aboxfullofstars | 18 [Open Post] Early Autumn, School Festivals, Skill and Power Swaps in Computer Mode, and More!

18 [Open Post] Early Autumn, School Festivals, Skill and Power Swaps in Computer Mode, and More!

Summer is drawing to a close, with autumn fast approuching...

And now, the World Tree Infinity Uni Education Complex (City ***** Campus) is having a mega-sized School Festival!

The WTIU Education Complex contains all kinds of schools for people and beings of all kinds of ages and needs, and the Festival is planned to run for a week. School plays, sports events, food festivals, educational forums - The list of planned events is long indeed.

But wait - Something even odder then usual is happening, too, as it so often does in the World Tree System.

Some people are apparently being forced to take part in the School Festival, no matter what their original plans were...

And some people are having their skills and powers temporarily swapped with other people, except that it's in some kind of computer mode!

[The School Festival sheenagains and the skills and powers swap are both Reality Waves caused by World Tree itself. The characters who have been affected by the skills and power swap will find some kind of virtual computer in their heads that lets them use their "borrowed" skills and powers. Their normal skills and powers, in the meanwhile, will be unusable for the duration.]

[Whether the characters are affected or not by the Reality Waves are all up to their Muns. All the Reality Wave's effects will end in 3 days, or whenever the Muns want them to end.]

[This is an open post, and the Muns can make up events and thread with each other as long as it fits the themes.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Madoka was now frantically reading through the script for the last time.]

...Is it just me, or does this script sometimes...change in the middle?

[She asked, plantively.]

"yeah, it sure seems like it. " [kyouko leaned back, nibbling on some licorice as she scanned the script] "This is like, what, the third version of it? I mean last we were fairy tale heroines , and its changed again. Better be awesome changes." [kyouko shoved the script into Sayaka face, Sayaka was arranging the music for a show] "And you always end up a wet fish!"
[Sayaka blushed and pushed kyoukos hand away]
"Hm. does it have to be about the events about our past lives?"[homura shuffled timidly]
"Either way, this is going to be fun! ooh and we get to have a dance sequence to!" [maodka clapped her hands happily]

...So OK, our first scene starts out with our heroine, Miss Gertrude hearing a strange voice.

[The AU Kyubey said with a grin.]

Help me! Oh, please help me - I'm being chased by Monsters!

[Kyoko groaned, then.]

...You know, it's weird that I just figured this out, but - Pretending to be in trouble and getting the Magical Girl Candidates to come and save them is actually a rather common Incubator ploy, isn't it?

[The AU Kyubey sighed, then.]

- It is, actually - It works really well with the type of girls who always want to help other people, you see...

[And Hanako shuffles over, grimacing shyly] "Why do I have to play an important part in the first scenes? In fact, why do I have to perform in this show anyway? Did I agree to it?" [although her social anxiety was much better, the thought of being visible on stage wasn't appealing to the flora elemental puella magica. Also, she still at times forgot the AU Kyubey here was not the same scheming furry little weed who decieved her]

[Mami tilted her head, then.]

...Hmmm. You're right, Hanako-chan - You weren't planning to be in the school play at all, at least as first, I think? I mean, you were helping out with the costumes, I think, but...

[Kyoko shook her head, then, and tossed a potato chip up into the air.]

- But then, all of a sudden, you were supposed to be one of the actors, and nobody seemed to think this was weird, which is pretty weird in and of itself, now that I think about it.

[Sayaka sighed, then.]

...Oh, it must be a World Tree thing again, then.

[And then, she snickered.]

But on the other hand - I think you'll do fine on the stage, Hanako-chan! I mean, you really did well in all the rehearsals up to now, even if the script did keep changing in the middle...

[And Hanako's cat meowed too, sounding a lot like he agreed with Sayaka's words...]

"er, yes, I was helping out with the costumes and the set pieces, with my flowers" [everyone thought that having real magical flowers in the set and costumes was an enchanting idea] "And I'm not sure. I was just reading in a few place holder lines for someone during rehearsals. It's not like I was rehearsing for anything myself..." [Hanako picked up Anthony and nestled into his poofy cottony fur]

[Aand that was when a different girl shook her head.]

- But Hanako-san - We can't change actresses right in the middle, just like that...

[And that was when Madoka stood up, and walked over to Hanako!]

...Please, Hanako-san - I'm sure you can manage this, just fine!

