applenet | COUNTDOWN: PUTTING THE M IN MORALITY 3.0

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COUNTDOWN: PUTTING THE M IN MORALITY 3.0

Did someone contact you during your dreams? Perhaps you were lucky and a few images of your past lives were revealed to you. Then maybe when your phone begins to act strange, you aren't as surprised. Maybe there's a feeling that you've seen this before... could it be a case of deja-vu?

You could all say it started with a strange icon that popped up on your phone that day. September 9th, 2017, a mysterious icon begins your decent into a different world.

Did you press it right away out of curiosity? Did you press it accidentally trying to dismiss it? Or did you wait long enough for it to cover your entire screen, forcing you to interact with it? Either way, congratulations! You've got...a Terms of Service popping up in front of you?

Terms and Conditions ("Terms")
Last updated: September 9th, 2017

Please read these Terms and Conditions ("Terms", "Terms and Conditions") carefully before using the http:/www.applenet.net website (the "Service") operated by AppleNET ("us", "we", "our", "horse", "goat", "sheep", "apple", "shapple" "etc.").

Your access to and use of the Service is predicated on your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms.

By accessing or using the Service you agree to be bound by these Terms and agree to be part of The Team. If you disagree with any part of the terms then that's too bad. You already agreed to them by reading this far. Don't worry, you're not alone in this! In fact, you've probably had a little bit of a warning, right? Your friends warned you in dreams? Hopefully they did cause otherwise, SURPRISE!

AppleNET has no control over and assumes no responsibility for content posted or user privacy. You further acknowledge and agree that AppleNET and its affiliates shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods, death, night shifts, or services available on or through any such web sites or services.

Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance the laws, by which we mean with little regard to its conflict with any laws. Are you still even reading this? I bet no one really reads this. PS for all apple pie needs, please contact Luci at Luci@applenet.com

Changes
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material we will try to provide at least 0 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be solely determined at our discretion.

By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms. You don't have much choice cause it's time to start fighting back! You can do it! Or at least it will be interesting to see...

Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us.

You quickly notice there is no contact number or address. Uhh---

DO YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS?
Yes | Hell Yes | Man I Can'T Wait to See What this is About! | APPLES!
It really seems like you don't have much choice. After pressing one of the four buttons (one of them trailing off to the side of the screen), a new screen greets you.

21 DAYS REMAIN BEFORE FULLY AWAKENING

Hey! Welcome to your new half life. Something like that. I'm Luci! You don't know who I am, but I know who you are. Freaky huh? But that's okay, cause you got a few of your friends coming in too. Anyway, answer these questions, we're gonna have a fun time talking about them, I'm not being all fancy this time, got it? Don't worry if the answer sounds 'bad'. After all, you're gonna be working with the rest of us! What's the worst that could happen?

I mean, bad things could happen. But that's why there's other people to help you! CHECK IT OUT GUYS I DID A FRIENDSHIP THING. PS - If you see something from a guy called "Guts", he can be really mean sometimes, so be careful!!!

Are they... acting like they’ve just hired you for a new job? (And really being impolite too. Who is this Guts guy?)

The first (and only) question for today is:

Would you kill a man/woman?

1) Yes! That sounds fun.

2) Yes, but only because they killed someone I loved.

3) Yes, but only out of self-defence.

4) This question is confusing me because I am unable to reach a proper conclusion.

5) No! That's so wrong!

6) No, but mostly because no one should know about my dark secrets.

7) No, I'm too pure.

8) No, but I'd pay someone else to do it. Guilt free, AND smart!

As you go to pick out an option... or try to exit out of it... you witness an all-too brief memory of a life you think isn't yours. A flash that makes you think you were hallucinating... or maybe something you've seen before in your mind. Your head hurts, your heartbeat increases dramatically, and you can barely see anything ahead of you...

Wait, did you already pick something? You don't remember touching the screen, but something's already been highlighted and pressed for you. Staring at the 'saving' prompt, you will later find out it was a deeper memory from your heart. It might terrify you, what you've picked.

