[audio] event after the broadcast interception, un: meiyouren

[blindforlove]

[The audio starts with the chanting of the possessed claiming that EVERY EYE SHALL SEE THEM. Different voices fade in and out. Unaffected by Majestas' spell without any eyes to see, but also unable to see where Majestas is and join the fight just yet, Xiao Xingchen has to turn to the network for help.]

Is there anyone still out there who can answer me? What is everyone seeing? I must ask, because... I cannot see - at all - and I can't find anyone who will say anything to me. Other than this.

Comments

un; wenning

[goodboyplaydead]

Daozhang, where are you?

[blindforlove]

Outside the apartments on Level 2. I was in my own when I heard that man in the device, and then other people in the street here saying... that!

[With the other voices passing by him, it's probably clear that he's still walking, but with uncertain purpose.]

Where are you?

[goodboyplaydead]

I am... in the Lan residence. I can... come find you.

Try to avoid... anyone sounding strange. I am not sure... what is happening.

[blindforlove]

Is everyone there all right? Are any of them affected?

[He fears if this will spread and affect all them (who can see).]

[goodboyplaydead]

I have not seen... any problems yet. But Young Master Wei... just left. I was going to... follow him when I saw... your message.

You should... find a place indoors. Until I get there.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen really doesn't want to retreat, but he sighs.]

All right. I'll wait for you, but I can't just stay and do nothing. These spells-- they affect people through their sight. So... someone who can't be affected that way should do something, shouldn't they?

[goodboyplaydead]

It will be easier... to help with two. Instead of one.

[ That way they can at least have each other's back. Even if Xiao Xingchen cannot be affected himself, that does not mean that others who have will avoid targeting him. Wen Ning doesn't doubt the man's prowess in combat, but the chaotic numbers associated with events like this could make things complicated. ]

audio; un: maiden.jin

[infiniteheart]

[A steady, calm feminine voice replies. Judging from the background noise, she's someplace in the city and there's a similar murmur of chanting in the background. She's encountered Majestas once before, even temporarily lost her eyesight because of him. Had she not been guided to safety, she might have died.

Yanli cannot, in good conscience, ignore this stranger.]

I'm not certain myself. I didn't see what happened but many appear to be in a kind of trance. It seems as if those who touch them enter a trance themselves. What can you hear? Can you tell where you are?

[blindforlove]

I only hear those voices. Everything else has stopped!

[The ordinary sounds of the city have fallen silent and given way to only the chanting. With so many of these voices blending together in unison, Xiao Xingchen doubts that he'll find anyone he recognizes.]

I'm outside the apartments, but... ah, you need not be concerned with me. Those of us unaffected should prepare for Majestas' next move. Do you have anyone else unaffected with you?

[This is not so much a call for help, as it is a call to help him help others!]

[infiniteheart]

I'm alone and I cannot fight. I don't have the skill.

[This is the second time that Yanli's been caught out by this Majestas character, separated from her family. With pride mad Prismals and Moonblessed running rampant in the street, she can't reach the safety of her brother's home easily.]

But I know your location. Stay there. I'll find my way to you.

[There's the sound of shouting and breaking glass in the background, mixed in with the ominous chanting.]

Those of us who are unaffected should gather first. If we remain scattered across the city, the amount of danger increases for all of us.

[blindforlove]

Ah-- wait a moment! I should really be the one to go to your location. It must be far more dangerous for you...

[This isn't the first time he's got into a "who can stubbornly sacrifice themselves more" debate with someone, but he doesn't move from where he is, in case she's already on her way over. Both of them moving and possibly missing each other will surely put this woman in even more trouble for no good reason.]

[infiniteheart]

I'll come to you.

[She says again, infusing her tone with the same underlying authority she's taken with her little brother when he's being particularly irrational about a matter.

The bottom line is that there's safety in numbers, especially when those among them are unable to defend themselves against an attack. While Yanli might not be completely defenseless, given that she's received the same training with talismans as other disciples within her sect, her spiritual power is limited. She has to pick and choose her battles and the actions she takes within them very wisely. Otherwise, she will fall quickly out on her own.

For this reason, it takes her a bit of time to reach the entrance to the apartments. Once she reaches them, she's contacts the stranger again.]

I'm here. Where are you? Have you checked on everyone inside yet?

