applenet | COUNTDOWN: I SEE YOU

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COUNTDOWN: I SEE YOU

Seven days remain.

The warning bells of the Nightly Curfew ring across the city. There's a faint hum from the phone this time before the icon appears. This time it displays a time: 1:00AM

The rest of the night is normal. Perhaps you've cuddled up with family, or you've gone to bed early to wait, but sure enough, time tick by right until 1 in the morning when....

You're back into that application again. A single question before you're even permitted to type anything else. And while it seems to be overwritten by something inside of you, it feels a lot more natural than before. Which is, truthfully...troubling.

But then something happens...

WƎ☹C!ERROR!OMƎ ▒ O ▒ HƎ FIN⟡☹ QUIZ!!ERROR!!ERROR!
⟡nƧwƎ!ERROR!r from ▒ hƎ hƎ⟡r▒ , ▒ hƎ p⟡r▒ of you ▒ !ERROR!h⟡▒ h⟡Ƨ bƎƎn dƎniƎd for f⟡r ▒ oo ☹ong.

Is your ☹ife here ⟡ ☹ie?
YƎƧ | DƎfini▒ Ǝ☹y | ƧurƎ | I'vƎ hd my !ERROR! doub▒ Ƨ bƎforƎ, bu▒ yƎƧ | HƎ☹☹ YƎƧ | ▒ hƎrƎ iƧ no o▒ hƎr conc☹uƧion | I wiƧh I cou☹d dƎny i▒ nd ☹ivƎ hƎrƎ pƎcƎfu☹☹y !ERROR!bu▒ i▒ 'Ƨ ▒ ruƎ.

▒ h⟡nk you...!ERROR!▒ h⟡▒ wi☹☹ bƎ ⟡☹☹. ☹Ǝ▒ uƧ ƧƎƎ wh⟡▒ your hƎ⟡r▒ b☹oo!ERROR!mƧ in▒ o...

I SEE YOU.

What had just happened? Before you can think about it for too much, and as your heart beats faster, the screen returns to normal, and another message flashes.

Well shit. Lets try this again. Answer from the heart, the part of you that has been denied for far too long. DO IT QUICKLY!

Is your life here a lie?
Yes.

Sorry lambs, this time we can't kid around...

Once you are done, you are tossed once more into the main chatroom. Is fear rising? Is your heart beating faster? There's a lot more at stake now it seems. Fortunately, your user names are the names that you wrote down in the last survey, but with all those questions it's....hard not to think of them as your own. Maybe you'll be cursing at this device, but it looks like you're already deep down the rabbit hole by now.

And now...something's might be looking right back.

[OOC: This is one of the final network post before Awakening. ALL Users will now be able to speak of who they are in their AU life without the information being blocked by the application.

Additionally, while speaking, Applenet might spazz out, like above. If this happens, a random painful memory will hit both Awakened and Unawakened (please warn if the visions are graphic for other players). They might find themselves writing down things afterwards regarding the memory (for example, getting shot, they might write down the pain they are felling, etc) and regretting it. This can happen up to 5 times per user.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[All of them...

Then, does that mean there's more than what he's already seen? That notion shakes Kouyuki down to his core, but he tries his hardest not to let it show when, after a few minutes, he finally types back his reply.]

I'm glad. Except for the headache. I'm sorry about that.

[It was his fault, wasn't it? Something they were talking about must have triggered it, and even if that's not why it happened, it still happened while talking with him. He can't help feeling partly responsible.]

Don't be. Its this damn apps fault. Luci must have ruined somethin again.

Besides, a few headaches are the least of our problems. Sucks that pain meds don't work on em though, this one feels like a kicker.

Mm.

[It isn't any of his business and he shouldn't ask, but he's never demonstrated the same kind of restraint as Michi...]

I don't know what you saw, but it's fine with me. This is. If people need help and I can do something, I think that I should.

Because this wouldn't be happening at all if it weren't for us...right?

We're the only ones who can see the app and speak with Luci. We're the ones "the enemy" is trying to find.

