Day 01

[shimmershimmer]

[Dawn brings with it the warmth of the sun, the scent of flowers, and the sound of birdsong... it also brings with it an unhappy knowledge that demons have possessed members of your village... and that there have been victims in the night.

Haytham and Soulmates Hibari and Lexaeus, all ordinary villagers, can be found in their beds. They are still alive, it would seem, with a faint pulse and shallow breath, but nothing you can do will rouse them. And every once in awhile, it will look as though they are having the most terrible nightmares...

As they were heads of the police force, Hibari and Lexaeus's cottage contains two pairs of handcuffs, for whoever wants to yoink those.]

((At this point everyone has full knowledge of the roles and their distribution, the idea that the demons will take over if their numbers are equal to the faithful, and the fact that there will be a trial starting soon - ICly after lunch, OOCly 4:30PM EST tomorrow.

Re: Soulmates, some pairs are linked in function/role, and some aren't. If you're not "soulmates," you're not. I am very sorry for not making that clear before or after signups; it was my intent from the beginning and the reason why I was so free about numbers, but I only mentioned that was my plan once and briefly while yammering on about partners the whole time, so it was also an extremely careless and frankly kinda dumb miscommunication on my part. I hope it hasn't caused anybody too much trouble, but if it is, PP me and we can figure something out.

Soulmates will also vote together come trial time. If I receive votes from both members and those votes were different, I will use only the first vote, but show the votes as they were cast.

Here's the Shimmering Lady!
An anonymous note
Night Watch))

Comments

A word from the Lady

[shimmershimmer]

[Early in the morning, the Shimmering Lady summons you once more to her temple. Though lovely as ever, she seems exhausted now, weary. You can see the amazing depth of her sorrow.]

I have failed you.

The demons have struck in the one place I never expected: Our dreams. In doing so, they possessed a number of once-faithful members and warped their minds with lies, and now... and now...

[She trails off momentarily. All of her eyes unfocus at once, and her gaze is distant.]

I should be able to wake our friends safely, once the demonic presence is completely removed from this village. But until then, those sleeping must be left to their nightmares. Everyone, please defer to the doctor's wisdom in tending to them. They are, after all, our loved ones.

As for those who have been possessed... it is not their fault. Though the sin in their hearts allowed a pathway by which the demons have entered, none of this has been their choice. And though there is only one way to save a soul that has been possessed, we must not falter. Return here in the afternoon, and we shall begin The Trial

Listen now, there is one more problem. Last night I attempted to make two Avengers, but one... went slightly wrong. They are unable to stop themselves. Please do not blame them for what they do. This, too, has been my folly.

[genuine_human]

So are you saying, my Lady... that our enemies are demons?

[His lips curl into a wide grin. That excitement over war that has long since lain dormant after leaving his battlefield finally awakens. The Major chuckles a little, and stretches an arm out, giving the Lady a salute.]

Praise Her Ladyship!

I asked you yesterday in what form our enemies may appear in, but it saddens me to hear that we are dealing with Der Doppelganger, who strikes us as our loved ones. Pity... though it may be.

[He lowers his arm and his mad, golden eyes flicker with glee.]

It can't be helped. They are no longer our comrades, but monsters, abominable things, which we must destroy at all costs. I plan to work alongside with the town police on the matter, but if I may ask, my Lady... How can we distinguish our true friends from the demons?

[lifescratched]

[Connor is visibly distraught about his father's condition. Nonetheless, he speaks up:]

I give you my word, I will do everything I can to lead the village in my father's place, My Lady. Whoever has brought this upon them will be stopped.

Re: A word from the Lady

[microbrobotics]

One way? How do we do it?

[ill_hearted_gentleman]

[ Oswin drops to a kneel, his head bowed contritely. ]

My Lady, I offer my most sincere apologies. Bulat and I saw nothing of use last night.

Re: A word from the Lady

[backdrafted]

... A trial, hm.

Re: A word from the Lady

[cafeolay]

A trial? [Glug glug glug]

Now we're talking.

Re: A word from the Lady

[stringmealong]

What's the one way?

