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apocalypsehowcomm2023-10-06 02:37 am
wewillwewill) wrote in apocalypsehowcomm2023-10-06 02:37 am
Entry tags:
'Armless Sightings, 'Armful Strikes [Player Plot]
Who: Everyone! OTA
When: October
Where: Gloucester, MA
Summary: Strange sightings are afoot
Warnings: Subjects may include: Uninvited contact (nonsexual), disembodied limbs, fear, paranoia, paralysis, darkness, stalking, hunting, watching, panic, more possible in individual comments
OOC Post: A Farewell to (Crab) Arm
Related Scenes (Each with their own CWs)
IC Post: A Therapy Session for Sheppard.
IC Post: Sheppard's er.... 'Surgery'.
On the Local News
5 o'clock news has stories of crime, political pieces, talks about when the local government is planning on investigating building foundations and reports of poor inspections resulting in faulty foundations, particularly around Dogtown. Pretty much the usual. Really. People who watch long enough might see a couple of October variety pieces. Fall themed events within driving distance and local stories of intrigue. A young reporter is standing on a street corner. It's probably familiar enough to those living in ADI housing, with a charming coffee cafe, small businesses and of course plenty of kitschy and fun seasonal decorations.
"The weather's certainly cooling down, but that's not the only chill in the air. Locals in the area have been reporting unusual sightings. October and ghost stories go hand in hand, but are usually confined to hours after the sun goes down. This particular ghoulie has been spotted in broad daylight. Or so the story goes."
The report cuts to a few spliced together 'eyewitness' accounts, speaking of catching a glimpse of a ghostly visage reaching out for them, or feeling a hand on their back or shoulder but turning around and finding no one there. Even a few times where there was no direct encounter, only the glimpse of a hand at a window sill before being drawn back in supposedly empty shops. Plenty of evening accounts and in fact that seems to be the bulk of these ghostly claims. But there's also a few who claim to have felt or 'seen' this presence in broad daylight.
"No one seems to be harmed or in danger though plenty claim a sense of unease," says the on the street reporter. She has the upbeat attitude of someone who is willing to lean into a more whimsical interpretation and who hasn't had to worry about a personal encounter. "A restful spirit haunting Gloucester or a mischeivious prank by the locals? No one has yet caught evidence of either, so until someone captures a picture of this tireless spectre or clever hoax, we'll be keeping an eye out. And maybe even a few glances over our shoulder just to be safe. Back to you in the studio."
Seems like some folks are celebrating Halloween early this year," quips one of the in-studio anchors to his peer. But you know, his tone of carefully curated humor holds a note of unease and perhaps even a tiny stress of insistence.
"No doubt about it," laughs the feminine co-anchor. Whether she covers it better or not, it would seem as if she's trying to assure and be assured. The tension is almost palpable even through the television.
Investigations
cw: disembodiment, talk of (non sexual but still very unpleasant contact), paralysis, trapped
Tracking down the witnesseses seen on the news will lead to getting much of the same story. Organizing them will turn up a few similar threads.
1. Nearly everyone mentions feeling like someone or something touched them, either on a shoulder or back, arm or ankle. Or they claim they say a spectral figure reaching for them or a hand being drawn back from a door or window. While there's variance and sometimes 'trick of the mind' or exaggeration of how much was seen, there is always a theme of reaching or touching or contact. The few stories that didn't have any of these and went into major detail about the ghost tend to have an air of falsehood.
2. All of the stories that feel 'legitimate' (or mostly legitimate) seem to feel the hand didn't look completely 'solid'. The night encounters strongly favor claims there was a 'glow'. Most of these claim there was an 'uneasy feeling' before, during or after the sighting and still seem nervous or show a tendency to look over their shoulders.
3. If any tries to draw based on witness accounts, there'll be lots of definite...ish arm details, hazy on the rest even if some claim a few more details and seem sure of them. Shadowy figure, maybe robes, most always blurred or obscured by dark rooms or nighttime shadows.
4. No one (yet) has reported a second 'visit'. All the sightings have been within a range of the last month, as far back as early September. None of these particular witnesses have caught footage though not for want of trying.
Those living at Bonnie's or still connected with the ADI will get chances to speak with a few more alarming encounters though. Folk that felt they were hunted, cornered and eventually paralyzed with fear and unable to move while something touched and explored them. There had been nothing sexual, though that hardly makes the experience better by any means.
Those that could speak more coherently about the 'touch' described it as exploratory and sometimes 'curious'.
