[EVENT POST] I FEEL STUPID, AND CONTAGIOUS.

[dishearten]

CHARACTERS: Open to all!
DATE: 3/11-3/12, ICly
WARNINGS: Zombie attacks? Violence? Shopping???
SUMMARY: Lockdown at the mall! Grab your CDs and your soft pretzel, it's about to get bad.

LET'S GO TO THE MALL LOCKDOWN Business has been rough for Woodhurst Shopping Center ever since riots and unrest about the Bristol Virus have shunned most to their homes. Perhaps ill-advisedly, in attempts to draw a few more customers back into the polished halls of the grandest shopping experience Woodhurst has to offer, a weekend of big sales, great bargains, and fun family activities was widely advertised in the Woodhurst Watch. There was even a scheduled public concert, performed by the University Choir. The turnout was smaller than hoped, yet the air was quite optimistic. Shoppers enjoyed the day of activities and fun, and the sense of security was bolstered by the increased security detail. There was even some members of the press on hand to document this return to normality in a troubled time. Everything was going well, until a scene broke out in the food court. Security tried to quietly remove members of the choir that suddenly seemed to snap, plowing into one of the food stands and starting to feed on raw meat. However, a good handful of them escaped instant confinement, and while many of the visitors fled the mall as soon as they could, soon Police Detail arrived and put the entire building on lockdown. Nobody in and nobody out until the situation was resolved. 18:00 TO 23:00 HOURS Anyone unlucky enough to be trapped in the mall is left to their own devices, with very little knowledge to go on. This includes many civilians, as well as a small number of Audentes agents. This also includes a small number of infected, more than just the university choir. There's a voice over the loudspeaker imploring people to hide in stores, barricade doors, and stay put until help arrives. The majority of the infected seem to linger in the Food Court especially. Bad news for anyone trapped and starting to get hungry as the hours pass by, without any obvious assistance from the outside. The members of ALASTAIR have a choice, help protect or just do their best to avoid the infected themselves. Characters can get into the Security Office for a camera feed on what is happening in the mall, and potentially use it as a base of operations to work from. 00:00 TO 02:00 HOURS It becomes apparent that the number of infected in the mall are somehow increasing, despite the lockdown. It means that those that have squirreled away into stores and outlets are growing less and less safe as infected numbers multiply and they begin attacking barricades. To make matters worse, anyone that hasn't found cover will find the infected extremely reactive, and willing to give chase around the mall. The security feed indicates the infected seem to be coming in from the Parking Garage. Investigation will reveal a sewer outlet on the bottom floor. Characters will have to decide whether they should utilize the tunnel as a means of escape, or if sealing it off would ultimately leave the remaining hours of lockdown a little less violent. 04:00 TO 09:00 HOURS It's been an agonizing 12 hours, and with surprisingly little aide from the outside. With time to make preparations and put plans in place, now it's time to end this lockdown once and for all. Audentes is tasked with neutralizing the remaining infected as well as escorting any remaining civilians to safety, by any means they decide on. It is up to Audentes to decide how the end of this event plays out, be it removing or otherwise drawing away the lingering infected, or putting them down once and for all. There are plenty of civilians that have been bitten and attacked, leaving the question in the air as to whether they are infected as well. What should be done with those that could be bringing the virus back to their families? The team is going to have to decide on the answer to that.

Comments

00:00 - 02:00

[perma_banned]

[Just as Naruto seemed to be barely holding onto his wits from exhaustion, a hand swung out to slap him in the small of his back. A hum in his voice, Ban echoed some amusement. He had an unconscious little girl held on one shoulder, sleeping quietly despite the sudden jostling.]

C'mooon, you aren't allowed to get tired now!

[prodigism]

[ Arima wouldn't call it fun he never enjoyed this type of work, even if he had done it obediently his entire life. Still he looks down at the infect not knocked unconscious and grasping at them from where they fell with some mild, masked, disdain. Not for what they were but for who had caused them to become this way. ] There's more work to be done. [ The fun just keeps on rolling in doesn't it? ]

Knock them out and then we'll bring them back to one of the quarantine zones.

[ At least they managed to round up a good few together. He'll go ahead and start doing so in the most humane way possible. Quick and without hurting them too badly. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[.................]

So it's at the top and falling down but being pushed up by the escalator?

[Actually, you know what, this is too confusing a situation to imagine.]

Where are you?

[dishearten]

( he doesn't have much time to even think about how easily she drops the whirling limbs and snarling jaws. he's distracted with another of the three — he can't even tell if running into three is unlucky or not, considering the numbers he's seen crawling about the mall.

