soul_logs | EVENT: The Attack of the Clowns

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EVENT: The Attack of the Clowns

Early in the morning, those who had brought one back would find the bird keychains they brought back from their trip to that skii resort doing something...strange. The small eyes on the things started pulsing with a faint light that might go unnoticed at first. It doesn't stop though, and keeps right on pulsing for the rest of the morning.

Shortly, before noon, the light stops pulsing and shines bright enough to be uncomfortable.

Two things happen at once when it does.

One of these things is this: within a 50 meter radius of every keychain, strange ripples appear in the ground. From these ripples, something that is barely humanoid in shape slowly ascend. Their colours range from red to silver to yellow to purple. When they've materialized all the way, the Clowns immediately spring into action, attacking anyone nearby and, if there is no one, move in whatever direction they were facing, seeking victims.

The other thing that happens is a voice, young, lilting and feminine, being projected through the keychains.

""Thank you for all that you have done: none of this would have been possible without your contributions. I would thank you all in person except I don't believe I am really welcome here. Which is a pity as I hadn't gotten to meet all of my lovely victims the first time around. Please accept these children as a token of my appreciation instead. They are a little, ah, crude, but I do hope you will all play nicely~."

((OOC: Please put [Character Name | Location | OPEN/CLOSED ] in your subject header! Event information can be found here.))

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[It had taken a while to clean up after morning training, and during that time, Rosalia had noticed the two little hummingbird gifts with her begin glowing. It was weird, but she didn't think anything of it. It had to be between checking in and going to feed her cat that everything began. Screaming caught her attention and her eyes widened when something spotted her. She really didn't know; it looked human, but something was wrong.]

[Purple... That's all she caught before it came running at her. She squeaked, keychains jingling as she ran in the opposite direction. Where she was going didn't matter immediately. At the very least, she knew not to head towards the clinic with the thing coming after her. She needed to find help.]

[She'd forgotten she'd even had the stupid keychain. It had been thrown into her purse at the resort and left there. She hadn't noticed it lighting up until she was on her way down the stairs, leaving Shibusen, and went searching for her lip balm.

So, it was on the steps with the keychain in hand, brow furrowed, when Akiha heard that little message. And really, with the way it was phrased, there was no doubt in the Meister's mind who it belonged to. Her free hand automatically went to touch the scar at the back of her neck where the madness chip had been from that time when the witches had captured and experimented on her.]

Hachi.

[And then as the air rippled nearby, she unleashed an angry yell and threw the keychain at the emerging silver figure.

...okay, so it had been a bit too much to hope that the witch herself was showing up, but it was best that wasn't the case. Akiha was without her partner right then. She was going to have to get to Sion... if she could remember where the alchemist was supposed to be right then.

In the meantime, the silver clown lunged at her far quicker than she was expecting and she raised her hands just in time to block the attack. But there was something off about the thing's hands, like it had claws but not, and it managed to cut her forearm.

Stumbling back, Akiha had to focus more on maintaining her footing on the uneven ground than launching any counterattacks. By the time she managed to gain the upper hand, using her unarmed skill along with both Soul Bite and Soul Menace, she was more than halfway down the steps. It launched itself at her again, head starting to elongate into what she could only assume would eventually become some kind of maw, and she finally was in the right position to use its momentum to launch it over the edge of the steps to splatter on the ground below her.

Hands on her knees, sweating and bleeding from several superficial wounds, Akiha panted as she looked down at the smear of silver on the pavement and the other clowns running amok down below. Without her partner... how many could she handle on her own?

It wasn't looking like the odds were in her favor if they were all as tough as that one...]

[Any surprise that the wolf was there? If she wasn't in her apartment or at work, Amaterasu would linger around the park. Most of the day, after training, there she could be found. Still, not a good time.]

[The moment the clown appeared, she was on it. Red though it was, she picked up on it fast. Ears back, paws lightly brushing the ground, the blind thing had difficulty hearing her and more heard people scattering at a distance. The hummingbird charm with her lay abandoned on the opposite side as she circled and it seemed more interested in that. Still, she had to make a dash.]

