divus: (Default)
Plasmatio Mods ([personal profile] divus) wrote2019-03-03 01:40 am
Entry tags:

THE GRAVEYARD

THE LANDING
You’re having an out of body experience. That’s how it starts, dying. There isn’t any pain anymore, and for a moment, not much of anything else. Your thoughts are a dim hum in the back of your brain, the tips of your fingers seem miles away. Despite that, you find yourself moving, moving, moving from the last place you were in your own body and forward, until you reach a door that you haven’t seen since the beginning of the game. A door that wouldn’t open. A door cold to the touch and seeping with mist. It opens before you, and as if of someone else’s design you walk through it. As it closes behind you, you get the distinct feeling that if you turned around, you’d find it vanished.

What takes up most of your attention, however, is the tolling of church bells. They clang in rhythmic, almost maddening persistence--seems you’re just going to have to try and ignore them, as they show no signs of slowing or stopping, wherever they are.

Once the cacophony becomes easier to manage, the bong, bong, bonging evening out to a pulse inside your ears, you realize that where you are seems to be a world that's incomplete. The floor is nothing but a landing of invisible matter, a spooled red carpet leading you to a few rows of pews and a lone confessional.

You will notice, immediately ahead of you, a cute little mailbox fit for a suburban home. It bids you welcome, though the cheery paint job is a bit muted in this dark place.

Simple and neat furnishings dot the edges of where the landing seems to be: railings mark the unseen edges and draperies and sconces float in the void, giving an illusion of walls. Be careful, however, because they can easily be fallen through if leaned against. Fortunately, someone seems to have kept that in consideration, as a helpful sign warns just this.

On one side of the confessional, a room with bookshelves, a writing table, and pens and paper has been provided: a minimalist study for when you need a bit of privacy to think. On the other side, a wing of dorm-sized, lockable bedrooms provide another bit of space to oneself. There may not be enough for everyone, but nobody really has to sleep--so just take turns!

To the left of the pews, it looks like a miniature bar has been crafted with a small but decent selection of drinks. There's a small television seated on the counter, but it only seems to ever work two times a week: the week's opening announcement on Monday mornings, and Saturdays, tuning in at the beginning of the trial and tuning back out again at its conclusion. There's also a piano to one side of the bar, allowing anyone to provide musical accompaniment to their drinking.

Perhaps most interestingly, an ornate black doorway at the far end of the room leads to a curving hallway that ultimately leads to what appears to be a temple. It's similar to the altar room they'll remember from the living side, but there are no power inscriptions, and the only furnishings are wavering, grayscale candles on the walls that never seem to burn low and great sculptures of leaping rams. The two black-marble statues meet in the center, curved horns joined above a platform, decorated with nothing but a lone offering bowl. The dark marble of the item is cracked, but it seems like it'll still get the job done. Try sending something, if you wish!

Maybe this place is meant to be more. But for now, Patience is the only notable figure you have to place your attention on, and she comes forward to welcome you immediately.

"Welcome to my dominion," she greets in her usual, cheerful candor, and points at your hand, where you hold your godly token. "Now that you've been eliminated, I'll take that back and return it on your behalf. Don't worry, though, I'm not leaving you empty handed."

OOC NOTES
Hello, eliminated competitors, and welcome to the graveyard. Although it isn't much to look at, now, this area will be growing and expanding in time with the help of your characters' actions and participation in weekly events. What they unlock will have an impact on the living side, overarching plot elements, and ways to communicate between both planes!

When it seems like there isn't much to do, there's always one option left: gathering information. So sit back, enjoy the afterlife, and put on your thinking cap!

in_a_bottle: Zombie, mulling something over. ([z] spoilers i'm dead)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-03-31 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
I know I'm not. I know I never will be, and that's something that's hurt you for a long time. But I wanted to help. I wanted to make people smile, and since I died, they've just lost more and more faith. All of us failed somehow. But we all still tried and we're all still trying. You most of anyone. You care, and I think it's right that you do.
goatsongs: smile (worried)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-03-31 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[A misunderstanding:]

What? No, I don't want you to be anything like me. Why would you want to turn out like this?
in_a_bottle: Zombie, screaming. ([z] and not human technically)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-03-31 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
What -- I meant an adult! Not the other thing!
goatsongs: smile (ugh fine)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-03-31 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Most adults aren't like this either.

[thankfully.]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, weirded out. ([z] should i even say that now though)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-03-31 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh? I thought I was saying you were hurt because you're an adult and trying to be responsible. What does drinking have to do with it?
goatsongs: neutral (what now)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-03-31 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not the drinking either. You really don't know?

[He doesn't expect Zoe or Ray to know because they're not Japanese, but Ai at least has a chance of already having read about the subject of most of his later poems.]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, quiet and sad. ([z] tmw you're wrong)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-01 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
...

[Ai thought so. She'd alluded to it, but didn't address it head-on -- why would she?]

