Personification Life IC IX - [Semi Open]

by **Cerillium** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:12 pm

The continuing saga of the housemates from hell
(some of them literally)

WELCOME to PART IX (IC)
OOC - signup and planning.

Players interested in joining should read over the information found on OOC Page 1.
Make an application there. New-to-RP players welcome.

by **Swith Witherward** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:16 pm

by **Cerillium** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 3:38 pm

They ALL found themselves waking at the bottom of the bridge which separated the Industrial District from Downtown. They were on the Downtown side. It was a new-moon night and the stars overhead were obscured at times by wisps of greyish clouds. The wind rustled the dying grasses and autumn leaves, but the colors were muted. Only red seemed to stand out but it, too, was more greyish than vibrant.

There wasn’t a sound except their own breathing and the fluttering of a banner on that cold wind. It had once been suspended between two lamp posts higher along the bridge but the string on the right side had torn and now the useless thing winked at them like a garish flag.

Naomi walked up the road towards it but recoiled when she made contact with an unseen barrier. “We can’t pass. We’re stuck inside the city proper,” she called to them. Naomi’s smallish hand latched on to an end to stretch it. The lettering reminded her of pale spiders racing along the blacktop and she slid her fingers to a corner to avoid touching it:

ドラムの音は私の人生のために呼び出します。
隠れん坊をしたいですか?

Her tongue pressed to the back of her top teeth as she studied the script. “Doramu no oto wa watashinojinsei no tame ni yobidashimasu. Kakurenbō o shitai desuka?”

Her accent was deplorable for Japanese but the country shared a common tongue with the Urranese people and could be made out. The words resounded in Yoshi’s ears: The sound of the drum calls for my life. Do you want to hide and seek?

Naomi stared at the symbol. She had seen it before. It was shi. It meant, amongst other things, death. The exact representation was familiar however. She’d seen it in one of Toshi’s books. It didn’t belong to Chaos. It was from something far grimmer. She moaned and released the banner and then returned to the group.

“I know this,” she whispered to the others. “It’s a game. It’s like hide and seek. We run the abandoned streets to play shi but we won’t be alone. It’s said that demons play with us. This symbol is where we start. We go when the bell rings. We have to reach the place which bears the identical symbol.”

Her eyes scanned the buildings nearby and then she turned her attention to the distance.

“Look!”

Her finger pointed to the south where the Building stood. A glowing object hovered above the building. It rotated slowly but the symbol came into view once the flat surface turned towards them.

“We have to get home. We start when we hear the temple bell.”

Minerva clucked her tongue. “What utter bullshit, Naomi. Absolute tripe. I’m not going to play some child’s game.

The cultist leader strode up the bridge just as a bell tolled. She turned, voluptuous body and fiery locks framed by the night sky above her. “I told you, I’m not pla-“

She fell forward and struck the pavement. Her breath came in an audible “OOF” and she raised her head to stare at the group. Her peeved expression was replaced by questioning glance as she began to slide sideways towards the edge of the bridge.

Minerva growled. She stepped out of time. At least, that was her intent. Instead, for a brief moment, her blurry body could be seen struggling. She whipped her face towards the group again, eyes wide in terror and agony. She began to claw at the blacktop in an effort to scramble forward.

It started at her face, the portion closest to them, and worked its way down her body. The ivory skin tightened and then burst, peeling away like a snake shedding its skin from nose tip to toes. Facial muscles tightened against bone; it almost looked like a comical grin except for the fact that she was screaming in agony as the tissue rapidly cracked. The muscles and tendons fell away to expose her skull and then her soft tisses exploded into a spray that coated the bridge, barrier and the group. The remaining skeleton crumbled into ash and drifted away on the night winds. She hadn't even uttered a scream.

The barrier shrunk towards them. The only indication of movement came from the gore running down the invisible surface.

“We need to start,” Naomi pleaded through chattering teeth. “We need to start! We have to get home before the dimension takes us."

Her small feet carried her a few steps from the group and towards Downtown.