[To the left, and back right, the noise she made drew its attention. Hair whipping from its head trying to tangling her, but who ever created this thing didn't appear to calculate fighting an animal. Around, looping, she tangled it through a tree which quickly began to spark and weighted it down with a rock. Weapons left scattered by morning training, she got closer and closer. It wasn't human, but the way it was built.]

[She swerved until, utilizing her soul as Stein taught in those classes she came into. Pinned down, her fangs are at its throat, and with a snap after a thorough beat-down, she stood over it, growling still. The voice coming from the charm made her snap, crushing it in her fangs next. The Goddess snorted; splendid. A little Witch playing this way.]

[Head rising, her ears rotated and nose curled. She was done here, but this wasn't the only one. Springing from the corpse, she picked up the closest weapon and dashed to help. First Weapon she crossed, well, that would help all the more.]

[Psii forgot about bird figure almost as soon as was handed it at skiing site. It stayed in jacket pocket, un-thought-of and unseen.

When voice speaks, he makes obvious connection, and hurries to bidirectional lookglass to see what it's talking about. Is there just in time to see bright yellow shape blunder past in street below communal hivestem. From second floor, can see creature's tell-tale eyes, and finds himself utilizing rare and heartfelt profanity.]

Oh, fuck.

[Then he heads for street, not really thinking much beyond have to stop this thing.

Streets are chaos, and Psii quickly loses target. Is mortified to see it's far from only one that's stolen his color. As if to add insult to injury, another of the mustard clowns comes from around corner of building, and sends blast that narrowly misses him. Clearly, they've stolen his powers, too. Psii is under no illusions about his combat abilities in this hardware. Needs Meister, and needs one fast.

Hoping has stamina to get to one, he sprints away from clown as it's taking aim again, dodges down next street, hardware already protesting effort, and almost collides with large white canine who seems in as big a hurry as he is.]

Amaterasu! [he pants,] Am very glad to see you.

[Amaterasu saw them as well and was bewildered, but there's no time to recover from it. Dodging attacks, swerving past other 'things', she charged on. She quickly skids to a halt on her paws, eyes wide and almost falling over herself at the yell. At least she manages to stop before bowling him over.]

[Looking beyond him, her jaw hangs slightly. Whoops, gotta run and talk it seems; those clowns are right behind Psii. Looping under him, hopefully he doesn't mind being picked up by the canine now off again to avoid another blast. Glancing at them and then to him, she woofs and grunts a few notes. What the heck is with those clowns having his eye color?!]

[Psii emits thoroughly undignified squeak at feeling self scooped up like this, but holds on for dear life, clutching onto Amaterasu's fur.]

Thanks for rescue.

[He gives irritated huff in reply to clear question.]

Have noticed resemblance.

Will be much more useful in fight if change to Weapon form.

[Not for first time, wonders if crisis mode is only way will ever be able to resonate.]

[They're passing many individuals that need help right now, but one thing at a time. She woofs; no problem.]

[Ears flicking as she rounds another alleyway, she raises her head to him curiously. Well, she does need a Weapon. At least their souls can resonate even like this so she can speak to him.]

Then I will wield you in this battle.

[Thanks to the overenthusiastic resort owner, Lily had returned to Death City with several of the little stuffed hummingbirds, handing some of the extras out to friends who had stayed behind. A couple remained in the bottom of her bag, forgotten under old dry cleaning receipts, the other contents of the bag obscuring the lights and muffling the message so that she didn’t even realize anything was amiss.]

[Not until she put up a ‘back in 10 minutes’ sign and stepped out of Yesterday’s Magic to visit the coffee shop down the street. It was coming back that the cobblestone in front of her started to faintly ripple. At first, she’d assumed it was just a small mirage caused by the hundred degree heat but then the ground swelled, turning red as a crude figure rose out of the pavement before. It reminded the witch of an oversized wax poppet or worse, those oily black creatures that had appeared when the floating carnival fell.]

