The Escapist Avatar Adventure: An Open RP (Now Re-Opened!)

[bluecrimson]

Frozen Moscow: Annie, Cadolbolg, Constance, David, Devon, Ella, Garm, Teri, Ton Ton, Yu, Deadshot

Devon nodded as she warmed up. [color=00c863]"Sounds good by me. Cadol, Ton-Ton, Narukami, feel like meeting that challenge? After we meet with the boss, of course."[/color]

Ella, though, responded to the contact in a fairly blunt way. "I was going to ask that from the entry into the zone, Teri. Honestly, you need it badly."

Calming Clearing: Akane, Angelus, Caim, Cz, Jenny, Kalastryn, Lucieon, Melethia, Ryan, Rugal, Slindis, Som

As the fight started, Slindis and Melethia got ready by heading to flanking positions alongside Caim and Angie.

 

[StormShaun]

CHALLENGE FOR PIZZA!
Merlin, Violet, SHIRTLESS MAN!
Location: G-Corp, Floor 69 (Violet Systems)
Time: Early Evening.

When the "guest" appeared in the new hole in the metal wall, Merlin viewed the man while sitting calmly in his office chair. Surely he had not seen such a man before in his very large lifetime, this man's muscle surely bested anyone from Round Table and more. The weird tube like object attracted Merlin next, where explosive and destruction magic originated. "You have came very far humanity." Merlin gave a comment to Violet before the man talked.

Having no idea what a "Pizza" is, Merlin was alarmed, the tone in his voice was very aggressive. Circulating his magic once more through his body, the gem around his neck and the crystals on his clothes and gauntlet started to glow blue, as if pure power was flowing with them. Looking towards Violet and him looking towards the button "I would ask to get a "pizza" if I was you." Merlin warned. The eternal wizard was alarmed, but he could see this situation becoming peaceful.

This all depends on the variables.
Violet.
the man.
And himself.

Yu Narukami, Annie, Cadolbolg, Constance, David, Devon, Ella, Garm, Teri, Ton Ton and Deadshot
Location: Club Escapade | Personaverse.

As Devon mentioned Yu's name, there was no response from the Persona master.
For he was already gone from the room.
The memory of Yu leaving the room came to those people.

"I'm going to report to Mitsuru-san, you are probably all free to lounge around a bit seeing how you just left a shadow zone, usually it takes a lot of energy out of a normal person. But as I've seen, you are no normal group. Still, feel free to rest a bit before travelling back." Yu's voice was normal once more, except he was putting up a strong face, the fatigue was setting in. This was from both the environment, the lack of clothing and his previous experiences with the Shadow zones.

"Ah, a busy day." Yu said to himself as he left the doorway and walked casually downstairs in a slow but brisk pace.

 

[Kalastryn]

Kala celebrated her victory in delivering her strike for a few brief moments before Being struck in the legs and having her wings pierced by the same bloodied arrows that were recently under Rugal's skin. It was forceful enough at first to knock her to the ground, but there wasn't much pain. Then again, it'd be hard to really feel anything with an inactive nervous system. Coagulated blood also didn't cause much blood loss, oh the perks of being a zombie. She nonchalantly tore them out of their resting places, her death aura ironically closing and "healing" the wounds in her dead flesh. she then took them in a bundle, and whilst the shadow was distracted with Ryan, silently walked up behind them and stabbed the points all at the same time, downward into the shadow's right shoulder.

"Amusing..."

She said, whether or not she was speaking of the shadow's attack or Ryan's failure wasn't made very clear. The shock of her suddenly losing only a few IQ points then subsided, and she spoke more clearly than before. "I can't say I disagree with Ryan though. To fault one's self for things beyond your control is to fall to insanity. There shouldn't be such a war within anyone." she then looked to Jenny, who had been silent for a time. "Jenny, blaming yourself only gets you so far, and only in the wrong directions. Everyone has demons to contend with. everyone. One can live forever and still be unable to live with themselves. Don't be like that. When someone sacrifices so much, even to say everything, for another person... it's not that person's fault. It was a person caring about them so deeply they would save them at any cost, not your weakness. Hell, I know this advice sounds strange coming from a Devil and a Necromancer, but a balance does exist. This shadow is everything bad about you, but they don't define you, the good in you is so much more than what this shadow lets on. Knowing this, please... accept that this is a part of you. Your not perfect, but no one is. No one blames you for anything that went wrong. If your going to grieve, grieve... but don't let it consume you. Just be you."

