new year, new you

[cancrymods]

It's been some time since the Executors made their way down to the Gula layer and while things have been quiet, that doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been busy. The snow that had been falling steadily for the past week or so has finally eased, even if a thick blanket of the stuff seems to remain in all the Layers you've travelled to. The ever present threat of an Authority has been mitigated somewhat by Gerda being... well, Gerda and though her intentions and the full scope of her motivations are still a mystery, she at least seems to be willing to assist the Executors so long as they do the same for her in turn.

All the errands they've been running have done a lot to help the Undercity – the kitchen is stocked, and the communal areas feel fuller and livelier. Music often rings out from the stage and all in all, things seem fuller and warmer here.

And yet, that quiet hunger continues to nip at you every moment you spend in Gula. Even if it weren't for the Gluttony Layer's effects, though, there would be answers aplenty to be hungering after – the mysterious butterfly accompanying Ariel, the question of Rei's lack of memories... and of course, the mystery girl who seems determined to see you all returned to mindless Specters once again.

Do you still believe you have what it takes to travel to the bottom of Purgatory and restore things to their natural order?

There's only one way to find out for sure.

[ ... And we're back! After our holiday break, the Gula chapter of Can Cry's metaplot is now continuing! Happy New Year, Executors - let's see what you make of it! ]

Comments

[alcahest]

[ ever since their descent into Gula, Mona has left behind the fashions she's stuck to from the moment she first awoke in Limbo — high collars, long sleeves, covered from the tips of her fingers down to her toes without so much as a flash of ankle — and opted for less concealing clothes for the first time. this means that on her sternum, part of a strange gem is always visible now; it glows faintly, and it's clearly not a fashion statement, because you can see the places where it goes into her skin.

she hasn't made a big deal of it, though if anyone has asked her about it, she has explained. mostly she's just been enjoying new clothes.

but never mind all of that! we're having a group meeting!!! up at the Invidia mansion, since the effects of Gula are unpleasant and some people are rightfully avoiding it as much as possible. ]

We've been helping Gerda for a while now, but... We have to decide what we're going to do next, don't we? Should we be trying to go to the Underside?

[emberserker]

Of course! What kind of question is that? Even if she's being all too friendly while we're down there, we've got to get through. There's something seriously wrong with that hellhole.

[alcahest]

Oh — no, I know we have to reach the next layer... I only meant to ask if we want to push forward on that now, or if we should be investigating Gula more thoroughly first.

[ Mona's not surprised that anyone might simply have thought her reluctant to proceed, though. it's true that she usually is. ]

[emberserker]

Well, I don't doubt that Greta's cooperation is linked to our supplying Gula. If we leave her behind, she's like to become hostile like the other Authorities. So, all things considered, investigation might give us an edge. Either finding a way to subdue her when she inevitably turns against us or a cure for that effect Gula has on people.

[discutio]

We have to do something.

[sorry mona he has no idea anything's different]

If we opt not to defeat her outright, then we need to either gain her Authority or have her utilize it to let us through.

[phantasmagorial]

Defeating her outright is going to be difficult unless something happens to trigger the same transformation the others went through. And she seems to understand a lot more about the nature of her powers than I expected, which makes her even more dangerous.

I was hoping by now she might have let us pass through, but... it really feels like she wants to keep us around running errands forever.

[swordofajerk]

Maybe it's time we renegotiate.

[And he's not saying "possibly with swords" but. Well.

It's Sword.]

[crypddyd]

[He hasn't said much, not being a tactician like many others. But as things become tense]

... is there any reason why Gerda can not become an Executor? This would solve our need to pass through and the Layer's need for a supplier.

[alcahest]

Oh — [ Mona grabs onto his arm with both hands, excited. ] Lion, that's a brilliant idea...!

[ she can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work, but — she looks around at the others to see if anyone knows, desperately hopeful. ]

[daughterofthemark]

If Executors can become Authorities, why not the reverse?

[It's not rhetorical. She's trying really hard to think whether there's an answer to that.]

Investigation

[calculated_risk]

[Genius has been doing her best to bring various types of games and entertainments down here, figuring that mental stimulation is important. She's also been hosting the occasional karaoke singalong, just for fun. She's not above grabbing a fellow Executor for a game, either.

Eventually, though, she does seek out Gerda.]

Hey...I don't think we've talked much yet. I just had some questions, if you're okay with that.

[cancrymods]

[ Thankfully, it's not hard to find Gerda – she seems to have good sense for when the Executors want to track her down, so Genius manages to nab her before too long. ]

Oyo? You mean like an interview? Why not! It sounds fun!

