[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

he's a good dog graham

[aspearation]

Oh yeah. I know where they are.

[ She reaches down to pat Dogberry on the head. He doesn't seem to be distracted much by it either way, and the gesture is more for her sake. ]

They were in my pouch. I dropped it when I was trying to lead some of them away, right near the toy store.

[ The way she says them is oddly delicate, like she's trying to find a way to refer to the infected without reducing them to just that. ]

[fintastic]

Yes, this is what I'm using!

[ It's too bad he can't see her fins puff up indignantly, but at least her face says more than enough, and she clutches the trident defensively. ]

My friend made it for me, she is very talented with this kind of thing, and it is working very well, I think! Do you have a better idea, hmmm?

[fintastic]

[ Well, Feferi looks impressed, anyway. She gives one last glance to the infected outside, who are still mostly incapacitated and yet can still see them through the metal grate, and decides to pay them no further mind. That'll be good enough to keep them out, right? Still, Feferi hides herself behind another shelf, out of sight. ]

This is so cool! I didn't know you could make weapons... that would have been nice to know a few hours ago! [ She's momentarily fascinated by looking around, but it wears off just as quickly. ] What about you, are you doing okay?

[fintastic]

[ She does spot the magitek, and it's a relief to not have to pussyfoot around the matter. She slips into the kiosk, glancing over her shoulder to make sure she isn't seen, then sits herself down, crosslegged, and she's happy just to rest her legs, even for a moment. She sets her trident down carefully, trying to make as little noise as possible, before turning to her unexpected host and holding out her hands. ]

Nuh uh, here, let me see!

[dishearten]

( it's not impossible. it'll depend on what the people end up needing protection, and to what degree. he's not going to close the safest hideout to the members of woodhurst if things get incredibly grim, that's just not the sort of person Graham is. )

If we can avoid giving them reason to question, we should. We're trying to keep our appearance here as nominal as possible.

( if there's no other option out, though, he won't protest. saving lives is more important than keeping their cover, he doesn't care about ALASTAIR enough to keep himself absolutely glued to their rules. )

[skelepun]

[Were Sans privy to Fugo's assumptions, aside from the reluctance in his body language, he might've laughed. Sure, he might've said he could kill for a nap in the past, but there were shades to these kinda things.

Then again, it wouldn't be the first time his concern was mistaken for a threat. Had a way of getting the job done, and in the next moment Sans winks. The moment after that, Fugo might feel a sensation of falling through nothing. The moment after that? They're both about fifty feet up, sitting on the light fixtures arms.]

They should be alright for the time being. [Sans shrugs, pulling something from his hoodie. It's a half eaten candy bar.] Want some chocolate?

[skelepun]

Well, you've got a brand and you stick to it. I can respect that. [He flicked the side of his own skull, winking. Of course, with his cloak, the joke isn't very clear.] Tibia 'onest, I got a thing for themes myself.

So, Spider-chow. [He peers over at the horde.] You seem like a guy who'd know. Where're we keeping the ones we catch?

[skelepun]

Heh, you're right. [Sans grins, brushing aside the "ridiculous" notion with a lazy wave of the hand.] Who'd do that.

[Sans follows at a slower pace, hands shuffled into his pockets.]

They've got a crack team on it, I can tell you that much. Secretive, but maybe I'm the reason for that.

[pummelling]

[This, he supposes, is simply Giorno's way. Jin knows when he's not in charge, and, for once, he's content to accept that much-- with a soft 'hmph' of acknowledgment, he nods at the two younger boys.]

Don't worry. I'm cool as a cucumber.

[kung jin you're so fucking lame

He skims the crowd a second time, finding a relatively clear path amongst the host of people scurrying about. Without further smartass commentary, as requested, he's moving forward: his pace even and steady, so Fugo and Giorno can follow him safely.]

[daimeinashi]

I am aware. [He gets on Naruto's ass about not using the rasengan or his shadow clones too publicly all the time]

That is why we keep the civilians clear and blame damages on the infected afterward.

Unless you have another solution, at least.

[beginanew]

[Sasuke watches as the other works in a quick and smooth fashion, and wonders where he might have learnt to do as he does.

He nods, not saying anything as he moves an unconscious man towards a close wall.

When Haise takes out the zip ties though it makes him stare.]

What are those?

--> action

[thinhammer]

uhhh one sec

[ Naruto doesn't know what the person on the other end of the conversation looks like, and though plenty of people have looked up at him with obvious confusion in the last however long he's been here, this particular woman is looking at him rather pointedly, so he stands up straight and waves energetically. ]

Hi! It's me!

