Entries tagged with !activity check

Entry tags:

❧ The Cold of Night Will Fall

[Things in town have been quite peaceful even after the end of all the festivities. Unfortunately now, a video begins to play on everyone's CATs that will destroy that illusion. As soon as this footage begins to play, memories of their false time in Luministi quickly fade, their original memories fighting to take precedence in each person's mind.

The footage appears to be from a security camera in the maintenance area of the spacestation. A pair of feet stick out in the frame of the footage for a good couple of minutes, ragged breathing and distant moaning the only things that can be heard--but then a figure appears and immediately collapses to his knees. Some people may know this young man as Nathan, but for those who don't, well, they're in for a bit of a surprise. He looks like he's been through hell. His dark suit is tattered, skin sweaty, and if anyone's looking closely, there's a bit of blood that begins trickling out of his ears and nose as he slowly moves towards the body.

When Nathan speaks, he sounds weak and exhausted, his voice thick with emotion.] I'm sorry I'm so late. You shouldn't have been left alone, not when--

[A haggard voice belonging to Proctor can be heard and gets increasingly angry as he speaks.] S...shut up. You got me into...into this. I was going to get out of this entire mess but you--[he breaks off, deep and thick coughs racking his lungs for a good, long moment before he speaks again, though his voice sounds incredibly strained and weakened.] And you know I can't come back like they can. We both know it was only a matter of time before he got me. [Suddenly, Proctor starts to chuckle but that faint laughter dissolves into coughing again.]

I can find a way if you just let me!

Just do me one thing.

No, I'm going to get you out of--

--Just get that little bastard Resarci. Make him...make him suffer. And get the other...

[Proctor's voice trails off and Nathan moves off-screen, but still can be heard and somewhat seen as he's shaking the body before him.] No...no! You can't leave! Not yet... [There's a long moment of silence as Nathan sits back, coming back into view, and just clutches his head. His body flickers in and out as he rests there. Finally, he struggles to his feet, using the wall to brace himself. He almost starts to walk away, but stops, pulls his CAT out of his pocket, and aims it at Proctor's body.] I can't do much else, but at least this will keep your body safe until the others find you. And I will stop him. [His gaze turns to the security camera, his expression suddenly filled with rage.] Do you hear me? I will stop you.

[Nathan clutches at the wall as he limps away, heading towards a computer terminal. What he does is unknown--or is it? He's at the controls for a few minutes before he cries out and flickers out of existence for good this time. Perhaps people do know what he's done. The date on the video corresponds with the day the zombies went away, but exactly is he responsible for? What else has he done that he wasn't able to communicate to the others? Some things have changed, but...what?]

( OOC: Plot Details )

Entry tags:

❧ It's All Your State of Mind

[One by one, the visitors disappear, going back home just as mysteriously as they first arrived. When the final one is gone, there is a change...and then, music begins to play on everyone's CATs as it accompanies a montage video tour of the town until it winds up in the Mayor's office once more. Mayor Caligin smiles warmly before speaking.]

Greetings, citizens of Luministi! As you may know, the 702nd Luministi Founder's Day Festival will take place in less than a week! However, this year's festivities will begin early with a cooking contest held here in the town hall, food and wine tasting in the botanical gardens, and 24-hour film festivals for all ages in our very own Janus Theatre! Throughout the week, there will be various game stations and vendors around the town square, with various rides set up in the park. For those of you with music on the brain, all kinds of musical acts can be found around in and around the gardens.

As always, a health and safety booth will be set up near the park for those who get a little too excited, aren't feeling well, or simply can't make the trek to the clinic.

And this is only the beginning! [Caligin's grin grows broader, his excitement practically oozing out of his pores.] Last-minute volunteers are always welcome to help finish setting up booths and decorations, so direct all queries to Miss Osculia as soon as possible if you're interested.

That's all from me today. Have a wonderful day, Luministi!

[The video feed cuts off then. Bird song can be heard outside. The sun is shining brightly with nary a cloud in the sky, but there is a gentle breeze in the air carrying the sweet floral scents from the botanical gardens.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

Entry tags:

❧ Everybody's Looking For Something

[Nathan's device has been busy lately, and today is of no exception. it turns itself on and displays a text message on the screen that reads: URGENT! Get to a private location in the next five minutes and be ready to broadcast this message to everyone on a private channel! I repeat, this is URGENT! and the very second the five minutes end, an audio message begins to play. Nathan's voice is slightly staticky and he sounds very rushed]

Someone knows I've been in the system trying to return things to how they were there, but they haven't caught me yet. Hah! Bastard thinks he can cut me off, huh? Well! I don't think he'll like that I've just managed to open up the entire upper level and locked him out at the same time!