[Even more alarming was the sudden chill she felt when it swung one of those long hair-like pieces at her and the scent of singed fibers as a flame burned a palm-sized hole in the skirt of her vintage dress and charred the crinoline underneath. She doused it with her iced coffee and fled as a second rose from the ground. She sure as shootin’ wasn’t going to stick around for a witch burning! And there was no way for her to fight the dang things alone. She had to find Lezard!]

[So, Lily was running through town, trying to get to clinic. She managed to lose the red ones quickly but those strange figures in different colors kept materializing out of the ground, forcing her to frequently backtrack or take detours.]

[OOC: It’s already planned that Neji and Lee will eventually find her and help her get to Lezard but I’m open to having Lily run into other people before that!]

[Psii is too preoccupied by own distress to notice other people's at moment, but Amaterasu's voice in thinkpan pulls him partway out of that. He wasn't aware speaking this way was possible without him being in Weapon hardware.]

Didn't know-- Isn't important.

[Has been quite some time since regularly practiced transforming, and he has to concentrate, but definitely feels urgency of situation, which speeds process. Before too long, feels shift of awareness, and turns into bi-colored goggles, ending up, luckily, looped over one soft ear.

Knowing resonance must work makes opening pan easier--or if doesn't actually make easier, having little choice at least makes him worry less about glitchiness. His mind is still ordered like database, but structure breaks down in places, many sectors damaged or burned out, dark spaces in vast data banks. If she looks closely, will be able to see that he still halfway thinks of self as spaceship.]

Am not... easiest Weapon. If should pull back, say something, all right?

[She's worn a mask before, but goggles are new. She tosses her head one way to get them over the other ear and sighs, having her soul adjust them the rest of the way. Once they're good and tight, she realizes everything is blue and red. Ah, well, makes sense since it's Psii.]

[Their resonation beginning to strengthen, Amaterasu mentally frowns at his unease. She releases some of her own wave, the calming feeling spreading around. For one thing, he didn't have to think of himself that way anymore and she would help him. Both of them needed to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. After all, the mind of the goddess is that of calm and cherry blossoms. Also, the female that inhabits her soul lets the wolf ears flick and just smiles.]

I learn fast. Do not worry yourself.

[The biggest advantage of being the one in charge of every surveillance camera in Death City is, without a doubt, spotting the first signs of trouble when shit hits the fan. Near is going through the surveillance feed and hopping from camera to camera when he sees the first clown, and he wastes no time in reaching for his communicator to get in contact with his Meister, warning him of the city’s newest threat.

A quick check of a few specific cameras shows him that his way back home is mostly clear for now, but he knows very well that things can change in the blink of an eye. Still, he’s the half of their partnership that is better equipped to deal with damage-- they’re completely screwed over if they’re separated from each other, but his Weapon form can withstand a lot more damage than Mello’s body-- so he decides that it’s better for both of them if he runs back home instead of Mello running to meet him.

He’s definitely not as fast as his Meister, but he’s considerably faster than when he arrived to Death City almost a year ago, and the increase in stamina and general agility means that he makes his way back to Tartarus Terraces faster than he’d predicted initially, but not without dodging an attack and barely avoiding tripping over a wounded civilian. Almost there, less than a minute away if he keeps up his pace...]

Edited 2014-01-12 05:22 (UTC)

[And Mello has the advantage of the only other place in Death City with access to Near's surveillance feeds, the room in their flat set up for precisely that purpose. As soon as he gets the message, he goes there for a quick look at what they'll be up against, and doesn't like what he sees one fucking bit.

He also doesn't like Near coming here from the Agency, but it's too late to tell him to stay put, and he wouldn't, anyway. After very quick visual reconnaissance of the four types of clowns and their attacks--not all of them of clear on sight, but Mello knows he'll have first-hand knowledge soon enough--he pauses only long enough to put on his boots and get his gun, and is out the door and running to meet his stubborn partner.

