At the World's End: Hot and Cold Clash! The Holiday Mixup Special

[stringmods]

Who: Everyone [OPEN]
Where: Every District | 13th Hour
Summary: Pyro Jacks and Jack Frosts go around the city, and brainwash a few avatars.
Warnings: Singing.

It was more than just a strange turmoil at this point. Hell, it been the talk of the town and on the news since a few days ago. Searching for the culprits had showed up nothing (although rumors pointed it at either the Anoli who had been relatively quiet lately or an unidentified third party) and if other demons knew what was up, no one was really talking. What was visible, however, where the results.

Frost on one side of the street, summertime on the other. The very elements had been arguing for the entire month now met up in dangerous lines for the past week.

What's more, the network had started to malfunction for those supposed to be searching and helping to protect this town. Coincidence? Or was there something more in the air?

Dawn of the 21st day, or more technically, the end of the 20th, 13th hour, the culprits finally made themselves known.

Jack Frosts and Pyro Jacks flew around the city in visible numbers, spinning the air into divided lines, bringing forth spring, summer, fall, winter in a carousel of powers and spells. The air hissed and groaned, as they got into verbal arguments.

Turf wars, it seemed, spanned the elements and the holidays. Especially when two powerful clans were acting like spoiled children.

And like a plague, their powers spread out like the wildfire and snowflakes that they wielded, their mastery of the elements leaking out into the physical world, now not only touching the atmosphere, but the very people of the city. Those closely related to the ice, water, fire and lightning would find their powers suddenly acting strangely, and the creature's own wants and desires reflected in their own. Blessed...or cursed more likely with this, the city found itself with a different problem altogether.

But that wasn't all. Oh no. That would be far to easy. In the mist of the argument, they realized that just having two clans fighting would not be enough. Oh no! Since the habitats of the city lived in it, they should be the ones to decide who would win; a summery green Christmas, or a chilly wintery one?

For four people, it would be a call they couldn't ignore. The clans chose their avatars, and grew ready to spread their influence over all...in the name of a holiday.

Their hearts were in the right place. They were just thinking too much like demons.

[OOC: Feel free to start your own posts wandering around the city. If you signed up, you are now affected by the spells. You can control and play as many Frost and Pyro Jacks as you want, since they'll be close to you/wanting to help out their chosen ones. For the four, your first mission will be to spread the "joy" of your respectful holiday. You're not doing this to be malicious, you're just stating what you feel is the right option for Christmas, that's all (TOTALLY NOT BRAINWASHED YOU GUYS)! Everyone else, you can go around and try to talk with the Pyro or the Jack Frosts, but they'll be busy spreading their 'cheer' around. You can crash into each others' threads too, especially if you are one of the affected. For now it's not so much fighting as just being overly festive and why doesn't the other clan see how wrong they are?]

Comments

1/2

[gigglesnortpriestess]

So the Jack families were behind all this crazy weather? They could make lots of people sick with all this flip flopping between summer and winter, different worlds aside. She hated the fact that now she has to start tiptoeing around the snow because it made her feel really wrong to say at least and get to a warmer spot. Or maybe an oven.

However as she walked back to the apartment building, she noticed a group of Pyro Jacks surrounding someone in the strangest costume. Just who was that man? Yukiko walked closer to get a look then stopped in her tracks.

Oh god, that's her boyfriend.

What. The. Hell?

A normal person would ask that question when they notice someone they know dressed funny and suddenly hanging around questionable persona.

2/2 because icon deserves its own comment

[gigglesnortpriestess]

Yukiko on the other hand...nope. She's laughing at this.

She should be worried and she is (maybe turned on a little) but...that costume.

[linefacingforever]

In hindsight, laughing like that? Probably might not have been a good idea. Yu's attention was immediately drawn to her, and though his expression did not change, it was obvious that she had all of his interest at the moment.

The Pyro Jacks suddenly shifted, burning a path toward her through the snow as Yu started to descend the stairs, snapping his fingers to a beat as he practically swaggered his way to her.