She said, wise words reflecting her persona's Temperance arcana, and hopefully ringing true to end this.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Personaverse
Location: Calming Clearing | Shadow Zone
​

Akane | Angelus | Caim | Cz | Jenny | Kalastryn | Lucieon | Melethia | Ornstein | Ryan | Rugal | Slindis | Som

"...You still don't get it, do you?" The Shadow spat at Ryan after dusting herself off from Ornstein's attack.
"This is more about Jake's death, you know. Whenever there is a fight, a conflict, Someone trying to kill off her friends and comrades, What does she do?" She then asked before motioning to Jenny as she hid from the battle.
"Yeah...You hide there, like the coward you are. I refuse to just sit in wait whenever there is a battle, To watch everyone else do the hard work, to actually die myself. Hey! Remember that!? I'm sure you do!" She then added, referring to when she passed away during the Angel War after the fall of New York, only to then be brought back not too long after.

"Well, No longer. I'm going to die on my feet because I refuse to believe we are THAT weak!" The Shadow then finally announced before it went to strike Ryan yet again, only to be the subject of a back-stab by Kalastryn before she could.
It cried in pain after it had the bloody arrows jammed into it, giving Kalastryn plenty of time to try and coax Jenny out to confront her Shadow.
".....B-but...w-what about-LOOK OUT!" she was about to say before Kala got a broken arrow stabbed into her throat by the Shadow, having pulled out a couple of the arrows she had stabbed her with.
"EITHER BE ALIVE OR BE DEAD! DON'T BE BOTH! And You! Stay out of this unless you actually feel like pulling your weight for once!" She growled at Jenny before going on the offensive again.
She seemed to be on her last legs, but she still had enough in her for one Big ass attack.
She began to focus her power, laughing a bit shakily as she began to form a large orb in-between her hands.
"I WIN! NO MORE LOSING! NO MORE ABUSE! NO MORE FUCKING RISING DAWN! NOW DIE!" She shouted before plunging her fist into the ground, sending out a large wave of psychic energy racing outward from her position in a manner that didn't seem any different to a large explosion.

Rugal could see the writing on the wall, this was not going to be pleasant.
"EVERYONE GET BEHIND SOMETHING!" He shouted as he planted himself in front of Slindis and Mel as the shockwave raced outwards towards them.
Then something strange happened, as the death inducing shock-wave raced towards them, it seemed to have hit something in midair as it appeared to stop expanding merely a few feet from where the Shadow had started it, resulting in it harmlessly fizzing out rather then turning the place into a psionic crater.
"...You couldn't even let me have this, could you?" The Shadow said as she could barely stand, her nullified attack having taken a lot of power to use, though it was clear that the toll it took on Jenny herself to protect everyone was greater, herself looking ready to collapse at a mere breeze.
"...You...tried to-..." She went to say, most likely a fancy speech but she was too tired to do so.
"And so what if I did?...The important thing is that I could"
"...You're...wrong-" She said as she glared at her shadow.
"Oh? See, if it was me, *I* wouldn't have died back in New York. *I* wouldn't be losing this fight right now. And *I* would not have let Bruiser-"

Jenny used Psystrike!

What happened next was a bright flash engulfed the entire area, blinding everyone as the Shadow learned the hard way not to mention Him of all people.
When the light faded, Only Jenny was remaining as bits of burnt looking black fabric began to gently fall to the ground around her.
Least before the adrenaline wore off and she fell down flat on her face.
Jenny has Fainted!

 

[Kalastryn]

Personaverse
Location: Calming Clearing | Shadow Zone
​

Akane | Angelus | Caim | Cz | Jenny | Kalastryn | Lucieon | Melethia | Ornstein | Ryan | Rugal | Slindis | Som

As Kala's throat was pierced with one of the very arrows she used to backstab the shadow. She'd had about enough, not that she was in a position to say that at the moment. Though evidently, Jenny had as well. Kala wondered who the hell this Bruiser was and why he seemed a sore subject beyond simply being an enemy, but it was a topic for later discussion as Jenny fainted. She plucked the arrow out of her throat and her aura lasted just long enough to "heal" it up before it faded. She then summoned Demi to undo her undead transformation and Tenser's, not seeing the need for them anymore.

Kala loses the effects of shroud of the zombie and Tenser's Transformation, and her aura fades.​

Then, she walked over and picked up Jenny's unconscious body, holding her across her arms and stretching her wings with a yawn, dearly hoping people were done facing themselves for the day. "After two skirmishes like Jenny's and Mel's shadows, I think I've had all I can take here. For the Flame's sake, if any of you have something you need to get out... please hesitate."

Demi then chimed in within her thoughts. "I don't know what your complaining about, seeing you getting your ass handed to you as a zombie, yet not being hurt enough to give a shit is really pretty empowering. I mean, how many of those attacks could have left a person dead or crippled for life? We sure are one tough MotherF***er"

Well I don't mean to brag but... well it's pretty hard to kill what's already... "dead." Anyway... we really should get out of here, sure I'm strong enough for another go I guess, but I just don't need to deal with it right now... well, none of us do.

