[OPEN]

[daddyscythe]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Outskirts of Nevada
Rating: PG
Time: All day, Feb 27
Description: Shibusen offers a field trip to acclimate the guests to the Madness wavelength.


It's a perfectly pleasant day for the most part, if one is to look at the sky and maybe the horizon. For the attendees of the fieldtrip, however, things are naturally a lot more grim, if also lot more colorful. There are understandably no civilians in the area -- or any other signs of life apart from the group.

As promised, the location is extensively arranged to cordon off various areas of the place where Madness spikes have been identified. They are all properly labeled, both with text and visuals, and discreet agents kept an eye on all corners of the large field. The mirror by which the guest will come in is set in a corner, with some food provided next to it.

People are free to come and go, though the other end leads to the clinic instead of the Death Room. The rules are simple: venture into a level you think you can handle, and if you can't, someone will help.

In the afternoon, a light rain will come to add some variety to the endless desert. Make sure to take shelter in the open tents provided to protect you from the elements!

[ooc: Just put in open tags in the comments, [Character Name | Open/Close | Area/sort of madness targeted/whatever marker you want].

Plotting and information post was here.]

Comments

[pure_lineage]

There was a feeling of loss within when Cloud began to withdraw contact from him. It was always that feeling of finality that throbbed dully within his chest, but this time it was more out of feeling like a disappointment. He had never felt that way before, and especially not towards the actions he attempted. Perhaps it was simply because he could not gain control over his weaknesses here.

"No," Sephiroth murmured as he kept the hold on Cloud's fingers. He needed more time to consider the options he had, and if he wasn't prepared for another bout of Madness the next time it hit, then he would simply injure himself to prevent the descent. "I believe that I need to re-evaluate my standings first."

[of_the_faint_smile]

Oh, this one was far more polite than those she combated against. Of course, she supposed that she wasn't allowed to kill him, since he looked to be human and the iron-clad law still worked in her own mind. Well, she could shake him up a bit, given how he was running about demanding a fight. It was his own fault if he was injured.

Teresa purposefully had come here unarmed, and she was confident enough in her skills to not feel the pinch without her Claymore. She simply stood smiling as he charged in, letting him come just within his reach before side-stepping and moving to trip him up with a leg.

[de_faulty_hero]

He supposed that he could go back to wandering the various madness sections of the city. People were rather interesting in them, but he was hesitant to leave Sephiroth in such a mood as well. He suspected that the ex-General was more ill-prepared for the madness than before he had grasped hold of his partner. Perhaps Sephiroth felt the need to go at it alone.

His blue eyes flicked down to where Sephiroth's grip remained on him, but he kept his grip loose in return in case the ex-General had a change of heart on the matter. "You mean you need to regain your mental focus?"

[pure_lineage]

That was one way of putting it. He would need to re-evaluate how to tackle the problem he had against the Madness, but if he was being true to himself, the ex-General was uncertain to if he could ever successfully overcome his mental instability. He could blame the events of Nibelheim all that he wanted, but if he wanted the truth, all he needed to do was to look towards the man who had sired him. That should have been more than enough evidence in regards to his future, and what would possibly become of him.

He didn't let go of Cloud's hand, and he wasn't giving any indication of releasing it either. The question had left him silent for some time before he finally managed to murmur, "There is much I need to regain or understand."

[de_faulty_hero]

He supposed that he had unfairly wandered after the silver-haired man, thinking that Sephiroth was going to turn into that sadistic aspect that often showed up in madness. From the signs, this was the lowest level, which meant that he should have more trust in what his partner could stand. It wasn't as if the ex-General had strated off in the high range area after all. He felt bad for interfering.

His eyes once again strayed to their entwined fingers when it became clear that Sephiroth was probably not going to let them go. "I haven't ruined your attempt completely, have I?"

[pure_lineage]

Sephiroth didn't need to see Cloud in order to know what his Meister was thinking. he could feel the emotion through their bond, and because of it, the ex-General tightened the grip he had on his partner's fingers.

"You could never ruin anything," he softly murmured. His words were entirely honest as he spoke, and at the same time, he pulled on Cloud's hands so as to draw the younger male back up against him. "Everything we have... it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I do not wish for you to believe anything otherwise."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura was quiet a long moment, fidgeting with his scar. "What if it's not...?" he finally asked. Monster World was, but the Voice wasn't. The Voice wasn't even just back home either...

Though logically, he knew that the Voice he was hearing wasn't the real Voice. Just his echo. But it was still a reminder.

"..Do you think... that maybe something could be learned by this? By what you hear or see when..." His fingers flexed a moment. "When we're affected by the Madness?"

[topgun_textiles]

His lips peeled back in a snarl, and that jab at his masculinity was enough for his addled mind. The sand was kicked up when Kanji broke into a charge. Loki's arms were wide open, daring him to make the swing.

He didn't need an invitation.