[gigglesnortpriestess]

First instinct was to jump out of the way of the line of fire because naturally, flames hurt. Then she remembered that the heat didn't affect her like everyone else. Amaterasu wasn't sure what to think except come out and try to knock some sense into the boy. But Yukiko mentally spoke to her, telling her to stay down until the entire situation was explained.

But even the girl herself couldn't figure out what it was. Or the fact that Yu was coming straight towards her...and walking funny.

"Yu...kun?"

[linefacingforever]

The music started up then from... somewhere. If she looked, Yukiko would be able to see a Pyro Jack bobbing its pumpkin head to the beat that boomed from the speakers. The other Jacks were joining in, shouting, "Thunder!" over and over again as Yu got closer.

Once he got close enough, his arm snapped around her waist, drawing her closer than he had ever held her before. There were just two things she really had to process here: 1.) he started dancing with her in a manner that involved a lot of lower body movement, and 2.) HE'S WEARING JUST A LOINCLOTH. He had such a serious look on his face too, looking like he was going to kiss her... at least before he started singing.

"♫ I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track.
Thunder! ♫

"♫ I looked 'round,
And I knew there was no turning back.
Thunder! ♫

"♫ My mind raced,
And I thought what could I do?
Thunder! ♫

"♫ And I knew,
There was no help, no help from you.
Thunder! ♫

"♫ Sound of the drums,
Beatin' in my heart.
The thunder of guns!
Tore me apart. ♫

"♫ You've been-- ♫"

He leaned even closer then, his lips brushing against hers as he finished the verse:

"♫ --thunderstruck! ♫"

[gigglesnortpriestess]

Where did that music come from?! Did the Pyro Jacks suddenly have some kind of system hidden so there could be instant musical-

"Ah!"

That exclamation was...softer than what she wanted to be but the sudden invasion of personal space made it really hard to think. Yukiko (and Amaterasu) were trying to make known 'please stop it!' but her body was having none of it. As he moved, like instinct, she followed in step. She didn't know why but it felt...right. The music itself was no more than a quiet roar as her thoughts started to get hazy, even her persona couldn't get through to her. One could say that she was experiencing some kind of high. That was until that last word was sung and the world froze when he kissed her.

Everything was off. The idea to scream 'WAKE UP!' was silent.

It felt like it lasted forever but to be honest, it was for about a minute. It was then that Yukiko felt something wanting...no, needing to come out. She breaks it off gently and steps back with head down and hands held together. While she didn't have some fancy machine, she could hear it going through her head.

And she smiled as she opened her mouth, this starting to come out.

3, 2, 1!

watashi anata no usagi no white
hanete tobikomu mujaki na guraido
uchuu ni koboshita miru kii wei
nee ano kyandi sutaa tabetai na

atashi anata no usagi no back
abarenbou no sexy flag
hippu na rain chiramise denjaa
winku aizu de mune no tanima ni daibu


As she sang, her body gave caution to the wind and she began to dance, tossing her red sweater to the side. It wasn't a routine, just how the music felt to her.

zettai ryouiki okashiteku junjou
umarekawarenai kurai
kitsuku ubaiaetara
naiteta tenshi ga hora akuma

Then she picked up the beat. Quicker. Wilder.

tenshin sugite ranman sauzanpaasento
tennen na no yo daitan sauzanpaasento
muboubi na uchigawa
you light up my life and give me reason to live
kanjin na no wa kaikan sauzanpaasento
aimai na no wa genkai sauzanpaasento
private joy wa ribaashiburu de
soredemo onaji yume o miru

[linefacingforever]

...wait, did the music coming out of the beat box change when Yukiko started singing? Did they plan this?! Yu, meanwhile, looked like he was enjoying himself far, far too much, going along with his girlfriend's dance, feathers and sparkles flying everywhere.

...and seriously, were these lyrics about him diving into her boobs? That could... probably be arranged. Right now, though, he was catching her as her dance came to an end, striking a dramatic (and slightly questionable in terms of being safe for work) pose with her as the Pyro Jacks around them let out an, "AW YEAH!" loud enough to rattle some windows.

[gigglesnortpriestess]

Not in public Yu, innocent people could be watching. Like Nanako.

