EVENT: The Great BREW Malfunction Pt II [OPEN]

[soul_mods]

Characters: Everyone and anyone
Location: Anywhere in Death City!
Rating: PG-13
Time: July 16 to July 18th
Description: And then it gets worse.



By now, no one is popping in and out of existence, but that's hardly any consolation when odd things keep happening.

At first it's not that bad. An innocuous item or two shows up. Something harmless wanders around that you're sure has never been in Death City before.

By the second day, bigger and more dangerous things start showing up and by the third...

Well.

As long as you don't mind the giant pieces of debris or creatures blocking the road or the sky, it's not that bad, right?

((OOC: List of canon items and creatures arriving can be found here. Remember, the list only tells you where they initially show up. They'll probably move on soon enough to a new location.

Remember to put Character | Location | OPEN/CLOSED in your subject!))


Open Threads
Sephiroth and Cloud
Amaterasu
Keroro
Edgeworth
Trucy
Aqua
Hyoubu
Eve
Hiro
Morgan
Clopin
L
Alucard
Light
Neji
Lily
Psii
Raidou
Takuto

Comments

Sephiroth & Cloud | Patrolling the streets | OPEN - 16th encounter with a Touch Me Frog

[pure_lineage]

[The mission the previous day had done some of what Sephiroth had hoped for. He had spent the better part of it attempting to gain control of his Meister ability along with testing out the true depths he could achieve. While he knew that there was still a long way to go, the ex-General hadn't missed the dark depths the ability of his soul took him to.

Cloud had sacrificed much while he'd attempted to gain control of it, while Akiha and Sion didn't go unscathed either, but Sephiroth had managed to succeed with the aid of his once-Meister which had allowed for him to return to the city. That didn't mean that he lowered his guard, far from it, but there was less reason to remain isolated from the city's population.

That was why he could be found walking alongside his partner as Cloud did his patrol. Things had settled down with BREW's malfunction, but it seemed as though it wasn't the last thing that machine decided it wanted to put them through.

Sephiroth froze mid-step as he caught sight of an amphibian up ahead. Eyes narrowing, he subconsciously took a partial step in front of Cloud as if to protect his 'Meister' as his mind automatically made the connection to the danger a frog represented. It didn't matter that this was an entirely different world and that the frogs here could very well be something different. In Sephiroth's mind, all frogs posed a dangerous threat which was why he remained alert and cautious to the amphibian as it seemed to squat up and down on its hind legs seemingly unaware of them in that moment.]

[de_faulty_hero]

[As successful as the mission had been, all involved had suffered as never before. Cloud hadn't fought that hard on all fronts since he and Sephiroth had often missioned with Kuroro and Kurapika. Their mission really had been a crash course in what the other did, but he was also keenly aware of how possessive Sephiroth was to his Weapon form. Apparently the love for the Black Materia would not fade.

Patrol was easier with Sephiroth next to him. He was still twitchy from the madness wavelength that he had endured for the first time the day before. Akiha's words still rang in his head about it; they could all be monsters, but he had endured back then and he would endure now that potential fall from grace. He was glad Sephiroth was with him, despite the risks.

He didn't see the frog right away, so took a step forward before Sephiroth was suddenly sliding in front of him in the usual guarding position. He peeked around the older man's arm to spot the frog, and he thought for a moment it just a common frog... until he saw the colours and behaviour. That wasn't a frog from these parts. He stepped behind Sephiroth more.]

That isn't what I think that is, is it?

[pure_lineage]

[Sephiroth knew that Cloud's thoughts still weighed him down, but he didn't bring the topic back up at all. His partner would broach the topic when he felt ready and the ex-General had no desire to breach the blonde's privacy anytime soon.

His eyes narrowed when Cloud moved to step around him though in order to see the threat ahead. Sephiroth reacted automatically by holding his arm out. Not to prevent Cloud from going any closer, but to partially transform it. That was the moment he remembered that he was no longer the Weapon but a Meister instead.

Growling, he did what he could to prevent the flash of wavelength from pulsating through as the frog perked and seemed to turn to face them. There was no doubt to the curious glint in its eyes, not the fear or caution a regular creature would have when faced with a potential danger.]

Perhaps, but I do not think it wise to think it is not - not until we are certain.

[de_faulty_hero]

[He didn't move around the arm that shot out, though he knew that the appendage would not turn into a sword as the older man hoped. He flexed his hand, groping for that sensation within himself instead. He had no partial form unlike his old Weapon, so it was all or nothing in that regard.

When the frog turned to regard them, he shifting uncomfortably. It certainly looked and acted like the old silly things back from Gaea, but that wasn't possible. Touch Me Frogs didn't exist in Death City after all.]

How do you propose we do that? We could resonate and drop a big rock on it?

[pure_lineage]

[Sephiroth remained on guard as the frog ceased its squats and focused its attention solely on them instead. Feeling his muscles tense, his inhumane gaze witnessed how it seemed to shift its balance from hind leg to hind leg in a manner that was all too familiar.]

Doing so would damage the area.

