don't say a word while we dance with the devil

[beguiledcard]

FEATURING: akira, akechi, kurama, sora + anyone wanting to go on a field trip to another reality where there are monsters that aren't Sound Eaters

for the Metaverse prompt, people are welcome and encouraged to make their own own toplevels!!!
WHAT'S HAPPENING? akira was given some awful drinks + he's learning to cook! PLUS METAVERSE THINGS...
DAY 076 - 090 ( 04/01 - 04/14 ) for now
CONTENT WARNINGS: nothing in prompts; subject lines will be marked appropriately, especially for metaverse things
NOTES: PLEASE READ THE BOTTOM if you're throwing your dude(s) at the Metaverse prompt.

otherwise, pp / ping me at skiesonfire ) if you have any questions / concerns!

april fool

[ He's never been big on pranking people - well, more like... he's never been given the chance...

Yet, the thought to give it a try comes to him after he tries drinking one of the bottles of... "fruit juice" he was given. Biiiig mistake, on his part. Fortunately ( "fortunately" ), he recognizes the taste. It's a familiar kind of bitter that he used to drink, back home.

There's a thought of seeing how a select few others might feel about it. Which is how some of said people find the bottle with a note that says who it's for ( and who it's from, because hE AIN'T SCARED ) attached to it. Others? Well, they'll find themselves being directly handed these drinks.

And he is wearing a perfectly casual expression as he does so. ]

cooking with ignis

[ While there is a part of him considering handing Ignis one of those drinks, it's for much more ( genuinely ) innocent reasons he's contacting the older man. After asking him over to his house, he's straightening the kitchen up and setting everything up.

He wants to learn how to cook more things, and he believes it's time to get those lessons from ( what he assumes is ) a professional. Currently, he has plenty of ingredients, thanks to Santa, so there are options.

As he waits for Ignis to arrive, he's working on some coffee - it's not the exact same thing as Leblanc, but it's at least a fairly close replication, based on his own descriptions. In the meantime, he's sipping some tea that he did a much better job at making, this time around. Maybe he'll eventually get the hang of making a cup that's remotely similar, in quality, to his coffee. ]

fight like you're gods and monsters

[ He's been curious ever since he saw the icon - it shouldn't be there. For one, this isn't even his version of Earth. For another......

... Well, anyway. It's after deciding to finally give this a go, he contacts the people he knows are either involved with Personas or have at least one of them: Akechi, Sora, and Kurama.

Dimly, he's amused that this technically makes up a full party...

In any case, it's after suggesting they go to the Reset Room to do this, they activate the MetaNav, and-- ]



(( NOTE: check below for specific Metaverse prompts / proper location description!!! EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO MAKE THEIR OWN TOPLEVELS

i'm honestly just going to be doing this as an actual dungeon option, so there will be monsters AKA Shadows ( including a boss-level Shadow towards the end ).

if anyone wants help with setting up a Shadow fight or help with the setting, in general, beyond the base that i will have typed up, please put "NPC PING" or "SETTING PING" in the subject line.

i'll gladly NPC the Shadow or toss some maze info at any thread, any time ( within reason; i will prioritize these pings for the first part of this month ). ))

Comments

m e m e n t o s . . .

[beguiledcard]

QUESTIONS

[beguiledcard]

Please direct all questions regarding the Metaverse prompt here!!!

[stealyoursoul]

SO. Being completely canon-blind, excuse me for sounding like a derp. But if I'm reading right, appearances change while in the Metaverse. Exactly how dramatic are those changes? Because Leo here, he's actually very proud of being a Sunai monster, so while he looks human most of the time, what he prefers looking as is his true self, which looks something like this smoke and fire demonic monster.

[beguiledcard]

You definitely don't sound like a derp! Given that it's a world that pulls in people with so many supernatural skills, it would make sense to me.

But, since that's usually something only Persona users can do, I'm not sure how the mods would want to approach this. I shot a question their way (while finally getting back to them on something else, because I'm good at things).

I'll paste the answer in here as soon as I get it!

thank you for waiting;; birthday things came up and i wound up forgetting /sweats

[beguiledcard]

According to this, clothing can be changed in in the Metaverse!

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS | entrance

[beguiledcard]

It happens in the time it takes to blink...

