Encounterlogs
Isoldes Odd Encounter Sr Ritsuka 241206
When Isolde and Yuno accept a peculiar job at their detective agency, Open Eye Investigations, they unknowingly walk into an intricate web spun by The Black Flame cult. Their task was to investigate mysterious occurrences linked to the cult in a forest near Haven, without falling prey to the cult's seductive tactics aimed at recruiting new members. The investigation takes a dangerous turn as Isolde and Yuno encounter not just persuasive tactics but an outright eerie, compelling force trying to ensnare them with visions and supernatural persuasions. The vivid appearance of a woman trying to entice Yuno with food, and the golden-masked figures aiming to lure Isolde into a false sense of belonging, mark the peak of their harrowing experience. Isolde's desperate measures to maintain her sanity, including firing a gun at the masks, and Yuno's quick thinking in physical confrontation, showcase their fight against the overwhelming influence of The Black Flame.
Their ordeal culminates in a dramatic escape facilitated by Isolde's shadow magic, transporting them to the safety of an apartment amidst their mental turmoil and confusion. Despite their escape, the deep psychological impact of their encounter is palpable. The man who assigned them the investigation arrives, offering not just payment but also syringes meant to erase the traumatic memories of their mission. Isolde's frantic messages to Yuno, begging to forget what they have learned, underscore the scarring effects of their brush with the eldritch. In their final moments of interaction, their decision on whether to use the syringes remains a testament to their ordeal’s lasting impact. The narrative concludes on an ambiguous note, leaving readers to ponder the depth of influence that encounters of such a profound nature could imprint on individuals.
(Isolde's odd encounter(SRRitsuka):SRRitsuka)
[Thu Dec 5 2024]
In the main reception lobby of Open Eye Investigations
On opening the solid wood door to the lobby, a strong smell of cinnamon fills the air. The walls are identifiably paneled in a rich oak wood, giving the interior a well insulated look. The carpet is a sleek deep red in a short fur manner. in the center of room is a rich mahogany desk with a circular metal fan trying to fight the insulated air. A nintendium plastic computer sits on the desk, eagerly humming to generate a strong atmosphere of white noise. Along the wall nearest to the door, a brown leather couch resides in wait of its next client. oddly enough, a singular painting of a white rabbit wearing a trenchcoat hangs behind the desk, in clear view. A long white quartz clock ticks away, hungrily devouring time in a loud tick.
It is morning, about 17F(-8C) degrees, and there are a few dark grey stormclouds in the sky.
(Your target and their allies come across a seemingly innocuous gathering in Haven, only to find out that it's a recruitment event for The Black Flame. The cult is looking for fresh blood to join their cause and is using persuasive tactics to lure in unsuspecting townsfolk. The characters must tread carefully, as any outright confrontation could blow their cover, and The Black Flame is notorious for its powerful members. They need to subtly disrupt the event, possibly by sowing seeds of doubt among the potential recruits. This encounter may also provide an opportunity to gather more information about the cult and its activities, which could prove crucial in the larger conflict.)
Yuno says "Anyway, you have means to protect yourself, right?" "
Yuno continues to chat at the reception desk, looking concerned at Isolde
Isolde sits in a desk, yet untitled with her name. Pink lines her face like cold, but it's entirely ephemeral- makeup to display such an effect, perhaps.
"I guess?" Isolde shrugs down to herself, thin in those means, "I usually tell people they shouldn't hurt me because I'm totally incapable of fighting back."
Isolde says "And the truth startles or makes them bored and they stop."
Yuno blinks. "I-it's only fun if they run' type deal? I guess it makes sense, it seems like a lot of supernaturals are a bit obsessed with being seen as some powerful object of destruction."
Isolde says "I mean, they get high from it and feel good. I do too, I guess."
Isolde says "Like- if you are afraid, then like.. Feels good, right?"
Yuno remains quiet at the question, just watching Isolde.
Isolde sniffles, stretching herself to the ends of the inner desk. "I'm not feeding."
Yuno says "It would certaintly explain why some folks are just so bad at hiding their er...powers? or whatever, their status?"
Isolde says "-I like being insensate. Most of them are bad because they are ruled by them."
Yuno says "Oh right, I wanted to ask, did you have the number of that detective?"
Isolde rubs her neck, "She gave me a card or something- I didn't look at it, why?"
Yuno leans back in the other chair, putting her hands behind her back and closing her eyes, putting her feet up on the table. "It might be good to hold on to it. We could even maybe offer our services if she needs extra eyes."
Lone little steps cover the ground through the entrance lightly, and it is almost suddenly that there is another person standing on the other side of the reception desk. "Hallo," the voice says, looking between Yuno and Isolde. "I am looking to have... some more delicate work done and helped with. It is needed, they are aiming and targeting the innocent. This is an investigation office, richtig? Then I am most certainly at the right place, I am thinking." It is a heavily German accented voice from a man with blonde hair blue eyes, muscular, now on the other side of the reception desk. He is holding a more professional office bag, neat coat, put together far too perfectly. Boss brand, for those that it may mean anything to. He does look between Yuno and Isolde, his eyes more judging and looking, trying to figure out if the two are the right people to begin with. There is no obvious symbol of a society on his clothing, but the door out does show knee-high mist... as it is common in Haven-city. For this brief moment though, the world seems to stand still, there is no noise outside, nothing, only the three voices, two feminine and this man's.
Isolde screams- covering her mouth and reflexively reaching towards something that isn't in her pocket. She comes down from a flight eye, roaming the man bitterly before her expression levels into something that's almost professional. She lets Yuno answer, squaring herself up with a rolling chair to the desk.
Yuno would immediately get up from her chair, fixing her front and offering a small apologetic bow. "A-ah, sorry, we weren't expecting anyone, please, take a seat. I'm Yuno Furude- This is my office, this is Kim, my assistant." she'd quickly walk over to join Isolde's side of the desk, getting a better view of the man, and trying to look more professional. A startled look covers her features as the scream is stiffled, looking at Isolde with just a few seconds of astonishment. "A-ah, sorry! You're actually our first client to ask our services since we've opened. let's hear more about what it is you're looking at." She'd say, her features getting a lot more serious as she finds another seat to sit down with. It's the 'smaller than usual seat,' uncomfortable, but she endures it. "Targeting the innocent sounds like something I'm interested in shutting down. Please." She'd bow again, while sitting.
Isolde clears her throat, then proffers, quietly, "May I take your name?"
Raising his bag, he places it down on the desk, turns it around, opens the keylock at the side and then opens it up turned to both Yuno and Isolde. "It is a very simple affair and matter, investigators..." The bag opens up, and a pile of papers lies underneath. On the bottom left of the front page is a small and little symbol, Yuno does not recognize it, but Isolde does. An Obsidian flame-wreathed globe, the symbol of the black flame. "You are going to find everything you need inside here. Victim reports, victim files... suspected place of operation out in the forest Haven. I cannot go there. My people cannot. We are known to the Eldritch as their enemies. I wish to hire the agency's service to investigate." He speaks evenly here, the German accent lingers between his words. The bow that Yuno made had him look at her, but he seems to think nothing of it. The man does also summarize on some of the information that is the most important, found at the top of the pile. "Black Flame has been luring people into the forest. Screams, psychic persuasion, eldritch imprints, feigned celebrations and hosted parties. You do not need to kill or stop it, what we need is more information; the exact location, their defenses, how to get there. We will handle the rest." His eyes draw from Yuno to Isolde. "I believe this is a task your agency can do."
leans forward, biting her at the symbol. "Black Flame are, like.. They want the world to end. It is a cult like Gonothorian, really." Isolde offers quietly to Yuno. She immediately stands up and paces over to the door. She leans out to look both ways, then flips the 'open' sign and closes it. "I'm going to do a ritual for the mental effects, Yuno-nim. I'll just be in the other room."
Isolde walks into the open northern room, shedding the denim off one shoulder and unwrapping a bandage around her forearm. "I'll just be right here. Don't look over if you don't like blood."
Yuno would eagerly, but softly go to sift through the first few papers, looking to find information on any subject she did know. Her eyes trail to Isolde with a somber expression, as if the exact thing they were both speaking of just materalised in front of them. "So typically this sort of work requires a bit of staging. A time to enact plans and contingencies in case of those plans failing." she'd continue to sift, keeping the papers readable by placing them on the table instead of hiding them from Isolde. as Kim moves on, she nods, looking at the documents with further detail. "My assistant is much better at things in relation to the super-natural. She's a fantastic ally and worker, as well." she'd say, though her eyes don't even look to the man. "A job like this requires ginger negotiations, since this is- at it's core, rather risky work, unlike something like finding if a man is having an affair with his wife, right?" She'd sift again. "We are interested, of course. This sort of work is why we are here. We're truthseekers."
Isolde does the 'mind ward' ritual centered on herself.
Isolde sketches out a long circle with four rings. A larger section in the middle is separated into four large quadrants in a cross- That of the first hour of the Lords prayer. She beings to label the four first in little latin characters, leaving the outer rings empty. She takes out her phone, uses Google to translate a few words, then from Top left to bottom right inscribes; Kim Isolde, Custodia, Immunitatem ad Imperium, and Cruor
And then the text truly becomes red as chalk marks are painted over with a makeup brush from a wound Isolde opens parallel to one yet unhealed with a Wednesday whimper.
