yogen | may missions

[ At midnight on the 20th, the sound of turning cogs and the ticking of the clock grows louder, then comes to an abrupt stop. The hands continue to move with the time, but no sound will be heard. It will no longer chime on the hour.

There have been notes appearing in the clock tower for some time now, the boards pulled up by someone, messages that seem to appear without rhyme or reason. Requests for help, hints and suggestions, but anything of real value seems to be lost in translation, scratched out and burned off and leaving those who view them to find the hidden message. How many of them were written by those those recently lost, and how many were found?

It's impossible to say, but there's one message in particular that should have drawn attention. It's like a little riddle, or perhaps a number sequence:

"Twenty four, twelve, zero."

There's only one time at which the day can be said to be all of these things at once.

Time marches on. ]

Edited 2022-05-13 23:36 (UTC)

[ The world seems to be slipping more and more as time goes on, the barriers becoming thinner. Those who wander too close to mirrors have found themselves grabbed by ghostly hands, pulled against them, but up until now they've been easy enough to shake off. If not that, then one can at least make an effor to avoid them.

But it's impossible to avoid them forever, and at some point during the day Himeko Inaba, Kiyotaka Ishimaru, Rantarou Amami, and Shin Tsukimi will all make the mistake of passing by one. Perhaps it'll be because the reflection catches their eye, showing some time and place that nonetheless seems familiar and nostalgic, or perhaps it's an effort to another place. One might even be brave enough to try and investigate them.

Why it happens doesn't matter, but the moment they stop for even an instant they'll find those hands reaching out and grabbing them. The grip is too tight now, impossible to break, and the movements too quick to possibly break free from. They'll be pulled against it, pulled against it, and there's the feeling of being pulled underwater as they're pulled through it.

Where they arrive is a room decorated in gray and silver, what they are greeted by is the sight of themselves reflected an infinite number of times in the surfaces of the room. The room might pass as a mirror image of the counselor's room, if not for the fact that the furniture, walls, ceiling, doors, and even the floor are all themselves mirrors.

Time marches on. ]

Edited 2022-05-13 22:51 (UTC)

[ The barrier between worlds seems to grow thinner and thinner with each passing day, and those who walk about the school have no doubt noticed it. The shadow figures are almost tangible by now, pieces of the school disappearing and reappearing. Those who are unlucky enough to take the wrong step sometimes find themselves falling right through the floor, only to find themselves right back where they started.

It's happening more and more, and at some point or another it seems to have taken two of their own. It was inevitable that others would be drawn into it as well, as four students will find. At some point throughout the day, Alice Yabusame, Childe, Nene Yashiro, and Noah Ebalon will all find themselves slipping. It doesn't matter where they are, whether it's in the auditorium or the forest, the ground beneath them seems to disappear and fall away. There's a feeling of weightlessness, of the world falling away, and complete and total darkness.

For those who are familiar with it, they should be able to recognize this empty space as the void, and with any luck all four of them will have a mirror that they can snap in an effort to return to where they came from - if that will even work now. Who can say when the world itself seems to be collapsing on itself? Still, there's only one way to find out.

Time marches on. ]

Edited 2022-05-13 23:15 (UTC)

[I came in here to establish that Noah lands on all fours like a cat and looks around like !!

thanks]

( hey. hi. hello. you know what sucks? pausing because of a sudden dizzy spell that's been happening more and more this month because your stomach's feeling icky and then suddenly nonsensical void. was there blood? no. of course not. this school is bullshit and someday nene will say a swear outloud instead of just thinking them while trying to cope with anger, confusion and fear at a situation.

she can sort of make out the others, at least, though she doesn't think she likes the idea of landing on something too well- so nene will indeed try to use a mirror shard to escape the void. )

Twenty four, twelve, and zero! ♪

[ he repeats off the message on his pda, and then he's handing the slip over to ranger, he'll do better in keeping things safe compared to how animalistic dito can be (in only caring about his weapons), and bonnie portrays herself as the young and cute individual with a sunny personality, but a nasty bite beneath. there's no need to make her carry the message when she has a basket to hold onto, and midori is just a considerate guy so thoughtful of women, a feminist. ]

Anyone want to take a guess, you can only offer one answer.