Regardless of what they were doing or who they were talking to, they're now standing somewhere that's clearly underground. A place that looks to be covered in a combination of red dust and sand ( even the walls are covered in a combination of the two, and it's not clear how the sand is remaining in place ).

At first, during whatever span of time they might have been holding their breath, it's quite possible they only heard total silence...

Silence that is shattered by the first movement.

Maybe it's a brush of fabric against fabric, maybe it's an inhale, an exhale. No matter what it is, it should be easy to discover that all things that would normally be a source of low-volume sound, suddenly carries much more weight. Could it be that they're underground? Surely that's all it is...

The only thing that doesn't make considerable noise is walking.

For some strange reason, the ground feels softer than it visibly should, given they're walking on dirt in some areas of the entrance, and floorboards in others.

It won't take long to notice that this is simply the entrance. Each open doorway leads to nothing more than a long-stretching, red hallway. The hallway eventually leads to a very large and very metal door, but maybe they're noticing something else first...

The closer they get to the door, the louder their breathing seems to grow, the more obvious it is that their clothing is rustling against their bodies... What's more, it appears there is a very thick trail of blood that seems to be coming away from the door, in their direction...

It's clear the door is heavy, but it's not impossible for a person brimming with determination to open it...

>head inside?

[priwen]

[ ooc: i'm flexible with these prompts but they will be on 4/2 and maybe 4/3 as alex is heading to paris on 4/5! ]

enter night;

[ given his abilities at healing and combat, alex had volunteered to come along to assist and explore something that seemed interesting to him. perhaps, by entering such a space, he would acquire a greater understanding of this world and how it worked. it seemed like a good idea at that time...

... though, his appearance changes the moment they load into the metaverse. a dark aura springs up around him, wisps of black and murky red swirling around him like veins of solid smoke. alex almost doubles over, but catches himself in time.

slim fingers tear at his collar, and he unbuttons it with a clear fumble. a tug produces two crystals strung on a chain from under his shirt - one octahedral and glowing with a lambent blue, while the other is in the shape of a triangle and bears foreboding spikes. it gives off a strong red glow, enough to almost cover up the soft illumination of its companion.

the crystal burns. it's burned before, in the presence of others - but never like this. it is painful to touch, at least for him - these caustic emotions are usually kept in check by the holy light of the paladin crystal. but not here. ]

.... what?

[ a question for the stones in his hand. ]

later;

[ wildcard prompt! let's go beat up some shadows.

alex will be channeling his dark knight magic in the mementoes, as it is amplified by the general negative atmosphere around him. feel free to have your character ask about it, as his abilities will revolve around distinctively 'edgy' and red-black auras for weaponry as opposed to the holy magic that he usually uses. he can also shield.

hit me up on plurk or pm for custom starters! ]

enter night

[justbeingknife]

You all right?

[ Majima looked much the same as he always did... save for the violet flames pouring off of his body. It was fine. ]

More of that magic junk givin' ya trouble?

[priwen]

[ odd eyes flick over to the flames wreathing off majima's own body, then up to his face. alex's own expression is tense, and it's clear now more than any other time that he is trying to suppress a great deal of pain.

should majima come closer, he might even hear the whispers that accompany the dark aura strangling him. they are not good whispers.

fear, anguish, vengeance, bloody murder. the screams of this world mingle with the darkness in his crystal, cuts lurid pain into the back of his skull. yet: ]

What happened to you?

Enter Night

[stealyoursoul]

[Well, at least Leo's found someone in this place now. As for him, his appearance looks like a cross between his human form and true form. His lower arms and hands are made of smoke and shadow, tinged at the edges with fire, while claws tip his fingers. He's also got a pair of bat-like wings and a long tail made out of the same substances. The tail lashes back and forth behind him as a sign of his agitation as he pulls out his device, typing a lot more delicately than he usually does.]

This has all been very entertaining, but is there any way to leave this party?

[priwen]

[ there's a marked tension in alex's frame, but he doesn't move to attack leo on first sight. instead, he waits and watches; relaxing a little once leo pulls out his device, but not by much. ]

There's an exit here somewhere, but the place changes. I don't know where it is anymore.

You're Leo, right?