Then she remembered how they actually had three assignments for the day. Ever work the night shift only to find out you can only get like 3 hours of sleep before you need to drive back to work for the next day because someone called out sick? Felt like that. With a groan that would surely mistake a few to think she was still undead, she then spoke to the group with. "This is going to be a long day... any of you remember where we're supposed to meet with the rest for our third assignment? That is assuming they're done with theirs..." she asked, really looking forward to getting any bit of rest she could after. Oh... but while they were in the shadow zone... one more thing...

"... Didn't you tell Ryan you wouldn't be using any disguises anymore?"

"Isn't one of the reasons you exist the fact that people hate what we are and how we look? If I recall correctly, our next assignment is at some sort of shrine. Ryan may be ok with the looks but he's just that comfortable. Looking like something that flew straight out of hell surely wouldn't be appropriate, definitely not least in a place of prayer."

"A fair point. Get reading. If you recall it takes about an hour for us to study up and memorize all those runes."

"Hey I only need one of them, not a damn grocery list! Should only take about 2 minutes tops to remember one spell."

So, while waiting on the rest of the group to decide upon chasing the disappeared Nise-Mono or leaving, she laid Jenny down easily on the ground and read over the phrases for "Seeming," committing them to memory.

Spoiler: Spell Change

I do understand that wizards, as a prepared spellcaster in DnD, have to choose out their spells over the course of an hour before they can cast them. I find that system actually quite reasonable, however due to the fact that I sorely doubt this post should take up an hour's time with people currently unable to post or respond, as well as the circumstances in the RP at the moment, I took it down to two minutes this once. Keep in mind, as stated above "Hey I only need one not a damn grocery list!" all the other spell slots are remaining blank, as an hour in hostile territory, albeit at a calm time, seems a bit redundant for memorizing what could be one to three sentences.

Understand, I won't pull this trick all the time, the circumstance is that Kala wouldn't walk into a place of worship, crime scene or no, looking like the hell spawn she really is, it is only one spell out of the many slots she could have as a 12th level wizard, and keeping the group in the shadow zone for an hour without confirmation as this post is written would be a bit of a jerk move. The next time she changes spells, it WILL be by the normal circumstance, and whoever is GMing at the time can and is in fact encouraged hold me accountable for that, be it this arc or the next.

Kala maintains her previous necromancer abilities, and empty spellbook. With the only exception of adding one, non-combat use spell.​

"So... I vote in favor of moving to the next objective and getting the hell out of here. All who favor say I." she says as Demi was summoned hopefully the final time for the day and cast Seeming on the Tiefling. She then apologized to Ryan, and explained that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to walk into a shrine looking like the hell spawn she is. She then picked up the unconscious Gardevoir again, hoping to get them and herself anywhere but here. [small] Besides, she sure as hell wasn't going to let Ryan do it after his only "attack" on the shadow. [/small]

 

[Ninjamedic]

SUSTAINED!
Merlin, Violet, SHIRTLESS MAN!
Location: G-Corp, Floor 69 (Violet Systems)
Time: Early Evening.

"H-h-how did you get here?! This building is off limits!"

The man responded in a far louder manner of a disgruntled customer, "LOOK WIMP, WHEN I ORDER PIZZA FROM YOU, AND YOU SAY IT'LL BE TWENTY FIVE MINUTES, I EXPECT IT TO BE HERE IN TWENTY FIVE MINUTES. I GET IF ITS A FEW MINUTES LATE, IT HAPPENS, BUT 40 MINUTES IS F*CKING BULLSH*T! DO YOU EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO TREAT YOUR PATRONS LIKE THIS?" One thing that was noticable immiedatley was the bleeping out of the man's swears, it undermined the intimidation slightly, though the man didn't exactly look to be threatening, just disgruntled.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

"OKAY, I'LL CONFESS! I BROUGHT THIS SHIRT OFF SEASON!" DX
Merlin, Violet, RANDY SAVAGE!
Location: G-Corp, Floor 69 (Violet Systems)
Time: Early Evening.

