snowblindrpg | [network] @claytonator; BODIES AND MONSTERS; day 022 [open] [dismemberment mention?]

afternoon - video

[The camera comes on to the dim interior of the abandoned school, focused on a nearby spot on the floor. There's nothing there, but there's plenty of other things to notice. Primarily, the heavy distortion of the film itself; it's stretched almost to the point that it's unrecognizable and frequently flickers in and out of focus. At the points where things seem to align and the video is reasonably coherent, Clayton's panicked, gasping breaths come through in the background. It sounds like he's trying to calm down. He's not doing a good job of calming down.]

[The tablet is given a firm shake, as if attempting to resolve the apparent camera abnormalities, then Clayton gives up and shuts it off.]

afternoon - text

[Thankfully, Clayton doesn't let this video stand alone for too long after he posts it.]

Sorry about that--thought I saw something. The air isn't right here.

[And that's putting it lightly. A hallucination that vivid and alarming isn't something Clayton can brush off so easily, especially after experiencing something similar the day before in the school's kitchens. It's recurring. That's a problem.]

[He would think it's a personal problem, if Enoch wasn't experiencing the same sorts of things.]

Who else has been to the school? What have you seen or heard while there that you would consider "abnormal," if anything?

slightly before lockdown - video

[It's much later in the day when Clayton turns on the camera again, and in significantly more dire circumstances. The video is trained on his face this time--he looks flushed and exhausted, like he just ran a marathon, and he's only now letting himself relax and slide the rest of the way down the wall of the sports shed. Other feet and voices murmur and shuffle in the background as three other people position themselves in the tight quarters. Clayton's eyes flicker to them with a look of immense relief.]

[There's a loud thump at the door, followed by distinctive scratching noises. Clayton's expression sobers.]

Alright... [Pant, pant. He quickly swipes a hand over his brow.] ...I got good news and I got bad news.

Bad news is, we ain't lost them shadows yet. [There's another round of clawing at the shed's door to verify this.] If any a y'all 're in the school, run. Don't you come to the shed t' the west. It ain't safe out there. Pack up what yer doin' an' head north 'r south. You ain't got much time.

[He lets that hang in the air for a few moments.]

...Good news! [Clayton chuckles giddily and his mouth twitches into a tired smile.] They ain't that smart. Enoch 'n I just gave one the runaround outside. If you get one of ya to lead 'em, the other can head in an' get the door--trick 'em 'fore they know what's happenin'.

Anybody else runnin' into these things out there? If they're gettin' bolder, we oughta start travelin' 'n pairs. Safer that way.

[He pauses again to finish catching his breath and adds a couple more airy laughs for good measure. The monster continues thumping against the door. Clayton is clearly too relieved to notice.]

Y'all be careful out there. Keep in touch.

[And the feed ends.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Gosh, Zack, why do you have to keep agreeing with him about these horrible things?? Clayton does not like this option at all. There's a very long pause as he considers others--the school, as unsettling and dangerous as it is, has proven to carry extremely useful supplies along with the regularly-stocked food, and if Enoch's hunch is right, someone (something?) could be in trouble in there and need their help. Abandoning the place completely doesn't sit right with him. Forcing people who might be on the brink of starvation across the town for food isn't great, either. Compromises, compromises...]

...Yer right--can't just let this place go without seein' what's up. [Said through a sigh--Clayton clearly isn't happy about the idea, even though he knows it has to be done. Isn't that always how it is?] Ain't great havin' only one source a food, but...maybe we can get them checkpoints set up an' it won't be a problem. Ain't worth riskin' folks lives over goin' a li'l hungry--'less we ain't got no other choice.

[ Really, Zack can't blame Clayton's hesitance. He certainly isn't thrilled about the idea either. ...But it's... almost too uncanny that so many of those things are there. At this point, it's not really about a food source although that would definitely be a perk to finding out a way to resolve the problem. No, it's more of... ]

I get what you're saying and I do think checkpoints would help, too, yeah. But that's not what I meant. It's not about the food there. I'm just wondering if there's something... else. Something about that place that they don't want us knowing about.

[ He shrugs a bit. ] If that's the case, that might be one of the few leads we have. [ He's not crazy about asking any civilians for help with this kind of thing. He'd honestly do it himself if that were his choice. But... with his strength as it is... Dealing with two had been bad enough. If he hits a whole nest of 'em... Damn that "admin"... ]

Edited 2015-09-03 22:11 (UTC)

[Clayton hums pensively. His first concern is always for the continued health and safety of the people around him, but the need for information is also pretty critical to eventually removing that necessity. It's why he and Enoch have spent two whole days here, and why they'll probably end up coming back later. They can't just settle for treating the wounded and hoping for the best.]

