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

Marcos Diaz | OTA + 1 closed prompt

[outshiny]

i. BUILDING BRIDGES

---

[ Marcos had been lucky when the truth bomb hit. He hadn't been at the event, hadn't really felt like partying. John had taken a dose of it, though, and they'd had a heart to heart that hadn't made Marcos feel better about any part of his life right now. The healthy thing, most likely, would be to deal with that. Address it directly, maybe talk to someone. He's not, because there's nothing to say. Now F.A.T.E.S. says they've got to shore up the place. Well, fine, but there's plenty he can do without addressing his own personal elephant in the room. The issues he has with Lorna didn't start here.

So he can be found about the streets, not actually dealing with his issues, but trying to help other people instead. This whole thing is about good Samaritan work, right? Well, he can do that. He can more than do that. He can be found helping out where he can; picking up litter, cleaning windows, carrying things home for people. On finding that they lived in a building with old, shoddy pipework, he sets about fixing it, shooting out lasers from his fingertips to cut the damaged parts away and weld repairs into place. It's all going pretty well. ]

Hey, you want to hand me that piece of pipe? The big one, right by your feet.

[ And now you're conscripted to help. Lucky you, right? ]

ii. MIRRORS (OTA)

---

[ He wouldn't say he knew when the change happened. He hadn't clocked that. Maybe it happened overnight. Maybe it happened while he was brushing his teeth; he's not sure. There hadn't been any big bang of revelation. There'd just been thoughts turning over in his head, like there always are, and one minute they'd meant one thing and the next they'd meant another.

He's spent so long trying to be something, and ignoring everything he wants in the process. Hadn't that been the exact side of himself that he wanted to leave behind with the cartel? Honestly, right now, the cartel doesn't seem so bad. It doesn't even seem that different to what he's been doing with the mutants in his world. He'd had so many arguments with so many people, and he can't even parse the reason why.

He's changed his clothes. Flannel and denim have given way to a tailored black suit, which took longer to find than you'd think. Now he's in the city, wandering through it, seeing how wide the variety of people here is. The first time someone brushes past him, he flashes a light so brightly into their face that they curse, grab their face and reel away from him. He grimaces, closing his hands together. He's itching for more, and he can feel the light ready to explode from beneath his palms. He opens his fingers, letting it shine out and causing startled confusion among the people around him. By the time he's through, he's strolling through a crowd that parts willingly for him, though he can feel their eyes on his back. That's good. It's about time these people learned some respect. ]

iii. THERAPY (closed to Lorna)

---

[ Only yesterday, he'd been avoiding her. It had been hard to be in a room together, conflicted as he had been about his feelings for her. He'd still loved her, of course. There was never any doubt about that, but the hard facts of what she'd done, what she'd become back home, had complicated everything. It had been worse after their friends got here, underlining all those issues.

Today, it couldn't matter less. Marcos can see the way forward. He has vision; no, he has clarity. He doesn't understand why it took him so long, why he was pushing away the one person who'd ever meant anything to him just because of what? Because he liked pretending to be something he wasn't? Because he'd fooled himself, somehow, into thinking he held some kind of high ground?

Fuck that mess. He doesn't even want the high ground. The high ground doesn't fucking work. He's seen that his whole life. He knows exactly where she is, obviously. They haven't been that far out of touch. He goes there at a leisurely pace, hands in his pockets, sunglasses on his face. He's wearing a suit, because he's dressing for the fucking occasion. Pants, jacket, shirt with the top button popped on the collar, all black. He stops to lean against the wall of the house he knows she's in. Then he smashes the bottle he's carrying against the side, catching the glass in his hands. He raises them, before flooding the shards with light and aiming the spectacle through her window.
She's the only one who'll understand that message. He lets it shine and waits, ready for her at last. ]

iv. CREATE YOUR OWN

---

[ Prompt Marcos! My plotting comment is here, or I'm available on plurk at halfbloodly ]

iii.

