lostcarnival | ⇨ FOURTH WALL EVENT! (OPEN TO ALL)

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⇨ FOURTH WALL EVENT! (OPEN TO ALL)

Who: Everyone and the 4th Wall Visitors!
When: Day 175
Where: Heartstone Manor
What: THE 4TH WALL BALL BEGINS! This is where unapped visitors can post and roleplay. Please read the rules and setting info below. For more information and visuals refs, read this. Questions can be asked over here.
Warnings: Individually marked! Could be a lot of things.

THE GRAND BALL↴

Heartstone Manor is a giant, spooky castle floating in the middle of a twilight filled void. It is the home of a Wyld Fae calling himself The Prince - and despite his name, he is a bestial creature crammed into a gentleman's clothing, completely obsessed with replicating the ideals of old timey human society, much like the 1800's. The Prince and his many servants all dress in a manner appropriate to to the 1500's - 1800's, and decorum and beauty are held sacred above all else. All the workers of the carnival are currently staying there, in the hope of enabling a successful diplomatic venture between the Ringmaster and the Prince. The Grand Ball is being thrown by the Prince to honour these guests, but his manner of doing this is going to come as a bit of a surprise.

THE RULES↴

Powers are all partially nerfed for 4th Wallers. They can be used in small to moderate ways for the sake of RP and narrative flavour, but 4th Wallers shouldn’t generally be using any powers in a super disruptive manner. No using powers for fighting with NPCs (yet), causing general chaos, or otherwise making your character a burden to the Prince. If they try, they’ll find themselves unable to do so.
Your character isn’t sure how they got here but they think they’re okay with it. Your character won’t remember how they were captured by the Prince at the start of the ball. They’re just kind of here and in formal wear, and something tells them it’s probably fine to just enjoy the ball. They are wrong.
In-game characters won’t initially remember how they all ended up at the ball either thanks to a temporary amnesia effect, but they will be able to be concerned about the fact that other people (possibly people they know) have shown up, and the fact that those other people are probably the Prince’s captives. Weren’t they doing something else at the castle before this, though? It’s hard to remember. This is all very confusing.
4th Wall character who aren’t apping in were possibly never the real deal in the first place. There are a mixture of genuine captives and spooky replications created with magic – this is to provide some flexibility regarding 4th wall character’s states in game, as well to allow more than one of each character to be played. If there are multiple people playing the same character, then whichever one has an app accepted will have been the real one.
No doubles of in game characters. (Taken list here.) No AUs, no CRAUs, and nothing else besides characters that have full source canons or are original characters/fandom OCs with no bearing on the canon plot. If you tag in with a character who breaks these rules we reserve the right to remove them.

THE SETUP: 4TH WALLERS↴

With incredibly foggy memories of their recent past, your character will find themselves at a grand ballroom dance, filled with a mixture of normal humans and odd looking humanoids that have strange features like wings, horns, tails, fur, and the like. They have vague memories of being dressed for the occasion, but are not sure by who or why. Most disturbingly, they will find that, at first at least, they don’t really care about the details. It seems like a pleasant event, doesn’t it? Why not enjoy it.
This effect is definitely some kind of mind control, so you can feel free to have your characters be a bit confused and conflicted about it. Ultimately, they have been charmed to participate in the dance, so they will feel like riding the wave is the best thing to do even if that wouldn’t normally be their cup of tea. If your character has resistances to some forms of mind control, they are still overruled in this circumstance.
They may discover people they recognize (castmates) or even duplicates of themselves (somehow?), and these can all be treated as canonly occurring and played out as such. This event is canon for Lost Carnival, so it should be played seriously and respectfully – not that silly shenanigans aren’t also bound to happen.
All characters are required to dress in formal attire appropriate to a period area – specifically anywhere from the 1500s to 1800s. The Prince prefers if people are heteronormative in their clothing choices, but if you want you can probably get away with your ladies wearing suits or men wearing dresses as long as they look presentable otherwise.

