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Entry tags:
ALCATRAZ
WHO: Jusis Albarea and anyone going to rescue him
WHERE: The MetaVerse - ALCATRAZ
WHEN: ~4/4
WHAT: I am thou, thou art I
WARNINGS: Implied emotional abuse of a child from a father, a section that could be interpreted as implied gaslighting, potential body image issues, blood, possible death
As the MetaVerse app is launched and reality recomposes itself, you’ll find yourselves in the shadow of a building on a desolate island with what appears to be a prison system. It’s covered in a threadbare blanket of mist and the mainland is nowhere in sight. Patrol boats are seen only by their searchlights out in the distance, and the docks are heavily guarded. The wind whips at all who are unfortunate enough to be outside, and the waves thunder and crash against the island in what seems like a fury. Watchtowers have their own searchlights to survey the surrounding area, and there are guards posted outside of every entrance into the main area of the island. Though they seem like people at first glance, a closer look reveals that they are more like shadows given solid enough form to fill out the uniforms they wear. They have no defining features, and only enough contours to give the impression of a face.
Welcome to Alcatraz.
If you approach the guards, they don’t react to your presence. They don’t even raise the alarm when you catch their ‘eye.’ If you feel bold enough to stroll through the front entrance, you’ll be met with no resistance. Even the watchtowers don’t sound the alarm as you enter their field of view and walk into the checkpoint. It’s almost unsettling at how easy it is to get inside.
As you walk up the slight switchback, you come to the main yard. To the left is the parade ground. It’s an open field that’s poorly maintained with a rusted fence, cracked pavement, and lichen growing in the cracks. It’s the only greenery you’ve seen on this island so far. Continuing up the switchback, you’ll come to see a few buildings. One is the enormous cellhouse that takes center stage on the island, dwarfing all the other buildings near it. Off to the side near the cellhouse is the warden’s house. On the other side closest to the cliff, extremely detached from the rest, is the assistant warden’s house.
The only building that’s locked tight is the cellhouse itself. It appears to require three keycards to unlock. Best get to finding them if you want to save Jusis.
WHERE: The MetaVerse - ALCATRAZ
WHEN: ~4/4
WHAT: I am thou, thou art I
WARNINGS: Implied emotional abuse of a child from a father, a section that could be interpreted as implied gaslighting, potential body image issues, blood, possible death
As the MetaVerse app is launched and reality recomposes itself, you’ll find yourselves in the shadow of a building on a desolate island with what appears to be a prison system. It’s covered in a threadbare blanket of mist and the mainland is nowhere in sight. Patrol boats are seen only by their searchlights out in the distance, and the docks are heavily guarded. The wind whips at all who are unfortunate enough to be outside, and the waves thunder and crash against the island in what seems like a fury. Watchtowers have their own searchlights to survey the surrounding area, and there are guards posted outside of every entrance into the main area of the island. Though they seem like people at first glance, a closer look reveals that they are more like shadows given solid enough form to fill out the uniforms they wear. They have no defining features, and only enough contours to give the impression of a face.
Welcome to Alcatraz.
If you approach the guards, they don’t react to your presence. They don’t even raise the alarm when you catch their ‘eye.’ If you feel bold enough to stroll through the front entrance, you’ll be met with no resistance. Even the watchtowers don’t sound the alarm as you enter their field of view and walk into the checkpoint. It’s almost unsettling at how easy it is to get inside.
As you walk up the slight switchback, you come to the main yard. To the left is the parade ground. It’s an open field that’s poorly maintained with a rusted fence, cracked pavement, and lichen growing in the cracks. It’s the only greenery you’ve seen on this island so far. Continuing up the switchback, you’ll come to see a few buildings. One is the enormous cellhouse that takes center stage on the island, dwarfing all the other buildings near it. Off to the side near the cellhouse is the warden’s house. On the other side closest to the cliff, extremely detached from the rest, is the assistant warden’s house.
