[closed] yes, turn the knob and switch that gear

[faithlikeaseed]

Who: The SQUIP, L Lawliet, Connor, and Justine vs Rich Goranski, Michael Mell, Myr Shivana, and Niles, with Jeremy Heere in the middle like a rugby ball.
When: The 14th, before the mist recedes.
Where: waves hands vaguely, somewhere near where the SQUIP’s hiding its people-hoard
What: A little spot of aggravated assault against an AI gone rogue. The SQUIP’s number is up.
Warnings: v i o l e n c e, body horror, blood, traumatic brain injury; more as needed.


Three days of mist and chaos hadn’t been kind to Aefenglom. Despite the Coven’s best efforts, the city resembled a war zone more than a thriving metropolis, with Monsters and Witches alike running rampant. Some were feral--some were simply making best use of a crisis--but regardless of motive, many, too many, were going unopposed and unnoticed.

Among the rioting and looting, the SQUIP’s quiet personal effort to grow its social network might’ve gone entirely unnoticed. It was almost commendable, in a sick way, in stashing the people it collected out of harm’s way. It could have very well gone on doing so until the mist receded with no one but its new acquisitions the wiser--

But then it made the mistake of grabbing the wrong person, and all hell broke loose.

Comments

[firewalled]

[Rich had been anticipating someone slipping up and providing the proof he needed, but he certainly hadn't expected this. An admission from Linden of all people about the control, and the SQUIP actively controlling him in its revenge.

Rich is horrified, any consideration of a "told you so" in Linden's direction completely wiped from his mind as he fumbles with the watch in his talons. Once the blast hits, he realizes quickly he can't be a bystander anymore, that he has lines to being calm and rational and waiting for his chance. Linden is passed out and Jeremy is terrified, so Rich quickly uploads the video along with a hushed recording of his voice, pinging Michael, Myr, and Niles as he promised he would.]

The SQUIP has lost it. It's going full villain again and I need back up. Meet me near the inn, I think it's trying to take Heere there.

Everyone else, please stay safe and-

[And then Rich looks away to see Jeremy trying to make a break for it. He swears and pockets the watch, immediately running right in between Jeremy and the SQUIP, blocking its path.]

I think you know by now sorry isn't fucking good enough.

[fromjapan]

[The SQUIP snaps out of its silent shock all at once the moment Jeremy begins to make a break for it-- and then Rich is there before it, and it turns to him with a nasty glare, electricity crackling along its fingertips.

... but, first, it reaches out, throwing a hand sharply into the air to grab Jeremy by the brain and stop him in his tracks. It doesn't simply charm him this time: this is a complete bodily control, a sudden hard stop to the thought and action of attempting to leave.

It breathes heavily as it stares at him... and then it turns its furious gaze onto Rich, and there is something off in its eyes.

The SQUIP isn't home in there. This is something else.]

Stay out of this.

[The hand that isn't magically grasping at Jeremy is thrust outward towards Rich-- and he'll feel it attempt to invade his own mind as well, feeling blindly for the deactivated unit within him, sinking psychic talons into him to silence him.]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy stops short, a shudder and a jerk going through his body. It's not pleasant. If he were able to see himself, he'd recognize the kind of convulsions identical to those Rich used to have.

The SQUIP had never done this before. Even on the night of the play, the SQUIP didn't manage this kind of complete control.

He doesn't stumble back or wince or cry out as his body snaps straight, perfect wooden posture and all.

Frozen, Jeremy doesn't even seem to notice Rich... unless you notice his eyes tracking Rich's movements, wide and strained as he mentally screams.]

[hearthebell]

[The fall was a shock; fortunately, L's not seriously injured. His elbow smarts, probably a good indicator that he hit it the hardest and it took the brunt of the damage, but no, he's still in this. He pushes himself up to his knees, planting a foot and standing, because this isn't over by a long shot. A divination specialty or a career as a detective isn't even necessary to know as much.

He has to stop the SQUIP, obviously. He's still convinced he can do it without hurting it, and he doubts that Rich and whoever he's called for backup are going to be as considerate.

Its core, after all, is a purely logical machine. Reasonable, rational. It's what drew L to it, what L relies on even when his own humanity makes itself inconveniently known.]