THE SETUP: MANOR GUESTS↴

You find yourself at the Grand Ball without really remembering how you got here. The last few days are a foggy blur, and though you can remember some of the important stuff you were dealing with, it will feel less important right at the start. Of course, as the night goes on, memories of how the carnival reached this event will become more and more clear – as well as the inevitable worry and stress that comes with it.
For most people, there will have absolutely no memory of anything that happened after the morning of Day 175. Did the boating trip ever happen? Possibly not. Even as the night progresses, they will still have no recollection of how most of Day 175 went, which is probably disturbing. The Mod has contacted those that are exceptions to this privately to tell them what they will remember.
The people lost to the Manor’s security earlier in the week will be here too, but not as guests. In fact, all of them will be dressed in the black attire of a Heartstone Manor servant and will seem pretty okay with that fact. There are parts of them that look changed – and their dispositions are definitely one of them. How else could they possibly be working for the Prince now?
Updates to the event situation will be posted down in this section below. People can react to these posts as the circumstances change, and may new top levels based on them. It is possible to try to sneak away from the ball, but Manor Security will be trying to hunt you down. There is no mandatory outcome planed to this event, so character decisions can and will have a major effect in where the plot goes from here.

THE ACCOMODATIONS↴

MUSIC AND DANCING: There will be music playing the whole night, and most of it is so good you feel practically compelled to dance to it. It's possible to resist, but why would you want to do that, you party pooper?
FOOD AND DRINK: There are circle tables set up with fine silverware, and upon sitting down you will soon have a waiter come back to ask for an order. You can request basically any European cusine and it will be made for you. You will also be given drinks, most of which are alcohol, no matter your age. Fae don't care about children.
BALCONY STARGAZING: There are balconies that are connected to the ballroom in multiple locations that you can step out onto to get some fresh air. You'll see the courtyard of the Manor down below you, but everything beyond that is black, as if the castle is floating within a twilight void. (Because it is.) One small change is that there are stars out tonight, probably added to the sky for the occasion.
ALL NIGHT LONG: The ball will go on far into the early morning. Or, at least, until everyone fucks it up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This is all kind of troubling. Now that he's examining the thought of how exactly he got into this exact room -- or these clothes! -- it's hard not to keep thinking about it. But all that gets thrown out the window when 2B asks him to dance.

9S says eloquently--]

Er. Uh.

[Is this happening? Is this really happening? He'd come over to her with that intention, but... he didn't think he actually had a chance.

He straightens, before taking the offered hand, a smile on his face.]

Of course. I'd love to, 2B.

[There's a good amount of relief that washes over her when he says that he'd like to and takes her hand. He's still just as warm as she remembers, and her slight frown turns into an almost smile.

Even in death, she'll treasure this time between them.

She's only seen others dance, and it's not like she has experience herself, but she still has the grace of a combat android. Thankfully there won't be any toe stepping on her part as she leads the dance.

Mostly because she's not aware that normally the men lead.]

[9S isn't particularly great at dancing, but he does have the advantage of having gone through a few rounds of dance practice, and a short round with Rita before he unceremoniously dumped her. Whoops.

He's not at all bothered by 2B leading; it's just something that's so... her. A peaceful smile curls at his lips, placing a hand on her shoulder as the partner Following.]

You know, 2B. I'm glad you're here.

[It's more experience than her, but 2B is fairly quick to learn. It's not combat, but it is movement, and as a combat android, she's good at it, and only going to get better.

... She can't agree with his sentiments, unfortunately, so instead, she leads the dance on, and changes the topic.]

Are you enjoying yourself here? [She is genuinely curious.]

[...Did he say something wrong? Even though their hands are joined -- and warmth spreading across his cheeks -- somehow, it feels as though distance has just been wedged between them again.]

Mmm...

[He remembers being... really annoyed before the ball. Like there was a lot of really stupid things happening that he can't quite bring himself to recall. It can't be that important if he doesn't remember though; he would've dedicated space in his memory storage units otherwise.]

