cancry | Luxuria Underside Log

Luxuria Underside Log

LUXURIA DUNGEON LOG
A sense of unease permeates the air as the Executors go to meet up with Lana. While she's been nothing but friendly so far, the manic energy of the Luxuria layer and her demand for the power of an Executor in exchange for letting them pass through to the so-called 'VIP rides' makes things seem a little uncertain. Add to that the mysteries still surrounding much of Purgatory and the still unknown event that shook the whole world down to its foundations and things are starting to seem a little more grim. But it's too late for second thoughts now. Once the group meets with Lana and she cheerfully forms a contract with Rei, the Executors and their newest recruit descend down into the VIP section of the carnival – down a set of stairs that, by now, should be very familiar to all of you... Please note that due to the nature of Luxuria and its Underside, this entire log has a warning for adrenaline addiction, death, injuries and reckless self endangerment.
THE UNDERSIDE
♪♫ Now Is A Dull Party – Sakuzyo A blast of dry heat batters your face as the Executors descend into the Luxuria Underside. Rapid winds, seemingly whipped up solely by the excitement and energy of the layer push and pull at you as you descend the stairs, making for a hair-raising climb down. As you look down at the carnival that swims into view below you, that seems to be a bit of a theme. Curiously, from this far up, you can't see any Revenants freely wandering about and any who can sense them will find that what few Revenants remain have been corralled into cages and stables, almost like circus animals. It's... a little unsettling to see, honestly! Similarly unsettling is the noise and lights all about. While just about on the edge of tolerable, even to the Executors who might be more sensitive to the noise, there's a certain feverish excitement to things down here in the Underside that brings back unpleasant memories of the casino at Avaritia. And maybe they're not too dissimilar to each other – people are still gambling down here, after all. The only difference is that the huge crowd of Specters that occupy the Luxuria Underside aren't betting just money – they're betting their lives... Once they arrive in the Underside, Lana turns to the group and gives them a grin that shows just a little too much teeth. "Alright! I wanna see you guys strut your stuff. I mean, you've all got some crazy powers, right? Show me what you can do with 'em. Blow me away with some cool stunts on these rides and I just might let you further down." The same decreased inhibitions effect is at play down here as well, even more prominently than before. Surely that won't cause any sort of issue with all the dangerous rides at play, right? AREAS OF INTEREST ⚝ CARNIVAL ATTRACTIONS: As with the upper half of the Layer, there are a huge number of carnival attractions to be found, though they all have a slightly wonky bent. The food provided is largely in the form of 'challenge' foods with huge portions or extreme flavours – there's more than a handful of stalls serving spicy food so hot it makes you taste colours and hear blood. As well as food, though, there's some surprisingly normal rides and... some roadside attraction cages containing some of the Revenants that once wandered freely down here, now boxed up like animals. Say hi to Charles... ⚝ DEATH RIDES: What's a carnival without some rides? ⚝ CIRCUS TENT: Come one, come all... ⚝ . . . ?: See for yourself. HAZARDS ⚝ Rides: I Literally Can't Overstate How Dangerous These Rides Are. Thanks to their enhanced movement and durability, the Executors have a huge edge over your average Specter but all of them are still at serious risk of injury while taking part here. ⚝ Revenant Types Present: None.

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I don't have a problem with heights... I assume? I climbed the Ferris wheel car and I wasn't frightened.

[ so if she was afraid of heights when she was alive, it doesn't seem to have carried over into death, anyway. ]

I think the symbols must mean something. I'm not sure about mine, but it's on my Executor uniform, too — [ she lets go of one of the hands she's holding to tap at the symbol on the arm of her clothes, and then quickly goes back to joining hands. ] — so I'm sure they're connected to us, or our lives.

[ her head cocks to the side, and she asks innocently, sincerely: ] What kind of life did you have, Lana?

[ That Man, huh? Curious phrasing, but not something Galea will comment on. As Lana and Mona speak up, Galea quietly takes in her own symbol adorned on her outfit. A flower, but what kind? It's too stylized for her to guess and trying to rack her brain over it brings nothing to the surface. ]

I suppose I'll have to figure out what mine means. [ A sigh, that was going to be future Galea's problem. ] But I'll be fine with heights.