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen can't bear to stay and do nothing when he should be the proactive one, but any urge to argue quickly peters out. He can still investigate the surrounding area and hope that nothing escalates while she's on her way.

Later, when he hears the voice again:]

I've called out and knocked on the doors, but... none of them respond to me. But just a moment, I'll be there right away.

[With hearing sharp even for a cultivator, he can listen through the doors and hear if those inside are still repeating that single phrase. Xiao Xingchen can't hear his "eyes" anywhere, either.

He swiftly makes his way to the lobby. Though he hasn't seen himself in a while, he still supposes he's difficult to miss, as both a cultivator and someone who isn't under the spell. As he reaches the area, he hears someone else unfamiliar there, also in the trance.]

Are you there?

[Normally it'd be embarrassing to announce his presence when no one is there to hear him, but priorities!]

audio; un: sizhui

[sizhui]

Daozhang, I think this time it might be safer for you to stay in and wait it out. People seem trapped in dream-like states, but they are not fighting.

[ Stealing, yes, but Sizhui is pretty sure the moon knights will have that in hand.

R...ight? ]

[blindforlove]

... I can only hope it stays that way, but Majestas' plan certainly doesn't end there. This must have been a move to weaken us before he moves in-- is there any hint of where he is?

[Have the Moon Knights ever really taken care of any major situation on their own? At least in Xiao Xingchen's case, his lack of sight is a boon for once, and so he would throw himself into the conflict with all that he has... which would be a lot easier if he had a hint of where to bring this fight to.

Majestas needs to turn on his location.]

[sizhui]

No hint, Daozhang, though I hardly can claim to understand this 'virtual reality' aspect that he came through all that well...

But no, this is probably not the end of it - all the more reason to stay safe and prepare for what will come, is it not?

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen's silent for a moment, before a sigh of (almost) resignation.] At the very least, we who are unaffected will do better then if we're not scattered around the city.

[No need to aggressively proclaim his willingness to risk his life, even if he still hasn't really given up the idea. But helping those unaffected is an easier, more immediate goal anyway.]

Are you on your own? Who in your household has been put under this spell?

[sizhui]

There are safe places organized, but I'm not sure... if people might not still get affected once they get there.

And only Senior Wei has been afflicted this far. It's...

It can't be easy for him.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen is silent for a moment.]

And I assume you've all tried what you can to dispel it... has anything else changed about him?

[audio | @hot.damn]

[circumitus]

[The chanting and hivemind-like behavior rings a little too familiar to things Rey's already seen before.

[Flatly:] Sounds like a cult.

Except everyone was acting normal one moment, then synched up the next after that fucking broadcast.

[blindforlove]

Then, if Majestas has seized control of all these people, perhaps is only part of what he plans to do with them.

[Majestas sure sounded like he means to flex with all his might.]

Are any of the unaffected gathering or organizing anywhere?

[circumitus]

Safe assumption to make. Last time he made people either go blind or berserk, something similar is bound to happen again.

[It took her some time to recover from that fight. Figures it'd happen again so soon after she fully recovered.]

Not sure. Too soon to tell. Maybe? [She sure as hell isn't taking that initiative.]

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen is quiet for a moment as he considers the options. He has no faith in his own ability to lead or organize anything anymore, but there needs to be some direction in all this chaos when no one knows how many of them are left to try to defend the city. So many people will be drained of their very lives-- he must do something.]

That was caused by people looking at him-- or something to do with him, was it? If all the spells he's used so far affect people through sight, there has to be a way to people to face him without being made into his puppet. Even if I must fight him on my own, I will!

[He wants nothing more than to throw himself into the fight, even if he stands little chance, his one advantage or not.]

[circumitus]

With any luck, fighting on your own won't be necessary.

[Rey would normally run headlong into a fray without thought or question, but that's not something she can just do anymore. Or she can, but she has a choice not to, something which she doesn't want to take for granted.]

Last time people were able to come out of their trances by touching them, but this time it's... different. [How to say she's been hearing voices without sounding completely crazy?]

[blindforlove]

Different how? I wasn't there, and I never found out the particulars of what happened.

[At this rate in this world, Xiao Xingchen could believe just about anything he's told. If he's told Majestas looks like a giant cat? Not the least surprising thing here.

He sighs.]

If I was there, I could've surely helped some of them...

[But it's not like he was able to watch any show in the first place!]