Yeah, I think so.

[Because you're here. A small pause, a brief moment of hesitation, before he asks her--]

What about you? Do you like it here?

There's no machines here.

[2B answers simply. There's no machines to destroy. There's no YoRHa, there's no Bunker or Commander.

There's no orders. Her hand tightens on his, just the slightest pressure. There's none of that, but 2B doesn't know how to begin to apologize for what she's done. If 9S is here in this after life with her....

Perhaps God truly is cruel.]

[For two androids unfamiliar with dancing, they're doing a pretty good job waltzing it up out on the dance floor. No toes stepped on, even!

His gaze briefly flickers to her hand, breath catching in his throat before he remembers he needs to respond to her statement.]

...That's true. I guess this is what humans do when there's no wars to fight.

[He wishes this moment could last forever.]

I wonder what we'll do when the machines back home are eradicated. We'll have plenty of time on our hands. We could... I dunno, do more things like this?

[They're doing a good job of waltzing. Right up until 2B suddenly stops.

Though 9S can't see it behind her combat visor, she has a troubled expression.]

No. I don't think we will.

[9S can't seriously think that there's any chance of returning to that life, can he?]

[??? Um??? 2B why did you stop??? By contrast, 9S' confusion is clear on his face, eyes wide in bewilderment. 9S kind of just stands there awkwardly; her hand's still at his back, after all. If anyone else dancing nearby is expecting them to move out of the way, they're sorely mistaken.]

Huh? What do you mean?

[Come on, 2B, quit messing around.]

Of course we will! With us YoRHa on the job, it's only a matter of time before they're all gone.

Edited 2017-10-14 06:15 (UTC)

[And now, she lets her hands drop from him, and taking a step back so there's space between the two of them, and she purses her lips.

What is he saying? Does he somehow not remember? Is there something wrong with 9S's logic circuits?

Thankfully, Pod 042 is always there to help.]

Proposal: Fill in YoRHa Unit 9S' missing memory data and perform a system analysis to check for damaged or corrupted sectors.

9S....

[When 2B pulls away from him, his hand reflexively reaches out in an attempt to reconnect with her. But it's clear that he... can't. Not when she's holding herself away from him, and he lowers his hand, his chest aching for reasons he can't fathom.

Thoroughly confused, he looks back and forth between Pod 042 and 2B.]

...Missing memory data? What are you talking about?

[He fights down the feeling of dread rising in the pit of his stomach. He's known for a long time that there's been something strange going on with his memories. He knows his roll out date, but the breadth of his memories don't stretch as far as he'd expect. He'd always assumed there was some kind of corruption, leading to it being reset to the defaults, but...

That sad expression on her face is back. The one that she thinks he doesn't see, when she turns away from him.]

Tell me. ...Please.

YoRHa is no more. Everyone was corrupted by a logic virus hidden in the Bunkers data servers.

[Hopefully he catches on to what she means by everyone. She waits for his reaction, however.]

I... What!?

[YoRHa is gone? How? Time isn't supposed to pass while he's on contract with the Ringmaster! Did she lie to him?]

Oh no... It can't be...

[That means everyone... the Commander, 21O... They're gone? What about 2B? She's... She's still here. Somehow. That must mean she escaped it, right? She didn't get infected by the logic virus if she's here, right!?]

...What about you? You didn't get corrupted, did you? You're still here.

[Desperation trickles into his voice.]

You're fine... right?

For now. [That's all she can really say, can't she?] You managed to escape. [And that's what matters.] 9S... I want you to know that no matter what, I truly treasured the time I spent with you. [YoRHa is no more, so it's not like she'll ever receive another mission from them.]

["For now"? No... this can't be happening! He doesn't remember escaping, but that doesn't mean anything if 2B didn't escape with him!

Unintentionally, he raises his voice.]

2B, don't say that! You're talking as if this is the last time we'll ever see each other!

[He raises his hand.]

If you're still infected, then I can--

[Remove the corruption himself.]

