hand, calling out.]

Harper! What the hell!

[seigikan]

[It takes a second for it to register that someone is calling for her, seeing as she's completely consumed with unloading a spray of bullets into the poisoned shadows, an eerie grin spreading across her face as she does. When she finally does hear him, turns her head slowly towards, blinking momentarily in confusion.

Matsuoka...? No, wait, that's...]

John?! It's not safe here, it's -- Do you have a SWORD?!

[Because that's the important question to be asking right now.]

[sociallyarcward]

Of course it's not safe! It's a fight with a bunch of monsters![Were they seriously having this conversation right now? There was a lot to say but Jaune didn't really have the time or energy for it. The part of him that was John felt protective and defensive for his sister. She shouldn't be in a fight--let alone and actual battle against monsters.

The part that was Jaune, however, could really care less because she WAS on the battlefield and if he had to learn how to fight the hard way then so could she.
Although looking at her, she clearly knew how to use that gun a little too well.

Except for her aim anyway. Except Jaune would be lying if he didn't also feel a little protective of her. This was his sister...right?]

Says the girl with the gun...Yes, I have a sword! Because we're kinda in the middle of a big battle against some weird monsters--kinda need the sword.

[He probably shouldn't be so short with her--but midway through his conversation he starts having to fend off shadows again with said weapon.]

Typical

[kouteipenguin]

[He hadn't really meant to be paying attention to performance. Initially, he'd just been scanning the area searching for somewhere that needed him. But with his new improved sight, Kidou ends up staring from across the field as someone takes a wild shot and misses.

...

Well then. He can't not say anything.]

Center in your sights first! Then pull the trigger!

[seigikan]

Who said that?!

[Hotaru looks around frantically, which just sends the spray of bullets in even more random directions. It looks like she's going to need all the help she can get if she (and, well, anyone in her general vicinity) wants to get through the night.]

[kouteipenguin]

[He might have predicted that if he'd worked with people prone to panicking that badly, but as it is Kidou's completely taken by surprise at the fact that someone's shocked and terrified at being given direction. His head darts from left to right, but he can't see if she hit anyone doing that. The angle isn't good enough; all he can do is worry immensely about that while trying to avoid clumsy attacks from the relentless monsters on the ground.

That's not good. She's got to get that under control, or she's going to really hurt a lot of people! Kidou's response is close to immediate, and more than a little bit quickly pleading.]

Don't shoot recklessly! I'm an ally! I'll introduce myself when I can get to you!

[Or when he can be sure she won't just shoot him on sight at this rate. ... well, at him at least, given that aim.]

[extremelycute]

i. it's a small wonder

[When Ayu shows up at the subway station, she immediately stands out for a number of reasons. It might be her mask. Or maybe what draws eyes to her is her flashlight, a bright metallic pink, or the way she's lugging a heavy bag around.

But there's one other feature that's certainly eye-catching—standing at four feet and six inches she's one of the smallest and most frail-looking people in the station.

After splitting up with her her brother, she stops to catch her breath, but after that she's social enough to walk around and see who else has come.]

Hey. If anyone's hungry, I brought snacks.

[But her heart is racing. The vision is still fresh in her mind, and she's never felt so much adrenaline before.]

ii. a shot in the dark

[This is bad.

Strange creatures are attacking. There are even stranger creatures fighting on their side. She's seen...she's seen people pull out their hearts. This is nuts. The person who survives these things is always the person who shows the medium amount of courage, right? Her mind is racing. She's not sure she wants to fight. But she can't run. Those are the rules.]

Natsume!

[But it feels like every time she calls out his name, there's no answer. She doesn't know where her brother is, it's easier to find one of these monsters or some strange power being used than it is to find her brother or uncle. A blast of flame, a gust of wind...strange swirls of color...this is nuts. It's like Berio Kart on drugs, and she doesn't even know what being on drugs is like.]

This is all way too much. Really bad. Where are those useless cops when you need 'em, huh?

[It's a mumble under her breath as she retreats a little, moving behind a rotted tree and lifting her school-issued video camera to film more of the action. No one is ever going to believe them, that this actually happened.

But she's not going to have much of a story to tell, either, because three shadows are moving towards her. She's so focused on the action that she doesn't notice until one of them drops from the tree above her, landing directly behind her. She swirls around, but it's too late—she yells, but hopefully someone has been watching her more closely than she's been watching herself.]

iii. give 'em hell

[After her awakening, Ayu—Miu Matsuoka is moving more quickly, thinking more clearly. Memories of another separate mundane life are pushed to the back of her mind. Does she really need to dwell on a life with both parents, full of friends, the opposite of the life she has here? Probably not, because even if this is feeling a bit more like a video game, it's still pretty terrifying for a twelve year old girl.