After that, the program displays nothing else for a few seconds before a chatroom (appleNET chat v.301.02) boots up, with a username already attached to your account and a little icon, either a sword or a ship steering wheel, next to it. More worryingly, your answer is the first thing posted from your name. Not even a hi or hello.

Well good thing no one has any idea who you are... right?

But don't worry... this time you're not quite alone.

[OOC: The memory should only last for a few seconds, but it would be something significant that would surprise them. It could even be related to this question!

All mentions of their profession or other clues that might reveal who they are will be changed to [INFORMATION LOCKED]. However, due to the dream memories, their usernames will be a combination of the demon you chose for their Persona and their REAL name (not their AU one).

FOR PLAYERS ALREADY IN THE GAME: Your character now has their REAL name and their demon name. Additionally, NOTHING GETS CENSORED WHEN YOUR CHARACTER SPEAKS.

For the new players, have fun!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[his companion might have finally begun to accept that they were closer than they'd care to be, but Vincent refused to give in so easily. they were reluctant acquaintances in his mind, nothing more.]

You of all people should know better than to try and pull that sort of bullshit on someone.

[Hagu was a pit, but it had its uses. there was more than enough to keep a person occupied their entire life, whatever sort of goals they may harbor for themselves.]

There's nothing a school could teach me that I don't already know.

[Kit was genuinely perplexed by that retort. What sort of 'bullshit' was Vincent referring to?

He may have conned people in the past into digesting educational literature, but that didn't mean he thought of the written word or even what school had to offer as a punishment. On the contrary, he rather enjoyed the environment and, on occasion, even the company of his peers. He didn't keep many friends, and none of them were close, but the setting felt the most 'right' in a way that he couldn't explain. Probably, it had something to do with memories he hadn't yet unlocked.]

You're being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn.

[Kit shook his head. It was one of his companion's more endearing traits but, at the moment, it was a little sad. He couldn't imagine going through life not absorbing every piece of information that he could, particularly when it was free.

He'd lived that way for a time, but at the detention center he'd learned not to take some things for granted.]

You should always have a contingency plan. In the unfortunate event you cannot rely on your band, a proper education could help provide a secure future. More importantly...

[He smiled a little, the sort of smug and knowing smile that Vincent had probably come to loathe by now.]

I have a music class this morning.

[that was the bullshit he was referring to. that right there.

libraries existed for a reason. he would rather chew off his own arm before telling anyone, but nearly all of Vincent's free time was spent lost somewhere in the shelves of a public library. there was more freedom in those pages than any school could ever offer; he was the one dictating what would be useful to learn about, not some teacher who couldn't even pronounce his real name. it was a better education than even Green Valley could offer.]

I know what my options are.

[he was young and strong and his roommates dealt drugs. if the band really did take a turn for the worse at any point (a possibility he was constantly aware of) then he could simply double down on the odd jobs he already did on occasion and pick up a secondary line of 'employment'.

the money was less about being able to live and more about being able to finance his music. Vincent was determined to make his band succeed, no matter what it took. he refused any other fate.]

And I doubt it's any sort of music class that wouldn't make my blood boil.

[he sees what you're trying to do, Kit, and he hates it. he really hates it, right down to the return of the most punchable smile he's ever seen grace a person's mouth.]

Is that so?

[Kit hummed thoughtfully, the club slowly disappearing behind them as the streets around began to populate.]

I would have thought making your blood boil was the purpose behind music.

[But what did he know? He wasn't a musician or anything, not like Vincent. At best, he dabbled with a few instruments and could carry a tune without bursting eardrums, but he'd never performed a day in his life. Truthfully, he wasn't even sure he wanted to. His strength was being unseen, not taking center stage. And yet...he'd still opted to take music, a course that had been completely optional.]

Are you the sort of musician who won't listen to other genres? You're forsaking many inspirational opportunities doing that. As well as opportunities to appeal to a broader audience.

[that was a different sort of fire burning through his veins, although Vincent doesn't bother to try and correct him. it's clear just from a statement like that that his companion doesn't do any more than dabble in music - only the ignorant would assume that anger was the true purpose of playing.

he scoffs again, this time audibly, at the rest of Kit's words. it's baffling why the other boy is trying so hard to entice him into accompanying him to class, but it's almost amusing.]

