[center][hider=Ticking][color=#ff7f50]"Thirty six hours have passed, ma'am,"[/color] the S.C.A.R.E stood at attention, posture perfect, reflective faceplate pointed at Maya Wyrick, [color=#ff7f50]"Luca Beake is requesti-"[/color] A wave of her hand silenced her subordinate. Eyes, blue and clear, turned from the armored form and back to a small projection on the surface of her elaborate desk. It had been thirty six hours, ten minutes and fourteen seconds; at the time of the S.C.A.R.E's arrival. Maya smiled, a tight and only somewhat pleased gesture. 

[color=D87093]"Let him out, get him to his lab. I've got no doubt that was part of his request. Once he's there, I'll make sure his clearance is restored and that [i]fucking[/i] hand is his to look over,"[/color] Maya closed the screen with a swipe of gloved fingers, standing and folding her hands behind her back, [color=D87093]"I want his security detail composed of Waldvogel, Paul, Mataraci and Lane."[/color] The S.C.A.R.E, who she knew to be McCaig, confirmed his understanding and began making his way to the door; all business. Maya waited until the door hissed and clicked shut before turning back to her work.

 In the thirty six hours since 'Subject Smile' had made his appearance, Maya had slept perhaps three and subsisted solely on determination and water. While it wasn't her job to do research, it behooved her to be proactive in this scenario; proactive defensive measures [i]were[/i] covered in the description of her position, and the potential catastrophe she saw on the horizon certainly needed something to dull its impact. If it were to happen.

 [color=D87093]"I don't know the future, but I sure as hell know when shit's about to hit the fan,"[/color] the S.C.A.R.E indulged her worst habit, when she was alone, [color=D87093]"and I know that Miasma Infection isn't anything benign. We have around forty examples of that, downstairs."[/color] She didn't shudder, but Maya's skin crawled thinking about the twisted things she had seen. Some of them liked to scream, others remained utterly silent...except for the scraping of their distorted appendages as they meandered about their cage. Most of them simply thrashed and bled and regurgitated, twisting and morphing in some semblence of agony, suffering the effects of whatever weapon or chemical was to be tested on them, that day.

 [color=D87093]"They're resilient, I'll give them that much,"[/color] she had taken long strides around her office. There wasn't much to look at. 'Windows' existed, but were inactive; serving only as sleek surfaces to reflect the lowered lights of her domain. No pictures or documents were displayed on her walls.[color=D87093] "But I can't give them much more."[/color] At least not without generalizing the problem. Of the forty one Subjects contained in the Evadne Complex's depths, there were at least ten examples that could reason on the level of an average adult. One showed signs of higher intelligence, but there was no concrete evidence of that being connected to the Miasma. Three appeared completely human, and could function normally. There were others that could [i]appear[/i] human, but the facade fell away as soon as the prospect of prey presented its self.

 [color=D87093]"Subjects Four, Fifteen, Twenty Two and Thirty Seven,"[/color] she tried to remember the other labels they had been given. Silly codenames. Those Maya hadn't cared about. Their names, she had; but those were hidden. Purged by Blackthorne M&M to preserve their interests. She couldn't blame them. After all, they wrote her check. As she thought on this, still circling the room, her desk gave a small vibration; a blue square of light shining upwards, catching the edge of her currently abandoned helmet.

 [color=87CEFA]"Maya,"[/color] came the familiar voice, [color=87CEFA]"I appreciate you assigning me such a [i]serious[/i] entourage, but I believe I might have need of [i]your[/i] presence in my lab."[/color] She shifted on her heels, staying completely silent; save for the flexing of her hands, making leather scratch and shift. [color=87CEFA]"You see, Miss Wyrick, I believe something interesting has been uncovered."[/color]

 [color=D87093]"What, already? Must've been while you were in quarantine, then. Why didn't I get a report?"[/color] She couldn't resist answering, despite her instincts telling her otherwise. 

 [color=87CEFA]"Ah, yes. Well, you see, you [i]are[/i]! I suggest you come investigate this yourself. Not that I don't trust these fine enforcers, but..."[/color] His mocking tone was subdued and hardly venomous, a sign of seriousness. He wasn't wasting her time, much, either with explanations or irrelevant tangents. Maya opened another screen, checking feeds from each of those she had sent to watch over Luca Beake.

