( OPEN ) GAME START.

[monstermasher]

▶ WHO: Everyone.
▶ DATE: July 9th, 2015 (Day 1)
▶ WARNINGS: Blood, violence, general zombie horror.
▶ SUMMARY: You've met with a bad... however that line goes. Welcome to Earth.

GOOD MORNING!

---

Please try and ignore whatever it is that you just heard. It should only last for up to a minute... maybe.

It... it is morning, right?

There are no windows.

There's a light, but it's barely considered one. The compound runs on a solar generator, but that doesn't mean it has a lot of power. The light seems to be hanging from the ceiling, swinging precariously. That's when you might actually start to wake up, sit up, find the things that are familiar to you... and then some of the things that aren't. It'd be wise to explore the small room you're in before leaving through the steel door, but there's nobody around to tell you that.

Outside is a tightly knit compound, just as dark and metallic as the room. The hallway you're in houses dozens more doors identical to yours, and if you're unlucky there may be more people poking their heads out through them, just like you. There's a dull glowing sign that reads MEDICAL BAY but not all of you remember being hurt. Some of you may be just fine, apart from the memory of the sound you heard when waking up.

The Medical Bay is stocked with enough medicine to last a couple of months. There's almost everything that can be found in a hospital. Somebody was thinking ahead.

Outside of the Medical Bay are more doors, some are even locked—many aren't. There are living quarters, a food storage, a kitchen, some laboratories; even a room full of computers and nothing else, all with a screen asking for a password. There's only two doors out of the compound, a vehicle bay with what appear to be a few military jeeps and trucks, and the front doors. It's on the inside of the front doors that something is painted in bright red, flecked with what smell like blood:

DO NOT GO OUTSIDE WITHOUT A GUN AND WATER.
GUNSHOTS ATTRACT THEM.
HOLLOWS IS 1.3 MILES NORTH OF HERE.
GOOD LUCK.

And on the outside of the doors, if you choose to open them:

THE WORLD ENDED JULY 3RD, 2015.

Now... how long ago was that? And where is this place? Luckily for you, Hollows is a small town that can be raided. It hasn't been too long since the apocalypse—surely you'll be able to find something there. Batteries, food, weapons, maybe some people—and what you're guaranteed to find. Them, whatever that means.

Outside of the compound there's a fence with a single gate. Nothing can get past this unless you let them in for tea, so be careful. There's a shooting range and a large shed full of weapons and ammo, enough to last two months if you're careful. Guns, knives, anything that would be used by the military and police is hidden away in the shed. There are even a few hunting bows with arrows.

If you climb up the ladder to the top of the wall, there's enough room to walk along the top. There's definitely something moving in the distance, something you should definitely be worrying about. Maybe it's time to get a good look with a sniper rifle...?

Oh.

It's gone.

Maybe it was just a trick of the light. Regardless, it's impossible for everyone to stay in the compound forever. There are nefarious things at work! The choices are to go to Hollows, stick around, or go somewhere else. Really, the world is almost a blank slate. Maybe more of a used slate, but still yours to explore.

When the night comes, you should be hiding. The screamers, the ragers, whatever the hell they are, are running full tilt through the streets and across the landscape, running through anything in their way, ripping apart anything alive. If you don't make any noise, they won't notice you. Especially since they're stuck listening to each other. But if you get noticed by one, it won't be long until a horde forms... you might be able to outrun one for awhile, but they don't seem to let up on their breakneck pace. Maybe someone should have told you how to kill them.

OOC NOTES.

---

There will be zombies in Hollows. Whether you meet them on the way there is up to you. Apart from the undead and the animals (maybe somebody should let those poor creatures out of their houses) the town is completely deserted. In fact, the closest thing you can find to a human are the bodies of those who died without being bitten, and there's even few of those. You can find anything you'd find in a normal town here, and are free to loot and raid the houses and stores—the cops won't be coming, after all. The power is OFF apart from what you can find that is solar powered or still has a charge. If you're lucky and find another town while exploring the first few weeks, you might find an area that still has power—thank hydroelectricity.

Just keep in mind travel time... and travel expenses.

You have creative freedom over everything else. The world is open. The only stationary places are landmarks and cities—if you want to go to Texas and talk to the poor astronauts stranded up in space, it's there. (Might be a long trip, though...)

If your character can figure it out by geography before getting to Hollows, the compound is located a few hours from the west coast, in California.

The way to kill a zombie is blunt force to the head. The head doesn't need to be removed, but significant damage needs to be done to it. This does not include the throat—it needs to be a headshot.

