Shadow Event Log

[stringmods]

▼ A Feast of Shadows

 

Who: Anyone
Where: All over the city
When: December 16-20
Summary: The Shadow Event has begun! Follow the link for the event summary and post your threads here if you want. You're still free to make network posts of your own if you'd rather do that, though!
Warnings: Characters' darkest and most shameful secrets within, along with plenty of combat. Please mark any threads that will contain triggering content appropriately, since some characters have darker secrets than others.
Music: IT'S JUST AS BILLY JOEL WARNED

Comments

Atsuro Kihara - December 16th, OTA

[otakuro]

"Hey..."

Late the night of the 16th, those out and about during the night may be addressed by a boy idly loitering in the middle of the street. For those familiar with Atsuro, they will find his body language irregular. Though the face is clearly Atsuro's, this person stands with a slouch, one arm crossed over his chest, shrinking in on himself. His eyes are constantly flickering about, though they generally remain directed at the floor. His expression is troubled, and his voice soft.

"You're... out late, too, huh?" ...A long, awkward pause. ".........You... You wanna go do something? Don't feel like being alone...."

[mementodagger]

It doesn't strike Yurick that this isn't the Atsuro he knows, though he can definitely tell something's amiss. There's still some ice in his heart-- coming to Hinoto-Ri had taken him back a few steps from where he'd been after the Vono shipwreck-- but one of the thawed places is where the programmer has worked into his life.

He approaches, clearly worried. Had something terrible happened, or has Atsuro received some bad news? Maybe if Yurick can get him to talk... though such a thing is still quite foreign to him.

"Atsuro? What in the world are you doing out here so late by yourself?" He reaches out, touching his friend's shoulder. Zael often did it to show comfort, so maybe it will help. "If you didn't want to be alone, you could've come to me."

[prettytamer]

"...Atsuro, is everything okay?"

Yeah, that's definitely weird enough for Midori to comment on. She's worried about him now.

[bondsofsuffering]

...Huh. That's... interesting. He's never seen Atsuro in such a state before, so naturally, his guard is up.

Not that it would be all that evident from his easygoing demeanor.

"Heeh... Something up?"

[greatseal]

Minako hasn't spoken with Atsuro for a little while, so running into him suddenly like this is a happy coincidence for her - until it becomes clear he's not himself. Now she wonders what could've happened to make him this obviously depressed.

"Of course, Atsuro-kun... Are you feeling all right?"

Got time for one more thread on this?

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

Today has just been so weird. Yuzu has been seeing strange things in the mirror and out of the corner of her eye. She's on her way home from a late shift at the cafe when he calls out to her.

"Atsuro...?"

She can tell right away that something is wrong. But.... what exactly, she isn't sure.

"What's wrong?"

[all_wound_up]

...Atsuro-san?

[It's not that odd for Nano to run into Atsuro around the city, especially late at night as the 13th Hour approaches, but he's usually in much better cheer than this.]

Are you feeling all right?

Miss Martian - December 16th OTA

[hello_mgann]

[There's a commotion in the city on the night of the 16th. A large white monster is stalking the streets of Hinoto-Ri. Near the monster is M'gann on her knees trying to hold back tears. She's muttering to herself.]

No not this. Please not this.

[dontrunawayfromliving]

"...M'gann? What's happening?"

Sarah's keeping a close eye on weird monster-thing.

Agatha Sheridan - December 16 OTA (warning for I guess there's gonna be violence.)

[badluckhealer]

[...where do we even begin with this one?

This clearly isn't the Agatha people know, of course. For one, she doesn't - quite - look human. More like a puppet, a robot...the seams are showing at the mouth and the neck. After all, that's how people see me, right? A doll. An emotionless pawn. I don't have feelings, I just do what everyone else says! I hate it!

The yellow eyes are also a dead giveaway, as is the utterly screwed-up smile on her face. Meet the Shadow, folks.

... who's currently got blood on her hands after having killed a few aggressive demons for stress relief. She waves at whoever's nearby as if that isn't the case, though.]

Hello~

[... even her voice sounds a little synthesized.]

[prettytamer]

...hi.