Violet was basically on the verge of wetting himself at this point, although there was an extremely large amount of confusion also factoring into it.
"I would ask to get a "pizza" if I was you." Merlin suggested, though not really doing much else
"w-w-wha-...We make robots here! Kazuya doesn't even let me have a hot plate! I-i-i-t-there is a food court on the 30th floor! Y-y-you could go there!!" He suggested as he kept backing away from the man with the rocket launcher, hoping he hadn't already been there
And just when this scene couldn't get any more weird:
{"Hey hey, you you, I don't like your girlfriend
No way, no way, I think you need a new one
Hey hey, you you, I could be your girlfriend!"} rang off one of the Radio channels as someone labelled as "Kazie! :3" seemed to be calling on one of the computers before it set off the answering machine app.
*Beep!* "Hey, Violet Systems, The good doctor is out on a house call right now, leave a message after the beep. Stay Fab!" *Beep!*
[color=9f2b28]"...Violet...Why is my building on my fire?...Can you please explain that to me...Because...I don't recall there being one when I left...Hello?... Grrrr-I'M COMING OVER THERE AND I SWEAR TO GOD YOU BETTER BE DEAD OR DYING WHEN I GET THERE!"[/color] shouted an EXTREMELY upset Japanese man on the other end, causing Violet to squirm even more.
"O-o-o-OKAYOKAY! I-I-I-REFUND YOU AND GET ANOTHER SENT OUT! JUS-...please...I'm not really to die yet, The Spring Sales will be starting up soon! I've ordered this White Waistcoat, I don't want to wear it at my wake!" He pleaded, starting to tear up behind his glasses.

Kazuya's Transport meanwhile began making it's way back to HQ, as did a lot of the soldiers deployed in the city.
After all, A skyscraper on fire is pretty noticable.

 

[StormShaun]

"You would think that an army would be in the barracks on standby for this."
Merlin, Violet, SPLOSION MAN!
Location: G-Corp, Floor 69 (Violet Systems)
Time: Early Evening.

Witnessing the angry large "Pizza" wanting man and the soon-to-be crying Violet, this allowed Merlin to keep sitting down on the office chair to analyse the situation. As much as he wanted to book it towards the weird door, he didn't exactly want to leave the man known as "Violet" to this large man's mercy. Stroking his bare chin, he continued to examine the scene, the only way he was going to get involved is if one party gets violent. Yet Merlin feels like that a tower this large would have an army inside of it, so he would rather not be cut down or shot by an arrow.

Hearing the man on the radio, it surely sounded like the "Leader" was hurrying back, and it would seem the best for the Magician to stay in a position that is not threatening. "Maybe we should all calm down? Lord Violet get the man some coin and maybe show him to this "Food court"." Merlin threw out the words so the man wouldn't throw out some more weird noises covering up his loud words.

("Oh lordy, what am I going to do?")
Was the only thought that spread through the mind of Merlin.

 

[bluerocker]

[HEADING=3]Again, apologies for disappearing for a little while; as well as the autoing that's about to ensue. Life has been a bit of a pain...[/HEADING]

Club Escapade: Annie, Cadolbolg, Constance, David, Devon, Ella, Garm, Teri, Ton Ton, Yu, Deadshot

As Yu began to make his way out of the Club to find Mitsuru Kirijo [http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/15/155646/2377737-mitsuru_p4.png], he did not realize that his query was in fact right in front of him. Giving the young Persona user a playful smile, she said, [color=95555]"Ever the one to take the initiative, aren't we, Narukami-san? Help me gather up your comrades, hmn? We have a rendezvous to attend, after all..."[/color] before walking past him and into the main club area.

After arriving in the main wing, Mitsuru gave a light cough to draw attention before calling out to the party, [color=95555]"Get ready to leave. As I said earlier this morning, we have a meeting [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/540.101127.20567277] to attend to before you're dismissed for the day. There is transportation parked behind the store."[/color]

Following that, the woman turned around, and walked towards the back as she had instructed...

Calming Clearing: Akane, Angelus, Caim, Cz, Jenny, Kalastryn, Lucieon, Melethia, Ryan, Rugal, Slindis, Som

With Jenny's Shadow finally abated, the party could finally let their held breaths be... Well, they would have, if they knew how to get out of their location. Just before the party began to wander about, a familiar voice entered their minds, [color=5F8B7F]"Hello? It's me, Fuuka! We got news of what had happened over here, so we have a team of Operatives looking for you and the generator right now..."[/color]

Not much longer after she had said this, a small detachment of commandos appeared and led the group outside of the Zone, which was followed by a powering down noise; and what had formerly been a clearing had returned to familiar brick and motar; as well as Fuuka Yamagishi [http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120727154614/megamitensei/images/b/b5/Fuuka_P4U_Transparent.png]. With a relieved expression, the young girl gave a headcount of the party, frowning at the appearance of the new arrivals before speaking aloud, [color=5F8B7F]"I think you'll be happy to know, that our Operatives found Nise Mono escaping the scene not long after reports of the Shadow Zone came in. A combination effort of the police and the Operatives have captured her while you were in that Zone. That and we've still a rendezvous to attend to. I bet you're all really tired, but we need to get this bit of process out of the way before I can let you go. Sorry about that! At the very least, you'll have a ride?"[/color]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

After all of the party members were gathered in another conference room; this one noticeably stocked with refreshments on the table, as well as varying (non alcoholic) drinks to be had, the two women stood at the front and Mitsuru was first to speak, [color=95555]"While the creation of two Shadow Zones wasn't exactly what I had in mind, at least one periphery objective has been realized. We know for a fact that both locations are aligned with Nyarlatothep in some manner. As we speak, the Operatives are working to check the locations top to bottom for any further incriminating evidence.