[Hanako looked at her, and picked up Anthony, nearly covering her face with his furry body.]

- Um...You...You think so?

[And Homura nodded at that, pushing her glasses with her fingers.]

...Of course you can, Hanako-chan - It can't be scarier then fighting Witches, after all!

"yes well, fighting witches is a different sort of scary..." [hanako's face was almost as red as her roses]
[kyouko shrugged, grabbing a pretzel] "yeah, guess that's true."
[Madoka patted Hanako's shoulder kindly] "But Hanako, look how far you have come with your social anxiety already! You are now so open to people and made lots of friends! this is just another step! I have an idea. Why don't you envision it as you preforming for your flowers? Surely they would love to see you shine on stage!

[Aand that was when a chuckle floated through the air - And all of a sudden, a large portal opened up in the air above the seats!]

...My flower garden!

[Hanako said with a gasp, and brought her hands to her face.]

- Whooow, that's pretty, all right!

[Kyouko said with a grin.]

[The other students also ooh'd and ahh'd.]

...Woooow! So that's what Katsumi-san's flower garden looks like!

[Hanako took a deep breath, then.]

- I'll - I'll do it!

[Yuuko has been Reality Wave'd, and has now suddenly found herself taking part in the School Festival!]

[She is now dressed in a long dress and a veil, much to her amusement.]

Well, well, well -

[She said with a grin, and sipped her tea, wondering who was going to turn up.]

[James stared blankly as his flying, teleporting van shook itself, and turned itself into a humanoid robot, all of a sudden.]

...Elaineee! What's going on here!?!?

[And then, he shook his head. This was the World Tree System, after all.]

- Are you all right in there, Elaine?

[His AI Elaine sounded bemused.]

II am quite all right, but I have no idea what just happened, Master - This is the first time I've ever turned into a humanoid robot, after all!

John stopped walking when Elaine suddenly found herself on a robotic body. Knowing the risks that would come, he immediately rushed to James' studio, leaning an armored hand on the side. With a glance around the general area, he spotted that same familiar wave of color glow that showed a reality wave.

While James was usually the first one to know what was happening, this time he was just as baffled as the rest.

"This better not be a body change." He stepped forward to James in case something happened. So much for a calm festival..

[James turned toward John with a big smile.]

...Ha ha ha! Well, I haven't shifted bodies yet, but it's good to see you anyway, John!

[Aand that was when a Reality Wave washed over both James and John!]

Edited 2018-09-22 05:57 (UTC)

[James blinked, blinked again - ]

[- And then, his whole expression changed.]

- Damnit!

[He hissed curtly, sounding a lot more like some of his Alternate Universe versions then he did usually.]

[...And in the meanwhile, Elaine the AI's holo was watching him, her eyes blank.]

- Your Aura patterns have all changed. Who are you, Sir, and what do you call yourself?

[And in the meanwhile...]

[There is now a whole chunk of - something - has been replaced in John's Mindspace.]

[It looks like a large, large amount of high class laptops, all on tables, and all connected with each other - ]

[And each and every one of them has a AI holo floating on top!]

What's going on? What's going on?

[The AI holos all looked like cute Mini-James to begin with, but now they are all turning into more generic looking basic

AI dolls.]

Oh, hello Sir. Mr John? Is that you?

[John will probably notice that there is a cluster of laptops on one of the tables, and the table has a big banner on top

of it.]

[The name on the banner simply says "Project James".]

The armor John had been wearing vanished in a single moment. And yet, as his HUD vanished, another one seemed to take its place right in front of his eyes. An overlay of gadgets spread out in front of him to a seemingly endless numbers, some of which felt too familiar in names.

He notices himself jolting when he feels an A.I. speaking inside his mind. The delay in his response goes beyond even that of a Spartan. He realizes, in fact, that it is that of a baseline human.

It all felt off.

"... yeah," John finally answers, "is this James' console?"

With even a hover of his hand over the devices... he strangely felt as if he knew what was in most of these pieces. His eyes then turned over the title -- Project James.

He remembered the old nightmares and memories James had. Of being the failed project. He hesitated whenever if to open it.

[The Mini AIs looked at each other, and then at John.]

We are his special abilities shaped into a easier to access set of images, if you get what we mean - We think?

[Aand then, the banner glitters in John's hand, and changes shape!]

Project James Mission Statement - Draft 1

Humans are supposed to be social animals, or so Dr Clark says.

