[WORLD ONE | UVI ATTACK]

[spellbindmods]

Who: The Uvi and coven members
Where: In and around the city land of Aimintas
When: Day 32 & 33
Open/Closed: Open to All

For coven members who haven't been in Aimintas very long, the panic of the Palai the past few days may seem like overkill. The day goes by rather quietly and Aimintas looks like a ghost town throughout the morning and most of the afternoon. Not one Palai can be seen, with shops closed and the roads virtually empty, aside from coven members. It isn't until the sky is turning a nice shade of pink that things begin. Observant people who may be gazing up at the ocean will see the very small dots in the sky that begin to approach at a very quick speed. If you're outside, you may get to see the Uvi up close -- but perhaps not for very long. The Uvi have rubbery bones, and they hit the dirt in a curled up position, unrolling themselves and leaping up on long, scaled legs. The shortest Uvi might come in at five feet tall, but most range from six to seven. They're lithe and gilled -- you may think they want to rely on stealth, but the sound coming out of their gills is very loud and raspy. There's no way you can't hear them coming as the ominous and rapid noise follows them everywhere. Some of them are walking around empty handed, eyes scanning and striding up to buildings, banging on the outside and observing the inside of the house as much as they possibly can. Others are carrying large, bleached tools made of fish bone and teeth. Some look like long blades, while others look like long axes. These are used for cutting into doors and other violent tasks they feel the need to complete. A ▢ If your character is wandering the streets, whether of their own ignorance or because they're part of the team trying to protect/negotiate with the Palai, they're very likely to run into one of the Uvi. While left to their own devices they'll only be focused on sniffing out Palai, but they're committed to going after anything they see alive and moving. If your character confronts the Uvi, they better be prepared for an attack. B ▢ Alternatively, maybe your character is caught outside and ill-equipped to handle the Uvi. Running is an option! ...But they better be able to run fast. Maybe your character gets lucky enough to run into someone who can help them, but they'd best hope they find each other fast. C ▢ Your character may also be committed to love and justice, fighting the forces of evil with good. It's very unlikely that Palai blood goes unspilled tonight, but your character may be able to prevent it as much as possible. Just be warned: if they confront the Uvi who are trying to break into a Palai house, they're going to be in for a fight. D ▢ Other characters may already be hiding, whether in the coven house or with Palai in their own homes. They'll hear the Uvi's harsh, gasping breathing before they see them, but if they do hear that raspy noise, they'd better be quick thinkers. Whether the Uvi visiting turns into a brawl or a blood bath, eventually the Uvi will return to the ocean with Palai bodies in tow. At around 4 AM, the Uvi begin to shriek, some making noises that are too high pitched for most ears to hear. From the sky, large flying fish descend from the sky and find their masters. The Palai are hoisted onto the back of these creatures and they take off, flying back into the ocean. E ▢ If your character is committed to defeating the Uvi, they may want to try and target the large fish they'll be flying out of. It's possible to kill them in the air, but watch where they fall. They're incredibly large -- larger than the sharks and bigger fish that have fallen out of the sky before. They can also be killed on the ground, but you'll also have to do with their protective Uvi owners. F ▢ Maybe your character is more into the idea of following the Uvi back home. It's possible! Once the Uvi breach the ocean, they swim fast through the dark water for miles and miles. The journey is treacherous, and some may stop the trek to attack in the water where they're more at home. If your character makes it to their lair, they'll find that it's a dense wad of seaweed that stays static in the ocean. The Uvi are used to the toxicity of the leaves, but trying to enter means touching these leaves that leave large, skin-melting welts as they grow and burst. G ▢ Wildcard! How will your character handle this violent and volatile situation.

Comments

[probablynoteren]

[Lenka blinks when Julius speaks up, and turns around to stare at him when the semi-familiar terminology comes up -- this has something to do with them? Oracle Cells? But there's only the two of them and he... he freezes for a moment, eyes dropping to his armlet before he forces them back up towards Julius again.]