[Midori knows nothing about what's going on, but man is she ever worried about something taking Agatha's face.]

Agatha?

Fumi Kanno - JP's Building (Leo District) - December 17 - OTA

[terminally_clever]

[While Fumi herself is busy at work dealing with her research as usual, there is another Fumi hard at work clearing out the rubble at the JP's headquarters building in the Leo District. For anyone familiar with the Shadows by this point, this one has the trademark glowing yellow eyes, but it seems to be in a much more pleasant mood than most of the other Shadows that have been running around loose in the town.]

All right, then... we'll be able to finish this faster if we work as a team.

[Smiling and pressing a few buttons on her COMP watch, she summons three demons - Tao Tie, Lugh, and Fenghuang - although they're darker and more sinister looking than the ones Fumi normally uses. Lugh's armor shimmers and shines, but the ancient sun-god is more darkly handsome than you might otherwise normally picture him. Tao Tie's horns are curled and sharper, with an even more razor-sharp mouth full of teeth. And Fenghuang burns with a much more muted pallet of colors. All three seem just as eager to obey their master as normal, though.]

Let's get down to work.

[phantom_envoy]

[Being her usual heroic self, Phantom Girl is busy phasing rocks through the ground when Fumi begins to speak. ...This is unusual enough that she pauses halfway through pushing a boulder out of sight to drift closer to Fumi and stare.]

...You're smiling.

And you didn't say anything nefarious to go with it.

...Unless that was nefarious. ...You mean it would be faster if you do it alone, right? It was sarcasm. You're telling us to clear out.

December 16th, OTA. Warning for violence, misogyny, and general terribleness.

[bakegarasu]

[There's a man prowling the streets tonight in a white suit, carrying a sword. He's grinning, but there's something dangerous about the grin - more than usual, at least. The grin disappears when there's someone blocking his path. He shoves her roughly, and snarls.]

Out of my way, bitch.

[He pushes his way through, hand on his sword. Maybe he'll kill a few people to blow off steam...]

[tyrantball]

Desco lifts the woman to her feet with a spare tentacle and murmurs instructions to run.

Stupid impostors, wearing the faces of people she likes...well, Desco isn't going to stand for this nonsense!

"Final Boss Arises!"

Zioryle - December 16, OTA

[cirquedeignis]

Other than the usual demons showing up at the 13th hour, there is someone causing havok around the city, setting almost everything in sight on fire. You would hear a crackling laughter among the roaring fire in the streets and when the figure takes notice of you, he turns his yellow eyes to you to give a thin smile.

"What are you looking at?! You better get out of my face before I set you on fire too!!" He goes back into his crackling laughter as he blows out a ball of flame to hurl at your direction.

[eyewillprotect]

[And that ball of fire is deflected by a psychic barrier. She lets it fade rather quickly, however, in favor of speaking.]

Why are you doing this-? Please, you must stop!

Reimu Hakurei, December 16, OTA

[paradiseshrinemaiden]

It's okay. I'll take care of it!

[A teenage girl in a shrine maiden's outfit flies through the air towards a group of demons.] Dream Sign "Duplex Barrier!"

[She closes her eyes, concentrating and with a series of hand signs and gestures in the air she erects a magical barrier around the demons that shoots a storm of ofuda on them from many directions. The demons are unable to dodge and are quickly dispatched.]

Are you alright? Please be careful. It's really dangerous out here.

[She smiles reassuringly at the person she just rescued. She seems like a nice enough person, though it's a little creepy how her eyes are all golden.]

[all_wound_up]

[Nano gasps at the explosion of energy - she'd been blindsided and cornered by more demons than she'd expected, so she's certainly grateful for the help.]

Th-thank you!

Even - Dec. 17 - OTA

[empiricalpride]

Someone's not having a good day.

This poor hard luck case here is looking rather sorry for himself, parked on a bench, long hair unkempt and falling in his tired face. Everything about him says that he's... given up. He's slumped forward with his head in his hands, eyes closed...

Then again, how many people here even know that Even's eyes should be green?

[ex_knightsky842]

It's okay Even, Dagran's not exactly a bunch of cheer either.


