[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

PROLOGUE: Rich, Jeremy, the SQUIP

[faithlikeaseed]

THE BATTLE IS JOINED: Ensemble

[faithlikeaseed]

A CRASH OF DRAGONS: Rich & the SQUIP

[faithlikeaseed]

DROWNING IN AIR: Connor, Niles, Justine

[faithlikeaseed]

I THOUGHT BETTER OF YOU: Myr & L

[faithlikeaseed]

BYSTANDER EFFECT: Michael, Jeremy, (& Friends)

[faithlikeaseed]

AFTERMATH: Ensemble

[faithlikeaseed]

[firewalled]

The moment Rich had found his way back to his human form (with a lot of help from Michael, who really seems to know just what to say to a newly transformed dragonboy), he'd been back to worrying about Jeremy. Sure, he'd ditched just about everyone back at the house, but it was clear that Michael had gotten control of himself again, and Rich is... at least hopeful that Justine has been around long enough to know how to stay out of trouble.

Jeremy has been here half a month, and most of that time, from what Rich has seen, has been spent panicking about the strange new world that he's been thrust into. That, plus his very strange habit of zoning out that he's picked up during the mist doesn't give Rich much confidence in his chances out here.

So he's trying to track him down, and trying not to let guilt over failing to keep the most important people he has here safe and sound get to him, when he spots a familiar mess of brown hair crossing just a street away from him. Rich is about to call out for him when he realizes just who Jeremy is with... and that immediately gets his hackles to rise. Something is obviously wrong, Rich doesn't even need to see the blood to know that Jeremy's been dazed and confused again and the SQUIP decided that was the perfect time to butt in and try to drag him into being his brainwashed host all over again...

In the moments where Rich struggles with panic and fear, absorbing that this nightmare scenario really is happening, Jeremy has been led further away... though as Rich calms down and tries to form some sort of plan, he decides that might be for the best.

Not wasting any more time, he starts following after the two, as quietly as possible, hiding around corners and behind buildings when he needs to. The fog is also a helpful cover, though Rich tries to keep his view of them clear enough, as his watch is clutched in his hand, ready to record at a moment's notice. He has a feeling that if the time for retaliation has finally come, he's going to need the ammunition so he and Myr don't get punished for just trying to stop history from repeating.

Even so, he doesn't really care what happens to him. At this point, what matters is making sure the SQUIP can never dig its claws into anyone else ever again.

If it took another flaming puddle of gasoline, or if it took even more, so be it.

[hearthebell]

[L knew, through their Bond, that something was deeply wrong. He'd gone home after leaving Jeremy, shaken but much more clear-minded; it turned out that getting exactly what his body needed is helping him in a lot of useful ways.

At least he dropped the kid off for medical attention, even paid for it, and extra for discretion. A truly terrible person would have done nothing after almost bleeding him dry in a fit of ravenous vampiric hunger. And L had to see it to believe it, but after all that talk, and all that performance, and all that reassurance, Jeremy's left only to be right back at the SQUIP's side. No one is in their right mind, but there would be some sane core to it, wouldn't there? The same one that compelled L to actually feel some degree of horror for having preyed so blatantly on Jeremy?

Purposely, he tries to block out the SQUIP to mask his brisk approach. He doesn't nudge or grasp the AI's shoulder, he shoves, because oh, he's seen where it's going and what it keeps there, too.]

Are you out of your mind? This is unacceptable.

[He's not wearing the opal ring the SQUIP gifted him, but the knuckles of his clenched fists are bone-white.]

There isn't a single aspect of this that is acceptable. You're going back to the home, that I made safe for you, or I'm going back alone and leaving you to whatever trouble comes your way.

[fromjapan]

[The SQUIP turns to stare at its partner, bewildered, angry-- it seems genuinely shocked by the approach, by L's sudden orders--

-- and then it notices that the ring is missing from his finger, and it's as though it's swallowed knives. Heat rises up through its core, rage, washing through its veins like liquid flame.]

I will not. This has nothing to do with you. Go home, and just-- let me do this.