[he lets out a loud sigh of relief] I don't know how long it'll last, but take the time now to get moving! I sent along a little something in two parts--er, not my fault, exactly but it should still work--that should help you keep your heads. I cannot stress enough how important that is! You have to fight off the--

[but it's right then that the transmission is interrupted and cut. things suddenly change all over the spacestation and in town. how long will it be before anyone notices?]

( OOC: Plot Supplement Details )

Entry tags:

❧ Dreams Don't Turn to Dust

[the device Nathan left behind finally turns on with a text message on the screen that reads: "Please make sure you're in a quiet, private area in the next five minutes and be prepared to broadcast this message to your friends on a private channel." once the five minutes pass, an audio message begins, Nathan's voice clear and far less strained than it was previously.]

Thanks to your preliminary investigations I've been able to crack into some of the laboratory's systems and should...[he sounds distracted]...be able to have them open in a moment now that I'm fully connected. Now just...know that I'm not entirely sure what doors I'm opening. I'm working with an outdated schematic and even with knowing there's some funny business going on with the--[there's a faint sound of a key being hit and he lets out a victorious little "hah!"] There we go! I'm hoping these will open up some of the labs--at least in theory anyway. I can't see what I've unlocked, but I don't think I've been lucky enough to hit upon Lab #3. No one is that--

[he stops speaking suddenly, and a split-second later, the flurry of keys can be heard. after a moment, he finally starts to speak again, the typing of keys continuing] I--I don't believe it, but--why doesn't she respond?! What's--okay, I'm patching this through. Whoever has this, press record to save this video on the device, all right? Going in three--two--one--

[once he's done counting down, the device lights up with a somewhat grainy video of a now familiar minimalist room with expensive furniture. only this time, there's only one occupant in the room moving about somewhat aimlessly. he's talking on what appears to be a small headset resting in his ear and from his voice, he should be recognizable as the young man Proctor has argued with in the past]

--es sir, we're starting in just a few minutes. [he sits in a chair facing the multitude of screens on the wall, then stands, swivelling his chair a bit before he sits again and stretches, propping his feet up on the empty one next to his. he seems quite pleased with this arrangement] Oh, that? No, no, no...I have something far more interesting planned. Call it...a stroke of genius. They're going to love this far more than the other stunt we had planned.

[his tone shifts slightly; it's less cocky and more on the casually sinister side] After all, once they figured out how to turn the life supports back on, then they'd know what to do every time after that--and besides, they'd die relatively around the same time, and we can't afford that break in the programming. Oh sure, it'd cause a certain amount of distress and sorrow amongst those still alive to see their friends die, but it'd be short-lived! [he gestures with one hand absently] These days, the people want to see the suffering and the struggle and the bickering--and get their money's worth while they're at it, so it's got to be one hell of a show each and every time. People live for that type of real-life painful drama, the sick bastards. So I'm going to give them what they want--and I think you'll be more than pleased.

[he nods, pausing for a second to listen to someone else on the other line] No, I don't need his approval. That's always been more of a...formality. He likes to think he's in control of such things. [another pause and sets a data pad on the arm of his chair, a smirk on his lips] No. Not anymore.

[the video ends just as the young man taps something into a data pad. the screen of the device goes black and Nathan doesn't come back on]

( OOC: Plot Details )

Entry tags:

❧ Wind of Change

[things around town and within the open areas of the spacestation have been quiet lately. very quiet. the townspeople continue to go about their routines and most sites of past destruction have all been repaired to how they were before the destructive forces of the residents got their hands on them. all except for the stone and Neptune sundials. some effort has been made to repair them, but like Humpty after his terrible fall, they can't be put back together again, not completely. Neptune is bent, warped, and missing pieces like his fingers and trident whereas the reconstructed stone sundial in the park looks like a child's feeble attempt to put together a broken vase. (the spacestation hasn't been touched, however, so all wrappers and stuff remain how it they have been left unless one of the residents has taken it upon themselves to clean.)

eventually, the somewhat idyllic peace is broken--at least for those in the spacestation--by an automated voice with a somewhat friendly tone. many will recognize this voice sounding almost exactly like Verita. unfortunately, those inside the town will not hear this announcement:]

Greetings and thank you for visiting the site of the Luminsiti Research Labs! Every day at Luministi, we strive to find the best solution and method so anyone struck with the grief and pain of losing a loved one may finally find some peace. Many advances have been made in recent years thanks to donations and funding from people like you. Currently, we are in the process of researching a live test, and once we have gathered enough data, we will release our--hopefully!--successful findings to you and eventually the public. Please wait here in the observation deck for the next available lab assistant for your free tour of our facilities.

