Event Log #002

[caelumstaff]

EVENT LOG number 002 The hotel humbly hopes that you're settling in well and are taking advantage of the various pleasures on offer for your stay. In Mr Bennet's opinion, things have been going quite well and he doesn't think that the guests are unhappy at all. New guests have arrived, some have left, it's all going along perfectly. So, of course, this is when the next troublesome thing pops up. SHADOWS One morning, characters will find the hotel to be a little dimmer than usual, a little more shadowy. Yet if anyone asks Mr Bennet about it, he will claim to not have noticed anything different than usual. Either way, as the characters move on with their day, they'll start to notice a few odd things start to happen. PHASE ONE: Initially, characters will notice their shadow beginning to move a little out of sync with them. Discreetly at first until eventually, their shadow takes on a life of its own, mischievously playing with characters and enjoying their newfound freedom. Very Peter Pan, and completely harmless. PHASE TWO: Now, shadows might disappear entirely, roaming the hotel to their own discretion and ignoring the characters they belong to. As the shadow takes on this free will, characters will begin to feel slightly off balance and have a hard time feeling whole without their shadow around. The shadow may become slightly aggressive as well if told they should return to their characters, fighting back in their own way from knocking things over to outright attacking other characters. It's a little hard to fight back though when your opponent is a shadow, isn't it? PHASE THREE: The shadows have become fully aggressive now, fighting anyone who tries to get them to return to their original person. Characters will find themselves feeling weak and low energy as a result of losing their shadow. Eventually, the shadows will come back to their owners but the characters will find themselves sinking into their shadow, eventually changing places entirely with their shadow. The only way to rescue a character from this fate is for another character to pull them out of their shadow forcibly. The bright side is once a character is pulled out of their shadow, it all returns to normal and their shadow is no longer sentient. These phases will last over the course of the week and it is quite alright to stay in phase one/two/three. Not all shadows will become aggressive, not all shadows will be playful. Feel free to manipulate your character's shadow in the way that's most fun for you. NAV | PREMISE | RULES | FAQ | TAKEN hotelcaelum | caelumserver | caelumooc

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[astarion]

[Somehow, that question lances in deep. Even were he fully cognizant, harboring sharp awareness in his gaze, it would bring him pause. Admitting to others being important to him feels the same as carving himself open, but...

Maybe it's the weariness that makes him say, with no real hesitance beyond that moment of silence.]

Yes. We've been through so much together, at... this point, it would be silly to say otherwise.

[airdnd]

No... Nothing ever is, is it? Including our current predicament.

[ She sighs, sinking into the cushions of her armchair just a little bit more. She feels as if a part of her is missing, though rather than it somehow making her feel lighter, she feels so very weighed down. ]

I don't think it will be as simple as waiting for the effects to revert, I mean... I wonder if we should try to seek our own shadows out.

[venomnom]

[The displeasure in her expression drains at the answer. A wan smile tugs on her lips before she schools her features into something harder.]

Then it would be silly for them to go on without you.

[More precisely, it would be stupid of him to let all of that go if he's telling the truth.

Reiju is not particularly kind. Having said that, she can't ignore those familiar words. She leans forward to grasp Astarion by his arms just below his shoulders in a viselike grip, her palms like metal on him.]

Friends like that don't come around every day. Think hard about what it is that you really want before you take the leap, Mr. Magistrate.

[If she's allowed the contact, she'll summarily pull him out with great strength.]

[astarion]

[Her words sink into him uncomfortably, but only because she's right. At his core, he knows that what began as a connection born of convenience is now... a blasted group of weirdos with their own issues, their own baggage, that has seen him through so much. They've faced down death together. Fight for survival, tooth and nail. And without them, he never would have been delivered into freedom. He knows that, intrinsically.

He owes them a bit more than allowing himself to sink into some unknowable abyss, doesn't he? Isn't that part of why he's here?]

I...

[He doesn't know what to say. But her words have sparked enough energy out of him that he can afford to retort, snappish.]

Come now, who said anything about friends? [TSUN] Gods, you're strong-

[Her grip's like steel. She hefts him out with ease, but he'll raise an arm to grasp onto hers, just to be certain.]

[airdnd]

[ Aww... Poor Sumina, rejected...

Winter's Vicious Mockery is particularly effective on a shadow that is merely a darker reflection of its owner with no real wisdom of its own, and coupled with its difficulty in moving through the terrain laid out by those cosmic tentacles, it is too easy of a target for Gojo to then use his own sorcery technique. Blue sends the silhouette careening across the room, sailing over other patrons engaged in their own respective scuffles and flying amidst other mugs and loose objects being thrown before its back finds the far wall.

In such a time, it decides to employ an uncharacteristic tactic yet again, loosing a rather pitiful cry, made all the more unsettling by its distorted voice. ]

Winter... Satoru... It hurts...

[ How could they hurt her?

Shadows don't bleed, but starlight seems to seep out of this one and onto the floor as it tries to get up to its feet, the solar threads of starry plasma haloing its body flaring as it tries once more to sink flush into the wall to escape, but instead falling... unconscious? Or at least, prone and motionless. ]

[airdnd]

No, I'm concerned about you, too, no matter what you say!

