[WORLD TWO | SHIT MEETS FAN]

[spellbindmods]

Who: The Chosen 12, Shehui Monitors
Where: Around Shehui, The Underground Holding Areas
When:
Open/Closed: OTA, but especially the Chosen 12

[ Something seems different about today...you feel it when you wake up if you're of the sorts who happen to have a good gut instinct. You don't have to wait around long for the news of the day to confirm this anxiety in your chest. In fact, it may only intensify if you happen to be looking at your ID card when the announcement comes in.

On your ID's text scroller, a message comes through with a loud, blaring beeping:

The following Shehui residents have been requested for an audience with officials. If you know of their location, please tell them as such and maintain their location as much as possible. (The list, though, contains last names OR the name they offered at their Shehui introductory meeting.)

Ruby
Haru
Geir
Madoka
Jade
Julius
Jusis
Shirley
Orga
Noctis
Akechi
Riza

If you're in your apartment and happen to be on that list, you'll find that your door is locked from the inside suddenly. You and your buddies aren't going in there until a monitor comes by. For those out and about, you may be able to hide for a while if you're in a crowd of folks who don't know who you are. However, any and all news or screens will begin offering photos of those on the list as the day continues. That might get you some interesting looks.

That being said, you have options -- giving in and surrendering is only one of the choices you can make.

pre- or just after the announcement: Want to react to this sudden discovery that you're quite possibly a wanted criminal? Go right ahead! Maybe this is where you begin to plot your life on the lam. Maybe, maybe you have a mental break down. Maybe, maybe, maybe you just need some advice about what to do. Who knows!

running: Life on the lam is entirely possible, and even though it might not last, you can definitely make a break for it. If you have magic that can help you...why not use it? What do you have to lose? However, know that monitors will be looking for you far and wide. You thought there were a lot of monitors hanging around the city before? Think again, now. There are some pretty good places to hide, like in the woods of the more rural areas, but be warned -- that doesn't mean the monitors won't come for you there, either.

fighting: Maybe you're more proactive in your denial. You don't want to go anywhere with these monitors, and they're closing in...instead of surrendering, it's time to battle! Magic will do you well in this scenario, but monitors do have weapons and tools they can use to try and combat your fighting spirit. These include stun guns, energized-batons and a gun-like device that shoots out magnetized clamps designed to grab at arms, legs...even your neck. Trying to cut through these is also very hard, and once the gun is attached to you? It's also electrical in nature. You'll get a pretty good zap if you don't comply.

capture: So that's it. You've been caught. What does that mean for your future in Shehui? It's hard to say -- but it is for certain that you aren't simply being interrogated in your apartment this time. The monitors lead you to their underground doorway, opening it and bringing you inside. What you find is a totally different building that looks very ornate yet official -- this is the home of the Shehui government. The hallway you're led through is long, and your restraints tighten before your feet are clasped together with a device that's similar to the clamps the monitor's gun spat out. There are hundreds of monitors looking to stun or even shoot you now that you're away from the public. Escape is seemingly impossible...at least for now.

From there, monitors will take you to a holding room that lies at the furthest end of the last hallway you're taken to. It's not that bad for being what is essentially a jail cell -- there's an enclosed restroom, sizable bed and mini fridge. A table, a television built into the side of the wall...and a sign on the wall that lists up to three different names. Even though there's one bed, that doesn't mean you'll be utilizing it on your own:

-- Geir (his own, larger cell -- though it's outfitted with larger amenities)
-- Riza, Jade, Ruby
-- Jusis, Noctis, Julius
-- Madoka, Shirley, Haru
-- Orga, Akechi

The first day, everything is quite quiet. A monitor brings you food, carefully making sure that you can't escape through the door...since they're sliding it through a tiny slit, it might be very hard to squeeze through. That's where you're at right now...Today is day one, and who knows what the next day will bring.

[SPECIFIC NOTE: For large creatures, i.e. Geir's big dragon ass, the monitors are going to be using helicopters and larger versions of their regular weapons. They'll be very cautious in trying not to injure Geir -- more than they would be when it comes to the average coven member -- because potentially felling him from the sky can lead to casualties. If he is captured, the underground door will grow to accommodate him, and there is a larger holding area for bigger creatures. Hallways, however, will be a tight squeeze.]

telepathy: Telepathy can be utilized at any time during your long, hard day, but it may be beneficial to attempt to use it while you're locked up underground. Those who hear your mental feed will find that whatever signal you're trying to send is very faint -- for instance, sending text, the letters will be less than opaque. Voices will be softer and potentially static-y, as well as video transmissions.

