Out with the old, in with the new as they say, and this ViViD level is no different. Ever progressive and ever mindful, CERES has decided in their war against the evil carbon footprint to give citizens both new and old a lesson in healthy living. To show this, they've created a level all about... recycling, or as close to recycling as a company like CERES can get. (Which isn't very close at all, honestly.)
This, of course, means that when you're dumped in to today's ViViD level, the first thing that will hit you is the stench. It's vile and rancid and the type of stench that makes a person want to give up smelling altogether, and when you finally open your eyes, you'll see why. There's trash everywhere. The buildings are decrepit and crumbling, the cars are broken down and rusted, and overall, it looks like the apocalypse rolled right on through. Which is weird because this is definitely not a post-apocalyptic game. Yet wandering around this pathetic excuse for a ViViD level will just reveal more of the same -- it's a total wasteland.
And if you look up, you will see a billboard.
RECYCLING AND YOU: HOW NOT TO BE A DIRTY WASTE OF SPACE
You'll only have a moment to be offended by the sign before, amongst the piles of trash and rubble, there's another, smaller pile of trash and rubble. The only difference is this one can talk.
 Welcome to The Dumpster Dive, my cool cats and sweet kittens. A brand new ViViD level, created and innovated to you by CERES's very creative and innovative technicians. We're all here to help you learn to Reuse, Reduce and Recycle, givin' you kids some tools to help you lessen your impact on the planet. After all, we're all here together on this great planet of Tellus. Wouldn't want to ruin it, right? Ha ha!
Happy Trash Day to Cerealians one and all!
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PHASE I [ 6 00 ] So, you're here.
You're probably sitting in a pile of trash because, well, everywhere is a pile of trash. You're in a landscape of trashiness and there's no escape. Your only option is to give in to the sweet, sweet pull of the garbage. The buildings are crumbling, the sidewalks are a mess of bottles (but no bottle caps), rubble, and empty chip bags, and you're stuck in this... trash. This garbage. This hellhole.
Wasn't recycling supposed to be clean?
It probably takes a rat skittering over your foot to get you going but like any good game, the protagonist needs to move. If you're going to find out anything in this trash heap, you'll need to explore a bit. See if you can find someone else! Or something else. Maybe someone more experienced with ViViD can help you figure out how to log out. Even if logging out doesn't seem to be working right now. You should be careful too because one wrong step might cause the pile of trash you're standing on give way and send you into the sewers below.
Which means there are rats, there are bugs, the ground is unsteady and... yep. It's starting to rain.
Good luck.
PHASE II [ 800 ] And then come the... trash drones.
They zero in on any living thing in this ViViD level -- if you’re moving, if you’re breathing, if you have some sort of a pulse, they’ll be there. And they’ll grab you and take you away. No matter how many you shoot down, more and more and more will come, never stopping until you're swarmed completely by them. They have to get you! You're garbage, you're garbage, you're garbage! You're garbage!
And so, you're snatched up.
Don’t worry, though. After a short flight (wave hello to your fellow drone-napped neighbor!), you'll arrive at three huge trash chutes with three equally huge signs above them. GARBAGE, RECYCLING, and COMPOST hang above the chutes and the drones pause just momentarily before announcing one of these options in a robotic voice. You've been sorted and without any preamble, the drone will dump you in whichever one it decides.
Hopefully you don’t end up in the compost. Gross.
Of course, once you down there, there's plenty to poke around in (or not much if you're still not into the whole trash thing). It's piles and piles and piles of trash as far as the eye can see! Again! If you're especially clever, you may be able to use the trash to build a way out of the chute. The very, very long chute. Maybe there's someone around that can help you? And better do so quick, who knows what CERES has deemed to be "recycling" this time.
PHASE III [ 1125 ] CERES's standards continue to shine on again, because after some time, those chutes will finally start working. So if you've been separated from a friend through any of this ordeal, don't worry about it. You're all gonna end up in the same place anyway.
Which is the incinerator, of course! (Wait, that’s not how recycling works.)
The ground beneath you shifts, enough to knock over whatever flimsy excuse for an escape plan you have, and suddenly all of the trash, compost or recycling will be dumped down into an underground furnace -- along with everyone stuck there, of course. Bit by bit, everything moves ever closer towards that red hot furnace and it’s clear that everything's going to be dumped straight into the fire and burned. Say your farewells. Make nice with your neighbor. Finalize your will because --
Oh. It stopped.
Looks like it jammed.
It doesn't remain jammed for long because CERES is, if anything, highly efficient. So it starts up again. But then stops again. And then starts again. And then stops again. This may be a glitch in the level, actually.
So, you're still getting ever closer to fiery death, but... slowly. Very slowly. In fact, you could probably walk away from said fiery death faster than you're going towards it. It's like they can't even program a near death experience right!