No. I've never heard of them. Are they related to, uh, Bias Factor?

[bulletbiter]

They are.

[ How much to tell, how much to keep a secret? ]

Do you feel any different?

[probablynoteren]

[You've got a blank slate here, Julius. Use it well.]

Not really...? [he pauses to re-evaluate himself -- again; it's been a long, long day] A little dizzy, I guess.

[bulletbiter]

[ Then maybe he'd have to keep away from Lenka, even. ]

Anyone who carries Bias Factor emits their own Bias Field pulses. Usually, it's faint. But two people's fields can interact.

[ Like what just happened. He supposes it's a valid explanation. ]

[probablynoteren]

Hmm... [it's a considering noise as he turns this over in his head] If it's Bias Factor, do Aragami have it?

[He doesn't recall having run up against it with any Aragami he's faced, even the Dyaus Pita, so the field would have to be very faint indeed. That is, depending upon how it scales, and why it interacts.]

[bulletbiter]

Yes. It was the way they influenced each other, as a pack.

[ How does he not know? Maybe he's not sensitive to it. ]

[probablynoteren]

[... When put that way, it kind of gives you the heebie-jeebies?! Thinking about being like an Aragami pack in any way, shape or form... he'll take being trapped in the matchmaking bowels of Palai society over that. It's probably not a far stretch from literally connecting an Aragami to your nerves and going into battle, but. Still.

Things not to think about too hard, anyway.]

This never happened before... Maybe it's evolution.

[When in doubt or in the mechanics chasm, blame Aragami evolution. The things do change awfully fast.]

[bulletbiter]

[ 'I'm surprised you don't know' is probably written on his face, albeit subtly. ]

I'd suppose...

[ A lot of things can change in three years, after all... ]

[probablynoteren]

[Honestly he is completely used to getting that look from like, everyone in Fenrir; perks of being a protag from the Outside permanently trapped in tutorial hell. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

So... why do interactions happen?

[Is that going to happen again? Is there anything they can do about it?? What are your thoughts, sensei.]

[bulletbiter]

[ Now, that is a good question. How to answer it properly... ]

I'm not sure. Proximity, perhaps... does it make you feel ill?

[ It should have passed. He'll tighten his metaphorical hold on himself, just to be safe. ]

[probablynoteren]

Oh. [he was hoping there was a scientific explanation for it, even the vague rambling ones Dr. Sakaki comes up with on occasion, but it figures they'd be stranded out here with no idea] It just... it surprised me. If that's it, I think it should be okay.

[It's also disorienting to get hit with it all of a sudden, but that counts as surprise factor. Of course, in a fight it might become a problem -- but he'll just have to keep an eye on his surroundings. If there's no known way to deal with this, improvise: one of those obligatory God Eater skills.]

[bulletbiter]

[ There is a matter of science but it's not one to be revealed at the moment. ]

Okay. Let me know if you feel strange.

[ They can just keep walking back to the coven, Julius slowing down a little to make sure he can focus on the movement. All seems to be fine for a while, until a sharp stab of nausea lodges itself into the back of his skull. The world almost closes in on him, pressing against the edges of his vision like a dark haze; and for a moment he considers telling Lenka to run.

Then it ebbs a little, enough for him to regain a measure of clarity. He's not one to show pain, of course - but with the way he has a hand to his chest, it's evident that he can't go on just yet. ]

[probablynoteren]

[Okay, that one was stronger, but this time he's more or less on guard; so Lenka manages to stand his ground, gritting his teeth against the oddness on senses he didn't know he had until now. Aragami senses? Oracle Cell senses? He really wishes he knew what was going on.

Of course, he also didn't expect Julius to go down for the count -- out of the corner of his eye he can see him move strangely, like a doll with all its strings cut, and while the surge means he's not in time to catch him Lenka can at least crouch down to make sure he's still conscious. He carefully lays a hand on his (clothed!) shoulder, just in case he goes further and faceplants or something.