One report even mentioned 'so one time, this blind person wanted to feel my face you know, and it felt a bit like that I guess?'. Though maybe they were trying to act like they were cooler about the situation than they actually are. They most decidedly were not as calm about this then.
And those who had been fortunate (or unfortunate?) enough to find themselves unable to move in a way to get a look at the source of the spectral assault all have the same, definitive answer.
"It.... was just an arm! And arm and a hand reaching out of nothing! Like the darkness or the light or just cut right off and it didn't seem like a person behind it! It wasn't really solid looking except sometimes, but it felt solid. Bits seem to glow red, sometimes it almost looked like it had claws, even though they never scratched."
There's still a sense of confusion over what was fully seen, but that could easily be attributed to the fear and whatever other forces were at work.
When: October
Where: Gloucester, MA
Summary: Strange sightings are afoot
Warnings: Subjects may include: Uninvited contact (nonsexual), disembodied limbs, fear, paranoia, paralysis, darkness, stalking, hunting, watching, panic, more possible in individual comments
OOC Post: A Farewell to (Crab) Arm
Related Scenes (Each with their own CWs)
IC Post: A Therapy Session for Sheppard.
IC Post: Sheppard's er.... 'Surgery'.
5 o'clock news has stories of crime, political pieces, talks about when the local government is planning on investigating building foundations and reports of poor inspections resulting in faulty foundations, particularly around Dogtown. Pretty much the usual. Really. People who watch long enough might see a couple of October variety pieces. Fall themed events within driving distance and local stories of intrigue. A young reporter is standing on a street corner. It's probably familiar enough to those living in ADI housing, with a charming coffee cafe, small businesses and of course plenty of kitschy and fun seasonal decorations.
"The weather's certainly cooling down, but that's not the only chill in the air. Locals in the area have been reporting unusual sightings. October and ghost stories go hand in hand, but are usually confined to hours after the sun goes down. This particular ghoulie has been spotted in broad daylight. Or so the story goes."
The report cuts to a few spliced together 'eyewitness' accounts, speaking of catching a glimpse of a ghostly visage reaching out for them, or feeling a hand on their back or shoulder but turning around and finding no one there. Even a few times where there was no direct encounter, only the glimpse of a hand at a window sill before being drawn back in supposedly empty shops. Plenty of evening accounts and in fact that seems to be the bulk of these ghostly claims. But there's also a few who claim to have felt or 'seen' this presence in broad daylight.
"No one seems to be harmed or in danger though plenty claim a sense of unease," says the on the street reporter. She has the upbeat attitude of someone who is willing to lean into a more whimsical interpretation and who hasn't had to worry about a personal encounter. "A restful spirit haunting Gloucester or a mischeivious prank by the locals? No one has yet caught evidence of either, so until someone captures a picture of this tireless spectre or clever hoax, we'll be keeping an eye out. And maybe even a few glances over our shoulder just to be safe. Back to you in the studio."
Seems like some folks are celebrating Halloween early this year," quips one of the in-studio anchors to his peer. But you know, his tone of carefully curated humor holds a note of unease and perhaps even a tiny stress of insistence.
"No doubt about it," laughs the feminine co-anchor. Whether she covers it better or not, it would seem as if she's trying to assure and be assured. The tension is almost palpable even through the television.
cw: disembodiment, talk of (non sexual but still very unpleasant contact), paralysis, trapped
Tracking down the witnesseses seen on the news will lead to getting much of the same story. Organizing them will turn up a few similar threads.
1. Nearly everyone mentions feeling like someone or something touched them, either on a shoulder or back, arm or ankle. Or they claim they say a spectral figure reaching for them or a hand being drawn back from a door or window. While there's variance and sometimes 'trick of the mind' or exaggeration of how much was seen, there is always a theme of reaching or touching or contact. The few stories that didn't have any of these and went into major detail about the ghost tend to have an air of falsehood.
2. All of the stories that feel 'legitimate' (or mostly legitimate) seem to feel the hand didn't look completely 'solid'. The night encounters strongly favor claims there was a 'glow'. Most of these claim there was an 'uneasy feeling' before, during or after the sighting and still seem nervous or show a tendency to look over their shoulders.
3. If any tries to draw based on witness accounts, there'll be lots of definite...ish arm details, hazy on the rest even if some claim a few more details and seem sure of them. Shadowy figure, maybe robes, most always blurred or obscured by dark rooms or nighttime shadows.
4. No one (yet) has reported a second 'visit'. All the sightings have been within a range of the last month, as far back as early September. None of these particular witnesses have caught footage though not for want of trying.
