04 - week four

[afflictionmods]

WEEK FOUR

Saturday comes to a close, and it’s time for some rest and recovery. Perhaps the TLC you deserve will come this week, or perhaps the nightmare will continue. It’s hard to say with things being so strange around you, from Wei Wuxian’s disappearance to the sudden addition of objects and places and creatures from your homes. Who knows what this week will bring? Nothing ordinary, that’s for sure.

You wake up on Sunday to an increase in those little glimpses you saw yesterday. What were snippets of songs, locations that might’ve seemed familiar, and creatures that were dormant, are now all alive and whole. When you go to the karaoke bar, the songs you once knew are there. Monsters and animals are alive and sentient. New business are abound. Vehicles are operable, and perhaps some of your old belongings are back, too.

However, some of these things aren’t even things that should exist outside of your dreams. They may be far too strange and unusual to be real, or just things you don't remember ever seeing. The only thing you remember about these things in particular is that they were, quite literally, in your dreams this week.

That being said, every few hours, all of these things from your homes and dreams fade out and get replaced by new sounds, places, beasts….only to maybe come back again at another time.

Well. At least there's one constant here: You’ve got a handful of new locations to look at, with the fog having spread once more, and they aren't going anywhere. There aren’t as many new places that are native to Estelline this time around, but that may be for the best, considering everything going on.


SETTING TRACKER

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

NEWSPAPER SUBMISSIONS + EDITION #1

SAGE / FLORENCE / LORELEI

MEM SHARE DETAILS

OOC NOTE

OOC: Details on this week can be found here!

Also, we have a lot of participants for the news activity from last week. Neat! Everyone who participated in some capacity will have a small polaroid camera delivered to their doorstep. There's limited film, though - 10 photos per camera. It doesn't seem like there's any extra film at this time, either.

Finally, there will not be any weekly tasks this week. You guys are going to be busy with memshare and dreamscape stuff; instead, enjoy the Estelline University Newspaper!

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

big huge hypmic spoilers in here; all are interactive!

[catarou]

1. possible but not probable cw for losing a sibling (but no death talk), talk of comatose people, & identity issues
[ You're standing outside a house.

In the distance, there's quite a bit of sound; it's the usual hustle and bustle of a very busy city, despite the early evening. The house itself shows signs of life; there are lights on, but it's quiet compared to everything else. Should you walk in, the silence is close to deafening. And in one of the rooms near the back, Gentaro stands, facing away from the door, wearing surprisingly casual clothes. He seems to be lost in thought, his hand hovering over the traditional garb he so often wears at Estelline.

Finally, he lets out a sigh and murmurs, ] So it's come to this...

2.
[ On a quiet street, four people stand. The focus seems to be on a blond man and Gentaro; the other two are somewhat fuzzy. It doesn't take too long to see why, because the blond man says, ]

Like, what are you? Some old, dead writer? Like, what era is that even? [ And there's a ringing that sounds in the memory, before he continues, ] That stuff is sooo out of style, you need a change! That's fashion advice from Hifumin for ya!

[ A moment passes, where Gentaro stays nearly perfectly still. The blond man, "Hifumin," says something else, but Gentaro grabs him. If you're close enough, you'll see that Gentaro's expression is furious; he's shouting in the other man's face, and it's a sort of anger that's uncontrolled. It's certainly nothing close to what you've seen during the program. ]

How dare you make fun of this style?!

[ It's utter chaos; the moment seems to nearly grind to a halt. Someone else, dressed in a long green coat, starts to move in order to separate them, but it drags in slow motion.

Intervene? ]

3. cw for blood, implied violence, possible talk of death
[ Gentaro sits in a colorful shop, along with two others. Ramuda, noticeable by his vibrant pink hair, who radiates youthful energy that hides something heavy and dark. The other is Dice, the same one who'd tried to separate Gentaro and Hifumi in the previous memory.. It's a fairly mundane moment, and at one point, Ramuda pipes up, It all comes down to the fact that we're still bonding, I bet! How 'bout we share secrets with each other? We need that to be better friends.

The memory shifts, and suddenly, Ramuda collapses. There's blood, so much blood he's coughed up, and everything sort of narrows. Ramuda is screaming something, and Gentaro acts. He rushes to Ramuda's jacket and pulls out a lollipop (a lollipop that looks identical to those you may have seen around since Monday), before he cradles Ramuda in his arms and places the candy in his mouth.

The memory shifts again, and there are four Ramudas.

On the ground is Gentaro's Ramuda, who's in horrible shape; it's painfully obvious that he's sustained some serious injuries. It seems a hopeless situation, before-- ]

Stop it!

I won't let you hurt him anymore!

[ Dice and Gentaro move to stand in front of their friend; from Ramuda's expression, he hadn't expected this. Moments pass, in which Dice and Gentaro tend to Ramuda. The clones look on, but Gentaro's focus is on Ramuda entirely. And, in the end, they jump into action. Gentaro's microphone, which had been ordinary and unassuming, changes, while speakers resembling lanterns appear behind him.

