38 - Power Palette Swap

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Power Palette Swap Event!
When: April 15th - April 18th 2017 (March 1st - March 8th 2019)
Where: Throughout the Far Shore and Near Shore
Summary: A couple of intrepid magical investigators unknowingly trigger some mishaps among the New Gods and Shinki.



For two weeks, the Ama investigators have been combing the compound where Cultists were dealt a heavy blow by the New Gods and Shinki. Among them, two in particular had been looking to move the Crystal that the cultists had in their basement, the stand that it sat on, and the dolls nearby. Combined with Waver's analysis, Judar succeeds in using his magic to transport the Crystal out of the basement.

As they manage that, a ripple effect washes over the New Gods and Shinki. There is a slight sense of Vertigo for some, a stronger wave for others, and then things start to change...



As It Happens: April 15

Everyone was minding their own business. Perhaps they were on the Near Shore helping complete a prayer, or they were in the Far Shore attending to various godly duties. Regardless of where everyone was, it's around noon when some things start to change. A mild sense of vertigo happens to those who start to experience physical body changes, while a stronger wave seems to wash over the God or Shinki's skin if their powers are changing, or perhaps even a sudden stop-in-your-tracks deadening of feeling if being depowered entirely.

April 16

Later in the afternoon, through no extra effort of the Crystal-movers, a loud noise like a subwoofer kicking into effect issues from within the Crystal, knocking anyone away who was near it by several feet. The one-shot noise reverberates in the ears of all New Gods and Shinki, triggering another change for some. At the Crystal, the black color that appeared when the former Goddess entered the Crystal fills more of it.

April 17

Closer to 7pm, once more, the noise issues forth from the Crystal, louder and knocking people back several yards this time. The Crystal fills with black and grey. Some might swear they can see a face of the white-grey against all of the black, resembling an Inkblot / Rorschach test style picture.

Aftermath: April 18

Around 10am, the black coils from within the Crystal settle down into more of whispy smoke, much harder to see in it. There's a slight tug in the direction of the Crystal regardless of where New Gods and Shinki stand, and with that pull, the change effects go away and all are returned to as they were.

In Summary:

• Swap powers with another character!
• Gain or lose powers!
• Swap physical appearances with another character!
• Use or abuse the changes while you can!
• Investigate who and what is responsible!
• Have fun~

Questions? Leave us a question on the OOC Plotting Post and we'll do our best to answer ASAP.

Comments

[unlucky7]

She doesn't have to dress in a uniform as a child, but clothing is clothing. Ginia is not going to complain, especially when she can't go back to her temple right now.

"Thank you." She gathers up the clothing and shuffles over to change. A few minutes later, Ginia returns with her suit folded up and draped over her arm. It's not a perfect fit, he's right she's taller than him as a child, but it still works.

"Can I borrow a bag to keep my suit in? Just in case things right themselves tomorrow."

[dredefulchilde]

Joss is in the process of cleaning and bandaging the bite in his shoulder when Ginia comes back. The borrowed shirt is hanging off his desk chair and he stands in his undershirt, not caring about leaving skin uncovered and completely, blissfully unaware of the sun’s position in the sky.

(He’s still appallingly skinny, even as a grown up. The more things change...)

He turns when he hears her at the door. Christ, he feels nearly deafened. Is this really how Ginia goes through the day? Is it normal for humans, having senses this muted all the time? He smiles a little in what he hopes is an encouraging sort of way and takes it in. Her wrists and ankles show more than he’d like, but the last thing he wants is to take her to the Near Shore to go shopping when she’s so new at the whole demonic murderchild thing. “Yes, let me get it down for you.”

Pure habit has him nudging his desk chair over to the wardrobe, but then he realizes he can easily reach the top shelf to fetch down one of his carefully folded shopping bags by only standing on his tiptoes.

“This is so bizarre...” Adulthood. “How...how are you holding up? I can’t imagine it’s easy. Please, have a little more chocolate.”

[unlucky7]

Welcome to the joy of being able to reach the top shelf. Ginia sits on the floor next to the candy, grabbing another candy bar for herself. As Joscelin muses on his human state, Ginia reflects on her state as a vampire. She knows she's stronger and faster than most humans, but the change in her senses is still the most startling. The crinkle of the wrapper, the smell of chocolate, it's fascinating.

Sharp senses for a predator. That's what it comes down to. Is that the allure? Power at the cost of humanity? She scarfs down the chocolate, careful not to bite her own tongue.

"It's the senses. I didn't realize everything would be so acute." A beat. "Is it ever overwhelming? At Ebisu's temple? or the Near Shore?"

[dredefulchilde]

It is the allure for many, in fact, though Joscelin no longer remembers it. For him, it hadn’t been much of a choice. The vague promise of eternal life for a dying child, terrified and delirious as the plague raged through his body.

The price was, perhaps, too high.

“And I hadn’t realized that everyone else is so dulled. Even the colors...it’s as if everything’s washed out now. I never imagined that this is what it’s like for you.”

He pauses, considering her question. “It can be. The festival a few weeks ago, for instance. So many mortals, all together. The smell of the food. The noise. I was rather glad when we ate on the roof, away from the worst of it. But I suppose I must have learned self control at some point, because I don’t go around biting everyone. A few slip ups aside—“ like the fact he’d nearly killed three other shinki back in January “—I believe I’ve shown a rather admirable amount of restraint.”