[and as soon as the automated message ends, the young man from this video appears suddenly right where Lab #3 should be. there is nothing wholly special about his appearance; aside from the fact that he just appeared out of thin air, he looks like a regular young man with brown hair in his very early twenties, except his dark eyes... something about them seems off. that's not the only thing, though. a pained look immediately crosses his features, his hand shooting out to brace himself against the wall. his body flickers for a second, going translucent before it solidifies again]

No...! Damnit, I should've known... [his fist clenches] They shouldn't still be here.

[he closes his eyes, falling silent. his brow furrows, jaw clenching after a moment, then he turns suddenly to face anyone who happens to be there. as he starts to talk, his voice strained and struggling to remain calm, his free hand fumbles for something in his pocket] Hey, it's taking a great deal of effort to even be here right now, but you gotta listen to me. You can call me Nathan. I'm a friend of Audrey's. You were supposed to be home by now and I can take a couple guesses why you aren't. Everything in this place has been changed around. It must have happened after she helped you guys out. Unfortunately, someone's sudden fascination with feng shui and kidnapping my friends has made my job of getting you all outta here even more difficult than it already was.

[a small beeping noise sounds from the device he now holds in his hand. it looks similar to a CAT, and every scan and inspection will say that it is a CAT, but it's something more. he glances down at it, muttering a soft, "...Shit," under his breath] Always running out of time in this damn place... I'm going to do what I can to open up this place up, but I can't visit for long. You've got to understand that I cannot be found here. If I am--[he closes his mouth, waving an impatient hand as he flickers again]--just trust me, I can't be! When I've caught him, I'll explain everything, but for now my priority is getting you home, not telling you stories. In the meantime, you have to continue on as you have so far. Play along with what the this place throws you and above all, you need to stay calm and safe. It's very important that none of you allow your emotions to get the better of you.

[he closes his eyes for a second again and finally, slowly, pushes away from the wall and fights to keep himself from wobbling] I'm going to leave this here. Don't worry; it can't be traced. But don't hold onto it for too long. Keep passing it amongst yourselves and keep it hidden. Just because it can't be traced doesn't mean they can't see it once it leaves this precise location. You'll need it so I can pass you information and...other things when I can't be here, so you can't just leave it in this spot. I absolutely need this in someone's possession at all times.

[he drops to his knees suddenly, but plays it off as something he meant to do as he purposefully sets the device on the ground.] But please, since I can only do so much, I need everyone to search for Audrey and Lab #3 for me. Though I fear the worst... [he starts to flicker again, and he lets out a sigh as he fully disappears this time.]

[just as he does, the locked and bloodied door at the very end of the observation deck clicks and slowly slides open.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

Entry tags:

❧ Paper Faces on Parade

[at last, the final person has seemingly returned to town and at that moment, all preparations for the 701st Founder's Day Festival finally cease! music starts up that can be heard all around town, and all the fancy, sparkling decorations reach as far as the townhomes. oddly, the sky has darkened to look like night even though moments before, the sun was out and shining.

by now, the town square has been transformed into an extravagant outdoor ballroom for this gala, and everyone is decked out in full refinery; tuxedos and ballgowns are all around! and most special of all, everyone in the square are donning fancy masquerade masks; be they dancing, dining, or simply standing around and chatting to each other. from the small sea of people in the crowd, it's difficult to tell who is who. no one has done any announcements or welcome speech, and there don't seem to be any plans to.

at least there, anyway.

not too long after the festivities begin, a box with a special mask and a note are sent to each of the residents. each mask is different, but the notes are all the same:]

I know you've been busy, but why not try to relax?
Who knows, you just might get lucky and find me once and for all.
If you miss this opportunity, though...you'll truly regret it.

( OOC: Plot Details - **Quick-time Event** )

Entry tags:

❧ Who Killed the Luministi Kid?

[a musical cue begins to play suddenly on both vidscreens and CATs, and soon the picture shifts from the normal town montage to a picture of the always smiling Mayor Caligin]

Greetings, Luministi! As you can see our technicians have finally straightened out all the bugs and kinks in the system and everything should be as great as things were before the unfortunate system downtime.

It's just as well that everything is back in working order. The final leg of planning for the 701st Luministi Founder's Day Festival is underway and if anyone is looking for some last-minute volunteering, there is certainly plenty to do as various booths are slowly set up in the town square and pavilion in preparation of the big day. [Caligin's smile broadens] And there are plenty of other surprises in store. I am practically bursting at the seams to tell you all, but that would spoil all the fun!