Who's practically right outside their door, to Mello's surprise, but his relief at seeing him is quickly overtaken by a rush of concern (it's concern, not worry) when he sees the streak of blood bright on one white sleeve.]

I would've come to you, idiot. You're hurt.

[ Screams--?

Given Allen had no keychain (and wouldn't know what they are, that was before he even showed up in Death City) and hadn't wandered back to the residential area yet from morning training, he wasn't privvy to still more ~~what is his life even~~ monster clowns appearing at his feet immediately. But he could hear the city's reaction to them, certainly. And given his instincts, well—

There's no mistaking sounds of looming battle. And that's why he startles only for a moment, looking for the source, before taking off running. Without really thinking about, well—he's by himself at the moment. Just how much could he do

That doesn't make a difference.

One thing's for sure though. Wherever the sounds of screams or fighting might be loudest?

That's exactly where he's heading. ]

[To say Near is breathless when he finally makes it to the door of their apartment would be a severe understatement, but he manages to regain control of his breathing pattern when Mello walks out the door. His surprise is obvious through their resonance, and so is the relief that follows it, and how it quickly changes into worry.

Near blinks in surprise when Mello tells him he's hurt, and he finally takes a proper look at his own arm, noticing the rip on the fabric and the cut underneath it, which bleeding a lot more than necessary given how superficial it appears to be. Huh, that must have happened when he dodged that clown's attack; he didn't even feel anything that could indicate he'd been hurt. No time to dwell on that matter right now, though, they need to get back on the streets immediately.]

It's just a scratch, and you know my Weapon form can take more damage than your body, [he retorts, still a little breathlessly, and doesn't comment on the fact that the 'idiot' makes it even more obvious how worried he is. Near reaches for Mello's hand and transforms immediately after.] Just wield me already. We have work to do.

[As automatically as ever, Mello catches the cube after Near transforms. The warmth of their resonance does little to counteract his irritation, even though he knows the connection will also make his state of mind much more obvious than he'd prefer.]

You still should've stayed where it was safe! What were you going to do, change if you got in trouble?

[He saw the state of the streets around the Agency in the moments just after he got Near's message; the Weapon must have got out with only seconds to spare before the shit hit the fan.

One of the purple clowns is heading their way, and Mello starts solving the cube, barely missing a beat in scolding his partner.]

I might have never found you in this clusterfuck. How the hell did you get out of there, anyway?

[While Mondo had participated on the trip to the ski resort, and had consequently had a key chain pushed onto his person, the hummingbird wound up left somewhere, forgotten, in his apartment. As it was, he didn't even get to see the thing behaving oddly before the sudden invasion of those... creatures. In fact, it hadn't been until he had decided to return home for the day after training that he realized anything in particular was happening.

It's awfully hard to miss those things that were shambling around, going after anyone in sight, and causing an unmistakable air of panic anywhere they were. Of course, the first thing that jumps to mind is 'make sure Fujisaki's okay', even though a couple of the clowns had spotted him and were currently making a bee-line in his direction. It won't be difficult to shake them off, he figures, and keeps heading in the direction he was headed, but... he isn't about to ignore another familiar face that he sees coming his way.]

Hey, over here! [He shouts out to Rosalia, to get her attention. Having one of those things right on her heels is troubling enough, but he's certain she wouldn't be able to hold her own alone.]

[It's beginning to become conflicting losing the clown because it might hurt someone else that Rosalia suddenly hears someone yelling in her direction. Eyes wide and looking up, she notices Mondo... and his own bad entourage of clowns. It's still confusing why they're even here, but someone had spoken earlier. Another invasion then?]

[Running with him now, she probably should ask if she should transform, but the question from her is.] What do we do!?