Kanji was a brawler. While most stuck with quick, light jabs, wearing down the opponent before finishing with something stronger, Kanji threw all that out the window. His attacks had some wind-up, but he put nearly everything into his punches with intent to finish things quick and messy. When within range, he brought down a hard right hook, aiming for that punchable smirk with a bellow of rage.

[topgun_textiles]

A'right.

Feeling his shoes sink a little into the sand, Kanji took another step, shutting his eyes to do something, anything against that bright light. If its purpose was to aggravate him, it was working.

Still seein' shit here... let's push it a little bit more.

He had to stop it. If he didn't, he didn't know what he'd do.

late, hope you don't mind

[snipingyourfail]

She still thought this outing was a bad idea overall, but there was sense in exposing their guests to the wavelength as early as possible, and under controlled conditions. It was certainly a lot better than deploying them out in missions unprepared, only to have them fall prey to Asura's wavelength in the battlefield... Well. The least she could do to placate her instincts telling her that some form of disaster was sure to happen was by tagging along as Spirit had requested.

And that was why she was here, keenly watching the guests wandering amongst the labeled spikes. Date Masamune, in particular, had frozen in place with his hand on his eyepatch.

"Retreat if you feel that you cannot handle it," she advised quietly.

[snipingyourfail]

These levels of madness, even the peak ones, were easy enough for Azusa to deal with. She could wade into the thick of it and only feel the slightest pressure at the back of her head, like a hand trying to push in. All she had to do was move and think, dodge and deflect it, or dismiss entirely--which was why she sometimes believed that people who had trouble with it were just weak, and could do with a smack upside the head to snap them out of it.

Of course, she couldn't exactly do that now. But her usual dry wit might serve just as well. A muttering at her side caught her ear, and she turned around to see who it was.

"What's not true?"

[kuramaless]

It's probably not something he'll say by the end of it, either.

"... Hey, I faced somethin' real tough back home, yanno? I reckon I'm ready for anythin'! Bring it on!"

[unfinishedstory]

"Eh." She liked Neji, but he was stupid and didn't like her. Who needs him, she certainly didn't. No matter how pretty he was. "I know who I would ask out but I don't see her here..."

"I guess, if that's what I have now. When I'm sane I just worry worry worry, that everyone will be like my step-brother, or my other ex boyfriends." Clare wasn't sure if self-confidence was exactly right, but it wasn't wrong and she didn't care to think of a better word. She swayed a little as the music got louder in her head, thinking over what she was just told to try, "So I should go looking for trouble, just... not on my own? Sounds like fun!" That wasn't sarcasm, she genuinely thought it was a fun idea.

"I only like getting hurt in the really fun ways, I think... I haven't tried all the ones I've gotten curious about," ...best to leave that one alone. "You know you're cute and smart, I'm glad I danced over to you."

[wildest]

Barnaby's blood trickled down the thin blades slowly, down his palm and wrist and it was then that Kotetsu realized what he'd done, looked up and managed to register the look of pain on his partner's face. He'd hurt him. He'd never hurt him like this before and there he was with his blood on his hands and the voices laughed at him more and he just about was ready to break. I TOLD YOU SO. I TOLD YOU IT WOULD HAPPEN, YOU MONSTER.

'It's the pain of friendship.'

That wasn't one of the voices though. His eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat, and he realized that... it was his voice, and like some sort of switch the Madness faltered, just for a brief second, just enough for him to realize what he needed to do.

'You and I... We're the best team ever!'

Kotetsu yanked his hands away, shut his eyes tightly and then stood with all of the strength he had left. He wrapped his arms around Barnaby's waist, mindful not to touch him with his hands again and then pushed as hard as he could, enough to at least get them out of the high level zone and back to medium, focusing as hard as he could on that one single, faint yet clear voice.

[raisedbydogs]

Inukashi felt someone observing him, his senses quite more sensitive than usual due to the panic that attempted to win him over.

Wait... he knows that guy... It's...
That-

His cheeks flush slightly, the dogs actually all looking at him, since they had felt the sudden shift of emotions. Inukashi snapped "What are ya all looking at! Concentrate on your own heads!" then he looks at the tall guy which was staring at him "What are ya looking at?"

[raisedbydogs]

Inukashi makes a sort of a weak grin at the question, trying to show confident even thought he didn't really felt it at the moment "It takes more than this to throw us off edge..."
At that moment, the youngest dog, the brown puppy, whimpers and pees on the spot. Inukashi blinks, his eyes going to the white fluffy dog, his head gives a small movement in the direction of the puppy.
The white dog, walks towards the puppy, the massive body sheltering the smaller one, this action calming the smaller dog.

"Ah damn, shouldn't have picked him..." he places his hand on the long hair, messing it even more than it was already messed up.

Kei | open | anywhere

[leafe_of_light]

Kei had his mouth forming a thin line, his face actually maintaining his poker face but barely.