Join in? Interfere, perhaps? ]

( ooc note: the third prompt can be interacted with at any stage! or feel free to experience all of the drama in its entirety! i'm flexible and good with whatever \o/ affliction gentaro can make an appearance, too; just let me know if/when you want him c: )

closed to julius, more hypmic spoilers cw for hospital setting, coma talk, identity issues

[catarou]

[ Julius finds himself in a hospital room.

There's the quiet beep of the heart monitor. Just barely louder than that is a familiar voice; it's Gentaro, and laying in the hospital bed--

It's Gentaro, too, which is probably at least a tiny bit alarming. Gentaro, meanwhile, is completely at ease as he reads from a book. It's a very rare sight, how content he is, and it's certainly nothing anyone in the group has seen before. There's a softness in his expression, a warmth, and every so often he gives his counterpart a fond look.

The conscious Gentaro doesn't notice anyone is there, so... ball's in your court, Julius. ]

:D

[superstructure]

[ Something about being here like this doesn't quite feel right. Even if the person in the bed didn't very clearly have some relation to Gentaro, being present in what's clearly some memory of his feels perverse. Not that there seemed to be a way out of this, but it's not something that Julius really feels like he should be intruding on.

So, as quietly as he can, he tries to move and make his way out of the room before Gentaro can notice. ]

[catarou]

[ Unfortunately for Julius, the motion tips him off, and Gentaro sees him.

Immediately, he stiffens and snaps his book shut. He stands abruptly and moves in front of the bed to obscure the person laying there. He's pale, alarmed, and maybe there's even a little bit of anger there. ]

Who are you, and how did you get inside this room without my noticing?

[superstructure]

[ ... Well, it was worth a shot. He was gonna notice before long, even if Julius just stood there like an idiot, so this was the best thing to do.

As Gentaro moves in front of the bed, Julius steps back, his hands raised slightly in a defensive position. He of all people knows that trying to come off as non-threatening and passive isn't necessarily enough to get someone to back down, but it's still worth doing. ]

Sorry, I thought this room was someone else's. I got turned around a bit and ended up in here.

[ Don't worry about how he got in without noticing, Gentaro. It's fine. ]

[catarou]

Forgive me for saying this, but that is a terrible excuse.

[ He still looks mad, but he makes no move to harm Julius. There's that, at least. But there's a tightness in his chest that he doesn't like one bit. Really, if anyone had found themselves here, Gentaro would have reacted the same.

It's a dangerous place, Tokyo, and Gentaro has no idea who works for Chuohku, who would like to bring harm to an incapacitated person who is the spitting image of Gentaro, and who bears no ill will. ]

You have not explained how you entered this room without my noticing. I regret to inform you that very few people are allowed in here. Now, I would like you to explain yourself. Who are you, and what is your purpose for being here?

[superstructure]

[ Well, it was worth a shot. He knows Gentaro's smarter than that, but. C'est la vie. Actually, this does bring into question how popping in and out of dimensions works normally. It's fine. It's probably fine.

Julius lowers his hands slightly, shaking his head. ]

You're right, it's not my best work. [ beat ] My name is Julius. I'm actually not quite clear on the purpose of this or how I got here, either, but I have no intention of harming either of you.

[ It's not a fractured dimension, probably, so it's hard to tell what the effects would be if he actually just said what was going on. If Gentaro would even believe him. ]

3, give me affliction gentaro too for more confusion and chaos

[selfconcept]

[ Hien just stands there, watching the memories unfold from the beginning until there are four Ramudas. He's not sure what's going on, but he's pretty sure Ramuda isn't human.

A small portal hole opens up in front of Hien, and he reaches inside to pull out a bundle of wires, making the portal close up again. ]

Hey, Ichiro.

[ He remembers their talk about wanting to save people even if it ends up being detrimental. ]

I'll help them if you want me to.

[ Hien is very much suggesting violence to end it quickly, as apparent with the wires in his hands. ]

hell yeah

[catarou]

[ Gentaro doesn't really know how this is possible. He doesn't like it, though. Reliving one of the worst days of his life-- anyone would hate that, right? So, he isn't happy that anyone is seeing this, even someone like Hien. This is his. No one is supposed to see this. No one.

At the offer, he tenses visibly. ]

No. [ Even if the three other Ramudas are not his and Dice's, now that he's learned more and understands, it almost makes him sick to see them get hurt. They didn't choose this, after all. ] We-- that is, the past version of myself, Ramuda, and Dice will handle them.

If you were to get involved, you'd likely end up injured or worse. Ramuda's ability is creating very convincing illusions, you see. And more than that-- they're armed with their mics. The things they could do to you... It's far too much of a risk.

[selfconcept]

I can make them fall asleep.

[ ... ]

I mean that literally. No death. No injuries. Just sleep.

[ He feels the need to clarify that because they had a conversation about Hien being unhinged. At least he's self-aware. ]

[catarou]

Simply putting them to sleep won't be enough.