...Still, though; he's taken it upon himself to try to help people where he can be bothered, and the sight of some old guy looking like he's got the world on his shoulders piques his interest.
He jogs over, taps Even once on the shoulder and leans down so that they should hopefully be on eye-level.

"Hey Mister. You alright? I, eh...If you need a bed, I can hook you up for the night."

It's not exactly a compliment, but Dagran's all for solidarity between those on the street. ...Or those who he assumes are on the street.

Chris | December 17th

[alwaysfaithful]

Chris or rather his Shadow was not having a good day. His unkempt hair has slightly longer than Chris' as well as messier. Dirt was all around his face, and he was slumped lazily leaning on a nearby building. The Shadow didn't appear dangerous at all.

[unbroken_chain]

Oh hey it was that one new guy she had greeted.

"Chris? You okay?"

Hopefully it was just something like 'off his asthma meds' and not 'actually a murderous evil clone'.

Kotoha makes sure her shock baton is ready just in case, though.

Akane Awakusu- December 17th- OPEN

[blessed_by_the_world]

[A minor crime wave has hit Hinoto-Ri. Sharp eyed people out late at night might notice a little girl sneaking into some of the still damaged stores (lots of good stuff in the 104 building...) and coming out with various trinkets and toys.

Or perhaps you might catch her beautifying the city with lovely artwork. Spray painted on various public walls. Several people might even recognize Akane. Someone should probably give her a good talking to, right?]

[all_wound_up]

Akane-chan! What are you doing?

[Time for a lecture from robo-sis!]

Misfit - December 18th, OTA

[istotesbatgirl]

On the sidewalk of the Libra ward Misfit is facing off against another teenage redhead. This girl looks just like Misfit, minus the cape and mask, and of course with golden eyes. They seem to be having a loud argument.

"You're totally untalented and untrained." says the unmasked one.

"What are you talking about, I rock this gig. You're just jealous." says the Masked Misfit.

[dontrunawayfromliving]

Sarah's taken to keeping her God Arc with her since the whole 'evil clone' thing started happening.

"Misfit? Is everything...all right?"

The subtext of her question, given how she's moved her God Arc from its resting place on her shoulder, is pretty obviously 'do you need something stabbed?'

Fumi Kanno and Shadow Fumi - December 19 - Near the MAGI facility

[terminally_clever]

[Near the end of the week, Fumi and her Shadow have finally tracked each other down. Negotiations do not seem to be going well.]

Leave now. I don't have time for this ridiculous nonsense.

What's nonsense about admitting you can't do this all on your own? It's just the truth.

I can, I have, and I will. And that includes getting rid of irritating nuisances like you.

Irritating? That's not what your friends seemed to think of me. They liked me. Maybe even better than they like you. Isn't a cooperative Fumi who shares information much better for everyone?

...I don't care about any of that. Once the MAGI facility is rebuilt, I'm more than capable of continuing my research on my own. And I don't have friends. I have colleagues.

We both know you didn't accomplish any of this by yourself. You had help the whole way. Kandori gave you your current position in the city. Yamato used his own power and influence to guarantee your position in JP's. Oh, and let's not forget...

[At this point, the Shadow draws a small picture out of her coat. Fumi recognizes it immediately, her face contorting with rage.]

That does not belong to you.

Oh, did I upset you? And why would that be? Is it because I hold in my hands the very proof of what I'm saying? Your precious host family? You care about these people. They're important to you. They helped you when you needed it most, and gave you the support you needed to earn that PhD of yours.

Stop it.

Admit it. You need people. No man is an island, isn't that the saying? No matter how much you claim you can do it all alone, that's a lie.

Stop it!

Oh, you don't like this? Then why don't you do something about it. I'll prove to you once and for all that I'm right.

Gladly.

[At this point, both Fumis summon an identical set of demons and begin to fight one another. It quickly becomes obvious that Fumi is far outclassed when compared to her Shadow - no doubt an effect of denying it so strongly. As much as she doesn't want to lose her pride, holding onto it may cost her her life instead. If she can truly be said to have friends, she'll need their help to pull through this fight.]