[ why are they all at the clock tower, well, isn't it odd for it to stop so abruptly? his eyes do glance over the massive clock nearby, and then to dito who he's going to choose out of random because he just doesn't do well staying in once place. ]

Except you, I have a better job. [ with a smile, midori holds up the pda in front of dito's face so that he can see. ] Go inside the clock to see if there's anything clogging the wheels, it's always exciting to learn new things, Dito!

Edited (EXCITED TO BE THE BOSS WHO FORGETS WE CANT TALK AT 12) 2022-05-14 00:20 (UTC)

[Something's been up with the mirrors... At this point it's clear it's just going to get worse if something isn't done, but reacting just in time to dodge a spectral hand hit the limit of Shin's willingness to investigate in that direction.

They're easy to avoid in some senses, and difficult in others, especially given Shin's penchant for cleanliness. It was only for a moment, stopping at a flash of spring green out the corner of his eyes, an unfamiliar empty room with the edge of someone leaving it and a crumbling ceiling... he blinks, and that's too much time. Cold hands below a familiar silhouette reach out and have him by the arm, the scarf, and he's as incapable of fighting the pull as he was against Maple, getting sucked in and drowned with a cry.

He doesn't know why that feels familiar, if off, as well. The sense of disorientation lingers when his feet once more settle on floor, not helped by the myriad reflections of himself scattered across every available surface, like he was smashed apart on landing here.

He shivers, drawing his scarf up to his face and hunching in. It's so cold, it feels like it's gone down into his bones and stuck his teeth together.]

T-this again...

[High-alert stress fights up against the pressing urge to find somewhere to curl up and sleep. Is there a smell of vanilla?]

Midnight.

[ A single word with no explanation, though he takes the slip for safekeeping. It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out the connection from there.

It is odd that it stopped so abrupt, especially after making so much noise... But for it to be making such a commotion, there must be something of interest in there. That aside, it's better than waiting for someone else to fix the problem. If they don't, who will? Still, he seems content enough to let his coworker take the lead on this one.

The time of night makes communicating a hassle though. ]

( amami is brave (read: stupid) enough to investigate them, and frankly, being dragged into one is probably about what he deserves. it isn't like he didn't see the signs coming — antagonism building over time as the reflections continued to twist and alter, and at least once he's found himself with his back pressed against the mirror as he struggles to shake off whatever it is that's tried to pull him in now. so there's a habit now of not turning his back on them, but even so, a moment's hesitation is all the time that's needed for him to stumble face-first instead when an icy grip wraps around his arm.

so he makes his way into the room with a stumble, bristling like a cat and quick to straighten himself out once his balance realigns.

sharp eyes sweep over the area, taking in countless reflections as he searches for the figures that are casting them. he pauses in recognition when they look over shin, sizing him up and down, and it might not be immediately apparent that his intention is to check that the other isn't injured when it comes to the impassive expression he wears. doesn't look like it though, so he'll let himself continue on. whether it's shin who answers, or someone else, it's probably important to establish first: )

You're not hurt, are you?

( he's not, so like, he's hoping they aren't. )

Wh... What in the world— No one was stabbed this time!

[ That's the first thing out of Alice's mouth upon getting his bearings — once he's picked himself up from the ground. A moment later, he does remember to keep his voice down, in case there's anything lurking in the darkness.

This is much worse than inexplicably falling through the floor without actually falling anywhere! He isn't thoroughly familiar with the void, but his last visit to this version of the school was more than enough exposure to it for him to want to hurry back to the normal one (relatively speaking) immediately. Who would wait around to be eaten by terrifying monsters or drown in mud or who knows what else?

At least there are other solid figures nearby, not shadows, and definitely not giant centipedes or other creatures... Some are rather small, but it seems they've survived the surprise and the rough landing. Still, while his eyes adjust, Alice's fingers fumble for his own mirror piece in a delayed, uneasy search. ]

...Who's there...?

