i will burn my dread

[miseris_socios]

Who: Everyone!
What: Welcome to the Dark Hour!
Where: In the Strega warehouse.
Warnings: Possible blood and gore, Persona 3/general SMT-level disturbing topics, possible violence (knowing this group). Will edit if needed.


[When he first wakes up, Ken finds himself lying on a bed. That in itself isn't so unfamiliar, but this one has dents where it should, the shape of a small body pressed into it over weeks and months, and the sheets are soft and scratchy in just the right places and -]

[Oh no. He sits up and pulls himself out of bed, reaching almost automatically for Koromaru but... he's not there. Of course not. He'd been expecting the Tower, but this is worse, because they're not here because this is his Heart, not theirs, and because -]

[No. He has to think of what to do. He grabs the dangpa that Shinjiro made him and the copy of Gae Buidhe that Diarmuid gave him, strapping them onto his back. He needs to stay defended in this place, no matter what - the last Heart taught him that much.]

[The familiar pressure of the Dark Hour doesn't bother him, but it's worrying. It should be gone now. They won. It's over. Even in his Heart, it shouldn't be around. But it is, and there's a brief flare of panic before -]

[No. He needs to get going. The puzzles aren't going to find themselves.]

Comments

[soloactor]

...Something bad.

[Unlike Ken, Lalli has no need to look like he's in control. He just kind of leans against a wall and slides his back down until he's in a seated position, knees curled up in front of him. He looks like he's definitely going to get comfortable there.]

[But, when requested, he hands the spoils over to Ken.]

[miseris_socios]

... Thanks. We ran into the Reaper. I don't know what it is, other than a very powerful Shadow that will kill you if you don't run. It's possible to beat it, but it always comes back, and I doubt we stand a chance without Persona or something else powerful. And even if I had mine, I doubt Dike could take it out.

[He looks the paper over. ... And then lets out a brief laugh, despite everything.]

... Thanks, Jin.

[He gets up and goes over to the case, aiming to unlock it.]

[hesmypuddin]

[Harley laughs, but it's not a funny laugh, more like an abrupt expelling of air.]

Oh, he might come back? Well, that sure ain't worrisome at all... [She hefts her mallet, moving in to look over Ken'd shoulder as he reads, wondering if the paper is another piece of his persona. She steps over to follow when he moves to the locked case, but don't mind her if she keeps an eye on the door to the infirmary, her paranoia kicking in full blast again.]

Ya don't suppose Liao an' Hinata are down there somewhere, do ya?

[not_that_sasuke]

Should we... get them?

[If there's a monster like that running around. He'll obligingly move away so that Harley can get at the locked case while he's at it.]

[worldkeys]

[ If they happen to use the Small Key on the Locked Cabinet, it will work. The key will open another cabinet higher up, filled with various other contains of differing colors, as well.

If handed to Ken, the paper will also prove to be Another Piece of His Evoker, turning into yet another Tarot Card. The person's face on it is, again, blotted out with blood, but a green coat can be made out on it, and the words "THE HERMIT."

The pressure in the atmosphere of the Infirmary will seem to increase, particularly around their necks. If they go downstairs at any point, it will dwindle somewhat. ]

[soloactor]

[Lalli makes a quiet, uncomfortable noise in the back of his throat when the pressure increases. Hasn't there been talk about "collars"...? Oh hell no, kitty is not about that life.]

...Maybe.

[He's responding to Sasuke, which can be inferred only from the fact that he's looking at the door back to the lower areas.]

If it's not too late.

[Lalli actually... sounds kind of conflicted about this. 'Concern for others' is a new feeling and makes him feel sick to his stomach.]

[miseris_socios]

... Figures it'd be him.

[He puts it in his pocket, grabs a chair to stand on, and unlocks the higher cabinet as well.

[The pressure annoys him, but he's used to it, and he looks back at the others. Dammit... fine. He'll be the leader again.]

We... we should. Dammit... Lalli and Sasuke, you should stay here. Make sure nothing else comes up here, figure out the puzzle if you can find it. Harley, you and I should head downstairs and find the other two.

[He's not leaving Harley and Lalli in the room together alone, and Sasuke needs someone around to keep him from wandering off, probably. He hops down off the chair and looks around at the group.]

Unless someone's got a better plan. I don't want anyone wandering off alone - it's too dangerous and too easy to get overconfident in either Tower.

