adsum: (Default)
adsum ([personal profile] adsum) wrote in [community profile] yogen2021-06-05 07:54 am

June Event


hello

You open your eyes.

And you scream.

Four long gashes tear your sleeve to ribbons and arm to searing pain, something sharp clamps down on your ankle and sinks into flesh and bone, down the hall another student dangles half a foot off the ground with their hair slowly separating from their scalp, and littered across the floor are bodies pooling blood and occasionally twitching— not in a last bid for life, but in the way strips of skin and muscle and fabric pull away from a person's limbs when several dozen invisible hungry imps have decided they don't want to be banished and would rather feast on the blood of their enemies if that's what it takes to survive.

For every instance of blood that touches the floor, the school pitches and transforms into a dilapidated version of itself, what npcs that were in the hall with you turning into shadow versions of themselves and taking hold of the fallen bodies to drag them to the auditorium. There, the empty room is pitch black. There, the threshold at the doorway crumbles and expands with each shadow that stands and feeds the void another sacrifice. In this school, in its darkness and its silence and its faceless students that cannot be touched, you may at least find some reprieve from the imps that do not exist, find fresh water flowing from the bathroom sinks, and scenes of normal school life playing out in the cracked mirrors that if you break even further you find that you return.

You open your eyes, and no time has passed. Something invisible tears open a student's throat, so close you can see their vocal cords bright white and vibrating as they scream. Blood splatters on the ground, and the school pitches and turns once again.

hi

For each fallen student, a new one transfers in to replace them. Between the student council election and the imp infestation, more and more you seem to be surrounded by unfamiliar faces. The contrast is stark between those veteran students with bandaged arms and a limp to their stride and long sleeves and pants despite the growing heat, and those students with bright and smiling faces, the ones who coo over the cats and share their lunches with anybody who looks hungry and sit in small groups outside by the wisteria tree to chat during breaks, ignorant of what keeps it fed.

With all the new transfer students, many teachers have decided to assign group projects for their classes: poster presentations on their favorite myth or legend, short skits portraying famous historical scenes, and, everybody say thank you Cain and Kelly, taking care of flour sack babies. Projects are by homeroom and can be done in groups of 2-4, because sometimes a family is a dad and a dad and a wine aunt and a dog. The projects are all due at the end of the month, and if you're able to keep your flour sack baby from being turned into a cake or torn apart by imps, you may notice that they start to feel... warm... after one week. At the end of the second week, they begin to make short, quiet noises— a gurgle, a breath, a whine. At the end of the third week, while you're cradling the sack in your arms, you swear it moves. At the end of the fourth week, well. The project is over. Maybe it'll hatch? Let me know if you make it.

can you hear me?

The veteran students don't seem very keen on working with transfer students who make excuses about not wanting to work outside of school, but newer students are more willing, eager to meet people and get to know them and learn about the school. They gravitate towards the bulletin board to check out the class ranks, new clubs, a new section on the board with several dozen slips of colored paper tacked onto it and a little container below containing blank slips and a pen so you can add your own wishes:
"I want to be normal. --XX, 1-A"
 "I want to live. --XX, 2-B" 
 "I want my friends back. --XX, 3-D" 
 "I want life to go back to normal. --XX, 2-A" 
 "I want my brother back. --XX, 2-A" 
 "I want more power. --XX, 1-A" 
 "I want to be loved. --XX, 1-B" 
 "I want to fix the past. --XX, 2-A" 
 "I want to find my family. --XX, 3-B" 
 "I want to be loved. --XX, 2-A" 
 "I want a normal life. --XX, 1-A" 
 "I want my brother back. --XX, 2-B" 
 "I want to see my family. --XX, 1-C" 
 "I want to die. --XX, 2-D" 
 "I want my friends back. --XX, 2-D" 
 "I want to fix the past. --XX, 3-D" 
 "I want freedom. --XX, 1-D" 
 "I want to live. --XX, 1-C" 
 "LUNCH DATE WITH IZUMI SENA!!! --XX, 1-A" 
 "I want to be strong. --XX, 2-E" 
 "I want freedom. --XX, 3-E" 
 "I want to live. --XX, 2-E" 
 "I want to die. --XX, 3-E" 
 "I want to remember. --XX, 3-C" 
Wishes are meant to be granted, but... Some of the newer students make an attempt at being a little more realistic and add things like "I want the answers to next week's math exam" and "I want a pony" and do check the board occasionally, so it never hurts to leave a wish of your own.

That's certainly the thought as the month goes on and there are more and more wishes for the construction in the clock tower stairwell to hurry up and finish already, as the entire month of June, from 6AM to 6PM, six days a week, the sounds of drilling and hammering and screaming and sawing can be heard in the stairwell despite no construction workers being seen entering or exiting the school. The clock tower itself is inaccessible while the stairs are being taken down and replaced with a brand new elevator— veteran students are particularly grateful, because it's hard to climb stairs and go to class when your shin is splintered and a thin layer of bandage is the only thing keeping your guts from spilling out onto the floor.