[The ripples in the ground surrounding the Watch office are alarming, and Neji instantly removes himself from one, ordering the rest of those in the office to do the same. Veined eyes watch the beings emerge; grotesque and accompanied by a sickly sweet voice he knows without question belongs to a Witch.

He watches the circles appear in the rest of the city, the strange beings emerging everywhere. Defenseless without his Weapon, Neji retreats outside, calling to Lee through their resonance to meet him.

And as he stands up on a roof above ground, he watches the peaceful air of the city collapse into chaos.]

[Psii feels calm steal over self through their resonance. Thinks he might smell cherry blossoms, and is more grateful than ever for Amaterasu's calming powers. Suddenly, disarray of thinkpan seems less mortifying, and concept of self feeling like broken pieces badly glued together seems less hopeless. For first time in a long time, he relaxes.]

Powers are like what those... things have. Only better. Will send energy to you, and you direct.

[Yes, his pride is offended by the clowns. He concentrates on letting psychic energy build, readying to let her send it out as attack.]

[ kaworu hears the screaming as well, and wondering what was going on, he left the library where he was staying at that time. For a moment, he doesn't understand at all since there are no giant beings floating around the city (Angels or Evangelions. In a way, it was his first reaction), but when he finally sees a clown, his surprise turns into worry.

Shinji.

The angel never really run before, but he will now, rushing towards the residential area and without realizing that running was incredibly tiring. Only when he stopped for a second to decide which turn to take is when he realizes he is gasping for air.

No good. If he is like this, he won't be able to do anything when he meets Shinji.

After a minute to regain his composure, Kaworu is ready to go again, but in the corner of his eye he spots someone familiar.

Ah- ]

Allen!

[That's better. Have to be calm to think fast and what timing. She picks up on a clown coming closer.]

Alright. Let's show how some cobbled together copy doesn't match the real individual.

[The fact that these clowns think they can be copycats really makes her huffy. After all, Ninetails did the same. What objects can be thrown around for this fight? Her hackles are up when the yellow clown comes into sight.]

[ That—

—oh! ] Kaworu!

[ It's both an urgent and a relieved sort of shout, moving instead to jog over to the angel. Truth be told, if there was one person he'd be looking for more than any other (and really, he's primarily concerned for everyone right now)—it'd be Kaworu. Call it concern for those who hold the least of it for themselves—it's just a reflexive sort of thing.

Also he's probably the person Allen knows best here.

It's a relief to see he's alright at least.

A little hurriedly: ] Are you alright? [ you look winded ]

What's happening?

I'm alright,. just a bit out of breathe. [ really, he is mostly recovered. ]

There are creatures lurking around the streets, I haven't seen them before. [ ever ] - but i think they are attacking. [ were these the so called kishin eggs?

Still, the angel's hand reaches for Allen's arm, worried ]

Are you aright?

[Lee rushed as fast as he could, cursing his lack of chakra. Of course he would be running on rounds when an attack was unleashed on the city. And all because of those damn, adorable keychains. Lee growled, rushing as fast as he could to meet Neji on the HQ's roof.]

Neji!

[Lee called out just as he launched himself towards his Meister, twisting into his weapon form mid-air and cutting through the air the rest of the way as nunchaku.]

What is our status?

[His hand reaches up and fingers clasp around Lee's batons, the pulse of contact settling the apprehension stirring in his chest. His vision opens up wide and takes in much of the city as a whole, scattered through with these newly aggressive beings]

The entire city is under attack. They don't appear to be Kishin Eggs, but that voice.. There may also be a Witch inside the city.

Edited 2014-01-12 23:40 (UTC)

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EVENT: The Attack of the Clowns

Rosalia + Mondo | Outer Residential Quarter One | Closed

Akiha | Shibusen Steps | open

Amaterasu and Psiioniic | Park | Open

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Lily | Between the shopping district and the clinic | Open

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[Near + Mello | Streets near Tartarus Terraces | Open]

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Allen (and later Kaworu) | outside Shibusen/around/places | open

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Neji + Lee | Everywhere | Open

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