Sifting through the pages Yuno can find that the Black Flame activity had been tracked, not just here, but generally across the world. The pages here are partly incomplete in the way that they tackle names, identities, people lost over the past four years, and a very significant increase in such activity within the past week. Some of the notes state to which country this or that disappeared person had in fact disappeared to, and whether or not they are savable, but their exact locations evade from the provided paperwork. The man does mention on it "We will handle their rescue, if they can be rescued." The most important are at the front, the exact location that needs to be tracked, along Fleet street. Just west outside of the Institute, that is where reports of distant screams, the voices of loved and cherished people, very missed dogs and long deceased familiar had been witnessed, either coming from or being seen in the forest. There is, of course, also more, mention of people in robes masked, a court held in the distance as one person was approaching close, but chose to turn away, somehow managing to free themselves from their compulsion. This, in turn, traces back to the king in yellow, and a particular group affiliated with the Black Flame that seeks to summon the King In Yellow.
The King in Yellow had been mentioned in Robert W. Chambers 1895 short story collection of the same name, tied to a supposedly fictional play that drives the readers mad with its forbidden second act. The King in Yellow is thought to embody chaos and despair, that happens and continues to worsen as interaction with the Eldritch entity progresses.
Isolde starts and begins the ritual, nothing will come to interrupt it, the front sign states closed, and there is only Yuno, Isolde and the man here.
Isolde says "Ehh... We are going to Sad Sartosa?"
Isolde doesn't know that.
Isolde isn't reading. Oops.
Yuno studies the pages with massive scrutiny, her almond eyes absorbing the information like two large void like saucers, scanning and reading and scanning. "Alright, So logistically, we're looking to find the exact location of this organization, somewhere northwest by what you're saying and what I'm reading, maybe due north. We're also looking at identifying the defenses and numbers of those in and around the location, and expectations of activity." She'd look up to Isolde now, and back to the German man. "We'll take the case- I'll get some paperwork for logistics and we'll seal them away and put them in my office. When are you expecting information? Rather, what's the quota on time for this case?"
""IIn... nom-nee, uh... Pat...Pat-ris? Et Fii...Fii-lee-ee? Et, uh... Spee-ree...toose... Sahnk...Sank-tee. Pro... prote... pro-tee-gay? Hoonk?" Isolde begins to read from google translate before altogether giving up. She sits next to the circle, though she could cross it- it's not activated yet, so the ritual lacks no strength regardless of the anathema of stepping into it. She taps her phone screen, and Google translate, the world's best arcanist, says, In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Protege hunc servum tuam, Kim Isolde, ab omni malo. Da ei custodiam, immunitatem a tenebris, et purga eius sanguinem in luce tua."
"I-In... nom-nee, uh... Pat...Pat-ris? Et Fii...Fii-lee-ee? Et, uh... Spee-ree...toose... Sahnk...Sank-tee. Pro... prote... pro-tee-gay? Hoonk?" Isolde begins to read from google translate before altogether giving up. She sits next to the circle, though she could cross it- it's not activated yet, so the ritual lacks no strength regardless of the anathema of stepping into it. She taps her phone screen, and Google translate, the world's best arcanist, says, In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Protege hunc servum tuam, Kim Isolde, ab omni malo. Da ei custodiam, immunitatem a tenebris, et purga eius sanguinem in luce tua.
Taking some steps away from the desk, the man leaves his office bag on it. "Today." Is the single word he initially answers, adjusting his coat. "Innocent are being hurt, and they are expected to try at luring more again today." His eyes draw and fall to Isolde "You will need to prepare yourself mentally. Do not eat their food. Do not accept their gifts. Do not wear masks offered. Do not provide your blood. You only have each other to keep yourself from falling." He turns away, turns towards the entrance and his now exit. "Bring weapons. They tend to leave their muscle without sanctuary. Just like they throw their pawns into rituals like they are worthless, they care nothing for their own muscle goons." Then, he does turn away, steps out into the mist that had now become all consuming, covering the man whole just two steps in.
's blood drops spread in large vague dashes onto what she's drawn. They begin to narrow of their own accord as Isolde sniffles, continuing to replay various prayers from Google translate.
Isolde' Prayer is answered. Prayer to any God, false, true- the world eats at the fear in words uttered for millennial to an absentee Saviour. Children died while deities watched- and when even they have forgotten, when texts and scriptures are burned and blank of such suffering and the last voice to scream is gone.. The arcane will still remember.
Yuno left there in silence, the detective woman studies the paperwork for just a moment later before going to speak to the man " Today is a hard fra-" she'd stop, looking around. "I see." She'd look to Isolde. "Kim, we'd best prepare after you're done there, we're going to have to travel north to the fringe of the woods. He didn't give me a means to contact him unless it's left in his...bag, but we'll figure that part out later." she'd go to stand. "my Kev plate is in storage, think we should get it?"
Isolde puts her finger to her mouth while Google finishes a scripture, then responds, "Yes! Bring things! But, like- does it say what they are wearing? You need to be more careful than me- I THINK this ritual protect me against Hypnosis too."
Yuno says "I'll be relying on you than, to keep me from becoming a weirdo."
Yuno says "Knock me out if you need to, alright?""
Isolde says "I will just make you really scared instead! If you are in fight or flight- like.. "
Isolde says "You will be less vulnerable with a GUARDEDMIND."
Yuno a nod. "Right, let's go get my vest. It's over at safe storage."
Isolde turns around.
Isolde nods. "Oh-kay, but like.. Don't do that all the way there. Be calm in my car."
Yuno smiles, "Alright partner, let's head out."
Isolde finishes her ritual, eventually. She takes a few things from her car; a pistol. She changes into white khakis, sneakers, and trades the dress for a cardigan.
Isolde does the requisite driving in as a calm a manner as she is want; hitting inconsiderate rounded 'speedbumps' city planning keeps calling 'curbs,' making sure the tires are working properly by jerking the wheel ever so often.
Yuno meanwhile, the detective makes checks on her occupied holster, and eventually, makes a detour with Kim in tow to safes storage to get her Kev plates, hiding the vest under her duster.
Isolde sniffles, "You should try not to be seen, because like- you don't have the ritual."
Isolde says "-The guy said I should still worry about masks, so like, I'm going to turn those away."
Isolde tries to hit a squirrel on the way, then curses when it dodges. "Sshi.. I could have used its blood to trick them or something."
Yuno nods while they hold on to the 'i'm scared' handle in the car due to Isolde's driving. "In a best case scenario, we won't get seen at all, if we do, we don't accept anything from them. If they become violent, priortise safety first."
Yuno almost screams as the car squeals off to the side. "KIM PLEASE don't KILL US!"
"STOP BEING SCARED I'LL GET HUUNNGRY!" Isolde menaces.
Yuno takes a deep breath, not being able to understand her emotions were manipulated by the woman next to her.
Yuno says "Stop here. We're near the end of town."
As they near, Isolde chats, "Okay.. Soo... It is sounding like- like he was mentioned that how we feel about this is going to effect us right?"
Isolde says "Now, like.. There are going to be some problems for you- but it's REALLY hard to imprint someone. They need to know a lot about how you're feeling. So, like.."
Isolde says "I'm going to make you feel a lot of strange things that have nothing to do with the situation."
Yuno nods to that. "Similiar, but that's why we have each other. You watch me, and I'll watch you. You're more equipped for this, but I'm not entirely worried about it. I've never believed in Hypnosis and I'm not going to start now."
"Just... don't make me feel horny or something weird." Yuno grumbles
Isolde scoffs, "It's SO real. But like- these things are predatory on your state of mind. People who are really good at manipulating, or just have you somewhere where they can spend enough time to get it right- are the dangerous ones."
Isolde says "Also, like... Other than the main influences, there is like.. "
Of course, it takes an hour for Isolde to finish the ritual, but when it is time to head out, it is time to head out. The mist had lowered again a little bit, though its touches still reaches and covers up to the middle in the forest itself. Eventually, both Isolde and Yuno make their way through Fleet street... and somehow... it all already starts to hit when they are there. First, they both see people walk around looking confused, and more and more confused as they move along it towards the north. Then... then it hits them, too. Not consuming, not taking... but...
Isolde notices a woman. Her hair is a beautiful shade of blonde, skin as pale as near winter. She wears a gown of golden thread and a delicate golden mask that covers the upper half of her face. Her lips are painted with very visible red lipstick - and she smiles from the side of the street to Isolde. Her gaze is absolutely set and settled on her, eyes do meet, briefly, but certainly. When Isolde looks back through the back-mirror, turns... She is gone. She knows. She knows. She knows... SHE KNOWS YOU Isolde.
Yuno finds the street go silent. The noise outside is gone, there are no other cars, the sound of their car's engine is silent... and in the distance she hears the gentle music of a ball. Classic music, and the smell of the most delicious food fills and reaches and touches upon Yuno's nostrils. It is- not food that is supposed to be here, traditional Japanese food, and now that she might listen twice, is that- a shamisen? No, that cannot be. But she feels hungry, she feels invited. There is a sudden pang in her belly, she is so so hungry... Let it all go... Let it all go and rest... let it go and become one with us... one with... us...
Isolde takes her hands off the wheel to count for a moment, "One, like, pressured. Two.. Horny. Yes. Three.."
