MISSION 001

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: March 29th-April 20th
WHERE: Everywhere on Etraya
WHAT: Mission 001!
NOTES\WARNINGS: Potential violence, death.

⏵ mission prep ⏴ On the morning of the 29th, characters will receive a notification from Aurora to come to the hospital’s ground floor to prepare for their first mission. On this floor, pairs will be given slips of paper with matching numbers. If characters have chosen their partners, they too will receive small slips of paper with matching numbers, as these numbers match the room assignment they will be asked to please step inside. The rooms themselves are bare. There’s a cot, two chairs pushed up against a small table, a miniature fridge set up below a sink, and a television that only plays static. On the table is a note, which simply reads: Welcome. To prepare you for your first mission, we are giving you time to get to know your partner. You have a twelve-hour time limit to discuss your lives together. We recommend talking about moments throughout your life that have defined the person you have become. In addition, we have included several ingredients inside the miniature refrigerator. You must, without telling your partner specifically what it is, create their favorite drink using the ingredients within and above the refrigerator. Do not attempt to cheat. Do not make your own drink. If you pass, you will both be given two points and the door will unlock. If you fail, you may try again with the same partner or a new partner may be reassigned to you. Good luck. Within the mini fridge will be numerous ingredients - these ingredients could be anything, from Bantha milk to dragon fruit - whatever their favorite drinks are, they will find all the correct ingredients to make them. There will also be numerous extra ingredients. Maybe a character’s favorite drink is a nice cup of peppermint tea. The kettle, and the tea bags, will be present on top of the mini fridge, but there may also be soda bottles inside the fridge and various milk substitutes. Cheating by making their own drink will result in the game being reset, and a new partner being assigned or no partner at all being assigned and they will simply be removed from this part of the exercise. ⏵ the secret's out⏴ Numerous notes can be found throughout Etraya’s populated areas - falling from the sky, taped to doors, slid under them, or perhaps being handed out by a few of the companion bots who will eagerly note how these are meant to help, but a quick read may show that they’re not things anyone wants to be given out so freely. After all, on the notes are secrets, untold truths, things that were never meant to be shared nor wanted out in the open. Some of these aren’t notes at all, but small packages that are not addressed to anyone in particular, or addressed to the incorrect party. Inside the packages are items that may be associated with a particular event: a knife that had been used to betray a friend still stained with blood, a mask meant to conceal identity, a picture featuring a moment in time that had best been left forgotten. The goal of the game becomes clear by the notes written on the back or thin slips within the packages: match the secret to the person. You could simply ignore them, but the note also includes an addendum: more notes will continue to be sent until the person is matched to their secret. ⏵ cracked reflection ⏴ Every person is an intricate mosaic, composed of numerous facets that shape what makes them - themselves. After all, one person is not simply one picture, but rather, a puzzle comprised of myriad pieces. These pieces may shape their strengths, their sense of humor, the influences of their upbringing, and who they admired in their formative years. Together, these fragments coalesce into a singular form: you. But what if those pieces were rearranged? What if the fundamental aspects that define who you are simply… didn’t exist? What if, rather than being a courageous hero, you were cast as a formidable villain? What if, instead of pursuing the path that led you to greatness, you veered in a different direction? A new dawn breaks over Etraya. The artificial sun rises over the horizon, accompanied by the melodic chirping of birds. As the denizens of Etraya awaken, they sense... a shift in the air - a feeling of dissonance, as if a piece of themselves has suddenly gone missing. Because it has. Doubles of every current inhabitant of Etraya roam the corridors of the apartment building and the surrounding facilities. They let themselves into Roxx to get a few new outfits, get themselves a meal at the hospital cafeteria, or maybe they’re raiding the snack shelves at Kwik Trip. They may bear a striking resemblance to their counterpart and act very similarly, but there is something off about them. A quality that sets them apart. Remember that step you took, that led you to your current career? The step you’ve kept secret for so long, that has defined your actions ever since? They didn’t take it. They went down a different path, something darker, or perhaps something lighter. They took the path you most feared, the one you knew would turn out terribly. And they in turn - turned out for the worst. Characters will find they are facing one of their worst fears: themselves, but their worst selves. The version of them that they fought so hard not to become, that they strove against rather than towards. And the mission? They need to take out their worst selves. But there’s a twist: interaction with their doubles isn’t possible. Both halves are cognizant of each other’s existence, yet they are incapable of verbally or physically interacting with each other. And while the double understands what they are, the original? Well… how do you truly know you are who you’re supposed to be? What if you were the double all along? What if you are your own worst self? There is one way to be sure: the color of the copies’ blood is slightly darker than what it should be. Running closer to a red-black than the red you would anticipate. Or for some, perhaps their blood is red where it should be running black. While they feel and look real, driving a unique blade straight through where their heart would be will cause doubles to dissipate into nothing once the knife penetrates deep enough. As for the genuine articles, well, the blade is sharp—and it’s going to hurt. A blade is provided for every authentic copy. Those who were sleeping through the night will find it beside them upon awakening. As for those who remain vigilant throughout the night, the blade will manifest beside them in the early hours of April 2nd. Guess someone is going to have to kill your double. ⏵ quicksilver has no sense of tact ⏴ Aurora’s announcement left out several crucial details: the existence of the doubles, for one. But also the looming deadline to take care of the mess that has been dropped onto Etraya. Inside the characters’ wrists, they will discover a timer gradually counting down. The timers are only visible for the person who dons it, as is the amount of time given. Every person is given an individual time limit, but it cannot be longer than two weeks. As the numbers dwindle, more black marks appear going up the inside of their arms toward the inside of their elbow. And what are the black marks? With each additional black mark, they begin to feel… less like themselves, and more like their doppelgangers. In the beginning, maybe they barely notice the change. Maybe it’s a favorite food they loved that they now hate, or perhaps it’s an event that has shifted: something small but important - a decision to save a life changed to taking one. Maybe they’ll feel like a piece of themselves is no longer the same, replaced with another feeling or sensation. Where something would have usually made them empathetic to another's blight, now they find their suffering funny. Regardless, the longer their doubles are around, the longer they slowly begin to become their doubles - and their doubles begin to become just like them. If their doppelganger is not taken out at the end of their provided time, it will simply dissipate and the original will remain changed. The only way to return to normal is to kill the original. After death, the character will remain dead for twenty-four hours before returning to their normal selves as if the death had never occurred. While killing them to return them to normal is information Aurora will readily share, no one will inform them that they will simply return to normal by April 20th. ⏵ OOC ⏴ Welcome to the first mission! For any questions relating to this mission please reply below. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. Please note that while ICly, characters are not given a choice, players can choose which missions they wish for their characters to participate in. They may have missed receiving room assignments, or their secrets may not have been dropped, or a copy may not have shown up for them. This may not always be an option in future missions! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[neverleave]