[not_that_sasuke]

[...What a great vote of confidence. But hey, staying here to solve puzzles? He's okay with that.]

Works for me.

[He glances at Lalli for confirmation.]

[800isenough]

[And who else takes that moment to burst in through the Infirmary door. Liao slams it shut behind him, breathing heavily even as he turns to face the other Alices. There isn't a flicker of fear in him, but there's definitely irritation. Damn unkillable monsters. What a hassle to deal with.

Anyway, first things first. He looks at Ken, expression stern and sharp.]

I have a message from the Cat. He says we are under quarantine, and that unless we lift it we will not be able to advance. Do these words hold meaning to you?

[miseris_socios]

[... Oh. Well there's Liao, at least. His words make Ken frown, though.]

We need to find Hinata. But... under quarantine... some of us were trapped in rooms before. The collars we were forced to wear had fluid in them - different colors depending on how hard it was to keep our powers under control. The fluid had to be changed a few times a month. ... But when we were stuck in the rooms we couldn't get to our checkups, so we were given syringes.

[He stares at the yellow fluid.]

I think I'm going to have to inject one of those. ... I don't know what color you guys would have had to use, but yellow was mine.

[hesmypuddin]

[Harley is prepared to go whichever way Ken needs her to go, shifting to heft her mallet once more; she'll stay and try to work through the puzzle once they get the cabinet open, or she'll go with him to locate Hinata wherever he is in the lower floors.

But then that sexy, rugged Asian Liao comes skidding into the infirmary and slams the door shut. She can't help the bit of a grin that tugs at her lips.]

Met the Reaper, huh? Nice guy... can't say much for his bedside manners, though... [Because Harley's partners always have, right? She falls silent, frowning as he mentions that they're all in quarantine.] An' we still gotta find Hinata before yer friend does.

Wait, wha'? [Ken explains and her frown deepens, gaze moving to the different colored cases.]

So... how do we figure out who gets what color? Trial an' error?

[800isenough]

[He just gives Harley a quizzical look.] ...I...I am afraid I don't quite get your meaning, Lady Harley. The Reaper was far from kind, and his bedside manners are irrelevant.

[A sexy rugged Asian without a sense of humor, unfortunately. But yes, back to the important business.]

Does death await us if we choose the wrong colour?

[hopedout]

[ SURPRISE BITCHES you guys thought you saw the last of me-- but of course Hinata's here a little (more like very) late but he's also exhausted, but he tries his best not to show it on his face. He swears, if he collapses as some point, he's going to freak. At least, internally, because he's 100% sure that collapsing will just revert him to Kamukura. ]

... So this is where you guys all were. [ It seems that he has a piece of paper and pencil in hand with a bunch of words written in Japanese on the sheet. ]

A Puzzle Appears...

[worldkeys]

[ The moment Hinata crosses the threshold into the Infirmary, an overbearing weight will settle onto his neck, and all of their necks. They will now all acquire collars with varying colors from here on out:

Ken's is Yellow, Harley's is Orange, Lalli Hotakainen's is Blue, Hajime Hinata's is Violet, and both Sasuke's and Liao's are Orange.

A large sign in bloody letters will seep into the overly-sterile floor, now:

TIME FOR YOUR CHECK-UP. PLEASE BE GOOD FOR THE NURSE.

... The very ominous feeling present in the Tartarus floors seems to have come to the Infirmary now. The group has a set amount of time to figure out what to do with themselves and progress forward before The Reaper appears. Chains can be heard in the distance. ]

[miseris_socios]

There you a -

[He just sighs as the familiar weight settles onto his neck. Yep. There it is. And the Reaper's on the way... he's not surprised.]

Right. It's a check-up. We need to get all of these open and... inject a vial into our vein. There's no one here who knows how to do it properly with the collars. Even I don't. But as for what injecting the wrong collar will do... I don't know. I don't really want to find out.

[hopedout]

[ ..... Well, that sure just fucking happened. ]

If there's some people who don't want to inject themselves, I'll do it for them. [ And this is where his SHSL Talent gets to shine, just a little. ]

Do you know what colors go to which collars? Or is this just a matching color thing?

[not_that_sasuke]

[Well, that solves the mystery of where the others were. But then there's a weight on his neck and, although his expression betrays none of it, his mind is thrown into instinctive panic.

One hand raises to the collar, lightly running over it to get a feel for what it looks like and, more out of discomfort than logic, if there's any clasps that would allow it to be removed.]