[ So, no, that most certainly does not answer the question! And neither does truly seeing how little effect the literal knife in Giselle's back seems to have; Sumina's eyes only widen in alarm further, noting the absence of bleeding above all, before they slip shut in response to the loud noise of a pan being slammed onto a counter.

Giselle may not wish to say another word, but Sumina does. Just as the other woman creates another distraction and successfully draws the shadows' joint attention away from the hiding pair, Sumina reaches over and - if Giselle allows it - curls a hand around her arm as she leans in and says in a hushed tone: ]

We are getting out of here together, Miss Giselle.

[ She's not going to let her stay behind for her sake. They got into this together, so they shall get out of it together. ]

[encoffins]

[Well, she's right about that. Vincent immediately takes a step backwards, unholstering his gun once more, pulling back the hammer.]

I work better from the back.

[And this is hardly a statement spoken out of anything close to hesitance. Unless he uses one of his other forms--which he would very much like to avoid--Vincent is a man who battles at range. Firearms and magic. That's his forte.

The muscles in his legs grow taut, ready to move or dodge out of the way if her shadow makes a leap for it. The thing is... do they fight, or do they let it take her, and pray to Gaia that Vincent can free her from its grasp?

Either way, he follows her lead.]

[likesitruff]

We'll need to. I doubt they'll be inclined to return on their own without coercion of some sort.

However, are you able to walk?

[ because it doesn't look promising. ]

[airdnd]

[ Ah... Her vision feels hazy, clouded by both lethargy and the starry plasma beginning to wind around and encase her almost like a cocoon. Laying on her side as she is, it's almost like being wrapped in a cold blanket... It's... nice, actually.

Though Astarion's voice manages to cut through the fog, still she feels herself unable to do nothing more than to weakly lift her head and shift her gaze first to the hand of his that finds purchase around her arm, and then up to his face.

With her speech slurred and her expression bleary from a lack of energy, she still smiles as she responds: ]

But... Everyone said I should rest, right...? Haha...

[icyspicy]

So serious! Well, let us contend with this other business quickly.

Perhaps if we can find a member of the hotel staff, they might know what's going on.

[icyspicy]

[ With the shadow well out of the way of those grasping tentacles, Winter lets the spell go and they vanish into nothing.

Winter can't fly (he can levitate, it's different), but he is well-versed at navigating his way around tavern brawls. He winds his way through the crowd, ducking thrown bottles and fists and whatever else, before he comes to the far wall where the shadow is warbling pitiably. ]

You poor thing. [ There's no real sympathy in his tone. Some of us are resistant to psychic damage, you know!! ] You should have thought about that before you hurt Sumina.

[icyspicy]

[ Admittedly, Winter had offered a gross oversimplification of relationships in general, but he does firmly believe that he wouldn't be where he is without help. Hells, he's a warlock. What is a pact if not the biggest ask for help in the universe?

Something or other in what he said proves to be motivating enough, at least, and Winter helps Gojo step free. In that same moment, the ornate dagger that is never not on Winter's belt gives off a sudden noise, a sudden clarion note that heralds the shadow going on the attack.

Instead of moving, however, Winter simpy barks another incantation, and shadows like flames wreathe his whole body. He's difficult to look at this way, like his form has become a writhing black hole that draws in every mote of life and light around it.

THe shadow can hit him, sure. In fact, it probably does. But the shadows curling around Winter hit back. ]

You might want to heavily consider going back where you belong.

[likesitruff]

Then I'll draw its attention. Depending on your magic resistance, it may eat your magical attacks, so distance would be best regardless!

[ Stick to the gun, she means, just in case. For now, she's moving forward to engage the shadow, blade lashing out to intercept its strike in an attempt to drive it back or at least keep it from targeting Vincent. There's a stagger to her step but for now, she's upright. ]

[likesitruff]

I have been informed that they're largely useless. Is there one in particular who would be better to question?

[astarion]

[She might think it's nice, but Astarion feels that concern flaring in him again. This is a bit too similar to what had happened to him and his shadow, a tiredness that shifted quite quickly into resignation. He might only hope hers is not so bone-deep, and centered solely on feeling tired and not much else.

The shadow seems to be encasing her, but Astarion deigns to take his other hand to grip her shoulder, giving it a shake. He won't be deterred by this strange, starry plasma.]

This might be the sort of rest you don't wake up from, I think! You can nap in your own bed later!

[Because surely she has a bed. In her own room. Right.]

i.

[survivaltricks]

[sing-song voice, giant woman. . .]

[but! Akira is oblivious to the hotel's latest bout of shenanigans, so. . . when he finds this stranger staring at him for reasons he cannot comprehend, for some reason, he feels suddenly petrified in place]

[her stare is just as big as she is!1]

Ah. . .

