idolpro | Serenity's Heart Game

✦ Objective: Remove the Foreign Corruptions
✧ UNIT POWERS ARE OFF
✦ WARNINGS: Emotional manipulation, body mutilation, fighting (optional), potential injury, as well as aspects of survivor’s guilt and suicidal ideation.

✧ Combat is entirely OPTIONAL. Idols will not be able to use their unit abilities inside of her heart, HOWEVER, they will have a set of skills and abilities available to them based on the answers to the survey you did for me. You can view your skills as well as those of your party members here. It is possible to die within the Heart in the case that you do choose to engage with the combat aspects. However, it need not be permanent, there are also several means to revive those who have died within the Heart. Revived or not, dying in the Heart does have effects and consequences.

✦ Actions within the heart may have real effects, both on the True Heart and Serenity herself or the foreign influences that are currently residing there. Positive efforts will help slow the infection. Those actions which may cause Serenity distress however, may weaken the True Heart and allow the foreign influences to take hold more quickly.

✧ You will also have optional access to funds as well as the means to obtain funding reasonably within the Heart’s setting. I am not policing your use of the funds. Just keep your spending within some form of reason. Please do not emotionally bankrupt Serenity.

✦ If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! This is my first time running any format of game in Imeeji, so I don’t expect everything to work perfectly. What’s most important to me is that you all have fun with it. And there are no scores, so-- no pressure!

[ Now that you have your ARCUS II, you can contact any individual whose contact information you have at any time! You can use this space to send messages or call one another, if the need arises! ]

[ The haze begins to clear. As you lay on what seems to be a very simple but comfortable bed, you open your eyes to the rest of a small bedroom. The curtains are drawn and yet a small stream of light slips through, allowing you to slowly get your bearings.

As you do, you notice the creeping hints of plant life throughout the room, small blossoms of yellow and white peaking through tiny cracks in the walls and floor, clinging to everything they can get a hold of. In fact, as you look down at yourself, you will see that the yellow variety has crawled up the legs of the bed as well.

They’re trying to get to you. It is not a voice, as much as it is an idea placed directly in your mind. Yet there is a lingering warmth-- a feeling of love and caring coming from the one who put it there.

It’s early morning-- 7 AM, according to the basic clock on the wall next to the bed. But with the hoard of yellow flowers growing around it, you almost have to wonder how much longer it will work.

Looking further around the room will show that the room itself is rather sparsely decorated, if you don’t include the intruding plant life. First you have the bedside table next to you

There is also a desk with a few framed photographs on it -- those have been completely overwhelmed by yellow flowers -- as well as a closet with a uniform hanging on it’s doorknob, all ready to go; neatly pressed and wrinkle-free. That is, if these white flowers were not clinging to it

...oh and don’t forget the bathroom.

When you're ready to leave, the exit is just across the room from the bed. ]

[ When you step outside the room, you see several other doors line the hallway. But it seems the only way they’re opening is if there’s someone on the inside to open it. You might be able to meet with others, if there are any.

Or if you’re on your own or feeling impatient, you can always press forward. The only way to proceed from here seems to be the stairwell. You have the option of going up to the roof, or down to the main floor. ]

[ Up on the roof, you will get a nice view of the city outside of this building. Your primary view is that of the Central Plaza below. There’s a grand-looking bell at the heart of it all and several buildings alight with activity circled around it. It doesn’t look like there’s a way down from up here though. So your only choice if you wish to proceed is to head back downstairs.

There is, however, a black cat sitting there at the far corner of the roof near the railing. It looks up at you with wide eyes. Perhaps… it would like a fish? ]

[ Upon taking the stairs down, you enter what appears to be the common area of this building. If you look to the back corner of the room you will see an odd terminal flashing in the corner as well as a conference table with more than enough seats to accommodate everyone. There is also a bulletin and drawing board-- both are empty, but there are supplies present if you want to make use of them.

Besides this room and the rooms upstairs, you now have access to one other room as well as the front door that seems to lead outside. ]

Edited 2021-01-23 07:16 (UTC)

[ This door seems to lead to the kitchen. It has the standard appliances, but nothing about them is particularly modern. They don’t run on electricity, but an energy source unique to this world.

