Nemesis Heart - R2

[idolpro]

[The first time you try to open your eyes, there is nothing but red.]




[Questions bubble up, voiceless:

What will you keep?

What will you change?

What will you do?]





[And then your eyes open.]

Comments

MECHANICS & STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND

[idolpro]

Challenge resolution (when I remember it) will be done Lasers & Feelings-style.

Choose a number from 2 to 5. High numbers mean you are better at VIGOR (fighting, physical feats, etc). Lower numbers mean you are better at SPIRIT (intuition, diplomacy, willpower, magic/tk, etc.)

When you act, roll 1d6 to see how it turns out. +1d if you're prepared, +1d if you're an expert (DM will tell you). You can also gain dice with some special items.
+ If you're using VIGOR (physical actions), you want to roll UNDER your number.
+ If you're using SPIRIT (mental/spiritual actions), you want to roll OVER your number.

Once you roll your d6, compare them to your number.
If 0 dice succeed, it goes wrong.
If 1 die succeeds, you barely manage it. Some complication, harm, or cost could be inflicted.
If 2 dice succeed, you do it well. Good job!
If 3 dice succeed, you get a critical success! You'll get some extra effect or advantage.
* If you roll your number exactly you can define the outcome of the challenge (within reason).
* If you want to help someone else, describe how you try to help and make a roll. If you make it, they get +1 die.

Feel free to give out-there things a shot. You may have more power within Nem's heart than you'd expect...

DISNEYLAND?

[idolpro]

[The place is called Main Street or Home Town or Discovery Square, or some kind of hokey generic-aspirational name like that; maybe not quite your bag but the layout is impressive enough, especially for this place. It's a large quadrangle lined with shops and storefronts and cleverly disguised bathrooms, all done up in faux Americana brass and wood and mother-of-pearl inlays.

At one end of the quad is a massive power suit--without even looking at it you are certain it is one of the most badass things you will ever see. At the other, Cinderella Castle, and there's no suit there, though you keep thinking there should be. Inbetween are immaculate green lawns and gardens overflowing with colorful flowers crisscrossed by scenic stone paths.

A few of these paths make a crossroads here at the midpoint, and at the center of all that is a tall clock, a face pointing each direction. Instead of telling the time it steadily counts down. Four hours--well, less now. The castle is the rendezvous point, of course, but there's no need to head there now. You've got time.

Peppy music wafts through the air, accompanied by the pumped scents of coffee and dark chocolate and sukiyaki. Above that, the sky is a cloudless, slightly gold-tinged blue.]

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[calmthefoxdown]

[ ... Did Disney buy out gundam?? ]

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[crossmyheartandhope]

...whoa. Check this place out.

[He heads over to the mech, to take a closer look]

[And if perhaps there is a little internal hiccup of alarm at the impulse that "castle" and "rendevous point" belong together, surely that is just him being paranoid,]

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[send_noods]

Uh, that thing's kinda off theme isn't it?

[muttered while walking toward the power suit]

NEMESIS

[idolpro]

[It is hard to miss the massive power suit positioned at the south end of the mall--but why would you want to?

Nemesis--or at least its 1:1 model--rises majestically from the short pedestal it's placed on, crimson and gold armor gleaming in the sunlight. One wheeled foot crushes what looks like a lump of obsidian, and its left arm is brandished forward, the holo projection of its plasma axe looking almost like the real thing.

On its shoulders are its full artillery loadout: chaff and IR grenades and flash-bangs and both the mid- and long-range heat-seeking missiles, even though all that ordinance at once would overload the suit's encumbrance limit and it'd never be able to keep up with the rest of its team. That doesn't make it any less rad.

You were right--it is one of the most badass things you have ever seen. You kinda wish you had one.]

Re: NEMESIS

[crossmyheartandhope]

[I mean, he kind of has one, even if it's not this one]

[Still, Nemesis has never not been badass, and not he can geek out without her jdging him, so. Please don't mind him just crawling up the mech to the shoulders to check out the artillery loadout]

Re: NEMESIS

[send_noods]

[Never been too into the mech thing, but he could be convinced. The axe is pretty cool.

He looks it over, trying to make sense of all the weaponry and gadgets]

Re: NEMESIS

[calmthefoxdown]

[ If only he could take a picture of this for Nem. ]

[ Will in fact try knocking on it to see if it's. Real. ]

CINDERELLA CASTLE

[idolpro]

[The castle is impressive--smooth, polished stone, graceful crenelated walkways and towers and pennants of tyrian and gold. The plaza in front does not have any parts of any power suits present, on the off chance you were expecting any. It's just empty space and engraved tile and the surprisingly thick walls.