Clad in an outfit that looks like a cross between a JRPG character's and an idol's (complete with gag glasses), she moves as fast as she can, looking for anyone in need. Of course, she can be easily stopped or called at, too, but someone just might find Miu firing her weapon at a shadow and eliminating it before they could.]

Critical hit! And the crowd goes wiiiiiiild!

[But there might be a shadow following her, too. Again.]

[ooc; for the second prompt, she'll awaken, so only one person can reply to that prompt! ask me if you're interested. for the third prompt, i'm not...completely sold on her weapon, so just kind of be vague about it with me.]

I

[summerorange]

[Niko looks at the speaker in surprise. So small and young-sounding, compared to the rest of the group so far...she couldn't possibly be younger than one in the lower cycle.]

Ah...wh-what kind of food do you have?

[Best to remain calm - no need to scare or worry the younger girl, right?]

I'm sorry this is so late, irl stuff is happening

[extremelycute]

I have the most important food in the world, of course.

[She sets down her bag, already looking a little tired from having to lug it all the way out here. Clearly, she's overpacked or there's something heavy in there.

But she opens it, reaching in, and...]

How hungry are you?

3

[forsteri]

["Critical hit"? Sakuma can't help but hesitate as he destroys another Shadow, head lifting to search for the source of the voice. How many is that now? He's lost count. But -- 'critical hit' sounds more like a video game than anything else.

Just as Sakuma identifies the speaker, who's facing him, he realizes what's behind her. He's using his bow and takes aim without thinking -- which looks like he's aiming directly at her. He looses anyway, and the arrow with the penguin-shaped head sails past Miu and hits home in the Shadow's clawed hand.]

... Sorry, [he says as it disappears.] You'd have been attacked.

I'm sorry this is so late, irl stuff is happening

[extremelycute]

[That.

That was super rude. Miu's melee weapon is nowhere to be seen for now, but just because she can, she lifts her generic anime squirt gun and points it at Sakuma 'menacingly.']

You did that on purpose. You were just trying to scare—

[Whoops. She'd forgotten she already pumped it once, so when she accidentally squeezes the trigger an ice bullet flies past him and embeds itself into a rotted tree.]

...I know what you're thinking, but that one was an accident!

don't worry about that! RL comes first :)

[forsteri]

[Sakuma sidesteps instinctively and can't help but look back over his shoulder at the chunk of ice. It drove itself into the tree trunk about an inch and a half. It looks like it could cause some damage.]

Um... okay.

[If you say so... He stays on his guard anyway, but keeps the bow lowered.]

Well, it doesn't matter. There was a monster behind you, was all.

[Honestly, there are still a few around them, and he turns slightly to take out one to the side with another arrow -- both of them can see that one, though, at least.]

III

[truthkills]

[The shadow following her is not a problem, because it's hit by a high kick from a man wearing a yellow motorcycle racing suit...and a neon pink and green fanny pack.]

Doin' alright there?

[Even if he's no longer Kiran, he's gotta check up on the kid.]

I'm sorry this is so late, irl stuff is happening

[extremelycute]

Aaaaaaaah!

[Miu mock screams, covering her eyes—her gag shades are resting on her forehead.]

It's too bright! Your clothes are too bright! Why yellow?!

[She. She might be fine? Or she might be forcing it.]

RL > RP, no worries

[truthkills]

Hey, I don't have my regular fighting gear; I guess I gotta roll with the nearest alternative.

[He looks mock offended at her mock offense.]

2

[foxhands]

[For those first few minutes after awakening, Nakigitsune feels...something akin to freedom. He's fighting, running, cutting down shadows with skills he'd forgotten he had, and spells he's never seen before - for a while he actually forgets all the worries he'd had this past week, just letting himself run loose in this makeshift orchard battlefield.

He didn't hear the calls (or possibly didn't recognize them), but he does hear that familiar yell, immediately turning to hit the offending creature with a Garu from his birdsona before running in with his blade.

This would probably look cooler if he wasn't wearing a dumb fox jacket.]

I'm sorry this is so late, irl stuff is happening

[extremelycute]

You...! Nats...

[Miu's voice fades out. Her heart is racing, and she's really scared—truly, more than she ever has been before. She feels relief when someone similar comes running in to save her, but...

...he's holding a sword. And he looks different, and it's not because of the clothes. He feels different. And there are still more shadows, too.]

What are you...what are you doing?!