Now, that being said, we have also accomplished in rescuing our prodigal member, Deadshot; as well as capture the heads of both Wild Duck Burger and Club Escapade. Currently, they are in our custody; but we cannot hold them for long. We'll need to see what information can be gathered from them before they're released."[/color]

Fuuka spoke up after Mitsuru, adding in the light comment of, [color=5F8B7F]"At the very least, we may pin down Nise Mono on account of contaminated food...

Anyways, we should continue with what we've found at Yutaro Yamamoto's apartment... Interestingly enough, we found that there was an excess of pill bottles in his apartment-"[/color]

An image flickered on a display screen, projected from the ceiling and onto the wall, displaying an apartment in disarray. The possessions of it's former tenant scattered every which way, windows covered in thick curtains, and, as Fuuka said, a rather LARGE pile of pill bottles in the bathroom, as well as... Blood in the bathtub?

[color=5F8B7F]"A recent look into Yamamoto's actions at work and home have determined that he has been reported missing from work for some time, his at the time girlfriend following not long after. I think that's, well, I think you can figure out what is in that bathtub... Given the amount of pill bottles, we found that they were all together, we're wondering if perhaps it's linked, rather like the food from Wild Duck Burger being contaminated with the virus..."[/color]

Pill bottles in excess? That sounded [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/540.101127.20595954] familiar [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/540.101127.20604132]... Come to think of it, weren't they all over the floors of both places when the groups went their separate ways?
(Hint, Hint: They were.)

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

Rugal couldn't get out of the Shadow Zone quick enough after what happened to both Melethia and Jenny, the elf not really talking all that much and the pokemon still out for the count as she was taken away by EMTs.
Still, while the entire operation was done the hard way, the important thing was it was a sucess and everyone was mostly okay, though he had a hard time believing that.
It was then that the photos of the pills were displayed, showing the massive piles of pill bottles in the bathtub.
"It's clear he was a middleman before he died. Though it then asks the question if his death was planned, had he outlived his usefulness?"

Deadshot meanwhile, though still shaking slightly from his condition, was able to confirm the link between Yamamoto and the Club.
"Oh yeah! I remember that stuff, one of the dealers I went to said it was shite." he said, prompting a stare from everyone in the room.
"...It was an eventful night, okay!!?...Look, important thing is, there were more then a few bottles of that shit being passed around when I was there last night. Then they fecked me into a portal and you know the rest..." He explained as Fuuka brought up the girlfriend.
"Oh yeah, I remembered seeing a photo of her in his wallet, quite the looker if I recall. Best bet is to find her, she might just be the Skyler to his Walter White..." He added, implying that she might have something to do with her partners drug trade.

"...Why were you looking in his wallet?"
"Relax, I didn't take anything, there was nothing to take. That's why I remembered it."
Shaking his head at Deadshot's greed, the Sniper then said "Well keep an eye open at night, if those places was related to Nyar-la...da...temp...Grrr, the Cthulhu guy!...Then I'm sure his minions are going to be pissed and/or desperate."
Despite what he just said, he then added "Though, on the other hand, I think in light of what happened, we're going to need to continue this tomorrow. Deadshot is still recovering and Jenny looks like she'd been though a lot. Keep us posted and let us know if anything turns up."

Shadow Operatives Building: Medical Bay

Jenny meanwhile was being treated for Fatigue and Shock in the the Shadow Operatives Building's Medical bay, not going though the hassle of bringing her to the Airship.
Her fight with her Shadow and the blood loss rendered her out of commission, though it was nothing compared to what she did to her Shadow.

 

[Kalastryn]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

"Pill bottles you say? I assume that they were some sort of medication or drug correct? Have you analyzed what exactly could have been in them?" She said as she got a drink of water from the table of refreshments. "Come to think of it... I don't know much about what the others found while investigating the club where they started the search for Deadshot, but by his account they seem to be a narcotic or negative substance of some sort. Which actually reminds me of something. Before we checked the generator room for Nise-Mono, the employees seemed pretty out of it all. When they spoke there was no emotion, and they seemed completely oblivious to it being anything but a normal work day, even with no customers and a police lockdown. Could they have possibly been under the effects of such a substance?"

 

[bluecrimson]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

Devon and Ella nod, but Ella's the only one to respond. "That's nice and all, but what's the relevance?"