Those living at Bonnie's or still connected with the ADI will get chances to speak with a few more alarming encounters though. Folk that felt they were hunted, cornered and eventually paralyzed with fear and unable to move while something touched and explored them. There had been nothing sexual, though that hardly makes the experience better by any means.
Those that could speak more coherently about the 'touch' described it as exploratory and sometimes 'curious'.
One report even mentioned 'so one time, this blind person wanted to feel my face you know, and it felt a bit like that I guess?'. Though maybe they were trying to act like they were cooler about the situation than they actually are. They most decidedly were not as calm about this then.
And those who had been fortunate (or unfortunate?) enough to find themselves unable to move in a way to get a look at the source of the spectral assault all have the same, definitive answer.
"It.... was just an arm! And arm and a hand reaching out of nothing! Like the darkness or the light or just cut right off and it didn't seem like a person behind it! It wasn't really solid looking except sometimes, but it felt solid. Bits seem to glow red, sometimes it almost looked like it had claws, even though they never scratched."
There's still a sense of confusion over what was fully seen, but that could easily be attributed to the fear and whatever other forces were at work.
Sighting
"I saw it! You've got to believe me!" A panicked man rushes in from somewhere nearby. Maybe it's just you and a couple of others. Maybe you're alone. He looks like he's seen.... well, seen a ghost. "T-that spirit or person that everyone's saying they've seen. Back there!" He jabs his whole arm and finger from the direction he came. "The alley, the third story. I swear it was watching me. It's been following!"
What started out as just a panicked 'I saw it' seems to be growing more and more into a paranoid ramble. One thing's for sure, the man's not drunk nor does he seem to be on something. Those who are familiar with the signs might even discern the fear isn't quite... natural. Stay and calm down the man? Pursue this 'stalking spirit' that may or may not be a fear induced figment?
group thread with Raine and Hunter!
After all, she and Raine probably owe Flapjack more than a few treats after the recent… tiny city incident. Not that Eda mentions that, because honestly she’s just as glad to try not to think about it.
And not that it really matters where they all go or even what they do so much as just… trying to take the opportunity to have a nice day together.
As–well, she’s not sure if any of them are actually quite ready to say as a family, but at least a part of her is thinking it.
She pauses as they come to a street corner, glancing at Hunter and Raine when she suddenly hears what sounds like jumbled shouting from down the block. (Maybe it’s nothing. Can it be nothing for once?)
no subject
It was probably best to agree with Eda on that front after the Tiny Gloucester incident.
Plus, it was admittedly entertaining to watch the two talk. It made them miss their own Palisman. Maybe it would be a good time to-
Raine stopped when Eda did. Their attention snapped to the direction of the noise, and they laced their fingers nervously into Eda's. Their body tensed, a now growing, always present terror crept through their body. They glanced between Eda and Hunter, but mainly stayed on the pathway ahead of them.
"It sounds like there's trouble..."
no subject
"Uh, no. We had pancakes yester...day...?" He trails off, ears twitching at the shouting ahead. He frowns and tries to listen, but he can't make out what the commotion is about.
"We should check it out." He takes a few steps forward before turning back to see if Eda and Raine agree, but he's about a second from sprinting away, with or without them. "Someone might be in trouble!"
no subject
Of course a few people are wisely backing up and though some do appear concerned and linger, many others who don't just... well, move on give the impression that they're around for the show.
No surprise a few phones are out to record.
In warm shop fronts, one or two shop workers look like they're trying to ease closer to doors and windows in the course of their duties. If things amp up they'll probably use that as a more proactive excuse but for now most people inside are ignoring or having caught wind of the poor man's plight.
In the lights of the streets, with the presence of people and normalcy, clarity seems to be returning slowly to the gentleman. Enough that he's definitely starting to feel the weight of eyes on him and maybe just a hint of embarrassment anyone was bound to feel when... well, acting like a public attraction.
And no little touch of defensive frustration.
"Look I have a picture!" he holds up his own phone. There's a shift in the crowd that indicates folk will close around him to get a better look at the 'evidence' but there's still plenty of time to reach him.
Particularly if Hunter starts sprinting over now.
no subject
"You know, just for once that might be a reason not to check it out," Eda grumbles. She's not necessarily scared just yet, but she's certainly on edge and this place is wearing on her. She's tired of it, and if she's honest, a little tired of her kids running directly towards the nearest danger.
Unfortunately she also knows when there's no stopping him, and she does care about how much he wants to help.
"But I know you're gonna, so... right behind you, kiddo."
She glances at Raine, before picking up the pace as she heads for the source of the shouting. At least there doesn't seem to be an active disaster so much as one guy shouting about... pictures?
