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

done

[cancrymods]

When the Executors come to, Gerda remains frozen in place. Going by the look on her face, it's clear that she also saw whatever memories flooded into your minds the moment the contract was established.

Before anyone can say anything, Gerda bolts.

[mementomoritz]

Wait-! [Medic tries to run after her.]

[She doesn't know the terrain as well as Gerda, doesn't have any idea where she's going. She knows she won't catch up. But this is a person in need, someone she could treat, try to help.]

[She has to try.]

[daughterofthemark]

[Veil runs, too. She has no illusions of being able to treat anyone. She's not confident she really understood the implications of what she saw. But Gerda is her friend, and if there's anything she can possibly do to help, she wants to do it. Even if it's just being there while... she doesn't know what.]

[swordofajerk]

You idiots--

[And off Sword goes, though mostly to get to the girls before something stupid happens. To the other three:]

Let the rest know what happened!

[ourtomorrow]

I'll get them!

[ Already transformed, Prehnite buzzes out of hiding on his bugwings, then zips off to grab the other Executors. Gerda had established more of a rapport with Medic and Veil...they're better for tracking her down, hopefully calming her.

As he flies, he types with one hand: ]

Did you all see that, too?

[alcahest]

[ it takes a moment — frozen in horror, retching — before Mona's trembling legs are able to move, and she sprints to catch up with Prehnite, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she begins to sob. she fumbles to pull her phone out and calls Chiron, clutching it to her ear with both hands like a lifeline while it rings. ]

Please pick up, please, please...

[cancrymods]

[ They might not know the layout as well as Gerda, but with Medic's powers, she'll at least be able to recognize the telltale sense of an Executor transforming before Gerda picks up speed and becomes harder to track.

Pursue her? ]

[daughterofthemark]

[Veil does not have Medic's powers actually she's a little behind on powers since I haven't hit up the page in several dungeons but she will pursue to the best of her ability.]

[mementomoritz]

[Continuing to follow, while shouting:]

Can we please talk about this?!

[swordofajerk]

[Sword is following right behind them.]

Can either of you sense her?

[mementomoritz]

I could feel her transforming down this way- definitely an Executor transformation, like when we fight. Not like a Revenant. But she's moving fast and it's hard to keep track.

[cancrymods]

[ Thankfully, with all of them in pursuit, Gerda doesn't get too far away. She's speeding ahead, but with Mercy especially helping to track her, it becomes clear she's heading for the locked kitchen she once let them into in the Undercity. ]

[daughterofthemark]

[OH GOOD! THERE'S PROBABLY NOTHING BAD IN THERE OR ANYTHING.]

[swordofajerk]

Just keep track of her and tell us where she's going!

[The kitchen. That. Hm. Sword has a bad feeling about this but honestly, when doesn't he have bad feelings about everything? Still, he goes ahead and transforms, just in case. Even if Gerda isn't wanting to attack them, something else somewhere might.]

[mementomoritz]

[Okay, so you know that one place you probably hoped she wasn't going to?]

She's definitely heading for that locked kitchen, in the Undercity!

[Yeah, sorry, she's just gonna confirm that for you. She said it in bold and everything.]

[cancrymods]

[ Knowing now where she's going, it doesn't take all that long for the gang to catch up. Unfortunately, it seems they're a hair too late – the door to the kitchen hangs wide open and billowing heat pours out, reeking and festering.

If you dare inch in further, you'll see that the once-closed meat chiller has been wrenched open and inside it is a familiar set of stairs leading down, down into...

Well, at this point, it's hardly the unknown, is it? ]

UNDERSIDE UNLOCKED

[daughterofthemark]

Lady Gerda...

[why does she get the feeling this just became a rescue mission]