Isolde yanks the wheel back.
Isolde sharply inhales. Jesus lights up in a cold steely blue on her forehead.
Isolde sighs, suddenly silent.
Jesus stops his blue light-bulbing, the suspending of the fight or flight, and Isolde 's heart begins to beat again. She jerks the wheel threateningly at the road.
"I.. Um. It is doing things." Isolde mumbles, taking her eyes off the road to look at Yuno.
continues to listen to Kim speak, her voice trailing from her own ears as the world becomes silent around her- the music certaintly having her intrigued, her tummy rumbling from the wonderful promise of eating. Why was she here? wasn't it to go to a party? It was right? of course! She'd smile and look down, her internal thoughts now on her mind. 'I'm not dressed for this, does that matter?' Suddenly, a Wretched Jerk of the wheel snaps her completely back into reality, a gasp from her as her head bonks the side window. "AGH, KIM!" she'd rub her head, thinking. Wait, we're here on something else, right? Right! Right! Shit! Yuno would concentrate on keeping her edge now, not allowing the original promise of rest and yum and otherwise put her out. "I know, Kim..." She'd respond to the last thing spoken, softly. "Remain diligent, thank you for taking me out of it."
Isolde definitely intended to help Yuno, and wasn't just conveniently a terrifying driver, yes.
For the brief moment, the visions do not hold on, but the weight of it happening again does weight on both Yuno and Isolde. How they wish to proceed from here is up to them, but for a precious minute... they have time. To park. to drive off... to talk... to decide... before... before they...
When Isolde slams on the breaks to the spot she's decided to park, the ground is kind enough to provide the friction not to send themselves straight into a tree. She takes her foot off both pedals without placing park, and the stupid-proof modern car simply beeps an argument- refusing to drive itself into the wall.
Isolde says "So. I level with you, right? I know nothing about the 'eldritch.' My education is pretty bad because my teacher was an illusionist whose lessons are told in misinformation- but the point of the eldritch is REALLY not knowing too much about them."
Isolde says "Just like anger and lust, knowledge is its own fuel to power. You can't feed on knowledge really, but you can go crazy from it."
Isolde says "So. To the point, we are not thinking about these things too much, okay? We are going in, getting information that is like.. Concrete, I think."
Isolde says "Nothing philosophical. "
"Where it is," Isolde lists, "What defending it, how we got there."
continues to rub her head, there's a small groan as a cartoonish lump forms on it from banging against the window. "Okay. We're up against something rather dangerous here. we - " A sudden brake sends Yuno into the dash board. "AUGHHhhhh. Eight...airbags." she'd groan, she's TOTALLY going to have a bruise- she doesn't yell at Isolde, however, hoping it's all a technique to keep her diligent, and not just terrible driving. "That's why we're here, but we got to be careful. Mind hardened, not thinking too much about it. We count the movements, we find the path to their Operations base, we hope we don't get got in the process. Have you heard of a game called Picayune Dreams? It's about an eldritch being that basically can control people from a growing influence further away. It's just a game, but the best thing to do to beat it in that game? Is just stick to what you do know, and that is, yourself and who you're with, and what you're doing. Correct. Keep an eye on me, I keep an eye on you. Let's go."
Isolde exits with the keyfob and the car turns off in drive. That's not good for something, and it honks in protest until she fiddles with the shift and locks it in properly.
Isolde says "Okaaay.. I will like.. When I am smelling a lot of people, I will tell you. You can look for, like, anything, right?"
Isolde says "I don't know if you want to be seen. For me, well, ehh.."
Isolde flops her arms helplessly.
Yuno goes to step out of the car, still holding on to her head. Her other hand, once it opens to the outside mist, goes to her retention holster. she doesn't draw, but it remains in place. She nods back at Isolde. "I'll keep my eyes out. And I can hide rather well, so you should stay only in sight of me, alright?"
Isolde nod-bows from the neck. I can also just like.. Follow behind your trail with my nose.
Isolde nod-bows from the neck. "I can also just like.. Follow behind your trail with my nose."
Yuno a nod bow is returned, securing the plan in place. Her foot goes out to face the mist...
Isolde says "Text me if something happens and I'll emotion you something, I dunno."
Isolde says "WORST case."
Yuno flips her phone to silent.
Covering for each other, it surely goes out of the car, and for the brief moment, clarity reigns over Isolde and Yuno both. There is people around the two, sparse, a handful to a dozen, some... aren't really there. They disappear, re-appear but they all smell to Isolde's acute sense of smell. They all exist... and then they don't. But no, they exist... no they don't. Yes, they do! The air shivers... and there is familiar faces...
Isn't that Novel over there? Is that not another Disruptor- They are going in the forest. Smiling, laughing, cheering. They look behind, look to Isolde and wave her over, come along with us. Come along... and eat with us. Eat... with... us... Eat with us... or you will be left behind. Again. Like always. Again... and again... become... one... with... us... AND FEAST.
The gentle smile of distant friends greets Yuno, from between two trees into the forest. The smell of the most delicious food fills the air, and a procession leads the way in at the distance. Just like at the Fukagawa Matsuri... Shrines are carried along as a group of men carries them on large, logs of wood. Ohh, what a wonderful and most delicious festival this is, and above, the shrine... carries a symbol of a golden mask. It... belongs to you Yuno. This is yours. You must have it. You WANT TO HAVE IT... You... want... to... wear... it... and become whole.
The forest calls... The mist desires... And HE is waiting...
"Jesus loves you." A girl from Isolde 's mouth. The food, fresh?
keeps over, saved by Bulimia and a life of poverty. "Oh fauck-" Isolde curses as she bites a tree with her elbow and wretches salmon into the grass.
Isolde makes Yuno feel digust [Telempathy].
Stepping out of the car, confident in their abilities to stay prudent and in right state of mind. Yuno would make cautious steps north, pulling her compass to keep her bearing, and putting it back in her purse after the reading. She would slow down as the menacing, welcoming others began to intrude her mind. 'The shrines- Just like Nara? But that's not right. I was home. How...' her eyes are gently glazed over, caught in the web of confusion , looking at the mask. Suddenly, her stomach churns, feeling a sickness wretch over her, she covers her mouth. Shit- Wait, what?! The sudden wretch in her throat burns, causing her pain as she moves forward- the sickness helping to guide her mind back to clarity enough to strengthen it. North, North west.
But Cryomancy does not answer Isolde. The suspension of panic, anger, and lust isn't needed. Yesu dangles from her hair ornament, loving nothing but the cross.
Isolde stumbles after Yuno's scent, smelling more salmon. Oh.
Yuno goes to bite at her arm passively as she moves forward.
ignore Isolde' ritual prompting. The player just WANTS to lose life force because it's immersive.
Just smelling the air, it is filled with rich notes of food, and again, both Isolde and Yuno manage to shake themselves out, now through disgust and, for one of them, by throwing up. The way forward is a short one, maybe a kilometer further into the forest. There, they both see a table, filled with rich rich food. Freshly baked and cooked. There is also some masks. The food looks delicious. Mouth wateringly tasty...
The small reaches Isolde's nostrils, tries to temper... Had there even been food that looked more delicious? Had there even been a point where hunger felt so so... heavy? Her stomach is lighter from the fish... shouldn't you eat more? But the edge of Isolde's mind is now on guard, practiced in, practiced... familiar... more familiar... with HE. Come and dine with me, come and dine, for HE in gold is here. For HE in gold will approve of you and reward you well and dear... Isolde. come and join us. You will be cherished. You will never need to suffer again.
A gentle and far too loving hand suddenly touches on Yuno's cheek, and the sweet smile of a pretty woman taller than her looks down to her. "Why are you hurting yourself, deary? If you are hungry... you can just come to eat." She steps aside and gestures to the food that lies spread all over the table. "The world is going to end soon, and only He can save us. And He will be here will be here with us very soon. Come and feast, and cherish his dearest gift, for you will never need hunger or suffer again."
Again, at the edge of Isolde's mind... there is something. At the edge of her eye, she sees a gold masked and robed individual besides Yuno. A golden mask in one hand... a golden mask to be placed over her companions face. Soon. Soon. Soon.
Isolde stares out at a figure, inhabiter in her own body, blind spectator to her own life. Binge watching 'Kim moments' back to back, sleeping through the painful parts, retaining nothing. She licks her lips at the Man across, smelling in a profound sense not adapted to the English language.
Isolde cackles, doubling over, reaching into her denim pocket, "LOVE NIGHTMARE!" She screams as she pulls out a glock and starts shooting masks.
"You.. WANT to love ME? Eheh.." Isolde said before she brought nightmare, but it lacked an at'me.
Isolde makes Yuno feel bloodlust. [telempathy]
As the two travel into the forest, deeper, Yuno taps her phone lightly, activating the GPS on it silently before stuffing it in her pocket. It'll remember where she was last, damn google-tracking technology- and it's somewhat encrypted, being primarily in Japanese, so it would be a pain to read unless you knew the language. Her arm is quite red from constant biting, the pain her hope to try to stay focused. "we've got to be close.." she'd mention, continuing to move forward into the opening of the table. Her eyes are still glazed- but Yuno believes she's still in control, she thinks she's still lucid. she goes to reach for food, smiling to the welcoming guest, a ricebowl? No, Gyudon, of course! That's the good stuff!" Well. Er... I think I have something I'm doing, but I must be...really hungry." she'd go to sit down. SUDDENLY, Isolde's blasting and emotional blanket would grappple with the Japanese woman, like ice water being poured down her back as she gasps dangerously and drops to the floor at the gunshots. She'd go to pull her revolver from her retention holster. "Shit, Shit, Kim, KIM!" she'd say- looks like stealth plan is over. Loud and proud?