For now, if anyone is interested in volunteering, contact--

( [the sound suddenly cuts off...] )

( OOC: Plot Details )

Entry tags:

❧ Echoes of Yesterday

[as usual, all the CATs and vidscreens in town activate simultaneously. Verita is in the Town Square, looking out at the residents--but without her usual energy. without further ado, she begins speaking]

Residents, I am here today to report that the murderer who has ravaged our town has been caught! [her tone is, on the surface, cheerful, but her usual energy and flair for theatrics is definitely missing] Sheriff Iussus has discovered, to his depressing dismay, that Deputy Drew, one of his own officers, was responsible. [sighs, her expression quite tragic] But the deputy is now in custody, so there's nothing more to fear, residents. You can live your lives calmly again! Thank you, and, as always, remember where to look to for the news that's meaningful to you!

[the CAT feed cuts out then. but only seconds later, it cuts in again--but only to the CATs of the new residents. all of the vidscreens remain blank. when the transmission starts, it is showing the side of Verita's head as she talks to someone off-screen] Is it working? [pauses, and a muffled reply can be heard] Oh, good! Okay, here I go. [Verita takes a deep breath as she turns to face the CAT] New citizens of Luministi. I come before you today to announce an injurious injustice!

[Verita is, in fact, looking quite put-out now that she has begun her proper transmission. she crosses her hands over her chest, and a severe pout mars her normally-cheerful expression. but residents can just hear the other person with Verita say something then, and Verita blushes, lowering her voice] But keep this between us, all right?

I am soaringly sorry to report that the murder investigation might not be as simple as our dear sheriff is claiming. Now, residents, please listen before you act! I don't mean to sow any seeds of dangerous discord among us, and I'm sure the sheriff has gallingly good reason to suspect Deputy Drew, but...I think he's worryingly wrong! After speaking with you, our new residents, I think you're right and that...[pauses, reluctant]...that our own Doctor Resarci might be more involved than he pretends to be. But the sheriff won't listen to me! So the deputy is behind bars and the dubious doctor remains free. [frowns, frustrated]

And it gets worryingly worse. [sighs, her expression becoming very worried indeed] I don't want to scare you, dear residents, but earlier today, Doctor Resarci announced a gas leak. He claims it's just a minor leak and won't harm a fly, and he said I shouldn't even announce it so I "wouldn't cause panic." [makes a face] But after everything that's happened, I think you need to know! So, there you have it. I don't know what might be coming, residents, but I will be sure to give you all the news as soon as it's known!

[glances at her observer, possibly on the verge of cutting the transmission, when she hesitates again. turns back to the CAT briefly] And be cautiously careful, please.

( OOC: Plot Details )

Entry tags:

❧ Happy Birthday Luministi!

[no matter where the residents are when their CAT units begin to beep, about three seconds later, they will find themselves falling asleep where they stand--or where they're sitting or even in mid-stride--and the next minute, residents will wake up to a town that has greatly changed once again. how they fell asleep is anyone's guess...]

[just then, before anyone can access their CATs properly, the CATs and all vidscreens turn on, a video montage of the town leading up to the town hall fills the screen with a different accompanying tune this time, and soon shows the face of the smiling Mayor Caligin. he doesn't seem to show any sign of distress from the recent invasion of his town. in fact, he looks really excited, if that extra little twinkle in his eye is any clue.]

Greetings, citizens of Luministi! As most of you are aware, we're nearly upon the anniversary of the town's founding--that is, the day this very town was established, for all our new residents out there--and the town council and I have decided we're going to start things a bit early this year! [as if on cue, a bunch of confetti begins raining down on him] Starting right now--yes, right now!--the Founder's Day Festival has begun, but ahhhh, we still have some surprises in store for you. After all, the real Founder's Day has yet to come. This year's festival has graciously been funded by the Resarci Medical Clinic, so do be sure to stop by and thank the fine people down there for all their work!

Instead of me wasting any more of your time, here is a little flyer explaining the features of this year's festival--but really, the best way to see what's there is to come on down to the town square or even stop by the park. There is something for everyone to enjoy and we do hope you all enjoy the festival. It is, after all, very special. [for a split second, something flickers in the mayor's eyes, a hint of melancholy briefly betraying the excitement in his voice]

So enjoy the festivities and have a wonderful day, Luministi!

[and as promised, an image of the flyer appears on all screens and devices the moment the mayor is done speaking, automatically being saved in the databank of every CAT]

( OOC: Plot Details )