His voice is softer now. He’s coming dangerously close to the itch he can’t scratch for fear of losing everything. “I’m no longer operating under the assumption that I was a normal child before I died. I rather doubt I was even human.”

After all, what sort of human has retractable fangs?

[unlucky7]

Every shinki is their own monster, of claws and teeth waiting to burst out. Joscelin is treading on very dangerous territory right now and Ginia knows she's toeing the line as well. He's right. He's right in so many ways, but any confirmation is dangerous and he's too smart for lies.

"What does it really mean to be human? Look at us now. We're dead and we serve gods who can call us as weapons." She scoffs, a little bitterly. "But we still feel, we still hurt, we still laugh and cry and experience all the other emotions humans have. Some of us have magic. I have nanotechnology in my body. You have heightened senses.

"We're similar in some ways, different in others. Not all of us are human anyway. Don't focus on what you are or aren't. Focus on what you do."

This pep talk would, perhaps, be a little more inspiring if she weren't a child.

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin’s adult face cracks into a sudden smile. Probably the first true one since this most recent transformation.

“Of course,” he agrees. “We are, all of us, hardly normal.” He reaches out and pats Ginia’s head in much the same way she usually pats his. “It’s strange to see you being so reassuring when you’ve got my size and my abilities.” And there’s a little chocolate on her nose. He wipes it off.

Then the smile fades.

“I hope we switch back soon. I will admit that I am quite enjoying being able to fetch things down from tall shelves, but I’m worried about you.” She’s now so much faster and stronger and capable of so much more violence and cruelty than even she knows. “What do you plan to do until things go back to normal?”

[unlucky7]

Ginia leans slightly into the head pat, nose wrinkling as he wipes it off. Very well, it's his turn to be the big brother for as long as this lasts. Hopefully not much more than a day. Yesterday's change was fleeting, certainly this isn't any different, right?

"I'm avoiding Ebisu's temple for one thing." Her mouth turns a little more downward. She's already sent messages letting her temple know she's fine, but avoiding them for the time being. It's possible nothing would happen, but shinki shouldn't know what they look like when they were young. She can't risk triggering a fall in someone. "Chris's temple should be safe enough to stay at. I suppose I'll spend more time at the library too while I have the time. There's something I want to look into."

[dredefulchilde]

Joss nods; that all sounds sensible. “I’m glad you’ll be taken care of. If you find yourself overcome by any more urges to exanguinate others, please give me a call. And wear that ring if you’re going out of doors in the daytime. It really does help.” It’s a wrench to have to lend something so precious to someone else, but she needs it far more than he does right now.

“What sort of thing are you looking into?”

[unlucky7]

Ginia's hand closes around the chain dangling around her neck, ring safely hidden under her clothes. "I'll protect it, I promise." It's his precious keepsake, she'll protect it with her life. Hopefully she doesn't need it for too long. Maybe it's best to stay inside all day to stay on the safe side.

"I found something about borderlines I'm trying out. A new spell, maybe."

[dredefulchilde]

He smirks. “You’d better.”

Joscelin sits on the bed, facing her. She’s so small now. And he is—was—even smaller. The whole situation is so massively fucked.

“What sort of new spell?”

[unlucky7]

Ginia's fingers tap together, mouth forming a tiny frown. It's not like her work is a secret; if it works, she plans on sharing it with everyone. It's not like she's an expert on magic either. But there's a logic with what she's found and she has inspiration to draw on too, so maybe it'll work out.

"It's a healing spell. Maybe. I found a shinki's theory on some borderline techniques and I'm hoping I can work it into a healing spell."

She glances at his neck, the wound bandaged.

"If I can make it work, I'll heal the bite for you."

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin looks down at her. The perspective shift will never not be utterly confusing; as much as he enjoys being an adult, he wants things to go back to their usual configuration, and soon.

"I appreciate the thought, but there's no need. It's already stopped bleeding; it'll heal on its own in no time."

[unlucky7]

"How else am I supposed to get practice if I can't try healing other people?"

Ginia takes advantage of her child-like appearance to pout and look up at Joscelin with wide puppy eyes. It's cuter and maybe more effective like this. Might as well take advantage of things in a brief, harmless manner.

[dredefulchilde]

Damn those puppy eyes.

Joscelin sighs and relents. "All right. Because you asked so nicely. " He sits on the bed, mattress springs creaking under his unfamiliar weight.

"First I switch sex, then age. I sincerely hope that there isn't a third...reconfiguration in the cards."

[unlucky7]

A most effective weapon. Ginia tries not to look smug, but her mouth twists triumphantly anyway. It's short lived as it turns downward at the possibility of a third day of this madness.

"I agree. This is already strange enough, any longer will be unnecessary. I wonder what's caused this?"

[dredefulchilde]

"Who knows?"

He leans back. Even the ceiling looks strange; it's so much closer than before.

"Heaven is a force unto itself. I wouldn't be surprised if everything strange that happens to us here were engineered by them as some sort of twisted entertainment."

Too lazy to kid icon

[unlucky7]

A possibility, but it doesn't seem likely to Ginia. There's a randomness and it's not as if there are more old gods or shinki around gawking at things.

"I'd be more inclined to agree if Ebisu wasn't affected by this. That it's him, me, but no one else from the temple is strange. It also doesn't seem to be everyone in our generation too."