EVENT: Kind Gestures and Dark Mirrors

[spoofer]

Characters: Ensemble cast, any/all characters of Xistentia!
Summary: While F.A.T.E.S. encourages kind gestures to repair the city's shield, D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. sends their agent to sabotage everything with a virus. Infected characters turn into dark mirror versions of themselves, ready to burn the very bridges we were supposed to rebuild.
Date(s): 9 - 26 May. Check out THE MOD ANNOUNCEMENT for more information.
Warnings/Notes: Psychic influence, potential trauma, violence and upsetting themes. Please use subject header warnings appropriately!

KIND GESTURES & DARK MIRRORS EVENT

It's emotional warfare on a dimensional scale.

NOT SO/GRAND GESTURES

While the confessions might have helped some, hurt looks and uncomfortable silences abound across the city. The shield over the city has started to flicker and transmit odd, geometric shadows across the ground. One thing is clear: we have to fix this.

F.A.T.E.S. has a solution. On the morning of 9 May, F.A.T.E.S. will send a message to all residents through their daemons:

F.A.T.E.S. WARNING SYSTEM
Threat Assessment: Moderate
Phenomenon Type: Shield Fluctuations
Predicted Duration: 2 weeks to Critical Failure

The psychic bomb has crippled the defense system over Xistentia. As a result, the modified laws of physics that protect physical consent within the city limits are experiencing problems. Be aware that this means mild injury from physical assaults are now possible within the city.

To repair protective functions, residents are kindly requested to kiss and makeup. Just kissing would also be helpful. Friendly gestures varying from gifted coffee or morning salutations will also be extremely helpful contributions. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In other words, it's time to rebuild bridges. Residents are all encouraged to talk, to reach out to the people around them. Do something nice for a friend, or an acquaintance, or a stranger in need. Of course, if it feels a little forced— that should come as a surprise to no one. F.A.T.E.S. is but an awkward SUPERCOMPUTER, after all.

Good Samaritan: Help a little old lady across the street. Alternatively, given the consent defenses are dialed down, maybe you'll catch somebody about to be hit by a falling pot plant from a higher-floor window. Time to rescue!

Grand Romance: A single rose, a bouquet of flowers; their named tattooed over your heart, or a sword engraved with the insignias of one's ancestors; a boombox held outside the window or an acoustic guitar solo among the fireflies. If you love somebody, this is the time to let it out.

Family Dinner: Whether it's blood or a found family, this would be the time to reconcile over a spread. Or at least-- to try. Funnily enough, even conflict technically feeds energy into the city; a little bickering never killed anybody. But of course, if the argument kills the relationship... that's a turn for the worst, for the city as well as for you.

Apology Gifts: If you made a mess during the psychic bomb event, this would be the time to clean it up. Write a letter, send the text, or show up on the doorstep amid pouring rain.

Wildcard: Want to make a different gesture? Be F.A.T.E.S.' guest.

Enter the Villain

That doesn't really work for D.E.S.T.I.N.Y.


The enemy takes the opportunity to contact their agent Ignacio, giving him instructions to plug a data stick into the Chronological Cartographer in the Temple, in order to release a virus.

During the early hours of the morning on 9 May, Ignacio carries out his mission. The virus takes F.A.T.E.S. by surprise, crippling their internal defences and spreading quickly through their system. All computer systems managed by F.A.T.E.S. suffer disruption, including characters' daemons. All over the city, individuals experience change. The infected have turned into Mirror Versions of themselves. They remember everything about their lives, but their personalities and perspectives have changed. Instead of trying to rebuild, they want to tear down everything they once held dear.

DELETING THE VIRUS (May 26 +)

Over the course of the month, F.A.T.E.S. will be working desperately to clear the virus from their system and from every infected timeline. Daemons will continue to experience glitches, lag and crashes throughout the month.

Finally, by 26 May, F.A.T.E.S. manages to isolate the last pockets of the virus and stop it from replicating. From there, it's a simple matter to delete it from the rest of the system. Over the next few days, all afflicted individuals will return to normal.

Over the next few days, all afflicted individuals will return to normal - and then it's time to pick up the pieces.

Now feeling much more like themselves again, everyone who turned into a mirror will remember everything they did while infected. Now is the time for damage control - both for your personal lives, and for the city's defences. Xistentia is now more vulnerable than ever.

The deleting of the virus will mean a sudden and immediate change for some, and a slower, more gradual change for others. However, all characters will have returned entirely to normal by the end of the month.