Re: A word from the Lady

[defenceservice]

All right, where do you need me? Gonna guess the restaurant's no longer top priority.

[irenicly]

We'll stop these demons before they harm anyone else.

[Granted, poor Banjou has no idea what he's supposed to do, but he's going to try.]

[steel_over_blood]

[ Bulat looks slightly less tired than the Lady. ]

That's bitter news to choke down, but if we need to deal with them, there's nothing else for it.

How many were taken by these demons?

Re: A word from the Lady

[wildgun]

( consideration. )

Nothing that can't be fixed with a bullet to the head.

A Note

[shimmershimmer]

[The following note has been posted near the temple:]

Last night I dreamed that Ling was a demon. I don't know yet if I am the real or false seer, but we should vote him out so that those of us assigned the role will at least know what our visions really mean.

SIGNED, An Anonymous Seer

Re: A Note

[backdrafted]

... [glares at the note, and after a moment's thought, tears it down.]

Is that how easily this will be done?

Night Watch Roster (sign up here if you haven't)

[shimmershimmer]

1. Oswin & Bulat
2. Haytham & Connor
3. Jotaro & Jolyne
4. Roy & Ling
5. Lust
6. Athena & Simon
7. Hibari & Lexaeus
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. Takano & Mitsuko
14.
15.
16.
17. Cassius & Katou

[genuine_human]

My sister, Clover, and I have decided to take up Night Watch responsibilities. Truly, I can't be more proud of her for taking initiative on this one.

[thefaceofjustice]

[Being a member of the police, Bobby is probably one of the first to discover his bosses being down for the count, after hearing the word from Our Lady.]

Mr. Hibari, Mr. Lexaeus... I'll bring justice down on whoever is responsible for this!!!

[DIBS ON ONE OF THE HANDCUFFS]

[genuine_human]

My deepest condolences, Officer Fulbright.

[The Major holds up a hand and places it on the back of Fulbright's arm. He would reach for the other man's shoulder, but their size differences were too great.]

I can't imagine the anger that must be welling up in your chest. If it's any consolation, your colleagues are fortunate to have a passionate man such as you working to avenge them.

[cafeolay]

Ha...! [Who the hell is this douchebag, sipping coffee while examining each body in turn. He'll be at this for a while]

An eternal slumber, marred by nightmares... looks like our amigos have been cast straight into hell. They should have asked for some coffee.

[calefactioned]

Isn't your attitude a little too flippant?

[lifescratched]

[After the summons at the temple, Connor is keeping a silent vigil beside his father's bed. As much as he doesn't want company at the moment, he will at least admit anyone who wants to examine Haytham's body.]

[wildgun]

( knock, knock! there's someone here who wants to get all up in this. )

Helllooo?

[genuine_human]

War.

[Just outside the steps of the temple, the Major stands with his arms open, like those of a priest's, as he makes his speech... whether or not anyone is bothers to stick around for it.]

I have found it to be true that the fog of war descends on the sunniest of days, perfect for a picnic in the meadows. And so, it has descended here in our fair town.

[He puts a gloved hand to his chest, speaking a little more softly.]

We are threatened by demons that have stolen the faces of our compatriots to walk this earth. But friends, I say to you that there is no reason to be afraid of such creatures.

[He turns around, facing away from the temple now. As he speaks, he makes gestures, giving image to his descriptions.]

As humans, we are heir to that which they can only steal from us: a human heart, mind, will, all of which defines a human. A monster may appear before you as a friend in need, reaching out their hands and imploring you for your compassion, or maybe even a brave, stalwart figure, willing to stand by you in the face of any calamity.

Lies after lies, all of them!

[Clenching his right hand into a fist, he raises it up, punching the air.]

That which is not human is a monster! It is us or them, simple as that! And my friends, I would rather it be them than us. Give me my war, and together, we shall destroy our enemies!

[ill_hearted_gentleman]

[ That is... nnnnnnnot the kind of speech that gives Oswin much faith in his commander. But you know what not even going to touch that, okay, not even going there. ]

...Major. I beseech you to be careful. The demons have already targeted two of our leaders.

[calefactioned]

[Lust is lost and thought and musing allowed to himself, after the Lady's announcement]

Demons...