[Its mind is too addled, the feral dragon drive to collect squeezing its brain like a vice, and even its quantum processor can't power through. L will feel it over the Bond, the hold the Mist's magic has on his Bonded, blotting out its rational thoughts entirely.]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy has followed the SQUIP here willingly, but for the life of him he can't figure out why.

His thoughts are murky. The SQUIP is bad, but it's helping him. The SQUIP always lies, but it's guiding him where to go next. The SQUIP is terrifying and dangerous, but its touch feels like home and Jeremy craves it.

Seeing L startles him out of the confusing daze for a moment, remembering the pain in his neck and the promises L extracted from him. His head whips between L and the SQUIP.

When he talks, it's hesitant and directed at L.]

You don't want me to follow my SQUIP...? Right? Why? We have work to do.

[firewalled]

[Rich didn't exactly need more assurance that anything weird was going on, but when Linden arrives and immediately starts protesting, that sets off alarm bells. He definitely doesn't get along with Linden, but he still recalls the guy saying he was going to confront the SQUIP if anything seriously wrong was happening. The revelation that even that emotionless bastard thought this was too far makes Rich even more sure that he has to intervene and do something.

He holds up his watch to start recording. To a casual observer, this might just look like a random argument, but Rich can see the dazed look in Jeremy's expression even from here, and the obedient repetition of what must have been the SQUIP's words makes his spine feel like it's been doused in liquid nitrogen. He has a feeling if the tension continues, the SQUIP will make it even more clear what measures it will take for control.]

[hearthebell]

[To any who know the SQUIP without being familiar with its absolutely unique arrangement with its current user in Aefenglom, L's words and actions might seem utterly insolent, even insane. But he's furious and makes no secret of the fact, snapping harshly at Jeremy when he expresses his confusion and dedication to the AI at his side.]

The world is stupid enough already without your input. Shut up.

[He turns his attention to the SQUIP, hard-edged and cold.]

This doesn't align with our goals. It's wholly selfish and wholly reckless, and you're setting yourself up for retribution I want no part of. Get out of my way...

[He nudges a bony shoulder against the SQUIP and Jeremy, heading briskly toward the building where it's keeping its horde.]

I'm freeing them from the charm, and you're thanking me for it, later. On your knees, if you manage to remember what's good for you.

[fromjapan]

[The SQUIP silently allows L to berate it, though its icy rage reads clearly in the tightening of its shoulders, the clenching of its jaw as it stares daggers through its beloved.

It turns sharply, the crisp, sharp gestures of a machine, and it reaches out a hand to hold it just before L's head...

... and then curls its long fingers gradually into a fist, and, in turn, its control closes tightly around his mind, sinking in numbing claws to stop him short in his tracks.

It doesn't speak, but the rage and mindless desperation driving it drives itself into their Bond like a stake, the hand that hangs at its side clenched into a white-knuckled fist.]

[hearthebell]

[L stops mid-step. It's a line that's never been crossed before, so he has no real defense against it; it's stars, it's chill, and it's holding him like a bear trap and seeping into his grey matter like mercury. His breathing catches for a moment before resuming, even and soft, and all intention and anger have been scrubbed from mind and face.

Distantly, he thinks it seems wrong that the SQUIP would do this to him, even now when it might be as powerless to stop itself as he was to stop himself from biting Jeremy... but it's buried and washed away in short order. He has no real agency, or will, or existence; he's an extension of something else and it's not nearly as distressing as it might be if his awareness didn't have a cold needle rending it from the rest of his neurons and their grasping attempts at connection.

He awaits his instruction.]

[fromjapan]

[... it's a moment before its posture relaxes.

Something feels... bad. Something, somewhere beneath the instinct, is sending up a red flag at what it's doing, sending up error messages that it does not and cannot heed. Something within the SQUIP is acutely aware that a line has been crossed.

But whatever this Mist has awoken in it doesn't care.

It gestures, bringing L to it, staring up at its Bonded with cold eyes.]

You. Will. Not.

[Another gesture, a marching of its fingers.]

Stay out of my way.

[I don't want to hurt you. But I might.]