[ It's just a memory, right? The things that happen here-- there's no way it could influence reality, or change what he remembers. Still. ]

Chuohku is... determined. Upon waking, those three would pursue us relentlessly. [ a pause. ] Do you remember what I told you about the True Hypnosis Mic?

[selfconcept]

How if you use it, you die? But how it can also kill a man?

[ ... ]

Can I just get rid of Chuohku right here?

[ Hien, hopeful at Gentaro: violence? ]

[catarou]

[ He stiffens, inhaling sharply at the suggestion of getting rid of Chuohku--

But he looks at him, grim and pale and if that's a hint of fear in his eyes-- ]

Not kill, but for some, death would be preferable. For the victims of it, either you're brainwashed into doing their dirty work, or you fall into a comatose state with no way to come out of it.

As for getting rid of Chuohku, absolutely not.

LOLLIPOP LOLLIPOP OH LOLLILOLLIPOP affliction gentaro can be here if u want

[sicklysweet]

[Owen watches as the pink-haired man collapses, spitting up blood and screaming. The way Gentaro holds him, the familiar lollipop he puts in his mouth...]

And here I was told those were poisonous.

[It's a sudden announcement of his appearance - with his magic back in these places, it's been kind of fun to wonder while concealing himself. Now, though... Now is the perfect time to make his presence known.]

:)

[catarou]

[ Owen isn't the first to intrude upon his memories, but he is the last one Gentaro had wanted to see here. His mouth is set in a tight, thin line as he looks at Owen. ]

Now you know that they're created for a different purpose. Are you pleased, Owen?

>:(

[sicklysweet]

You lied to me.

[Owen's face is decidedly neutral as he looks over at Gentaro, finding him much more interesting.]

Didn't you say you only lied to the people you care for? Do you care about me? Or was that a lie, too?

[And now he looks quite pleased.]

[catarou]

Did I say that?

[ Sue him if he's a little distracted. Gentaro's eyes rest completely on the trio, and when Ramuda screams that he's fine-- He draws in a sharp breath. It's more than enough to catch their attention, and Gentaro doesn't want to deal with this now. Not ever. Not with Owen, of all people, here.

Their faces are seared into his mind, though. Ramuda's shock and anger; Dice's confusion and alarm; the memory-Gentaro furious and stunned.

Present Gentaro grabs Owen by the wrist and drags him out of Ramuda's place. He doesn't stop until they're a fair distance away. The whole time, he says nothing. ]

[sicklysweet]

Something about that, and how you know they'll forgive you for your lies.

[Something like that, at least. Owen's memory isn't really something that should be relied on on a good day, but he's not really concerned about that.

He lets Gentaro drag him away, taking in the sighs and sounds of Tokyo. He's... never seen a city quite like it. It's much larger than Estelline, and there's no fog to block his view, so it's something to focus on as he gets pulled along when he can finally stop someone.]

[catarou]

[ He releases Owen's wrist as if he's been burned. He takes a deep breath, then levels a stern gaze at him. Even being back in Shibuya, though it's nothing but a memory, does nothing to quell his anger.

When he addresses Owen, though, his voice is steady. ]

Explain how you are here.

1, feel free to toss affliction gentaro at me when/if you feel like it!

[partymagician]

[ With curiosity getting the better of him, Fai wonders into the house, taking a look around before he finally makes his way towards the back.

He stay in the doorway as he watches Gentaro. Hmm. What has it come to?

Fai doesn't make a sound as he waits to see if Gentaro will say something else. Or if he'll notice Fai. ]

👀

[catarou]

[ He might be lost in thought, but he does hear the approaching footsteps.

His shoulders tense, and he whirls around, alarmed and confused all at once. His hands curl to fists, and there's certainly no recognition in his eyes. Rather, it wouldn't be a stretch to compare Gentaro to a trapped wild animal. ]

No one should be here. Explain yourself, now.

[partymagician]

[ Hmmm. It's strange to see Gentaro like this when he isn't possessed. Even in stressful situations, Gentaro himself never loses his cool.

But Fai doesn't seem bothered. ]

I'm a wondering traveler. I stepped out of my portal and ended up in your home.

[ It's essentially the truth, but he doesn't know that it will be believed. ]

[catarou]

[ It's true, he's usually so composed. But... this is a younger Gentaro, a Gentaro who hasn't had time to practice that cool, unruffled demeanor. ]

Forgive me if I don't believe you. That sort of thing doesn't happen.

[ Of course... deep down, Gentaro doesn't believe that. He knows reality is stranger than fiction, and many impossible things have happened before. ]

[partymagician]

[ Fai leans against the doorframe. ]

No? Want to see some proof? I can do magic, you know.

[ Will he show proof? It's hard to know. Fai doesn't usually offer it up so quickly, but he actually wants to know what's going on... so he might bend his own rules just this once. ]

[catarou]

That's a bold claim to make.

[ ... But he's definitely curious. ]

Very well. Prove it.