It was such a rush that song and dance number, like she could another one at anytime. But alas, her high was coming down and she could hear the Pyro Jacks cheering, feel the heat between both teenagers, and something else going on in her mind.

She could hear Amaterasu again but she wasn't screaming now, instead more worried. That's right...this isn't normal. Something is happening here.

"...what...is going on exactly?" she asked Yu, still slightly dazed and growing scarlet in the face. Dear gods, she actually sung something like that.

[linefacingforever]

...she has to learn somehow?

At any rate, Yu stood up then, helping Yukiko stay on her feet. There may have been the sound of a few disappointed Pyro Jacks (apparently they might have wanted to see the snow melt a different way...), but they went ignored at the moment.

"I'm letting everyone know how great a Green Christmas will be," he replied... before the swag suddenly got turned back on. He adjusted his glasses, giving her the best smoky eyes he could possibly come up with. "...will you join me?"

shut up i needed blushy face

[gigglesnortpriestess]

Green Christmas? Is that what this whole thing is about?! Pyro Jacks, you got some serious explaining to do after this is over. All of this sounded so ridiculous and yet when asked to join in...she didn't jump and say 'no' or 'snap out it'. Her throat froze at that point and any chance of getting some kind of words out was very slim.

"I..."

[celebrity_commentator]

Okay, it was time to abort the 'stick head in sand' plan; this was just getting too ridiculous to ignore now. Rise could ignore Yu and Yukiko acting all coupley in normal circumstances (well, she hoped she could), but this was getting absolutely too bizarre, and she had to interject.

"Uh, guys? What are you doing? Yukiko-senpai, look at him! There's obviously something wrong!" she called out. "I mean, does that look like something he'd wear voluntarily?"

Never mind Yukiko's contribution to the musical - that was affecting everyone. Besides, she should really jot some of those lyrics down.

[linefacingforever]

Again with people insulting the loincloth. Really, what was so wrong with it? Did it not sparkle enough or something?

He glanced over to Rise, still keeping an arm around Yukiko, the expression on his face entirely honest and serious as he proposed:

"...you could join us, Rise."

Yes, yes he really did say that.

[handshakegreeting]

Some may say that it sparkled just a little bit too much. Like apparently all the females present. Even the ones stalking from a distance and attempting to stay below the radar. Seriously, what. even.

This was worse than the timeline where he dated all of his female friends. That was saying something.

This was a concerned death goddess less than a block away.

Yes, this was a thing.

[celebrity_commentator]

Back at the scene of the action, the only word to describe Rise is either 'flabbergasted' or 'varying degrees of want'. But, no, the important thing is that Yu clearly isn't acting like himself in any way whatsoever. Except for being sexy.

"I think you're being mind-controlled or something, Senpai!" she said, trying her hardest to keep eye contact instead of either laughing at the feathers or staring at the rest of the lack of costume.

She could address the substance of that offer later, anyway.

[get_bent2]

And this was clearly the perfect time for Santa---I mean Kanji to be walking back home in his Holiday costume. He'd help a few others overstock that night and hadn't bothered removing his outfit before walking home.

The last thing he expected was seeing his friends argu--

"The hell's Senpai wearing?"

He asks, wearing a St.Nick costume.

[gigglesnortpriestess]

Everything turned into a blur with two of their friends expressing some concern. Rise was right: this wasn't anything Yu would do and she should've known better than to even fall for something so ridiculous. It was worse when he mentioned a threesome of all things.

That's where she drew the line.

She pushed Yu's arm off her and glared at the floating pumpkins, fury obvious.

"You're the ones who did this, didn't you?!"

Pyro Jacks, you may love fire but you don't fuck with any of Yukiko's friends.

[linefacingforever]

"Wh--?"

Yu actually managed to look a bit baffled at Yukiko pushing him off of her. Baffled... and, well, a little hurt. This was his girlfriend after all, and in his right mind or not, he still cared about her.

"Don't blame them, I'm just helping."

...they probably didn't need any more proof that something was seriously wrong with Yu.

[gigglesnortpriestess]

"Not like this you don't!"

