Lachesistein: Open Log

[coniurati]

Who: Those who signed-up for the exploration
Where: Lachesistein
When: Today until the 26th (More or less, an open log for any time period if anyone wants to explore around)
Rating: up to R rated (if it gets to R, please indicate in the subject line)
Summary: Characters are exploring Lachesistein on their own time
The Log:

[ This is an open log for those who wish to explore Lachesistein freely, and it can take place any time between July 16th and 26th. For more information on Lachesistein, please refer to the Exploration plotting post. If something comes up at all, make sure to contact a mod with your questions or concerns.

Sign-ups last close tonight, please make sure you've commented before then! ]

Comments

[meilihua]

[She peeks in around the door, calling quietly:] H-hello? Is anyone there?

[shortestfuse]

[ The sudden sound of a child's eerie laughter makes him throw an arm out to block her from entering. His breaths are short, his eyes are wide and it takes a lot of effort not to clench his fists.

He wasn't going to hurt Taiwan's hand after all. ] What the... hell was that... [ It's more than a little creepy, but if there's a child somewhere... it's dangerous here... ] Cut that shit out and c'mere, kid!

[meilihua]

D-do you really think there's a child in there? [She...may be inching a little closer to you now, Shizuo.]

[shortestfuse]

I don't know... [ Shizuo is definitely a good person to stay close to; he stands resolutely in the doorway, 100% hardboiled MAN. ]

But if they took a child too, there's a chance I guess. I might go in and look for them... [ He couldn't just leave a child here alone... ]

[meilihua]

[A thought occurs to her] What if...what if it's like those illusions? Or even...like that witch back in the woods outside the city...?

[shortestfuse]

[ Oh, she made a valid point... ] Maybe. I wouldn't put it past this place. [ He backs up a little, turning to face her. ]

If there's actually a kid though... [ He ruffles his hair and scoffs. ] Okay. You wanna wait out here, or come with me?

[meilihua]

Definitely coming with you. [She can come in pretty handy in a fight too, you know!]

[shortestfuse]

Alright. [ He pulls her gently by the hand inside; it's good to get out of the fog, but it's eerily dark.

He uses his communicator to cast a dim light. Looks like a general store... ] Don't think they'd be in here, but-

[ The laughter's closer and he stiffens, shining the light in one direction quickly. ] Tch...

[meilihua]

Oh look, I found a-! [There are maps over in that direction...]

[shortestfuse]

[ Shizuo's senses remain on high alert, but he follows Taiwan closely and they approach the maps.

Plucking one from the display, he turns it over and unfolds it, shining the light down on it. ] Ah... I can't read this that well. Can you understand maps? I think we're here in this grocery store...

[ He passes it to her, head raising to look around. ]

[meilihua]

[Her attention is all on the map now, Shizuo, hope you're looking out for them!]

We're definitely here. [Pointing out the street and the brick wall, tracing their path from the train station...]

[shortestfuse]

[ Shizuo's nose wrinkles a bit and he presses a hand on Taiwan's back. ] ... We shouldn't stay in here.

I don't think sticking around is safe. There's... more room outside. [ More room to fight if he needs to. ]

[meilihua]

[She startles a bit at that, whirling to face him, still holding on to the map.] A-ah? O-okay... if you say so... [Did he hear something...? Was there something close?]

[shortestfuse]

Nothing's wrong. [ He assures her, peering out of the corner of his eye at the store shelves.

Guiding her out by the shoulder, he rests a moment in the fog before pointing to an area on the map. ]

I think we should head to the high school. Maybe big buildings... like the mall. What do you think?

[meilihua]

T-that sounds like a good plan. [Studying the map and then squinting at the area around them. Pointing-] Let's go this way.

[shortestfuse]

Yeah, okay. [ They head in that direction, walking close through the fog. It's disturbing his sense of smell - there's a rotten smell like decay, mold. ] Taiwan... who got taken from you? [ He aims a look over. ]

[meilihua]

M-my sister, Vietnam... I mean...she was here until recently and then...

[shortestfuse]

... [ Shizuo's eyes harden and he clenches his jaw. How someone could take such an innocent person's sibling... it pisses him off to no end. He speeds up, long legs carrying him farther, faster.

And he peers over his shoulder once at her. ] We'll find Vietnam-san. And Kasuka. And Asano-san. And Mairu and Kururi. And your brother's friend. [ He says resolutely, listing off those he fully intends to save. ]

[meilihua]

[Running to keep up, and trying to smile reassuringly] Y-yes!

[shortestfuse]

[ Looking up a bit, the figure of the mall looms up ahead and he takes a deep breath before nodding. ] Alright, we'll check this place I guess.

[ He's never been one for adventure, but shouldering open the heavy doors to the shopping mall, he feels as though he's been thrown right into one. ]

It looks like people were just here, like they all just up and left all of a sudden.

[meilihua]

[Her interest in a mall is not always entirely rational, but her half-excitement is quickly sobered when she sees what this one is like. She shudders a little bit] A-at least there aren't any... [Bodies, she means to say, and thinks better of it]

[shortestfuse]

Yeah. [ He agrees, even though he has no idea what she was about to say. It just felt right at the time. ] This place is pretty spooky.

[ No problem in exclaiming that; he regrets it for his voice echoes through the place easily. ] I wonder if there are any lights we can find to turn on.

[meilihua]

[She's really hoping they can, because...yeah...]

M-maybe we should stay close to the wall?

[shortestfuse]

That sounds good. [ Shizuo lets her drift nearer to the wall and he stands on her opposite side. This way nothing would come to harm her unless it went through him first. ] Are you scared?

[meilihua]

[Smiling a little, a soft, shaky laugh] M-maybe just a little bit. It's a bit creepy.