Personification Life IC IX - [Semi Open]

[Cerillium]

He wasn't sure if he believed his ears or not, but he decided against going to that side of the Opera Lobby. Bran noticed the others following in, and nodded. "Yeah, it's me, and yeah, we do all need to scatter. I'll probably head up those stairs there." He said, looking over to the side of the lobby that he heard the noise from. "I think I heard something over there."

He pointed, and Natiya nodded, only arriving right as the noise was no longer noticeable. "Then you ain't going alone, bro." She sighed, she'd either protect him, or die with him.

The two started cautiously up the stairs. Natiya's eyes were glued ahead, and Bran was keeping the rest of the lobby on view, or, what he could at least see.

Bran would find himself struggling to make out the steps in the dark. The handrail felt cold under his hand. It was impossible to see the top of the case itself and going was slow as his feet sought purchase on each step. Natiya, behind him, could probably sense his body and use it as a guide. At least he'd be the one to trip first.

A low hum reached their strained ears as they neared the top.

The others, hidden in various locations in the lobby, couldn't see them nor could Bran and Natiya see the companions they'd left behind. Even Blossom, purchased on the ceiling and with superior vampric sight, would need to struggle to pierce the darkness. She'd need to rely upon smell.

[Giovenith]

Although it was dark, Giovenith could still hear the conversations of the others, including the others' instructions to scatter out. This thought was frankly quite terrifying to her, as Giovenith wasn't completely under the belief that she could defend herself against whatever was out there. Regardless, if this was really what everyone thought was best... than she would just have to do it. The girl took a few heavy breaths before creeping along the wall from her corner and felt her way to the stairs that felt like they lead downward. Perhaps she could find some sort of fire escape, and then they could all go home, and...
Giovenith had never given much thought to dying. She'd always been assured that this would never happen to her so long as she played by the rules. But now, as she felt fight or flight creeping in her veins, the godling struggled against the dark, innate desire to begin saying her silent good-bye's.

Pippa-Michelle obviously had not been able to see her creator move from the spot she had set her, but could hear all sorts of voices and crashes all around, confusing her at any opportunity. She felt like she should head for light, but wasn't willing to go back outside.

[Cerillium]

Although it was dark, Giovenith could still hear the conversations of the others, including the others' instructions to scatter out. This thought was frankly quite terrifying to her, as Giovenith wasn't completely under the belief that she could defend herself against whatever was out there. Regardless, if this was really what everyone thought was best... than she would just have to do it. The girl took a few heavy breaths before creeping along the wall from her corner and felt her way to the stairs that felt like they lead downward. Perhaps she could find some sort of fire escape, and then they could all go home, and...
Giovenith had never given much thought to dying. She'd always been assured that this would never happen to her so long as she played by the rules. But now, as she felt fight or flight creeping in her veins, the godling struggled against the dark, innate desire to begin saying her silent good-bye's.

Pippa-Michelle obviously had not been able to see her creator move from the spot she had set her, but could hear all sorts of voices and crashes all around, confusing her at any opportunity. She felt like she should head for light, but wasn't willing to go back outside.

Giovenith's foot had just touched the first downward-leading step when something soft brushed against her exposed leg.

[Torsiedelle]

"Mr. Nikanor? Mr. Nikanor?", Torii whimpered as she got up, blind in the darkness. She tried feeling her way along the walls, but jumped into Gio instead. She stumbled back quickly.

She was terrified.

[The New Velociraptor Empire]

"Oh no no nononono, please don't split up. Don't leave me alone! Please, would someone stay with me?" Fortu pleaded as he kept looking around for a broom closet nervously. He wanted comfort in a small dark place, or with the people he knew, but his scattered mind couldn't decide. He was succumbing to panic, a frequent state of his mind. He got in the first open custodian's closet he found and closed the door before sitting in the middle of the small space, hugging his legs he tried to calm himself down. Thinking pleasant thoughts instead of unsettling questions such as, "What was he running from?" and "Why was he here?" and "Was this really a broom closet?"

NVE, after poking the toy with a stick, was satisfied that it wasn't a bomb. He calmly picked it up and tried pinching the arms together to stop that infernal clanging that it produced.