[AWKWARDLY]

. . . did I put my shirt on inside out?

phase 3

[survivaltricks]

[by now, Akira has had a few confrontations with his own shadow, though. . . he's been lucky enough that they've been nothing more than minor scuffles, and he was spared the frightening horror of falling into said shadow like a man falling into the abyss. so when he sees poor Bucciarati sinking into the floor like it is made of quick sand (stand and all still visible, because you know, Persona powers), he can't help the way his heart leaps into his throat]

[THIS SEEMS. . . BAD? THIS IS DEFINITELY BAD!1]

Hey--!

[honestly, Bucciarati doesn't need to tell him twice. the entire floor may be covered in water, but Akira is splashing through it, what looks to be blue tongues of flame dancing around his fingers and wrists as he does so]

Hold on!

[and then that fire bursts into a wild tornado as a demonic winged creature appears, reaching out to grasp at the nearest part of Bucciarati that it can to pull him free]

[icyspicy]

Hm. True. Mr Bennet runs the place, though he seems fairly... unhelpful in some regards.

[hexensabbat]

Beats me.

[She sloooowly peers over her shoulder.

It's still, for now, but that doesn't mean anything.]

Wouldn't be the first time I've seen something like that happen, though. So my shadow's acting up?

[cardsharked]

[Three whole seconds? She's feeling mighty flattered by the benevolence.

Those three seconds go by quickly, but they also really demonstrate just how much she's running of fumes. Her last shoulder check is thrashing by ineffective, and she braces her weight against the floor with a rueful laugh.]

... Yeah. Guess this is as far as I go.

[It's not so bad for the opponent that really gets the better of her to be herself.]

phase i

[hexensabbat]

[Ringo absolutely is here to enjoy the legendary pizza on the pizza floor. She loves pizza! Amazing invention.




Unfortunately, she absolutely is also not expecting a hole to open up beneath her, so she stumbles, pizza flying out of her hands. There goes the box! It's flying! And flyyyying... and landing with an unfortunate splat.

She winces.]

Oooh, that sounded bad.

[encoffins]

[Eat his magical attacks? He'd rather avoid that, so the warning is duly noted. Firearm only... for now.

He backsteps again, then once to the side, trying to get a good angle once Barghest rushes forward to meet her shadow. Vincent has the suresight of an experienced gunman, though -- the moment there's an opening, he raises the barrel of his gun and fires two shots.

Maybe weakening it will make this whole process easier, if it does try to drag her in.]

[airdnd]

[ As far as Sumina can tell, there's no danger to be found here at all, unaware as she is as to what Domain Expansion means or even is... She's likely to have frozen up entirely if she'd known, but as it is, she needs this moment to not be on her feet, to catch her breath, to just talk to Satoru without his damned shadow interjecting.

She is pliable in his hand as he inspects her neck; blessedly, the contact had been all too brief to cause anything worse than perhaps some bruising, but more than anything, as he keeps his grasp on her hand and on her face, Gojo would find—

Sumina is shaking, from the unsteadiness of her hands and legs and shoulders to the quivering in each expelled breath.

She has said it so many times before, hasn't she? She doesn't have an adventurous bone in her body. Rarely has she ever faced real danger, much less danger like this, danger that feels mind-boggling and impossible even given all that is made possible by her very magical upbringing and surroundings.

Which, by the way, includes somewhat-regular jaunts to the Astral Plane, a starry sea not too unlike where they are now... And as such, despite its otherworldliness, Sumina still thinks of what just transpired, above all. All she really needs to know about this place for the moment is that the shadow isn't in here with them, and that Satoru is back. ]

Good, [ she pants, ] I'm glad...

[ She shuts her eyes tightly. It's going to be okay now, right...? ]

What happened back there, Satoru? Your- your shadow...

[ It wasn't quite like the others she had encountered. It almost seemed an entirely different person its own... ]

[airdnd]

Coercion...

[ How does one coerce their own shadow back into... shadowness. Well, if anyone can manage it, she imagines this gigantic woman clad in armor would be the one to do it. ]

I... Might only slow you down, but I think I can walk. Maybe I should get some espresso...

ii. with two super normal people

[cardsharked]

[It should go without saying that Odette's shadow is one of the worst offenders. Even relegated to harmless pranks, it was charismatic, rough, and persistent, larger than life even in its weak two-dimension state. Now that the violence has broken out, it's nothing short of a menace, and Odette herself is more than eager to see if her own shadow will be the fiercest opponent she's ever faced.

When they're ambushed, she reacts quickly enough to be taken off guard by the frying pan. Even conscious of the incoming attack, however, she spins to eat the blow instead of dodging it entirely, the side of her head ringing as she closes the gap between herself and the offending shadow. There's they heavy metallic clatter of cookware going flying as she retaliates with an enormous mixing bowl launched bell-side at the shadow's head. It is a shadow, so it's not like the blow connects, but the bright lighting of the kitchen and the metallic sheen of the bowl are extremely confusing to a creature made entirely of darkness.]

Aw, Christ, Giselle, look at you. [A few drops of blood plink to the ground next to the maid as Odette sets her pincushion of a companion upright. They're from her head, of course. She doesn't sound particularly panicked. Perhaps the lethargy is really getting to her. Perhaps she's concussed by the frying pan. Perhaps the accord they developed a few weeks ago keeps her level-headed now.] Think that one's yours.