COUNTDOWN: PUTTING THE M IN MORALITY 3.0

[cordibus]

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!]

Comments

[whitefox]

[Vincent's second hand alighting atop his seemed to be successful at first glance in its intended effect. Kit's rage was quieted, the trembling of his hand ceasing almost instantly beneath the blanket of the other boy's fingers. And yet...it was impossible to tell what thoughts were left still buzzing through his mind.

Even as he calmly turned to answer the questions of the paramedics and police that followed, accepting (albeit reluctantly) both a lecture and praise for what he and his companion had done to save the man left inside, he seemed more detached than he did truly calm.

When a moment came where it was just the two of them and none of the professionals flitting about their busy work, Kit turned to Vincent and placed his free hand on the other boy's cheek. Turning his head to look at him it seemed almost like he wanted to apologize or to say thank you...something sincere. But what came instead was almost pleading.]

Let's go.

[There was a truck rolling up across the lot that looked to be filled with a camera crew and a reporter. The police hadn't taken their statements yet, hadn't gotten their names, and Kit wanted to keep it that way. He didn't want this news reaching his foster parents' ears.

He didn't care where they went. He just wanted to be gone before they had more to deal with than what they bargained for.]

[blacktemper]

Finally.

[despite the lack of any meaningful words from his companion, Vincent allowed himself to give the other boy a smile that was far too genuine for its own good. with a shift of his head that pressed his cheek suspiciously close to the resting resting upon it, he slides noiselessly off the back of the van.

after the misadventures of the day, all he wanted was to put godforsaken Hagu behind him for a couple hours. to this end his feet point them both in the direction of the train station - and, unbeknownst to Vincent, he continues holding on to the other boy's hand as they set off away from the news crew.]

[whitefox]

[If Kit noticed Vincent's seeming reluctance to let go of his hand, or if he even seemed to mind, he gave no indication. For the time being, his fingers remained laced with the other boy's as they left the scene quickly, putting the ringing chaos and the vile truth of that situation behind them.

The train station wasn't far, a small mercy in that morning's long string of unfortunate events, and Kit remained quiet for the duration of the trip there. He also remained close to his companion, only ever pulling their fingers apart or putting distance between them when it came time to purchase their train tickets.

His rescued uniform jacket had been settled upon Vincent's shoulders in the end, but that didn't stop Kit from reaching into one of the pockets to procure his wallet. He paid their way on board, as content to put Hagu behind them as his partner, but he wasn't sure where they were going. He wasn't even sure he cared.]

[blacktemper]

[it startles him just how much of a panic rises up in his stomach when Kit draws away to purchase their ticket; the alarm is so intense that he doesn't even think to protest over being treated. hadn't this been for the other boy's sake? he can't remember when it had started to be as much of a comfort for himself.

when they seat themselves on the train at last, Vincent allows his hand to drop gently onto his companion's thigh. it's close enough that he can take his hand again if he desires, but also innocuous enough that it can be brushed off without incident. he doesn't want to think about how much dread he views the second option with.

he has as little of an idea where they're headed as the other boy. it doesn't really matter, in the end. they could ride the damn train in circles for the rest of the day and that would be acceptable to him at this point. perhaps they'd get off at Green Valley after all, just for the irony.]

[whitefox]

[Kit stared at Vincent's hand for a long time before he reached for it again. The weight of it upon his thigh had been comforting, but after what they had endured, Kit didn't wish to be the only one receiving support. He entwined his fingers with Vincent's and positioned their hands between them without a word, even going so far as to lean against Vincent's form next to him, his arm brushing the other boy's shoulder.

No one else taking the train said a word to them or even seemed inclined to look in their direction. He didn't blame them, supposing there must have been an atmosphere around them both that promised unpleasant things if they were disturbed.

And it was like that until the stop at Green Valley was announced, Kit finally stirring next to the other boy by instinct alone. That was the direction of 'home', or whatever constituted as home currently. It would be too late to worry about attending classes, but at the very least they could rest someplace safe if they retreated to his dorm.

He gave Vincent's hand a suggestive tug and rose to his feet.]

We may as well. Unless there's someplace else you want to go?

[blacktemper]

[the weight that rises off his chest when they twine hands together again is more than a little frightening. but Vincent is too tired and too stubborn to dwell on it, instead returning the comforting weight of the other boy against him in kind. for once he's glad that no one is inciting a brawl - even the smallest puff of breath would bring reality into this carefully wrapped bubble they'd created, forcing them to confront what is was they were actually doing.

he blinks several times when Kit rises suddenly, having drifted off into his own mind to the point of losing track of the stations floating by. when his eyes flick to the sign outside the window, he lets out a soft puff of air.]