In fact, you'd swear that from the rest of the park, castle hadn't seemed quite as intimidating as it does from here; the walls thicker and rougher, the windows looking infinitely farther away than one would expect from some tricks of perspective. The portcullis looks heavy, its thick metal bars worn and scraped with age.

...Either way, you're pretty sure you heard the ride here was closed years ago, so no point in poking around these walls anyway.]

Re: CINDERELLA CASTLE

[calmthefoxdown]

[ But the dog said it was okay... squinting up at it, then looking around for. Any sort of entrance. ]

CINDERELLA CASTLE, LATER

[idolpro]

[This time when you pass the castle, the portcullis is open.]

ADVENTURELAND

[idolpro]

[It's a beautiful day, and the winding paths through the park, while empty, are dotted with flowers and the odd animatronic mascot. The rides are running and the shops and stands are all open for business as if it were packed with people instead of specially open just for you.

It's nice to have a break after so long, isn't it?

How do you want to enjoy it?]

FOOD STALLS

[idolpro]

[The shops are still stocked; the buildings polished clean and the trees and gardens more-or-less immaculately maintained.

There does seems to have been some sort of fire at one portion of the 'Main Street' area, but it has since been fenced off with politely written signs punctuated with an image of a bowing person in a hard hat with mouse ears.

Regardless there is a lanky animatronic dog manning a station with different savory dishes. He waves 'howdy' when you approach]

SHOPS

[idolpro]

[The shops are still stocked; the buildings polished clean and the trees and gardens more-or-less immaculately maintained.

There does seems to have been some sort of fire at one portion of the 'Main Street' area, but it has since been fenced off with politely written signs punctuated with an image of a bowing person in a hard hat with mouse ears.

Regardless there is an animatronic duck without pants manning a sprawling gift shop. You have no idea what he says to you, but probably it involves not stealing anything.]

SOMETHING IS HAPPENING,

[idolpro]

[You're aware of a sound--you feel it more than hear it, the ground rumbling beneath your feet from the pressure. It's like a stampede of horses--like a million wings flapping. It's like trumpets--like every trumpet, all at once, playing a different tune.

You think, perhaps, you should leave.]

Re: SOMETHING IS HAPPENING,

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He tips his head up toward the sky - shades his eyes against the light]

...jesus. What is that?

[He lets himself be tugged by the animatronic chipmonk pulling on his arm, but he's too busy staring to be fast about it]

AVANTE EN DORM

[idolpro]

[The Avante common room is even more bustling than usual after a decent game. Ace is gently pumping Ben and Raijuu for a play-by-play while Lance, Kirin, and Harpy are in the middle of an animated debate about sword techniques. Cardinal, Amaranth, and Shrike add pertinent asides to both conversations from their sedate chat on the couch. Nero drops a kiss on Shrike's forehead before handing her a cup of tea, narrowly avoiding the scampering kittens both chasing after and chased by Tsukasa, Leo, and Kestrel. Nitro, Kohime, and Cap make snarky comments from the safety of the kitchen while enjoying Gold's latest kitchen masterpiece.

Everyone's having a nice time, and goodness knows that happens rarely enough. You shouldn't bother them. Luckily you're fairly certain you can slip past unnoticed.

There's plenty to look at nevertheless. The door to the wine cellar is cracked open, though no one seems bothered by the draft. There are a few things spread on the far table, out of the way of stray kittens. And of course there's nothing stopping you from just going to your room, or leaving the dorm altogether, if you wanted.]

Re: AVANTE EN DORM

[send_noods]

[He pushes himself up, blood oozing out of the bullet wounds riddling his arms. His back's on fire as he leans against the wall, but what's really contributing to that growing puddle of blood on the floor is the large open wound across his torso.

It's fine, he'll just chill here for a bit and bleed out]

A DORM ROOM

[idolpro]

[Nemesis's room is plain (for an Avante room, anyway), no visible modifications save for the window and bath they all have.

The space is surprisingly tidy; no personal items set out, bed slightly rumpled but obviously unslept in.

You may not have noticed that part yet, as a very fluffy black dog is barking at you...friend??? Pets? Yes???]

Re: A DORM ROOM

[calmthefoxdown]

Oh- hey...

[ Crouching down, holding out a hand for sniffs. ]

[ An affectionate pet person, Gold is not. ]

WINE CELLAR

[idolpro]

[You're in a wine cellar, not unlike the one in Asmodeus's house. Shelves of barrels line the dimly lit space. The stone floor echoes oddly with your steps, and the room is just a shade warmer than unpleasantly cool.