The problem is, I can't stand most human beings.

Eliza took care of me, and cleaned me and fed me and was angry when the whitecoats did things that hurt, and -

I don't know what to do.

Eliza is dead now.

Eliza loved "James" but was "James" really me?

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't even have learned how to smile if Eliza hadn't kept trying to make me at least pretend to smile, pulling at my cheeks.

I didn't even know I had a problem "communicating" because until I met David, and he could understand what I meant, at least a little.

Father Dearest calls me a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are "cute" and well liked by people who like cute things.

...Maybe if I was more like a Chihuahua, I would be able to make more "friends"?

[And in the meanwhile, in the outside world...]

[- A short blond man was sighing.]

...Calm down, AI woman - I am Liquid, the original personality of this unit. More or less.

[And then, he opened his mouth, and uttered a line of recognation codes in a clipped tone.]

- Call me Liquid.

Special abilities... Okay. No one had been in his mind for a long while. It was privacy. But he tried his best not to let it bother him.

It had to pass. All had to pass.

He cleared his mind, and mentally dove into the records that James would allow open. Once the... A.I.s allowed him entry, he studied. Project James. Logs of his life due to the clear rejection from his frail condition, condemned to be under his brother's shadow. And... the passing of Eliza, his caretaker. Without him, he felt lost.

Then, he returned back to reality.

On the outside world, James was taller, speaking in codes, and...

"... Be. Careful." John warned, "you have more height and strength. Don't hurt yourself."

Edited 2018-10-06 05:42 (UTC)

[And indeed, the formerly short man was growing taller and more muscler, even as they watched.]

[James- No, "Liquid" nodded, and then winced a bit, seeming to feel some pain.]

...Oh, yes, I am not at all used to being this size , or being this strong, or fast, either.

[And then, he sighed.]

Thank you, Master Chief John 117.

- I do miss having the abilities that I'm sure are stuck in your mind for now, though...

[And in the meanwhile, the Mini AIs are showing John all kinds of things.]

One folder says - "Father Dearest - How do I deal with the stupid bastard, anyway? (I still wish he appreciated my existence, at least a little. This is incredibly annoying)"

Another one says - "David my brother (who is important to me). Is this the emotion called "familial love"?

And yet another one, connected to the "David" one, says - "Solid my enemy. Rival, Whatever. Much easier to get rid of than Father, but Solid is also David, so no go. How do normal people deal with this kind of situation, anyway?"

"That makes two of us."

He remembered all too well the moment he saw other universes, that the power he wanted the least was extrasensorial perception... which became one of the first abilities he gained in Infinity. While he respected the power of intelligence by the people he admired, his place continued to be someplace in the front lines.

Now, focusing back on the A.I.s on his head...

Back on the day, he wouldn't have known exactly how to help James, in particular with these emotions regarding James' father and Solid Snake. There was some way he could input it all and reorganize...

Okay...

While we are created, whenever if it is for something worthy or not, we still choose who we become. A relationship should be treasured if it helps you grow.

An enemy is somebody who opposes your goals at the cost of your life. But if you can turn enemies into allies, and keep your ideals above all else, there will not be a need to have him as an enemy.

John closed his eyes, and sighed. There was no telling what would happen next. He had some information... but it would be James who would choose what would happen.

After that, he turned to James, -Liquid-, and scanned him up and down.

"Can you summon the armor?"

Particularly due to having James' mechanically-gifted mind, he pondered on what sort of upgrades could the MJOLNIR receive that he'd need in the future.

[James nodded, and looked around at the consule in his head.]

...Very well, then -

[And then - Whooosh!]

Master James!

[Elaine the AI sounded like a chicken as she made the van duck away.]

...Something just ate half the Van's force fields, Master James. How in the world does that thing work?

[James stared in awe at the screens inside the armor he had just summoned.]

[...Actually, that was a good question.]

...Master Chief John - How does this thing work?

The MJOLNIR. John suddenly froze in place as he realized James would have to wear the suit without solid training. James doubtlessly had a brilliance with machines that he used now, but he realized he also thought slower than him.

He stepped back, and carefully extended his arm to get him to stop.

"Don't. Move. Or think." John said. "You weight half a ton. Listen carefully. Every action you do will be amplified if you don't know how to use the suit."

His sight turned to James' arm.

"Think, and only think, of lifting your arm."