But if what you’re looking for is a place to make some food, this space will more than do the trick! A number of basic food items are already in storage here. So fortunately it looks like you won’t have to provide your own. ]

[ Upon exiting the building you find yourself a few steps away from the Central Plaza-- the busiest place in the whole city, arguably. Just looking around you can see at least twenty people. From a distance, it seems like any normal city. Kids are running around playing games while adults travel from one place to another finishing up their shopping.

There are several shops in the surrounding area including the Weapons Shop, GENTEN, and the department store.

If you don’t have any interest in shopping right now, you can travel to several districts from here including Station Street, West Street, East Street, the Entertainment District, and the Government District. ]

Edited 2021-01-23 07:18 (UTC)

[ Once the door shuts, it’s fairly dark in here. It’s a fairly small shop from the front. Most of the space is taken up by storage, behind the counter. From here you can see several weapons on display… swords, staves, guns, tonfa… For those who know their weapons, you can probably tell that they know what they’re doing here. The quality on display is impressive, whether you’re familiar with all the weapon types or not.

A wide variety of weapons can be purchased here. The gentleman in charge isn’t much for conversation but if you need help in deciding what weapon is best for you-- he might be able to give you some pointers. ]

[ Your fulfilling shopping experience starts here. There are two floors, individual shops keeping their own space. Several different stores here offer clothes, accessories, books-- all kinds of cute goodies. You may notice that a lot of them feature a particular cat creature.

Can you even keep souvenirs? Who knows. But if you like cute things, maybe it’s worth a shot. ]

[ This place has a little bit of everything-- after all, Orbal Energy is the source of most all technology. So here you’ll find displays of Orbal Cars to your more household devices. Chances are you can’t afford anything here… but you did get a request from one of the employees here. ]

[ Welcome to the Entertainment District! Compared to the other districts, this one is a lot brighter and noisier. Even during the daytime, there are already plenty of people out and about, looking to have a good time. Not all of it seems to be on the up and up-- but at least the people selling that kind of thing seem to know not to target you.

Home to the Millennium Hotel, Arc en Ciel’s theater, and the high stakes, high excitement casino, whatever your idea of fun is, you’re bound to find it here.

...for the right price, anyway. ]

[ With it’s dark, smooth interior decoration, it’s clear that this is the place the big spenders go to rest after spending their cash. Whether it’s to rest up after a long day at the casino or to enjoy the other sorts of pleasures money can buy, you could definitely enjoy a good night’s rest here. It’s high quality for high prices.

We have beds at home.

...however, if any of you are combat-worn, the kind of rest only the finest mattress will get you could help restore some of your stamina. ]

[ Welcome to the Casino!

There are girls waiting to greet you at the door. If you’re at least twenty one, they have alcoholic drinks to offer on the spot.

If you’ve saved at least some of your money, you could happily gamble your free time away here. There are plenty of open tables where you can try your luck at a game of cards… or if you prefer to leave your fate more to chance, there are also slot machines along the wall in the back. ]

[[ RULES OF SLOTS: Roll 3d6 - if you get three of a kind, three consecutive numbers, or all odd/even numbers, you will win a prize. ]]

[[ RULES OF CARDS: Place your bet (how much money) and pick heads or tails. Then flip a coin in chat. If the coin lands on the side you picked, you double your bet. If it does not, you lose your bet. ]]

[ In this grand theater, trimmed in gold and decorated in rich, vibrant colors, you will see a neat box office off to the right and several doors ahead leading to the stage and upstairs balcony seating. Another door below is guarded by staff and seems to be the way backstage. Advertisements posted throughout the theater advertise the troupe’s latest show Golden Sun, Silver Moon and the two beautiful women starring in it.

You might also remember that one of the individuals here had sent a request to the terminal earlier on behalf of the troupe. ]

[ This part of the city is home to the general store, Morges Bakery and two separate apartment buildings. It’s not quite as loud or as busy, but if you’re looking for something homemade or homegrown, this quaint spot in town has you covered.

It’s also where you’ll find the city’s west exit, the appropriately named West Crossbell Highway. ]

[ The smell of fresh bread permeates the room. It’s a quaint and cozy little local bakery with new specials regularly. They’ve got everything from whole loaves to individual bagels and muffins.

You might recall that one of the employees here sent a request to that terminal. If you have the items he asked for, now would be a good time to turn them over.