[Urran]

It was dark. Darker than anything that Yoshi had ever seen. Luckily, this heightened his already acute sense of hearing. He listened for the others, he needed to move on and crept out silently from under his stair case and listened for anything, but it was hard to hear anything over his own raspy breathing and beating heart.


Blossom could see nothing but she was sure that she heard Bran and Natiya. Like a bat she could use echolocation and sent out sound waves below her trying to make out her surroundings. She felt the stair case, and the bottom of the column that she was behind, but nothing else. The room seemed empty to her, even though there were at least four others there. She didn't want to speak.

[Primordial Luxa]

Seeing that no one was coming Primordial took a deep breath and shook his hands to loosen himself up before attempting the retrace the paper. In his right hand he held the tool poised to strike if the figure moved an inch and with his left he slowly reached out to snatch the page. His hearts were pounding in his chest and his grip tightened even as sweat began to appear on his brow. Finally with a single quick motion he snatched the page, at first his fingers could find purchase and failed to pull it free but he then gave it another tug before jumping back several feet.

[Tiltjuice]

"Oh no no nononono, please don't split up. Don't leave me alone! Please, would someone stay with me?" Fortu pleaded as he kept looking around for a broom closet nervously. He wanted comfort in a small dark place, or with the people he knew, but his scattered mind couldn't decide. He was succumbing to panic, a frequent state of his mind. He got in the first open custodian's closet he found and closed the door before sitting in the middle of the small space, hugging his legs he tried to calm himself down. Thinking pleasant thoughts instead of unsettling questions such as, "What was he running from?" and "Why was he here?" and "Was this really a broom closet?"

NVE, after poking the toy with a stick, was satisfied that it wasn't a bomb. He calmly picked it up and tried pinching the arms together to stop that infernal clanging that it produced.

Chrys stood watch. Luce had found an abandoned truck on the side of the road, stopped at an angle as it had swerved and run into the curb. The owner appeared to have taken the keys and run away from something; the doors were open, though the motor was off.

He slid inside and began fumbling about with the wires. A sudden cacophony ensued as the alarm went off and the lights began flashing.

[Cerillium]

Octavian, meanwhile, had decided to stay outside the opera house and find a different way to go. It was stupid to head into a building with no guaranteed exit, in his opinion. Octavian had never been to this part of town before, thus had no idea if there was a backdoor to the Opera House. Better to stay outside with many more places to run, than a confined area.

His red eyes scanned for anything of interest, and any way to go. Possibly down an alleyway or simple down the street. The building was to the south and east, he believed, so it would be a good idea to head in that direction. The prince briefly glanced up at the stars to get a sense of direction from them. Octavian quickly found Polaris, and discerned north from its position, and then looked in the general direction of south, for anything of interest there besides the strange object in the middle of the road that Primordial was heading for.

It's a curious fact that peril increases one's perceptions of the world around them, magnifying sounds and making something out of empty shadows. The body, even one as gifted as Octavian's, juggled the competing subconscious commands preparing it to flee or stand ground.

His footsteps were louder than they should have been. He was acutely aware of the breeze as it tickled his ears and tail or caressed his face. Even the leaves rolling along the ground seemed to clatter more loudly than normal. The further he removed himself from the noises of the others, the more foreboding the street became.

He found himself at a crux. One road lead in the direction he wanted to go but skyscrapers towered along the stretch; it was a long block. The other was a gritty side street that awkwardly jutted off and terminated at a nearby urban park. He could just make out the trees and some playground equipment in the distance.

[The BranRiech]

Bran did indeed stutter his steps to make sure he wasn't tripping up, although after a few steps, he started getting the feel for the staircase, and quickened his pace slightly.

Natiya could certainly sense her brother, sharing that innate connection that some siblings could, almost feeling his fear, in a way. She continued behind him, abandoning her idea of looking around. She couldn't see anything from where she was! "Then get up the stairs and shut up." She hissed at Fortu's panic.

[Cerillium]

NVE, after poking the toy with a stick, was satisfied that it wasn't a bomb. He calmly picked it up and tried pinching the arms together to stop that infernal clanging that it produced.

Silence. Finally.

The monkey's head slowly rotated, bloating outward and changing color. The features were elongated, button eyes squinting shut and nostrils receding, until the facial surface was smooth. Only the grin was still somewhat distinguishable - a sickeningly grimace that widened as the tomato-headed toy glared at the raptor.