[electricyousei]

Ruri stops, another evil twin or something, and she still hadn't reclaimed the Nadesico. Well, looks like she won't be getting equipment from the Magi building for now.

"Fumi-san. Do you need help with..... Fumi-san?"

Dagran - December 18 - ota

[ex_knightsky842]

[It's rush hour; throngs of people are trying to make their way home, or finish up a bit of late Christmas shopping, the usual sort of thing.

If you're sharp-eyed though, you might see Dagran standing in front of a display of TVs (all of which are playing a Christmas special about the power of love, and currently show a happy, smiling family hugging it out in front of a fireplace). The crowd makes it hard to spot him except for the wide berth they seem to subconsciously be allowing him...
If you're one for details, you might notice that he seems younger, that his eyes are practically glowing gold, that his expression is surprisingly vivid in its pain.

But if you're not, it's just a kid standing in front of TVs.]

[otakuro]

[Having only met Dagran once, Atsuro probably isn't qualified to judge whether or not his appearance is out of the ordinary. He himself has just finished some holiday shopping and exits one of the stores across the street with a bag in his hand.

The row of TVs draws him briefly, too. He pauses to take a look, and it isn't until he's turning away that he realizes who it was who had been next to him.]

Oh, hey! ...Enjoying the show?

Maugris - December 18th, Night - OTA

[angryyoungvamp]

As always, nighttime is when the vampires come out. And Maugris is looking a lot more like a vampire than usual. The way his face gets pale and sunken when he hasn't fed in a while doesn't compare to this - he looks every inch the walking corpse, albeit one that hasn't actually decayed, and his fangs are bared. This is something only a few people are at all likely to have seen, because normally he only shows his fangs when feeding.

But the lighting might make it hard to spot the differences - he's standing partly in shadow in the mouth of an alleyway. He grins at someone, beckoning them closer. "Hey. Over here, I need your help with something." The light from the streetlights reflects off his glasses, making it hard to see his eyes, and a cold wind blows through the alley, ruffling the edge of his coat and the incongruous blue tie he always seems to wear.

((OOC: I approve of this song choice. Warning, Shadow Maugris is likely to try to feed off of you unless that's obviously impossible (i.e. you're visibly a robot or something).))

Re: Maugris - December 18th, Night - OTA

[phantom_envoy]

"..."

The white of Phantom Girl's outfit means she's clearly visible still despite the dark of night, and it may be possible to make out the obviously skeptical expression on her face.

"...Maugris, if you're going to lure people into an alleyway, you should at least pretend to be hurt or something."

Shadow Sarah | Open

[dontrunawayfromliving]

Sarah's slumped on a bench, her head hanging and her posture looking...defeated. Strangely enough, her left arm is a mass of jagged black and red scales, tipped with long talons. She's wearing what looks like a fairly drab uniform, and she's idly picking at her thigh with the talons of her left arm.

What's going on with her?

Re: Shadow Sarah | Open

[istotesbatgirl]

Hey Sarah, what happened to your coat? That coat was cool.

Hizumi & Ayumu - December 17th; feel free to jump in at any point!

[bondsofsuffering]

It was going to happen eventually. They couldn't avoid their Shadows forever.

Although he and Ayumu had lasted for some time by teaming up together to escape, they were finally cornered. It was almost laughable, really - the way their Shadows had worked together to box them in. It seemed they worked together just as well as their original counterparts.

"You guys sure do like to run. But we found you anyway~♫" His red-eyed Shadow speaks in a completely carefree manner, his sweet smile utterly contrary to the rather disturbed expression Hizumi himself is wearing.

"Now, hold still-- I'll make this fast!"

The Shadow gives a toothy grin, glowing blue for just a moment as a dark figure appears behind him. His face is hardly visible in the shadows save for a pair of decidedly vampiric canines, but Hizumi doesn't need to be able to see to know just who it is. He may have been taller, his features slightly narrower - but regardless, no matter how you looked at it, they had the same face.

Ha. And he thought having an identical "older brother" was bad enough...