Isolde says "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!' "
Some masks shatter and break, perhaps fortunately here, it had spared Yuno for but a few moments, because the figure that was about to place the mask on Yuno's face, grasps the mask again and quickly attempts to place it on Yuno's face. This figure... is not red. Another mask is short by Isolde, and there is this sudden rage... A Howl, a fury, endless disappointment and the promise of vengeance...
Isolde sees small and little beasts skitter across the floor, like dogs about to pound and hound Isolde. Looking around, she finds herself standing in a black city levied under a bright, golden sun, and further with, a black palace rises up far into the sky. Everyone is WATCHING... WATCHING Isolde. She was alone. All alone. There was no someone. There was no one, no one and no one... ABANDONED, SHUNNED, HATED, LOATHED... There is no escape. There will be no escape. There is no safety. Four of the dogs begin to jump at Isolde from all intercardinal directions.
Yuno sees the figure trying to place the mask on her if she does nothing about it against it, and a glance to Yuno reveals no more than one whom, in this moment, might look utterly crazed and insane. Someone who wasn't truly here, and if Isolde keeps firing her gun, Yuno can tell that there is the risk that she might end up hurt by it, as Sanctuary does not protect from accidentals.
Some masks shatter and break, perhaps fortunately here, it had spared Yuno for but a few moments, because the figure that was about to place the mask on Yuno's face, grasps the mask again and quickly attempts to place it on Yuno's face. This figure... is not red. Another mask is short by Isolde, and there is this sudden rage... A Howl, a fury, endless disappointment and the promise of vengeance...
Isolde sees small and little beasts skitter across the floor, like dogs about to pound and hound Isolde. Looking around, she finds herself standing in a black city levied under a bright, golden sun, and further with, a black palace rises up far into the sky. Everyone is WATCHING... WATCHING Isolde. She was alone. All alone. There was no Yuno. There was no one, no one and no one... ABANDONED, SHUNNED, HATED, LOATHED... There is no escape. There will be no escape. There is no safety. Four of the black, bestial dogs begin to jump at Isolde from all intercardinal directions.
Yuno sees the figure trying to place the mask on her if she does nothing about it against it, and a glance to Yuno reveals no more than one whom, in this moment, might look utterly crazed and insane. Someone who wasn't truly here, and if Isolde keeps firing her gun, Yuno can tell that there is the risk that she might end up hurt by it, as Sanctuary does not protect from accidentals.
A glance to Isolde reveals*
The shooting would knock a sense of clarity into Yuno, springing into action. Her Mixed MMA would allow her to go for grapples, or at the very least, resist physical contact on herself, one arm springs up to the hands trying to place the cultist artifacts on her, a swiping hip toss hopefully to knock the being on the ground, another shoulder check into the next closest cultist, or illusion of one. She'd rush over to Isolde, hoping to stop her from shooting her in the face. She'd keep low. "Kim! Kim Chill out!"
"E-Even though I w-walk..." Isolde begins, swallowing, "through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." In Wiccan mancy, a crucifix takes fear and anger from Isolde. But what does it leave her with? She fires at the dogs, at the faces, until she jerks it on the woman rushing her-
*CLICK* Isolde 's gun says to Yuno's temple. *CLICK*, it says again, and again, and again. With a desperate breath, She attempts to Ssireum throw Yuno with her into her own shadow.
Isolde would be using the 'shadowwalk' command, sending them into William Thorne's apartment.
Yuno almost certaintly doesn't expect Isolde to pull the gun on her, or for Isolde to grapple her.
Pain pierces temporarily through Isolde as the dogs seem to just somehow be narrowly missed and their teeth bite into Isolde's skin- The gun is turned at Yuno and for better or worse, it's there that the illusion breaks apart and she sees Yuno. grapples her...
Yuno was wise to move as quick as she did, these cultists were not expecting prepared, combat practiced people to cause trouble. It's not done so for long enough that it catches them off-guard and she can see about a dozen figures draw their own arms in the shadow of the trees of the surrounding forest. There is another three or four cultists that had taken cover, now behind the table, and one lies dead on the ground, accidentally shot in the head by the stray bullets that Isolde fired while being... not there.
The shadows grasp at Isolde and the held Yuno. they scramble over the ground, and pull them in, drag them inside, in, in, in... And carry them to safety. Now, in the middle of an apartment.
Isolde screams in a modest apartment. To the west in a L sofa overlooking a TV. To the northeast, a kitchen sits between two doors that go south and north. Behind her is the apartment's exit. She continues pulling at the trigger of the empty fun, weakly clamped and wailing into a tangle of person below her. She claws at her own face for a mask, for the performance.
two doors that go east and north* Isolde means.
The sudden jerking and push into the shadows wretches Yuno. her body having never experienced Arcana in that manner or...ever, in any manner, instantly taking a toll on her as she holds a hand to her mouth and wretches several times. She looks around in a panic, about to upturn her last meal. By some strong sense of will or dumb luck, she swallows down the bile, still being held onto by Isolde. Her breathing is....extremely rigid. She says nothing to the woman, but reaches up with one of her hands, now, to disrupt her clawing of her own face. "Kim. Kim..."
Isolde stares down at Yuno, sobbing a fine spread of tears that her scrunched face of prayers can't enjoy. She collapses with a final *\_()_/CLICK\_()_/* from the glock.
Yuno shakes a little at the click. Her breath stops as her wide eyes continue to stare at Isolde.
But fortunately, Isolde finds no mask, finds nothing on her face other than the feeling that something... was lost... the performance... will never end. Never end. Never end. HE HAS SEEN Isolde. The room is mostly of wood, has three sofars, a little table, an isle, and a kitchen in one corner... But here, here it is safe. And Yuno feels just fine. Somehow... somehow she had made it. Unmasked. Untouched by HIS will. UNBOTHERED, unbroken... and yet... despite it all, after swallowing the bile, she feels hungry. Just... hungry. Not for the food that was at the table. Not for anything specific. Not for her favorite... just a hunger for food. Isolde does not share it, she had kept her mind safe and warded...
Though Isolde collapses... they are safe here. Safe... here... the performance shall never end. HE HAS SEEN YOU... the performance is far away... far away... it is safe here. Is it?
Isolde pulls the denim jacket over her head and shivers, hiding her face from light, holding her breath in-between cries.
Yuno attempts to wrap her arms around Isolde now, easily noticing how vulnerable and weak the two of them were, how Isolde had done everything to keep them both safe. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have accepted this one... please forgive me. Please forgive me." she'd state over and over, hoping to calm the other woman. After moments of this, she would, however, pull her phone out and check her GPS for the location it had tracked in a sharp turn before they were shadow swept.
Isolde fumbles out her phone, rapidly tapping under her 'cloak.' ccaal him. call guy. tell him memory forget. syringe needle memory forget tell him the job is done tell him before he sees tell him. She texts to Yuno.
Isolde and Yuno are located currently in apartment 103.
Isolde and Yuno are located currently in apartment 106*.
Yuno reads the text, getting her phone in her hand and calling the aformentioned client. "We've hopefully got a hit on the location. Other details can be given when you arrive. I think we'll need some recovery. Some way to ensure we're both safe in terms of memorys. Talk to you soon." She'd hold and listen for any responses, and then hang up soon after they would stop speaking.
Indeed, the GPS did track for Yuno, all the way from where they had gone off from Fleet into the forest, to the very point where the table was located. The data, along with what she had seen should be enough to fulfill the context of what was asked for at the agency and the man does pick up on the call. His words are quiet, and only for Yuno on the phone when it is mentioning on protection from memories. He tells her that not remembering, does not protect from his influence, if someone is known to him now by deed or action and that only a strong mind and time spent recovering can do it, and that the arcane has some methods. He also asks Yuno on when the data can be delivered, and how soon and that he will do the favor of bringing the requested syringes for memory suppression. Payment will follow once the situation has been handled by a combat team, with mention that international transfers can take a couple of days and that they will line it directly to the necessary accounts.
i told you i told you you know you dont want to know if you know its bad youre not supposed to know and if you know you come closer to understanding stop knowing. stop me knowing stop seeing i cant stop caring its bad youre supposed- Isolde types, insistent. Cyclical.
Of course, Yuno would quickly and subtly answering the man's questions. She ushers Isolde to a more suitable location. Tha's to say, she'd try to usher the poor woman to their own Apartment, which is practically directly above this one, at 203. "you can meet us at these coordinates, and quickly, please." She'd add, giving the coordinates of her house, caring for the clearly NOT okay Kim.
It takes, around twenty minutes for the man to arrive again, knock on the door, thrice, of course, and for him to deliver the syringes as well, though what Isolde and Yuno do with them, it is up for them. They are set to not remember, forget the events surrounding this excursion, but he also makes the offer to provide amnesia, if it is something wished for. He does not offer to syringe either of them, and whether they do, is entirely up to them. He takes the data, if Yuno permits it, and tells that the payment will arrive in a couple of days.