[ As the topic shifts, even though she's not sure the topic is a good one, her expression remains pleasant...and admittedly, a little curious. Her gaze wordlessly flicks to Lana, thinking of her standing at the highest point of the ferris wheel. ]

I am fine with them as well... but I am curious what you have planned?

[ Lana throws them a grin over her shoulder. ]

You'll see soon enough.

[ True to her word it only takes another minute or so of walking to come across her apparent destination - a massive pit - some few hundred feet in circumference and since the interior of the pit disappears into blackness only ten feet down, you have no way of guessing how deep it is.

You can guess that the answer is probably very.

In the middle of this hell pit is a platform about fifty feet wide suspended precariously by four wobbly looking bridges. By literally all course of logic, this thing should not be staying upright.

Lana points right at it, still grinning all over her face. ]

If you're all that strong, you can make it out onto there with me, right?

[ even with the light, carefree feeling that's buoyed her through Luxuria's Underside, this causes Mona to stop short, and a sliver of anxiety worms in through the crack. she squeezes both of the hands she's holding, reflexive. there's a difference between being afraid of heights and being able to make it across — this whole situation. ]

Is that... really to do with strength? [ not that Mona really considers herself strong anyway, regardless of what abilities an Executor may have... ] But — um, I'll try my best.

[ it's not like they have much choice, do they? if that's what Lana wants, for them to prove themselves. ]

[ Galea's tail, which has been wagging back and forth with excitement, stops on a dime, like a metronome. There's a moment where earnest sense seems to creep in, just enough to combat the effects this layer has put her under. This is suicide - the rational part of her brain pleads with her. - and there's no way this isn't a trap.

The smile on her face remains in place, despite the thoughts racing in her head, but she squeezes Mona's hand back, flashing her a warm smile - and then letting go of her hand. She shoots Lion a quick look, expression more cautious and intent clear - if things get bad, please protect her.

Galea steps forward, eyes glinting. ]

That sounds like a challenge. Fancy another race? Just you and I, of course.

[ She grins with teeth, fangs glinting. She got them into this mess. If this was going to be trouble, she would take responsiblity. ]

[Lion knows that look, and it puts him on alert instantly, his face set. He doesn't like her attempting this alone, but he will abide it for now.]

Strength of heart? Strength of convictions? That sort of crap. Whatever you've gotta dig into to get out on there!

[ She spins on her heel to turn and face them again, her eyes alight with playful mischief and a sort of feverish eagerness that you've seen before – in almost all the Specters here down in Luxuria. ]

So call it a race if you want. Let's just get our asses out there!

[ Lana whips around and in the same movement, her whole body is swallowed by light for a brief moment – the light that heralds the transformation of an Executor. She's barely settled into her new form before she shoots off, pelting at top speed across the fragile looking bridge, not seeming to mind as it bounces and wobbles under her footfalls. ]

[ it's a dramatic change that Lana goes through, more so than any of the other Executors' — but there's very little time to admire it before she's gone and Mona's heart leaps to her throat. she makes no move to follow. ]

Ah... Um... I-I think I'll go slowly.

[ Galea gives herself a moment as Lana takes off, noting the quick steps across the fragile bridge. It would be a fool's errand to use the same one as Lana's, and she didn't want to risk that bridge snapping under the weight.

There was no room to be careful and cautious. She just had to pray instinct was enough. Still, she grins at Lana's remark. ]

Well then, who am I to refuse a request?

[ And she takes off on one of the other bridges, keeping her steps light and her pace quick, her Executor outfit fluttering like petals as she ran. Speed was the key, at least as far as she could tell... ]

[Once the two take off Lion says softly:]

Be ready, if it is a trap we need to be ready to rush to her aid.

[ The bridges have an uncomfortable amount of give and sway under their feet as the Executors begin crossing – it doesn't seem like they're in danger of breaking just yet but the sense of unease is impossible to shake, not helped by the way the yawning void under them is perfectly visible in the gaps between the boards. The whole thing is an acrophobe's most high octane nightmare.