“Fucking come on! Move. Hide and seek, get to home base! Scatter! There isn’t time for a fucking discussion!” Naomi, who seldom used the F-word and who was a godling of immense power, was terrified.

DEATH TOLL: 1

by **The BranRiech** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:15 pm

Bran and Natiya, who had followed along with the others to the base of the bridge, were generally anxious about what was happening, and why they were there. Of course, all these notions turned to sheer horror as Minerva was eviscerated, and then utterly destroyed in front of them. Bran's eyes widened and teared up at the loss of a friend, and Natiya just looked shocked, like it wasn't real or something.

Now covered with little bits and pieces of Minerva, Bran shed his dirtied trench coat as Natiya started pulling her little brother away at Naomi's direction, and eventually, both started running with them.

by **Primordial Luxa** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:21 pm

Primordial and Insidious watched Minerva for a second longer than they probably should have, as their malicious nature got the best of them. Their eyes wide in both a mixture of uneasy at seeing their friends death and artistic delight, however their uneasy was winning this fight and they retreated keeping close to Naomi. Both of them searched their memory trying to recall what had transpired to bring them here. They both attempted to change their vision with an internal command, Primordial attempted to which to night vision while Insidious tried for a heat recognition sight before moving on. Neither of them talked knowing that slowing down here and now with something on their tail would be simply stupid.

by **Tiltjuice** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:26 pm

The pair of Conservators didn't like it. Any of it. The cold; the unnerving quiet broken only by tumbling, dead, fallen leaves; or the sudden flaying of a colleague. Ice blue met pale brown and the thought that passed between them could be read even without telepathy.

We're in trouble.

Chrys gave Luce an apologetic look as she sheltered under her armor, away from the chill. Yet that was the only mercy that could be afforded her, as not even it was proof against the shredding power that was so much like their own, yet so much faster and bloodier.

They took off running southeast, away from the bridge.

by **New Aksarben** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:30 pm

Octavian blinked as Minerva died in agony, silently wondering what had caused such a horrific death. He had seen deaths of a similar horror during his time as the director of the ACF, but none so sudden and explainable. Usually there was a good reason for a sudden death there. But it just seemed as though Minerva had been torn apart by the Gods themselves to Octavian. Which was odd enough.

But those were all thoughts he could contemplate at a later date. When he was safe and not in danger of a similar, horrific death. So swallowing the lump in his throat, Octavian quickly dashed off after Naomi. Hopefully, if he stayed near the center of the group or at least not at the end or the front, he would have warning that something bad was about to happen.

Jacob was in a similar state of terror and dread, but his was more overt and much more in volume than the prince's. He had trembled more than a little as Minerva, someone who he knew, suddenly get ripped apart and dissolved into absolute nothingness aside from the gore now covering the group and pavement. "By the God of Olympus! What could possibly do that to someone!" He couldn't help but exclaim as he finally found his voice and rationality after temporarily being consumed by dread at a similar fate happening to his friends in the group. Or himself. He could not imagine what would happen to his home should he die such a horrific death.

The personification quickly scrambled after Bran and Natiya, his eyes wide and his tail down between his legs. His ears were perked and swiveling around to attempt to pick up any sound of approaching danger, while his eyes darted around doing a similar thing. He just felt paranoid now, that something could happen to any of them at any time, and that it would be a good idea to stay on watch for said dangers.

by **Giovenith** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:31 pm

Even being as dull as she was, it didn't take much for Pippa-Michelle to register danger. The absolute shredding of the fleshy had proved enough for her, and with silent utmost apologies, the golem picked up her tiny creator and fled after Bran (the other fleshy she trusted most), Natiya, and Naomi.

Giovenith, having been shocked by Minerva's death and being carried by a golem, wasn't able to pause and say much of anything just yet.

by **Torsiedelle** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:33 pm

Torii flinched as she saw Naomi's body eviscerated. This was something unexpected and shocking, and instantly set her in a panic, which she responded to by bolting into a sprint in a southwardly direction, but still towards Bran and his sister. Not very smart, yes, but she was in a panic, and needed to get to a safe spot before planning out. She hoped badly that somebody would be going the same way.