[thinhammer]

yeah i didnt have any bandages
thats why i had to sacrifice my bandana

[ RIP his orange patterned eyesore. :( ]

id just walk it off but these guys are softer
im just kinda guessing and going off what theyre telling me
it could be worse than it looks but i dont have any medical training

[ Though he's starting to see the uses of it. Naruto hasn't been taught how to really access the full uses of his magitek and is too much of a bumpkin from a technology deprived world to figure it out for himself, but luckily his ninja training means he's decent at location scouting and has probably run around this mall at least ten times by now, so he has a pretty good idea of where he is in correlation to the security office. ]

were on the second floor toward the back
there was a store with big muscly men and loads of computer looking stuff in the front
but we dragged stuff out to make barricades

how do the camereas work where you are?? can ya see me??

[ He's probably looking around. Probably waving. ]

[thinhammer]

Ya shouldn't steal little kids, y'know.

[ Naruto gives him a disapproving look, but he remembers how gentle Ban had been with the cat, how he'd given her back without much hassle, and when he looks at the softly sleeping little girl he can't really imagine Ban taking her against her will, so he shrugs. ]

Nah, not really. I forget it's there, kinda. I'm not good at all this technology stuff.

[ He heaves a sigh, unzips his jacket a bit. He's still slightly out of breath, but he can feel his stamina starting to slowly restore. ]

I guess I should, though.. Maybe then I'd know what's goin' on a little better.

[keeper]

[ Three does seem rather tame compared to the madhouse that had erupted at the foodcourt just some hours prior... But with such limited space, that's three too many. She's fortunate for Graham's help, even moreso that he's dealing with the infected as gently as he can manage. She knows that not all of Audentes runs on the same line of morality (too many backstories and too many agendas), but it helps her breathe easier here knowing her current partner doesn't opt straight for lethal methods. ]

Thank you.

[ For the assist. She quickly sends the last of the infected into a deep slumber with another wave of her hand, before eyeing the handcuffs. ]

...We might try handcuffing them to the railing, between floors...

[ It's not a great solution, only temporary at best. She's seen the sick break out of bindings in grotesque ways, with enough strength and will and hunger-fueled rage, but neither she or Graham have time to relocate the bodies to a better place (assuming one even exists). The only permanent solution is a killing blow, and it seems that neither of them have quite acquired the stomach for it. ]

[keeper]

[ That's a remarkably convenient location, enough of Mettaton and what shadows cast between them to completely block out her hand from observation.

She nods to him and begins to focus her magic, working patiently as to not accidentally short-circuit him with a haphazard burst of energy (if such a thing were even possible). ]

...Let me know when.

[ A small charge builds at her fingertips, first a pop of static, then the crackling flow of lightning. She doesn't bother glancing over her shoulder to see if anyone's watching, doing her best to feign nonchalance as she holds her hand still at the back of his neck. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[The first thing she notes is that he's young, cheeks round and eyes still bright. Unfamiliar, but her heart tightens as it always does at the sight of someone so youthful. But he seems to be in good spirits, and not too harmed by their long night trapped in the mall, and so she hikes her way over to where he stands to give the boat a good inspection.

There's one thing he hadn't been wrong about, which is:]

This is tricky. [Hmmm.] What have you tried already?

[keeper]

[ She doubles back quickly, catching the stray infected with her arm and using her weight and momentum to bring him to the floor. An invisible burst of magic sends the man into a limp slumber, and she's straight to her feet again, weaving between the rest of the group.

A hand claws at her shoulder and she grips it in response, pulling it off her and using it as a conduit for another spell before she lets the woman crumple to the ground. A few more whirling passes and the rest of their assailants join in an unconscious sprawl across the corridor.

It's only when she's finished that she turns back to address Sakura. ] Good work. Let's escort the rest outside.

[ (She notices the civilians huddled together in panicked fear, contented to look away from the battle that had just ensued rather than actively watch. And it's better that way, really; no one to catch them using their magic.) ]

[longtempered]

What? --What are you talking about, you don't look anything like a potato. [Maya please, love yourself...

But anyway, thus blissfully unaware of the metaphor flying right over his head, Shizuo does at least attempt to reorient Maya so she isn't just unceremoniously tucked at his side as he starts forward through rows of clothing again, in favor of sort of letting her sit on the crook of his arm instead--not like she's particularly heavy, after all. All the better for Maya to take a look at their surroundings, too, and provide direction where Shizuo currently cannot.

She's definitely got a better head for the mall layout than Shizuo does, anyway--his memory retention isn't super great for stuff like that, even when he isn't immensely distracted by grabby infected people.]

Right...so we just gotta keep going straight forward through here, huh? [And through...lingerie.......well, as long as he doesn't look too much at everything it should be fine. Shizuo increases his pace, scowling over his shades for any hidden hungry figures that might be hiding among the clothing racks.] Guess we'd better stop by the dressing rooms first so we can figure stuff out...ah, and put your armor back together a bit more, I guess. We'll probably find more tape eventually.

oh my god....CLOSE ENOUGH

[longtempered]

[Shizuo's attention is more focused on the infected very slowly shambling their ways toward them from a distance, and so he misses the small figure behind the potted plant where Riza does not. Her indication is met with some surprise, and Shizuo blinks haplessly over in that direction with a slight frown. ...Yep, that sure is a lot of awe over there......]