"Turn around," it hissed.

[New Aksarben]

Jacob continued looking around the room for a door or other place to hide in, along with the others in the room. He decided it would be best to search for a back exit, just to know where it was in case he needed to tell others where to run. He moved deliberately and slowly, his eyes struggling to see anything in the darkness. He tried to keep his breathing quiet, but that was much more difficult than it should have been. Everything seemed so much louder in the suffocating darkness.

---

It's a curious fact that peril increases one's perceptions of the world around them, magnifying sounds and making something out of empty shadows. The body, even one as gifted as Octavian's, juggled the competing subconscious commands preparing it to flee or stand ground.

His footsteps were louder than they should have been. He was acutely aware of the breeze as it tickled his ears and tail or caressed his face. Even the leaves rolling along the ground seemed to clatter more loudly than normal. The further he removed himself from the noises of the others, the more foreboding the street became.

He found himself at a crux. One road lead in the direction he wanted to go but skyscrapers towered along the stretch; it was a long block. The other was a gritty side street that awkwardly jutted off and terminated at a nearby urban park. He could just make out the trees and some playground equipment in the distance.

"Hmm..... Two ways to go..... Both foreboding." Octavian mumbled to himself. The prince tended to speak to himself aloud when alone, which might bite him in the rear end in such a situation, where things might be watching him. His gaze flicked back and forth between the two paths, his mind debating which would be the safest to head along. The sidestreet might be useful. It would get him off the main path and into some sort of cover, and it might be useful to hide in a park. But the other path seemed a more direct one. Which might make it safer by default. The quicker the trip, the sooner he would be back to the safety of the building....

After standing there for a few minutes, Octavian made his decision, and went down the side street. He sincerely hoped this wouldn't be a dead end. Otherwise he might be shit out of luck, and get killed.

[Urran]

Yoshi ran up the stairs silently. How did he get out of here? Where was everyone? Why was he here? Did he really just follow everyone else possibly to his death? He listened intently once he reached the top and then felt the wall. He then reached out and felt the wall and proceeded to make his way along it. his legs felt like jelly and his primal instincts kicked in. It was his survival above all else.


Blossom left the opera house and flew around into a back ally behind it. She reasoned that using the ally ways would be a lot safer than running around out in the middle of the road or in some building like the others were. She was reaching home before all of the others. She was determined to do so.

[The New Velociraptor Empire]

NVE, after poking the toy with a stick, was satisfied that it wasn't a bomb. He calmly picked it up and tried pinching the arms together to stop that infernal clanging that it produced.

Silence. Finally.

The monkey's head slowly rotated, bloating outward and changing color. The features were elongated, button eyes squinting shut and nostrils receding, until the facial surface was smooth. Only the grin was still somewhat distinguishable - a sickeningly grimace that widened as the tomato-headed toy glared at the raptor.

"Turn around," it hissed.

"AGH! DECEPTION! MAMMAL-FRUIT DECEPTION!" NVE shrieked as he threw the toy to the ground in front of him. Instinctually reaching for his holstered gun that was not there, on realizing he couldn't shoot it, it's words registered with his mind. Having a wide field of vision due to his eyes being on opposite sides of his head, NVE didn't have to turn far to be able to see behind him. As he turned his neck, he let go of the stick, since his claws were better weapons.

[Cerillium]

Jacobs’s ears strained to pick up the sounds of his friends. The lobby interior was built to block out excessive noise, to dampen it in order to not interrupt performances in the theatre beyond (where Bran first heard the noise). He detected Fortu’s movement as the being tucked himself into a closet.

Fortu nestled among the mops and brooms. The tang of cleaning solutions and mouldy mops greeted his nostrils. It was quiet in here but it wasn’t a wide open space. Fortu could claim the sounds he heard as his own movement.

Two objects dislodged from the shelf above Fortu’s head and stuck him. One was hard and felt like cold plastic in his hands – the button on the side would indicate a torch (flashlight). The other object clattered to the ground and spilled its contents into his lap.


Blossom’s echolocation aided her in finding moving people. She cast it towards the staircase where Bran and Natiya had been. Something wasn’t right. Something else was moving up there. The shape formed in her mind was globular and vacillating. Bran and Natiya would soon blunder right into it. She fled.