She's not angry at you, bowlcut. You just seemed to be caught in the middle of whatever these things wanted to do. Her voice gets softer as she speaks.

"You're one to make sure everyone is happy, not just one or the other! That's because you care so much about everything!"

[celebrity_commentator]

"Yeah, it's--"

Rise was all set to join in Yukiko's tirade, but her attention span has never been the best.

"Kanji, why are you wearing a Santa Claus outfit?" she asked.

Then she shook her head, remembering to stay on task. "It has to be something to do with those demons. I didn't think little cute ones like them had mind-control powers, but they're doing something to him," she added, getting ready to summon Kanzeon to verify that.

[get_bent]

"Well uh, I've been earnin' some money, that's all. It's pretty hard work, alright?!" All the kids demanding things and not appreciating the little things in life. At least it wasn't a reindeer.

Anyway.

"So wait, you sayin' this ain't something from his job at Nyx?"

Because that really looked like something you'd find there. He had wondered WHAT he was wearing, but not WHY.

[handshakegreeting]

"Ha ha ha... I highly doubt that..."

There was a faint hint of amusement as a certain "attendant" stepped out from the shadows, almost as if s/he began to overhear as s/he took a casual walk down the street this evening.

"Even Nyx has more class than this."

Congratulations, the attempt to knock some sense into her chosen and their close friend/leader suddenly became that much awkward. And for Yukiko, the one thing "off" about her "new friend" would be the fact her eyes aren't... grey, anymore...

"Do you truly believe this to be normal?" There was a hint of a smile as well, though her gaze is as hard as ever. If anyone knew illusions... it was the one who disguised her own self so as to not frighten those who would simply die (ha ha) of fright by the sight. "Ha ha ha... And here I once thought you stood against such self-delusions, no matter how small."

She is disappointed, you who will one day put an end to her plans to fulfill humanity's desires.

1/3

[linefacingforever]

They all had something against what he was doing...? What was this; normally his friends were there to support him, not just... completely be against him trying to help out. Besides, who wouldn't want a Green Christmas? A nice and warm place to kick back and enjoy each others company... why would they be against him on this?

Hearing Yukiko and Rise being against him hurt. Kanji's confusion abated it a bit, but...

...then a certain someone showed up.

[linefacingforever]

...this wasn't... normal? Self-delusions... yeah, he stood against them... he always tried to find the Truth...

...this was one of those times where the Truth was hard for him to see...?

A faint sound of pain escaped from Yu as his hands came up, gripping his head as his brain ached from trying to sort things out. The motion knocked his glasses off of his face, and they tumbled to the pavement, thankfully unharmed. No... wait... there was... this was... so not right. He... he shouldn't be doing something this ridiculous...

Done and I Feelsed. ;;

[linefacingforever]

The Pyro Jacks definitely didn't take well to these people messing with their lightning avatar. They let out an angry sounding, "HEE!" as bursts of flames shot out from their lanterns, not intending to harm them of course, but definitely a warning to back off. Whether it was effective or not didn't seem to matter; the distraction helped Yu to get his head back together... though not in his friend's favor.

"The only thing I'm doing is spreading the joy of a Green Christmas," he replied, though he sounded a bit sad. "If you don't want to help me... then that's fine."

He turned to leave then, not bothering to pick up his glasses.

all the feels

[gigglesnortpriestess]

No amount of sense could be talked into whatever happened to their leader. They all know that this wasn't right and that manipulation is involved but...it hurt her when she heard that tone of voice coming from him. It shouldn't with what was going on here but still.

When he was out of sight, Yukiko reached down and picked up his forgotten glasses, unsure of what to do. Amaterasu felt sadness for her human but there was a bigger picture to focus on. Maybe Yukiko was tired of focusing on it. It was in that thought that she felt like what she knew she had to do.

"...I'm going after him."

It was firm, no questions asked.

"I don't know what those things are doing to him but I refuse to see him get hurt because of it."

And with that, she ran. If anyone yelled after her, she won't listen. If it were anyone else she cared about, Yukiko would do this too. She won't abandon anyone who needs help.