[He's sitting on the rail with carelessness only a nigh-immortal is capable of. Perhaps the first cue something's off is that this Natsuno doesn't perk up subtly when he notices her approach.

Rita Mordio. Brilliant for sure, but pathetically judgmental and ready to die on the stupidest hills. This Natsuno didn't bother with her for good or bad, but his original...

Girlfriend. Pathetic. Just how deep did his original's denial run, to pretend he's still a normal teenager after everything. Like he isn't a monster who stays the same while everything changes and dies around him, replaced by yet another set of mortal rules he needs to cut through.]

...I never liked that name.

[It's disgusting to hear her call him that. Like Tohru-chan would. No one else can use that name, and the only reason he tolerates Clarke Griffin is because she never bothered with that soft affection.]

Did I ever tell you my dad picked it? It's an old noble's name.

[myagic]

[She's used to seeing him in precarious spots like that, and knows he'll be okay if he falls, even if she'd be lying to say it didn't worry her at all...

But there's still something of a different edge here--more risky, more tense, more sullen, even before he speaks. She's already decided that something's definitely wrong, and then he responds to his name pretty unexpectedly...]

It doesn't really matter whose name it used to be, does it? It's yours now.

[If he hadn't liked her using his name, he would've spoken up ages ago. She comes over to lean against the railing next to him, trying to get a look at his face.]

It's not like you to beat around the bush. What happened? Was there something about your dad...?

[neverleave]

[Ha. She really does know him. There really is no point in beating around the bush - this Natsuno doesn't think he can pretend a second longer, with disdain rising like bile in his throat.]

So he didn't tell you.

[He pushes with his hands and arms, raising his feet to brace them against the rail. He jumps to a standing position with agility his original never demonstrated, and backs away a few steps. He keeps his balance easily, hands in his pockets, not even glancing at the drop to this right.]

Are you feeling sorry for him?

[myagic]

"He"? Natsuno-

[He moves fast, which is abrupt but not startling--shouldn't be, but combined with the way he's talking. A cold pit suddenly forms in her stomach, as the way he says he and him like Natsuno's someone else entirely...]

Hey, don't tell me... Is this possession again?!

[The last time, that ghost jerk did a good enough job pretending that they didn't notice until it was too late. Is this really the same--it feels almost like the opposite, where something about the core is intact but the edges are all wrong.

But either way-]

You don't get to ask any questions until you tell me what's going on!

[neverleave]

[He sneers at her, dark and humorless. So that idiot got himself possessed back then, huh. Figures that he let someone get the drop on him. Whoever that spirit was, this Natsuno thinks it should've kept the body.]

What, can't figure it out? And I thought you're supposed to be a genius.

[myagic]

Shut up! Just who the hell are you?! Where's Natsuno?

[She's moved off the railing to face him, arms held tense and stiff at her sides. Although she doesn't give him a direct answer, his taunting still earns a furious glower--but figuring out what's happened takes precedence to everything else.]

[neverleave]

Right here.

[He turns on the rail to face her directly, back turned flippantly to the empty air and long drop. He watches her body language closely, in case she decides to cast.]

Should I give you a hint?

[myagic]

[Eyes narrow suspiciously, considering the possibilities, but she can't be certain of anything in this strange place. So while anger and worry for Natsuno are a large part of it, there's definitely some pragmatism to her almost immediately following it up by shouting at him-]

You obviously know, so why don't you drop the smug play-act and cough it up?! If you don't...