For now though, it seems safe. As Lana runs out onto the platform, laughing and dancing all the way, it seems all you can do is follow. ]

[ well, it doesn't seem to be a trap, which is good. but it means they have to go over there now. which is bad. ]

... Y-you can go first, Lion...

[ Galea's solution, as she speeds along the bridge, is to just keep her gaze firmly ahead, even as the bridge beneath her feet sways and creaks. She knows if she stops for just a moment, gravity will take over, and it would only make things even worse.

It takes no time at all and yet seems to take forever at the same time, but finally her feet touch more solid ground as she reaches the platform. Galea doubles over to catch her breath, giving Lana an apologetic grin and a wink. ]

Seems like you beat me again. Guess I'll have to run faster next time.

[ Still, she glances out, to the others. Were they okay...? ]

[Lion watches this, and looks down at his own size and heavy armor.

with a decisive nod he reaches over and picks up Mona like a beloved kitten, hauling her up onto his back]

Hold on.

[Which she better do, as he's not stopping to confirm, instead jogging back... and then taking a run at the edge, his lance manifesting and shoving it into the ground with all his strength.

... so yeah we're just gonna fucking super strength crest powered pole-vault over the gap. This in Lion's mind is somehow faster and safer than the bridge]

Edited 2022-07-28 21:17 (UTC)

[ Honestly shocked that I never once thought that Lion Yeet would be the solution to the problem here. Lana seems equally surprised and delighted, almost doubling up with laughter even as he lands and the platform bounces and jitters rather uncomfortably under all their feet. ]

You guys are seriously too much! You're probably not scared of anything at this point, huh? When you're that strong and sturdy, nothing gets you going.

[ Her smile fades just a bit. ]

Must get dull eventually.

[ contrary to how nervous she was about crossing the bridge, Mona barely reacts at all to being scooped up and carried — she was only worried about her own ability to make it, not the danger itself. when they're safely on the platform, she presses a quick kiss to Lion's cheek before she releases her tight grip on him and gets back down on her own feet. ]

Thank you, Lion.

[ meanwhile, it's obvious what Lana is thinking. they'd realised before they ever met her what had driven her further down into Luxuria's underside. ] ... We're not invincible, Lana. There are plenty of things that can still be scary.

[ there's a moment where galea's brows are furrowed in concern as she doesn't see lion or mona crossing one of the bridges - just before lana whoops with laughter. galea looks up and -

- w-well, that's. one way to do it! as lana doubles over with laughter, galea just lets out a deep sigh of relief, pinching the bridge of her nose just as she smiles wryly. as the platform shifts and lana speaks up again, the way her smile dulls, the way mona speaks up - it all sets her on edge.

time to ask the question she doesn't want to. ]

...Lana. Why did you bring us here?

[the kiss makes him grin, but he quickly sobers up as they question Lana]

Yes. We will not easily fall to trickery.

Psh, you think I'm low enough to trick you? Man, you guys are breaking my heart. [ She lays a hand on her chest as if to better get her point across – but she's grinning all over her face like she's pulled off some sort of cunning prank all the same. ] But I guess if you're getting all riled up, that works all the better for me.

[ She flexes her fingers. With the familiar glow of an Executor's weapons, twin swords with sharp, serrated blades, flash into being in her hands. ]

You guys know how to fight monsters, right? Have you ever fought an Executor?

[ slowly, Mona tenses, and one of her feet slides back a step, eyes on one of those swords. Lana isn't being subtle about her intentions. no matter how much Mona would like to see the best in people, she can't pretend otherwise. maybe Lana doesn't mean to be an enemy, but — what she wants is reckless and dangerous. ]

We... don't do that. These powers are for helping people.

[ And there it is. Galea wishes she could say the tenseness leaves her - but rather, it just winds her up all the more. Her demeanor shifts, immediately more protective of Mona and Lion. ]

Of course we haven't.

[ Direct, to the point. Galea's tone is as sharp as Lana's blades. ]

And there is no reason to start now. Whatever you're thinking, it isn't worth it.

[ That kind of power, turned against an Executor...Galea knows for a fact that could only lead to serious harm or worse. ]

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Luxuria Underside Log

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Sorry didn't realize it was my turn

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whoops, sorry, dropped my foreshadowing