[color=D87093] "Jesus fucking Christ..."[/color] Mataraci's helmet showed the scene clearest. [color=D87093]"I'm on my way, sit tight!"[/color] She closed the channel quickly, and began donning her gear. Twenty nine seconds later, Maya Wyrick was sprinting towards the Evadne Complex's central elevator; wondering just how much damage had been done. And how she hadn't been informed sooner.[/hider]

 Hello, and welcome! This is the Out Of Character section of [i]Shadow Smiles[/i]. I'm Redward, and I'll be your GM for this story of grotesqueries and abominations! If you have come here from the [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/167108-shadow-smiles/ooc]Interest Check[/url], then welcome back! If you are [i]not[/i], then I suggest you take a moment to read that over! I hope you enjoy the story we're going to be putting together, here!

 As previously explained [color=BC8F8F][i]Smile[/i][/color] appeared in the [b]Evadne Complex[/b], a [b]Blackthorne Medical and Munitions[/b] headquarters in [b]New Steel City[/b], tossing a peculiar "gift" before those gathered in the only room of the Complex's highest level. That event occurred on June 8th, 2042. Thirty six hours and some change have passed since then...and [color=BC8F8F][i]Smile[/i][/color] has been busy within [i]N.S.C[/i]. Other gifts have been given. Changes are being made. 

 While that has yet to be touched on, In-Character; I am planning to pick up with [color=D87093][i]Maya Wyrick[/i][/color], [color=87CEFA][i]Luca Beake[/i][/color] and whoever else may be affiliated with [i]Blackthorne M&M[/i]. They will be beginning in the 'lab' where the "gift" was contained. Those who are [i]not[/i] affiliated with the super-corporation will begin with their Miasma Infection. I do not mind allowing those in this situation to present [i]Smile[/i] in their own way, much as I have done with other prominent Characters in the past.

Here is a Character Sheet Template!

[hider=Character Skeleton]

[color=48d1cc][b]Name[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]What's...in a name, other than consonants and vowels? Your soul. Is it one [b]they[/b] gave you? One you gave [b]yourself[/b]? Throw it away...or scream it from on high. Just. Tell. Me.[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]Age[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]I can't remember how old I am. How young I am. You do. You're fresh You...smell fresh.[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]Human Appearance[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]My brothers and sisters all love their pretty faces. Too much to let their [b]real[/b] selves smile, every once in a while. Even those who aren't touched by the Miasma...it's...sad.[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]Personality (Optional)[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]Prey, or hunter? Does a question like that even [b]matter[/b]? We're all something. Something good. Something bad. Something hungry.[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]Occupation[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]Lab rat. S.C.A.R.E. Scientist. Garbage man. Stripper. Singer. What lie do you live?[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]History (Optional)[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]I've watched. From across the room, through the window. I haven't been watching, long, but I've got a [b]good[/b] feeling about you.[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]Infection Status[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]Yeah, I can taste it in the air. Your sickness. Your health. It's why I'm here, kid. You're clean, you're dirty...you're mine.[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]Miasma Abilities (Infected Only)[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]The 'Infected' Blackthorne loves so much are just fledglings. Genetic defects. The Miasma is a gift that [b]chooses[/b] who ascends. Just look at me. I'm everything they could never dream of.[/i][/color]

[color=48d1cc][b]Miasma Appearance (Infected Only)[/b][/color]: [color=BC8F8F][i]I told you. They love their pretty faces. Why don't you show me what you really [b]feel[/b] like, now that it's running through you? Why not [b]live[/b] a little?[/i][/color][/hider]

Some notes on my expectations and relevant things:

 [b]1)[/b] [i]I expect three to four paragraphs, per post! I also expect people to keep things civil. This is all about having horrific fun![/i]

 [b]2)[/b] [i]A list of certain pertinent questions, provided by[/i] [@Viatos] [i]and answered by myself are in the Interest Check. As well as his wonderful contribution to further explaining the nature of this RP and why you should be interested. You should really go give that a look! While you're there, be sure to read the first Flavor Intro! Those things are important! I will be moving the information bits over into this thread, sometime soon![/i]

[b]3)[/b] [i]All of the Corpse Parts passed along by Smile seem to be fairly heavy, but without obvious mutation. That changes when an appropriate host is nearby. The gift itself will force its way into that host's body; usually in a nightmarish way. Nobody in New Steel City will receive the same body part.