Hardly.

[there weren't many places that he truly wanted to be on a good day, and certainly none that would facilitate the sort of recovery that they'd both been forced to acknowledge they needed at present. he rises easily after being prompted, pausing for just a moment before heading to the train's doors.]

[whitefox]

[Much as Kit wanted to let his mind drift and to forget his surroundings, he wasn't able to after he and Vincent had left the gas station. His senses were on high alert. He was aware of every scent and every sound all around them, and all remnants of conversation within earshot were relentlessly processed for two things: a reason to fight, or a reason to stand his ground.

There was no danger this close to the school, however. The sort of people that could be found around Green Valley were different from the riffraff that was drawn to Hagu. He and Vincent were permitted to ride in peace and to depart from the station after the train had come to a full stop, and from there it was only a short trip to the campus and the dorms.

Kit held Vincent's hand the whole way. In fact, it seemed to be the only thing he wasn't acutely aware of, though the occasional way his fingers would stretch and then fit back in between the other boy's appeared to contradict that. And he didn't completely let go again until they'd reached the door to his dorm, when he needed to procure something else from the pocket of the jacket his partner was wearing.

His keys.

They fit into the lock with ease, and with a little click, they were admitted inside. Kit had never felt so relieved to be home...]

[blacktemper]

[it was just like the both of them, if either ever took any time to reflect on it; Kit was constantly looking for opportunities to prevent a problem from flaring up, and Vincent made no such efforts because of his confidence in being able to handle whatever may come their way. if only a little bit of both would rub off on the other.

each fidget of the other boy's hand is met with a reassuring squeeze as it finds its way back into place, although Vincent is as aware of his reactions as any other subtle details in his current surroundings. there's less dread when his companion releases him a second time, if only because he knows it's coming this time.

he sighs quietly, finally pulling the jacket off from around his shoulders to drape it over a kitchen table to finally dry off. even in here, however, Vincent doesn't move too far from his partner; he only releases the jacket once they've both moved close enough to the chair that he doesn't have to wander off.]

Home again.

[it's meant to be a sardonic comment, but his energy levels are flagging enough that it comes out as more of a mumble than anything else. well, it was fine.]

[whitefox]

[Kit nodded, contemplating the way that word sounded coming from his companion.

Home.

He could...maybe get used to that. Or he could if he would allow himself to think on it for much longer than a few seconds. The moment Vincent draped his jacket over the chair something else occurred to Kit and he was quick to rush to the garment and begin emptying the pockets of everything he typically kept within them. His knife, gloves, the tools he used for lockpicking...

His notebook had to be there somewhere, but...had it gotten wet, too?]

[blacktemper]

[watching Kit rifle through his own pockets suddenly reminded him that in all the chaos there was something he'd forgotten to tell the other boy. with a soft huff, he interrupts the search.]

Don't waste your time.

[with those harsh words he was pulling his shirt up until he could hold the hem between his teeth for several moments, leaving his hands free to pull the treasured object out from where he'd stashed it against his waistband. dry and unburnt, protected from the outside world by his clothes.

wordlessly he holds it out, shirt fluttering back into place. he wasn't going to say it, but Vincent knew how priceless notebooks like these could be. it would have been unforgivable to treat it any less preciously than his own.]

[whitefox]

[Kit laughed with relief when he turned to watch the other boy produce that small leather-bound book with the rose upon its cover. Leaving the items he'd already emptied from his jacket pockets on the table, he stood to collect the journal from the other boy, but instead of pulling it from his hands, Kit's folded atop Vincent's and held them both.

He wouldn't forget this. Somehow, someway he would find a way to repay Vincent for this kindness. He had not only defended him on the sidewalk, but saved his life today after he'd foolishly run into the flames at that gas station and protected one of his most valuable possessions in the process. Everything Kit had learned so far about their situation was written between those covers. It wasn't much, but it was all he had.]

Thank you.

[He should have said it earlier, but now was as good a time as any.]

[blacktemper]

Weren't you listening? I already told you not to waste your time.

[they're the same words but softer now, closer to the tone one would use for a you're welcome or it was nothing. Vincent's pride refused to allow him to acknowledge the concept that he'd done something kind without reason, especially not multiple times in a single day, but neither would some invisible force allow him to pull away.

just for a little while more...he couldn't say why, but he knew that if Kit held them in place like this for a few more moments then the other boy wouldn't owe him anything for the events of today.]