I shouldn't have yelled at you. But I can't help but think...it'll be a lot harder if we're divided.

What I saw wasn't for kids. I ain't talking.

[He smells ur curiosity over there dammit. ]

Things like "fault" are irrelevant.

What matters is we have entered a battlefield with unknown players and someone using us for his own agenda.

I have no interest in dying here. Anyone who uses kids as soldiers ain't got my respect and 'sides, I've remembered I have other things to do then fight other peoples battles.

I'm not a kid.

[Yes you are, Kouyuki.]

But it's fine. You don't have to say. Those things...they're hard to talk about.

I don't care what Luci's motives are, though. They don't matter. This is my fight because

[He stops. He doesn't dare say what's at stake. It's enough to know something is. Something that he cherishes. Which is, in this instance, his family. If he doesn't fight, who will protect them?

He won't have his home wind up another incident reported in the news for people to gawk at and spread rumors about.]

Never mind.

Whatever you do, good luck.

Haha! Sorry kiddo, Luci ratted you out already.

[ Guts pauses at this quiet admission, waiting. When nothing comes, he sighs. Intense. He probably shouldn't push it. ]

If you have something to protect hold onto it, kid. Fight as hard as you got against anything thats gonna take that away. I can't fault that.

I didn't think that you of all people would believe everything Luci says. But I guess that doesn't matter, either. Not really.

I'll fight. I have to. I don't really know what or who against...but I know who it's for. That's enough. It has to be.

But don't you have...never mind.

It isn't safe to say. And if you did, you probably wouldn't think of leaving, right?

Motherfucker is a lot of things, but he ain't a liar.

[Swear jar. ]

Have people I wanna protect? 'Course, I do. I'm getting my brother out while I still can. Ain't no way I'm letting Kris stick around the city when things are getting like this.

...That...wasn't censored?

Be careful what you say!

[This is absolutely not said in reference to Guts' swearing, but rather his reckless mentioning of his brother's name.]

Can you delete it?

[Before "they" or "it" sees. Whatever is watching them that's got Luci spooked.]

[Theres a few minetes of frantic silence.]

Tch, No! Usually that asshole censors everything I didn't think. Goddamit. Goddamit. I need to go make sure he's ok.

....Wait if the censors are down does that mean I can warn you about [INFORMATION REDACTED]

[Warn him about what? Why was that blocked? Why was that blocked?!

This useless app! How are they supposed to protect anyone if they don't know anything!]

Of course you can't. That would actually be helpful.

Goddammit. Sorry kid.

[He can't just say that and then not give the kid some advice though. ]

Ok. Just know that that countdown up there is for something. And, Ah hell fuck it. If you wanna protect people stock up on the stuff in Lazers Pawnshop. Draw a sheep on some paper and slip it to him. He'll know what it means.

Your welcome to any of my stuff after I go too. I'll leave some around Green Valley if you want it.

NO!

if you leave your things behind you won't have anything to protect yourself and your brother with! don't be dumb, hold onto that stuff just in case! you need to take it with you if you go!

you need to

besides

i won't take from other people to protect myself or anyone else. i'm not that desperate.

[And even if he is, Michi would never let him hear the end of it if he did that. And rightfully so.

No...if he was going to do this, he was going to do this the right way. Lazers Pawnshop was a good place to start. He'd already started looking into a weapon to have on hand, something he could pass off as an item he'd be using over the summer for neighborhood landscaping or something. It wasn't as if he could pick up a new sport during break when all the school clubs were closed, after all.

But at least that would be his own and he wouldn't be stripping anyone else of their means to defend themselves or others.]

Selfless idiot.

I can't take everything you know. Besides I got some useful stuff. Lotta painkillers bro would kill me if I took. I'll leave em by the big tree in the courtyard. Some money too...I won't need it where we're going and I doubt brats like you get huge allowances.

[ His Dad Instincts(TM) will not let him leave behind this child unless he's sure he at least has some tools to survive with. ]

[He's not going to listen. Kouyuki realizes that, and knows in that instant that arguing won't get him anywhere. Not here, at least. But maybe he can still win this by doing what he does best...