PHASE IV [ 1125 ] Maybe you avoided the incinerator. Maybe you ended up in a different part of the level altogether. Maybe you just got lost. Either way, now you’re stuck with the age-old hobby of enthusiasts and the exceptionally desperate alike.
Dumpster diving.
And CERES wouldn't send you down there without an incentive, you know. If you look, it seems like there might be something valuable, something incredibly important and just for you. A shiny item that you’ve always wanted right from home and it’s right there in your grasp, something precious that you could never get in Cerealia. How it came to be there, nestled between an empty carton of eggs and a half-eaten cheeseburger, no one knows, but you'll be filled with the inescapable, all-consuming urge to go get it. Just jump right into that dumpster and get it.
The more you resist the urge, the more it'll hurt. (As in, physically hurt actually. The feeling will be comparable to your fingernails slowly being plucked out.)
This is ViViD though and the moment you hit the trash, the spell breaks. You'll see that your most precious thing, whatever it was, was never actually there. Instead, you seem to have actually grabbed something else and whatever it is, you can't let go of it. Be it an empty bottle of bacon soda or a bicycle tire with a giant hole in it, it's attached to your hand now and no matter what you do, you can't get it off.
Hopefully whatever you grabbed wasn't too big because it looks like you're not getting rid of it. Not till you beat the level.
BONUS [ why o'clock ] The odd thing about being stuck in a trash wasteland is that you can go for ages without seeing another person. Ages. Of course, CERES doesn't like that very much since ViViD games should be co-operative! Player with player! Player against player! Players who shouldn't be playing at all. That's the type of play CERES supports.
Which means the longer you go without seeing another person, the more you might feel an itch. It gets under your skin, making you feel dizzier and dizzier, and shorter and shorter of breath until -- you pass out. Vision going dark, breathing cutting out, and down you go into the trash and whatever this ViViD level has planned next.
It won't take long. You'll wake up feeling slightly confined and there will be a moving body next to you. It seems as if you've finally, finally found someone -- and they're really, really close. In fact, maybe a little too close? When you open your eyes, you'll see that the two of you may be bound together in a way that might be familiar to some.
But instead of a shirt, it's just a garbage bag. A really, really strong garbage bag that can't be broken out of no matter how strong you happen to be. No laser eyes, no super powers, nothing will separate you from this person other than, well, getting along.
There really is only one question you have to ask yourself now. Just one.
What the hell does this have to do with recycling?
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munakata reisi | k | what is going on
phase ii | thrones vs. drones ( aka don't fight here you idiot you'll just cause more waste?? )
phase iv & back | 3_3 ( aka the mystery behind the missing glasses )
wildcard | but, why
iv
Fushimi isn't faring too much better, anyway; he's managed to keep his glasses, at least, but in civilian clothing and with a generally disheveled appearance, he clearly hasn't been having the best luck either. Still, he stands up a bit straighter and huffs quietly to himself, the only noise of surprise he'll allow himself under the circumstances.]
"Out of luck" is a bit of an understatement, I would say.
no subject
His expression softens, offering him a wry smile. ]
Fushimi-kun, you certainly are a sight for sore eyes...
[ The last time they'd spoken, they'd been 'arguing,' and though the results have been predetermined, Munakata had given him an opening to truly switch if he so decides it is the best course of action for him. Either way, he had hoped that perhaps, in the perfect world, the next time they speak would be when his mission is complete, but he sees fate has a different plan for them both. ]
If I may be curious, what clan are you speaking on behalf of?
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In fact, any sort of remark of the sort immediately dies before he can say it when he hears that question. While he's certainly heard about "different timelines" and all of that nonsense, he hasn't yet experienced it for himself. That's changed now though; Fushimi seems to have moved ahead on his own. He blinks, taken aback by the question, but quickly recovers enough to answer. This entirely the wrong sort of place to be discussing this, and there are sure to be other concerns right now too, but he's not going to withhold information, either.]
That's... there's only one I would be speaking for. The mission was a success. The Green clan was unsuccessful in the end.
no subject
And Fushimi always manages to express exactly what he wishes to hear in his own uniquely Fushimi way, earning him a genuine smile. It almost looks like he's crying, his eyes welling up and he has to bring a hand up, rubbing his eyes idly. ]
--Ah? [ It surprises him, too - the king of composure, tearjerked by his subordinate's loyalty.
But it's not what it appears. Picture this: they're in a wasteland, a landfill of sorts. Not only are there "recyclables," but biodegradable waste and evidently toxic waste, as well. With skirmishes occurring on all corners of this so-called level, winds gusting the odorous and putrid haze into his lungs and eyes - and with him missing the protective barrier of his glasses - everything hits his face all at once, thus tearing him up.