[The sense of vertigo that happens as the ground opens beneath one's feet without warning is a sensation that Childe is overtly familiar with, and as he opens his eyes upon landing he half expects to be greeted by the sight of the gnarled roots of the great tree within the abyss. Instead, it's the familiarity of the void school itself that greets his sight, and he might have wandered off on his own to investigate had the voice not caught his attention.]

Sounding off. I come in peace.

[He brushes his palms off on his pants as he straightens, wiping at the corner of his mouth and letting his eyes flicker about.]

Anyone wanna fess up to triggering the reality shift?

[The sound of rustling and the displacement of air is what tips him off to Nene's impending arrival, and there's just enough time for him to hold his arms out in front of him to catch her safely within them.]

Edited (amity wanted a catch) 2022-05-14 01:57 (UTC)

[ as always, it's exceptionally annoying that they can't say jack shit as soon as the clock hits that time. yeah, sure, midnight. that doesn't tell dito anything except for the time of the clock's untimely interruption. he's standing there with his hands behind his head, not really taking this seriously as he sees midori typing a little too much on the pda. he's not doing that shit.

although it's not doing him any favors when midori's pda is in his face, and dito's narrowing his eyes at the message directed toward him before ultimately bringing a hand down to nudge the pda away. he opens his mouth, as if he's about to bitch about something— ...only to close it a second later as he remembers it's futile to even try. god.

he's not sure what the point of all this is. but if the hands are still moving, he can follow that it's definitely something obstructing the inside. given the size of the clock, it'd have to be something bigger too, yeah? dito's thinking about this, and considering the last time he found something in this clock was very, very fun, he supposes it won't hurt to check it out. even though he's not doing this out of any desire to fix it or anything. hell, isn't the entire mechanism of the thing behind rock-solid glass?

whatever. he'll toss a hand up in a dismissive wave as he makes head toward the inside of the clock to investigate. hopefully! it's something good! ]

It wasn't me for once.

[That's important to say. Because sometimes he is the one responsible. Noah dusts himself off coolly... he's here too much, to be honest.]

[After his experience with the mirrors last month, Ishimaru had been trying his best to avoid them when he could. The only things they were bringing him were bad, both physically and mentally.

But today, when he tried to stride past a mirror, he made the mistake of glancing at it. It had shown a reflection that seemed to contain a familiar sauna, billowing with manly stream. It drew him closer, made him hesitate just long enough to be grabbed and pulled right through!

Within the mirror room, Ishimaru grunts softly and rubs at his arm as he tries to process his new surroundings.]

Ah... [And he sees the familiar faces surrounding him, including a pair of green heads.] I- I am unharmed. What of the rest of you...? What... is going on...?

[ The mirror snaps and for several seconds, the world seems to blur and shift, and there's that same feeling of weightlessness before reforming itself into something visible and tangible. The group will be able to feel the floor beneath them once more. It seems that breaking a mirror will no longer save them, so the group had best take care.

The group is in the clock tower. If any of them had been here previously, they would know that even this area had been taken by the void by now, as it's begun to eat away at the left half of the school. Several of the floorboards have been ripped up, and there are black patches of shadow on the floor, matching those that had begun to appear in the school. ]

( nene almost misses the question- the world churns and it makes her stomach and head feel even worse and at least childe is there as something sturdy to lean against, and then it doesn't work. to make it clear, she carefully shows the group the mirror piece snapped in two pieces- there's no way out.

after a moment though, she shakes her head and signs out something simple, that noah can translate for the rest: )

I saw no blood.

[Noah says "She says you're all a bunch of assholes and this sucks". Ok no he doesn't. He'll translate that for her though so that everyone else gets the meaning.

He himself then proceeds to sarcastically sign out "fuck" because obviously sickle Clamor is listening and will yell at him otherwise.]

I wasn't doing anything that would've set it off. It's... probably a result of the shadows that have been pulling at us around the school. Like... the mirrors have been. [Is that explanation helpful?]

