Intro Log.

[awashmods]

Ding, dong, bell, Pussy's in the well. Who put her in? Little Johnny Thin. Who pulled her out? Little Tommy Stout. What a naughty boy was that, To try to drown poor pussy cat, Who never did him any harm, But killed all the mice in the farmer's barn.

ou wake in knee-deep water, cold as ice and stagnant, in a space that is far too echoey and spacious. It feels like a massive cave, but looking up... there's only one small, circular opening that shows grey sky and shines any sort of light. It looks like a long trip upwards, a small cylinder with walls of brick that's just a little too high to reach, even when jumping. Getting out is probably going to be a bit of a task, especially considering the water is more than cold enough to make limbs go numb. The dark makes it impossible to see much further, but the space seems large, all filled with water, but with no other way out, stone walls the only thing for an intrepid explorer to find. But most importantly of all... you're not alone. Welcome to Awash's first intro log, everyone! Please review the FAQ and rules before playing. Characters have all woken at the bottom of the well in the middle of the town (which seems a lot bigger on the inside, somehow), and it looks like they'll have to put in some work to get out. Once out, they'll be free to explore the various locations the Town has to offer at will. Just try not to die on any of the far-too-rickety walkways. Further information can be found here at the OOC post, and don't forget to greet your fellow players here!

Comments

[doublecrowss]

1. Rock Bottom
[ Well. This is certainly... a well.

Or at least it should be one, all things considered-- freezing water, stone cold walls and one single shaft above, to name the most important factors. And yet, how in the world did he end up here? How did all these people end up here?

A mighty inconvenience, he may add. If only he were alone, he could try to summon his Persona (but would it even work outside the Metaverse? Is this a strange version of Mementos, perhaps? So many questions.) but these... are witnesses. And even under ultimate stress, he must not lose his composure-- not where people might see him for who he really is. Seems like he must explore other options such as... cooperation. Ugh. ]

Everyone, may I please have your attention? [ The pleasant tone comes out with practiced ease, and the echoes within these walls make his voice reverberate, give it the extra boost he needs in order to be heard over the masses. ] I realize these are... strange circumstances, but let us set our hearts at rest and try to come to a solution together!

[ What a hero, that Goro Akechi is. ]


2. Forest
[ Number one rule for survival: find bare necessities.

Shelter should be easier - he has seen plenty of building on his way here, though not all in inhabitable condition - but food would be something else. Akechi may be no Boy Scout, but his first instinct takes him to the forest, if it could be called that-- it wasn't exactly much of a green area, now was it? Oddly colorless, not unlike the rest of this place.

So he sets on his path, and there's a distinct feeling that he's being watched - one that he is familiar with, but not exactly the same. Creatures may lurk in the dark, but in this case? He's going to venture a guess. ]

There is no need to be following me. [ He starts, and only then looks over his shoulder. ] If it's company you would like, I would be happy to walk into these woods together. They do say safety lies in numbers, right?

[ And if his surprise companion isn't human... well. There are always ways to take care of that. ]


3. gimme your wi-fi password (Ruga)
[ Now, laptops were something he was acquainted with-- in fact, he had even brought his own, though it seems to have suffered some major water damage. His first idea was to get online and look up information, but as much he had thought himself lucky to find computers in what seemed like a residential area, they didn't seem to be in working condition, either.

But he's not one to give up the fight so easily, and he enters into yet another house, only to find someone else had beaten him to it. ]

Oh, hello! [ He smiles. Better not make any enemies right away, right? ] Have you had any luck with that laptop? I've found others, but I can't seem to be able to log in at all.


4. Wildcard!
[ ooc: Anything goes! Or HMU at pinkgrasshopper if you want to plot anything! ]

1 IM SORRY ABOUT... HOW SHE IS...

[hypertoxic]

[ have some ironic golf clapping. ]

Nice speech. Did you practice that in front of the mirror before trying it on us, you tool?

[ very flatly. she sounds totally apathetic for someone who's giving him shit. ]

LMAO IT'S FINE

[doublecrowss]

[ Um, rude?? Good thing he's not easily phased (or rather, he's good at pretending) so he just smiles in response, all pleasantries and aloof casualty: ]

No. In front of a live audience, actually. It's a much wilder crowd than this, I must say.

[ He's a fucking celebrity, you scrub. ]

[hypertoxic]

Oh, wow. Not only did you just admit to being a tool, you actually upped the ante. That's really impressive. I am so impressed.

[ ever led an army??? an army is WAY better than an audience. get on her level. ]

Well, if you're so inspired, how're you gonna fix this?

2.