Or you could just buy some bread. ]

[ The stone path ends, giving way to a dirt one; surrounded on both sides by soft, full grass. Off to the side sits an empty bus stop. The sign displaying the schedule has been overtaken by small white flowers-- and it’s not just that. The bus itself seems to have been taken out of commission by the same white flowers.

Step any further though and you’ll be within range of wild monsters.

...most of which appear to be congregating in one spot. Maybe those are the ones the request was talking about. You still have the option to turn around. But linger any longer and you’ll be drawn into battle. ]

[ This district means business. After all, it is home to City Hall, the Crossbell Police Department’s Headquarters, and the city library. It doesn’t have the same lively atmosphere but it is still a busy place. Or... should be. The streets here are surprisingly empty. Not even the fountain has attracted anyone.

Not as obvious as the buildings themselves, there’s also a blockade next to City Hall, preventing anyone from taking the road that goes further north. With no one coming and going, it stands out more than you'd think. ]

[ The official home of the Crossbell Police Department. A few members of the police department loiter around, talking to one another in the hall to your right. But before you can get too far, a red-headed girl at the front desk waves to you. ]

Edited 2021-01-30 18:31 (UTC)

[ As soon as you enter the library, you’re greeted by the sight of the Information Desk. Bulletin boards lining the nearby wall include a few quick bits of relevant information, as well as a guide to the library itself and where to find each section of books.

Those categories cover everything from informative and historical topics to more entertaining stories meant to be read for fun. There are also some recommendations for readers who don’t know where they’d like to start. ]

[ There isn’t a whole lot to see here, but it’s a pretty busy place. As the main entrance to the city, people come and go from the train station, but the front gate is pitifully bare.

The bus continues to sit, parked at the bus stop. Not unlike the others, it’s been overrun by white flowers. What probably started out as a single sprout is now so thick that it’s twisted up around the door, the wheels, and even up inside the delicate mechanical parts. It’s not likely that thing is going to be operational anytime soon.

That would be enough reason for the bus stop to be empty, but--

Come to think of it... that monster sighting wasn’t far from here. It might be dangerous to stick around here. But if you’re going to fight-- now might be the best time. ]

[ As you leave the city, it doesn’t take you long to find the monster they were talking about. It’s all by itself, but it’s more than big enough to be a great threat all on it’s own. It doesn’t seem to have noticed you yet but if you linger here, it’s only a matter of time. ]

[ As soon as you approach, an unprompted fear will grip you. But behind that feeling there's something else-- something warm. It's still far away but... she's definitely there.

In the distance you can see signs of construction-- or destruction, more appropriately. ]

[ Beyond the barricade, the street is filled with rubble. Pieces of scrap iron, chunks of concrete and shattered glass have been brushed off to the side, but there they sit. As you follow the path, a strange static-like fog seems to cover the area. Before your very eyes the entire view glitches, as if what you're seeing has not been fully realized.

Realistically, it’s clear what this place is-- or once was. Up ahead, the shattered remains become larger. Whole steel beams that bent in upon themselves under too much wait; giant marble and stone slabs from walls collapsed.

In those shattered remains of white steel and slate and sky blue pieces... splatters of blood, vivid and fresh, although the scenery's inability to focus without glitching or shifting makes it difficult to focus on.

Welcome… to the remains of O͎͙r͕̫̫c͖̘̫h͍͙̘i̪͔ș͖͍ T̼̼o̼̫͇w̼̫e͍͜r̡̺̦.

You cannot see her, though you have been told she is here. Yet because throughout your time here, you have protected your bonds with her-- you can feel her. The bond between you and she feels taut... stretched thin... but it has not broken.

As you step closer, you realize that you’re alone. The people who had been in the street, those who had traveled by your side until this point-- you cannot feel them in this space, and they cannot be here with you now.

And with each step, the view becomes darker. Yet somehow, as the space around you gets darker, things become clearer.

Further... and further... until everything... is pitch... black. ]

Rules & Information

ARCUS II NETWORK

SPECIAL SUPPORT SECTION BUILDING (BEDROOM)

SPECIAL SUPPORT SECTION BUILDING (HALLWAY)

SPECIAL SUPPORT SECTION BUILDING (ROOF)

SPECIAL SUPPORT SECTION BUILDING (COMMON ROOM)