[ he looks at the other man with a pinched expression. if leo comes closer, he might be able to hear whispers from the flames wreathing his form - voices of vengeance and pain. bad thoughts. ]

[stealyoursoul]

Down the Rabbit Hole

[One minute, Leo is walking by the Reset Room and the next he's in a new place. Is this what his life has become now? Just randomly getting snatched up and tossed into new scenarios all the time? He looks down at himself and gets a moment of being startled. He's still mostly human, but there's some key differences.

His hands and lower arms have shifted from the usual human flesh and blood, covered with black tattoo-like crosses, into that of his true form. It's one made of smoke and shadow, ringed with fire at the edges, and tipped with claws at the edges of his fingertips. He also feels the balance has shifted behind him. Turning his head, he can see the edges of his wings and tail, both made of the same strange substance. He's able to shift parts of his body in the real world, but usually only one at a time. This half and half business is something else he's never seen before. This is why it would have been useful to get an instruction manual with his powers.

He flexes his wings back and forth while his long tail lashes behind him. Only one thing to do really and that's to see if he can find anyone else in this underground lair. He sets off towards the door, heedless of the trail of blood leading out of it.]

Wildcard

[Let me know if you want anything different with Leo. PM or poke me at Light_shade

TEAM ONE... aka the people responsible for ruining some people's day

[beguiledcard]

[byanyother_name]

[The differences are eerie. Kurama is already forming a certain habit of not breathing here in Reims, unless he's somewhere safely soundproofed. But the normally quiet rustle of his long, green bondage coat is disturbingly loud.

And he's far too aware that they don't know yet if the Sound Eaters can manifest within this new Metaverse.

He shakes his head a little, pulling out his device even though he's not sure how much hope they have of keeping things quiet long. Shadows haven't exactly bothered to keep their voices down before. Then again, new Mementos, new rules, perhaps.]

Joker... I realize it's unlikely and I hope it's not the case, but there isn't a Velvet Room door here, is there?

[That sent, he might as well prepare for leaving the entranceway. Kurama closes his eyes for a moment, and a massive white-silver fox almost seems to slink out of his body, its four tails a strangely two-dimensional tribal design in dark green that nonetheless move as if they're a living part of the fox's body. The fox comes up to Kurama's waist, tall enough for him to easily lay a hand on the gleaming fur.]

[skyofreverie]

[It looks different from the way Hinoto-Ri was set up. More dark and dreary - more like the 13th hour and he very nearly expects something to come running up to attack them at any minute. Which is exactly why Sora is summoning his Keyblade and resting it against his shoulder. Prepared to fight with his weapon more than the Persona he's had for almost a year now.

With his other hand, Sora pulls out his own 'berry to communicate.]

Think any Sound Eaters came through? We could probably test it somehow.

[He's got long-distance attacks so they could set up some kind of object for him to smash from a safe distance.]

[lowkeycrazy]

[With the way they have soundproofed rooms in some areas, Akechi's slowly become a little less skittish of sound, but when they come in here, not knowing if there are Sound Eaters, and every little sound they make seems to boom in their ears? Well, it's enough to make that paranoia creep back in, and he can't help but glance around— heh, as if he'd be able to see a Sound Eater coming.

There's, frankly, a lot happening at once— in between Kurama asking about a Velvet Room, summoning a strange fox-like creature from his body, and Sora summoning a keyblade...

At least no one's been attacked yet. The sounds are nearly disorientingly loud, but either this place's version of Mementos is somehow messing with their (his?) perceptions, or there aren't any Sound Eaters here.

Once the initial spike of adrenaline tapers off a bit, he realizes that he's in the Black Mask outfit... all the better, he supposes. They have no idea what the power level of the Shadows are in here; better to be safe than sorry.

There's also something else he notices in light of the enhanced sounds, and he glances between the three of them, stares at Kurama for a moment, then looks to his device before raising his right hand.]

That sounds like asking for trouble. And what's a Velvet Room?

[He finds himself glancing at the fox, taking a particular interest in its tails.]

It's cooking time

[ebonyengine]

[There's something about being asked to teach that makes brings Ignis a sense of joy. He can't really explain why. Perhaps it's because it makes him feel useful, helpful, and trusted.

When he arrives and is let in, he signs a greeting to Akira, taking in the stock of food.]