[James nodded, and tried to lift his arm - And that was when his Inner Consule beeped at him!]

...Hey, this thing is telling me I shouldn't even try to move my arm if there's any large magical fields around, because -

[Aand then, James' entire armored body began to shine!]

- Because my aura is getting affected now, too. Huh, really?

[Whisk whisk whisk! James makes his aura slide around the armor...]

Ah. Another problem. This one more due to the things he encountered while in Infinity and the World Tree. John slowly lowers his arm.

"I upgraded my armor. When I got to see magic," he said as he noticed he couldn't even see it, either. "you'll need to get used it to your aura."

He stepped beside James, but in an arc wide enough, and far away from him, in case his friend even thought of moving.

"Your aura interacts with the entire world, and the world interacts on your aura," he explained. "External powers affect your movement and your interaction with reality-bending events. You need to think of yourself and your armor as one."

...Me and the armor as one, huh?

[The not-so-short (for now) blond man in the armor nodded - And then, his aura visible on the armor suddenly changed, becoming sharper and less fluid.]

...So I can still use "James Mode" up to a point, apparently.

["Liquid" said, and sighed a bit.]

[And then, he sloooowly tried to get away from both John and his van, as he didn't want to risk damaging either of them.]

[Whooops!]

...Master James!

[Elaine the AI said - And then, she paused.]

Or are you "Master Liquid" now?

...The latter will do for now, thank you.

[...Well, now, "Liquid" was on the ground, and there was a rather big hole in the ground too, where he and the armor he had on had plowed into it, but neither the van or John appeared to be damaged, so that was a plus, "Liquid" supposed.]

- Are you all right there, Master Chief?

Edited 2018-11-10 03:27 (UTC)

[Hal looked around the school complex with a grin.]

[This looked like so much fun!]

[ now being part time typical high school girls added to their lifestyles of being a holy powered guardian shrine maiden and a magical witch, thanks to the world tree effects, Reimu and Marisa are now attending their first school festival!
They haappen to be walking by Hal then, and they look very cute in modern high school uniforms!]
"I wonder what our class assignment is going to be?" [reimu states, looking around[] "I hope whatever my task is, it's going to be easy. And since we're students, we get free access to the activities, right? Or, do we have to pay?" [she smacks marisa's hand as the witch habitually goes to pocket some merchandise without paying] Well I know being a shrine maiden I get to participate in that joint collaboration ritual with all the other students who are connected with the other local shrines. Those other maidens better not be as annoying as Sanae..."

[...Aand that was when Rei came running by, now in her Shinto Priestess outfit, as she's now in training to take over her grandfather's Shrine.]

- I'm late, I'm late - Oh, no!

[She mumbled - And that is when she tripped, and a bag filled with last minute holy items went flying over everybody's heads, right toward Maria and Reimu's direction!]

...Ooops?

[Artemis said with a groan. This was going to end up being one of those days, wasn't it?]

[An important tradition in school festivals of course, the maid cafe is here! And there is a group of cute and lovely girls in adborable frilly maid outfits ready to serve!]
"Welcome!"

[Homura is blushing up a storm, but is still wiling to do a good job.]

...Um...Madoka? My maid outfit looks - OK, right?

[Madoka gave Homura a big grin, then.]

- Oh, Homura - You look wonderful like that!

“ thank you, madoka! You look , oh so perfect!! You know, i have dreamed of seeing you in that sort of outfit. “ she blushed , trying to push down any slightly more perverted thoughts
“ you know, im so happy we finally Get to do a maid cafe together!”

[Aand that was when the costumers started to come in!]

...Uwahhh! Mami-Sempai, your maid costume is so...so...

[A girl they vaguely knew from some of their classes gushed.]

[Mami smiled at her, and gave her a little bow.]

- Thank you, Hanasaki-san! I did wonder if the big guns would be too much, but...

[And then, she took a big plastic pastel-colored gun out of her holsters, pointed it at the ceiling, and pulled the

trigger.]

[The girls ooh'd and ahh'd as some magical flowers flew out of the guns with a bang, and floated toward the ceilings.]

...That's so neat!

