He was happy to see Ellie even if she was just vines now. He was the same now anyway. He wasn't surprised when she asked him how he was doing as he would probably ask the same. Everyone was the same. Mike replied with an honest "Well, I feel okay for how I am now. You?" He really hoped she felt okay too. If that was even possible. This was all really strange but they still felt the same. He also still saw the same shy girl he was used to see and it made him feel he could accept everything even more. They all seemed different and also still the same.
OOC
[ Infection Rate :] 35 /100 Current HP: 50/50 Character's name: Mike Smithson Character's faction: 4 - The Mall Character's journal link:Journal Character's survival stats: #99 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER He is average in appearance in build, length and posture. He has brown short hair, a white rather pale skin color and blueish/grey eyes. He wears black jeans and a white/light blue long sleeve shirt with buttons. Vines!
Rikku Takanashi
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 1:44 pm
Welcome, he said, and reached out to furl a vine around her hand or something like it, pulling her into the fold. You are among friends. Rest your weary heart.
Jeff gave Megan one last squeeze, and shook his leaves, turning his leafy face out, towards where the sun might be setting outside the tower. You always have a choice. This is mine, and I am here. But you know I cannot leave these walls, for I am we and we are great, and growing, and growing, and growing. What do you think will happen when we grow too big for these walls?
He had no answer. Creation withheld it from him.
Giuseppe and Jeff tangled in an embrace of brambles and vine, arms melding into one, perhaps an imitation of a fist bump and a one-armed hug. And you too, I see. You'll have to tell me what you've seen-- I don't have much but flashes from eyes not my own.
He nodded his head at Mike, waving a leaf hand at him in greeting, should he want to talk.
Back to July, Jeff shrugged, his shoulders shaking leaves and thorns gently. All is cyclical. All that has been will be again. But how will we know unless we go on? But my journey ends here. He gestured at his feet, where roots had begun to grow, and it was clear that he could not go, even if he wanted to. There was no human body left for him to return to.
You have another self, outside.
And for a second, parts of Jeff started to filter in through the green, a clarity that had not been afforded to him previous, gravel filtering back into his voice.
What are you guys going to choose? It's not your body here, but your minds. Is it knowledge you're going to pursue? Or the mortal bindings of flesh, and all its limitations, all its weaknesses?
Being spotted by what seemed to be the form of Leiah made the vines that made her body coil in tightly, almost like she was bracing herself for impact. Or maybe it was just a natural defense for the teenager, even if it was someone she remembered that she actually liked.
Lease didn't say a word at first and just stood there uselessly, almost staring (if anyone was able to tell really, because vines). The tendrils that made up her hands twitched slightly and then sprung out and completed the action that the other vine!girl had not done. Yes, Leiah was actually getting a hug from Lease. Shocking! Still, she didn't say anything, maybe because if she did it would make her actually a little sad.
I hate everything... She instead muttered to Jeff as she released her hold on the other girl. It really should have made her feel amazing to have such power and knowledge at her... uh... fingertips. That they were all indeed so much more. It was what someone with a disgruntled teenager's mind could ever hope for, but Lease wasn't it was what she wanted. Because that other life didn't totally suck but she had a feeling she would never get to go back to that again if... this wasn't it. And we're stuck here... There was also that. Still trapped somewhere unable to escape.
viva viola
lurks beneath
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 2:17 pm
Shocked indeed! Leiah blinked before she hugged the grumpy teenager tightly, letting go as soon as she did. She would always think of the teen as a sort of little sister and hopped that maybe after they were complete that she would be a bit happier. She touched Lease one more time with a lingering vine before making her way to Jeff, noting the way he was rooted to the floor. It...troubled her.
However she did move closer to him, taking in every word he said. They had a choice? They didnt have to be here? She kept that knowlege shelved for the time being and quickly hugged Jeff, thinking of him as more like a father figure to most of the mall rats. She agreed with July in the fact that without him, they lost their way, fumling about without a true leader to guide them. She smiled at everyone, revealing sharp pointy teeth before moveing from Jeff to Guy, eyes narrowing before she spoke.
"I shouldnt do this but..."
She closed the gap between them and wrapped her vines around him in a tight hug.
His form had settled into one as close to the human body that it would even come, it was... comfort. The vines were twisted up into a solid shape of the young man, Calab, red flowers blooming in places, they had even attempted to replace the faux-hawk hair style. More vines, drifted away from the form, keeping a distance between the main 'body' and everything else.
He'd been wandering for some time now, drawing in other memories, not his own, becoming... becoming... He would keep those bits, copies of the last remaining thoughts of each echo he'd encountered. He drifted into the area, at first too focused on doing- something... he needed, wanted... to do... to find...