The only building that’s locked tight is the cellhouse itself. It appears to require three keycards to unlock. Best get to finding them if you want to save Jusis.
no subject
... I think I know what the word is.
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... Do you want me to write it for you?
[He doesn't want Fugo to feel responsible for whatever happens.]
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[He swallows. God, he hates this.]
... I think it's "contemptible."
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This poor boy...
Still, there are few others who can claim to know the earth like Zhongli. He takes much care as he carves those last few letters into the stone, as if placing the last few finishing touches on a sculpture.
It spells CONTEMPTIBLE. As promised. He sets the knife down and steps back.]
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As the final, correct word is carved with respect into the stone, the dried blood is fully cleaned away and there is a faint hint of moisture that remains on the first word. Jusis bows his head and the scene melts into an open vault. Sitting on a felt pedestal is a keycard that looks to be rotting, but the words and photo of the man on it burn in their clarity. ‘Warden Helmut Albarea.’ Just like before, taking the keycard triggers a memory to be played for all to hear. Jusis still sounds fairly young, perhaps a teenager at this point, and the other voice is colder with subtle scorn laced in its tone.
"Forgive me for disturbing you, Father."
"Out with it, boy. I do not have time for dalliances."
"I... simply wished to know if you will be attending my graduation today. I understand you’re very busy, but—"
"Then you know my answer is no. You have wasted enough of my time."
You hear footsteps briskly walking away.
"I...." There’s years of heartbreak heard in that single word, and then he sighs softly in barely concealed disappointment. As Jusis begins to walk away, another voice speaks to him. One that’s completely unidentifiable, even in this memory.
"I’ve given you more than enough time, Jusis Albarea, and I need your answer now. Will you join the Order? Or will you refuse, and become no better than your father?"
He sharply inhales. Then, with gritted teeth and naked bitterness, he answers, "Very well."
With a bone-shaking roar, the entire building is torn apart as if in a tornado. Though the bitterly cold wind whips at your bodies, it also protects you from any harm caused by the debris as it’s swept up into the blackened sky. No longer is there a warden’s house. The only trace of it remaining is the cracked and breaking foundation upon which it stood. No monster arrives. Only a sense of forlorn emptiness remains.
no subject
The memory that comes once they finish...that one cuts deep. He remembered his own college graduation that happened last spring. How he nearly didn't bother to reach out to his father, but Hunter had convinced him to at least try. And...he'd always been grateful to Hunter for that, because even if his father's work prevented him from making it, it'd been a foundational piece to finally beginning the repairs on his relationship with his father.
But Jusis? Jusis had lived through the conversation that Elliot's anxious mind had always feared he'd have. The rejection, the absolute disinterest in what should be one of your proudest days.]
Jusis...
[His arms raise to protect himself from the building tearing apart. When the storm passes, he'll glance at the others to make sure they're okay before marching over to the pedestal. He snatches up the last keycard with a swift, angry motion. He holds it tightly in his hand, enough where it nearly presses into his skin]
...Let's go. We need to make sure Jusis won't be alone anymore.
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With the conversation between Jusis and his father, only to be followed by the demand of the Black Order...
He doesn't have time to say anything before the storm, but once it passes... once it passes, Fugo closes his eyes.]
... Yeah. Let's hurry.
[He's not sure how he manages to keep his voice steady with the way he's trembling.]
no subject
No wonder he was so driven. No wonder he was so determined to see this thing through, even though it has almost killed him. But, continuing this way without regard for his own well-being... It can only end poorly.
Jusis needs his friends to guide him, surely.
As the storm tears at them, Zhongli raises his arms, already feeling the familiar pulse of the earth in his hand—then he realizes the wintry wind is shielding them. His barrier won't be necessary. On some level, he finds the sensation familiar... and disquieting. Could that be Jusis' spirit protecting them somehow?
Their comrade is still alive. That's important.]
He is guiding us to him. We have no time to waste.