Later, there is some small news article on the newspaper about some hunt that went on for an overpopulation of wolves in the forest with all the typical recommendation and suggestions to keep out of it because it is very dangerous. Whether they know or not... they had succeeded... and though Isolde may not remember... wants not remember... chooses to not know... -HE- knows of her...
Isolde yanks herself like an annoying dog on a leash towards placest most dark underneath her feat. Gasping in instances when light appears.
Their ordeal culminates in a dramatic escape facilitated by Isolde's shadow magic, transporting them to the safety of an apartment amidst their mental turmoil and confusion. Despite their escape, the deep psychological impact of their encounter is palpable. The man who assigned them the investigation arrives, offering not just payment but also syringes meant to erase the traumatic memories of their mission. Isolde's frantic messages to Yuno, begging to forget what they have learned, underscore the scarring effects of their brush with the eldritch. In their final moments of interaction, their decision on whether to use the syringes remains a testament to their ordeal’s lasting impact. The narrative concludes on an ambiguous note, leaving readers to ponder the depth of influence that encounters of such a profound nature could imprint on individuals.
(Isolde's odd encounter(SRRitsuka):SRRitsuka)
[Thu Dec 5 2024]
In the main reception lobby of Open Eye Investigations
On opening the solid wood door to the lobby, a strong smell of cinnamon fills the air. The walls are identifiably paneled in a rich oak wood, giving the interior a well insulated look. The carpet is a sleek deep red in a short fur manner. in the center of room is a rich mahogany desk with a circular metal fan trying to fight the insulated air. A nintendium plastic computer sits on the desk, eagerly humming to generate a strong atmosphere of white noise. Along the wall nearest to the door, a brown leather couch resides in wait of its next client. oddly enough, a singular painting of a white rabbit wearing a trenchcoat hangs behind the desk, in clear view. A long white quartz clock ticks away, hungrily devouring time in a loud tick.
It is morning, about 17F(-8C) degrees, and there are a few dark grey stormclouds in the sky.
(Your target and their allies come across a seemingly innocuous gathering in Haven, only to find out that it's a recruitment event for The Black Flame. The cult is looking for fresh blood to join their cause and is using persuasive tactics to lure in unsuspecting townsfolk. The characters must tread carefully, as any outright confrontation could blow their cover, and The Black Flame is notorious for its powerful members. They need to subtly disrupt the event, possibly by sowing seeds of doubt among the potential recruits. This encounter may also provide an opportunity to gather more information about the cult and its activities, which could prove crucial in the larger conflict.)
Yuno says "Anyway, you have means to protect yourself, right?" "
Yuno continues to chat at the reception desk, looking concerned at Isolde
Isolde sits in a desk, yet untitled with her name. Pink lines her face like cold, but it's entirely ephemeral- makeup to display such an effect, perhaps.
"I guess?" Isolde shrugs down to herself, thin in those means, "I usually tell people they shouldn't hurt me because I'm totally incapable of fighting back."
Isolde says "And the truth startles or makes them bored and they stop."
Yuno blinks. "I-it's only fun if they run' type deal? I guess it makes sense, it seems like a lot of supernaturals are a bit obsessed with being seen as some powerful object of destruction."
Isolde says "I mean, they get high from it and feel good. I do too, I guess."
Isolde says "Like- if you are afraid, then like.. Feels good, right?"
Yuno remains quiet at the question, just watching Isolde.
Isolde sniffles, stretching herself to the ends of the inner desk. "I'm not feeding."
Yuno says "It would certaintly explain why some folks are just so bad at hiding their er...powers? or whatever, their status?"
Isolde says "-I like being insensate. Most of them are bad because they are ruled by them."
Yuno says "Oh right, I wanted to ask, did you have the number of that detective?"
Isolde rubs her neck, "She gave me a card or something- I didn't look at it, why?"
Yuno leans back in the other chair, putting her hands behind her back and closing her eyes, putting her feet up on the table. "It might be good to hold on to it. We could even maybe offer our services if she needs extra eyes."
Lone little steps cover the ground through the entrance lightly, and it is almost suddenly that there is another person standing on the other side of the reception desk. "Hallo," the voice says, looking between Yuno and Isolde. "I am looking to have... some more delicate work done and helped with. It is needed, they are aiming and targeting the innocent. This is an investigation office, richtig? Then I am most certainly at the right place, I am thinking." It is a heavily German accented voice from a man with blonde hair blue eyes, muscular, now on the other side of the reception desk. He is holding a more professional office bag, neat coat, put together far too perfectly. Boss brand, for those that it may mean anything to. He does look between Yuno and Isolde, his eyes more judging and looking, trying to figure out if the two are the right people to begin with. There is no obvious symbol of a society on his clothing, but the door out does show knee-high mist... as it is common in Haven-city. For this brief moment though, the world seems to stand still, there is no noise outside, nothing, only the three voices, two feminine and this man's.
Isolde screams- covering her mouth and reflexively reaching towards something that isn't in her pocket. She comes down from a flight eye, roaming the man bitterly before her expression levels into something that's almost professional. She lets Yuno answer, squaring herself up with a rolling chair to the desk.
Yuno would immediately get up from her chair, fixing her front and offering a small apologetic bow. "A-ah, sorry, we weren't expecting anyone, please, take a seat. I'm Yuno Furude- This is my office, this is Kim, my assistant." she'd quickly walk over to join Isolde's side of the desk, getting a better view of the man, and trying to look more professional. A startled look covers her features as the scream is stiffled, looking at Isolde with just a few seconds of astonishment. "A-ah, sorry! You're actually our first client to ask our services since we've opened. let's hear more about what it is you're looking at." She'd say, her features getting a lot more serious as she finds another seat to sit down with. It's the 'smaller than usual seat,' uncomfortable, but she endures it. "Targeting the innocent sounds like something I'm interested in shutting down. Please." She'd bow again, while sitting.
Isolde clears her throat, then proffers, quietly, "May I take your name?"
Raising his bag, he places it down on the desk, turns it around, opens the keylock at the side and then opens it up turned to both Yuno and Isolde. "It is a very simple affair and matter, investigators..." The bag opens up, and a pile of papers lies underneath. On the bottom left of the front page is a small and little symbol, Yuno does not recognize it, but Isolde does. An Obsidian flame-wreathed globe, the symbol of the black flame. "You are going to find everything you need inside here. Victim reports, victim files... suspected place of operation out in the forest Haven. I cannot go there. My people cannot. We are known to the Eldritch as their enemies. I wish to hire the agency's service to investigate." He speaks evenly here, the German accent lingers between his words. The bow that Yuno made had him look at her, but he seems to think nothing of it. The man does also summarize on some of the information that is the most important, found at the top of the pile. "Black Flame has been luring people into the forest. Screams, psychic persuasion, eldritch imprints, feigned celebrations and hosted parties. You do not need to kill or stop it, what we need is more information; the exact location, their defenses, how to get there. We will handle the rest." His eyes draw from Yuno to Isolde. "I believe this is a task your agency can do."
leans forward, biting her at the symbol. "Black Flame are, like.. They want the world to end. It is a cult like Gonothorian, really." Isolde offers quietly to Yuno. She immediately stands up and paces over to the door. She leans out to look both ways, then flips the 'open' sign and closes it. "I'm going to do a ritual for the mental effects, Yuno-nim. I'll just be in the other room."
Isolde walks into the open northern room, shedding the denim off one shoulder and unwrapping a bandage around her forearm. "I'll just be right here. Don't look over if you don't like blood."
Yuno would eagerly, but softly go to sift through the first few papers, looking to find information on any subject she did know. Her eyes trail to Isolde with a somber expression, as if the exact thing they were both speaking of just materalised in front of them. "So typically this sort of work requires a bit of staging. A time to enact plans and contingencies in case of those plans failing." she'd continue to sift, keeping the papers readable by placing them on the table instead of hiding them from Isolde. as Kim moves on, she nods, looking at the documents with further detail. "My assistant is much better at things in relation to the super-natural. She's a fantastic ally and worker, as well." she'd say, though her eyes don't even look to the man. "A job like this requires ginger negotiations, since this is- at it's core, rather risky work, unlike something like finding if a man is having an affair with his wife, right?" She'd sift again. "We are interested, of course. This sort of work is why we are here. We're truthseekers."
Isolde does the 'mind ward' ritual centered on herself.
Isolde sketches out a long circle with four rings. A larger section in the middle is separated into four large quadrants in a cross- That of the first hour of the Lords prayer. She beings to label the four first in little latin characters, leaving the outer rings empty. She takes out her phone, uses Google to translate a few words, then from Top left to bottom right inscribes; Kim Isolde, Custodia, Immunitatem ad Imperium, and Cruor
And then the text truly becomes red as chalk marks are painted over with a makeup brush from a wound Isolde opens parallel to one yet unhealed with a Wednesday whimper.
