⇨ INVASION!

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone! But especially HARBINGERS!
When: S2:D16-22
Where: All over Wismuth!
What: As the Harbingers reveal themselves, those among the carnival that Creation has chosen will start to discover new powers within themselves. It's because they're magical girls, yo.
Warnings: Harbingers being assholes.

HARBINGERS OF VOID↴ On Day 16, the Harbingers begin revealing their new selves... in the form of wreaking havoc on the city! CY-Ren isn't looking for mass panic or serious structural damage - instead she wants constant annoyances and distractions, of the sort that will keep those that might be on her tail distracted from her true plans. However, when Creation is faced with the threat of twelve new Harbingers, it will have to fight in kind... ► HARBINGERS: Your job is to use your powers to create messes for other people to clean up! CY-Ren gives no specific instructions outside of a general framework... flex your powers! See what you can do. Don't destroy the city or anything, but give Creation a run for its money. She needs these civilians alive for her later plans. ► STAR GUARDIANS: Twelve members of the carnival have been chosen by Creation to fight in its name, even if they don't realize it yet. When confronted by the Harbinger's chaos, their Sparks will make themselves known in whatever form is appropriate to the character - and they will be asked if they are willing to use the power of their soul to fight the darkness. How this scene plays out can be flexible, but essentially they will find themselves faced with the question: are they willing to fight for the preservation of life? If they say yes, their Spark will emerge, and they will be able to trigger a magical girl transformation, as you do. ► CHARITY CONCERT: While everyone else is busy with the sudden rise of the Harbingers, CY-Ren's PR team is releasing a statement -- they will say that new information has revealed that there had been bomb threats made against the canceled concert, which are now being blamed for the damages. CY-Ren will make a personal statement, saying that in order to apologize for the failure of her previous performances, a new free to attend event is being planned for the near future - people who had tickets to the previous event and had to go home early get top priority!

Comments

[criticallyfucked]

It's not that he's never been asked that before so much as he's never been asked like that. Just... baldfaced curiosity. He has such a fucking headache, though...

Normally pain is effective, an answer, filling and enhancing him, sharpening, realising him by means of physical sensation, physical affliction. That's what's so attractive about it for him. The aversive qualities are terrible and invigorating. But headaches are harder--he feels them, but they're debilitating and oppressive, there's no way to be absorbed in it or by it.

It's messy, and his answer is shortened by it.

"There has to be a reason for me to exist," he replies curtly. Something as wretched and pointless as he is must have a purpose, otherwise he wouldn't exist--but he must also have a purpose in order to justify, to allow or be allowed to continue existing. He pulls his hand from his eye at last; it's still swollen and bruised and now red from pressure.

"But call it whatever you want. Tell them you finally found a use for me."

9S finally receives a smile.

[dressedtothe]

Oh.

He can understand that; 9S' entire life has revolved around that concept. A reason for existence, a purpose. From the very moment of his birth, he was thrust into war. But taken away from the war, he didn't know what to do while he no longer has a purpose.

It hurt.

It was so painful, he didn't know what to do and threw himself into all the activities made available to the Carnival on the moon with reckless abandon. While he was drugged, he could forget for a little while. But ultimately, it didn't ease the emptiness he felt through his entire being.

If it weren't for Cole and Rita, he might have considered entering Sleep Mode and never waking up.

9S' expression twists in sudden empathy. "A reason for existence, huh? Yeah, I get that." He nods. "Alright, you can come with me. That's what you want, right?"

[criticallyfucked]

Foster looks.... confused. Bewildered, honestly. He has no ideas what that look is for; did he do something, say something wrong?

He must have, because there's no other way to interpret this. His face creases pathetically in consternation and defeat. "Yes. Yes, that's..."

He's so frustrated. It's not what he wants. Or it is, but that's not the question, and he doesn't like giving such a.... such a wrong answer. He hates being asked what he wants because it's never been about what he wants, it's not about what he wants, he hates that question because every answer is a lie.

"Please." He tries again, desperate to get off that one wrong, misleading question--

"Don't ask me. Just... just use me."

His tone is... not very agreeable.

[dressedtothe]

A feeling of revulsion crawls up 9S' spine. Not because of Foster himself, but those words. Use him? Like he is some kind of tool? As if... as if he's an android?

But Foster's words are almost an order from a human. The human wants him order him about, to treat him like he's not a person.

He can't he can't he...

9S clenches his fists and looks away.

"Fine." Resignation colours his entire demeanour, from the slump in his shoulders to the tone of his voice. "I'm looking for the other Harbingers. Tell me how you can help."

[criticallyfucked]

Neither of them are happy with this outcome--Foster feels weird about it, how much 9S resisted, how much force was needed for such a simple premise. Even then, he didn't seem to truly grasp it... or he did, but he kept letting it slip, losing it and picking it back up again. Now he seems miserable, or maybe just resentful.

But Foster is positive that once 9S gets used to it, he'll find it easy, and enjoy it. He's just.... so tired, so weak and uncertain and sick now, he's so... he's so...

Why... is it always like this?

"Give me.... two hours."