In general, citizens of Shehui will take a pretty standard approach to coven members who are on the circulated list. They won't get directly involved with the chase; there won't be many citizens who will put a coven member in a headlock and directly involve themselves. However, they will shout, point at and follow coven members who they know are on the list in an attempt to help the monitors. However, you do have the freedom to create non-standard reactions from Shehui residents. You can say they feel some sympathy, or maybe they're even more violent than the average person!

Comments

[rootandbranch]

capture

[it may be a surprise to everyone, but once Geir is reassured that Vern will remain free, and reassures Vern himself that it will all be fine, he... goes with the monitors docilely. escorted by helicopters, he flaps his way back to the underground entrance with a good will, watching the machinery around him in open curiosity. he accepts the restraints and the holding area; he marvels at the fanciness of the government buildings and the cool enlarging door; and he cleans out his fridge in interest as soon as he's locked in the cell, wondering how well they feed prisoners here. not too badly, it turns out. from the monitors' perspective, they've just nabbed a model audience subject. the whole thing might make them uneasy, honestly, even though it isn't as if their records show Geir being anything but polite and cooperative to monitors up till now.

they'd be right to be uneasy. Geir is cooperative, but incredulous, giving the monitors enough rope to hang themselves. he can't believe that they've brought a prisoner as dangerous as he is into the very heart of their stronghold. he can't believe that they know that the whole coven has magic that they can't control, and yet still think they can keep them locked up -- can keep him locked up -- with no evidence that they've come up with more security measures, or apparent change in their tactics. the restraints don't bother him, because he hasn't even tried to break them yet. he's confident he could break them, or that he could simply kill and wreck enough in his path that it wouldn't matter he couldn't. through his biased perspective, this imprisonment will last exactly as long as it takes for him to decide not to play along any more.

in Geir's heart of hearts, he simply doesn't believe he can be contained, so there's no reason to panic or be anything but sanguine. to him, this is all a sort of weird academic exercise in "how stupid can these people get?" but the whole episode puts him close to any other coven members who might be at risk, so he can protect them. it's exactly where he wants to be.]


telepathy

[once Geir is firmly settled in to his holding cell, he curls up with a little sigh, not dissatisfied. he can still-- even if only faintly-- feel the "working" sensation of the other coven members' signets. he's not cut off... that's the important thing. other than that, this is much more comfortable than the last time he was trapped underground, though the restraints are a little annoying. he figures that he can manage.]

Is everyone okay? I'm in some weird underground place. I guess this is one way to find out what's going on.

telepathy.png

[bulletbiter]

[ Here comes a familiar voice, though it is muffled by strange static. If Geir strains himself, he might be able to pick up some kind of pattern from the noise - almost like a song. ]

I'm fine. Are you hurt?

[mapsio]

Pre

[Seeing her own name scroll across the screen is sort of a surprise. She didn't lead the monitor on to anything about magic the previous time she was questioned and she didn't necessarily give them a bone to pick otherwise. So why?

She has to plan. She's going to plan a way to get out of this— or at least she thinks she will. She sends her lizard child running to Nike and then Haru begins her great "escape"....]

Capture

[In the long run? It doesn't work out. When the monitors finally find and corner her? Any attempt to get away was closed off to her.

She goes with them, but not because she wants to. The citizens surrounding her are kind of cruel. Giving her nasty looks and throwing terrible remarks. A criminal like her among them. How horrible. How disappointing.

Once she gets to her cell she will sit on the single bed, looking a little defeated. While she may be the only for now... surely she will have some company sooner or later. There has to be a way out of here, it isn't like she desires to be a sitting duck.]

Telepathy

I don't know who can hear this right now. But I have been taken by the monitors to some underground of sorts. Whoever can hear me... there are more of us down here too.

[She's hoping that made it to the top. But in any case at least the people around her in the different cells can probably hear her as well?]

[mapsio]

I'm okay. Though I am also in the strange underground place.

[Probably an unfamiliar voice for Geir. But hey, Prison Buddies!]

They didn't harm you did they?

[bulletbiter]

before

[ Julius had briefly entertained the idea of using his abilities to try and make an escape, but ultimately it might cost him more control than he can afford. Thus he had resigned himself to going peacefully, though not without a telepathic message: ]

This is Julius. I'm going with them. I'll try to feed information out whenever I can.


capture

[ Much like Geir, Julius allows himself to be led into the cell without much protest. Luckily enough, they haven't obstructed his vision yet, so he's able to take note of the path and construction of the building. It's no different from the treatment he would have received back home should he fall into hostile hands, so it's bearable.

His bigger priority is to remain in control of himself over his escape. If he could bide his time and collect intel, then it would be a good change from the monotony of simply working here. The monitors wouldn't be able to get too much information out of him, for he is incomprehensible even to himself - the curse that binds his body unto an eternity of corrosion.