The Dunmer had no idea how he had ended up here, and hardly knew any of the other residents. He was a hermit, after all. He also had little knowledge of the city, but he definitely knew that whatever had destroyed that woman was a demon of some sort. He'd try to make his way towards that building, but he'd not hesitate to fight, if he needed to either, and laid a hand against the hilt of his blade as he set off. He wasn't shocked or scared yet, but definitely surprised, and now wary.

by **The New Velociraptor Empire** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:35 pm

Fortu was out checking his factory when he ran across the group. He hadn't revealed his true identity yet, since he was still in hiding and NVE was right there with them. The sight of Minerva, now reduced to a scattered collection of viscera, really startled him with the suddenness of it all. Naomi's words took their time to register with him, and when the did he found himself running, unsure of when he started. He was scarred and felt small and helpless, like a head without a body again. The large imposing dark city surrounding him held no comfort.

"Of I love games, especially with speed and stealth!" NVE said quite cheerfully, as stealth and speed were raptor strong points, however danger assessment was not one of them. He had no idea why he was here with these people, nor why a woman spontaneously exploded before him. But whatever game this was he was determined to win. He reached his claw into his pocket for an SEP field generator to cloak him, but couldn't find it, nor any other things he usually had in his pockets.

"Must be laundry day." he muttered and decided to do this the old fashion way. He broke into a run and was looking for a bush to hide in.

by **Cerillium** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:54 pm

Naomi ran without thought or reason. She heard their footsteps behind her but didn't turn around. She wasn't familiar with the Downtown area and, in the dark, it was difficult to make out street signs.

She reached the first few streets which would take them to the cultural section. Normally on a Friday night, marquee signs lit up the pavement and heralded the latest Broadway musicals making their tour across Europe. The Opera House would boast some famous tenor. There was ballet. Even the art galleries and museums stayed open late to provide something for the citizens.

Downtown was bereft of life. The marquees were dark. Naomi slid on the sidewalk and then stopped.

Something was on the road ahead, standing in the middle. It was too distant to make out. She wavered, torn between wanting to investigate and wanting to hide.

She panicked. The Opera House door yielded to her touch and she entered the lobby and threw herself behind an ornate counter.

by **Cerillium** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:03 pm

There weren't much in the way of bushes downtown. Certainly not where NVE was. Trees had branches trimmed up high to offer motorists a good view of pedestrians. Ornamental vegetation was kept low in the form of ground covers or else late-season mums which only grew to calf height.

The road offered parked cars, mailboxes every block or so, lamp posts and-

CLACK CLACK

The sound's origin was unfathomable. The sharp notes could have been made by striking two pieces of tin together.

CLACK CLACK

It echoed.

WRRRR

A tiny object came into view. It was a toy - a monkey beating a drum. It ambulated towards NVE by wobbling from side to side.

CLACK CLACK

by **Primordial Luxa** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:05 pm

Primordial and Insidious looked at each other for a second gazing briefly at the thing down the road and at the opera house Naomi was entering. Both of them knew that they won’t same together here and the situation seemed fated to tear them apart. Primordial screwed his face up as he tried to resist but in the end he began walking toward the shape in the distance knowing that he was breaking some major rule about surviving. His every instinct screamed to flee and cower with Insidious but he couldn’t. This was the exact same action that had killed some many of his faith prominent figure but he couldn’t shake himself free. He approached the object carefully and slowly ready at any second the flee and staying plenty far away from it.

Insidious stood at the edge of the side walk watching him and look at the rest of the group for some reassurance.

by **The BranRiech** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:07 pm

Bran needed to forget, forget the horrifying loss of Minerva. She died for them, died so that they may learn that touching the barrier certainly meant death, and that they could find salvation by running, but she was still dead.