Shadow Operatives Building: Mess Hall

Slindis had finally pulled Melethia to a quiet area. [color=c200]"Melethia, we really need to have a talk... there's a lot of things that I need to tell you, and now might be the only night that we have..."[/color] She placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder and began having a very private talk about information she'd kept quiet from the young girl since she'd met her.

Slindis and Mel are inaccessible for the night.

 

[NotYetForsaken]

It's late so I only get to respond to you. Aren't you a special snowflake? I do value my subplots/foreshadowing so.

The Break Room
Location: The Great Library | Archives of God
Time: Infinite​

Darren | Kyre | Puce

There were somethings that defied description, and the place where Kurumu was located was one of those places. An eldritch location outside of traditional understanding, a place where no mortal could comprehend, let alone set foot in. Puce thought about it for a good long time, mulling over the countless hours he had spent running around the Library searching for a way to begin to understand this place of existence. It took all of his wit... at least what he could muster while his neck was stuck between the vice of Cwanuld's legs... which he noted were softer than he might have imagined them to be when he first met the abrasive youth in Germany. After a long period of silence where no one by Kyre was comfortable with, he spoke, and Puce spoke rightly, justly, and properly with the best words he could articulate to tell Darren exactly where Kurumu Kurono was.

[color=cc8899]"The Break Room,"[/color] he said flatly, looking at Darren.

There was a brief pause, Darren looked aghast, frightened. He was so pale that it looked like he might pass out from anemia, but that was just because he was Irish. Physically he was fine, a little unfit, but not too bad.

"What?" Darren asked. He was baffled really, he put his axe on the ground and stared hard at Puce. Perhaps the months of separation had finally drove him over the edge into the pits of madness once occupied by the likes of Hamlet and Oedipus?

Puce slipped his hands between Kyre's legs and pried his neck from her grip before pushing her off. The woman had fallen asleep suddenly, it was strange. Perhaps the euphoria had gotten to her? Puce didn't really care at this point. He gave a very stern look to Darren, almost like a bear with a shotgun staring down at its prey. He said again, [color=cc8899]"The Break Room."[/color] When Darren still looked confused he began to spell it out, [color=cc8899]"T-H-E B-R-E-A-K R-O-O-M,"[/color] he said. Then Puce began to explain it, [color=cc8899]"You see Darren, it's this place where people go when they get tir-"[/color]

"Hold on," Darren interjected, giving a brief cursory look at Kyre, who was curled into a ball fast asleep on the floor now, "I know what a break room is."

[color=cc8899]"You still looked confused,"[/color] Puce complained as he drew his bag up from the floor and plucked the obsidian dagger from his cloak. He threw the knife onto Kyre, who caught it in her sleep, and then stuffed all the loose papers in his bag.

"Yes," Darren said.

Puce took a long drink from the liquor bottle he held, draining the glass container of every last drop.

[color=cc8899]"You are trespassing,"[/color] Puce paused his drink to look Darren in the eye, [color=cc8899]"that's what is means. You cannot reach Kurumu here, and you should not be able to reach me!"[/color] With that he made the kind gesture of breaking the bottle of Le Mort D'amour over Darrens head and walking away nonchalantly.

Kyre stirred at Darrens feet and opened her eyes. She sat up, knees flat against the floor, strangely feminine, strangely cute. Almost like a child. Then it registered to her that Puce was gone and she gave Darren an accusatory glare.

Puce looked back pitifully at the duo and sighed, [color-cc8899]"You are in The Break Room, stop acting so serious."[/color] He brushed back his hair and adjusted his cloak, [color=cc8899]"We're all out of character here. It's outside of the Avatar Adventure, this is where we go when no one is using us. That is, if we do not have our own worlds. there are a great multitude of places here, but Kurumu and I, we run a small ╘←▲♂6>☻0τ."[/color] The last word didn't seem to come out right and Puce blinked. [color=cc8899]"I suppose I cannot say anything about that outside of it... actually, what as I talking about? Whatever, welcome to the Break Room. You'll find Kurumu in one of these realms. I just have forgotten which one."[/color] Then for real, Puce vanished back into the bookcases.

But realms? What did he mean?