He takes his place at the corner of his cell, sitting down on the floor. Should food come, he would refuse it except for water. Most of his attention is trained on what he can perceive of the telepathic network, and on keeping himself grounded. Should his cellmates try to check on him, they may notice that some parts of his skin have turned white, with a texture much like bark. ]


telepathy

[ Julius has so manny questions, so might as well fire them off while someone might still be listening. ]

Who's around here? Are they treating you okay?

[hearsthesea]

Pre-Capture
[Shirley is, unfortunately, not a stranger to being a person of interest. Her life is pretty much defined by being a person of interest. She wants to believe that being a cooperative person of interest will help things work out, but it's the part about being tracked that does it. It makes her feel hunted, and when she realizes the apartment has been locked up it makes her feel trapped.

Panic sets in, and she kicks at her door fruitlessly. It hurts, but that's the least of her problems right now.]

Why? Why is it always like this?

Capture
[Shirley is no stranger to being taken captive, either, but it doesn't change how powerless she feels when they come. She goes quietly to avoid making trouble for the others in her apartment, keeping her head down to hide angry tears as she stews in her own failure to see the truth. She shouldn't have said anything. She shouldn't have believed they would be fair. In the end, Shehui is no better than Crusand or Gadoria; they just have fancier technology.

If this were home, this wouldn't be happening. If this were home, Shirley would have already sunk the mainland and there would be virtually nobody left to attempt this. Unfortunately, this isn't home and she's just useless instead.

She's totally sullen when she's escorted to her cell, but the presence of others does catch her attention. At least she's not alone, but the fact that they've taken enough people to warrant cellmates isn't that comforting. Shirley speaks up once they're left alone.]

I didn't know that they would put people together like this.

Telepathy
We're underground in a building. We don't know what will happen. Don't trust them.

[Shirley doesn't know who might hear or if they'll start interfering with telepathy again soon, so she keeps her message short and simple. She wants to ask for help, but...is that best for the coven members still free right now?]

Telepathy

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley's pretty caught up in panic and a lot of other negative feelings down here, so hearing Geir is both a relief and a cause for anger. Him too?]

It's me, Shirley. I'm here as well. I'm all right, but what about you?

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley enters their cell a little later, surprised to see someone there already. It's another girl and that brings back memories, but Shirley doesn't want to dwell on that right now.

Haru's already on the bed, so Shirley just sits on the floor next to it. She, too, seems pretty defeated.]

How many of us are there here?

[Or, considering that list...]

I wonder if anyone managed to escape.

[secondadvent]

before;
[ A chill of dread rushes down his spine when he sees his name on the list. Why him? It makes sense that Ruby would be on it after she told the monitors everything, but he made sure he would tell them absolutely nothing of value. He considers his choices here - surrendering peacefully, or escaping.

He realizes the latter isn't an option when he finds the door locked. It's only a matter of time before a monitor will come to arrest him, so he quickly shoves a few paperclips in his pockets; he's read about people using paperclips as lockpicks when proper tools aren't available, and while he isn't good at picking locks he knows how it's done and he'd rather not go completely unprepared. He considers slipping a pocket knife into his pocket as well, but decides against it. It's likely only going to be confiscated.

Then he puts on a pot of coffee and waits for the inevitable. ]

capture;
[ Akechi allows the monitors to escort him to his cell without protest, but there's anger simmering in his gaze. He doesn't speak a word, focusing on taking note of his surroundings and committing them to memory.

Once he's in his cell, he sits down on the bed and lets out a sigh, his brows furrowed in a frown. Things are looking rather bad right now, but there has to be a way out of this... ]

telepathy;
[ Akechi admittedly isn't fond of telepathy for various reasons, but right now he's grateful it exists. ]

This is Goro Akechi speaking. The monitors brought me to some sort of underground building. Who else is here? Are you unharmed?

[pigii]

pre

[ she's out running errands with dia when she gets the announcement, and both the sisters go pale as they drop their shopping baskets and run. neither of them are sure where they're running exactly, but out of somewhere public probably seems best... until they exit the building and monitors catch sight of ruby. it's at this time that she discovers the full extent of her power - when dia urges her to use her magic to turn invisible and run by herself, her grip on her sister's hand makes both of them disappear. it's an opening, and both of them take it as a desperate sign of hope.

unfortunately, that part of her magic comes with a price. it isn't long before ruby starts losing her stamina - she can't bring herself to run anymore, and her invisibility begins to flicker. unfortunately that's enough for the monitors to properly find them, and it isn't a pretty sight. they're in the middle of a busy street when the capture happens, with dia being restrained as ruby screams and cries for her sister as hard as she can. it makes quite a noticeable scene, but you know what they say about the bystander effect... the shehui residents sure don't seem to care, anyway. ]


capture (or: gay baby jail)

[ she's far too traumatized to even lift herself onto the bed - the best that she can do is sit upright against a wall and hug her knees as she trembles in fear. the way ruby moves is often compared to a small animal, but that idea holds much more weight now - with the way she's curled up onto herself without a word, the idea of a terrified small animal is easily invoked. talking to her might yield some sort of response, but it might not be a good one. ]


telepathy

Everyone... I'm sorry...