"In seinen Armen das Kind war tot."

[Vincent can't help giving him a sidelong glance, expression equal parts smug and proud. he took mild offense at the implication he was a close-minded musician, enough so that he was willing to break the usual secrecy and reveal some of the depth of his actual knowledge.

after a slight pause, he simply shrugs.]

The intention's not to broaden our appeal in the first place.

[It wasn't anger that Kit had been referring to, but unbridled passion. The sort that left someone feverish and yearning for more, their blood boiling, mind swimming, and heart rate escalating beyond measure.

Music was meant to inspire that feeling the same as any other form of art. It was meant to awaken something within, to rouse a sleeping monster. Or at least, that was what Kit understood. It was a form of expression the same as any other, a channel through which raw emotion was fed in order to produce something uncanny. A picture, a sound, or an effect...

For him, he felt this way through the practice of martial arts, the simultaneous existence of reckless abandon and careful control.

...but it seemed Vincent knew precisely what he meant, and at his challenge Kit smiled a little. Of course he would know that poem.]

You would prefer to remain a niche interest, is that it?

[Kit chuckled...head shaking as they began approaching one of the cafes on the way to the subway station.]

Well, I won't force the issue, but I really do think you should consider it. In the meantime, will this place suffice for a new coffee?

[he doesn't respond, but the answer is clearly yes. to broaden their appeal to the more general population would mean dulling down the bite in their lyrics, the challenging nature of their sound. to become more well known they'd have to lose some of their soul.

Vincent would rather be condemned to obscurity for all eternity than submit to something like that.]

It's as good as any other.

[Hagu wasn't exactly known for its booming culinary scene, after all. one cafe was the same as another; especially when, despite himself, he is thinking over Kit's offer.]

[The cafe was on the small side, and while it certainly wasn't rundown by any means, boasting just as much of Eddan's natural green around all the windows, it also wasn't lavish. Very few tables occupied the floorspace. It seemed their business was primarily stop-and-go at the counter.

And there wasn't even any line.

Kit approached with Vincent, his eyes on the menu. Probably he could have gone for something much sweeter, but when the girl behind the register asked them what he wanted, he kept it simple and ordered two medium black coffees. He wasn't sure why, but a split second after he turned to his companion and asked...]

...is there anything else you'd like?

[he really ought to know better than that by now. without any sign of hesitation Vincent stepped up and ordered four bagels and a chocolate croissant. apparently he really didn't possess an ounce of shame in his body.

it's better to be interpreted like that than have his true intentions exposed, in his opinion. the bagels were for his bandmates later during practice, while only the croissant was intended to be consumed now. he was operating under the assumption that Kit would order anything extra that he himself desired, but if that was wrong...well, it was a pretty large pastry.]

That should be fine for now.

['for now.' as if the other boy would be purchasing him more food in the near future.]

[It wasn't that he didn't know better, but rather that he didn't mind. When the cashier looked to Kit to confirm if it was really all right his friend order all that, Kit gave his consent with a nod of his head.

He ordered nothing for himself besides the coffee, and after paying for everything, moved on down the counter with Vincent towards the order pickup area. Only then did he bother speaking, after gently nudging the other boy's shoulder with his elbow.]

I take it you skipped breakfast?

[Kit receives a nudge of his own in return, decidedly rougher but nowhere near being classified as antagonistic. Vincent leans against the counter rudely, making no secret of the way he was critically staring at the employee working to prepare their orders for them.]

Not really. It's just better to eat a lot of small meals throughout the day.

[it was an unfortunately nuanced answer for what should be a street punk, but there was no taking it back now. the other teen seemed to have the irritating ability to draw out the depths he worked so hard to keep under wraps. he couldn't say if it bothered him as much as it really should.]

I see.

[Kit nearly laughed at that for the way it sounded like something he would say. Could it be that they really were rubbing off on one another? He hoped not, lest he start staring down poor customer service employees and giving them heart attacks as they attempted to single-handedly fill a large order.]

But...

[He nudged Vincent again, an attempt to draw his attention off the young girl hurrying now to fetch all the product.]