The answer tot hat question came hard and quick, as soon as Darren gave the though three more giant doors appeared in front of him, sending Kyre stumbling back. They were thick oak doors. The one of the right gunmetal grey, the one in the middle a crimson red, and the one on the left a soft worn yellow. Each of them seemed to lead to another "realm" as it were. Perhaps another existence? Or perhaps another Break Room. Who knows who or what they'll find in their search of Kurumu. But certainly there would be a great multitude of so called "out-of-character characters" milling around.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

Rugal glanced aside as Slindis and Melethia walked off, slightly worried about them, what happened in that Shadow Zone wouldn't have been easy on her, even if she did win.
He snapped back to attention while Kalastyrn and Ella were debating the almost zombie like employees back at Duck Burger.
"...Well, if they were controlled and if we find out how, it might be a lead to their main base of operations. Failing that, it might at least provide some insight into how they operate once they are able to talk about it." He explained to the Succubi, though Deadshot offered a simpler explanation.
"You sure they were hypnotized or controlled? Maybe they were just dead inside from minimum wage work? Seriously, stay in a gig like that for long enough, You just stop caring."
"...Deadshot...I think I know when someone is being controlled..."
"Oh yeah? And when was the last time you were inside a low quality fast food joint? least with a Necromancer or something, they are honest about their intent to steal your soul. But McDonald's Knock-offs? Tch, Have better luck making a deal with the Devil..."
"Yeah, Blondie, I'm actually with DS on this one. Second a person realizes that is where they'll be for the rest of their lives, they're just gone man..." David agreed, though Rugal was having none of it.
"And how exactly does that explain them not noticing the police?"
"I told you, they stopped caring. If their boss was to turn out to have a private sex dungeon in their office and gets mauled to death by Eastern European Mobsters, unless it results in them no longer having their job, all they'll worry about is what the next order is."
"...Yeah, I think I'm going to wait for the professional opinion."
"Oh, you just don't want to admit I'm right!"

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

╘←▲♂6>☻0τ

I spent ages trying to decode that. If it turns out you were just putting up random shit, I'm going to cry q-q

The Break Room
Location: The Great Library | Archives of God
Time: Infinite​

Darren | Kyre | Puce

"..."
Behind his mask, Darren was extremely dumb struck as he had no idea what was going on as Kyre seemed to have passed out because who fucking knows.
"...Break room?...oh what the flying fuc-OGREHG!" He went to say before he had a bottle smashed over his head, downing him as, while he was immortal, pain that wasn't instantly lethal still hurt a lot.
"OH MOTHERFUCKINGPIECEOFASIANSHI-....WHAT!?...THE FUCK!?...IS GOING ON!?" He shouted as he picked himself up, holding his bleeding head in pain as it slowly began to heal.
All he knew was that there was now 3 doors in front of him and that the man he was talking to was now gone.
"....urrggggggg....Okay, Is it too late to take back yer wan's[footnote]Slang for "Her". Urban Dictionary[/footnote] offer?..." He asked out-loud in relation to the contract he made with Titania as things were quickly starting to get weird and fast as his head was pounding.

"...ooooyyyy...Alright...
Enny Meeny Miny Moe....
...I don't remember how this does
Something something, let it go
Enny Menny Miny...Moe..." He butchered an old children?s rhyme before going with door number 2 and praying it would lead to something he actually understood.

 

[Kalastryn]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

Kala actually looked at deadshot, and just started laughing. "When was the last time you were in a low quality fast food joint with a necromancer?" or something along those lines. As she stopped chuckling she answered with, "Today, actually. He was in a low quality fast food joint with a necromancer present today. I don't necessarily think their souls were stolen by a necromancer per say though. I do know of spells that charm people and rob them of thought however, and they didn't seem to be thinking much." She said as she got an odd look or two from around the room.

"Well, I know about them, I don't really use them too often... certainly not now. Makes it easier to recognize when people aren't in their right mind after you've actually caused it before and seen the results though. Maybe not by use of magic, I've not seen much of that here outside Persona's and Shadows, but they didn't seem to be in their right mind. I have before cleared a sewer of kobolds in my home for little over a single coin. I know that low paying jobs aren't very appealing, but if you saw their condition, the blank way they spoke, and consider the fact that the place contained a shadow zone, I find it a far throw from simply being workplace apathy." She concluded.

"And necromancers don't always steal souls, they usually just manipulate the ones from people that are already dead, and control their bodies." She said, actually trying to sound very slightly creepy, by simply being slightly upbeat with that statement. "It's not always the most agreeable work, but I find it an actually legitimate arcane study... despite the evils it's usually associated with. After all it's just a tool under my belt. Much like a tool, the user determines it's purpose. A hammer can build a wall or it can break one down. I like to think it's not innately evil, and that it could be used for the better, if uncommonly so." She argues, and she has a fair point. Whether or not others agree is a different story altogether.

 

[Kalastryn]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

It was of course then that she got to Ella's question. On the relevance of the pill bottles reminding her of the employees.

"Well we have been looking into a virus, and there seems to have been whatever substance was in those bottles at all three scenes at some point. Perhaps whatever was in those bottles could potentially be both the cause of their mindlessness as well as a cause of the virus? Or perhaps, more sinisterly, the pills were used to administer the virus to those unsuspecting of it, and the employee's seemingly lost thought process was some sort of side effect. My guess as only as good as anyone else, but perhaps the virus is being spread under the guise of a drug?" She tried to reason, hoping she was correct, while certainly not feeling wrong in any case.