[messianic]

[That might be the number one rule of survival, but Minato is mostly fascinated. That's... so much. He's never really seen a forest like this? He saw the jungle at Yakushima, but this is something else entirely.

He wonders how deep it goes...]

Oh. [He's being addressed, right? Minato meets Akechi's eyes, and tilts his head.]

That's true. Let's go together, then. [He wasn't planning on going in there, but he's pretty easygoing.]

Are you looking for something in particular?

[doublecrowss]

[ Ah, so he was right, after all. Well, a human companion might be better than a Shadow, or another creature of the dark that he had yet to meet - he wouldn't put it past this strange place to be teeming with them, much like Palaces were. ]

Berries would be a good start. [ He pauses in his spot, waits until Minato catches up with him before they can proceed forward. ] We will have to rely on our sense of smell to figure out what they are, since the primary method for that is... fairly useless, it would seem.

[ The primary method being checking for colors, of course. ]

[messianic]

[Oooh, smart. Food is always a good idea, and they have no idea where else they can find food in a place like this. But really, doesn't that mean...this guy doesn't think they're going to find an easy way out of here either?

... Hm.]

Got it. [Easy peasy! Minato strolls at Akechi's side with his hands tucked into his pockets, glancing around idly as they step into the fringes of the forest properly.]

We'll have to be really careful not to pick any we can't eat... do you know what poisonous berries smell like?

[Minato...sure does not.]

3

[parodeity]

I have, but I think it's sort of a "find the laptop that works for you" dealio. I found one with "my" log-in info - I recognize the username, sideways - but it took me like three other laptop tries to get to it.

[ he rolls his eyes, not that it's visible behind his shades. ]

This is literally the shittiest invite system ever. And the payoff ain't all that grand.

[doublecrowss]

Your login info?

[ Well, this is more than Akechi had been able to find out until now-- does that mean everyone gets an unique id and password? Either way, he moves closer to Dave and, more importantly, to the laptop. Time to investigate! ]

From your reaction, I'm assuming we cannot access the internet? How disappointing.

1;

[dualtone]

[ Fushimi jerks when someone near him starts talking loud enough that Fushimi can't just... ignore it the way he ignores most things. Unfortunately, the jerking movement combined with him shivering in the cold water combined with the fact that he has a stab wound in his leg that's extremely fresh means that --

yeah, he's losing his balance and falling straight onto Akechi with all the grace you'd expect from, like, a startled cat. Man, it's pretty cramped, but not cramped enough to wind up not falling into the water if Akechi isn't expecting to abruptly get slammed into by a half-drowned looking guy. ]

Ugh...

[ Oh well? ]

[doublecrowss]

[ Motherfucker-- ]

What--!? [ And down he goes, with about the same grace as a baby fawn just learning to - and failing miserably at - standing on four legs. Extremely rude, Fushimi. This is going to taint his pristine reputation! ]

Well. I suppose this means we have both hit rock bottom, huh...?

[ Hear that weak laugh? Yeah, good thing he's practiced in the art of not snapping the fuck out. ]

2

[windeity]

[On the one hand, John was definitely heading in roughly the same direction but that's also because John's sense of direction isn't the best. If he really was following Akechi it hadn't been on purpose so there's a start of surprise when he's addressed. He stops in his tracks and he turns to face him properly.]

Sorry dude. I didn't really think about the fact we are both going in the same direction. [There's truth in what Akechi says though and so he nods.] But going together might not be a bad idea. This place is kind of empty, isn't it?

[doublecrowss]

No need to apologize. [ He reinforces the thought with a nod and then waits in his spot, giving John a chance to catch up to him. ]

You're right, though; it is awfully empty. [ He takes another look around, as though to make sure the scenario was as static and colorless as the eyes could see-- he still isn't entirely sure this isn't some version of the Metaverse, so he can't help staying on guard. ] Not that I was looking forward to an encounter with a woodland beast or anything of the sort-- I don't think I could stand my own against a wild bear...!

[ Well, he could. But then he might have to dispose of the bear and any witnesses. ]

3

[apocalypticist]

[ Akechi finds Ryo sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, laptop resting between his knees. His oversized white coat kind of makes him look like a fluffy marshmallow. ]

Yes. [ He replies, looking up at the other boy. ] It took me six laptops before I was able to find one that allowed me to log in. It connects to some sort of forum, but no other websites.

[doublecrowss]

[ Akechi isn't interested in fluffy marshmallows, though. Fluffy pancakes, that's where you hit gold with him. ]

Ah. I see. [ He looks crestfallen and, while still calculated, the reaction comes from a place of genuine disappointment. ] That will put a damper on my plans to contact help.