He was shivering a bit without his beloved trench coat, but he didn't want to wear any of his former friend, and so he had abandoned it. Not too smart, considering his face was smeared with a few drips of Minerva anyways, making him look like a murderer trying to escape the scene of the crime. Natiya, who was standing behind him at the time, wasn't caked in Minerva, but was still horrified nevertheless.

Now? They were with Naomi, ducking into the theatre in the cultural center of the city. They noticed not where Naomi went, but stopped to catch their breaths right next to the same counter.

The two looked back to see where the others were who followed.

"H-Hello?" They asked, hoping that at least Naomi would respond.

by **Cerillium** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:14 pm

Primordial Luxa wrote:
Primordial and Insidious looked at each other for a second gazing briefly at the thing down the road and at the opera house Naomi was entering. Both of them knew that they won’t same together here and the situation seemed fated to tear them apart. Primordial screwed his face up as he tried to resist but in the end he began walking toward the shape in the distance knowing that he was breaking some major rule about surviving. His every instinct screamed to flee and cower with Insidious but he couldn’t. This was the exact same action that had killed some many of his faith prominent figure but he couldn’t shake himself free. He approached the object carefully and slowly ready at any second the flee and staying plenty far away from it.

Insidious stood at the edge of the side walk watching him and look at the rest of the group for some reassurance.

The thing sat in the middle of the road. Its lower portion was encased in a crude block of ice. The upper portion remained free.

The nude manikin's arms were positioned as if reaching towards him. The closed-mouth smile on her face conveyed vacuous intelligence from a distance but the facial features seemed to change as he approached. The nose, the mouth, the eyes, the hair. A single scrap of paper was tied to its finger by a red thread. This fluttered in the wind although the words were unreadable at this distance.

by **Urran** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:15 pm

Yoshi leaped back but was covered in bits and pieces of a now exploded Minerva anyway. Naomi's words had sent chills down his spine. It reminded him of the games of cat and mouse he and Akito played as children, once again, the terrified boy was the mouse, but this time he refused to be caught. Without a sound, he vanished, he needed to find a place to hide and took off in the direction of the others, doing his best to stay out of the light. Things could see you in the open, and whatever it was, would surely pick him off if he ran on open ground. Besides, he could see better in the dark than any of the others.

Blossom darted off in the direction that Torii had gone, her silky black hair trailing behind her. Few things scared a vampire but this, this was bad. She needed to get to that building!

by **Torsiedelle** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:21 pm

The Opera House! That's where they were headed!

Torii sped up her sprint behind the group. She wasn't going to die...she wasn't! She would make it with everyone else!

She flew into the lobby, and dug her feet in to try and stop herself, but to no avail. Instead, her abrupt stop sent her flying and skidding across the floor, and into the side of the staircase with a thud.

......

The Dunmer was seperated from the group, but could see where they went. He was just a few yards away from where Primordial and NVE were, and was silently watching.

by **Giovenith** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:23 pm

"PM, please put me down!" Giovenith managed to command through her fear. The golem only complied after she had followed the other godling into the Opera House, finally setting her creator down and tucking her into one of the more hidden corners of the lobby. Normally Giovenith would contemplate the golem's actions, if she weren't petrified over what had happened to Minerva. She pulled up her knees under her chin, and whispered a call: "Guys? Guys...?"

Pippa-Michelle, on the other hand, left the creator in order to crouch by the side of the opening door, out of the way of the opening's sight. She had no terribly complex plan, but had the feeling that this would be a smarter, protective thing to do, as she could see most of the lobby from this position and knew a way out.

She shot Torii a look of concern when she came crashing in, but otherwise didn't move.

by **The New Velociraptor Empire** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:23 pm

Following Naomi, one of the few people he thought he could trust, Fortu went into the opera house and looked for a broom closet to hide in. He didn't want to split up, since that was some rule of surviving horror movies he's seen. But was sort of relived when he knew that NVE would always go off and do his own thing, it was a small mercy in this latest traumatic series of events.