[Let him decide what the consequences would be. If he really knows anything about her, he can surely guess.]

[neverleave]

How scary.

[He smirks at her, unconcerned and definitely still smug.]

You're from the Serena Eterna. Ever thought how much you've changed compared to Rita Mordio who still exists in your original reality? You must've made some choices she wouldn't make, right?

This is who I am. The one who chose to survive.

[myagic]

[He explains, and yet, her reaction is a confident and immediate-]

Liar! Trying to claim you're some--alternate Natsuno? I don't buy it for a second! That attitude of yours just isn't him, so why don't you try a more believable story next time?!

[Alright, so chose to survive--the way he says that, it's so...slimy. Like, yeah, it breaks her heart that Natsuno made that choice, but--that's not for this imposter to judge!!]

You're just a phony! A phony, lying fraud! A fake, through and through. Now tell me where the real Natsuno is, if you can!

[neverleave]

[He drops the smug smile, features smoothing into a bored expression, and sighs like he's disappointed with her reaction.]

For a so-called "genius," you sure are pig-headed.

[It's exhausting. How can anyone tolerate her for more than two minutes is beyond him.]

Thinks what you want. I don't know where he is, [A dismissive hand-wave. He's not being completely honest here, but he only keeps track of his original so he can avoid him.] and I couldn't care less.

[myagic]

What do you know about me?

[At least he's dropping the weird act, but the simple fact that he's an imposter wearing Natsuno's face means that she's not going anywhere.]

I'm telling you to answer me-!

[She glares at him, raising a hand and bracing her feet like she's preparing to cast a spell. If he's in control of Natsuno's powers, she may not have the time, but-]

Don't think you'll get away with pretending to be him!

[neverleave]

[He tsks in annoyance. When she raises her hand, he doesn't wait for her to finish the sentence before he explodes into motion, launching himself off the rail to tackle Rita and slam her to the ground. He straddles her, pinning her hands down with an iron grip.]

I know you like to run your mouth.

[He presses one knee against her throat, just enough to make it hard to speak.]

I also know that when you can't cast, you're nothing but a shrieking little girl.

[myagic]

[He's so fast that she has no time to even register the movement before her field of vision abruptly tilts to the sky and sharp pain reverberates through her skull when the back of her head cracks into the stone of the bridge, leaving her dazed for a moment.

Natsuno's--no, the fake's--blurry outline blots out the sky, gradually coming back into focus, and she grits her teeth to glower at him. Tugs at her hands and draws up her knees to place her feet against the ground, but his supernatural strength won't budge.

She doesn't fear for her life when he applies pressure to her throat. She's far too angry for that. How dare he, how dare he insult her while wearing Natsuno's face--she forces out a response full of as much venom as she can manage:]

Fake...bastard...! You're gonna--pay!

[neverleave]

[She's fierce, he'll give her that. It doesn't make her any less annoying, but defiance is something he can respect.]

For what, existing?

[He tilts his head, considering her with the cold curiosity of a collector over a pinned insect.] I think I get why he likes you. It's the validation. You defend him no matter what, right? Tell him he's a good person who deserves to live?

[He scoffs.]

Pathetic.

[It makes him want to hurt her, just to hurt that other Natsuno. He can order her to do a hundred horrible things, but he doubts his original will fall for it. Pathetic he may be, but he's smart. Tormenting him won't be satisfying if he realizes something's off.

Still, he can't walk away with nothing.

The double leans in, lips parting, but instead of sinking his fangs into Rita's neck, he rips off the blastia choker. When he pulls himself upright, he drags her with him, flinging her across the bridge by her wrists.]

[myagic]

For pretending!

[He could be trying to choke the life out of her and it wouldn't stop her from spitting venom at him as best she could. The pressure on her throat means she can't just yell and shriek his ear off, so she's stuck sucking in a breath while he gives her that slimy look. And then, even more vehemently:]

Because...he does!

[Not enough air to follow it up with an insult, but asserting Natsuno's right to life and happiness comes first, obviously. Still--as he leans in like he's going to bite her, a spike of fear runs through her nerves for the first time. He could order her to do just about anything, and just like Halloween, she wouldn't be able to go against it-

Instead her head jerks with the force as metal snaps from around her neck, and she feels the scrape of it over her skin before seeing a flash of gold, and--then a sudden, dizzying lurch and impact, and Rita sprawls across the stone, dazed and bruised but conscious.]

D...damn you...

[She rolls over, getting aching wrists and knees under her to lift herself up, and looking to the side where she thinks he was...but that flash of gold, which she only saw for a second...]

Don't you--dare take her-!

[neverleave]

I already did.

[He dangles the blastia, shaking it lightly with two fingers before putting it in his pocket.]

You're more managable when you can't throw tidal waves around.

[She will be out to get him no matter what, and while he's confident in his ability to evade her, it'll be easier with her magic neutralized. She can fight her double for another one, if it exists.

The double climbs over the rail, and without sparing Rita another glance, drops to a lower street level to disappear between the buildings.]