He doesn't even deign to give a reply, instead tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword. Well, two can play this game - as loathe as he is to use this particular Persona, their powers should cancel each other out. And should Ayumu's Shadow summon his own Persona, there's a chance he'll be able to take it down too, if he's quick enough.

"Yaiba-!" He only softly utters the name, but sure enough, his Persona appears at his side.

[hachitaro]

"Raaaaaaah!"

It's not like Taro has been avoiding them so much as running from his own Shadow, but this just can't stand. So Taro attacks the best way he knows how.

By dropping from above to attempt to land in a ball of fur and claws and giant balls to the face on Hizumi's Shadow.

Noda | December 20th | Open!

[halberdaxe]

Shadow Noda has been hiding away for a little while after sending a network post as a means of finding the whereabouts of his original. But even the timid shadow would get desperate to take its original's place. So after a few days, the shadow gets out of his hiding place to find the original to replace.

Normal Noda, on the other hand, has been searching for his shadow self. When he saw his shadow take his identity and make that network post, he was furious and embarrassed. Being a scardy-cat was the last thing he wanted to be, not to mention spewing his feelings out like that.

When he finds his shadow counterpart, he sees the shadow self wandering down the street, cowering at the smallest things.

"YOU!!"

When someone passes by the scene, you'd see an angry Noda grabbing the collar of the scared-looking lookalike, shaking him as he yells.

[eyewillprotect]

Oh dear. She isn't entirely sure what's going on, but either way, she can tell that it's going badly. By now, it's become more than clear that, as usual, fighting isn't the answer - especially when it is in fact a facet of yourself.

She begins to run, keeping the blade of her naginata pointed towards the ground. Once she's close enough, she calls out.

"Wait-- Noda, please, stop!"

Reimu Hakurei and Shadow Reimu | December 20th | The Arena in Aries Ward

[paradiseshrinemaiden]

[It takes far longer than Reimu is comfortable with, but she eventually tracks down the so called Hakurei Miko. It probably helped that the shadow had finally gotten around to actually looking for her herself. Now the two miko are standing face to face from across the field.

Reimu puts her hands on her hips and glares at her shadow.]

I finally found you, you imposter.

[Shadow Reimu smiles back cheerfully.]

Ah, I've been looking for you too! How lucky for us!

Ugh, whatever. What do you think you're doing anyway? Do you have any idea how much trouble you're causing me?

I'm just trying to help...

Well you need to stop! This isn't even Gensokyo. It's not like I'm obligated to help anyone around here. At this rate, everyone around is here is going to actually expect me to act like you! Do you know how bothersome it would be if everyone in this place started going around expecting me to actually get involved whenever someone else decides to cause trouble around here? It's bad enough I have to deal with that back home.

[Reimu, frankly, looks disgusted at the thought of having to do more work.]

That guy on that network thing said you "Shadows" are supposed to be things we've kept hidden, but there's no way that's true. I'm not secretly some warmhearted Good Girl type like Sanae, so what the hell are you?

I'm the Hakurei Miko.

I know this isn't Gensoukyo, but it's still our duty to protect humans. Even you know that, no matter much you complain about having to do anything resembling work... Besides, this is the way everyone wants us to act, isn't it?

[Reimu pauses, and then snorts.]

Since when did I care what everyone else wants?

Are you sure you don't?

Minako, Shinjiro, Eikichi — December 17 — Moonlight Bridge — [Closed]

[themortalhalf]

[They had tried searching for the Shadow at the Naganaki Shrine first, but the shrine had been empty and undisturbed. Their next guesses led them elsewhere, to locations dotting across Hinoto-Ri, though none of them proved to be right. None of their hunches were leading them to the person—or whatever she was—who they needed to find. But each unsuccessful lead further narrowed down the list of probable locations, thinning their search as they headed back into busier parts of the city, finally re-emerging into the Libra district near the water, the Moonlight Bridge resting in the near distance, seamlessly connecting the two wards together, like it had always been there.

Shinjiro surveys the bridge for a few seconds. That seemed as good of place as any to try next. It was one of the few places they had from home. And at this point... he's not sure where else they could try, unless they'd wanted to wander aimlessly through the city without a specific destination in mind and hope they get lucky.]

Think she'll be there?