[summerorange]

I - The Gathering

Niko is there, having arrived with the group that gathered over at Lazer's. She's carrying a backpack full of first aid supplies and wields a crowbar in hand. Hanging around her neck is a camera - she has to have photographic evidence should any of them end up on the wrong side of the law. Somehow, part of her is insisting upon it. She looks around, trying to identify any familiar faces beyond the ones that she just came here with.


II - Break The Chains

It's as if time slows to a crawl, upon seeing those...monsters swarming towards them. Niko's hands seem frozen, holding the camera up and yet not taking any pictures. When she hears that voice telling her to tear out her heart, she acts upon instinct, crying out as she feels her hand sinking into her chest to pull out her still-beating organ--

And then the sound of chains breaking ring in her ears as the memories come flooding back. Niko--

No. Not Niko. Natsumi. Her name's Natsumi, and this place...these people... She has to help those who are fighting, and aid those who aren't. That is her duty - a duty that becomes clear once her heart shifts into her familiar sword - The Sonic Saber. Holding it up, she shouts a very familiar word to some: "Transform!"

And there's the familiar whirlwind of pink heart-shaped energy petals, forming around her and condensing into her armor. Only the style is different than what she remembers. It's more like a battle dress than a full suit, complete with large bat-like wings for capes. But the familiar visor appears across her eyes, and a hand crossbow materializes on her left wrist.

Natsumi has no time to look herself over, not when there's so many threats to defeat. Thus, she leaps forward towards the nearest creature, slashing out against it with her blade. Should anyone need aid, she will rush towards their side, either to block a blow or find herself chanting a small healing spell to ease the worst of their wounds.

[forsteri]

When those flower petals disappear, and Natsumi is free to start fighting, she'll probably notice Sakuma standing there. He's nearby as Natsumi's entire transformation goes down and as it finishes, he's staring openly. What is this, a magical girl anime? He's not sure how he changed his own clothes, but he's sure it wasn't like that.

He's so distracted by this that he actually takes a hit from a shadow -- just a slash across his upper arm, but a hit all the same. It has the desired effect of getting his head back in the game, though, and he takes it out with his trident before even thinking about healing.

[summerorange]

Natsumi's already dispatching a couple of creatures with her hand crossbow. And is looking around for more when she spots the wounded lad. "Are you alright?" She calls as she rushes over - on foot, for the moment. Her wings remain folded around her like a cape.

Alice Liddell (Arturia Llewellyn)

[digophelia]

I - House of Secrets

[ It's in Arturia's (Alice's?) nature to shrug off broadcasts, for the most part, especially today. Something in the back of her mind tells her that she does not want to think too hard on it. The right thing to do is to calm herself and take her medication and forget that any of it happened. But it's like a dark cloud that settles in her mind and as much as she tries to ignore it, it becomes harder to think of anything else and harder to see beyond the darkness.

When one's mind is in the clouds, their heart often gets wet.

A heavy grip around her heart, tightening to where she can't breathe. All at once, the pain of both her heart swelling and feeling as if it was about to burst. ]

II - Awakening

[ "Come now, Alice, it's only a dream."

It comes all at once, the grief, pain, anger, and sorrow. It embraces her like an old friend tightly in its arms, crushing her small, lithe body. A breath. Gasping for air, she immediately remembers his vile words ringing in her ears.

"The past must be paid for."

The pain in her heart is nothing comparison to the memories flooding back, Alice immediately on her knees, breathing for air, and nearly in hysterics. ]

I swore... I swore-!

[ How long had she been like this? It felt like forever, glancing back every day at the mirror of a young woman with bright green eyes and long dark hair staring back at her. Surely, it was her, wasn't it? It couldn't be, that wasn't her name and this wasn't her life. Something terrible had happened once again. Like all the therapy secessions she had with Bumby, his carefully worded plans, and inserts into her mind to ensure the Infernal Train would destroy her fragile mind. She was shaking and nearly in tears, searching in the deepest parts of her mind for it and collectively seizing the delicate shards she carefully put back together.

How could you?! How could you let this happen again?!

It's all her fault. It's her fault that the children had suffered so and become dolls. She had every ample opportunity to stop him. And once again, she had every chance to stop this. Yet again, Alice had wrapped herself into a fantasy and neglected the present. She screams, her voice filled with anger and grief. Trembling hands around her knife, Alice was back on her feet, her long hair almost obscuring her face. She would make the shadows twice as more as she had and she would not stop until she had finished them all.

Despite the pain and anger, she moved swiftly in her attacks, seizing the familiar motion of combat with her knife. ]