[magnetizing]

( where she lives isn't exactly a huge secret to her former friends, and lover in Marcos' case. despite everything, Lorna has a vested interest in seeing everyone get home safely. she may have removed herself from the underground, but that didn't mean she lost all concern for the underground's survival.

especially of one person in particular. it may run a little more personal than most with Marcos, but she was big enough to admit that.

still, he kept to his side of Xistentia, and she kept to hers. so when she sees the light flickering brighly into her room in strange patterns, she doesn't have to guess at the cause.

leaning out her window, she looks strangely down at Marcos. )

What are you doing? ( pause as she takes in his looks. ) And what are you wearing?

[outshiny]

[ Marcos grins when he sees her. He shuts off the light show and drops the shards of glass onto the ground, where they can litter the pavement. He lifts the sunglasses up, so that he can see Lorna properly. ]

I wake you, babe?

[ He rests his fist against her door. ]

Come down so we can talk. I'm here for you.

[magnetizing]

( it's not the desire to talk that has Lorna watching Marcos through narrowed eyes, it's the tone of his voice. it doesn't sound angry or irritated. in fact, he sounds cheerful. he's even grinning at her. those aren't things she's seen from him in recent months, for good reason too.

she shuts her window and leaves the apartment to head down the stairs to the front door of the complex. when she opens the door, she folds her arms. her gaze never seems to relent. )

Talk about what? Do you have good news or something? You seem... perky today.

[outshiny]

[ She doesn't look happy to see him. As if he doesn't notice that, Marcos moves forward to take hold of her arms, squeezing them. ]

Nothing. I'm just glad to see you. A guy can miss his girlfriend, can't I? This whole thing is just so stupid. I should be here with you, so here I am. That's my news, but it's not really news since you already knew it. You were right, Lorna. I'm here to tell you you were right.

[ Despite still wearing his glasses, he's meeting her eyes, utterly serious. He's come to bury the hatchet between them. He should've done it weeks ago; no, he never should’ve let it get this far. He should've been with her from the start. He won't make that mistake again. ]

[magnetizing]

Right? ( It's off. It's completely off. Just his voice alone is a shade off some level of sleaze she doesn't like to think of. And then he calls her right?

She leans back, lifting a hand to push his sunglasses of his eyes. )

Right about what? What are you talking about?

[outshiny]

[ He lets her take the glasses off, and in the same movement shifts up against her. His arms go around her, and his eyes search hers, insistent. ]

About everything. Lorna, I should have been there, I should've been with you. I should never have tried to stop you. I don't even know what I was thinking. All those months, pretending I was something I wasn't? I was such a god damned hypocrite, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, but I see it now, babe, okay? I'm here.

[ He leans down, pushing his forehead against hers, and letting his lips curve into a wide, almost manic smile. ]

It's the only way, and I'm on board. We gotta kill 'em all.

[magnetizing]

( There's a brief moment, very brief, when Lorna feels his arms around her and she wants nothing more than to melt into those arms. It's been too long since she's had this feeling, and she wants to get lost in it.

Then Marcos says that last sentence and revulsion moves through Lorna like a wave. She immediately shoves him off her, staring at him in open disgust. )

What the fuck, Marcos? Is this some kind of sick joke? ( She stares open mouthed at him. )

Go the fuck home. Get out.

[outshiny]

[ Marcos steps back when she pushes him, but he doesn't leave. No, he'd already made the mistake of letting her walk away. He's never going to do that again. He's already firmly shaking his head. ]

No. No way, not again. Don't you see, Lorna? There is no home without you. There's no family, because you're my family. It was always supposed to be you and me and I should never have walked away from that. I should've been helping you blow that plane out of the sky. Hell, I should've burned a hole through his head before it got that far. I won't let you down again.

[ Another shake of his head, and now he walks towards her again. ]

What's wrong? Isn't this what you wanted?

[magnetizing]

( Lorna takes another step back as he tries to approach him again. She needs the space, and she can't let him get into hers. She doesn't think right when they're close. And this really needs her full attention.

She shakes her head as he just... he spouts shit she's never heard him spout before. She recognizes that look now, that strange sort of smile she's only seen when he's drunk on power. Literally. When he exerts his powers in such a way that even she's terrified of what it does to him.

So how is like that now? Usually when he puts his hands down he evens back out again. He's more rational again. Instead of just... spouting shit at her. )

You didn't walk away, I did. I walked away because this isn't who you are.