I understand. Enoch 'n I've been lookin' into it, but we ain't come up with much 'cept more visions 'n jumpscares. Maybe more folks t' cover more ground at once an' watch our tracks...it ain't unreasonable. Jus' gotta be careful 'bout it.

[A beat.]

...You sure you wanna get involved in that, Zack?

[ He... pauses for a moment. But maybe not necessarily for the reason the guy on the other line was hoping for. No, just... Hm... ]

It's not a matter of whether I wanna or not, Clayton. If it's something that might get us somewhere, I gotta look into it.

[ This is what he does, Clayton. Protects people. If that means ducking into a phantom-infested school, that's what he's gonna do. You can't stop him. ...Well, you could try, but. Haha... ha... Have fun trying to stop a six foot three ex-SOLDIER. Enhancements or not, he's still pretty tough... ]

Besides, if you've been having those visions and running into those monsters, don't you think that's all the more reason to get more people on this?

Edited 2015-09-07 23:29 (UTC)

[Well, it's always worth asking, at least. It sounded like Zack was already gunning for it anyways; trying to argue against him probably won't get either of them anywhere. Or at worst, it'll make a potential ally into someone spiteful who refuses to work together with the others--something that Clayton thinks Zack is already at risk at, with how paranoid he was on arrival. He'll let him have this one.]

I'm thinkin' we should get folks in on it, but only folks that understand the risks. [He pauses for effect...then chuckles to sooth the imaginary burn.] --Which you seem 't got. I'd be happy t' work with ya, Zack. I'd trust ya t' have my back in there.

[ SWEET GAIA REALLY CLAYTON. REALLY!?

But seriously, yeah, that might have gotten a raised eyebrow and a huff outta Zack. For a moment anyway. Still, at Clayton's admission, he seems to come around if not without a shake of his head and a hum. ]

Of course. Someone's gotta make sure everyone gets outta there in one piece. [ Possibly jagging Clayton back? Just maybe. ] So, you got anyone in mind?

[Zack is clearly prepared to dish out what he receives. Clayton harrumphs in exaggerated offense but seems to sooth his bruised ego quickly.]

Ah, well--myself, of course, 'cause it's my job t' sew folks back together who ain't in one piece. Enoch fer moral support and 'cause he don't talk back like you do. You, 'cause yer so gosh-darned stubborn 'bout it. An' I guess that weird fella yer travelin' with that's some kinda military hero--I'm sure we can find somethin' useful fer him t' do. Whaddya think?

[ Clayton, you are never getting that needle anywhere near his kinda-bony ass or Ifrit help you! Just for the record. But that being said...

...if not with a huff at the 'talking back' comment... ]

So, just us four, huh. Sounds like a good, solid number. [ Anymore and it might get too complicated to coordinate... and present more opportunities for someone to do something dumb and attract attention. ] We're headed to the morgue for now, but we could go out that way after. How's that sound?

[ Of course, then Hiro happens, but you know... Something to pocket for later. ]

[Between Hiro and sudden amputation adventures, fun group tours of the school are going to fall by the wayside for a while, yes. Such is Clayton and his fickle priorities. But for the moment, this idea captures his inspiration entirely.]

Sounds like a plan t' me. [A beat.] ...Which morgue? The funeral home?

Yeah, that funeral home. Heard it's west of here. We're supposed to meet the group Al's with there. See if we can find any other clues.

[ Let's not mention the fact that Lancer's also looking for someone's dead body. That might be just a bit awkward. ]

Yeah, right up by the western wall. Wouldn't be surprised if y'all passed through the school on the way--it's a big place, hard t' miss. We'll stick 'round, see if we can't meet up after.

[They won't meet up after. Oh well.]

Y'all keep safe 'til then, alright? Don't wanna extend yer visit t' the morgue too long, it's a real unpleasant place t' stay, y'know?

[ By the west wall, huh. Well, that narrows things down at least. He nods, thankful, though again... well, Clayton can't see it. ...With maybe a later accompanying dry chuckle. ]

We'll be fine. Believe me, I'm not planning on it. Thanks though. And you, too.

I'll see you around maybe. [ ...or not. But you know. HAHA. THEY TRIED.

Click. ]

[network] @claytonator; BODIES AND MONSTERS; day 022 [open] [dismemberment mention?]

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I read "fickle priorities" in my last tag as "fickle pickles" (also wrap this up here-ish?)

FFF WHAT EVEN. HAHAHA... (Also, good plan!! This thread is pretty much done.)