OOC: a few things I’d like to get out of the way before we start this. 1. We’re not ending this tonight, that much is for certain. So, whoever joins I would like you to be available at some fairly consistent time for at least 4 hours, preferably on a daily basis. As such, I would also appreciate you mentioning these times, along with time zone, in an OOC comment on the first post 2. Though this is definitely not a casual thing, I feel the need to mention that fighting, while an option, is not necessary. People tend to get trigger-happy around here so I felt the need to mention there are other options And that’s it, so without further ado. <i>It started slowly enough, so slow in fact that hardly anyone could tell when it started, but soon the air around the city would grow thicker, almost stifling. To where even to breath became somewhat of an effort. The effects were most obvious in Inokashira Park, a relatively quaint part of town whose trees and grass would normally spring vibrantly to life, have now begun to wilt. It’s a slow process, one almost unnoticeable among the trees, but for smaller things like grasses it was much more impactful, leaving several patches of grass like dried-up husks. Near the center of the park, one tree remains entirely unaffected, save for the glowing red runes on its side. Another, similar occurrence could be noticed at the Mikage Sun Mall, once all the shops closed and the place shut its doors for the night, a faint, glowing purple light shined from the place. Finally, at an exercise place well-known among the bizarre called the GYM, a similar set of black runes emerges from the side of the front counter, facing the outside. Of course, you can’t be in three places at once, so it would be good to think the decision through</i>

<i>It was a bright and sunny day, with WAS bring the key word. The heat from the past few hours can still be felt in the dimming sunlight. The sky is colored a nice, vibrant hue of purple and orange as the sun itself heads over the horizon. As the day ships starting to close down, with the night just beginning, many of the people here at the moment seem to have come for a scenic view of the sunset. Among them, a tall, dark cloaked man looks up at the sky, waiting for perhaps a few brief moments</i>

<i>No, not the fruit. It is finally about time for Luard to update his tech. Considering his last tablet ended up destroyed, now seemed as good a time as ever. And so, the usually reclusive man walks out onto the streets, and enters an Apple store, clearing his throat as he does so</i> Excuse me, I am here to purchase your finest example of mobile computing technology.

<i>in an old business district buildings frequently become abandoned as the companies owning them collapse, change, or merge, bringing a sort of excitement to the daily life in the area. At least, everywhere but one place. A certain warehouse with a reputation for being haunted. Several people have been seen going in there, but not all of them seem to come out. At least, that’s what the rumors say. The dpor to the building itself is slightly ajar, as though inviting those daring enough to enter</i>

<i>Among the twisting city streets, various side alleys and shops, businesses come and go, leaving buildings and signs as a reminder of their passing. Some of these end up going unused, for the large part, leaving it open for anyone to meet as they wish. One such abandoned building has noticeably cleaned and improved over the past few days, a fact anyone would notice. Yet at the same time, strange sounds and lights have been reported coming from the building at seemingly random times leading to some rumors of it being haunted. For whatever reason one finds themself their, they would find the door to be left slightly ajar, likely forgotten about in some manner of haste</i>

Want to see my stick my hand in your chest?

Congratulations!!! You and a few other lucky individuals have been invited to take part in a grand experiment into the world itself, take care and do be ready at all times. Of course, success or no I am prepared to reward you extensively for your aid, in addition to the honor of participating in such an important event. <i>At least, that's what the note you found slid under your front door said. Of interest is its failure to mention what this &quot;experiment&quot; was or even how you would be paid. Perhaps even more curious were the instructions, leading to the end of an old subway tunnel deep into the night. This tunnel rarely sees use during the day, and with almost all trains being down this late it seems unlikely the group will be disturbed. Though one might wish to mind the third rail, still crackling with the energy usually used to run the trains. It is deep within this tunnel that the &quot;experiment site&quot; would be found</i>

<i>The business district of Tokyo has long had a history of new companies starting up, eager to make their way in the world, and swiftly being silenced. As is the nature of all major endeavors. These companies often leave some scraps behind, from their overly-flashy signs, to even something as simple as a storage warehouse. In one of these warehouse, there's long been rumors of a ghost, on account of strange noises that are occasionally heard. Of course, some more adventurous individuals ended up checking it out, revealing a truth no less bizarre. This long-abandoned building has become the home of a self-proclaimed researcher, and for those few who pass by, it seems to have even been cleaned up a little in recent days. Though for what purpose is anyone's guess</i>

<i>The industrial region of Tokyo was familiar to many companies, with new ones rising up and falling while the old guard maintains their positions near the top. This dance among the lower groups often leaves vacancies in the area, where one company once functioned there would now be little evidence beyond their leftover warehouses. However, in spite of the inherent noise in the area from the many cars and deliveries to be had, a few workers began... Hearing things. Strange lights and sounds had become known to come from one of these warehouses, leading to rumors of it being haunted. Of course, no one had bothered to check yet, but it would only be a matter of time before someone got adventurous, or otherwise was dared to check it out.</i>

<i>Looming over the city rooftops, the bright, striped tower has become somewhat of a beacon for tourism. Crowds, both foreign and domesticate, eagerly take an elevator to a viewing platform near the top of the tower to take a long gaze over the city skyline. And what a sigh it is, the setting sun allows for a perfect, scenic background to the glorious cityscape of Tokyo, painting the sky a variety of oranges and purples to fill the evening air. Of the many people milling about the tourist site, there is a single man standing out. He wears a long, dark coat, collar turned up in an effort to hide his face and neck. The figure's eyes are focused, not on the cityscape, but rather on the rectangular tablet resting against his arm. The man rapidly taps his fingers against the screen, occasionally glancing up as he takes note on his device</i>