Sifting through the pages Yuno can find that the Black Flame activity had been tracked, not just here, but generally across the world. The pages here are partly incomplete in the way that they tackle names, identities, people lost over the past four years, and a very significant increase in such activity within the past week. Some of the notes state to which country this or that disappeared person had in fact disappeared to, and whether or not they are savable, but their exact locations evade from the provided paperwork. The man does mention on it "We will handle their rescue, if they can be rescued." The most important are at the front, the exact location that needs to be tracked, along Fleet street. Just west outside of the Institute, that is where reports of distant screams, the voices of loved and cherished people, very missed dogs and long deceased familiar had been witnessed, either coming from or being seen in the forest. There is, of course, also more, mention of people in robes masked, a court held in the distance as one person was approaching close, but chose to turn away, somehow managing to free themselves from their compulsion. This, in turn, traces back to the king in yellow, and a particular group affiliated with the Black Flame that seeks to summon the King In Yellow.
The King in Yellow had been mentioned in Robert W. Chambers 1895 short story collection of the same name, tied to a supposedly fictional play that drives the readers mad with its forbidden second act. The King in Yellow is thought to embody chaos and despair, that happens and continues to worsen as interaction with the Eldritch entity progresses.
Isolde starts and begins the ritual, nothing will come to interrupt it, the front sign states closed, and there is only Yuno, Isolde and the man here.
Isolde says "Ehh... We are going to Sad Sartosa?"
Isolde doesn't know that.
Isolde isn't reading. Oops.
Yuno studies the pages with massive scrutiny, her almond eyes absorbing the information like two large void like saucers, scanning and reading and scanning. "Alright, So logistically, we're looking to find the exact location of this organization, somewhere northwest by what you're saying and what I'm reading, maybe due north. We're also looking at identifying the defenses and numbers of those in and around the location, and expectations of activity." She'd look up to Isolde now, and back to the German man. "We'll take the case- I'll get some paperwork for logistics and we'll seal them away and put them in my office. When are you expecting information? Rather, what's the quota on time for this case?"
""IIn... nom-nee, uh... Pat...Pat-ris? Et Fii...Fii-lee-ee? Et, uh... Spee-ree...toose... Sahnk...Sank-tee. Pro... prote... pro-tee-gay? Hoonk?" Isolde begins to read from google translate before altogether giving up. She sits next to the circle, though she could cross it- it's not activated yet, so the ritual lacks no strength regardless of the anathema of stepping into it. She taps her phone screen, and Google translate, the world's best arcanist, says, In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Protege hunc servum tuam, Kim Isolde, ab omni malo. Da ei custodiam, immunitatem a tenebris, et purga eius sanguinem in luce tua."
"I-In... nom-nee, uh... Pat...Pat-ris? Et Fii...Fii-lee-ee? Et, uh... Spee-ree...toose... Sahnk...Sank-tee. Pro... prote... pro-tee-gay? Hoonk?" Isolde begins to read from google translate before altogether giving up. She sits next to the circle, though she could cross it- it's not activated yet, so the ritual lacks no strength regardless of the anathema of stepping into it. She taps her phone screen, and Google translate, the world's best arcanist, says, In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Protege hunc servum tuam, Kim Isolde, ab omni malo. Da ei custodiam, immunitatem a tenebris, et purga eius sanguinem in luce tua.
Taking some steps away from the desk, the man leaves his office bag on it. "Today." Is the single word he initially answers, adjusting his coat. "Innocent are being hurt, and they are expected to try at luring more again today." His eyes draw and fall to Isolde "You will need to prepare yourself mentally. Do not eat their food. Do not accept their gifts. Do not wear masks offered. Do not provide your blood. You only have each other to keep yourself from falling." He turns away, turns towards the entrance and his now exit. "Bring weapons. They tend to leave their muscle without sanctuary. Just like they throw their pawns into rituals like they are worthless, they care nothing for their own muscle goons." Then, he does turn away, steps out into the mist that had now become all consuming, covering the man whole just two steps in.
's blood drops spread in large vague dashes onto what she's drawn. They begin to narrow of their own accord as Isolde sniffles, continuing to replay various prayers from Google translate.
Isolde' Prayer is answered. Prayer to any God, false, true- the world eats at the fear in words uttered for millennial to an absentee Saviour. Children died while deities watched- and when even they have forgotten, when texts and scriptures are burned and blank of such suffering and the last voice to scream is gone.. The arcane will still remember.
Yuno left there in silence, the detective woman studies the paperwork for just a moment later before going to speak to the man " Today is a hard fra-" she'd stop, looking around. "I see." She'd look to Isolde. "Kim, we'd best prepare after you're done there, we're going to have to travel north to the fringe of the woods. He didn't give me a means to contact him unless it's left in his...bag, but we'll figure that part out later." she'd go to stand. "my Kev plate is in storage, think we should get it?"
Isolde puts her finger to her mouth while Google finishes a scripture, then responds, "Yes! Bring things! But, like- does it say what they are wearing? You need to be more careful than me- I THINK this ritual protect me against Hypnosis too."
Yuno says "I'll be relying on you than, to keep me from becoming a weirdo."
Yuno says "Knock me out if you need to, alright?""
Isolde says "I will just make you really scared instead! If you are in fight or flight- like.. "
Isolde says "You will be less vulnerable with a GUARDEDMIND."
Yuno a nod. "Right, let's go get my vest. It's over at safe storage."
Isolde turns around.
Isolde nods. "Oh-kay, but like.. Don't do that all the way there. Be calm in my car."
Yuno smiles, "Alright partner, let's head out."
Isolde finishes her ritual, eventually. She takes a few things from her car; a pistol. She changes into white khakis, sneakers, and trades the dress for a cardigan.
Isolde does the requisite driving in as a calm a manner as she is want; hitting inconsiderate rounded 'speedbumps' city planning keeps calling 'curbs,' making sure the tires are working properly by jerking the wheel ever so often.
Yuno meanwhile, the detective makes checks on her occupied holster, and eventually, makes a detour with Kim in tow to safes storage to get her Kev plates, hiding the vest under her duster.
Isolde sniffles, "You should try not to be seen, because like- you don't have the ritual."
Isolde says "-The guy said I should still worry about masks, so like, I'm going to turn those away."
Isolde tries to hit a squirrel on the way, then curses when it dodges. "Sshi.. I could have used its blood to trick them or something."
Yuno nods while they hold on to the 'i'm scared' handle in the car due to Isolde's driving. "In a best case scenario, we won't get seen at all, if we do, we don't accept anything from them. If they become violent, priortise safety first."
Yuno almost screams as the car squeals off to the side. "KIM PLEASE don't KILL US!"
"STOP BEING SCARED I'LL GET HUUNNGRY!" Isolde menaces.
Yuno takes a deep breath, not being able to understand her emotions were manipulated by the woman next to her.
Yuno says "Stop here. We're near the end of town."
As they near, Isolde chats, "Okay.. Soo... It is sounding like- like he was mentioned that how we feel about this is going to effect us right?"
Isolde says "Now, like.. There are going to be some problems for you- but it's REALLY hard to imprint someone. They need to know a lot about how you're feeling. So, like.."
Isolde says "I'm going to make you feel a lot of strange things that have nothing to do with the situation."
Yuno nods to that. "Similiar, but that's why we have each other. You watch me, and I'll watch you. You're more equipped for this, but I'm not entirely worried about it. I've never believed in Hypnosis and I'm not going to start now."
"Just... don't make me feel horny or something weird." Yuno grumbles
Isolde scoffs, "It's SO real. But like- these things are predatory on your state of mind. People who are really good at manipulating, or just have you somewhere where they can spend enough time to get it right- are the dangerous ones."
Isolde says "Also, like... Other than the main influences, there is like.. "
Of course, it takes an hour for Isolde to finish the ritual, but when it is time to head out, it is time to head out. The mist had lowered again a little bit, though its touches still reaches and covers up to the middle in the forest itself. Eventually, both Isolde and Yuno make their way through Fleet street... and somehow... it all already starts to hit when they are there. First, they both see people walk around looking confused, and more and more confused as they move along it towards the north. Then... then it hits them, too. Not consuming, not taking... but...
Isolde notices a woman. Her hair is a beautiful shade of blonde, skin as pale as near winter. She wears a gown of golden thread and a delicate golden mask that covers the upper half of her face. Her lips are painted with very visible red lipstick - and she smiles from the side of the street to Isolde. Her gaze is absolutely set and settled on her, eyes do meet, briefly, but certainly. When Isolde looks back through the back-mirror, turns... She is gone. She knows. She knows. She knows... SHE KNOWS YOU Isolde.
Yuno finds the street go silent. The noise outside is gone, there are no other cars, the sound of their car's engine is silent... and in the distance she hears the gentle music of a ball. Classic music, and the smell of the most delicious food fills and reaches and touches upon Yuno's nostrils. It is- not food that is supposed to be here, traditional Japanese food, and now that she might listen twice, is that- a shamisen? No, that cannot be. But she feels hungry, she feels invited. There is a sudden pang in her belly, she is so so hungry... Let it all go... Let it all go and rest... let it go and become one with us... one with... us...
Isolde takes her hands off the wheel to count for a moment, "One, like, pressured. Two.. Horny. Yes. Three.."
Isolde yanks the wheel back.
Isolde sharply inhales. Jesus lights up in a cold steely blue on her forehead.
Isolde sighs, suddenly silent.
Jesus stops his blue light-bulbing, the suspending of the fight or flight, and Isolde 's heart begins to beat again. She jerks the wheel threateningly at the road.