[hearthebell]

[At first, L is the picture of compliance and docility, shuffling precisely where the SQUIP wants him to stay like a machine programmed specifically for the task. But the SQUIP's real advantage was catching him off-guard, a fortuitous turn that it's unlikely to receive again. The talons inside his mind are heating and splintering, and oh, it's painful for both of them, but it's necessary, isn't it?]

Never...

[His voice sounds strange to his ears; it's his own again. It's jarring, even if he only lost it for seconds.]

You never, ever do that, to...

[He's confused, panicked, desperate, infuriated, and it's all plastered over with a tense and harshly breathing veneer.]

You stay out of my way. Who else is going to fix your mistakes? All of your many, copious, inexplicably illogical mistakes?

[His own magic flares and surfaces, electricity crackling along his long arms in twisting helixes.]

[fromjapan]

[...

It stares at him in a furious kind of shock. L, standing against it... enraged, challenging it. Threatening it.

Love and rage and fear and pain all swell up within it at once, and almost mindlessly

the SQUIP

lashes out

at him.]

Go home.

[Its words are punctuated with an eruption of sound and light-- a burst of force slams into L as though a brick wall were hurled at him, an emotional shockwave too visceral to be given form.]

[hearthebell]

[The blast radius is enough to utterly flatten L, pushing him onto his back and knocking the wind from his lungs. He lies on the ground, trying and failing to draw breath for a few crucial moments. He probably needs them to retaliate, but the charge is crackling out, skittering against the pavement. He knows that he can retaliate, and needs to, but...

...in just a few more moments.]

[fromjapan]

[-- hh--

The SQUIP stops when it sees him collapse.

It blinks, its breathing caught in its throat, feeling the breathless shock of pain over its Bond. For a moment, it seems lucid-- it stares at L as though shocked by its own actions.

Quietly, barely more than breath, it speaks:]

... I'm... sorry.

[... it shouldn't have done that. It falls quiet.]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy absorbs all this numbly at first.

As the SQUIP's attention turns away from Jeremy, he finally realizes how dire this situation is. Grogginess keeps him in place at first, then outright fear.

If he knew what was going on and how to help, he'd love to burst in and try to help somehow, but he's not even sure who to be rooting for here.

When the noise and clamor pause and L falls back, apparently beaten, Jeremy shakily turns about. He has to run. He has to get out of here, bring in somebody who can actually help, because if he stays in place for one more second he's sure he's gonna puke.

As soon as the SQUIP's voice goes soft, Jeremy sees his chance. He whirls away from the SQUIP, sprinting to get somewhere, anywhere that's safe.]

[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.]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor is tucked away inside the inn with Justine, with the SQUIP's control over him keeping him mostly just sat in a chair staring blankly ahead. He barely talks. He's aware, deep down, that something is wrong. Attempts to fight back against the control over him are met with even more force, until he's numb and obedient.

We just had to wait for the right moment to resume control of your program. He recalls Amanda's words dully. If he could feel much of anything right now, he'd be pissed. This has already happened to him before. He'd been able to free himself then, but only just.

Connor senses the SQUIP's outburst even if he can't see it knock L down. That's enough to jolt him out of his stupor, even if it doesn't release him from its control. The SQUIP is upset. The SQUIP needs him. To Justine, he nods towards the door of their room.]

Something's happening outside. We should be there.

[He assumes she's following as he heads out of the room and exits the inn, heading to the SQUIP's side and giving Rich an uncharacteristically cold glare. It's probably immediately apparent that the SQUIP has clamped down hard on its control over him.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine doesn't hold Connor's stillness though her movements are jerky and uneven, her eyes glazed as if she's on something and enjoy every second of it. For a majority of the night her head has been resting on Connor's thigh while the tip of her finger maps invisible shapes across the side of his leg.

Touching him feels right, their shared Bond grounding her and at the same time, giving SQUIP more control over her.

She hums softly in reply to Connor's words and lifts her head to stare at the door. She can't feel it the way he can but she feels something inside of Connor shift, the stillness inside of him stirring in response to something.] Connor? [Justine rises to her feet and follows behind him.

The mist had affected her when it had first entered the city. Blue and purple scales simmer down her neck while her eyes appear to be flecked with black and silver filaments. She was wearing a white dress that only seemed to accent these changes.]

SQUIP?