If he can figure out which tree and courtyard Guts means, as well as when he intends to be there, then Kouyuki can meet him there and try to "talk" some sense into him. Honestly...leaving supplies and money just lying around, especially when you've got someone to take care of! This guy...]

How am I supposed to know where that is or when to even check for it? Did you even think about that?

[If the kid wants to talk face to face he could just ask. But Guts instead considers his sechdule and types down a guileless answer]

You know Green Valley School right?

Right out in front there's that orchard and then the main courtyard. There's a big oak tree there they forgot to dig up while planting.

[Its also where Guts often stops the track team to rest, but he wouldn't know Fubuki knew about that. ]

I'll get some stuff there by tomorrow. There's a hallow in it about halfway up where I could stuff a plastic bag.

[Kouyuki? Ask?

Hah!

That'd just slow him down. The whole operation will run more quickly and smoothly if he plays along, and besides...this way he stands a better chance at meeting this guy face-to-face rather than being shrugged off or dodged.]

Mm. I think I know the place.

[He'd suspected at first that it was at his school, but that confirms it.

Strange...that so much seems to center around that place. But he doesn't have time now to think about it. Considering the hour, he...he should try to sleep, but he knows he won't be able to. So what he needs to do instead is make sure he knows tomorrow what to say to this person. And that he doesn't show up unarmed in case anything happens.

After all...if whatever is watching them can pinpoint that location, there could be trouble.]

I'll at least make sure nobody steals that stuff and that it goes to someone who really needs it.

[The following day, the skies were as heavy with clouds as the streets were wet with rain. Fortunately, rain had never stopped Kouyuki from training before, and so his aunt and uncle hadn't questioned him when he said he was going out for a run. He was reminded to wear his jacket and take an umbrella, which he did, opting for a small collapsible one that wouldn't impede his speed but could also double as a means to defend himself if...something happened.

He wasn't sure how long it would take "Guts" to get to the school, but living in Green Valley, he arrived quickly enough at the tree. With his umbrella opened finally to keep the rain at bay, he considered why the person on the app would have chosen this spot. Was it important to them? Was it just because it stood out? There were other noteworthy places across the Green Valley campus, but...

Well, he'd find out soon enough.]

[Kooyuki might have expected Guts to emerge from one of the main buildings or a road from the main street but instead a dark figure runs out from the orchard. Guts had forgotten to check the weather broadcast last night, so he arrives drenched, hood pulled all the way up to try and protect his face. He carries a purse (he'd insist it was a bookbag but we all kno the truth) close to his side. He didn't sleep well last night but he gotten the time to prepare a bit more then promised.

But when he sees Kouyuki in front of the tree he skids to a hault, doing one, two almost three takes before pulling down a hood to reveal his face. ]

Kouyuki? [His fellow captain sounds honestly concerned. ] What are you doing out here so early? You're going to get sick.

[The suddenness with which the large figure emerges from the orchard is startling, to say the least. Kouyuki even finds his hand clenching his umbrella more tightly, making certain the rain hasn't slicked his grip. His toes shift in his sneakers and he feels the soft earth move beneath him. If a need to run arises, that will undoubtedly slow him down. But he knows this terrain. He's run it countless times in all manner of weather. For that reason, there's a confidence to the way he holds himself, back straight, chin level, and his gaze unfaltering as he searches for some idea of who is beneath that hood.

And when he finally does get a good look at who it is, it's as if all the pieces have finally slipped into place. If nothing else, he should have recognized that voice when Luci broadcasted that song. Why didn't he?]

But I'm not the one who looks like a drowned rat. [He glances at his umbrella, keeping his head of fluffy hair fairly dry, and then back at Guts. Or Gabe, as he knows him.] I told you that you'd need that stuff.

[Guts has to chuckle at that. ] Pft. As if I could get sick.

[ He deflates a little after, hunching his shoulders a little and staring at the ground. He mutters a little to. ]

So you were on that goddamn app. Was you of...I shoulda known you overcompetative brat. Luci keeps getting kids...I...I don't like it. [This was easier with a stranger. He rubs his wet hair and fixes Koyuki with a hard stare.]