There's also a glaring hint. The computers in the compound, asking for a password. It is impossible to hack at this time. There will be more on this later!

Finally, if your character is exploring outside of the compound (or extensively inside of it) there's a comment here for linking me the thread. You can also PM me! I'll be ducking in with what your character may or may not have found, via a response to the actual RP thread.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS please direct them here!

Comments

A!

[antagonize]

[Well. He can't say he expected this, exactly. He exited his room to explore the compound, but he didn't really plan to stumble across what he can only assume is Batgirl. Or, rather, a Batgirl. Because this sure as heck isn't the Batgirl — not the one he remembers.

For obvious reasons, of course.

She already knows he's there, though, so... He steps into view, a little too casually.]

No? And here I thought we were having fun.

c:

[controlledvariable]

[Steph doesn't recognize the voice, but she sure as hell recognizes him and her expression is a mix of relief and wariness.

The first, because at least there's someone here who knows how to look after themselves. And the latter because of all people, it's Jason Todd.]

You've got an odd definition of fun, Hood.

[:T]

[antagonize]

I prefer the term "alternative". Makes it sound classier, if you ask me. [NOBODY ASKED.

But, hm. She recognizes him, which is curious, but not too curious if he assumes good ol' Batman has already done the deed and uploaded him to the gallery. You know, being anal retentive and all.]

So, who are you supposed to be? Supergirl?

[Okay, now he's just being a butt.]

[controlledvariable]

[In a move that most might call stupid, Steph collapses her bo staff and hooks it back on her belt.

But it's not a stupid move, it's a calculated risk, because she wants to show Jason that she has no reason to be his enemy, and she's fairly sure that he has no reason to hate her.

She wasn't the Robin that replaced him, after all.]

Supergirl's a lot cuter.

[Just saying.]

Are you being a dick, or do you not recognize me?

[Since if it's just the former, that's fine, but if it's the latter, that could mean someone's fucking with their memory.

Or it's time travel bullshit.

She really hopes it isn't time travel bullshit.]

[antagonize]

[Maybe stupid, but also pretty surprising. Not to mention confusing, because he's pretty sure he's not regarded as the most trustworthy person to be around these days. He'll be raising both eyebrows, but it's not like she can actually see it.

He's just not going to comment on that action right now.]

Hey, you said it. Not me. [About... Supergirl, he means. Not that he can accurately judge someone's cuteness with that cowl on. Or, that he would actually want to.

... Though, the fact that he's expected to recognize her is interesting. Does he know she's Batgirl? Yes. Does he know who the person under the costume is, at this moment? Nope. Not really.]

I dunno. You tell me. Am I being a dick, or should I recognize you? I can't help it if all you little soldiers start looking the same after a while.

[controlledvariable]

[She knows she shouldn't let the comment get to her, but it does, and her jaw tenses briefly as she scowls at him.

But she won't rise to the bait; if he wants a real reaction out of her, he's going to have to try harder.]

If you're from the same Gotham as me, you should. I've been Batgirl for a while, since the last one gave it to me.

[That's important. She isn't one of Bruce's, she's a Batgirl.]

[antagonize]

[Don't think for a moment that he didn't notice that, because he did. And he's going to enjoy it, because that's his brand of pettiness. If she's wearing the bat on her chest, then he doesn't care who she technically answers to. He shouldn't, not really.

Except something about what she said bothers him, and there's going to be something distinctly odd in his tone now.]

I didn't know the last one was looking for a successor.

[Who does he even consider "the last one", though.]

[controlledvariable]

She decided to try something new.

[That isn't all there is to it, but she isn't about to tell Cass's story to someone who really is a stranger, at the end of the day.

She's going to change the topic, anyway. To something she... doesn't want to bring up, but it's the best frame of reference she's got.

At least she only hesitates a little before speaking.]

You remember the gang war?

[They told her that Red Hood spent a long time antagonizing Black Mask, which Steph isn't sure how to feel about.]

[antagonize]

[Hey, antagonizing Black Mask was great. A good old fashioned national sport, even. If you count watching a piece of shit criminal have several conniptions a sport, that is.

The way she says that is totally suspect, though. Like she thinks it happened some time ago.]

Sure. Let's say I remember it like it was yesterday.

[Which, his tone and phrasing aside, is the truth as far as he's concerned.]

[controlledvariable]

[That pretty much answers her question.]

I guess I owe you one for making Sionis's life a living hell, huh?

[Which, if he pays attention to the gossip, might give him a clue about who she is under the mask.]