"Yeah? You've got a picture of what?"
no subject
Raine didn't bother to finish their thought when Eda pulled them towards the crowd, though they do give a soft noise of protest. Normally, being rushed into danger might be fun, but Raine wasn't in the mood to confront a yelling human man. Or whatever was on his phone.
They were supposed to be going to a nice, relaxing dinner with Eda and Hunter. Maybe they should've just picked where to eat..
Raine, nevertheless, tried to discern whatever was on the man's phone, and they squint at the picture.
"I can't tell what that is."
no subject
There doesn't seem to be any clear and present danger here, though the man seems desperate. Given all the horrible, weird things that happen in this town, Hunter is more inclined to believe the man than not.
"Did you say it was following you?" He hadn't caught much of what was being yelled before running over, but he'd heard something about being followed.
"Can I see?" He holds out his hand as if fully expecting the phone to be handed over. Oh, but that's probably rude, so, "Um...please."
cw: uncanny valley
The people of Gloucester probably shouldn't be blamed for this. Things have been... stranger and stranger. Also maybe they don't want to see the proof and are relieved to have an excuse to draw away from the strange pull of wanting to know.
Eda, Raine and Hunter might hear a few grumbles and get some 'sideways glances' that suggests the conscious mind wants to judge them for cutting in line, so to speak. But it goes nowhere and they reach the panicked stranger.
At first the man looks a bit relieved someone's willing to look, skeptical sounding or no. While he's holding out the screen - a typical modern-sized smartphone with the picture front and center already - Raine's words seem to strike a chord of anger. Maybe this is because of the perception of skepticism he has from Eda, but Raine also earns a little ire because this man clearly thinks the obvious is plain to see.
Thus, when Hunter comes up, rather than really make it visible for all three of the group to see (Eda and Raine still can, it's just not optimal), it is angled and brought close to Hunter for the best view.
"Right here, see?" Sure, the guy could be accused of going for the younger, more 'credulous' stereotype out of the three. Odds are it is about the suggested open-minded nature Hunter presents though.
[ The image depicts a quiet piece of street. Something that isn't quite an alley, but you can find all times of the day when it's empty. Even in this past month's supposed increase of 'ghost hunters' looking for such quiet spots in hopes of catching sight of the spirit that's been gossiped about.
Probably because there really aren't many Gloucester natives feeling comfortable going out and asking for scary things to occur.
But back to the picture. The place the man points to in particular is a window of a second floor. With a practiced pinch and spread of fingers on the screen, he zooms in on that particular spot. On the sill, something that looks like a hand and wrist can be seen as though casually at rest. As if in the shadows of the room beyond, there's a person that might be looking out on the street.
There is something unnerving about it, even in photo. Or maybe because it is a still, caught in the moment and frozen for the objective eye to study. Whether because of the distance or lighting or simply a trick of the camera's flash, there is a sense of a subtle glow. The hand seems solid though. If anyone was expecting a transparent, ghostly thing, they will be disappointed.
There is... something not quite right about the angle. Or perhaps it's how it rests, an angle ever so slightly 'off' from what might be construed as a natural repose from a human's build. A suggestion of a red 'sleeve'... is it? Is it really? Or rather a streak of light trapped in the still? Look long enough and the astute may even notice something else.
The window is closed. ]
no subject
On the other hand, it's hard not to get annoyed when the man only really tries to show the picture to Hunter. Perhaps that's why she makes a bigger point to move to where she can get a clear view than she would have otherwise.
Not that anything sticks out at first, even with a clear view. It might take her a bit longer than she should to spot what's off, because she has to remember she's looking for something that would be abnormal here.
Her various body parts can function perfectly well on their own, after all.
"Do you mean... the hand there?"
no subject
"Oh, that does look like a hand." Raine gave Eda a worried look- they hoped it wasn't one of her hands. It didn't look like it, though, and Raine tried to focus harder on whatever red thing was attached to it.
"What's that?" They pointed to it. "I don't think that's a sleeve... where did you even see this?"
;^; sorry for vanishing
"It does look kind of weird." He studies the image a second more before looking up at the stranger. "Can you show us where you saw this?"
Hunting
Are you home? At work? Maybe walking down the street on a brisk October afternoon. But day or night, the feeling of unease begins to creep into your senses as though you were in the pitchest, blackest night, the most quiet, lonesome of alleyways.
And there might just be a beast, a threat lurking in the shadows.
Just the beginning of that feeling mind you. May it wake you up from half-formed dreams of someone approaching.
May it dim the lighting around you just a little bit. Sunlight or lamplight, it all seems a little darker.
Investigations