[LOC] The Root

[zeflamigo]

Odette was happy to be on good talking terms with this new girl, Etsali. "Ah, we haven't seen anything interesting other than the garden that used to be here..." She admitted to the girl. They had seen other things, but she didn't want to upset her. Maybe some trolls did, but Odette didn't really consider death to be "interesting".

After the greenblood's impressive entrance, Odette no longer felt threatened by the boy and put away her weapon. She couldn't help but giggle as he flailed around. His lusus was rather cute, hopping around trying to get his troll's attention. Still, Odette was confused, how did these trolls manage to push past Vremea's watch?

Odette's question was quickly answered when Vremea appeared by her side. She gave the girl a light hug, glad that she was not hurt. "It's ok Vremmy, I don't think he's any trouble..." She said. Odette wondered if she should approach the boy. He wasn't a highblood, and Odette wasn't afraid of his lusus, so maybe a friendly gesture would likely do more good than harm in this case. "I'm going to see if he needs help getting up," She told Vremea. She had faith her friend would keep her safe if things turned sour.

Odette maneuvered her way through the rubble to get closer to the boy. On closer inspection, she noticed the boy was pretty cute. A lot like his lusus, she supposed. His hair is really beautiful, she thought. She felt a rush of self doubt knowing that her ratty, knotted locks could never compare. She didn't brush the feeling away, but she needed to say something before the boy thought she was weird. "Do you need help up?" she asked, holding her hand out to him.  

[seekingCylem]

[ Didero wasn't sure why his lusus wasn't paying proper attention to him. He was hurt, darnit! Didero sniffled and pouted at his lusus. Didero didn't put two and two together until he heard the voices and shuffling behind him. He chirped in surprise as someone appeared from over his shoulder.

Didero immediately stopped whining and whipped around to face the stranger. Confusion upon seeing more trolls here flashed across his face. He eventually processed that he was being asked if he was alright.

"Oh! Oh... I'm... I'm fine..." Didero mumbled. He might have hammed up his injuries some more if he hadn't been taken off-guard. He looked between the hand and the girl a couple of times before taking it and heaving himself up.

"Oww!!" That was unwise. Didero's hands were totally rope-burnt. He released the girl's hand and clutched his own to his chest. So much for taking notes tonight. Or touching things.

Hatoful Dad stayed sitting on the ground, pressed again'st Didero's leg and looking up at Odette. He burbled quietly to his son. Didero, now realizing his lusus had been trying to get his attention earlier, looked up and around.

More trolls, all girls, all lowbloods, one of which was older. Didero felt even more confused and out of place. "Um... What are you guys doing here..?" He asked. At this point he could hardly be certain what he was doing there himself. ]

 

[Sypon]

Tamiya blinked as Mantismom covered them both. The fine mist of glass that passed overhead was beautiful, but deadly. She knew that much. Tamiya was rather transfixed by it, tired as she was. Her goals had to come first though -- sanctify the building, then go home. There was too much danger here. Too much unrest.

"Larque... We should move. Just a few more spaces here and... I think we shall have completed what we need to." Tamiya shuffled uncomfortably. Kabukidad had been flitting around during this time, doing his own necessary rituals. He wouldn't be pleased with her lack of conviction. She pulled on Larque's hand and began to backtrack -- through the rubble.

In some stroke of luck (or perhaps misfortune) she and Larque encountered the redblood victim again. She had not moved, thankfully. Of course she couldn't move. Tamiya cleared her throat and took a deep breath in.  

[kamileunaire]

Mantismom waited until the rain of glass had blown past. Larque had clung lightly to one of her legs, hesitant to get near the open while Tamiya watched. He was just as anxious as she was by then, and starting to tire out a bit himself. He didn't know how she thought she was going to give every dead troll a ritual. Her lusus would help, he supposed.

Larque stiffened up as Tamiya took his hand unannounced, stumbling forward as she lead him through the rubble. "That didn't take very long." He observed, wondering and watching how she would react to that. Who knew how many dead lay beneath their feet? He suddenly wondered if there were adults that were like her, and a shudder ran down his spine.

Upon seeing the redblooded victim again, his nose wrinkled, and he averted his eyes, pulling away from her for a moment to try to see if there was anything else he could see or find...

Hivestuck

 

[Hivestuck]

show spoilerhide spoiler

Kamileunaire

seekingCylem

Kimbley Kitty

KitsuneAura

quite uneventful

Katanari

thyPOPE

Magician Arcana

Players wishing to take part in this CYOA will be unable to roll in The Root until September 13th. Players who do not wish to participate may continue to RP and roll as normal. If you are participating, please use the Shout Post Style for your posts. The word-count minimum for this CYOA is 150 words per post. Only those who have already posted in The Root may participate.