[ But then, he did pick up on another useful bit of information, so: ] Oh, but you mentioned something about a forum, right? Are there any posts that might be helpful?

2

[murdery]

Who said I was following you? [He was only a little following him.]

I thought I'd see if there were any furry critters in the forest to hang with since the town doesn't seem to have any people, but it doesn't look like it. Bummer.

[doublecrowss]

Furry... critters?

[ Okay, color him interested. His newfound companion is still technically following him, so Akechi fully turns to face him, hand on his chin. ]

You have a peculiar set of priorities, I must say. Other people in our situation would be trying to ensure survival first, or perhaps even looking for clues to solve this mystery. Perhaps you should give it some thought.

2 - Hierophant and Justice Arcana walk into the woods and...

[totheno1]

Our paths simply seem to have converged, young lad. [Goro wasn't the only one who had gone off to the forest to see if there was something he could salvage as nourishment. He had hoped that this place would have given him distraction, but the odd feeling of being followed along with the lack of smell was...annoying to say the least.] But it is true, no man is an island."

[Then there was the feeling he felt from this one as well. Most interesting.]

You have the means to defend yourself?

[He'll test the waters, so to speak.]

[doublecrowss]

Does being armed with wits count as self defense?

[ Look. This would have been hilarious in, like, a trial or something. Legal humor is the best, okay. These are all very fun adult people to hang out with, absolutely.

(It is also a perfectly endearing way to deflect questions he doesn't want to answer. Just killing two birds with one stone, really.) ]

I'm afraid I can only rely on my legs, actually. [ He adds a more serious answer once his chuckling subsides, though not any more genuine than his previous one. ] But I'm hoping it won't have to come down to that.

3

[heartsteals]

[ random person walking into his house, all right. Well -- it's not like it's his house, actually, but the thought ventures into his head unbidden. Conversation starts before he can pay it any further attention. ]

A knock would have been polite, you know. [ the admonishment is light and airy - more teasing than serious. Lupin has the laptop set on a countertop (he didn't trust the dilapidated-looking coffee table to support the thing), standing in front of it, and though he's turned to look at Akechi now, it's plain to see that the forum is open on the screen. ]

But hello to you, too. Is that what this machine's called? A laptop?

[doublecrowss]

[ Teasing or not, Akechi has a chronic case of people-pleasing, and the scolding takes precedence over any good jest in Lupin's words. ]

A-ah, my apologies. [ A bow of his head. ] I didn't think this building was inhabited-- nowhere else seems to be.

[ But wait. There's something else he said that really catches Akechi's attention: ]

Yes, that is indeed what that machine is called. Have you really never seen one of those before?

[ Could this guy be a native? ]

ii

[appraiser]

[ Akechi's surprise companion isn't exactly human, but even as a Shadow, Ryoji passes enough as one. The shadows are what he stuck to since there's little choice in a forest, but he's a little surprised that Akechi noticed him at all; Ryoji's footsteps are light, barely enough to crunch leaves or bend twigs under his shoes, and he seems to drift along more than anything, his presence far back and then suddenly right behind Akechi. ]

Do you think there are dangerous things in the woods?

[ Safety wasn't Ryoji's concern. Nor was food, or... anything, really. He likes people. He saw one, and followed, simple as that. ]

[doublecrowss]

I would say danger lurks everywhere.

[ Is this a reference to Akechi himself, or to the unsettling feelings he gets from his newfound companion? It's hard to tell-- even harder than figuring out why a seemingly normal and completely ordinary human puts him at unrest.

Maybe it's just natural wariness of the unknown, but Akechi will keep a close eye on this guy in particular, either way. For now, however, he will resume his usual pleasantries; there are secrets of his own that must not come to light. ]

On the other hand, the fact that so many people have been captured against their will is quite a dangerous notion on its own. If we wish to get to the bottom of this, some risks must be taken.

3

[skatebird]

[ Yata's not exactly surprised that someone has walked into 'his' house - especially not since Akira straight up ripped their front door off its hinges - but he looks stunned at Akechi's question. ]

There's laptops here?!

[ Given that he's busy sorting through a small pile of canned good, it's clear that browsing the web is the last thing on his mind. ]

[doublecrowss]

[ Don't let him know about that, Yata. Akechi will have to profusely apologize for his friend's rude manners.

But in response to that question, Akechi briefly scans the room until he locates a couple of laptops on the floor, just next to what looks like may have been a coffee table, a long time ago. ] Right over there. [ He makes a motion of his head towards them. ] They seem to each only give access to one specific person, though. You might want to check and see if you can find yours.

[ And there's something else here: ] You seem to have made an important discovery of your own, though. Where did you find those cans, if you don't mind my asking?