...it's also better to eat a balanced diet. For example, you could stand to drink more milk.

[that gets his gaze to snap around with a sharpness that ought to be accompanied by an ominous screeching noise of some sort. it may not have been the wisest decision that Kit's ever made - he looks one breath away from hurling the scant few tables right at his companion's face.]

There is nothing wrong with my calcium levels.

[is what he responds. but what Vincent's eyes are saying is say that again and I'll drink your blood. it's probably doing nothing for the nerves of the girl behind the counter, but it's certainly altered his focus.]

Unless there's something else you want to say?

[ah, there it is. the one and only chance for Kit to back down before he face gets clawed off by an enraged punk. maybe he ought to take it, if he wants to make his train on time.]

[At least one of them wasn't hell bent on scaring the barista senseless, so Kit conceded defeat, holding up both hands playfully and shaking his head.]

No, there's nothing else.

[He'd said all he'd wanted to and, more importantly, all he'd needed to, his point very much made, much to Vincent's chagrin. And, by that point, their order was ready, the drinks placed carefully on the counter before them and the food presented in a paper bag neatly rolled down on the top for easy handling.

Kit thanked the girl for everything, slid a few extra macca across the counter as a belated tip and an apology for his surly companion, and then nudged Vincent yet again in the direction of the doors.]

Come on, let's go.

I know where we're going.

[his ire hadn't completely settled down yet despite Kit wisely choosing not to escalate for the time being. with that black hiss he grabbed his bag and coffee with enough violence to remove a person's face from their skull if he were so inclined.

instead he gives his unwilling companion a rough push beneath the shoulder blades before stalking to the door as indicated. incredible. at this point it was likely that he knew the way to the train station better than the other boy did. he actually lived here now.]

[The sharp shove gave Kit a bit of a startle, but it was nothing he couldn't simply shrug off. Making their way back outside, Kit gave one final apologetic smile to the girl that was working and had so patiently endured Vincent's surly disposition, and then he turned his full attention to his partner.

...companion.

He took a careful sip of his coffee, the piping hot black liquid and the way it threatened to scald his tongue the perfect distraction from his momentary mental glitch.

Once they were a few feet from the door and back on track towards the station, Kit finally spoke again.]

I'm not really sure why you let such comments get under your skin. It isn't as though your height makes you any less of a threat.

[Vincent himself had been adequately busy, rummaging through the bag for his croissant while maintaining a steady grip on the coffee in his other hand. it was a precarious dance he'd moved through many times in the past; only experience keeps things from tilting towards tragedy.

the look he gives Kit for having brought up that topic again is no less sour than before when he didn't have a sugary pastry in his grasp.]

They don't bother me. But it'd be stupid to let people keep saying garbage like that.

[they bothered him.]

You realize that doesn't make sense, right?

[He met his companion's sour gaze with a fresh-faced and pleasant one of his own, the sort Vincent usually wound up wanting to punch for all of its smugness.]

If you're not bothered by such comments, then it shouldn't matter whether or not people make them. For example, if I said...

[No.

Kit, no.]

...you have a short fuse. You wouldn't be offended by the play on words. But you are, aren't you? It's terrible that anyone would stoop so low! And you'd be completely within your rights to punch me in the ankle for that.

[well, there it is. the entire contents of his newly acquired coffee, blisteringly hot and something he'd been looking forward to, are launched directly at Kit's face without time to so much as blink.

really, who could've seen this coming?]

[In all fairness, Kit knew what he was doing and he expected retaliation. But poking Vincent to prove a point was a little like pulling a pin on a grenade and holding onto it to demonstrate its explosive power...

It was dumb.

Even managing to predict that Vincent would lash out, Kit couldn't completely avoid that scalding splash. He was fortunate in that it missed the majority of his face, but the hot liquid still splashed his throat and soaked immediately into the front of his jacket and through to his shirt instead, producing a loud hiss from the taller teen. Dropping his own drink, he scurried to pull off those top layers of his uniform, anything to get the liquid away from his flesh.

Stupid... Why did he do that? Why did he have to go and open his big mouth? He knew this would happen, too. Can't even be mad because he knew it and still went ahead...only had himself to blame...]

