[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

[prodigism]

[ It's certainly strange enough that he has a hard time remembering not to just kill everything that's very reminiscent of ghouls, especially with this mission and all the memories and things it brings up for him. In someways not killing them is a closer achievement towards his own redemption for back home. But he knows that he doesn't deserve it, doesn't really feel like he should have it, and yet he's still trying to make amends in small ways. This happens to be one of said ways that he hopes he can help, rather than hurt. ]

That's very true. Alright then. We can probably get to more survivors with our skills combined anyway.

sounds good! wrap here i think

[dishearten]

( that's ... certainly an interesting skill. Graham glances at him for only a moment, but he doesn't let himself be too concerned over it. he won't trust magic to give him all the answers, so he will search with his eyes as well. between the two of them, they're sure to find something.

and thankfully, it appears that Sai does not mind working in companionable silence. it's easier for them to focus on their objectives, that way. now that he's in, Graham is determined to make the most of the location; he'll linger until he finds something in the cameras that draws his attention away. )

[dishearten]

( if he's learned anything during his Audentes, it's that relying on someone else doesn't make someone weaker. it makes them stronger. the Huntsman had existed as a lone wolf for a very long time, pushing away human interaction with both hands. as a sheriff he'd still kept his friendly distance, above and apart. Emma had shown him the positive influence of a partner, and he's only grown from the man who had asked her to be his deputy. he knows the benefits of opening his trust to his teammates.

offering a hand to a relative stranger isn't telling her that he finds her to be weak, or that she needs protecting. it's saying that they'll be stronger together.

they don't have any Easter decorations to throw, and Graham doesn't seem to understand why she wouldn't get half of what he said. he hadn't spoken in particularly ornate language, after all. ) They seem distracted by sound. We could try throwing something past them, see if they chase for it. ( he takes care to talk slower this time, but jury is out on if it made him sound less "Swedish". )

[perma_banned]

[One brow slowly rose at that. It wasn't often that Ban actually felt inclined to give Keats any real tidbit about himself.]

There's never a bad time for accepting food. Especially now.

[He wouldn't say it but--there was a reason why Ban had set aside so many takeout boxes.]

You're not usually the type to be so thoughtless, pal.

[perma_banned]

[Making a brief 'humph' of affirmation, Ban settled his eyes on the sleeping child for a moment. What a pain. Naruto's admittance gave him the slightest idea, at least. If communication was harder for the two, then bridging the gap between them would have to be done through alternative means. Getting a sense of the outside would be important.]

Which means he's probably still not sure what to do since he hadn't returned. Meanin'--you need a way to talk to him.

[He assumed the magitek was out of the question, since it would be an easy first move. Naruto probably tried it.]

I'm gonna think of something, then. [Pausing, Ban looked to the box that Naruto was still fidgeting with.]

And, hurry up and eat. It's not hot anymore but I still put work into makin' it. [Pork-fried rice, fried eggs, stove-cooked vegetables, and chicken. It was all arranged and cooked with an extremely professional air, contrary to the guy who shoved the box at Naruto in the first place.]

[aspearation]

Oh, this is Dogberry. You can call him Berry for short. Or just Dog. That's what I do.

[ Like most dogs, Dogberry is just happy to get any kind of attention. He's following along attentively at her side, even without a leash. ]

He's smart, but I don't think he'd be able to find my pouch if other people have been pawing at it. It probably doesn't smell like me anymore...

[ ooc -- I know this one's kind of aging and we've moved on to kitty planet, I'm good to keep going, or just handwave the rest, it's absolutely up to you! ]

lets put this one to bed. tuck it in nice and cozy.

[aspearation]

Speak for yourself, that's not my way!!

[ Yes it is Undyne, it absolutely is. Just with 500% less crippling sadness.

Thankfully, she's distracted by Dogberry huffing at her in that way that dogs do, and he seems intent on a store up ahead. The coast is clear, for now, and she thinks she remembers this place having a back room with two exits-- perfect for luring infected in then making their getaway. ]

Come on, this might be the one!

[fintastic]

[ Cue confused staring for a moment, while it takes time to click. But when it does, her eyes go wide, and she raises a hand to her cheek. ]

Oh my cod, I did not even recognize you like that! You look so... human!

[ Very succinct. ]

[fintastic]

[ There's an attempt on Feferi's part to be patient, waiting while Peridot sizes her up, but curiosity gets the better of her and she comes closer to peer over the counter at what she's doing. ]

What is it...?

[feytality]

[it's great that Graham learned the power of friendship and all, but Maya exerts massively unrealistic expectations on herself. She still feels like she failed Phoenix for not being able to channel Mia and she's determined to be "useful" here too. Too bad she's already being a "burden".]

[(And yet, she's not letting go of his hand. Just like with Jin -- somehow everything seems less terrifying when he's this close. Near stranger or not)]

....What about CDs?

[It's still hard for her to understand his Italian accent, but she's making an effort to concentrate on his words and listen] They'd make pretty good projectiles.

[ofobedience]

[He's prepared to point the way, to even lead them there perhaps, and he'll move over towards one of the injured infected with the intention of dragging a couple of them off in the appropriate direction--

--but then the question comes, and pointedly, he raises a brow above the rim of his glasses, expression coolly incredulous.]

The infected have sleeves you can use, don't they? You don't require mine.

[Because whilst he isn't overly precious about his clothes - riddled with bullet holes and tears as they often end up in the heat of a fight - he sees no reason to purposely spoil them when it can be avoided. It's a nice suit, okay, he likes this one.]