Ah, damn, so it is too much. [More a grumble to himself at this point, but though he gives the map over his shoulder another glance and a sigh, he doesn't lower it back down again. Apparently he needs to go for stuff even lighter than this, next time...but there's no use putting it away now, especially with infected approaching. Just gonna have to make the best of it...Riza's suggestion earns a vaguely amused scoff.] Hah, my kid brother's the actor though, not me.

[But his attention refocuses on the infected closing in too.]

Yeah. We should probably get that kid somewhere out of the open. If I keep these guys busy for a bit, can you get over to him and get him moving?

[longtempered]

[The incredulous look is a relatable one, and Shizuo shrugs back at him, evidently just as nonplussed in turn.]

Right? Beats me, seriously. I don't know how much of it they're eating, but it sounds like they're sure as hell going about it the wrong way.

[Make that two of them who get more than enough exercise to burn off pretty much anything they might consume, though--Naruto had his ninja livelihood, and Shizuo has a temper flighty enough to evolve into table-throwing spells on a frequent basis. Physical fitness made easy, truly......but no, obviously other people just eat candy the wrong way, that's totally what the issue really is.

Naruto's next comment earns an arched eyebrow over his shades, but Shizuo pops another piece of chocolate in his mouth more or less impassively; in other circumstances, or coming from other people, he'd probably be more miffed at the implication than he is right now. But the presence of sweets tends to help with his temper in general, and he feels like this kid's on his level already...so he's willing to let it slide at least this once. Instead, more mildly:]

Hey, who are you calling old? I'm twenty-four, at least give it until I'm thirty or something before you go throwing that around. [He might not be some juvenile delinquent anymore, but still!!!] Or are you even younger than you look, or something?

[longtempered]

[Shizuo sets the bag down by his side again, triumph fading a bit in favor of the more somber topic as it comes up. Yeah, they really hadn't gotten a lot of time to do much at all before things had broken down yet again....on the other hand, though, who knows how much worse things would be for the people in here if there weren't members of Audentes around? This whole thing isn't great, but at least there's that...

Haise's reply earns a blink of interest, though.]

Huh, zip-ties...like for tying people down and stuff? [In retrospect, he supposes that kind of thing really could come in handy in a lot of ways. But of course, Shizuo hadn't thought of anything like that, content as he generally is to let his strength do most of the work in these situations. Now he thinks about it, though...] That's a pretty lucky buy with the timing of all this, at least. Hey, got a few extra ones on you?

[strictdiscipline]

Surely you've picked a few things up from him over the years.

[She thinks she remembers him mentioning something about a younger brother, an actor well on his way to fame. The details don't come to her just yet but the pride in his voice is familiar enough. (Though maybe it would have been there regardless simply due to the family relation; Shizuo doesn't seem the sort to scorn family all that easily.)

More importantly, he's got a point. They can't just leave the kid there, and while she's got plenty of faith in Shizuo's zombie-bowling abilities, there's only two of them and a whole lotta infected.

So.]

I can. [With another nod back towards the mass slowly approaching them:] Can you handle all of them?

[Better safe than sorry.]

I'M SO SORRY FOR BEING SO LATE, rl hit me hard this week. also omg jojo!!!

[scrap_metal]

[ Taking on this offer is so tempting that Genos falls silent for a moment, before finally answering. ]

Don't we all? I haven't noticed you resting either. [ he straightens his back, his expression serious. At least that he can appear more awake ] I can probably keep being awake for a hour or so. If you want, you can rest first. [ What might be seen as bravado, is just Genos' logical assumption that most people here don't benefit from artificial bodies like he does. ]

...we can switch the watch then. [ Because that offer is still tempting, as he has to admit grumpily ]

[longtempered]

((oh my god omo......smhes both at this and at aqua's riveting conversational skills))

Ah, yeah, she's with them right? I bet she could make a good argument for it. [Does Lucina even properly know what motorcycles are though Shizuo......but you know, those are the little details, surely easy enough to iron out. Aqua might be half-joking, but Shizuo does not sound joking at all as he genuinely considers this.

But before they can get any further with discussing the semantics of a police motorcycle cadre--or just relaxing and eating the rest of these freeze pops in peace, really--the rattling metal clang resurfaces yet again, as clear to Shizuo as it is to Aqua, as they exchange grim looks almost simultaneously. She's standing up first, and when she offers a hand Shizuo takes it automatically, freeze pop still in his mouth, other hand closing properly around his stop sign pole and he idly tugs himself to his feet--]