ANYTHING ELSE

You can find more information on this event, as well as opportunities for plotting, in our Event Plotting Post!

Comments

[vexy]

open to all

Not feeling as social as he used to be, but in desperate need of a change of wardrobe, Vex put on the most modest clothing he owned, then threw one of Wyatt's pull-overs over that, then stuck a hat over his wild hair to make haste to the city. Once there he found a barber to take care of the mess on his face and head, a shave and a good proper trim and taming of those dreadful curls, and asked for the directions of a good tailor.

Once he was in a proper suit and tie, paired with polished shoes, Vex felt ready to face the world again. As he walked he nodded politely and was certain to leave plenty of space for others to pass him and the bags he carried. They were filled with clothes, fruit and vegetables and other essentials for a healthy diet. He planned to do a lot of cooking today to set up meals for the rest of the week, since that was the most efficient way! It left more time for his writing.

He admired the scenery as he strolled, taken by the beauty of nature merged with technology, his heart big with pride of how the residents here had overcome so much adversity to form a community. It was unfortunate he was so shy, he would love to socialize more but he knew he could be counted on when he was really needed- whenever D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. dared to rear it's ugly presence!

Close CR: Oh dear, he really ought to be more social though. So, if you're a friend of Vex's, don't be surprised if he sends you the grammatically correct text invitation of: Would you care to have lunch with me today?

Wyatt: And if you're his boyfriend, well, prepare to have a meal tonight! Vex would be in the kitchen, apron on, roast in the oven, yorkshires cooling and vegetables being chopped for a proper English dinner.

text » daemon: loved

[moshennik]

Unchaperoned? I'm not sure how proper that would be.

[ Because he's not the only one who's full of... whatever it is doing this.]

[vexy]

Isn't that usual for you? However, I won't protest your newfound modesty! I can go to your home and escort you, if you wish.

[moshennik]

Well, I prefer to be independent but I don't want to invite unwanted attention.

[vexy]

You're safe with me, I promise. I'll defend your honor, Kenzi.

[moshennik]

Do I have to have someone to defend my honor from you?

[vexy]

Good Lord! I know how I've behaved in the past, but I promise you that isn't how I conduct myself now.

[moshennik]

Then I accept your invitation. Will you tell me what I should bring?

[vexy]

That depends! There is a cafe I've discovered which serves a passable tea. We could also have a picnic, though that does run the risk of being interrupted by the local fauna.

By all means, please tell me your preference?

[moshennik]

A picnic sounds quite lovely. I could use some color on my cheeks.

[vexy]

I suppose I can bring the weapons then! The beach is relatively safe if you want to go there.

In that case, do you have anything you like to bring on a picnic? Like a particular vintage of wine? I have everything else.

[moshennik]

I am quite sure I can have my daemon find something suitable.

[vexy]

I'll come to fetch you in an hour?

Me me me

[bratpack]

[ And of course, Wyatt comes in the way he always does; bare-chested, skin golden from the sun, hair windswept and tangled up with twigs and leaves. His cut-off jeans have fresh tears and fraying around the edges, and there's the occasional new mud stain. Wyatt's arms, chest and shoulders have some of that too, and he smells like the forest he's just been running in. He rubs the back of his dusty hand over his forehead, while he stares around the kitchen in disbelief.

Also, in worry. Because what the fuck has he forgotten? ]

Uh, are we expecting someone? [ Because the roasting meat smells fucking great, but he doesn't know who ordered the vegetables or weird pastry thing. Vex never cooks like this. In fact, Vex never fucking cooks. ] Am I late?

[ He's about to say that he'll go and change, but then he catches sight of Vex's clothes beneath his apron. And the lack of goatee on his face. And his hair. What the shit? He frowns. ]

Vex, what the hell are you wearing?

you you you <3

[vexy]

Wyatt!

[ Vex exclaimed, though his voice was not nearly as loud or as crude as it normally would be. There was a gentleness about him that was displayed in both his body language and his tone. ]

You're early! You may wash up for dinner, if you wish.

[ He was being entirely too relaxed about the dirt Wyatt just tracked in, when before he would have complained obnoxiously about how Wyatt was trying to turn their house into the forest. ]

I thought we ought to have a proper English dinner for once, it's been ages since I've had one. Oh! You should dress for it, do you have a suit? I just went shopping and acquired a few in the city, you should wear one of mine! That sounds fun, doesn't it?