One thing he'd assumed, and which was obviously untrue at this point, was that Julius was feeling the same effects by virtue of being the other end of the equation. But...]

It's worse for you, isn't it? [his tone is carefully even, but he's definitely fretting underneath his assessing stare] You didn't tell me.

[It's not quite accusatory, but it is a little reproachful; he can deal with whatever this is, but only if he has all the information -- and they already have so little to work with.]

[bulletbiter]

[ The Singularity did not pressure him in the same way that one would expect a conventional possession to; the whispers to obey in the dark recesses of one's mind, perhaps some sort of hellish temptation. No, not like that - only a single blinding sense of conviction: to consume until all had become one. It had already claimed his body; only by virtue of his comrades' intervention did he still retain his soul. Now, he would have to gain purchase on what was no longer his lest his mind be lost forever.

Kind of like what happens when one puts an unbreakable spear against an impenetrable shield, really. Which would give way first? ]

Don't come so close...

[ A heartbeat or two pass before he's able to clear his vision completely, still looking down at his hands. Right, they're both wearing clothes. That's good. Who knew what direct contact might have wrought?

He also needs an excuse. ]

Do you know what happens when we assimilate too much? [ This works. ] I can't use an Arc anymore. The resonance would kill me.

[probablynoteren]

[Lenka retracts his hand when Julius urges him to back away, but stays stubbornly nearby -- because in weighing the possibility of a recurrence against the possibility of Julius getting real friendly with the ground, the likelihood of the latter is a lot higher in the near future.

Of course, if things get worse, he'll back off and see if that fixes it; but for now whatever is going on with their Bias Fields seems to have calmed again, so instead he stays there, a solid presence until they get this sorted out.

If they get this sorted out. Julius' explanation is met with a long silence, Lenka's shoulders suddenly rigid before he forcibly relaxes them again, makes his thoughts move forward. What's important is what's currently happening.]

Yes. I've heard of what happens. [oh, he's heard of it, all right] Dr. Sakaki didn't explain it with resonance, but that makes sense.

[There's a pause, as he grapples with it a little more.]

But if you don't use an Arc, then this shouldn't happen, should it?

[In other words, if the only resonance is coming from their Bias Fields, then it stands to reason that the effect itself is creating the same problem -- albeit likely on a much smaller scale. So... their proximity itself is recreating the issue? He still has a relatively rudimentary understanding of the factors involved, so that's the best conclusion he can get from what they have.]

[bulletbiter]

[ It really seems like Lenka is ill-equipped with the knowledge that God Eaters should have before they're deployed in the field. It raises the question of what happened to result in such a thing; as well as whether the boy might take his explanation wrongly.

So he'll be silent for a while, focusing on his breathing, pain pulsing in sharp clarity against his vision. ]

If you take too much Bias Factor, you'll start turning into an Aragami yourself. It won't end just because you've retired.

[ Assimilation. Transformation. His curse. ]

[probablynoteren]

[Anime Exposition.jpg

Lenka waits patiently for Julius to pull himself together, waving off any concerned passing Palai or others who might notice a pair of coven members planted in the middle of the street like part of the rubble. When Julius finally speaks again, though, the only reaction is a carefully controlled breath and a shake of the head.]

Yes. I thought that maybe things had changed or... or it was a different process.

[If it hadn't already been obvious from their first meeting, he's somehow kind of still an optimist, or at least hopeful enough to wonder if the fate of infected God Eaters could improve in three years. Or at least if the prognosis could have shifted somehow. Maybe it was just fear driving him to grasp at straws, out here in the middle of nowhere with no one to turn to.

Of course it's a vain hope; his ultimate response is contained to a small tremble in his shoulders, before he sets his jaw and looks ahead again.]

Sorry.

[There's no pity in it; it's very quiet, a little weary, and maybe he's apologizing for a couple of different things at this point. It's okay if Julius doesn't know what they all are.]

[bulletbiter]

[ So he does know. With the tone he's using. Maybe things had changed. Perhaps a friend of his had turned... or was he afflicted with the same curse himself? Julius would recognize the sign of the Singularity anywhere, and he saw none. So possibly not. ]

Don't be sorry. It's not your fault.