In the evening after the npcs leave, characters are able to open the doors on the second and fourth floors to find... that nothing looks any different. On the first floor, however, a set of elevator doors has been installed right by the front doors, and while the button to open the doors don't work, they can be wrenched apart and entered, revealing a barren space with metal walls, a clock hung on the back wall that ticks backwards, and too many buttons on the panel by the double doors. Most buttons are white, numbered -6 to 27 though out of order and not all the numbers are there. Some are black, one is red, neither colors having symbols etched into them. None of the buttons work when pressed.

Not yet.

it'll be alright

Until then, the clock tower can be reached as normal up several flights of stairs, the room at the very top bright and sunny with clock faces in the glass on all four sides, floorboards stained copper red and the air thick and difficult to breathe. For some, it's still worth it for the view of the wisteria tree in perpetual bloom in the courtyard below, especially as the heat and humidity of summer approaches and with it comes clouds of gnats that have taken up residence in the courtyard, hovering over puddles of light pink water left over from watering the courtyard overnight. Classes are no longer held outdoors, as teachers find it impossible to speak without gnats entering their mouths at any given opportunity, and the heat inside the school becomes near unbearable towards the latter half of the month as there is no air conditioning and teachers hesitate to open their windows. The homeroom teachers in 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C made that mistake once, opening the windows facing the courtyard and the gnats had gotten in, little homing missiles to their favorite food: blood, sweat, and tears. But if you don't cry, sweat, or bleed and aren't afraid of the gnats squeezing their way through the mesh screen in the windows, it can be nice to sit by the window and hope a breeze comes your way.

Those in classes 3-A, 3-B, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, and all of the first year classes can find that they're able to open the windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C to enjoy the breeze, but find an invisible barrier blocking their way and preventing any part of them from reaching out into the open space. 3-A, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, 1-B, 1-D, and 1-E are able to remove the screen and exit through those windows facing the courtyard, keeping in mind it is the 3rd and 4th floors and they will have to climb back up to reenter the school. 2-C, 1-B, and 1-D can go a step further and find that the front door to the school opens for them, except when they try to leave, they run into an invisible barrier, unable to take another step out the door. But they can stand there and take in the sight of the school gates in the near distance, of the forest just beyond, of the npc students slipping past them on their way to and from home. At this threshold it is chilly despite the heat that smothers the school in waves, the air is fresh, invigorating, and when the sun passes overhead you swear you can feel it staring.

OOC

✽ Sometimes you summon murder imps and you gotta get rid of them yourselves. The imps are invisible unless supernatural sight (eg Nene, Clamor) or form (eg Moriarty, Sherlock) is regained, or are seen through an adder stone (possessed by Arthur, Gundham), but can still be fought either way through physical or magical means, or banished with the proper materials. They will NOT be rampaging and attacking everybody all the time, so this prompt is avoidable if you'd rather not, but they will gravitate towards 1) students who are alone, and 2) areas where there is already bloodshed happening.
✽ For the flour sack group project, groups are by homeroom and can number between 2-4 students. You may also assume npc students are part of your group if you wish.
✽ Characters may notice that physically, an elevator can't make sense without demolishing the first floor locker area, and they will have to accept the fact that not everything will make sense, and that sometimes, Ori just does not want to redraw floorplans. The elevator will be functional starting next month, maybe.
✽ Only windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C can be opened by characters in classes that have gained at least one class rank to date. Those classes that gained at least one class rank last month are able to exit out the windows facing the courtyard only. Those classes with 30 or more ranks are able to open the front door to the school but not exit through it. To anybody else watching them open the door, they will see that character turn into a shadow and go through the motions of opening the door without exiting, exactly how npc students appear when they enter and exit the school.
crystallomancy: (109)

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-06 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
( NENE... PRECIOUS... he's surprised and pleased when he opens it, a smile flitting to his face automatically. )

This is quite adoraBLE, Little Lamb ♪ ( so cute... ) I'm not sure I can eat IT.
mermaidcursed: (039)

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
Aw, but I put so much work into it!!

( giggling, nene just smiles up at him. all in all, probably not the cute he truly wanted... but who's complaining? )
crystallomancy: (075)

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-06 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
( Oh, she's definitely a cute girl — this qualifies, don't worry, don't worry. )

Is that SO? Then I'll eat every last bite ♪ ( ♥♥♥ hanakokuns dont interact ♥♥♥ ) They say a meal made with love tastes especially GOOD... and I know that sharing it with someone you adore equally as much makes it taste even betTER. Would you share it with ME, Little Lamb?

( ♥♥♥ HANAKOKUNS DONT INTERACT ♥♥♥ )
commences: (pic♯14928673)

[personal profile] commences 2021-06-06 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
( takes it when he isn't looking. )
crystallomancy: (006)

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-06 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
( IGNORING )
mermaidcursed: (004)

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! Okay! But you gotta have the real good stuff, okay? It was made for you, after all.

( but yeah she's gonna sit down with him, perfectly happy! )
crystallomancy: (002)

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-06 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
( yes, and he gets a cute lunch date... score natsume 1, score anyone else 0 )

NaturalLY. ( how far can he push this......... ) ...Do you want to hear another secret to making food taste even betTER?
mermaidcursed: (010)

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
( another secret...? )

What do you mean?