[ He was also entirely too... relaxed and happy. There wasn't even a hint of darkness or sadness in his eyes, as if his ghosts had been chased away. ]

[bratpack]

[ Oh, what the hell. This isn’t like...a bad thing, or anything. It’s kind of nice, in a Stepford Wives kind of way. God, it’s kind of creepy, though. He’s still parsing his way through the rest of what Vex said when the last part makes him explode. ]

A suit? You want me to wear a suit.

[ This is not happening. ]

Vex. Did you smoke something of mine? Look, not all those leaves are safe, okay, there’s some weird shit in that forest. You’ve gotta go with the shit I give you, okay? Look, come upstairs. We’ll get you out of those clothes, have something to drink, and wait for this shit to wear off. You didn’t get it from Kavinsky, did you?

[vexy]

Yeah! I mean, that's how we used to do it back in the day, everyone would get dressed for dinner then we'd sit down and chat. [ He spoke of the tradition as if it didn't have some sort of gruesome Dark Fae twist, it was best to leave out those sorts of details. ]

I know it's not normal now, modern pace of life being all rush-rush. But, it feels like it might be fun to give it a try so why not? And I promise you love, I'm completely sober. [ He had to chuckle at Wyatt's reaction, his smile easy and carefree. ]

Come on, for me? Just this once?

[bratpack]

[ Wyatt stares at him. This cannot be fucking real. It can't! ]

Okay. Look, babe—

This is great? All of this is great, but. This is not you, okay?

[ He puts his hand on Vex's, trying to make him listen. That's when he realises there's something missing, and he frowns, lifting his boyfriend's hand to look at it properly. ]

Babe, where is Mark's ring?

[ That is a sure sign something's off. Vex never removes that ring. Wyatt can feel the hairs rising on the back of his neck. He doesn't say anything about the suit just yet. There's no way he's ignoring any of this. ]

[vexy]

Well, yes, it's not me normally, I know that, but... [ His nose wrinkled slightly as if he didn't understand what all the fussing was about. ] It's just a little dinner and dress up, what's the harm?

[ The harm came in the form of a shrug, which Vex did after Wyatt noted the absence of a particular piece of jewelry. ] I don't need it anymore, do I? He's gone and it's high time I moved on. I chucked it out the window.

[bratpack]

[ Wyatt stares at him. He cannot have just heard that right. He squeezes his eyes shut as if that's going to help, and pushes his hand through his hair. He's starting to get a headache. ]

You…you chucked it out the window. Out the window?!

[ As in onto the sand?! Shit! They'll never find it. Fuck, at some point Vex is going to wake up from this nightmare and hate himself. Wyatt thinks fast, biting his lip. ]

Babe, it's. I mean it's a memory of him. Moving on doesn't mean you forget all about him. That ring is. Was, important to you.

We should go find it. Okay? We'll have dinner after.

[vexy]

Wyatt, wait...

[ He said gently as he approached him and set his hands on his lover's shoulders. His eyes dark eyes gazed into those blue eyes earnestly. ]

Listen love, please. I want to forget him. For nearly a year now I've been tortured by his memory, I keep seeing him, hallucinations of course, I keep dreaming of him. I'm through with it, alright? I want to move on, I want to start looking towards the future and stop my dreadful wallowing. You understand, don't you?

I'm done with being haunted.

[bratpack]

[ Wyatt turns to look at him, concern deepening. Now it's greater than it was. He looks a little alarmed. ]

You've been seeing him? Like…as if he's here?

[ God, that's worrying. He'd known Vex missed his husband, but this is something more than that. ]

I didn't know that. Have you told anyone about that? Like, before now.

[vexy]

Exactly like as if he's here. All the time. It was driving me mad.

[ He could see how worried Wyatt was and gave his shoulders a comforting squeeze, or at least an attempt at comfort. His expression softened further. ]

I told Rafa once, back when we were still friendly, when he didn't hate me. But, past is past, alright? I don't want that anymore for me, or for us.

[bratpack]

[ Wyatt is still staring. He does not look comforted. ]

You think Rafa talks to me about any fucking thing? He doesn't.

[ Wyatt reaches to touch Vex's face, cupping his cheek. ]

Look, I agree with you, okay? Cause that ain't normal, and I think maybe we should get you some help. And I don't know how yet, exactly, but I'm gonna find you some. We're gonna get through all of this, I promise.

[vexy]

No, I don't think that. For some reason, I didn't want you to know. I didn't want anyone to know, honestly.

[ His eyebrows raise slightly, and he nods. ]

Very well. Whatever you think is best, I'll do it.