[Vincent, meanwhile, feels nothing but the more visceral pleasure upon his victory and the sound of pain it elicits. his face is practically glowing with the ugly smile of a man avenged; it's equal parts endearing and horrible.

he bends down to pick up Kit's abandoned coffee like some kind of rat, pouring its surviving contents into his own cup to mingle with the liquid that had managed to stay put there. he takes a sip as he watches the other boy perform an impromptu striptease, looking for all the world like he just happened to be enjoying some nice morning entertainment.

the scars were interesting, he had to admit. not surprising for the line of work he'd once been involved in, but there was always a certain allure to physical hints at past violence. what mistake had cost him those, he wondered?]

You can just tell everyone at school you were attacked by a gremlin.

[oh, now that's just mean. ruining his uniform and spitting back those unfunny jokes at him? it would've been better if he'd just punched Kit again.]

[More than even wringing out his uniform jacket or shirt, Kit seemed interested in procuring something from one of the inside pockets. He'd been fortunate this time. The way that Vincent's drink had splashed him had spared his left side. The pocket journal with the rose on the cover that he carried was unharmed.

For the most part.

A few pale spots of coffee dotted the sides of the pages, but it wasn't the sort of damage that rendered its contents lost or even warranted needing to get a new book. It was safe. More than even the redness of his skin or the multitude of his exposed scars, Kit only seemed to care about that.

...and then, with some humor, he actually laughed a little at Vincent's remark.]

I think I might do just that.

[The book was tucked into his pants pocket instead along with his gloves to spare them from any coffee stains, and then he wrung out his jacket and shirt before draping them over his arm. A wry smile was directed at the other boy when he was finally done collecting himself, but rather than lash out, Kit started past Vincent and lightly clasped his shoulder.]

Enjoy your double revenge. I'm going to be late now, too.

[hm. the dedication to preserving the notebook was interesting, although nowhere close to baffling. if he'd been in the same situation Vincent himself would have checked on the status of his lyric book before so much as considering the third degree burns. thoughts were precious. they were the only thing the world couldn't steal.

would he ever be able to see what was inside that little book? it was hard to say, but it was a courtesy that he himself had extended to Kit once. perhaps it would be repaid someday.

...the oddity of such a thought knocks him out of the pensive mood just in time. he makes a vague noise in the back of his throat, a little too loud, before he jerks his shoulder away irately.]

You say that like it wasn't a foregone conclusion.

[there was no way Vincent would be cooperative long enough for his companion to make his destination on time. it's a small wonder that he even falls back into step with him when the other boy finally begins moving once more.]

[It was only after confirming that his notebook was safe and moving to pass by Vincent that Kit allowed any signs of discomfort from his burns to show. It wasn't the first time he'd been the victim of scalding heat as several of the scars that ran up the length of both arms, across his chest, and over both shoulders clearly indicated, but even his familiarity with the pain could not dull its sharpness.

Returning to the dorm swiftly to wash and apply some aloe to the wounds would be in his best interest, but by the time it would take them to get from Hagu to Green Valley's dorms the worst of the damage would have been done.

He really needed to learn to carry medicine with him. He always had his lock picks, multipurpose tool, his knife, and always carried his journal. He was ready for most situations...but personal care, for some reason, was never a priority much less a consideration.

For now he would just have to focus on the subtle morning breeze and tell himself that it wasn't aggravating his wound so much as it was good for it. If it stung, it was okay. He could bear it. He'd endured far worse.]

You're probably right. But we'll miss my music class at this rate. I'm sorry...I'd really hoped to show it to you.

[having paused to take a wolfish bite out of his croissant, Vincent doesn't answer immediately. when he does, he sounds almost amused at the apology.]

Sounds more like a blessing than anything else.

[he still held that they'd probably have a more productive time learning music from a group of monkeys with percussion instruments than from beleaguered high school students.]

Guess you'll just have to try again later if it's bothering you that much.

[it's difficult to get a read on that comment because he's immediately downing a large gulp of coffee to help wash away the croissant bits still stuck in his throat. how professional of him.]

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