"I.. Um. It is doing things." Isolde mumbles, taking her eyes off the road to look at Yuno.
continues to listen to Kim speak, her voice trailing from her own ears as the world becomes silent around her- the music certaintly having her intrigued, her tummy rumbling from the wonderful promise of eating. Why was she here? wasn't it to go to a party? It was right? of course! She'd smile and look down, her internal thoughts now on her mind. 'I'm not dressed for this, does that matter?' Suddenly, a Wretched Jerk of the wheel snaps her completely back into reality, a gasp from her as her head bonks the side window. "AGH, KIM!" she'd rub her head, thinking. Wait, we're here on something else, right? Right! Right! Shit! Yuno would concentrate on keeping her edge now, not allowing the original promise of rest and yum and otherwise put her out. "I know, Kim..." She'd respond to the last thing spoken, softly. "Remain diligent, thank you for taking me out of it."
Isolde definitely intended to help Yuno, and wasn't just conveniently a terrifying driver, yes.
For the brief moment, the visions do not hold on, but the weight of it happening again does weight on both Yuno and Isolde. How they wish to proceed from here is up to them, but for a precious minute... they have time. To park. to drive off... to talk... to decide... before... before they...
When Isolde slams on the breaks to the spot she's decided to park, the ground is kind enough to provide the friction not to send themselves straight into a tree. She takes her foot off both pedals without placing park, and the stupid-proof modern car simply beeps an argument- refusing to drive itself into the wall.
Isolde says "So. I level with you, right? I know nothing about the 'eldritch.' My education is pretty bad because my teacher was an illusionist whose lessons are told in misinformation- but the point of the eldritch is REALLY not knowing too much about them."
Isolde says "Just like anger and lust, knowledge is its own fuel to power. You can't feed on knowledge really, but you can go crazy from it."
Isolde says "So. To the point, we are not thinking about these things too much, okay? We are going in, getting information that is like.. Concrete, I think."
Isolde says "Nothing philosophical. "
"Where it is," Isolde lists, "What defending it, how we got there."
continues to rub her head, there's a small groan as a cartoonish lump forms on it from banging against the window. "Okay. We're up against something rather dangerous here. we - " A sudden brake sends Yuno into the dash board. "AUGHHhhhh. Eight...airbags." she'd groan, she's TOTALLY going to have a bruise- she doesn't yell at Isolde, however, hoping it's all a technique to keep her diligent, and not just terrible driving. "That's why we're here, but we got to be careful. Mind hardened, not thinking too much about it. We count the movements, we find the path to their Operations base, we hope we don't get got in the process. Have you heard of a game called Picayune Dreams? It's about an eldritch being that basically can control people from a growing influence further away. It's just a game, but the best thing to do to beat it in that game? Is just stick to what you do know, and that is, yourself and who you're with, and what you're doing. Correct. Keep an eye on me, I keep an eye on you. Let's go."
Isolde exits with the keyfob and the car turns off in drive. That's not good for something, and it honks in protest until she fiddles with the shift and locks it in properly.
Isolde says "Okaaay.. I will like.. When I am smelling a lot of people, I will tell you. You can look for, like, anything, right?"
Isolde says "I don't know if you want to be seen. For me, well, ehh.."
Isolde flops her arms helplessly.
Yuno goes to step out of the car, still holding on to her head. Her other hand, once it opens to the outside mist, goes to her retention holster. she doesn't draw, but it remains in place. She nods back at Isolde. "I'll keep my eyes out. And I can hide rather well, so you should stay only in sight of me, alright?"
Isolde nod-bows from the neck. I can also just like.. Follow behind your trail with my nose.
Isolde nod-bows from the neck. "I can also just like.. Follow behind your trail with my nose."
Yuno a nod bow is returned, securing the plan in place. Her foot goes out to face the mist...
Isolde says "Text me if something happens and I'll emotion you something, I dunno."
Isolde says "WORST case."
Yuno flips her phone to silent.
Covering for each other, it surely goes out of the car, and for the brief moment, clarity reigns over Isolde and Yuno both. There is people around the two, sparse, a handful to a dozen, some... aren't really there. They disappear, re-appear but they all smell to Isolde's acute sense of smell. They all exist... and then they don't. But no, they exist... no they don't. Yes, they do! The air shivers... and there is familiar faces...
Isn't that Novel over there? Is that not another Disruptor- They are going in the forest. Smiling, laughing, cheering. They look behind, look to Isolde and wave her over, come along with us. Come along... and eat with us. Eat... with... us... Eat with us... or you will be left behind. Again. Like always. Again... and again... become... one... with... us... AND FEAST.
The gentle smile of distant friends greets Yuno, from between two trees into the forest. The smell of the most delicious food fills the air, and a procession leads the way in at the distance. Just like at the Fukagawa Matsuri... Shrines are carried along as a group of men carries them on large, logs of wood. Ohh, what a wonderful and most delicious festival this is, and above, the shrine... carries a symbol of a golden mask. It... belongs to you Yuno. This is yours. You must have it. You WANT TO HAVE IT... You... want... to... wear... it... and become whole.
The forest calls... The mist desires... And HE is waiting...
"Jesus loves you." A girl from Isolde 's mouth. The food, fresh?
keeps over, saved by Bulimia and a life of poverty. "Oh fauck-" Isolde curses as she bites a tree with her elbow and wretches salmon into the grass.
Isolde makes Yuno feel digust [Telempathy].
Stepping out of the car, confident in their abilities to stay prudent and in right state of mind. Yuno would make cautious steps north, pulling her compass to keep her bearing, and putting it back in her purse after the reading. She would slow down as the menacing, welcoming others began to intrude her mind. 'The shrines- Just like Nara? But that's not right. I was home. How...' her eyes are gently glazed over, caught in the web of confusion , looking at the mask. Suddenly, her stomach churns, feeling a sickness wretch over her, she covers her mouth. Shit- Wait, what?! The sudden wretch in her throat burns, causing her pain as she moves forward- the sickness helping to guide her mind back to clarity enough to strengthen it. North, North west.
But Cryomancy does not answer Isolde. The suspension of panic, anger, and lust isn't needed. Yesu dangles from her hair ornament, loving nothing but the cross.
Isolde stumbles after Yuno's scent, smelling more salmon. Oh.
Yuno goes to bite at her arm passively as she moves forward.
ignore Isolde' ritual prompting. The player just WANTS to lose life force because it's immersive.
Just smelling the air, it is filled with rich notes of food, and again, both Isolde and Yuno manage to shake themselves out, now through disgust and, for one of them, by throwing up. The way forward is a short one, maybe a kilometer further into the forest. There, they both see a table, filled with rich rich food. Freshly baked and cooked. There is also some masks. The food looks delicious. Mouth wateringly tasty...
The small reaches Isolde's nostrils, tries to temper... Had there even been food that looked more delicious? Had there even been a point where hunger felt so so... heavy? Her stomach is lighter from the fish... shouldn't you eat more? But the edge of Isolde's mind is now on guard, practiced in, practiced... familiar... more familiar... with HE. Come and dine with me, come and dine, for HE in gold is here. For HE in gold will approve of you and reward you well and dear... Isolde. come and join us. You will be cherished. You will never need to suffer again.
A gentle and far too loving hand suddenly touches on Yuno's cheek, and the sweet smile of a pretty woman taller than her looks down to her. "Why are you hurting yourself, deary? If you are hungry... you can just come to eat." She steps aside and gestures to the food that lies spread all over the table. "The world is going to end soon, and only He can save us. And He will be here will be here with us very soon. Come and feast, and cherish his dearest gift, for you will never need hunger or suffer again."
Again, at the edge of Isolde's mind... there is something. At the edge of her eye, she sees a gold masked and robed individual besides Yuno. A golden mask in one hand... a golden mask to be placed over her companions face. Soon. Soon. Soon.
Isolde stares out at a figure, inhabiter in her own body, blind spectator to her own life. Binge watching 'Kim moments' back to back, sleeping through the painful parts, retaining nothing. She licks her lips at the Man across, smelling in a profound sense not adapted to the English language.
Isolde cackles, doubling over, reaching into her denim pocket, "LOVE NIGHTMARE!" She screams as she pulls out a glock and starts shooting masks.
"You.. WANT to love ME? Eheh.." Isolde said before she brought nightmare, but it lacked an at'me.
Isolde makes Yuno feel bloodlust. [telempathy]
As the two travel into the forest, deeper, Yuno taps her phone lightly, activating the GPS on it silently before stuffing it in her pocket. It'll remember where she was last, damn google-tracking technology- and it's somewhat encrypted, being primarily in Japanese, so it would be a pain to read unless you knew the language. Her arm is quite red from constant biting, the pain her hope to try to stay focused. "we've got to be close.." she'd mention, continuing to move forward into the opening of the table. Her eyes are still glazed- but Yuno believes she's still in control, she thinks she's still lucid. she goes to reach for food, smiling to the welcoming guest, a ricebowl? No, Gyudon, of course! That's the good stuff!" Well. Er... I think I have something I'm doing, but I must be...really hungry." she'd go to sit down. SUDDENLY, Isolde's blasting and emotional blanket would grappple with the Japanese woman, like ice water being poured down her back as she gasps dangerously and drops to the floor at the gunshots. She'd go to pull her revolver from her retention holster. "Shit, Shit, Kim, KIM!" she'd say- looks like stealth plan is over. Loud and proud?