[antagonize]

[He's pretty good at keeping an ear to the ground, but of all the hints he expected about this new Batgirl, this one is kind of... huh.

Last he heard, the grapevine said Roman had deep-sixed a very particular someone.]

Am I expected to say "you're welcome" now? Because I'm so sorry to disappoint, but I didn't do it for you.

[Not specifically addressing anything. Not for now.]

[controlledvariable]

Didn't make it any less satisfying to hear about.

[There's a viciousness in the way she says it that suggest she might be wishing she'd done it all herself.]

But you should've just put a bullet in him like I couldn't.

[And she's-- never told anyone that, but she knows Jason is the last person to judge her for wanting to kill someone.]

[antagonize]

[Oh.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Low whistle, which just sounds funny considering he's got that helmet on his head.]

Damn, Batgirl. Whatever would the boss say?

[He called her Batgirl, which means there's at least some level of approval now. Whether this is something she should be proud of depends wholly on perspective.]

[controlledvariable]

Oracle has their own opinions, I'm sure.

[She isn't looking for Jason's approval, but if they can at least reach an agreement to not kill each other, she'll be happy.

But Bruce isn't, and won't ever be, her boss.]

[antagonize]

[Despite what she may think, the only reason he'd attack her is if she attacked him first. He only kills people who've dug their own graves, after all.

Not that the distinction has ever mattered much to certain people.]

I'd buy that.

[He — almost wants to ask about Barbara, but. Nope. Nope. N o p e.]

So, are you normally this chatty with people you've just met? Or am I special?

[controlledvariable]

You're special.

[And it- isn't teasing or mocking, it's just the truth. Steph might never have met Jason, but she can't forget his legacy, she can't forgot how many times she's been compared to him, and she can't forget how much he meant to Bruce.

So, yeah, he's special.

If nothing else, he's another Robin.]

[antagonize]

[Uh. That's... more straightforward of an answer than he was expecting. Shit.

He was expecting a sarcastic response, not whatever this is.]

Careful. I might think you honest to god mean that.

[controlledvariable]

I do.

[Maybe he'll mock her for it, but she doesnt want to be dishonest, not when it comes to this.]

I'm sure you hate us all or whatever, but I was Robin before I was Batgirl.

[And he was Robin before he was this.]

It means something, to me at least.

[antagonize]

Heh — give me a break.

[This is getting uncomfortable. Like, incredibly uncomfortable. Enough that he's not sure if he's successfully keeping how uncomfortable it is out of his body language.]

What are you suggesting we do, then? Hold hands and sing kumbaya? Share stories about how much the old gig sucked?

[He's crap at this.]

If that's the case, I'm gonna have to say no. I can find better ways to waste my time than having a heart-to-heart with the new Batgirl.

[controlledvariable]

[Fine.]

You're the one who asked.

[She can tell he's not okay with this, which almost makes her consider pushing it further just because she likes getting people on their back foot.

It's why she flirted with Tim so much.]

What I'm suggesting is that we work together on figuring this shit out.

[antagonize]

[Alas, getting him on his back foot usually ends up in, uh. Jason giving people a close and personal look at his actual foot. Like, on their faces. He will kick people in the face.

It's a great exit strategy or something.]

What can I say? Didn't think you'd try to get a Hallmark moment out of me.

[Hallmark moments usually involve less dead sidekicks. But, hm. He actually considers this for a moment, because information hasn't been forthcoming, exactly. Thinking about it logically...]

Alright. I'm listening.

[controlledvariable]

Isn't that what girls are for?

[And the sarcastic comments are back, so Jason's probably safe for now.]

You figured out where we are yet?

[With the tone of someone who already knows.]

[antagonize]

[The sarcastic comments are great, and they should have never gone away in the first place.]

I would say I'm working on that, but you sound like someone who already knows.

[controlledvariable]

California, a few hours off the coast. Here.

[She fishes a local map out of her utility belt and holds it out for Jason to take. It's the typical type of tourist nonsense, but at least it's something.]

There are zombies outside, too, if you haven't headed out yet.

[antagonize]

And here I was, trying to figure it out based on geography. This is just cheating.

[He's joking, but. You know. He hopes whoever gave him an empty 7/11 slurpee cup is laughing it up.

You can bet he's taking that map and committing it to memory, though.]

We woke up in a mysteriously abandoned building, and now you're telling me there are zombies outside. Goodness gracious, it's almost like we're starring in our very own B movie. [He's laying it on thick.] Tell me, what's it like being the perky blond?