[scrap_metal]

[ Without missing a beat Genos points at the, bleeding-out immobilized infected ]

That's a jacket, sleeve from it wouldn't make a good dressing.

[ But then he realizes... ]

...but I guess, the other trouser-leg seems fine.

[ And with that he moves forward, to get things done. Immobilizing the infected further, and ripping the material from the unharmed leg, for a makeshift dressing. What can go wrong? ]

[strictdiscipline]

[IT'S KILL OR BE KILLED MAYA!!!

That's how it's been in a number of other places she's been previously, but Riza recognizes that not every place is the same, and not ever person - especially every teenager - is as accepting of violent intent as she is.]

It's in self-defense. In case they get too close before I can stop them.

[Because Riza's definitely the one doing the protecting here, in case Maya was at all confused. (Don't worry senpai, she'll protect you.) But speaking of getting too close—

The zombos tumble in through the window, lurching towards the both of them. Pulling out a gun and shooting one through the leg is probably not the best idea in front of an innocent teenager - not to mention the zombos are perfectly innocent people themselves - so Riza settles for swinging out a leg to trip the nearest one and send it tumbling to the ground.]

[keeper]

[ Throwing books... Where in the world does this girl get all these ideas from... (Well, it's not the worst self-defense tactic. Clocking the infected with hardcovers might actually keep them at bay without dealing any lasting damage; she's assuming Maya's got the physical strength of a normal teenager her age, anyway...) ]

...We should see if we can get some other civilians here, and barricade the gate.

[ She pulls a large almanac from the bargain books section and hands it to the other recruit, to be used as both a weapon and a shield. (There's really not much else here to work with, and at least she's just cleared the area for them—unless Maya decides of course to summon even more infected with her boisterous ways.) ]

Can you check nearby for anyone who might need shelter? I'll start rearranging the shelves in the meantime.

[ Meaning, she's going to start emptying them so she can drag the wooden furniture over to the entrance... ]

[ex_mettacrusher33]

[HE KNOWS!]

I KNOW!! [Mettaton outstretches his arms and twirls on one foot, coming to a graceful stop and bow.] Isn't it simply MARVELOUS?!! This body was built in the image of a god!! A god of love and aesthetics!! [Swoon...!]

...and you're looking wonderful too, of course. [Not as wonderful as me is the implication in his tone. It's not malicious, just... Well.

Look at him.]

[wyvil]

[Wylan nods, listening intently. He too likes this plan more than staying locked up, close to the infected with no real escape route in place. If they could fine an existing exit, it wouldn't be too difficult to evacuate the civilians, as long as they plan properly. He unearths a notebook and drawing pencil from his satchel, flipping to a blank page.]

How familiar are you with the layout? We should try to map out the path we take, in case we find an exit.

[headlining]

[He just wants to have this moment last forever. To be acknowledge, to be given gestures that say "hey, I notice you too". It's funny, how desperately he wants people to stay out of his business, and yet how badly he wants to be noticed at the same time. Look at him, touch him, acknowledge that he's there, he's real...]

[His expression is soft as Mettaton removes his hands, letting out another sigh as he turns away. Ah, things can't last forever.]

For sure. [A slight "heh".] I'll hold you to that.

[headlining]

What if we're stuck in this place for a good while, and people have to resort to eating whatever is left in these kitchens? Come on now, even if you want food, you shouldn't be so greedy.

[A shake of the head.] That sounds quite thoughtless to me.

[ex_adept136]

A security office might be worth investigation, actually...

[It's a good idea, he thinks, straightening as he glances around once again.

The quiet is almost surreal, now]

[beginanew]

That's good to know. It'd be bad if we run out now.

[He stares at the unconscious bodies around him and then at Haise.]

Thank you for helping.

[unholey]

[Fugo's equal stick-arms really aren't doing much better here, but... he at least has... stubbornness... going for him??]

I think-- [OOF] regular burgers ... were probably more of a problem here.

[unholey]

[Dryly:] No, they're usually not quite so literal with the "slashed prices".

[He makes a sharp gesture with one of his hands, miming an actual slashed throat. Yikes.]

The crowds are about the same, though.

[scrap_metal]

I can scout ahead and locate it. [ Genos offers. Moving will help him stay awake, after all.

The silent is a bit unnerving. Maybe the infected are asleep too? Or maybe some nasty surprise is in preparation. ]

[unholey]

Currently, we are on the west side of the third floor--

[As they walk, Fugo gives Wylan a brief overview of what he knows about the mall's layout. The gist of it is that the mall is built around a central courtyard area, with several wings branching out in the cardinal direction. There are three levels; Fugo details the handful of defensible shops he's found that aren't being used as hiding places by civilians which, in a pinch, they could make a run for if spotted by the infected. But he doesn't think that should happen until they hit the ground floor; there aren't as many the higher one goes. When they pass by a spot where it's possible to stare down to the first floor, he points.]

See? [Far down below, a small group of infected are furiously rattling the closed grate of a shop--presumably to try and get at whatever survivors are hiding out in it.] The food court's on the ground level, so they won't spread out until there's nothing left. And if there is a gap in security's perimeter, it's most likely to be on the ground floor.

yup!

[slapfight]

[Peridot breaks into happy little giggles and bounces on the balls of her feet, making her look every bit the teenage girl her cloaking device makes her resemble. once she's done with that, she trots over to Graham and pats him on the shoulder as she passes.] You did well too. Now let's go deal with the rest of those infected.

[what? he's alive! clearly he doesn't need that long to rest up before he jumps back into the fray.]