Isolde says "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!' "
Some masks shatter and break, perhaps fortunately here, it had spared Yuno for but a few moments, because the figure that was about to place the mask on Yuno's face, grasps the mask again and quickly attempts to place it on Yuno's face. This figure... is not red. Another mask is short by Isolde, and there is this sudden rage... A Howl, a fury, endless disappointment and the promise of vengeance...
Isolde sees small and little beasts skitter across the floor, like dogs about to pound and hound Isolde. Looking around, she finds herself standing in a black city levied under a bright, golden sun, and further with, a black palace rises up far into the sky. Everyone is WATCHING... WATCHING Isolde. She was alone. All alone. There was no someone. There was no one, no one and no one... ABANDONED, SHUNNED, HATED, LOATHED... There is no escape. There will be no escape. There is no safety. Four of the dogs begin to jump at Isolde from all intercardinal directions.
Yuno sees the figure trying to place the mask on her if she does nothing about it against it, and a glance to Yuno reveals no more than one whom, in this moment, might look utterly crazed and insane. Someone who wasn't truly here, and if Isolde keeps firing her gun, Yuno can tell that there is the risk that she might end up hurt by it, as Sanctuary does not protect from accidentals.
Some masks shatter and break, perhaps fortunately here, it had spared Yuno for but a few moments, because the figure that was about to place the mask on Yuno's face, grasps the mask again and quickly attempts to place it on Yuno's face. This figure... is not red. Another mask is short by Isolde, and there is this sudden rage... A Howl, a fury, endless disappointment and the promise of vengeance...
Isolde sees small and little beasts skitter across the floor, like dogs about to pound and hound Isolde. Looking around, she finds herself standing in a black city levied under a bright, golden sun, and further with, a black palace rises up far into the sky. Everyone is WATCHING... WATCHING Isolde. She was alone. All alone. There was no Yuno. There was no one, no one and no one... ABANDONED, SHUNNED, HATED, LOATHED... There is no escape. There will be no escape. There is no safety. Four of the black, bestial dogs begin to jump at Isolde from all intercardinal directions.
Yuno sees the figure trying to place the mask on her if she does nothing about it against it, and a glance to Yuno reveals no more than one whom, in this moment, might look utterly crazed and insane. Someone who wasn't truly here, and if Isolde keeps firing her gun, Yuno can tell that there is the risk that she might end up hurt by it, as Sanctuary does not protect from accidentals.
A glance to Isolde reveals*
The shooting would knock a sense of clarity into Yuno, springing into action. Her Mixed MMA would allow her to go for grapples, or at the very least, resist physical contact on herself, one arm springs up to the hands trying to place the cultist artifacts on her, a swiping hip toss hopefully to knock the being on the ground, another shoulder check into the next closest cultist, or illusion of one. She'd rush over to Isolde, hoping to stop her from shooting her in the face. She'd keep low. "Kim! Kim Chill out!"
"E-Even though I w-walk..." Isolde begins, swallowing, "through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." In Wiccan mancy, a crucifix takes fear and anger from Isolde. But what does it leave her with? She fires at the dogs, at the faces, until she jerks it on the woman rushing her-
*CLICK* Isolde 's gun says to Yuno's temple. *CLICK*, it says again, and again, and again. With a desperate breath, She attempts to Ssireum throw Yuno with her into her own shadow.
Isolde would be using the 'shadowwalk' command, sending them into William Thorne's apartment.
Yuno almost certaintly doesn't expect Isolde to pull the gun on her, or for Isolde to grapple her.
Pain pierces temporarily through Isolde as the dogs seem to just somehow be narrowly missed and their teeth bite into Isolde's skin- The gun is turned at Yuno and for better or worse, it's there that the illusion breaks apart and she sees Yuno. grapples her...
Yuno was wise to move as quick as she did, these cultists were not expecting prepared, combat practiced people to cause trouble. It's not done so for long enough that it catches them off-guard and she can see about a dozen figures draw their own arms in the shadow of the trees of the surrounding forest. There is another three or four cultists that had taken cover, now behind the table, and one lies dead on the ground, accidentally shot in the head by the stray bullets that Isolde fired while being... not there.
The shadows grasp at Isolde and the held Yuno. they scramble over the ground, and pull them in, drag them inside, in, in, in... And carry them to safety. Now, in the middle of an apartment.
Isolde screams in a modest apartment. To the west in a L sofa overlooking a TV. To the northeast, a kitchen sits between two doors that go south and north. Behind her is the apartment's exit. She continues pulling at the trigger of the empty fun, weakly clamped and wailing into a tangle of person below her. She claws at her own face for a mask, for the performance.
two doors that go east and north* Isolde means.
The sudden jerking and push into the shadows wretches Yuno. her body having never experienced Arcana in that manner or...ever, in any manner, instantly taking a toll on her as she holds a hand to her mouth and wretches several times. She looks around in a panic, about to upturn her last meal. By some strong sense of will or dumb luck, she swallows down the bile, still being held onto by Isolde. Her breathing is....extremely rigid. She says nothing to the woman, but reaches up with one of her hands, now, to disrupt her clawing of her own face. "Kim. Kim..."
Isolde stares down at Yuno, sobbing a fine spread of tears that her scrunched face of prayers can't enjoy. She collapses with a final *\_()_/CLICK\_()_/* from the glock.
Yuno shakes a little at the click. Her breath stops as her wide eyes continue to stare at Isolde.
But fortunately, Isolde finds no mask, finds nothing on her face other than the feeling that something... was lost... the performance... will never end. Never end. Never end. HE HAS SEEN Isolde. The room is mostly of wood, has three sofars, a little table, an isle, and a kitchen in one corner... But here, here it is safe. And Yuno feels just fine. Somehow... somehow she had made it. Unmasked. Untouched by HIS will. UNBOTHERED, unbroken... and yet... despite it all, after swallowing the bile, she feels hungry. Just... hungry. Not for the food that was at the table. Not for anything specific. Not for her favorite... just a hunger for food. Isolde does not share it, she had kept her mind safe and warded...
Though Isolde collapses... they are safe here. Safe... here... the performance shall never end. HE HAS SEEN YOU... the performance is far away... far away... it is safe here. Is it?
Isolde pulls the denim jacket over her head and shivers, hiding her face from light, holding her breath in-between cries.
Yuno attempts to wrap her arms around Isolde now, easily noticing how vulnerable and weak the two of them were, how Isolde had done everything to keep them both safe. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have accepted this one... please forgive me. Please forgive me." she'd state over and over, hoping to calm the other woman. After moments of this, she would, however, pull her phone out and check her GPS for the location it had tracked in a sharp turn before they were shadow swept.
Isolde fumbles out her phone, rapidly tapping under her 'cloak.' ccaal him. call guy. tell him memory forget. syringe needle memory forget tell him the job is done tell him before he sees tell him. She texts to Yuno.
Isolde and Yuno are located currently in apartment 103.
Isolde and Yuno are located currently in apartment 106*.
Yuno reads the text, getting her phone in her hand and calling the aformentioned client. "We've hopefully got a hit on the location. Other details can be given when you arrive. I think we'll need some recovery. Some way to ensure we're both safe in terms of memorys. Talk to you soon." She'd hold and listen for any responses, and then hang up soon after they would stop speaking.
Indeed, the GPS did track for Yuno, all the way from where they had gone off from Fleet into the forest, to the very point where the table was located. The data, along with what she had seen should be enough to fulfill the context of what was asked for at the agency and the man does pick up on the call. His words are quiet, and only for Yuno on the phone when it is mentioning on protection from memories. He tells her that not remembering, does not protect from his influence, if someone is known to him now by deed or action and that only a strong mind and time spent recovering can do it, and that the arcane has some methods. He also asks Yuno on when the data can be delivered, and how soon and that he will do the favor of bringing the requested syringes for memory suppression. Payment will follow once the situation has been handled by a combat team, with mention that international transfers can take a couple of days and that they will line it directly to the necessary accounts.
i told you i told you you know you dont want to know if you know its bad youre not supposed to know and if you know you come closer to understanding stop knowing. stop me knowing stop seeing i cant stop caring its bad youre supposed- Isolde types, insistent. Cyclical.
Of course, Yuno would quickly and subtly answering the man's questions. She ushers Isolde to a more suitable location. Tha's to say, she'd try to usher the poor woman to their own Apartment, which is practically directly above this one, at 203. "you can meet us at these coordinates, and quickly, please." She'd add, giving the coordinates of her house, caring for the clearly NOT okay Kim.
It takes, around twenty minutes for the man to arrive again, knock on the door, thrice, of course, and for him to deliver the syringes as well, though what Isolde and Yuno do with them, it is up for them. They are set to not remember, forget the events surrounding this excursion, but he also makes the offer to provide amnesia, if it is something wished for. He does not offer to syringe either of them, and whether they do, is entirely up to them. He takes the data, if Yuno permits it, and tells that the payment will arrive in a couple of days.
Later, there is some small news article on the newspaper about some hunt that went on for an overpopulation of wolves in the forest with all the typical recommendation and suggestions to keep out of it because it is very dangerous. Whether they know or not... they had succeeded... and though Isolde may not remember... wants not remember... chooses to not know... -HE- knows of her...
Isolde yanks herself like an annoying dog on a leash towards placest most dark underneath her feat. Gasping in instances when light appears.