The siblings’ noses were assaulted by a musty smell. The stair rail under their hands acted like a conduit and vibrated slightly.

Yoshi reached the top of the stairs ahead of the siblings. He reached out and felt the wall and proceeded to make his way along it. In his hast, he hadn’t picked up the musty smell nor had he paid attention to the rail. He walked straight into the outer surface of…… something sticky. It ensnared him.

Think syrup entangled his hair. The insects tending the nest began to swarm. Something was pulling him deeper inside.

All this noise was perfectly clear in the siblings’ ears.

[Cerillium]

Seeing that no one was coming Primordial took a deep breath and shook his hands to loosen himself up before attempting the retrace the paper. In his right hand he held the tool poised to strike if the figure moved an inch and with his left he slowly reached out to snatch the page. His hearts were pounding in his chest and his grip tightened even as sweat began to appear on his brow. Finally with a single quick motion he snatched the page, at first his fingers could find purchase and failed to pull it free but he then gave it another tug before jumping back several feet.

The manikin's lips parted the moment the paper was removed. Resin teeth glistened at him. Mocking laughter emanated from it.

Recognizable laughter.

Insidious’ laughter.

The dead arms swept downwards and shattered the ice block. The fake Insidious pulled its leg up to free it. It advanced towards him. The Dunmer and Insidious in the distance could clearly see it move.

[The BranRiech]

Both siblings instantly stopped, both having the same reaction to stop and listen. Something sticky was dripping someplace, or well, who said it was sticky? It could just be a leaky pipe.

But then, for Bran, there was the instantly recognizable insectoid noise that always preceded him getting stung or bitten by something. He started trembling a bit, and now really regretted getting rid of his trench coat, it could at least cover some of him from the bugs he was now assuming were coming for him. "Uh . . . Anyone else hear that?"

It could have been either of their voices, both were scared shitless.

Neither of them knew that their dear friend, Yoshi, was facing peril, only feet in front of them.

[Cerillium]

Silence. Finally.

The monkey's head slowly rotated, bloating outward and changing color. The features were elongated, button eyes squinting shut and nostrils receding, until the facial surface was smooth. Only the grin was still somewhat distinguishable - a sickeningly grimace that widened as the tomato-headed toy glared at the raptor.

"Turn around," it hissed.

"AGH! DECEPTION! MAMMAL-FRUIT DECEPTION!" NVE shrieked as he threw the toy to the ground in front of him. Instinctually reaching for his holstered gun that was not there, on realizing he couldn't shoot it, it's words registered with his mind. Having a wide field of vision due to his eyes being on opposite sides of his head, NVE didn't have to turn far to be able to see behind him. As he turned his neck, he let go of the stick, since his claws were better weapons.

Several sounds echoed into the empty city. The first was the car alarm blaring in protest of Luce's efforts.

The second was, "AGH! DECEPTION! MAMMAL-FRUIT DECEPTION!"

The third was a deafening roar coming from a massive maul that stretched wide only a foot from NVE's head. It hadn't been there before. It had come without warning. Needle teeth broke from blackened gums to frame a mouth wide enough to swallow the raptor in a gulp. The air rushing towards him was perfumed with the sweet odor of decay. The mouth lacked a tongue. Instead, at the very back, were a series of wiggling appendages which churned momentarily before lashing out towards the raptor.

[Primordial Luxa]

Seeing that no one was coming Primordial took a deep breath and shook his hands to loosen himself up before attempting the retrace the paper. In his right hand he held the tool poised to strike if the figure moved an inch and with his left he slowly reached out to snatch the page. His hearts were pounding in his chest and his grip tightened even as sweat began to appear on his brow. Finally with a single quick motion he snatched the page, at first his fingers could find purchase and failed to pull it free but he then gave it another tug before jumping back several feet.

The manikin's lips parted the moment the paper was removed. Resin teeth glistened at him. Mocking laughter emanated from it.

Recognizable laughter.

Insidious’ laughter.

The dead arms swept downwards and shattered the ice block. The fake Insidious pulled its leg up to free it. It advanced towards him. The Dunmer and Insidious in the distance could clearly see it move.