...I can help with the injections, too.

[It's amazing he can keep his voice flat at a time like this, with the sound of chains approaching and a brand new collar around his neck, but he manages it.]

[miseris_socios]

Matching colors. The only one who has red is retrieval units, and I guess... the Reaper became one. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. We've got to find the other colors.

... But you might have to inject me. I... uh... I can't do it.

[For one, he doesn't know how to find a vein. For another, he's never been comfortable around doctors. And for yet another reason, fucking Jason. Fuck that mad scientist jerk.]

Don't try to pull it off, though. If you do it's... not good.

[hopedout]

Alright. [ He's just going to find those vials, a clean needle (he better be able to wash any dirty ones, because HE'S NOT USING DIRTY ONES) some alcohol, gauze... etcetera. ]

It's possible that we might have to do the Reaper as well in order to move forward. Anyway, I can do you first, Ken.

[ He'll do himself next unless someone else wants to go. ]

What happens if you do try to pull it off?

[not_that_sasuke]

[Quickly:]

Then I can help the others if they need it. I'll make it quick.

[Though in the meantime, he'll look for an orange vial and clean syringe to inject himself with.]

[worldkeys]

[ The sounds are getting vaguely louder.

They might want to speed this up a little.

Everything they need is contained within the room, including plenty of differently colored fluids, sterile needles, and disinfectant tools. ]

[miseris_socios]

It's attached to your neck. Like not around it, to it. If you do manage to get it off, fluid of the same color will pour out of you instead of blood, you'll pass out, and then you'll die.

[He rolls his sleeve up and holds out his arm, looking away.]

[not_that_sasuke]

[Good to know. Sasuke preps his own needle in silence, filling the syringe with the mystery orange fluid and setting up the point of the needle against the skin of his arm.

Here goes nothing...

For the second time since he arrived in this strange dream, Sasuke pushes the needle into his own arm and injects himself, lips pressed together against the sting and strangeness of it all.]

[hesmypuddin]

[Harley blinks at Liao's response, mouth opening to explain to him what she'd actually meant when Hinata comes running into the room. She sighs softly in relief, but the exhale cuts off as if she's been suddenly choked and her hands rise and scrabble at her throat. Eyes widening, her head jerks around I see collars on everyone in the room. Ken is quick to give them orders on how to 'quarantine' themselves, but as if that isn't enough stress, the chains of the Reaper can be heard approaching.]

Shit... [She looks at her reflection in one of the glass cases and notes the orange of her collar, trying to ignore the weight and feel of it and coming up short. However, what with the Reaper coming and all, she moves over to the counter and begins pulling out drawers. She finds all the necessary medical supplies and her movements are well practiced and... actually... besides the fact that she's doing this to herself, making it a little harder, she seems really well versed in the prepping of needle and injection site.

She rips open packages, screwing a fresh needle onto an equally sterile syringe. She's not bothering to clean up wrappers, tearing and letting them fall to the floor. She soaks a square of gauze, and without any qualms, tears off the sleeve of her bodysuit and tosses it aside; with luck it'd be fine just like last time. She swabs the inside of her elbow, tossing the gauze away, before grabbing a piece of rubber tubing. She wraps it around her upper arm, grabbing it and holding with her teeth as she ties a half knot into it.

Pumping her hand to raise the vein, she grabs an orange vial and pulls the cork free, sticking the needle in and drawing. She doesn't know how much is needed, so she fill it. She recorks and sets the vial aside, lifting and tapping the syringe to raise any bubbles. Giving the plunger a slight squeeze, she removes them and looks down at her arm. Though involved, the process was incredibly fast, but her being protrudes slightly at the sight and she goes for it.

She injects the liquid into her vein and pulls the now empty syringe and needle away before pulling he rubber tube loose with a snap. She grabs a new piece of gauze and covers the injection site, bending her arm to hold it in place.

Her gaze moves around the room, looking to see who hasn't injected themselves yet and sees both Lalli and Liao in the same position.

She begins prepping a syringe for both: one blue, one orange.]

[hopedout]

Alright -- just stay still. It's just a pinch, it shouldn't be too painful.

[ He'll put on the disinfectant before injecting Ken with the yellow vial. Once he's done, he'll bandage it up. ]

Let me know if you're having any trouble. [ Because he's going to go ahead and do the same to himself with the violet vial. ]