[calculated_risk]

...sure, I guess it's kind of like one. I was just wondering...how long have you been the Authority here? And how did you get that role in the first place?

[swordofajerk]

[After the disaster that was the meeting, Sword is elsewhere. Where? Elsewhere.

Okay, let's be real. He's found somewhere he can set up some training dummies and beat the shit out of them. He'll....probably talk, if someone not Wolfsbane follows him out.]

[ourtomorrow]

[ Prehnite had kept to himself during the argument, not feeling like he knew enough to be of use. In fact, he's pretty sure he's been chasing a red herring this whole time, in light of information that was shared...

Nothing can change that, so all he can do is move forward. Prepare for the future. And that involves getting to know everyone on the team better. Including those who keep themselves at a distance.

He isn't about to invite himself without consideration for Sword's preferences, however. So he speaks up. ]

Sorry. Do you mind company?

[swordofajerk]

Are you going to tell me to apologize to Wolfsbane or try to understand her?

investigation in the Gula prompt

[emberserker]

[Unlike what usually happens when Wolfsbane has an argument with someone, you won't find her training in alleyways or killing Revenants. You won't even find her back in Gula. Instead, she'll be in the bathhouse in Limbo, sitting in a bath with her eyes shut and breathing in and out. Trying to process everything, maybe, or just trying to think.

It doesn't last long.

She's back down in Gula's Rusted City again soon enough, though this time it's less to kill the Revenants and more to stalk them. Where are they coming in from? Why do they always seem more lost than hostile? The Executors can barely abide this place; getting out has to be a priority.

And after that, you can find her eventually back at the Invidia mansion courtyard in the middle of the night, long after everyone's dispersed from the meeting inside. She's set up a pile of firewood on the patio and focuses, shoots a fireball to light it all up. And screams to no one.]

Invidia

[mementomoritz]

[Medic approaches steadily- not bounding up with her usual enthusiasm, but not slinking nervously or trying to hide her presence as she walks up to Wolfsbane.]

[Before, asking "do you want to talk about it" has always yielded mixed results at best. So this time, she's trying a different approach:]

Do you want someone to fight Revenants and not talk about anything at all with?

[She can't make it better, and that just about kills her. But she can at least be there. ...And stab things.

[emberserker]

...If you'd like.

[She seethes at the fire in front of them, grip tight on her axe. Almost shaking.]

This is why I only told you about Rosa before. Throwing her out when she failed me, I mean. Of course, if they didn't all know now, they still would've come to the same conclusion.

weewoo weewoo important authority conversation time

[alcahest]

[ in the end, Mona is glad that some of the others are here with her. as fervently as she hopes for this to work, she would have been far more anxious on her own; Veil, she can trust to want the same thing as her, and Medic has always been better at explaining things than Mona could be. even Sword's presence is a comfort, and though she doesn't know Prehnite well, he has a calm demeanour that she appreciates.

it's in the evening that they pull Gerda aside, after everyone has eaten and when there aren't any pressing matters to attend to. Mona's blank features don't display much of her nervousness, but she's holding Veil's hand. ]

Do you have some time to spare, Gerda? We... wanted to discuss something with you, about our next steps in Purgatory.

[mementomoritz]

We've been trying to figure out how to help your layer, and we have a theory we want to test!

[As always, Medic's enthusiasm for experimentation is boundless. This may work, it may do nothing, or it may go horribly wrong- but by God, whatever happens, she's gonna document the hell out of it. She has a notebook out already.]

If you're willing to volunteer, I mean.

[swordofajerk]

[Sword just stands at the back of the group, arms crossed and watching. He's not intentionally putting out "I don't trust this" vibes, but...well. Resting bitch face and all.]

patercule: the thread

[schardynfreude]

[Goodness but all of this is exciting and fucking exhausting. None of this helps the gnawing darkness at the pit of Chiron, nor eases the ridiculous voice suggesting he need take vengeance on a country he doesn't know for deeds long since dead and done.

Things that do help: Orthrus and Phoenix. And their silly mutual affection for one another. He bids them come to the Limbo park, where hopefully no one is recklessly intensely training. There are snacks. ...Pre-made snacks, and in fact some meat on a bone from a butcher? A...bucket of water? Look when one is Big Dog one must plan accordingly.

Yes. He's set up a blanket as well. For a picnic.]

[discutio]

You know, I could have simply made something had you asked me to help plan ahead.

[geez]

I hope you didn't go to any trouble.

[twibeast]

[ All he had to hear was picnic and he was there. ]

Come now Phoenix, it can't be so bad to have someone else provide food for a change can it?