This wasn't anything new for him, since he had already experienced once the madness wavelength when the city had been attacked by zombies. But still, it was never easy to withstand it.

Re: Amaterasu | Open | Anywhere

[raisedbydogs]

Inukashi glimpsed Amaterasu on the corner of his eye. His first reaction was the impulse to just go to her, forget the whole getting used to the madness wavelength and stay near the only one which he felt protected with.

But instead of giving in, he grinted his teeth, no, not yet.

He gives however, a nod at his pack, signaling them to take a rest next to Amaterasu. They had behaved well on this training and deserved the rest.

[sentiments]

And finally, the sharp grip on his arm let go, and Barnaby could pull his arm away. He wanted to check it to see the extent of the injury, but his eyes kept getting drawn to the drips that slid past his fingertips and went for the floor. The pace wasn't too fast, but it was intriguing.

Weird and strange and sharp and--he was moving. A warm pair of arms had seized him and began to shove him away. Barnaby cooperated, just this once, eyes still watching as the drops stained the ground beneath them. It wasn't until they slipped out of the high level that Barnaby was beginning to register that it was blood and something that shouldn't be pouring all over the place.

"Oh..."

Nothing but a faint sound of realization, since his mind was still reeling. But he knew he was moving, and for however long Kotetsu pushed him, he would continue to walk.

[unfinishedstory]

"Well, we're in the lower areas of madness, I know because I'd probably say something regrettable otherwise," Clare eyes the dogs. They're cute but... who knows what they might do if the madness starts playing with them.

"Probably should have them avoid any of the stronger madness areas in here," Clare offered, not entirely sure how madness toys with dogs. Then again she wasn't sure how madness impacted her. "And you, you're mostly sane right now?"

[raisedbydogs]

"We will go to the other areas afterwards... I have to get them used to concentrate in my orders even against their instincts." otherwise, how would they survive if they were attacked within the city.

He didn't care if he lost everyone... but he couldn't manage if he ever lost his pack.

"I am, I received a lot worst a few months ago." he messes his hair, looking somewhat embarrassed as he remembers his freaking out the first time he had received the full wave on his brain. "It was really nasty."

[want_the_world]

[The static doesn't vanish, but the signal that's their resonance gains strength in spite of it, and Mello's vision starts to clear, as if a lifeline from the real world has been thrown to him.]

Yes.

[I'm listening, I'll try, he'd say instead, if he had the energy for it.

Mello can't tell how Near's feeling, but he can feel how the contact is steadying, weirdly so, after how much they've both tried to deny it lately. This is something worth fighting for, but you haven't, you've taken the easy way out, that's not how it should be, it's not how you do things...

The treacherous thoughts make his focus waver, a distraction he can't afford. It's not a matter of life and death, but Mello still needs to prove he can handle this. Like Near did on the battlefield, he tries to open his mind, and to do his partner one better, not leaving any walls in the way. It's not easy. It feels like jumping into pitch-black with no guarantee the fall won't kill him.]

I know we can do it.

[That makes him feel more like himself, giving an assertion he's not actually sure of, because reality, damn it, ought to do what he wants, not the other way round.]

[attentionwenches]

Keeping Bakura's mind focused on other things seemed to be a good idea. Loki was confident that they could move into parts of the desert with higher levels of the wavelength soon. He took his hand off Bakura's shoulder and nodded in the direction he intended to go. Come on, friend. We can do this.

"What is 'Black Blood'?" Loki asked as he took his first steps deeper into the Madness. "Is it a poison?"

[thehonking]

[When Ryoki shifts, Gamzee loses his hold on him.

He's quick to act, though, grabbing for a hold on the weapon even as he shifts back again.]

[wildest]

He just kept pushing and shoving, urging his feet to keep moving until finally he could feel that extra heavy weight of fear and panic and doubt lift off of his shoulders, and he sucked in a heavy breath at the fleeting relief of it, but he knew they weren't out of the clear yet. They were still in a lot of trouble, Barnaby was injured and he had no idea whether or not he was in his right mind yet, especially since he could still hear those voices. They weren't as harsh as before but they were still there, telling him how weak he was to allow any of this to happen, and there was no way Barnaby would forgive him, see anything redeemable about him ever again. Except--

'Your enthusiasm is your only strong point, isn't it?!'

He could remember Barnaby's tear-stained face so vividly, hear the pain in his voice, all the confidence he had in him to overcome anything. With that reminder embedded into his mind, keeping those murmured but still persistent negative voices fueled by the Madness at bay, Kotetsu's arms unwrapped from Barnaby's waist and he reached for his hands, claws shifting back to fingers and when he gripped tightly he switched over to his weapon form.

Immediately, Kotetsu began yelling as loud as he could to grab Barnaby's attention, trying to resonate with him even with the fatigue and exhaustion creeping up on him caused by the Madness. 'Bunny, B-Bunny get-- get out of here now! Go! BUNNY HURRY UP AND GO, DAMN IT!'