MOD LOG #3

[bequiet]

MOD LOG #3

Arriving in style
Content Warnings: Fighting, death, violence
Themes: Survival, plot

It's early in the day when it happens. The red dust that seems to be everywhere sweeps through the city streets, mixing with the steady patter of rain and making it hard to see and breathe. All red and leaving the taste of copper if inhaled, what could have been an easy day without any trouble quickly becomes anything but. While those in the community are heading for cover or finding ways to continue on through it, the new arrivals begin waking up in different cities all over the world. There won't be anyone to greet them, and leaving the room through the door is their choice - after doing so, they'll immediately step out into the city they were assigned. The streets are empty, houses abandoned, everything crumbling and in ruins. There will be signs noting their location, which they'll catch a glimpse of before a sharp push forward causes darkness to engulf them.

Waking up for the second time, in Reims but not in the Reset Room, they'll come to inside the red dust as it whips through the streets of the community. They won't be alone for long. Another person will be waking up beside them, and after a few moments of disorientation, try to attack. They might have weapons or use their hands, and they will not stop until they've taken a fatal blow. Their blood is dust, and they, along with their weapons, disintegrate after they've died. Can you stop them on your own? Will someone come to your aid?

The Sight of Lightning
Content Warnings: Poison, sex
Themes: Survival, plot

The day after the storm, the same red dust will find its way through Reims and come into contact with every person. Since the dust is everywhere, some might not notice that it's floating through the community and know that something is off. The effects don't begin until night fall, where everyone will feel the desire to seek out companionship of many different kinds. Though it is not always the case, the people that saw each other in color will "want" to be with that person more strongly than they might already, and will be more likely to confess or do something about it. Some might feel an intense need to be around another person, though not necessarily sexually - almost as if they need that person around them to be happy or content. For some, it might be a desire that can only be fulfilled by more than one person.

The effects wear off the next time the person gets wet. This can be a splash of water across the face or fully submerged. Or even drinking something.

OOC
From your mods:

Please be mindful of content - if something triggery comes up or if it goes up a rating to say, something sexy, mark your threads in the subject line. We're very flexible and allow any material; we just want our players to be respectful of each other. If you have questions, pp the mod account, use the faq or comment to the appropriate post below. Have fun! The OOC Plotting Post.

NAVIGATION

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Comments

[criticality]

[ The fact that her voice seems so terribly normal is hard for him to wrap his head around. She doesn't sound like she's getting any particular thrill from this. It's almost like a detached stance of professionalism. He grimaces as a spike of pain goes through his leg. Knowing that he really shouldn't engage, he does it anyway. ]

Of course. Sympathy is the only thing keeping us from being beasts. He--

[ It? He wasn't so sure now. It had seemed so clear cut to rescue a person. But if it was a Sound Eater... ]

... That was unnecessary.

[rakuyo]

I showed him mercy. He has been spared his beasthood, good sir. [she sounds downright proper, stately even, considering the situation. Vash is correct, there's no thrill, no fun for her in the kill. She's doing a duty.]

Would you too turn to dust?

[criticality]

That wasn't a beast... that..

[ But again, he's given pause. He is highly suspicious of what the red dust means, and how it can potentially turn humans in to... that. His face twists again and he sinks his hand into the mud. ]

No. I would bleed and break.

[ He sounds resigned but he's not so sure she's actually going to attack now. He's searching her face for any hint of compassion, really. Maybe there was hope talking this through. ]

[rakuyo]

[The compassion he seeks, he finds. Maria's face finds that tinge of remorse she so distinctly lacked beforehand. It's a condescending kind of care, however, seeing a pity and taking it upon herself to have mercy. Emotional and frail with conviction, she thinks. A sad state to be, honestly.]

I shan't leave you in desperate straights, nor deny you a swift death. Which shall it be?