The common time of incubation for those with Miasma Infection is [b]around twenty hours[/b], before the Infected's body begins to rapidly mutate. Once in this state, they become something entirely different altogether. For most of them, reason is replaced by instinct; an overwhelming desire to consume and grow. There are many [b]Types[/b] of those with Miasma Infection, and they have been categorized by Blackthorne M&M. (Some of these Types, along with their colloquial names will be listed in an upcoming Information Section.)

Those who [b]take to the change[/b] undergo a different metamorphosis. Their Miasma Infection incubates at an astonishing rate, lasting anywhere between [b]two and six hours[/b]. Instead of losing themselves to the Miasma, they become enhanced by it; gaining abilities unthinkable to normal people, while still being able to retain 'themselves'. By 'embracing' the Miasma, they can warp their form much as their lesser counterparts. This, in conjunction with their retained sanity and personality can make them unpredictable and highly dangerous. It is these 'superior beings' that Smile seems to be interested in creating more of.[/i]

[b]4)[/b] [i]The most important thing, to me, when it comes to [b]Shadow Smiles[/b], is that the 'usual' is anything but. I don't mind answering questions, so long as they don't touch on what I consider [b]spoiler territory[/b]. I have an awful lot in mind, that I want to us all to share in, and I'm looking forward to what you guys come up with![/i]

[b]5)[/b] [i]More information will be added, over the next couple of days and throughout the course of the thread. Please be patient while things are sorted out and compiled![/i]

[b]6)[/b] [hider=Q&A]

Brought over from the Interest Check. Questions asked by [@Viatos]!

[b]What kind of changes/powers are you envisioning characters developing, if not overtly external? Psionic, transmogrificative, magical, undead-themed?[/b] 


[quote=Redward]The humans targeted by Smile (or those imprisoned in Blackthorne M&M's lab) are not typical in terms of Miasma Infection. They will become something more, retaining their human forms and sanity; but with the capability to temporarily embrace the Miasma within them...allowing them to morph their bodies in nearly limitless ways. They manifest Abilities, much like in Worlds Apart, along with their ability to transmogrify

...

The Abilities themselves I will leave to the Player. Psionics are fine, but I want to avoid mind meddling[/quote]

[b]Is this more on the Lovecraftian side, gothic horror, or more of a Parahumans-esque the-source-is-menacing-not-necessarily-the-result kind of a thing?[/b]


[quote=Redward]The Lovecraftian elements are there, to be sure, but I don't think it will be a very large influence
This, weirdly, makes me think more of Eternal Darkness[/quote]

[b]What is the Evadne Complex?![/b]


[quote=Redward]The Evadne Complex is the HQ of the Blackthorne M&M forces in New Steel City. It's the building they were in during the Flavor Intro[/quote]

[b]You mention all walks of life - does that extend to Blackthorne and its constituent factions?[/b]


[quote=Redward]Yes, it encompasses everyone. Smile picks those he thinks will 'take to the change'
Previously Infected subjects are also an option, alongside S.C.A.R.E and Blackthorne Scientists
[/quote]

[b]And finally, what's the general level of awareness/panic in the population at large? Is this something that's been mostly kept from the news and slithers silently through the background noise of conspiracy theories about chemtrails and the Antarctic Wall, or is everyone fighting to keep order in a world where sometimes the neighbor's kids rip through your living wall sporting flesh-rending fangs and layers of scarlet pseudoflesh?[/b]


[quote=Redward]At the start of the RP, people are only vaguely aware of the Miasma's existence. Reports from all over the world provide some small proof of their existence; but there is no large-scale panic...as of yet
Most of the people who worry about it are those directly involved and conspiracy theorists
Technically, there are no Miasma Infections in New Steel City; aside from Smile
After the corpse parts are distributed, there will be a Miasma presence
Which could intensify
Hope that's adequate!
The corpse parts will actively force their way into an appropriate host
As a note[/quote][/hider]

 Thank you for reading! I will be getting to work on the Character Sheets, shortly, for; [color=D87093][i]Maya Wyrick[/i][/color] (S.C.A.R.E), [color=87CEFA][i]Luca Beake[/i][/color] ("Scientist") and [color=DEB887][i]Edward Garcia[/i][/color] (Junkie).

Now that I have finished my Character Sheets, I have decided to make a [url=https://discord.gg/e7SJmT9]Discord Server[/url]![/center]