Every other day, a prompt describing your options to elude capture will be posted in The Root. Depending on your choice, you will either succeed in your attempt or find yourself noticed. If you are noticed (fail) twice, you are caught, and will be considered out of this event as you must flee from The Root before your capture. If you have fled you will not be able to post/roll until the CYOA is over. Also, if you miss a round it will be considered a fail. The rewards of this CYOA will largely depend on your success!

If you decide to take part in the CYOA as a team, each troll must contribute their own flavor text to be considered active during the round. You are welcome to choose different paths only if you wish to split up!

Searchlights.

Bright, searing light beams scan through the wreckage. A booming voice shears through the New Hemisect hustle and bustle. “All looters caught in the rubble will be culled!” It seemed at first like the normal, empty warning – until you hear the footsteps of a particularly huge drone coming your way. “Where are ya, kiddies? I ain’t caught a vermin yet tonight…"

More whooping voices follow, with the sounds of weapons. It's a search party - and not one that cares much about protocol, apparently.

What do you do?
A) Cover yourself with the wreckage -- sheets, scrap metal, anything.
B) RUN.
C) Go into the innards of the hivestem where they're less likely to go -- surely the more dangerous terrain will repel the search party.
D) Try to stage a distraction so that you can escape unnoticed.

The next prompt will be posted September 5th.  

[kamileunaire]

Larque was starting to lead them toward a different area of the massive collapsed building, somewhere he hoped more rooms would be. He hadn't found a shred of loot or anything valuable since they had arrived, and it made him feel pretty grumpy. Why did Tamiya get to do what she wanted while he didn't get a thing for his trouble? It was harder to do, he supposed, since he knew she would probably frown on him for doing it.

He was about to make a suggestion, when the growling rasp of someone who sounded much bigger than the both of them sounded nearby. It nearly sent the little greenblood into a panic. Mantismom began to hiss defensively, but Larque had already given Tamiya a tug. <********, there are drones. C'mon, we gotta go..." His whispering was frantic. He was sure they would be safer further inside, if the adults didn't catch sight of his lusus first...

CHOOSING OPTION C  

[seekingCylem]

[ OPTION B

Didero never got a proper answer. Maybe he did and he just wasn't listening. A far more pressing noise rumbled through the remains of the hivestem.

Hatoful Dad immediately began making a ruckus. Didero, double-startled by both his lusus and the announcement, floundered as well. He couldn't tell how close the voices were. Considering the warped state of the building and gaping holes throughout, sounds could be echoing from any part of the building. Drones could be just outside this block.

"Aah... AAAAH!!" Didero yelped and took off in a random direction, closely trailed by his lusus. It was any wonder he didn't immediately fall into the floor below. ]

 

[Sypon]

Tamiya followed quietly. The atmosphere was getting to her, and she was more than happy to have the more physically active troll lead the way. Tamiya's normal activity regimen didn't suit this kind of exercise. He was much stronger than she, and though she had her lusus in tow it seemed as though her status meant nothing. Tamiya had to remind herself that everyone was treated equally by death and the spirit world.

Her hairs stood on end when she heard the voice. Her initial pompousness melted away into terror. She felt Larque's warm grip tighten, and her blood pusher's pace was audible. "O-okay!" She conceded. She followed him closely, keeping a tight hold on his fingers and humming frantically.

(Tamiya is following Larque for the duration of the CYOA and chooses option C!)

Kamileunaire

 

[Magician Arcana]

Milieu, alone and a little bit worn out, was not happy with the booming voices. If the little troll could curse, then blue words would have streamed from her mouth like a river. Gnashing her teeth, the tealblood swiftly moved to a pile of wreckage. There was so much around, that sliding in and acting as part of the scenery was no real challenge. Hopefully the idiots doing the search went after the sound of running feet.

(Milieu chose A!)  

[quite uneventful]

Quote:

B) RUN.

As soon as Vremea heard the distant sound of feet, Vremea was panicked. Although it was mostly just because she was worried about what that was, the yellowblood couldn't help but feel a hesitant expression slide upon her face, and even her mouth was twisted into a small frown.

Oh no.

Those were sirens.

Vremea instantly bolted toward Odette, pulling her into her arms in an instant, expression wide and frightened. No, no, NO! They were just curious, they were curious... This couldn't be... Captured so soon? The Lolita couldn't take it, this was definitely a bluff... right? Of course. They wouldn't care about a stupid hivestem...