Hearing Bran he called back in a whisper, "Bran? Natiya? Is that you?" despite his change in appearance, his voice was the same.

Cerillium wrote:
There weren't much in the way of bushes downtown. Certainly not where NVE was. Trees had branches trimmed up high to offer motorists a good view of pedestrians. Ornamental vegetation was kept low in the form of ground covers or else late-season mums which only grew to calf height.

The road offered parked cars, mailboxes every block or so, lamp posts and-

CLACK CLACK

The sound's origin was unfathomable. The sharp notes could have been made by striking two pieces of tin together.

CLACK CLACK

It echoed.

WRRRR

A tiny object came into view. It was a toy - a monkey beating a drum. It ambulated towards NVE by wobbling from side to side.

CLACK CLACK

NVE paused for a moment and inspected the toy making that sharp sounds that pierced his hearing. Curious, he stepped closer, almost expecting a bomb on it. But, if it was a bomb then why was he getting closer? He decided to use the ancient art of "poke it with a stick" to see if it was a bomb. Breaking a branch off the nearest tree he could find, he cautiously approached what he believed was a very clever explosive.

by **New Aksarben** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:24 pm

Jacob, following along with Bran and Natiya, looked around for a place to hide as well. He searched for a door, a closet, a locker, anything that he would fit inside of. "Bran. You two need to find a hiding place. Now. I'll be doing the same. But spread out. Naomi told us to scatter, did she not?" He spoke with a nervous, quiet voice, just in case something was indeed listening. He continued scanning the lobby of the Opera house for anything he could hide inside or go through, his keen eyes raking through everything he could possibly see for an idea or place to hide.

-------

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.

by **Cerillium** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:28 pm

Bran, the first to arrive, would sense movement from the far end of the dark lobby. Torii's arrival would distract him before he could get a fix on it. Her impact with the staircase was muffled by the thick carpeting. The others' arrival drowned out all other sounds.

The Opera House was without power. They could hear each others breathing now that noise pollution was no longer a factor. The gilt walls and lavish fabrics that normally spoke of extravagance and historical richness were nothing but sinister now.

by **Primordial Luxa** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:30 pm

Rather than being relived at seeing an inanimate object slightly frozen his body began pumping an incredible amount of adrenaline through his body. His eyes scanned the thing searching for even the slightest trace of life or danger equal to the menace that he was feeling in his core. When he was what it was holding he bit deeply into his lip as temptation began to entice him. He cursed his nature and swore openly “Gods damn it, fucking hell!” he began running a hand over his mouth and through his hair, smiling in the face of incredible stress. He continues looking at the thing not letting his eyes waiver, “Hey guys I found something. Can someone give me a hand?” he began ruffling through his coat pockets for something useful eventually pulling out a small torture tool.

by **The BranRiech** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:33 pm

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.

by **Cerillium** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:36 pm

Those that remained outside the Opera House to watch Primordial wouldn't see much but the empty street and his back as he approached the figure. They were, however standing still an in plain sight of anything that could be watching them from windows in the buildings surrounding them.

His should would rouse the others and perhaps draw a few towards him.

The curette in Primordial's hand glittered in the dim light. The manikin didn't move.

The toy monkey continued to waddle towards him. It beat the tiny drum as it moved. NVE's ears could now pick up the sounds of whirring mechanisms and wound springs.

CLACK CLACK

It was oblivious to him and to his stick.

by **Urran** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:37 pm

Yoshi ducked into the opera house and hid under the stairs. It seemed like a good place to hide, he'd know if anything was under there with him and it was easily defendable. He breathed rapidly and clutched his chest, trying to slow his heart. He couldn hear it banging in his throat.

Blossom dashed inside the opera house and flew up to the ceiling, hanging from it. She hyper ventilated and contemplated all that had just happened.

Personification Life IC IX - [Semi Open]

Personification Life IC IX - [Semi Open]

Naomi's Group

NVE

Primordial

Inside the Opera House

Outside the Opera House and beyond

Who is online