[whitefox]

[Vincent got his wish. Kit couldn't say why any more than the other boy would be able to explain why it was something he wanted, but they stood there for a few moments more watching each other and being grateful for that same thing. Only after Kit became aware that a minute or perhaps two had passed with neither of them saying anything did he finally pull away, a gentle chuckle shaking his shoulders.

Really, they did get very carried away in each others' presence, didn't they?

As he collected his belongings and started towards his room, he paused in the doorway and looked back at his friend. Because, after this, they were most certainly nothing less than that. Maybe they were even something more.]

We should get cleaned up. You can even borrow some clothes.

[It should have gone without saying with how much it was becoming a habit, but there it was just the same.

Kit didn't wait for Vincent's answer, either. He disappeared into his room, the door left open for him to follow if he wanted, or if he didn't...]

[blacktemper]

[perhaps. but it was the most enjoyable hurtling beyond the limits of common sense that Vincent had ever experienced.

the offer makes him chuckle, running a hand idly through his hair. his petulance had only allowed the medics to patch up anything that was bleeding, leaving quite a bit of smoke and grime on him. reckless as he was, there was no badge of honor to be gained from such filth in private like this. Kit would hardly be impressed.]

Maybe if you stop foisting all of your garbage on me.

[really, he was starting to wonder if Kit ever ran out of ugly sweaters. the answer was starting to look like no, which was vaguely concerning.

even so, he's already pulling his shirt up and over his head as he crosses the threshold into the other boy's room. it felt nicer than he'd care to admit to not have the acrid smell of burnt fabric wafting up into his face at all times now - even if the scorch marks were absolutely going to make this top a fashion staple later.]

[whitefox]

You can pick what you want this time.

[Kit tended to prefer pastels or other bright colors, but he certainly wasn't lacking in things that would appeal to even Vincent's tastes. They simply tended to hang toward the back of his closet. Relics from the past, more or less.

Peeling off his own sweater was a process that took a little longer than it should have, the delay caused by the way Kit stopped to consider who had picked it out for him and how much it smelled of Vincent now for the smoke it had been exposed to. He wished it would stay that way and that, like the miraculous way it seemed to escape that blaze without a single frayed thread, that perfect aroma would be preserved. But it would be gone soon, much like the redness from his coffee burn earlier, though his skin was still quite sensitive.

If it weren't for wanting to wash that morning off him, all the grime and blood and sweat, he might have considered a cold shower. But as it was, unbuckling his belt and unfastening his pants, he started towards the bathroom thinking of nothing more than becoming light headed under a steaming hot spray of water. Nothing that was except his current company.

He paused again in the doorway, gaze weighing heavily upon Vincent as he looked back over his shoulder at the other boy.]

Are you coming or not?

[blacktemper]

Start it up now if you're that impatient. I'm coming.

[communal bathing was far more commonplace in Japan than it was here in America; it's a perspective that hasn't left Vincent despite all the time he'd spent away from home. when his companion makes the assumption that they'd be taking a single shower, he doesn't even think to contradict him.

why would he? there was nothing wrong with being efficient about the hot water.

after barking his answer back he continues to strip, haphazardly tossing the discarded clothes onto the bed next to Kit's. it takes him several moments to remove all his piercings, and since his showermate seems to be in something of a hurry he removes his underwear as well before proceeding into the bathroom. it's another act he takes without thinking.]

cw: nudity or something. idek it's not super graphic so whatever.

[whitefox]

[By the time Vincent made his way into the bathroom, Kit already had the water running and the remainder of his clothes stripped off, loosely folded on the edge of the bathroom counter. He was leaning over the tub, arm extended and hand dipped beneath the rushing current from the faucet, fingers testing the temperature. Only when he seemed satisfied with that did he turn the shower on and turn to acknowledge the other boy's presence.

Much like Vincent, Kit wasn't unaccustomed to communal showers, but his experiences hadn't stemmed from a cultural background or even one of environmental consideration. He'd spent an entire year in a juvenile delinquent facility. It was simply something he'd gotten used to.

And besides, nudity had never been something he was ashamed about.