Except, they did. Turning toward the others, Vremea gave them a curt wave and mumbled in a moderate voice--"If any of you are willing to follow us, go ahead-- We need to GO," Vremea exclaimed, releasing Odette before grabbing her hand tightly and running, realizing that when it came to hunting, heels were a definite NO.


show spoilerhide spoiler
Vremea Everai is currently traveling with Odette Cygnet! (Kimbley Kitty)

Kimbley Kitty

 

[Green Minuet]

[+] Kursha Vidari

Before Alifax could get so much as a word in reply, Kursha heard the Colonel give a piercing scream. His pump biscuit leapt into his throat. He knew that scream. It was a warning. Take cover. Grabbing once more at Alifax's wrist, Kursha tugged the older troll back into the stairwell and ducked down. Seconds later a bright light swept across the roof accompanied by a booming voice. Down below Kursha heard more voices. They were on the lookout for looters.

Kursha was indignant. He was not a looter. He was an explorer! There was a distinct difference! Even so, he was not about to explain it. Not when his life was on the line anyway.

“Come on, come on! We've got to go!” he urged, still grinning. “We can lose them deeper in! And besides...” His grin broadened. “Maybe we can booby-trap them. It'll be fun!” Nevermind that their lives were at stake. So long as it was fun everything would be all right. Kursha charged down the stairs and back into the corridor with the glass. The two other trolls had left thankfully—probably got cold feet—meaning he could investigate some of the rooms he had previously left unchecked. His gaze went to the ceiling where shredded cords hung like cobwebs.

Maybe they could utilise some of the loose wiring...

((Kursha is travelling with Alifax. They choose option C!))  

[Hivestuck]

(Please post in the Shout style so that I know you're participating! There's not a lot of entries but it helps me to keep everything in order in retrospect. I won't be using the style as I'm technically not participating, by the way.)

Results of Previous Prompt:
A) You attempt to dig up as much wreckage as you can to find a safe spot to hide – a sofa seems promising. However, once you dig your way under it you find that there is a great deal of broken glass and sharp metal underneath. You wasted time trying to find an even more dangerous hiding spot – you are NOTICED. (if you are NOTICED next round, you are OUT)
B) You run as fast as you can – down the beams and treacherous outer walls of the hives you go, keeping your feet light. The adrenaline makes your vision sharp, and you manage to avoid peril as you get many yards ahead of the search party – you SUCCEED for now.
C) You slink into the hivestem and pass through a few doors. The grotesque insides of the hive are unsavory, but it is not an attractive place for the search party to say the least. You manage to elude them for now – you SUCCEED.
D) You try to stage a distraction, but they easily trace back the sights and sounds to your location. Instead of giving you a headstart, you now have to scramble from your tight spot trying to stay out of sight to keep ahead of them – you are NOTICED. (if you are NOTICED next round, you are out)

Next Prompt:
The search party fans out to continue their search. It consists of a duo searching the inner hives, a group of eight trolls combing the outside and another group of five that is more wide-spread and chaotic. Which path do you take to avoid conflict?

A) Take on the duo. If you can overpower them, you should be able to escape through the inner hives and pop out on the other side.
B) Attempt to pull the attention of the group of eight. They’re all clustered together, so if you manage to pull them all away you can sneak around more easily than the patrolling group of five.
C) Sneak past the group of five. Since they’re so spread out, getting one runner through the middle of their search should be easy if you’re stealthy.
D) Stay put. You managed to hide before – attracting more attention to yourself will do you no good.

The next prompt will be posted September 7th.  

[seekingCylem]

[ OPTION B

Didero never considered himself athletic. However, with his daily walks into the city and the fear of death pumping through his veins, he could definitely run.

And run Didero did. He only slowed to keep an eye on his clumsy lusus and prevent himself from flying over the banister of a staircase. After what felt like weeks of fumbling blindly through the labyrinth of the hivestem, Didero's stamina eventually forced him to brake.

Didero stumbled, dropping his hands to his knees before he fully came to a stop. He didn't care how filthy his pants were. He could barely hold himself upright. Hatoful Dad wasn't much better off. Unable to fly properly in the cramped hallways, he was forced to keep up with Didero on uneven terrain with his stubby legs. Both parent and child were looking equally ruffled.

Over the ragged sounds of his own breathing, Didero picked up on the sounds of drones outside. He pressed himself up to the wall and peered out the adjacent window. There they were. A bunch of them. Didero's stomach sank. At least he knew where they were, as opposed to the other way around.

Didero had an idea. He was still a few floors up from the search party, and finding the window had given him a chance to orient himself in the building. If he could draw the search party up, it would give Didero time to go down to a clear courtyard.

Didero inhaled a shaky breath and moved for the window. Hatoful Dad was too tired and confused to catch on to what his son was planning as Didero wrestled with the window lock. The lock clicked and Didero wrenched the window open. Before he could chicken out, he threw his head out the window and shouted.

"HEY! YOU MISSED A SPOT!"

Didero made accidental eye-contact with a drone and threw himself back inside the building. Wide-eyed, he turned to his lusus.

"RUN!" ]