[ it's the only thing she can manage to gather her thoughts coherently enough to say, though it's not without the strain of tears. if she wasn't convinced by now that all of this misfortune was her fault, she's sure of it now - this is punishment, for both her and those around her. ]

[mapsio]

[Haru is going to scoot over, patting the bed. She doesn't want to take up the entire thing by herself.

This situation is so frustrating. Even at home she was able to slip under the radar of the law— so why here? Why now?]

I hope at least a few of them escaped.

[She doesn't sound too hopeful about that.]

Though I would say it could be unlikely, considering how forceful the monitors are.

telepathy;

[mapsio]

This is Haru. I was taken as well. I am unharmed.

[She sighs to herself, her problems with Akechi can be set aside for now. Escaping and figuring out where exactly they were taken? That was more important.]

Are you unharmed as well? Did you see any weak points in the security?

[They are Phantom Thieves, it was their specialty to sneak around places. Even if there isn't much of a sliver of hope that there would be a hidden vent somewhere.]

telepathy.

[pigii]

Akechi-san...

[ the voice likely needs no introduction, considering its squeaky, borderline-sobbing nature. the trauma of being forced away from dia is still fresh in her memory; she has no idea what's going to happen next. all of the other voices seem so brave, and then there's her - scared and useless. ]

I was good, but... still...

[ her name was first on the list. ]

[rootandbranch]

[Geir's voice comes through, if not quite clearly, at least strongly: he's doing his best to speak through the static.]

Not at all. I just went with them, you know? I figured it'd be the easiest way to get down here. They would have to try a lot harder than they've been doing to hurt me.

[soulcomet]

[here's another cellmate — Madoka has a seat next to Haru on the bed, wearing a glimmer of defeat herself, but there's something far more determined there as well.]

... We've gotten ourselves out of worse jams, right? [that same old hopeful lightheartedness, doing its darndest to break free from the whatever weight of their situation is holding.]

[rootandbranch]

No, I'm fine. How about you?

[Geir isn't worried for himself at all, but hearing a strange coven member's voice does give him a twinge of anxiety. he doesn't want anyone else in this situation to be hurt or frightened.]

[rootandbranch]

I'm fine. I thought it might be interesting to come with them... are you sure you're okay?

[he can't help but catch the edge of her panic, and it kicks his protective instincts into full gear. he narrows his eyes at his own bonds -- did they do anything to her to cause that panic?]

[mapsio]

Madoka-chan... not you too.

[Haru feels a little hopeful at Madoka's comment. Maybe they have gotten themselves out of worse situations. At home and here.]

They didn't hurt you, did they?

[soulcomet]

[Shirley may not realize it, but Madoka does recognize her — rather, Jay had asked her a while back to give being friends with her a shot. these aren't the best circumstance to be forging a friendship at all, but Madoka Kaname does not break promises.]

[her voice is gentle, but how upset she is betrays her.] I guess ... I guess it's better than being completely alone, right?

[she's going to crouch down next to the food slot in the door, as if it'll help her hear the others more clearly.]

[soulcomet]

Please don't blame yourself, Ruby-san. I mean ... I don't think it's us in the wrong here.

[witchwithoutacause]

[ Another staticky voice comes through. It might almost be hard to recognize as Amanda given the dead-serious lack of bluster. ]

Hey. Geir. Tough guy. You read me?

[mapsio]

[Really, it's the same for Haru. She's less worried about herself and more worried for her fellow coven members. Inside this situation and on the top. What if they decided to arrest more people?]

I think we've all seen better days.

[A moment passes before.]

I know we haven't met before. I'm Haru. They are holding you down here as well?

[rootandbranch]

Tough guy-- is this Amanda?

[it does take Geir a minute, but he has a good memory for voices, luckily. she seems very serious right now...]

I can hear you. I don't think we're cut off all the way.

Telepathy;

[argenteums]

[ A slightly panicked voice might be heard here, one trying to stay calm - ]

» Hey- I can hear you! Is- Is a guy that answered to "Noct" anywhere near you? Dark hair, blue eyes? «

[ Prompto, you insensitive prick- His mind yells. ]

» I'm sorry- are you okay? Can you help me out here, Miss? Do you have any clue as to where you've been taken...? «

[witchwithoutacause]

Good, you sound like you're holding up well. How well do they have you under control though?

[ Very serious, although there's alllmost a playful edge to her question. ]