[Which he wouldn't have cared for either way, but he held no doubt that he would be the one at fault - a blame he would take without hesitation. There was another method, however...

Holding out his hand to Cloud, his eyes never once strayed from the curious frog while it watched them.]

I have an idea.

[de_faulty_hero]

[Cloud held his tongue when it came to damaging the area because he knew for a fact that Sephiroth cared little for any collateral damage. He knew better than to mention it, especially when their focus was on the frog before them. It had that look... bad things were going to happen.]

Right... so we avoid it or you throw a sword at it.

[He glanced at the hand before nodding; nothing bad could happen to him in Weapon form after all. He closed his eyes and drew into himself, transforming with more ease than the previous times and landing easily in Sephiroth's hand.]

Your ideas for combat are always good.

[pure_lineage]

[Sephiroth ignored the look Cloud gave him. His reasons were his own and he felt little desire in sharing them, especially with the potential danger just ahead of them.

Remaining focused, he felt the weight of Cloud's Weapon form fall into his hand as their souls aligned and their resonance hummed quietly between them. The frog was clearly interested and if it could have expression, it would have held a devious glint in its eye. Instead Sephiroth didn't allow for it to make the first move, and after Cloud had spoken such words to him, he felt his lips curve up into a smirk as instead of tossing one of his swords, he instead moved swiftly as he ditched the black orb with precision towards the defensive frog.

If it was merely a regular frog, it would dart away to wherever it had crawled from, but if not... then he would need his weapons in order to destroy the abomination. Sephiroth wouldn't admit that his tactics were partly for revenge for all the times in the past Cloud had thrown him or stuck him in an inanimate object and left him there.]

[de_faulty_hero]

[Cloud worked to resonate with the older man, and he didn't find it difficult at all given all their time together. He internalized himself as he sought out the abilities that remained in his form, wanting to be ready when Sephiroth called up his power. He had to be ready, this could end badly for his partner.

He became suddenly aware of how badly it was about to end for him when he was thrown at the frog. His awareness went very, very black and muffed when the frog leapt and caught his Weapon from in its mouth and swallowed him. It was... awful warm in here. And he supposed he deserved it for all the times he had ditched Sephiroth in various creatures, objects or even walls.

The frog hopped forward at Sephiroth as rapidly as it could with a sudden bulging belly full of Black Materia, but Cloud was having none of that. He suddenly transformed back into his human form, blowing apart the frog to have 'stern' words at his partner. He managed to burst out, covered in frog gore before he was suddenly looking at Sephiroth's boots. He blinked wide eyes and drew his legs, all four of them under his now green and very froggy body.] Riii...bit.

[pure_lineage]

[There were two ways that this would end. Either the frog was nothing but a regular frog, in which Cloud would give him a lecture for, or the frog was a threat which would mean that it would be destroyed and he'd receive a lecture for his actions. Either way the amusement at feeling Cloud's indignant reaction was well worth the price.

What Sephiroth hadn't expected was to see the frog leap up towards the black orb before it opened its gaping wide mouth and ate it. That... was an ending that Sephiroth hadn't expected, and he was actually torn between the possessiveness that flared up within him and the amusement of the entire situation. He settled for an even middle ground for both as he fixated his deathly glare on the amphibian who was now hopping a charge towards him. Pulling out his weapon, he positioned himself to attack so that he could release the frog's current meal.

There had been no need for it though as the frog soon exploded, but the brief flash of his partner soon disappeared as instead of a human in the gore stood yet another frog. That battle hadn't gone as he had expected... it took a few moments for Sephiroth to relax his guard, but soon enough he was lowering his weapon and glancing down at Cloud with a smirk.]

It appears as though we have our answer, wouldn't you say, Cloud?

[de_faulty_hero]

[This was, ironically, a situation he had been in before, though never having felt this powerless about the whole thing. Touch Me Frogs were a known nuisance of Gaea, and he had dealt with them a few times but only once had he been reduced to this. He had gotten his Ribbon soon after and never looked back about it.

Now he was a frog, and it occurred to him that he might have just blown apart the only way to return him to human form in his emergence. He shifted, examining Sephiroth's boots before tilting his head to regard his partner with a beady little eye and sensing the amusement that was coming from his partner. Yes, he had deserved it, but only if there was a way to turn him back which...

He turned his back on Sephiroth, both to give the equivalent for a cold shoulder and to look for another frog to chase after to touch him. He succeeded in only one of those things.]

[pure_lineage]

[There was confusion in those beady little eyes, but that only seemed to increase his sense of amusement over the situation. When he was given the cold shoulder, the ex-General huffed lightly before he began to step by, and over, the small frog on the ground. There was only one other way to revert Cloud back without an impaler or Maiden's Kiss, which meant that they would need to find a second frog. It didn't worry Sephiroth just yet.

His amusement of Cloud's plight was far too strong as things currently were. Instead he walked a few steps in front of where the frog stood and glanced back over his shoulder with amusement glinting in his eyes.]

We are hardly going to find the cure standing around here. Unless you prefer to remain this way, Strife?

[Sephiroth didn't wait for Cloud to reply as he began walking ahead of his amphibian partner.]