But that would have been funny, huh?? Regaining his composure, he looks to the sky, so ugly compared to their original one. ]
Mission success, huh... Somehow, I don't believe in the slightest that I was let off so easily, but instead of doubting your words, Fushimi-kun, I will doubt the authenticity of this 'game'. Thus, I shall still expect a report on your mission in the near future. [ Munakata moves to shift his glasses, forgetting briefly that it isn't there when his fingers meet the bridge of his nose. Oops... ] In the meantime, I'm quite embarrassed to admit I am completely at a loss without... a certain item of mine...
iii
yata's not exactly that eager to have more people from shizume coming in because of how messed up cerealia is, and he wouldn't have ever expected the blue king to show up, of all people. but with his presence around, he can't help but worry for anna. what if she's here, too? he has to go look for her. and he can definitely do it alone, and even do it now, but. . .
nah, this guy doesn't need any help.
no, instead, he could be useful. ]
Hey!
[ yata starts running to where munakata and the drones are. yata has no intention of helping when he knows full well that a king could handle some dumb robots. so instead, he'll initiate small talk while the other guy is fighting.
this is fine! ]
Do you know where Anna is?
no subject
Hm...?
[ true to the reputation of gangsters, yatagarasu addresses him with such familiarity that it almost takes him aback. when he turns to meet his gaze, his attention straying away from an incoming drone, he only allows himself a second's time to acknowledge him, turning back to swing his saber toward the robot and shred it to pieces. the particles scatter, most notably a single, sharp shard clings on the side of his head, and it's unclear as to whether it's penetrated his skull and he's dying, or he's already dying and is fresh out of shits to give that it doesn't bother him.
regardless of the reason, he doesn't seem to mind the metal on his hair. does he even know? ]
Yatagarasu, HOMRA's vanguard, is it? [ chuckle... ] I was not expecting to speak to you so soon after our last conversation.
[ swing, scatter. rinse and repeat. don't pay too much attention to him that you fail to dodge your own drone pieces, yata. ]
Anna Kushina...? I am afraid I don't, but perhaps it is best that she doesn't make an appearance. [ considering how absolutely gross this place is. when he glances at yata again, he might notice that there is blood streaming down his face. ah... perhaps the shard did penetrate, but again, the blue king Does Not Care. ]
no subject
when more drones come a-hovering, yata springs into action and starts performing his usual skateboard tricks to get rid of them. some fall to the ground (the trash?? w/e), while some decide to flee. whatever. yata could care less about them. ]
'che. [ homra and scepter 4 might have good relations now, but it doesn't mean that yata can't think of some people as useless!! so. yes. sorry, munakata. yata's king is top priority, so needless to say. This Sucks.
when he lands back into the trash heap, he doesn't bother turning around to face munakata. but he does glance at him. (he's just trying to look cool. what's new?) ]
You're right, though. She probably shouldn't.
[ but there's got to be a reason why munakata is here. is ceres going to bring the other kings, too? ]
Anyway, Saruhiko's here. You should probably go call him or somethin'.
iv
Dear sir! Greetings! My cognomen is Jaune Arc! It appears that you are disoriented. Have you strayed from your path perhaps? No matter what may befall us, you do not need worry so long as I am here.
[ It's not the glasses, though. It's actually just Jaune not taking this seriously enough as he enjoys playing a character who wears glasses. ]
no subject
it's ironic and borderline suspicious- despite being unable to easily identify people even at close proximity, the slightest imperfection of his glasses -- and yes, his glasses, is cracked. and it makes his brow twitch, a crack in his composure.
it's okay, jaune - it might appear as though he's staring intensely into your gaze, but he's actually hyper-focused on the crack in his (YES, AGAIN, HIS) glasses, stepping closer and closer as the young man continues on with his theatrics. he's dangerously close, now. ]
-- And who might I have the pleasure of company and assistance from?
[ or, wait. at closer inspection, are those really his glasses? ]
no subject
.........Jaune Arc?
I just... I mean, y'know... I said it like three seconds ago...
no subject
and he continues to be.
also player got distracted by laughter]There is no need to be nervous. I am merely observing your [ his? ] glasses.
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They're not really mine, though. I just... I really wanted to try some, and people normally don't let me wear theirs. Man, it's so trippy! Everything looks so warped... like I'm underwater!
no subject
So, does this person mean to speak to him or the cut-out? It's hard to tell, but it's kind of fun hassling people with bad eyesight so Sougo sticks around. ]
Looks like someone's already had their way with that thing, Mister. It's probably too traumatized to speak to you.
[ look at that large hole ... right through its crotch ....
He actually knows the story behind it but he couldn't resist that bad joke. ]
no subject
Considering the distance and his general disorientation from chemical haze, he's actually led to believe that the cut-out is an... actual person. And because vision is so blurry, he can barely make out if there's a hole in the crotch area at all, so it's... plausible. At the very least. That cutout-waifu is Alive. ]
My, that is hardly a way to speak to a woman. [ Then, peeling off his jacket, he moves toward both the younger man and cutout-chan, extending the jacket toward the boy. ] Please, have your friend dressed.