They won't censor me now so I'll say it. Theres something evil in this town, behind all those goddamn murders or unexplained disasters here and in six days its gonna come back up and they'll tell you to fight it. Those thing...ain't human. You need tools kid. I won't see a member of my team die.

Edited 2017-07-10 05:05 (UTC)

[He'd already been certain, but when Guts speaks that name — Luci — he really knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that this man, a fellow teammate, is one of the people recruited by the app. Or perhaps by Luci. And that realization hits like a brick.

But what hits even harder is the truth about what they were recruited for. Kouyuki had been given some idea previously, as much as could be safely said on the app, but no one had said anything about fighting things that weren't human.

He's not sure what he expected, but it wasn't that. And for a moment, all Kouyuki does is stare up at Guts. Uncertain.

It's a wonder he sounds just as much of a brat as he always has when he finally does speak up again, although his gaze averts to the side this time, to stare at the hollow in the tree that was going to be used as a hiding place.]

Oh? If you ran away, you wouldn't see anything anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

[They say salt wards off bad spirits. Maybe it wards off bad feelings, too?]

[He stiffens a bit at that, anger flashing over his face in a thin set of the jaw and a flash of grey eyes. He clentches a single fist beside him and takes a deep breath. A kid. Just a kid. His pride can take it. He will not be irrational. ]

Do you know how I lost my arm Kouyuki... [A pause and he chuckles. ] Well er, not the first time. I think you know that one. But a month or so ago I lost this prosthetic in a fight.

No against a shadow, but a teammate. There's..I can't explain it. Don't know if I should tell you but...you'll realize things and it was just..to much for me to handle all at once. I went crazy. I attacked anything I could see.

[His words are soft, and Gut's tone is never pleading, never anything but gruff but he sounds so uncertain now. ]

This isn't a joke kid. This isn't like your TV shows or books. This...its..Theres something here and the person I was couldn't take it. I don't know what will happen to you if you go fight....You could run away to you know. I've been making plans all week. You could come with us.

Edited 2017-07-10 06:00 (UTC)

[Scare tactics, Kouyuki tells himself. That's what this is. And he's familiar enough with them, having tried more than once to use similar methods to play pranks on friends in the past. This isn't anything more than that. Because, for as large and frightening-looking as Gabe was, he would never hurt anybody. Would he...? He was a disciplined athlete, someone worthy of trust, not fear. And yet...

There's that sinking, churning nausea in the pit of his stomach again. That crawling beneath his skin. Like what he's hearing isn't a lie, and no matter how much he wants to refuse it, he knows that he can't.

But what he has control over, what he can refuse, is that offer.

He gazes at that arm, and then up at the older man's face, his own hardening, jaw setting stubbornly as he lowers his umbrella and begins closing it up. The rain hasn't lessened, but he has a point to make. One that can afford drooping hair.]

Hmm...but that's what happens when you don't think. You get hurt. Or hurt other people.

[He's a fine one to talk, but without anyone around who can point that out, he's just gonna keep on rolling! And do his best for now not to think too much about who exactly Gabe attacked. And if they are alright or not. He hopes so...]

Anyway, I'm not going to run, I've got to stay and protect my own family. So here. [He holds out his umbrella, the end dripping with rain water as still more rain beads off the canopy overhead and down upon them.] You need this more than I do.

Since you obviously don't know how to look after yourself.

Kid. [Guts practically growls as he shoves the umbrella back, bristling. There's a bite in his voice that wasn't there before, something harsher and crueler then the person Kouyuki knows.]

I ain't someone to appreciate preaching when you don't know half of whats going on. You wanna protect your family and friends? Then you should be using me for all I'm worth. You can't cut corners protecting people. It has to be above everything else.

....You wanna look down on me for running? Fine. But you think I'll let you kill yourself over some misplaced superiority your damn wrong.

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1/2 - APP

2/2 - ACTION

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who is this sassy lost child

u must mean guts

HE IS TWICE YOUR AGE SHUT UP