( they've been leaving her alone for the most part... did she just get unlucky, then? )

Edited 2022-05-14 03:38 (UTC)

[He’s not even going to hide how the fact that they don’t seem to have an escape route this time somehow manages to make him seem excited rather than worried, and he gives a thoughtful hum as he carefully sets Nene down onto her feet. He keeps one hand out to steady her, his eyes looking Noah over for just a moment to double check that he’s alright before he’s addressing the group once more.]

We’ve probably been chosen for something, then! Anyone got any ideas? It might be a good call to make our way to the source. Down to the auditorium, see if anything’s changed?

[ She was more eager to let others deal with the riddle aspect. The idea was fun, but it wasn't interesting enough for her to really care much about it. Midnight, then. It does make sense, but it's still practically worthless unless they can figure out what the hell "midnight" has to do with anything.

Honestly. Just zap the damn thing already and let's get on with it. She wishes she could say that, but no sound comes out-- frustrating.

Perhaps feeling a bit antsy, she holds her hands behind her back, looking between Midori and Dito before deciding to hover a bit over the latter's shoulder. Curious, curious... ]

Edited 2022-05-14 03:59 (UTC)

Chosen...

[ The fact that they can't leave is alarming on its own, but knowing that Nene Yashiro has seemed unwell lately, and apparently isn't doing any better now, here, is even more so. Their surroundings aren't entirely obscured anymore, if nothing else, and Nene and Noah are faces that Alice recognizes. The other fellow must be a trusted friend to that pair, so he relaxes somewhat, though his frown stays in place, concerned, as his gaze lingers on Nene some seconds longer before flicking towards Childe.

They're all quite composed, despite the situation! He ought to pull himself together, too... He's surely older than all of them... ]

...I suppose that would give us somewhere to begin solving this inconvenient mystery...

[Noah's 517, try again. ~~Or don't I'm not your dad~~]

Mm... I don't know if much will have changed down there, since it's still probably like Henir. [Pauses.] —The... it's still a void, I mean. We can try it, though. I'll guard the rear. I don't know if those shadow students are going to be... violent, I guess, but I'm the most equipped to deal with them.

[Shadow magic and all that. Childe can take the front for similar reasons.]

I've seen lights in the void before. It takes a while to show up- a bit over half an hour, but they super far away.

( it might be good to know. otherwise, nene sticks close to the group, carefully watching the floor so that she doesn't like... trip and fall in the hole. she might, she's already clumsy at her best. maybe i'll even roll for it.

after a moment she glances between alice and childe before nudging childe like, hey, introduce yourself onii-chan- )

Lights? I don’t think I’ve ever seen any lights.

[He’s a bit distracted for the moment, honestly, taking in the sights and sounds and scents of… Well. This run down little corner of reality. He loves it here. In some cursed AU he’s probably already hung up several Live, Laugh, Love signs to make the place more homey. So it takes a second for him to catch onto the meaning of the Nenudges, though it clicks eventually and he’s shooting Alice a slightly sheepish look]

Oh, uh— sorry. I seem to have misplaced my manners. You’re… Yabusame, right? You can call me Childe. Or Tartaglia. Whichever you like more.

[ It is behind rock solid glass. The clock face blocks all entry to the inner mechanisms, and it would be difficult to pull it open with the way it's set into the tower.

But it is possible to pull at the hands that tick along and the numbers along it, and closer inspection will reveal the numbers that are attached into the clock are thicker than the surrounding decorations. They press against the metal rings around them, but they don't seem to be attached, and a little twisting and pulling would reveal that it's possible to remove them. Moreover, the clock hands and the numbers are the only pieces of the clock face that can be moved or removed. ]

may missions

clock tower - bonnie, dito, hiyori, ranger

mirrors - amami, inaba, ishimaru, shin

void - alice, childe, nene, noah

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EXCITED TO BE THE BOSS!!!!

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NOT U THE BOSS i'm happy for him

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tiny reaction dwbi

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