Graham doesn't have a sleeping spell, yet there are some things that can be completed without magic. he dusts the arms reaching away with his bat, and the infected stumbles into the railing heavily. the daze between reactions is just long enough for him to land the syringe of sedative in her thigh.

that leaves at least one of the crowd left, and the girl is facing it alone. it's not really time for introductions, yet Graham idly realizes he didn't even bother to ask her name before they pushed off together into danger. the infected swings for her again, and he catches the arm before Aqua has to. between the two of them, they have her more or less restrained, yet restraint isn't good enough with an infected this far gone. )

I have handcuffs, ( he mutters, though he doesn't seem especially keen on using them if he doesn't have to. last ditch effort. )

[dishearten]

( Graham hadn't thought to ask what he was waiting for. nor, for that matter, a name, though he's always been classically bad at those. names were a completely human convention, he could easily forget that most were rather attached to theirs.

he nods at the inquiry, mildly curious about the sunglasses indoors (though that's very befitting of the 90s, isn't it?), though not enough to ask. )

Hemlock, then. ( he doesn't know Fugo's actual name, but apparently he can remember a username! he nods and heads the few feet of hallway left before they reach the security door. it seems rather imposing, steel and reinforced, with a card reader set in the wall nearby. )

[dishearten]

( sorry ninja friend. he really wishes that were plausible. as it stood, it wasn't, at least not at the moment. )

it can be. in an ideal situation, I wouldn't argue, we are simply operating in a situation that is far from ideal.

keeping them safe is the best we can hope for. how injured are they? if they need more than basic aide, getting them to the security room might be the best option. it's well fortified and I'll do what I can to locate someone that can help with their injuries.

( push come to shove, Graham isn't actually so bad at first aide these days. thanks Sieg!! )

[dishearten]

( he's not surprised to see evidence of magic, lingering. he doesn't believe it would have been impossible to get through the door without it, yet magic did have accessibility to its favor. and it does make sense, that a door didn't tend to lock from both sides.

whatever way it had to open, all he knows is that he is grateful that it is. )

We'll need to keep someone inside, or you might have to do that again. ( not ideal, but he's already doing better than he was a few minutes ago. he can't grumble terribly much. ) I was hoping there would be a gate release, so we could get out of here.

( it's a hint he might like help searching... though so far, he hasn't seen much that looks like it could do the trick. )

[mistruths]

Can't you banish it?

[ He watches the way the other man so easily immobilizes the infected man, faintly impressed. ] You did so with the hole he left in your sleeve--or did you reform the fabric?

[skelepun]

[Too bad the stop sign wasn't blue. He might've had a little more luck.

As for the strange, small man in the chandelier, he doesn't respond right away. Instead, he seems to shift, disappearing behind one of the light fixtures large panels. Only instead of reappearing on the other side of it...]

Nah, I'm good. [A voice comes from behind him. Sure enough, there's the small man, in all his disheveled glory.] You look like you've got a bit of a problem on your hands though, buddy.

[skelepun]

[Throughout that intense display, Sans finishes off his soda and flips a page to his quiz results. He's season four, apparently.]

I asked her that. [He says, still not looking up.] Her and her mom just moved here from out of state. Her Dad's in some place called Washington State, way across the country, and her Aunt lives in "Buffalo." [His bones click as he finger quotes. Human naming conventions were bizarre.] She says it's just her and her mom here. N' since they're not about to let anyone leave town, I figured... may as well let her chill with us until we can fix her mom.

[He sets the glass down, standing up.]

You wanna go say hi? That extension cord's like sixty feet.

[perma_banned]

Nah, that isn't really how it works. [With one hand, he lifted the infected man and set him gently on top of a long potted plant. He wouldn't suffocate over the long run if he were on something soft.

It would make taking him into custody later much easier.

Ban demonstrated for Loki how his gifted magic worked, weaving his fingers through the air as if collecting strands of a spider's web. When his hand passed through the air, a complete set of soft leather gloves manifested and wrapped themselves around his hands.]

I can only make new fabric and mend it.

[skelepun]

That's a little presumptuous of you, isn't it? [He's teasing, or at least he's smiling. Kinda hard to tell beyond that.] Don't think I can hold my own?

[Considering his cloak and the general disheveled, overly casual air he puts on... well, anybody would make that assumption. A fact Sans seems to take relish in.]

But if you're worried about civilians, that kid you saved took off that-a way. [He gestures behind them.] Up for a little search and rescue?

[skelepun]

[Not the best reception he's ever gotten, but without question one of the most charming. He keeps an eye socket on her as she scurries past, caught somewhere between befuddled and amused as he waves the jerky in front of him, luring an outcropping of zombies closer.

It takes some time. Sans' pace is slow and the infected's motor control wasn't the best. Without any sudden movements, they were content to just follow the scent in a shambling herd. Once Sans had them throwing distance away, he cranes over his shoulder towards where Peridot is still, presumably, vibrating.]

I'm gonna toss this. [He waggles the jerky in the air for emphasis.] It's gonna jerk their attention hard, so be ready, kiddo.

[ex_mettacrusher33]

[...so Sans asked these questions and still didn't take her to the police?