There are a few glasses and a bottle set out, untouched.

Behind you, the room stretches further into darkness; to the side, a few shut doors. Ahead is another gate, this one wooden and unlocked; the hum of conversation wafts from down the flight of stairs next to it.]

Re: WINE CELLAR

[crossmyheartandhope]

[...okay, honestly he really needs a drink, so he is going to take a second or two to pour a cup of wine and gulp it down, because he has had better days for sure,]

THE BASEMENT

[idolpro]

Oops.

HURRICANE

[idolpro]

[You cannot see anything. Not your hand in front of your face, not a difference between your eyes being open and closed. It is silent, the acoustics dead like a sound room.

There is nothing.

There is no one.]



[Roll Spirit]

MITO

[idolpro]

[Down the side street, behind the Yonekawas' lot, the house sits; two storeys of tan stucco and brown storm shutters and somewhat loose ceramic roof tiles, a sliver of outdoor space mostly taken up by old construction equipment and tackle boxes and motorcycle parts. The motorcycle parked on the concrete parking slab is equally old but obviously given more attention, the chrome shiny and the toolbox tucked under the corrugated tin shed against the wall. In front of that are two smaller bicycles, one shiny pink and decorated with ribbons, one looking like it barely survived a wreck, the paint (and fenders, and basket, and wheels...) chipped and flaking.

Light shines from the windows, and the faint sound of voices streams from the open windows and door.

You wonder if they expect you.]

Re: MITO

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He hesitates, then steps up to knock on the door]

Hello?

A HOUSE

[idolpro]

[The house looks the same lived-in cozy-cramped-shabby inside, smelling of new air freshener over cigarettes and old papers and furniture that could use a good airing-out. The tatami was up for replacement maybe five years ago, and the electric carpet covering it is speckled with faint, not-quite-removed stains, but it still works.

There's one tube blown out in the light fixture over the kotatsu, still set up despite it being out of season. There's shelves of books and records and a largish, older-model TV. There's an old, overly soft-looking couch, and a massage chair that looks like it was salvaged from a dumpster. There's three pairs of shoes at the entranceway, decreasing in size, though only one name on the certificates and awards and kids' drawings pinned to whatever free space is left on the walls.

There's a shrine in the corner, and a dining/kitchen area at the other end of the room, where the voices are]

Re: A HOUSE

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Takes down Julia's things off the wall and hides them behind the couch, facing the wall, instead - no longer on prominent display]

[Then he heads up the stairs, ignoring the voices, to look for Nem's room]

KABUKICHO

[idolpro]

[It is evening when you step out into the main drag. Bright signs and twinkling lights vie for your attention to step into one of a million different shops and bars and clubs and grimy alleys. It's bustling with people--salarymen off for one last drink before heading home, college students just starting out the night, lion-headed and angel-winged demons taking a break from their near-constant TV watching, teens and tourists chattering in front of some of the more adult establishments, daring each other to enter.

However, something about it gives you a buzz of energy--maybe it's the way you got here; maybe it's just that you're out of the eye of the camera for once. Maybe it's that here in Liar Hell, there's an actual crowd to get lost in--here, you are not alone.

The street is lined with bars and shops; may as well check some out.]

Re: KABUKICHO

[calmthefoxdown]

[ ... Why is the Disney castle liar hell. ]

[ Well. Okay. Okay then. ]

[ Going to take a look at some of the shops, trying to avoid the crowds. ]

THE HIDEOUT

[idolpro]

[You know where to go, and tug open the only door that matters.

Inside, someone's turned this empty corner of an empty city into a home. There's a table with two chairs; a cordless electric kettle; and two mugs filled with black tea, spiced rum, and honey. A small feast spills across the table: a pair of bento with disposable chopsticks, conbini riceballs, and snacks both sweet and salty.

Along the back wall of the tiny apartment, someone's made a blanket fort, draped in soft things and lined with fairy lights. The glow of them is warm, but more than that - this whole place is warm, soft in a way that pulses against the inside of your chest and makes you feel safe.

Hurricane is here, freckled and rosy-cheeked and engaged in that one phone game he never seems to win. A flower crown woven of cheerful orange kalanchoe, purple astragalus, and pale green ivy is set on his sandy hair. He does a double take when you come in, bobbling his phone.

"What--what's going on?"]

Re: THE HIDEOUT

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He hesitates in the doorway - draws up short, swallowing against the sudden lump in his throat at the warm-soft-safe that washes over him]

Uh... hey.