( that's a yes! )
crystallomancy: (115)

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-06 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
You feed it to each oTHER.

( (: )
mermaidcursed: (005)

1/???

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 06:10 am (UTC)(link)
( oh, that makes sense- )
mermaidcursed: (036)

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 06:10 am (UTC)(link)

mermaidcursed: (116)

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 06:10 am (UTC)(link)

mermaidcursed: (043)

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
( WAIT WHAT OH GOSH- don't mind her fretting or how she immediately turns bright pink once what he's said actually hits her. )
mermaidcursed: (095)

/end. she's delicate when it comes to this....

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
S-Sakasaki-senpai?!
crystallomancy: (043)

baby.......

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-06 10:42 am (UTC)(link)
( ...he can't help it, he's laughing - not in a Mean way, but softer. amused but no ill intent. )

I'm only poking fun at YOU, Little Lamb, though it's not untrue eiTHER. ( patting her head...! ) We can share it normalLY, don't worRY.
mermaidcursed: (113)

i love them so much

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-06 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Sakasaki-senpai is kind of shameless, huh....

( she's pouting, flustered still, as she says this. as her heartbeat evens out again, nene sighs and shakes her head. what a dangerous boy!! any girl he likes will have to watch out!!!! after a moment though, she giggles. it was pretty funny. )
crystallomancy: (076)

"what a dangerous boy" nene gets it

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-06 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Only when it comes to cute GIRLS.

( shameless... he's used that as an insult so it feels a little mean to be called it, but she isn't wrong.....

he'll try some though, if this were a video game you'd see the ♪ box over his head )


...You'd make a good WIFE, Little Lamb.
mermaidcursed: (110)

it's why i need to bully him!!!! nene's too nice but i need to!!!!

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-07 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
I meeeeeeean... ( she doesn't really talk about this sort of thing here in yogen. there's so much more going on, all of it infinintly more important, so... )

I wanna be! All my life I've wanted a storybook romance, y'know? ... ( and then, in a stage whisper- ) I could do without being cursed though.
crystallomancy: (002)

felt!!

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-07 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
( heheh. stage whispering back: )

Being cursed means you get a handsome prince to break IT. True love's first KISS, I believe it GOES, though I'm not a big reader of fairy-tales mySELF.
mermaidcursed: (004)

soon!!!! soon he will have to deal with Her!!!

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-07 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
( ah- would she want her curse broken...? the whole... fish thing was inconvenient on every level, but. she wasn't actually sure she wanted the bond broken. maybe it'd have to be, eventually- she wasn't going to be fifteen forever, after all. but what would she do then?

despite these thoughts, she just smiles that sweet smile of hers and nods conspiratorially. )


Those aren't even the really good ones anyways... But I used to dream about princes and stuff. ( when did she stop? ) It's just... y'know, stuff keeps happening.

Like, uh. All of this?
crystallomancy: (061)

EXCITED!!

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-07 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
( a shame he's no prince and could never be. )

Do you think love can even bloom on the battleFIELD? ( this is rhetorical, he's continuing on after a moment: ) People can fall in love at any time and in any PLACE. While it might not be in your best interests to pursue anything HERE, given how things WORK, I wouldn't close yourself off completely from the possibiliTY.

( ...eating a little more— )

It's important to take your happiness where you can find IT.
mermaidcursed: (035)

imagine if jinx actually taught natsume real magic oh god

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-07 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
( the princes in her life were kind of full of shit anyways. )

Ah... I mean, you're right... I think, these sorts of things it's better to just let happen, though? ( it's not like anything good comes of it when she goes chasing... or maybe that's just a societal thing because girls being forward or 'aggressive' is considered bad, actually. who knows! ) ... Is there anything you'd like to happen?
crystallomancy: (010)

every time i think about natsume learning real magic i get both excited and like "oh godddddd"

[personal profile] crystallomancy 2021-06-08 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
( date the magician instead- )

That I'd like to hapPEN...? ( ...he doesn't know; for all his teasing and commentary, he hasn't actually thought about it. he does now though, frowning around his chopsticks... ) A love confesSION.

( which is weirdly ordinary, maybe, but natsume sakasaki at heart is a both a romantic and also a teenage boy. he also thinks he could stand one and not get embarrassed by it at all, which newsflash, asshole! you are not immune! )
mermaidcursed: (038)

I THINK I HAVE TO DO IT... I THINK I GOTTA

[personal profile] mermaidcursed 2021-06-08 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
( HAS HE BEEN LEGITIMATELY HITTING ON HER THE WHOLE TIME AND NEITHER SHE NOR I REALIZED IT BC WE'RE BIG DUMMIES... not natsume getting in on it too omg...



nene is quiet for a moment, because she understands. since the day she first picked up a shoujo manga, she's dreamed of a romance to rival all the greatest stories. so she just nods, because... well. her too. maybe someday. )


You'll definitely get one, I think.

( it's natsume after all! )
Edited 2021-06-08 03:43 (UTC)

HOWLING...

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FACE IN HANDS.........

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