Primordial wasted no time and was fleeing as soon as it had begun to laugh. He sprinted away glance back only once to keep and eye on the creature before he regrouped with insidious and Dunmer. "Just Great..." he said sarcastically with heavy breath. Insdious narrowed her eyes at it for a second and then snatched the hook our of Primordials before making a shallow gash on the falt her back that would be covered by her hair, the wound stung for a bit but quickly sealed itself.

[Giovenith]

Although it was dark, Giovenith could still hear the conversations of the others, including the others' instructions to scatter out. This thought was frankly quite terrifying to her, as Giovenith wasn't completely under the belief that she could defend herself against whatever was out there. Regardless, if this was really what everyone thought was best... than she would just have to do it. The girl took a few heavy breaths before creeping along the wall from her corner and felt her way to the stairs that felt like they lead downward. Perhaps she could find some sort of fire escape, and then they could all go home, and...
Giovenith had never given much thought to dying. She'd always been assured that this would never happen to her so long as she played by the rules. But now, as she felt fight or flight creeping in her veins, the godling struggled against the dark, innate desire to begin saying her silent good-bye's.

Pippa-Michelle obviously had not been able to see her creator move from the spot she had set her, but could hear all sorts of voices and crashes all around, confusing her at any opportunity. She felt like she should head for light, but wasn't willing to go back outside.

Giovenith's foot had just touched the first downward-leading step when something soft brushed against her exposed leg.

"NEE!" she squeaked, backing upward against the rail and sliding down into a crouch. What was that?! She was wanted to believe that it was only her imagination, but that was the fastest way to getting one's self killed in any given situation, she believed. But she couldn't go back up the stairs, that wouldn't be scattering, and what if something broke through the front? What is something was already down here? What if...

Giovenith then realized she was breathing faster than usual; she was making herself more paranoid. Granted, she had perfectly legitimate reasons, but freezing up on the stairs wasn't going to help anything. S-song? Yes, when you were scared, you just remembered a song that made you happy.

'I know how the moon must feel,' she sang in her head, not daring to actually sing it out loud, but occasionally letting the breathy whisper of the tune escape her lips. She sideways-crawled down another step. 'Looking down from the heavens, smiling at the silly things, we put ourselves through...'

Another step. The song was pushing her on, but it did nothing to ease her fear... if anything, it served to twist one of Giovenith's personal strengths around against her: It reminded her of wonderful things, of things she would never experience again if she were to perish today.

'Missing magic each day, and not seeing the wonder, that's how the moon must feel...' No more beautiful world. 'I know how the moon must feel, starry-eyed and contented...' No more friends, or happiness. 'Everything is beautiful...' No more endless possibilities. '... as it all should be.' Giovenith paused to wipe away tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes. Now wasn't the time for that.

---

Pippa-Michelle figured that she probably should not stand still for very long, but found that she didn't have good enough perception to locate where she had set down Giovenith, which struck no small amount of panic into the golem.

"Mnnn-?!" Pippa squeaked, going into the middle of the lobby to spin in circle for a few moments before flopping flat on her face. What would she do?!

[Urran]

Yoshi cried out as he was entangled in the thick goo. He tried to break free and it felt like that something was strangling his very spirit. He puleed and pulled, trying to get his hair free.


Blossom was slinking through the back alleys, hoping that nothing found her. She felt a dark presence. It was scary, she thought her soul would freeze.

[Bone Fort]

"Hmm..... Two ways to go..... Both foreboding." Octavian mumbled to himself. The prince tended to speak to himself aloud when alone, which might bite him in the rear end in such a situation, where things might be watching him. His gaze flicked back and forth between the two paths, his mind debating which would be the safest to head along. The sidestreet might be useful. It would get him off the main path and into some sort of cover, and it might be useful to hide in a park. But the other path seemed a more direct one. Which might make it safer by default. The quicker the trip, the sooner he would be back to the safety of the building....

After standing there for a few minutes, Octavian made his decision, and went down the side street. He sincerely hoped this wouldn't be a dead end. Otherwise he might be shit out of luck, and get killed

.

Fog slowly rolled in around him as he approached the playground. What might be whispered sneers and jeers, or the wind, came from all around him in the fog. He could hear the creek of a swing just off in the distance, coming from the far end of the playground, just out of sight due to the fog.