[criticality]

[ He sags a little on the ground, upset that he doesn't have the means or strength to put up a proper argument and that he is essentially in her care. Unless he uses powers that he has no desire ever coming into contact with again. He shakes his head slowly, clearly not enjoying the last option. ]

Of course I don't want to die. Who would want that?

[ He sounds so very sad when he says it. He struggles to a crawling position, careful not to put any weight on his leg. ]

I need to get indoors. Before the rain stops. Or we will both definitely die.

[ It's his round about way of asking for help. ]

[rakuyo]

[Maria could certainly answer his question, but she stays silent, nodding in response. She had been the aid to far more wretched individuals than Vash was. Her duty, ultimately, to put them down when they failed their task. She wouldn't mind doing the same for him, if he wished it.

Leaning down, she places her hands under Vash and hefts him to his feet. She'll stand to his injured side, allowing him an arm over her shoulder. She realizes late he didn't have the other one. If she had caught the fact earlier, maybe she would have gone easier.

She'll need to lean down some, since he wasn't so tall as her. She could try and carry him over her own shoulder, but it injured from the knife wound and Vash was still heavy, this would have to do. It would also make him easier to toss aside, if another assailent needed to be dispatched.]

Do you know the way to safety?

[criticality]

[ He groans a bit as his body is suddenly tugged upright. Every bump and smashed knee cap is on fire and he feels incredibly beaten. It's been a theme since arriving here. He glances down and does notice the blood on her dark clothes. She is hurt and carrying him at the same time. He feels guilty but what he said was true; if they don't beat the rain and continue fighting the Sound Eaters would come and then they would be dead brawlers walking. ]

Are you all right? Am I too heavy for you?

[ And despite the fact that just moments before she was going to kill him, he is still thinking of her well being. Wolfwood would be furious.

He nods and points down a street. ]

Five minute walk that way. A place that has brown shutters and a red door. It's my apartment. It's safe there.

[rakuyo]

You are not. [she says, simple and stunted, if earnest in tone. Maria simply thought Vash was being prideful, might not want such help from his own attacker, but she won't be dissuaded. Arriving at the apartment, fortunately without any incident or encounter with more madmen. She eyes to Vash to see if he will produce a key, though she has no issue kicking a door if that is what's required.]

[criticality]

[ He goes quiet and just limps along beside her. He never use to be this quiet. This place really has effected him in ways he hadn't realized.

He reaches for the doorknob and opens it. It's unlocked. He really has no need for a key, he has nothing of value in his home and for the most part he doesn't think anyone would attack anyone in this community without reason. Until this moment, anyway. Inside is an uncharacteristically clean space, everything neat and tucked away, as if at any given moment he was ready to pick up everything and flee. He drops down on a bed and groans into his hand. He runs his hand down his face and then looks at her. ]

It's totally sound proof in here. We can talk.

[ Does that mean anything to her? Does she know?

He gingerly inspects his leg trying to figure out in which way it's broken. ]

There's towels in the bathroom for your wound and there's whiskey in that cupboard. I think I need it.

[rakuyo]

[Maria doesn't fully grasp the desire for silence, but even once she's told of the sound eaters, it will seem a strange thing to her to be so fretful of. Death without consequence, why fear such a thing? For pain, maybe, those unfamiliar with it may fear as much... Maria's tolerance is clearly high in that regard, practically shrugging off the wound on her back.

After Vash is set aside, she nods at his instructions. Maria goes to the cupboard for the whiskey first, finding and taking along a single glass if she can find it. She brings it back to Vash, still wordless despite his assurance they could speak. It's the bathroom for her after that, getting a towel and slinging it over her back to cover the wound and soak up the blood. It should clot up just fine that way. Slow the bleeding, not stop it, but that's what she wants. There was more to hunt and the frenzy caused by bleeding was a valuable boost for her. She returns to Vash with another long, quiet, solemn look. This time, she does speak. Her voice is soft, kind even.]

If you are settled, I'll be on my way, good sir.