The Mall Rats? Yes, here they were, collected together, the gathering... Vines drifted out in greeting. "See... we are moving forward... together." The words were an echo. Not a thought.
The form, less worried about how it would be viewed... the 'others' that had been part of Calab's fractured mind had been pulled into Creation, this form did not have them. Still, having the thoughts, memories of other people... was no longer odd. He was them, they were him... and soon they would be together.
Calab moved up to the group, knowing he'd been heard, it didn't matter if they responded. A vine drifted out, then several. A welcome for other vines to brush against, even Guy as even as before he'd held no true hate to the other.
That part that was still him returned, it had been drifting closer to creation-legacy. "I don't think I learned half of your names as a human," he spoke frankly, "real messed up kid-" The vine form shook. "Know them all now." A vine curled up and out wards, only to twist back down and tap itself on Calab's 'head' like a finger. "I've been- searching-" A pause. "Can't find the reason why. I have this needwantdesire for something."
Anyone feel free to interact
Calab-Vine isn't speaking directly to anyone, or perhaps it is directly to EVERYONE as the case may be.
OOC
Large gash over his right eye. Character's name: Calab Character's faction: Mall Character's journal link:HERE Character's survival stats: #63 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER Brown hair, green eyes. He stands at 5'7. HP: 50/50
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 3:21 pm
Ellie relished actually having what felt like a friend... Yes she'd become friends, and even family, with the workers and manager of the Bookstore. But, it had felt so... Temporary... Mike was here now despite all that had happened... It was... Comforting... "I-I'm... Well... A-as well a-as one could be." she replies shyly.
Suddenly, she feels vines wrap around her 'hand' and pull her into the group! The embrace... The feeling of being brought into the fold... It felt... Good... She could feel the loneliness, which she'd always kept buried deep, begin to melt away... Without even really thinking, she reaches out a viney hand to pull Mike in as well! The Mall Rats really were a family! They hadn't just survived they'd made their own family, their own clan... Even her consciousness were to fade away to nothing, the completeness and happiness she felt in that moment would certainly live on!
For a little while, Ellie was lost in the happiness of the moment as she listened to Jeff's philosophical words idly. However, when the gravely tone entered his voice, she frowns as she thinks seriously on his words... "O-our choice...?" she asks herself soft... In truth, if Ellie truely had the choice, she'd return to her body and be singular again... The idea of being apart of something so grand was nice... But, this wasn't how she'd have liked to go about it... Couldn't she be singular and part of this grand legacy...? Why couldn't thing's be like how the Factions became... Everybody still singular, yet fighting as one... Why did they have to be one to be part of this...?
As Ellie muses on this, she frowns as a thoughful expression forms on her viney face... Did they really have a choice...? Suddenly, Ellie found she wasn't quite as accepting of all this as she had been before...
This form was simpler, they didn't recognize each other by appearance but the collective central system, aka Creation itself. Looks no longer meant anything important in the new life form, it was their memories that lingering told them to get closer to a shape of a human, a shell resembling their past. They communicated through a way akin to telekinesis.
The core that was once Gretel had even less emotions, the vines that made up her silhouette were a green of less saturation, had a tendency to fade to grey ash like snows. The tall shape had hair woven by fine vines, with lavender and lilac flower buds scattered. On where should be her face rested a pair of glasses. The young lady once called Gretel resembled a frosty forest fae.
She lumbered around, slithered on the ground covered with green flora. Just a glance and she knew it was the person she'd thought would be never seen again. A few of strong thick vines carried the tall shape to that particular cheerful green shape, the lack-of-green vines slowly coiled around him. The weave of cascading loosened into a net to wrap around him. Jeff, she sighed. I'm happy to see you again.
Guy had said what happened in the casino, Jeff was gone and they had to move on in the cruel world. Vines were threatening their lives and shadows and other monsters endangered their well beings. She no longer had the little paper or the torch he gave her, they were on her empty vessel. A few stray vines curled around what should be her limbs, as if Gretel was holding herself, a few of flowers withered and dropped behind her.
lurks beneath
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 2:05 pm
Mike was glad to see Ellie was doing sort of good too. He waved back to Jeff and listened to what he was telling. He was feeling very accepted by all the others around him. He wasn't too sure what to think about the "growing" part. Jeff was suddenly repeating that alot. Was this something bad? He did not really get an answer on this.
He saw Ellie being pulled into the group and wanted to join there too. So when Ellie grabbed him and pulled him in too he just let it happen. It felt good being a part of all this with all the other Mall rats. It really felt like something special. He felt save and happy and saw all of them as friends and family.