[ If any, it's his own. For falling prey to this curse, and not being strong enough to fight it. ]

[probablynoteren]

No, it's just... [he takes another breath, almost chokes on it because now that he's made a resolution but hasn't followed through on it yet, it's clogging up his throat and weighing down on his insides] I don't know if I'm making it worse, or not.

[There's another frozen moment where Lenka doesn't quite move, but he's scanning their surroundings, quickly -- checking that the street is deserted enough and that they have enough cover from all the debris. Then he turns toward Julius and in a silent, decisive moment rolls down the long glove on his right arm.

Something glimmers, crystalline and poisonous orange across his skin up and down his elbow -- it's not quite like any skin rash anyone should have. It's easily recognizable to anyone familiar with Oracle Cells and their effects, and continues in increasing intensity beyond the bared skin.

It's only a moment later that he pulls his glove back up again, eyes downcast. Even in Fenrir, currently, there are few who know -- and he hadn't exactly told them voluntarily. But here he... he feels a certain obligation, maybe. For better or for worse, the two of them are all they have.]

[bulletbiter]

[ At least Lenka is still himself. He's still human, despite those lesions. Julius has nothing to show, for the Oracle Cells have already claimed his body. ]

It's not your fault. [ Lenka would turn into an ordinary Aragami, if it ever came to pass. The Singularity would be untouchable by any that weren't it's own. That was the crux of Sakaki's plan. ] Whatever I experience is from myself. I have a unique strain... it is I who should fear affecting you.

[ Maybe he should be the one going away. ]

If you feel any more ill, you should leave me.

[probablynoteren]

[Now that they (mostly) understand each other, though, and the crux of the issues are over with (for now) -- Lenka's mostly back to his usual composed self. Or, perhaps more accurately, he's tucked away his remaining doubts beneath his will to keep moving; some of them are fuel, and some of them are simply shadow beneath his feet.

The shadows are a little longer, far away from home, but he'll do his best to stay ahead of them regardless. So he stubbornly shakes his head at Julius' warning, and doesn't budge, physically or otherwise.]

I chose to fight, back home. [chose to wield the God Arc again despite everything, because retirement would mean giving up, and he doesn't know any other way of life nor any other way of proving he's lived] I knew the risks. I know the risks. But I don't want to die here, and neither should you.

[It's not all that often that he bares himself in words. He goes a step further and holds out a hand to Julius; it's not the one with the armlet, the one the infection has claimed. Both are gloved.]

We can work with this. Work with me?

[bulletbiter]

[ Those words are familiar. Perhaps this boy had the same spirit as the person whom he had left his team to, being able to forge on without things to tie him down. Freedom to pursue what one thought was right.

He'd long thought himself past that possibility. Perhaps, there could be redemption, however painful it must be. ]

Trust me, the world would be better off without me.

[ But he also needs to respect the other's determination, one greater than himself; so he'll take that hand. His own hand feels cold. ]

I'll try my best.

[probablynoteren]

[Freedom is a strange thing: the lack of ties, but also sometimes the lack of roots or anchor; the inability to turn back. Lenka's found his anchor again in his Unit, and even here they keep him grounded and able to find his way, or at least the road signs. In some ways, it's about what's right and necessary; at the heart of it, he just wants to see them again.

So even if they don't have the same home, exactly, he can still pass a little of the warmth and strength of those connections to Julius with the handshake, and the small smile he gives him.]

There's a lot of worlds out here. [in a way, it's a reiteration of the hope he clumsily expressed when they met, and it won't be the last time; and if Julius is ready to go, he can also help pull him to his feet] Thanks.

[bulletbiter]

[ Lenka wants to go home. He should go home, Julius should not. Should he return, both their worlds will be forfeit. And with every world he lingers in, the more likely it will be that the Aragami taint might spread.

But for now, this is enough. ]

Let's go back.