[mami chuckled] "Just a bit of extra decoration!" [Mami had been ever so happy to finally able to be friends with her class mates, and able to share her magical secrets to boot! Not that she was ever unpopular before, quite the opposite. But due to her magical girl life, she was unable to connect with them. like there was an invisible force keeping them out of her life. destiny of magical girl perhaps..."
"Big sister!"" [nagisa skipped in and hugged mami. she had finished her tasks helping set up the elementary grade classes' activities for the fesstival]

...It's good to see you, Nagisa-chan!

[Mami said, and hugged her back happily.]

- Your class is going to be doing one of the dances, right?

[Nagisa grinned at that.]

...Yes, yes we are, and I'm going to be in it, too!

[And then, she looked at Mami and her friends, and smiled, shyly.]

- Um, you're all going to see us dance, right?

...Yes, of course!

[Mami grinned at that.]

...Yes, of course we are - That's the main reason we decided to put a big holo screen right in the middle of the Cafe, after all...

Edited 2018-09-22 04:17 (UTC)

[Nagisa's smile slipped a bit at that] "on a holo screen? You mean you're going to come watch the show in person?"
"Oh , of course I will go see you in person, don't worry Nagisa! Even if it is on my shift! I wouldn't miss my darling little sister's performance!" [Mami hugged Nagisa in reassurance] "I mean we will put up a screen in here for the people who are visiting here and aren't able to make it to the show."
"Ah. Ok then!" [nagisa cheered up again. Mami's classmates aaawed at the sisterly scene]

[Kyoko laughed, then.]

...Well, of course we're going to go see you in person! We've asked other people to take over the Cafe for when you're supposed to dance, OK?

[Aand then, Hitomi came over and waved to them!]

- Hello everybody! I am your favorite backup Maid, Shizuki Hitomi...

[Kyousuke waved his hand, too, then.]

...And I'm not a maid, but I can sure wear a butler's costume for a couple of hours, so.

- Kamijo Kyousuke, at your service!

[Some of the other girls almost swooned at that. Madoka sweatdropped a bit.]

...Maybe we should have made it a Maid and Butler's Cafe? I mean, he sure does seem popular...

Edited 2018-09-22 06:54 (UTC)

"Nah, he should go ahead and wear a maid dress anyway!" [kyouko chuckled] "He's girly enough for one anyway!"
[all of the girls immediately squeed at the thought of the dainty prepubescent dusty haired boy in a maid dress, including Sayaka and Hitomi of course.
kyousuke blushed "Er, do I have to?"

...Hmmm...I'm not sure, actually, because I'm sure you'd look really good in a Butler outfit, too, buuut...

[Sayaka smiled, then.]

- If we do this -

[Aand then, she whipped out a toy magi-tech wand that was often used for cosplaying in City *****]

...Yes, we can have it both ways!

[She then pointed the wand at Kyousuke and pushed the button. Kyousuke sighed a bit as the magical lights swirled around him - ]

[- Aand then, a maid ouffit formed itself around him!]

- Sayakaaa. Oh, come on...

[He grumped, looking rather cute.]

[and loud fangirl squeals erupted at that. Sayaka had to douple over to handle a nose bleed.]
[Kyouko sniggered at that] "pretty boy looks better in that outfit!"
"so do you." [ sayaka magic healed her nosebleed and kissed kyouko's cheek] "I know frills aren't your favorite]
[kyouko shrugged, but blushed a bit. true she natualy tended to normally dress casual, but she didn't mind going feminine once in a while. sometimes she even enjoyed it]

[Kyousuke sighed theatrically, and then posed again, still in the maid dress.]

[Aand then he grinned, and started walking toward Sayaka.]

- Well, OK, then, since you girls have had your fun -

[And then, he plucked the magic cosplay wand out of Sayaka's hand, and turned it toward himself!]

Aand now, for the Butler costume!

[Sayaka and Hitomi both blinked as she magic flowed around Kyousuke again - And turned his clothes into a very neat Butler's outfit!]

...Ohhhhhhh!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

18 [Open Post] Early Autumn, School Festivals, Skill and Power Swaps in Computer Mode, and More!

The School Play

Re: The School Play

Re: The School Play

Re: The School Play

Re: The School Play

Re: The School Play

Re: The School Play

Re: The School Play

Re: The School Play

Yuuko's Booth of Fortunetelling

James - Skills and Powers Swap in Computer Mode

no subject

1

2

3

no subject

1

2

3

no subject

1

2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Just attending the School Festival in general

Re: Just attending the School Festival in general

Re: Just attending the School Festival in general

MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!

Re: MAID CAFE! open!