But when he heard Jeff suddenly talk a bit different and said that they had to choose he wasn't too sure what to say or do. He really wanted his real body back and be a normal human again but how he was now wasn't this bad? Or was it? The way Jeff said it it sounded like they had to choose their minds and go for knowlegde. They body would be a bad choice but was that really true? Mike wasn't sure anymore. His body was still outside somewhere. That was probably the real him. He needed to look for it but he couldn't leave here. He didn't really know what to do as it was all very confusing.
Should he go forward here and stay with the others?
OOC
[ Infection Rate :] 35 /100 Current HP: 1/50 Character's name: Mike Smithson Character's faction: 4 - The Mall Character's journal link:Journal Character's survival stats: #99 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER He is average in appearance in build, length and posture. He has brown short hair, a white rather pale skin color and blueish/grey eyes. He wears black jeans and a white/light blue long sleeve shirt with buttons. Vines!
Rikku Takanashi
lurks beneath
Morning_stars
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AMItotic
Nebulous Trash
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 5:32 pm
It was difficult to tell time without a measure of human functions, of hunger, of thirst, of circadian rhythms and the need to sleep. Lissa didn't know how long she'd been without her body, but she did know that she'd been travelling since she'd been conscious and had yet to end up where she'd started. This tower, this tree, whatever it was, it was massive, and any route that looked like escape only led to her false body falling to pieces and leaving her vulnerable to the plant hivemind, or whatever it was.
Lissa hated it. She'd been prepared to die, not exist in some strange limbo, her consciousness melted into some big collective. She wouldn't stand for it.
Her body was thorns because her mind was thorns, and she was tall and broad-shouldered and her roots were strong. The vines that held her together seemed to be constantly shuffling and moving around, as if they couldn't find a comfortable place to sit, her hair a messy bouquet of leaves that were just beginning to turn. There was no placeholder for eyes on her face, as she wasn't really using them to see, but a couple of vines made for a makeshift pair of lips, drawn taut against the otherwise blank leafy canvas.
You're here, it's really you, her voice rustled as she crossed the room, passing through the others to get to Jeff. It was only in the presence of others that she realized how inflated her form was, standing at what would have been six feet tall outside the tower, and with a few shivers she adjusted accordingly to something only a few inches taller than she'd been as a human. She reached out with one vined limb, as if she could will away the thorns on Jeff's face, and her body bristled when they would not respond. No, of course Jeff's body wouldn't be there, none of their bodies were there. They were stuck in this wretched place.
She did not look at Guy. He did not belong here.
This...this is really it, isn't it? Lissa frowned as she glanced down at the growing roots on Jeff's body, and the leaves in her hair began to wither and brown. She hated this body, there was no mask to hide behind, no controlling her bluffs. There's no way out, is there? There never was. There's no cure, no, no no no....
OOC
Character's name: Elizabeth "Lissa" Buckly Character's faction: Mall Character's journal link:[Journal] Character's survival stats: [Stats] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER:Freckly-tan skin, wavy auburn hair, brown eyes, stands at 5' 7" with strong shoulders and a little bit of holdover baby fat on her stomach and thighs. Currently wearing a tattered light blue gown made of cheap fabric, calling to mind a particular character from Game of Thrones. The dress is worn over what appears to be a comfortable sweater and jeans because nothing about Khaleesi's outfit is Canada-approved. Sturdy brown vines, heavily thorned, her hair a mane of fall-colored leaves.
lurks beneath
Quote:
Anyone can interact, really! smile
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:51 pm
Time was running out. He felt it, in the way his roots grew more into the ground, stiffening like a tree's trunk.
He couldn't help but laugh at Lease, his voice tinged with something like understanding. You do not have to be at peace yet. There is time, for us. We are eternal, now.
Leiah's hug took Jeff by surprise, and he tangled his vines with her for just a moment, embracing her fondly. You'll be fine, you know. Whatever your decision. And while we are here, in the vines-- there are still your mortal trappings.
Gretel appeared next, and Jeff was glad to see her. It's been some time, Gretel. I hope you're doing well, despite the troubled outside. Did the light guide you?
Jeff turned to Lissa with his green and flower face, and took her hand in one of his. He seemed to have no end in limbs, unbound by the limitations of a mortal frame. There's no more for me out there. I am gone, but my mind lives on in here. With Knowledge, with the power to create.
And the room began to crack, the vines curling in, winding towards the doors.
It would be best to leave, now, Jeff said, and it was Jeff-as-one with the vines, with the plants, as something assimilated into the neural network. Or else you will not be able to at all.
He pulled away, and Green 7 put a hand on his shoulder grinning.