[de_faulty_hero]

[There was apparently no frogs standing around this area waiting to attack him again, but he would be alright with a frog hitting Sephiroth. Of course, when and if he returned to human form, he would undoubtedly laugh about the whole thing. As it was, he could only just be annoyed that his skin felt like it was drying out in the hot sun. It wasn't easy being a frog it seemed.

He turned his head and tracked the older man's shoes, not willing to lift his head up really high to catch that amused look. There was still the connection between them to let him know that Sephiroth was positively enjoying this situation and would continue to do so for as long as possible at this rate. He issued a strong croak and tested his new legs. He hopped awkwardly at first, but like all things, he learned quickly.

He began to hop after his partner, picking up his pace until he could reach one of Sephiroth's feet and hopped onto the older man's boots, using his front 'feet' to latch onto his partner's ankle so that he could just catch a ride. It also indicated he couldn't turn Sephiroth into a frog too. Of all the luck!]

[pure_lineage]

[He knew that Cloud would follow after him, and soon enough he would pick his partner up for the search, but for now he wanted the younger male to be 'independent' while he got his long hind legs under him. He could hear the way those webbed feet slapped against the ground at first until his partner got the hang of it. Soon enough Cloud had caught up and he felt the weight latch onto his foot while he continued walking.

Sephiroth came to a stop a few feet after that and peered down towards his green companion. The smirk was still fixated on his face while he observed his partner, and with an amused puff of air, he finally bent down to pick Cloud up before placing the once-silvering-blonde on his shoulder armour.]

We might need to find you a pond if this takes too long, or make you a portable one.

[de_faulty_hero]

[His ride wasn't the smoothest one being on the foot of another and rising and falling with each step, but it was better than scrambling on smaller legs to keep up. He would tire, and he wasn't about to let this new humiliation be seen by too many. Sephiroth's amusement was alright by him, since it was nice to see his partner happy, even if it was at his expense. How many times had his own been at Sephiroth's?

He issued a deep croak when there was suddenly no motion from the foot he was on, and he turned to sit to look around. Was there another frog so soon? His beady blue eyes peered around but saw nothing promising, and he squirmed when he was suddenly picked up, legs kicking before he found himself settled on Sephiroth's shoulder. He shifted his legs appropriately. He managed the equivalent of a reproachful look at the words.

Instead of dignifying the actual good idea with a response, he opened his wide mouth and let fly his very long tongue with quickness and accuracy into the older man's ear.]

[pure_lineage]

[There were no words needed to showcase Cloud's displeasure at the situation. Sephiroth didn't mind though, and he watched as that small frog seemed to open its large mouth as if to speak. It wasn't words though that came out, but instead that long tongue as it flicked out to hit against his ear.

The sensation had him tensing for the moment, the gesture entirely unexpected before he forced himself to relax as he shook his head once to flick his hair over his ear to protect it.]

I'm not interested in amphibians.

[He had no doubt that Cloud wasn't in any strife, pardon the pun, and instead began heading off with the frog on his shoulder as he began his search for another to help transform Cloud back.]

Inform me if the sun becomes a problem.

[de_faulty_hero]

[He rumbled in response to the words, thinking that his own bit of revenge was good enough for now. Of course, he also realized how warm Sephiroth's armour could get when exposed to the sun all the time as well. He wasn't about to complain though and instead made the most of the situation by crawling under some of Sephiroth's hair for some shade.

He issued a soft croak in response to the words, laying his chin on his webbed feet and watching the road ahead as Sephiroth began to walk again. He knew he was honestly safe with his partner, but there was literally nothing he could do to help right now. So, he settled and hoped he could turn back... and soon. For now, he'd think of all manner of things to berate Sephiroth with.

It was quite funny though.]

[pure_lineage]

[The sensation of having that long tongue flick out and lick him still lingered on his ear. While he'd get revenge on Cloud for that later, he put it to the side for now as there were far more amusing and important matters to deal with.

He didn't mind when Cloud shifted to hide beneath the mass of silver hair. The sun wouldn't do any amphibian too well and at least he knew that his partner would be protected regardless of how grumpy he would be.

With one final glance at his partner, Sephiroth began to search for another frog to turn Cloud back.]

I hope jumping in here is okay!!

[tauborn]

[Takuto was aware that there were strange things in the city lately, but he wasn't aware that the frogs here weren't your normal, average, everyday, pond-loving frogs. It was strange to see a frog in a desert, but weren't there frogs that bury themselves in sand and wait for rain? He was sure he'd seen it on some nature program when he was younger....

Though there was definitely something off-putting about the way this frog was eyeing him, so he'd just move on. Except... there was another one behind him.

Weird. And a little creepy.

He delicately scurried out of the situation, shaking his head and looking back at the strangeness of it all as he rounded a corner--and nearly walked right into a very tall person. Blinking, he caught sight of a similar frog disappearing underneath the silvery spread of Sephiroth's hair. He couldn't help but openly stare. Surely a Deathscythe would be able to notice a frog on him, right? Right?]

Th-there's a frog...?

[And he was pointing, now, too.]