You know what? No. Nope. He's known Sans long enough to know that arguments just aren't worth it, not without a paycheck to dangle over his head (and even then. Every time Mettaton THOUGHT he won, Sans... STILL won). Instead, he settles for tossing himself back into his bed, face first, and letting out a long-suffering sigh. He lifts his legs once, then lets them flop back onto the mattress.

Stupid mysterious bag of bones.]

She can't see me like this. [Look at him. He has a cable running out of the back of his neck. That is nowhere near keeping a low profile.]

[skelepun]

[It's a living. Being a stupid mysterious bag of bones, that is. And the paychecks too.]

Why not? [He asks, magazine tucked under his arm.] She's seen me like this.

1/2

[ex_mettacrusher33]

[mistruths]

[ By the Norns--that isn't at all like what he does, and Loki isn't shy about his interest as he steps in closer. ]

Fascinating. May I?

[ He brings one hand up, making a gesture towards Ban's hands: may he touch? ]

[ex_mettacrusher33]

[Mettaton rolls back onto his side before shuffling off the bed and onto his feet. He's already wrapping the cord around his wrist to carry easier.]

Alright, **** it.

[It's so not worth fighting over. In a penny, in for a pound, right?

When someone comes down asking why they blew their covers, he's blaming Sans.]

That means you're getting out of my room.

[perma_banned]

Uh. Sure, have at it. [Indifferent to the suddenly growing populace of infected in the mall, Ban lifted one hand in particular for Loki to test out the glove, taking it off and holding it out for him. At that point, Ban did notice something foul smelling in the air after awhile but it didn't ring any warning bells for him.

What did trigger a response from ban was a young woman, frothing at the mouth, barreling to tackle Loki while he checked the fabric on Ban's glove.]

Incomin'.

[skelepun]

You got it, boss.

[The apartment isn't exactly big, and it's not long before they're in the living room where the little girl is presently drinking her own hot sprite (well, not so much drinking as letting it sit untouched by a bowl of doritos Sans prepared for her). When Sans enters the room, she doesn't seem too surprised. When Mettaton follows...

Her eyes go big.]

You really are a robot...!

[mistruths]

[ Loki takes Ban's hand, first, turning it over between his own. The glove looks and feels real, stretching and compressing as leather does, cool and soft against his skin. And then, he takes the glove Ban offers, smoothing it between his fingers--though he doesn't have much of a chance to examine it before he's rudely interrupted. ]

Oh, honestly. No manners whatsoever.

[ He very nearly sends a bolt of power through her--but stops himself before doing so, remember how Ban had tied down his attacker before. So clearly, this man prefers not to kill and, really, Loki is far too interested to alienate him so quickly. Unfortunately, that does mean he can't end this as quickly or efficiently as he'd like.

Stepping to the side, he twists about to rap his hand sharply against the back of her neck, careful not to break her neck as he does so. ]

[perma_banned]

[The way Loki dispatched his assailant gave Ban a sense of ease. Good. One less person to watch out for. Despite that, he was still trying to figure out what was so weird with the sudden outbreak. While Loki looked to be testing whether or not the gloves were legitimate, Ban found his eyes trailing elsewhere.]

I never really questioned it. I have my own magic but they gave me this other spell. Figured it was just convenient to have it.

[He added, looking back to Loki.] I can make armor, too. Takes a little longer, though.

[mistruths]

[ Setting the infected woman off to the side, he goes back to examining the glove for a moment before handing it back. ]

"They"? And armor, you say. Would it exhaust you unnecessarily to show me? I must admit, I'm terribly curious.

[ This isn't at all like what Loki does, after all. ]

And, do forgive me if this is rude, but... You're not human, are you?

18:00 - 23:00

[digiorno]

[. . . Well. That's impressive.]

[Wylan thinks quick. Fortunately for his own eyesight, Giorno does, too. In the second between Wylan calling out and the movement of his arm to throw the flash bomb, Giorno looks up, fixes his gaze on the little shape in his hand, and ducks to the side, well out of range with his eyes squeezed tight shut. He waits until the lights have stopped dancing beyond his eyelids, then opens up again and dodges past the startled civilians until he's at Wylan's side.]

Nice one.

[It's startled the infected and had the nice side effect of sending civilians scattering too quickly for most of them to be in any danger from the milling infected. Giorno's gaze is still mostly on the crowd, though, looking out for danger, examining from all angles.]

Any more, or do you usually bring just one firework to the mall?

[daimeinashi]

The monkey can remain, in our stead. I have more than enough chakra to sustain it.

[As an extension, more or less, of Sai's will, it effectively accomplishes the same as either one of them remaining inside, but leaves them free for other tasks, such as rounding up infected.]

As to the gate release, I am unfortunately unfamiliar with this level of technology, so I cannot be of service in that regard. However, if an alternate solution cannot be found--once all the infected are corralled, I could offer a more direct means of escape. We could blame any damage on the infected.