God you don't. ( She curls her fingers in frustration. ) You don't even understand what I've been saying. You don't understand what I want at all.

If you think all I want is to kill all humans, you don't get my cause at all. And if you really think that's what I want, what are you doing here? It's not what you want. It's not who you are.

[outshiny]

[ Marcos is shaking his head. She doesnt understand, and he’d been so sure that she would. He’d been so sure that they’d be on the same page again, a family again. Surely now there’s nothing more to argue about? How can she still be angry? ]

This is who I am. This is always who I was. Hurting people for Carmen’s dad, hurting people for Carmen. You were mad that I wouldn’t hurt them for you. You took down that plane because you were willing to do whatever it took to save us, and I couldn’t see it. Well I can, now. And I’m here, for you. So that we can be a family again.

Or have you given up on that completely?

[ Hey, maybe she has. Maybe that’s what she’s been telling him all along. God knows it’s been a while since he really understood what was going through her head. Maybe he’s still on the outside even now. ]

ii

[sadico]

[ It was more pain than he had ever experienced in his very long life. So much that he thought he might dissolve to mist, but the nature of the attack would not allow him to sink into that comforting form- instead he trembled on the ground, slumped against a wall, his hands on his burning face as he did everything in his power not to scream.

What had just happened to him?!

He had been walking. The faces of the masses blur together, but as he sat there he forced himself to remember. What was it? It was a man. A man in a fine black suit, he remembered it was an exquisite cut and he'd been tempted to ask him who his tailor was before his vision exploded in darkness. No, not darkness, light. It was more light than he'd ever witnessed and he imagined the experience would have been the same if he'd stared directly into the sun.

His regeneration was stunted, so when he moved his hands from his face his completion looked ashen. He forced himself to his feet and blinked away the blurriness and spots. He couldn't see the man anymore but he couldn't have gone far, so he reached out to him with his mind. ]

What are you!?

[outshiny]

[ Marcos halts in his step. It's fortunate, perhaps, that he's had reason to rethink his recent attitudes. Before today, such an invasion into his mind would've prompted a furious reaction. For some reason, right now, it doesn't bother him so much. He does look around, his head tilted as he scans the crowd. The voice had been male and unfamiliar, definitely not the poison-sweet chimes of the Cuckoos. This is something else, which means he doesn't know what to look for.

He needs to know. Anyone who can do that needs to be known to him. ]

I'm a mutant.

[ He thinks it, trusting that whoever's in his head will pick it out. If they don't, it'll be their loss. ]

Aren't you? I've met telepaths before. We should talk. You can call me Eclipse.

[sadico]

I am a vampire. My name is Ignacio. You attacked me without provocation, why?!

[ His hands were shaking as he brought them to his face. His skin felt as delicate as vellum paper and he didn't dare apply any pressure to it, for fear that he'd tear. Instead, he ran his fingers through his hair to try and tame how askew it'd gone during his agony. Even now the pain continued to throb, the radiant power lingering to halt his natural defenses.

This mutant, Eclipse, had proven himself to be a dangerous foe. ]

[outshiny]

[ A vampire? Well, that explains things. Marcos laughs to himself, a reaction he certainly would not have had were he not affected by the virus. As it is, he turns around, curiously scanning the crowd. ]

I didn't attack you, I used my powers. I absorb sunlight, and release it whenever I want. Guess that's as bad for vampires as they say.

[ He's made his way back to where he was when he let off the flash. Now he looks around, searching the side streets for anyone who looks injured. He wants to see this for himself. ]

You want to tell me where you are? I can't see you, and I'm guessing you don't want me to use the light again.

[sadico]

Where you left me. If you cannot remember where that is perhaps I am fortunate, so you will not return to finish what you began.

[ With a wince, he pushed away from the wall to stand tall again. This time he kept his eyes out for anyone looking around with interest, and when he caught the eyes of an attractive fellow who for that description he raised his hand to wave him over. ]

Come to admire your handiwork? Do not do that again, unless you enjoy the sight of my skin falling off.