[Can he? 2B can always hope, but instead, she puts her hand on his to lower it.] That isn't necessary. The logic virus isn't in my systems at present. [And while everything is hazy, 2B feels like Pod 042 would have been able to diagnose and detect any remnant traces of said logic virus inside of her.

That doesn't mean anything if she returns back to Earth, however. 2B has no idea what happens then. Will she be fine? Will it be as if the virus was never inside her in the first place? Or will she go right back to 90% corruption?]

[9S lowers his hand.]

Then...

[Is she only alright because she's not back on Earth? It's rather fuzzy logic, but it's the only thing he can think of right now. If that's the case...

He reaches forward to take her hands into his.]

When this ball is over, come with me and join the Carnival. The Carnival's Ringmaster... she might be able to keep the virus out of you.

[Maybe? He doesn't know. He doesn't know what the Ringmaster can even do. But he'll try anything at this point.]

Edited 2017-10-14 07:23 (UTC)

[He doesn't know. He still doesn't know, does he? 2B slips her hand from his, withdrawing it to her side. She doesn't deserve that. 9S deserves a life without her in it. He deserves... To be himself. To not have her dangerous presence looming over him.

Pod 042 can't give the order on its own.

What if it's so deeply embedded in her programming that it doesn't matter? If even without orders she...?

She casts a long glance across the room, before looking back at 9S.]

We should enjoy ourselves here.

[She very distinctly chooses to not answer him.]

[No, what is she doing!?]

2B! Please.

[How can he enjoy himself if things are being left hanging like this? How can he enjoy himself knowing that these may be the last moments he has with her?

The desperation is raw in his expression, his voice choking up as he speaks.]

I can't. I can't do it. Not if I don't know we'll meet again. Everything will be meaningless without you!

We'll meet again.

[What's one more lie? It comes easy enough out of her mouth, but it sits coldly in her chest. 2B isn't stupid. There is no meeting again after this, she feels.

She wants what could be her last moments with 9S to be.... To be filled with warmth. To be good memories, ones that he can keep and cherish.]

[It's a lie. It's a lie. It's a lie.

9S looks away from 2B, expression miserable, shoulders drooping with resignation.]

2B...

[God, he doesn't know what to feel other than numb. If Pod 153 were here, it would probably be warning him for an abnormally large spike in synaptic transmissions. As it is, he just wants to know why? What did they do to deserve this? They were supposed to end the war against the machines and bring peace to Earth! The humans were supposed to make their glorious return soon after!

But they...failed, didn't they?
And now all of YoRHa is gone.
2B will be gone soon, too.

...And he'll be the only YoRHa left alive.]

[This time, 2B turns her hands to grasp his, though the touch is lighter than it's ever been. She rubs her thumb over the back of his hand in she hopes is a comforting gesture. She's seen other androids do it back in the bunkers to ones they cared for, and her limited time here, she's seen it done once or twice as well.

It probably doesn't mean much, however.]

.... Be kind to A2.

[2B told her to take care of him for her, after all.]

[9S' gaze drops to 2B's hands as she holds his in them. Instinctively, he curls his fingers around her hands. It does many him feel a little better... but only a little.

It doesn't change the fact that everyone else is gone and 2B... he doesn't understand why she doesn't want to come to the Carnival.

But now he has a bigger question on his mind.]

...Who's A2?

[Wow. 9S's memory data is... missing a fair chunk, isn't it?]

Another YoRHa unit.

[Another YoRHa unit...?]

Wasn't everyone infected by the logic virus...?

[He frowns, his processors focusing on this problem instead of... everything else that's throwing his emotions into disarray.]

I've never heard of an A designation...

[So probably either really new or really old. If 2B will allow him to, he'll thread his fingers between hers while they hold hands.]

...I guess this, uh, A2 wasn't connected to the Bunker, huh?

⇨ FOURTH WALL EVENT! (OPEN TO ALL)

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hey 4S is still alive at least

as well as the stoned desert androids...

god bless the stoner androids

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