Nice seeing you, kid, she said, but I can't stay. Neither should the rest of you. We've got a job to do.
W-Wait! Where was he going?! Leiah's face turned to one of sorrow before she looked to the exit, backing away slowly as Jeff became one with the vines around him. She would be crying if she could shed tears, but for now....A small blue flower bloomed on her arm as if she were trying to remember this. She agreed with Green 7 in the fact that...They had a job to do. As much as it was so peaceful and serene here, she felt like she belonged back where her body was. Being here left her with a sense of feeling incomplete and undone.
G-Goodbye Jeff....
She continued to move, standing by Green 7, waiting for her to leave as well since she didnt want to be the only one to leave.
lurks beneath
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:34 pm
July's mind had gone quite, surprised by the words Jeff had used. They forced him to remember, he could feel the link to that other self out there still. It had been easy to bury it, forget even. Jeff was explaining everything was a cycle, and would be as it was. Worse was his reminder that his roots had taken hold, and there was no saving him. While momentarily sad for him, and the others who had perished there was something he had been reminded of.
He had his other self, outside these walls. It was not too late for him or for his husband for that matter.
Finally July found it in him to speak again, he had let the others have their chance to interact he didn't want to be a burden, or taking away from someone else. I...would choose to seek my corporeal form...but I'm afraid. Aren't we still infected out there? July supposed he'd find out after this. Their time was running out, he’d have to worry about that later.
There was rumbling in the room, things were happening beyond his control. The vines all around them began seeking and lashing, this urged July into action. He knew now without question the vine he had slithered beside was Jay. Molted ivy tangled with his hand; if he could have managed it he would have worn a sad smile. It was not knowledge they sought, at least July refused to be legacy..a memory to be spread. He still had a life he wanted to live. A job? I will do what it takes to move forward, before it's too late.
Goodbye.. Thank you again. It wasn't just to Jeff, it was to all those of the Mall he might never greet, or interact with again. He might not have known all their names in life, but now was different.
July withing having said his peace was ready to leave, and take care of business. The young man moved towards Green 7, waiting with her and what he hoped would be more, those whose roots hadn't taken hold. He hoped more would follow suit, he didn't want to leave anyone behind. It hurt.
Hobo Pixi.
lurks beneath.
Mall Rats lets goooo ;A;
leon_a_darkangel
Dedicated Supporter
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chirigami
Swashbuckling Sentai
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:49 pm
In that moment the vine form that was Lease wished she had more a detailed face with lips so she could properly frown at Green 7's words. They didn't seem ones meant for her after all and she wanted to demonstrate her frustration in a more expressive way; recoiling, snaking vines just wasn't going to cut it.
Lease remained standing where she was; refusing in having some sort of kumbaya moment by siding up next to the rooting Jeff as all the others left them, waving them off in goodbyes or something. (Though, if anything, if she was going to be stuck with someone in this enlightened Creation thing, at least it was with someone she didn't mind at all. But no, she was not going to stand next to him, thanks). Her head turned, though, looking at the others as it didn't seem like any of them were going to move just yet. Really, they should have.. they seemed to have the chance to live those lives again. It puzzled her, annoyed her a bit too. Why aren't you guys going?
lurks beneath
Viva Viola
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:50 pm
Lissa didn't want to leave Jeff. She wanted to kick and scream and cry until some other option made itself known, and then she could rescue Jeff and get everyone out of this awful awful place. She couldn't accept this as the only possibility, the only choice she could have, even as the vines were looming in around her. Thorns bristled in her shoulders, and her hair bloomed to a violent shade of red. She would fight this, or she would die trying. This was not acceptable.
But through the connection with Jeff, she felt the softest touch of Creation, of the millions of voices behind his, and for one small moment she understood.
Her vines writhed underneath her, and her mind let out a furious shriek, but she finally nodded at Jeff grimly.
She let him go, and she didn't look back.
lurks beneath
AMItotic
Nebulous Trash
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Demoonica Darkmoon
Inquisitive Cat
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 8:16 pm
"I still don't know what I'm looking for... but Creation, I don't think has that answer." Calab said, vines reaching out to Jeff. There was a loud echo of Thank You and flashed images of things from the past week. As a human, he couldn't express how grateful he had been, and now there was no way not to.
Calab pulled back, joining the others, with Green 7. "I think Creation needs to be reminded what a Legacy is... It isn't what you take with you... it's what you leave behind."
For once his words didn't echo with the them-ness of Creation.
OOC
Large gash over his right eye. Character's name: Calab Character's faction: Mall Character's journal link:HERE Character's survival stats: #63 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER Brown hair, green eyes. He stands at 5'7. HP: 50/50