[ He spoke when he came closer, his accent thick and tone tired- as if the power had exhausted him. True enough, he looked drained. ]

[outshiny]

[ Marcos crouches down. He’s aware that not so long ago, the thought of his powers doing this to anyone at all would have horrified him. Now, it’s fascinating more than horrifying. ]

I’ve never met a vampire before. [ He says, leaning closer.

But all things considered, vampires aren’t all that different from mutants. Even down to the whole, people hate and fear them, deal. If he was going to be hurting someone, this wouldn’t have been his first pick.

Also, that accent’s noticeable. After a moment, he switches to his native Spanish. ]

That wasn’t an attack, that was a flashlight. If it was an attack, you would know.

[ Marcos points one finger towards the ground between them. A white-hot laser erupts from his fingertip, blasting into the ground and leaving a tiny, scorched hole smoking in its wake. He looks up. ]

I’m not here to hurt you. Will you live?

[sadico]

[ Marcos' Spanish was not exact to his own, he recognized it instantly from Latin America. Thankfully they were similar enough that he could understand, and spoke in his own native tongue in kind. ]

Yes, I will live, not that I was alive in the first place. At least, not in traditional terms.

[ The display of Marcos' power against the pavement caused him to flinch- something Ignacio typically never did in front of a foe or even a friend, he always liked to appear completely in control. However, that display was intimidating nonetheless. ]

Good to know, I would prefer to remain in one piece. You have now met a vampire, and burned him rather badly all before proper introductions.

[outshiny]

[ Marcos’ lips twist upwards in a smile. He doesn’t admit it, but he liked that flinch. He likes seeing the effect of his power on others, especially if it frightens them. This is good. Ignacio isn’t his enemy, but his reaction bodes well for those who are. ]

I told you. The name is Eclipse.

[ It’s the only name he has any intention of using in the near future. ]

I can’t leave you here like this. Someone’s gonna see. You got somewhere safe?

[sadico]

Yes, but that was after the assault.

[ One ought to introduce themselves beforehand, or at least so Ignacio thought. At the question he quirked his brow, as he had no intention of bringing this creature to his home, or even indicating where it was, his reply was tailored. ]

I was going to church. Care to join me?

[outshiny]

Church?

[ Marcos blinks. Is that a joke? ]

I didn't figure a vampire would be into that. What's the matter, did I leave too much skin attached? You looking for some holy water to slough off the rest?

[ He says that, while offering the vampire his hand. He's personally in less of a church-going mood than he's ever been, but he does want to see where this goes. ]

[sadico]

Yes, Church. I am Catholic, as most Spaniards are.

[ He shook his head politely at the offer of Marcos' hand, as he was perfectly steady on his feet at the moment. However, he did take a moment to brush down his own clothes to be certain there was nothing from the sidewalk still lingering on them. ]

As are the majority of our territories, and given your accent I imagine you have roots which stem from our colonization in the Americas, yes? Our water is not as holy as you may think.

[outshiny]

[ Marcos looks him up and down, a little smirk playing over his lips. ]

The movies just lied about all the things, didn't they. I'm not much of a good Catholic boy today. Don't feel like Confession.

[ A sharp contrast to how he feels every other day. ]

But I'll come with you, make sure you don't collapse again en route. I guess I owe you that much. Where's your Church?

[sadico]

Movies about vampires were often made by vampires.

[ His smirk was slight. It would have been wider if he wasn't still aching so much, but his humor was slowly returning. ]

Very kind of you, Eclipse.

[ He motioned to them so they could walk together. Ignacio's usual long, confident stride was slower and more cautious-- Much of which was due to the fact that his limbs weren't obeying completely after being so severely shocked. ]

I could think of a confession for you. Bless me Father for I have sinned, today I nearly burned a terribly handsome fellow to a cinder.

[outshiny]

[ That actually makes Marcos laugh. He's really not feeling like himself. ]

Firstly, it wouldn't be the first time, and secondly, I don't think they give out Hail Marys for using a flashlight.

[ His old self would have liked the idea. He'd have thrown himself on the altar, begging for forgiveness, and not feeling like he'd received it no matter how many prayers he said.

He's officially done with that life.

Ignacio still looks unsteady to him. He sighs. ]

Why don't you give me your terribly handsome arm. You don't look well, man.