I didn't want to make you more upset, Chuuya-san. ...It's still true, what I said. I know I can't ever be an adult or a parent, so I can't feel what you feel and what's hurt you for this long. But how you care, even when you're angry and trying to shut yourself away... I think you're better than most, really.
goatsongs: smile (solemn)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-01 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
...Doesn't feel like my anger's doing anything useful.

[Or his caring. Or anything Chuuya does.]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, sternly lecturing. ([z] listen for once)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-01 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
We're all helpless here. But we're all still doing our best. If we can reach the living now, and the competition's almost up, then there has to be something.
goatsongs: neutral blush (why are you so embarrassing)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-02 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
[After a minute, Chuuya cracks the door open.]

You really think that?
in_a_bottle: Zombie, quiet and sad. ([z] tmw you're wrong)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-02 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
[She nods, looking in. Ai isn't looking great either; if anything, her eyes look more red and bulging, her skin sunken and mottled. But walking corpse or not, she's standing there with determination.]

We've all been through terrible things. We've all died, some of us more than once. Some of us never got justice, or got it too late. But we're here for a reason. It's something I forgot for a little while when I made my wish. That no matter what, we can keep on going.

I believe in you too, Chuuya-san.
goatsongs: smile (trying to hold back)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-02 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Finally, Chuuya emerges from his room, only to hug Ai tightly. Sorry if he squeezes off a body part in the process, but he needs this right now.]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, fighting down a panic. ([z] ai was here stormclouds are losers)

cw gross zombie stuff

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-03 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Ai's a little startled -- physical affection isn't exactly a cultural thing -- but they're dead twice, and if he doesn't care anymore, well, maybe he has a point. She sniffs and hugs him back tightly, even if some of her internal organs might be starting to poke out under her clothes and bandages.

That's disgusting, I apologize.

She takes a small breath and starts to sing quietly. Chuuya puts all his feelings into his poems, so maybe...]


Over and over, keep on standing up
If you never give up, the end can become a new beginning
Cruel and unfair as it may be, don't let it get you down
So that you can smile and wave goodbye
To all your hesitations
And dream a new dream
Rise up again.
goatsongs: smile (desperate tears)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-03 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Even if he were someone to complain about body horror - which he isn't - he can't even see the misplaced organs through his tears.]

Ai, Ai-

[Poetry and songs always work on him. More so from someone he cares for.]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, sulking. ([z] considering i'm undead)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-03 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
[She won't stop hugging. Her dad now.]

It was the first thing we were supposed to perform after I woke up. I didn't want any part in it. A lot of us didn't. But a few things happened, and, well... Tatsumi said it like "a zombie who doesn't dance is just a zombie," but he's kind of an idiot. I'm pretty sure the meaning is something like I used to say when I was alive. I don't think mistakes or failures are a bad thing. They can't stop us forever. We'll just keep on going.
goatsongs: smile (weeping)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-03 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
[He loves his daughter so much.]

Thank you. Thank you, I - thank you...

[This is a hug he's needed for a long, long time.]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, sternly lecturing. ([z] listen for once)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-03 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, Chuuya-san. I forgot for a while, too. You all helped remind me.
goatsongs: smile (trying to hold back)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-03 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
I needed the reminder. But I wouldn't have listened to just anybody.

[Only family.]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, looking back. ([z] little worried here)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-03 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
...You know, I don't mind being called family. We really are kind of the same.
goatsongs: smile (soft smile)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-03 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
[It's hard to ask for that, when Chuuya's so afraid of being vulnerable. But when it's offered:]

I did always want a daughter.
in_a_bottle: Zombie, hopeful. ([z] things are looking up)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-03 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, Chuuya-san. For everything, okay?
goatsongs: smile (fond expression)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-03 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
You too. After all this is over, let me come visit you, alright?
in_a_bottle: Zombie, weirded out. ([z] should i even say that now though)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-03 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
I'll invite you to our next show! When I left for this, we were gearing up for a rock festival. I just need to...

[She pauses and sighs.]

I guess I just need to talk to one of our members. Patch things up. And try not to worry about the weather. But after I've been through this, that should be easy, right?
goatsongs: smile (concerned)

[personal profile] goatsongs 2019-04-03 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know, talking about feelings can be a pain.

[source: chuuya]
in_a_bottle: Zombie, sighing. ([z] ughhhhh)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle 2019-04-03 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
It doesn't help that I still think she's wrong. But it's probably better to actually face it.

(no subject)

[personal profile] goatsongs - 2019-04-03 04:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle - 2019-04-03 04:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] goatsongs - 2019-04-03 05:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle - 2019-04-03 05:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] goatsongs - 2019-04-03 06:06 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle - 2019-04-04 00:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] goatsongs - 2019-04-04 16:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle - 2019-04-06 05:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] goatsongs - 2019-04-06 22:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] in_a_bottle - 2019-04-07 04:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] goatsongs - 2019-04-07 15:57 (UTC) - Expand