[irenicly]

[After the announcement from Her Ladyship, Banjou will be spending most of the morning tending to the library. He's a librarian, dammit. He didn't sign up for this sort of thing.

How is he supposed to defend the village against the demon onslaught? Taking out both the Chief and the police in one night... it's too much for him to handle right now, but Banjou and his brother have jobs to do.]

[lasuaspada]

...Kazuichi-san.

[Well, it seems you'll be joined in the library before too long, Banjou; Tsukiyama seems a little rattled, maybe - he's smiling but it's obvious, the expression is a little tight and he looks a bit distant maybe - but his tone remains calm, the usual lightness to it present, because clearly this is how things are going to be around here from now on. He'll fight if he has to, but exactly...how he's supposed to do that is the question.

So for now he'll just stay here and go through some of these books, because we are librarians and as such we are officially expected to not be here for this shit.]

Everyone seems a little riled, n'est-ce pas? Someone's declaring war out there, for crying out loud.

[stringmealong]

Fuck!

...At least they're still alive... if they're alive, we can still get them back.

[wildgun]

Really? How are we supposed to do that?

[vanillain]

[Today it's this jerk who is standing up on top of a building, panting and out of breath because do you have any idea how hard it is to climb a building!? But the other guy did it and made him want to do it. Even though the other guy died. Look, standing on buildings is cool, okay!? It makes a person feel cool!!]

Attention, everybody! I don't have a role, but I do have an idea! All of us should keep notes of who we find suspicious! Write them after curfew and put them under your pillow! That way if the demons get you in the night, you can assist your own revenge!

Also this doesn't have anything to do with anything but while I'm up here, clothing store girl, I've decided on what I want! I've decided on my porn star style!

[stringmealong]

The name's Jolyne Kujo.

[steel_over_blood]

[ Bulat joins the loud public announcement crew shortly after the discovery of LYNCH PRINCE LING 2k14. What's around the temple, a bench, ok, good enough, STANDING ON THE BENCH and projecting his voice like hell. ]

Whoever wrote that note may have had good intentions, but I can't blindly follow after any information nobody can trace to the source!

I won't ask you to give up all your secrecy, but we need some good faith from whoever's claiming those powers. It's well known that last night, neither Oswin nor I had dreams for the demons to enter... So if you talk to one of us in private, you'll have someone to carry your words at the trial!

[ill_hearted_gentleman]

[ Oswin's just going to... take a seat on that bench for now, move your foot over some, Bulat, your husband is tired. ]

I should at least like to know why they thought to choose Ling. If they had chosen one of us, the matter would be resolved quite quickly, though I suppose they had no way of knowing that.

[fauxlosophical]

[Kimblee had remained distant from the others while the Lady had addressed them, hanging back near one of the walls of the temple; as much as it didn't strike him right to avert his eyes from her radiance, his gaze hadn't been focused on her. Rather, he'd been looking at the faces of those gathered – not so much watching as studying. Seeking something out, maybe.

It's difficult to say if he finds what he's looking for; he simply takes in the message and leaves in silence, no questions asked.

Quite frankly, he's not interested in staying around while people get themselves sorted; the fact is that the park is quiet and the pond there is calm, and he can be found there gathering his thoughts until things settle a bit.

He'll visit those that have fallen asleep eventually, however; he has his own reasons for doing so, none of them mired in the sentimentality that seems to be pervading the place for the time being – as such, he'll do it on his own time.]

[lifescratched]

[Connor watches every single person who comes to see his father's body, and Kimblee is no exception. He crosses his arms, eyes narrowed.]

There is little to see. He is asleep, and nothing will wake him.

[imfine222too]

[ ATEHNA HAS FOUND A TABLE TO STAND ON ]

Atención! Atención s'il vous plaît!

My name's Athena Cykes, your local psychologist. And like most psychologists, I also practice law! Our Lady has asked for a trial, and I won't let anyone go into it undefended! Please count on me if you're accused.

Also if you are convicted and stressed about your impending execution, Simon and I are offering grief counseling and off-brand anxiety medication!

[heartofsnarkness]

That's... very good of you.