[Cerillium]

"NEE!" she squeaked, backing upward against the rail and sliding down into a crouch. What was that?! She was wanted to believe that it was only her imagination, but that was the fastest way to getting one's self killed in any given situation, she believed. But she couldn't go back up the stairs, that wouldn't be scattering, and what if something broke through the front? What is something was already down here? What if...

Giovenith then realized she was breathing faster than usual; she was making herself more paranoid. Granted, she had perfectly legitimate reasons, but freezing up on the stairs wasn't going to help anything. S-song? Yes, when you were scared, you just remembered a song that made you happy.

'I know how the moon must feel,' she sang in her head, not daring to actually sing it out loud, but occasionally letting the breathy whisper of the tune escape her lips. She sideways-crawled down another step. 'Looking down from the heavens, smiling at the silly things, we put ourselves through...'

Another step. The song was pushing her on, but it did nothing to ease her fear... if anything, it served to twist one of Giovenith's personal strengths around against her: It reminded her of wonderful things, of things she would never experience again if she were to perish today.

'Missing magic each day, and not seeing the wonder, that's how the moon must feel...' No more beautiful world. 'I know how the moon must feel, starry-eyed and contented...' No more friends, or happiness. 'Everything is beautiful...' No more endless possibilities. '... as it all should be.' Giovenith paused to wipe away tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes. Now wasn't the time for that.

---

Pippa-Michelle figured that she probably should not stand still for very long, but found that she didn't have good enough perception to locate where she had set down Giovenith, which struck no small amount of panic into the golem.

"Mnnn-?!" Pippa squeaked, going into the middle of the lobby to spin in circle for a few moments before flopping flat on her face. What would she do?!

The words seemed to form in the air around her, each note formed from a children's innocent voice.

I know how the moon must feel and I can't say I blame him

"Geeee-ooh. Gio-vennnnnith!"

Smiling at the silly things we put ourselves through

"Geee-oooh! Olly olly oxen free!"

Never taking the time, always running in circles

"I see the moon and the moon see's me!"

That's how the moon must feel

"God bless the moon 'cause-"

I'm sure he knows if there is more to life

"But we'll take Torii!"

---

Tora, still standing on the landing above, felt a soft, small hand slip against her palm and clasp it. "I'm scared," said a quiet voice. "Please help me."

[Cerillium]

Primordial wasted no time and was fleeing as soon as it had begun to laugh. He sprinted away glance back only once to keep and eye on the creature before he regrouped with insidious and Dunmer. "Just Great..." he said sarcastically with heavy breath. Insdious narrowed her eyes at it for a second and then snatched the hook our of Primordials before making a shallow gash on the falt her back that would be covered by her hair, the wound stung for a bit but quickly sealed itself.

The manikin, being a lifeless object, shambled towards them with no real haste. It was an awkward thing.

Primordial still had the slip of paper, however.

[Tiltjuice]

"AGH! DECEPTION! MAMMAL-FRUIT DECEPTION!" NVE shrieked as he threw the toy to the ground in front of him. Instinctually reaching for his holstered gun that was not there, on realizing he couldn't shoot it, it's words registered with his mind. Having a wide field of vision due to his eyes being on opposite sides of his head, NVE didn't have to turn far to be able to see behind him. As he turned his neck, he let go of the stick, since his claws were better weapons.

Several sounds echoed into the empty city. The first was the car alarm blaring in protest of Luce's efforts.

The second was, "AGH! DECEPTION! MAMMAL-FRUIT DECEPTION!"

The third was a deafening roar coming from a massive maul that stretched wide only a foot from NVE's head. It hadn't been there before. It had come without warning. Needle teeth broke from blackened gums to frame a mouth wide enough to swallow the raptor in a gulp. The air rushing towards him was perfumed with the sweet odor of decay. The mouth lacked a tongue. Instead, at the very back, were a series of wiggling appendages which churned momentarily before lashing out towards the raptor.

With a roar that was respectable, but not up to the monster's own, Luce got the engine running. He nodded at Chrys, who jumped in the back and zoomed toward NVE and the thing.

"Hey ugly!" she called, hoping to distract it, and swung her hand downwards. The baton in it slid out with a crisp snick!