What were you interested in making today?

shrieks i must have deleted this notif when i was cleaning out the others kljsh

[beguiledcard]

[ Akira could relate to that... easily. And, if he knew he was helping brighten Ignis' day with this, it would make him happy.

There's a nod and a return greeting signed before he nods at the food. ]

Well... I was actually wondering if there's anything here that you could use to teach me a recipe from your world.

[ There are things that could be used to make several varieties of pasta dishes, as well as various types of sandwiches. Noel was very helpful! ]

Whatever we make, I'm delivering most of to some of the natives as a thank you for their help. Well, whatever isn't used for me, you, Akechi, Noel, and Nines, that is.

ape fool - in the clinic somewhere??

[twoaffirmations]

[Cleaning was pretty boring work, but as much as 9S complained and complained some more, he was happy to do it. Especially for Akira.

It was usually his job to clean and dispose of bio-hazardous material. After all, androids couldn't contract bacterial or viral infections! 9S was just coming back inside from emptying the said materials when he saw Akira in the doorway.]

Oh, hey Akira! I'm just about done, so... The next patience can come in whenever.

\o/

[beguiledcard]

[ There's a smile.

It's the kind that he often wears around Nines, honestly. By this point, he's slipped a couple of times in outright referring to the android as his best friend, in this place. ]

Nice work!

[ The smile shifts.

It holds a hint of mischievous air that's barely within range of being detectable. ]

Oh... by the way, I was given something by the natives. As it turns out, it's a drink that lot of humans consumed it during my time. [ HOLDING A BOTTLE OUT WITH THAT SMILE INTACT ] You should try it.

[twoaffirmations]

[9S still hasn't come to accept the title, but he corrects him with less frequency than before. It's kind of nice...even if he doesn't admit it.]

Thank you! [The gratitude is genuine, his voice pitching up excitedly at the praise. He's far too excited to notice the strangeness behind Akira's smile.]

A drink? [He accepts the bottom, curiously turning it over in his hands.] Are you sure you want me to drink this? Supplies are running low, and we androids don't really need to eat...

Closed to 9S! April 3rd

[lowkeycrazy]

[Surely there's nothing suspect about a bottle just sitting out in the open with his name written on it from Akira.

Something he'd gotten from the natives, perhaps, but why didn't he just... tell Akechi... or give it to him himself? He can't be that busy that he doesn't have time to hand him a drink. And knowing what day it was two days ago... well... it was two days ago, so...

...

He takes the bottle. It... appears to be sealed? Indeed, twisting off the cap does reveal it hasn't been opened prior.

Perhaps it really is just a gift?

His expression brightens up at the thought. It's a small thing, but... he's always appreciated gifts. Akira really is trying his best to make amends with Akechi, isn't he? He'd have to thank him later...

Time to take a taste...!]

[twoaffirmations]

[As long as Akechi was in the clinic, he was bound to run into 9S doing his cleaning duties at some point. He enters the cozy living area with a dustpan and broom in his hand, but stops to smile and greet his human companion.]

Hey, Akechi! What's that?

[lowkeycrazy]

[He blinks, then looks to 9S.]

Hello, 9S! Akira got me a drink.

[He looks so happy about this??? ... but then he... realizes something...]

... what's that smell...?

[............... his... drink.......?]

April Fools

[saltysanta]

[Noël has no reason to suspect foul play of any kind, when Akira offers him a drink. Why should he, when Akira cooks the majority of his meals and frequently serves people coffee? That it's fruit juice is new, but--well, finding bottled drinks is probably a stroke of good fortune around here. Akira's the sort of guy who would share the wealth.

Between that and his cast iron stomach, he still doesn't suspect anything, even when he takes a sip and finds the "juice" to be surprisingly bitter. He raises an eyebrow in surprise, giving it a good sniff and peering inside to check the color. It doesn't smell rotten, though green is usually a color he associates more with vegetables than with fruit.....

Well, if it's not rotting, it's probably safe unless it's actually made out of poisonous plants. Looks like this prank is a bit of a dud, Akira; he's eaten far worse, and is sipping the aojiru like any normal drink.]

Are you sure this is actually juice, and not some herbal remedy? It tastes a bit medicinal.