 

[StormShaun]

Yu Narukami | Mitsuru | Fuuka | Rising Dawn Party.
Location: Rendezvous Conference Room | Shadow Operatives Building | Personaverse.

Within the conference, Yu Narukami was listening to the leaders of the operation intensely, while keeping notes on what the others said. Yu didn't have anything to add since Mitsuru seemed to cover everything he could say, yet the feeling, the bad feeling that he had in his own case in Inaba overcame him. Yu was about to say something himself when suddenly ...

*THUNK*

"Fuuuuuck ... who placed this tower here!? This is what I get for flying at night." A voice called from beyond the black tinted windows (from the outside), a small military like knife was even stuck within the glass, showing it's nice pointy and somewhat bloody end to the insides of the building. Yu was simply staring at the glass in amazement and awaited for someone to say something about this.

The Lone Wanderer.
Location: The outside of the Shadow Operative Building | Personaverse.

"I should have filled up the tank more." The Wanderer muttered to himself, keeping in a flat yet grabbing motion on the black glass in front of him. "Anyway where ... NOPE!" He said to himself as he almost looked down, this is what he received for not having enough money for jetpack fuel, or was it that this kind of fuel was less effective on the craft. Anyway, the Wanderer kept still as long as he could before shaking a bit.

The Knife was still firmly planted, as the Wanderer's enhanced human strength and artificial edited body tried to enhance his discipline so he may not fall nor move. Staying still, the Wanderer's mind pointed him in a certain direction, suicide.

Jumping off the building would be the easiest way to get down, but he doesn't want to experience that kind of pain ... especially since his body might explode upon impact, either in a messy way, or in a way that may destroy a path or two depending how the jetpack's fragile technology may react from gravity and let over fuel coming together.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Shadow Operatives Building: Rendezvous Conference Room Mitsuru | Fuuka | Yu | Rising Dawn Party

"Well, There you have it then. Minimum Wage, while soul-crushing, was not the reason the employees were acting so strangely." Rugal couldn't help but smirk after Kalatryn shut down Deadshot's argument.
"As for the Virus, it seems pretty clear that's the method of delivery. Just keep following the trail to the top and we'll put this scheme of theirs to rest." He concluded right before the sound of something (Or someone) crashing into the window got his attention.
"Well, well, well...look what we have here..." Deadshot chuckled at seeing Wanderer hanging outside the building, though David seemed a lot more concerned.
"Gah, for the love of-....Ummm, Just...uhhh, keep the meeting going, we'll sort this out." He said before getting up off his chair and opening the window next the one the doctor had stabbed.
"Wanderer! What the flying Fuck man?!" He shouted as he tried to pull him in.
"DS, Don't just stand there! Help me!"
"Urg, fine..." the Assassin groaned as the pair of them pulled Wanderer into the building.
"Grrrr, christ-he's heavier then he looks!" He groaned in effort as the two him got the would be pilot to safety.
"Okay...1. You've officially lost all right to give me crap. 2. That fine will be 200." Deadshot then declared, showing quite a bit of nerve.

"....uhhh, Kids these days..." Rugal shook his head as he got back to the meeting, leaving them to argue amoung themselves

 

[StormShaun]

Yu Narukami | Mitsuru | Fuuka | Rising Dawn Party and the latecomer Wanderer.
Location: Rendezvous Conference Room | Shadow Operatives Building | Personaverse.

Being pulled up by the two, the Wanderer had the subtle thought of throwing Deadshot out of the building because ... why not? The guy needed to experience death at one point, to become a true man. After being pulled in, the Wanderer laid on the nice business carpet for a bit. After a certain amount of seconds, the Wanderer's signature helmet and faulty jetpack disappeared into nothing.

Looking towards Deadshot, the glowing blue eyes told him that he wasn't in the best mood. "One, denied, I plead the sixth amendment. Two, fine." The Wanderer said as he flicked Deadshot's previous credit card back at him, not a single credit spent. "And excuse me, the inventory system on me carries an armoury. So don't expect me to be exactly light." The Wanderer shot back to Deadshot's comment before looking onto the more confused David.

"Long story short, I came back from shooting myself and I decided to fly back ... I didn't know this was THE building ... nor that you were in a building. [sub][sub]Shit ... is it important too!?[/sub][/sub]" A squeak came out of the Wanderer in the last part. Many eyes could be felt right on him as the trench coast, bloody military knife wielding madman pulled out a chair and sat down like nothing happened.

" ... ugh, carry on. I was recovering from a bullet to the head if anyone wanted to know." The Wanderer said in a awkward tone, he had also stabbed the knife into the table, pointy end first. Manners wasn't something this guy was well informed about.