Stepping inside the shower, the hot stream of water already blasting against his skin and dampening his hair, Kit held the curtain open and waited for the other boy to join him.]

give me a couple tags i can fix that

[blacktemper]

[he steps in promptly, thoughtfully nudging the curtain so that no wayward droplets of water would find a way to spill out onto the bathroom floor. the water was still a bit cool for his taste, but Vincent was aware that the way he normally bathed would peel the skin right off a normal person and so he makes no mention of it. it's warm enough to soothe his aching muscles, and that was really all that mattered.

he ducks his head directly under the stream of water, completely soaking his hair. the rivulets running down his body as he straightens up again are heavenly, as is the steam slowly filling up the room. it really would have been an act of complete and utter idiocy to decline this.]

a cw is not a challenge!

[whitefox]

[Even in the small enclosure of the shower Vincent was afforded his privacy. Kit's gaze swept over him once only to ensure he had enough room to stand, and then it was as if he were by himself beneath the hot spray. For a time, anyway.

Hands cupped to collect water, Kit doused his face completely, the dried blood around the gash across his cheek washed away along with what remained of the smears of dirt and smoke from the fire. It felt good. Hot, soothing, and most important of all, cleansing, but the dryness of his hair meant he felt what little cool air existed in the bathroom much more prominently. As such, he was forced a little nearer to his companion to lean over his head and dip his head beneath the stream of falling water, the pressure of the water kneading his scalp and coaxing forth a contended sigh.]

sure it is, that's what cw stands for in the first place

[blacktemper]

[the bath is one of the few places where Vincent pays almost no thought to his privacy. he'd simply never been reared that way - additional bodies in the tub were as natural as conditioner.

as such it was almost instinctive for him to reach up and assist in his companion getting his hair properly soaked. deft fingers move to shift the crimson locks around for more balanced access to the water as well as tuck wayward strands behind his ears. there was nothing soothing about hair plastered to one's face, he knew.]

false. you are wrong.

[whitefox]

[Where Kit was raised, contact in shared showers wasn't so commonplace. In fact, it was a good way to wind up shanked or worse. But he didn't mind the way Vincent's fingers moved through his hair seemingly of their own accord. On the contrary, he turned his cheek to brush against the other boy's palm as it began its descent from tucking dampened scarlet tresses behind his ear.

It was strange how his touch seemed even warmer than the water, but Kit didn't shy away from it. Instead, moving closer, he raised one hand and pressed Vincent's tightly to his cheek, over top the cut that he'd seemed to think Kit should keep earlier.]

excuse you, it clearly says "challenge waypoint"

[blacktemper]

[he doesn't expect to be stopped after the conclusion of his work, but in this particular instance Vincent can't say that he really minds. there may be no modesty associated with bathing for him, but there was certainly an air of intimacy all the same.

there's no attempts to free his hand from its current prison. he tilts his head back to get a better view of the other boy, expression somehow contented despite its stoicism. his thumb runs over the edge of the wound peeking out from his own hand, pressing almost playfully down on it.

from this vantage point he could see all of the scars littering the other boy's bodies, ones that previous encounters had merely hinted at. they made him happy to see for some bizarre reason; it was as if Kit wouldn't be complete without even a single one.]

making things up on the spot doesn't make them real!

[whitefox]

[There were many scars decorating Kit's flesh, each with a story of its own, and in a way all of them were complete. All of them, that was, but the lone mark upon his face that Vincent's thumb was pressing down upon.

The gesture was met with a smile, small but amused. As if to remind the other boy that he would be the one to blame for the way it would scar, Kit pressed the Vincent's hand tighter to him, such that a fresh trickle of blood welled up beneath his fingers and ran down his cheek. It may have been washed away with the current of the shower, but it was as if he were passing ownership to his companion, leaving him solely responsible for completing the track that cut just below his eye.

And why not? Kit would much rather have a mark from Vincent on his body than a cretin like Kurt who lacked even an ounce of honor.]

good thing i'm not making anything up then, huh

[blacktemper]

[the gesture is met with an amused smile of his own. with a little tug he pulls himself free of Kit's grasp, only to lay a finger back on his cheek as the rest of his hand gently cups his jawline.

his finger is angled crosswise from the cut, passing through it to create a thin x. from the tilt of his head it's easy to hear his silent words: like this. I'd do it just like this.]

i like how we cw here before it's graphic and then nearly forget in the actual graphic thread

[whitefox]

[From the way Kit closed the distance between then, the flesh of his cheek gently depressed beneath the tip of Vincent's finger, his unspoken response was just as clear.

Make it yours.

It was the one thing he couldn't wash off himself in this shower, but with Vincent's help he could overwrite that wrong and make it better. He wasn't just giving permission. He was asking.]