On a cold OffTopic Valentine’s Day, the snow was gently falling on the capital mall. Police barricades had been set up around the main lawn, and guns were trained at the small purple sphere in the center. The barrier was due to dissipate within the hour, and no one knew what would happen. Spellcasters, officers and commanders were at the ready, holding their wands, rifles and blades tight. The bells rung, noon had come. Insanity came out to play! The purple veil shimmered and faded, revealing the flower beneath. The petals fluttered gently in the cold wind, breathing their first breath of OffTopic air. Like a lightbulb, the lotus flower began to brighten and glow, releasing its pollen in a hazy mist. The cloud grew and grew for almost a minute, then faded in the wind. As their sight returned, the defenders could see vines and roots extending, growing and expanding, corrupting the lawn. They opened fire, but their shots and spells bounced harmlessly off the scales. But the flower did not attack. It grew and grew, expanding its “mouth” to reveal a pathway into itself. Scans determined the root system only went a hundred feet deep or so, but contained a pocket reality-or a door to another, experts could not come to a consensus-within, beckoning others to enter. And then it spoke. “[b]*yawn* goodnyess gwaciousnyess it's been so wong. I haven't bweathed youw aiw since... since the bastawd steed wawked youw wand. And youw aiw, it has its own fwavow-a tint of hewoism, nyaivete and stwength-and I'd be wying if I didn't say I enjoyed it. But anyway, on to businyess. Youw fwiends awe waiting bewow. I've been having fun with them, pwaying games with theiw memowies and spweading my wondewfuw Uwu. Nyow's youw chance to go bewow, and give it a shot. I am so vewy, vewy hungwy fow knyowwedge and expewience, won't you come and feed me? I awmost fowgot: it's Vawentinye's Day in youw wowwd >w< As such, you can't entew hewe awonye. Find a pawtnyew-anyonye weawwy-and pick them weww, youw wife depends on it. The two of you wiww shawe heawth, so if onye of you dies, the othew wiww too. Of couwse, the wink wiww incwease youw abiwities when you awe togethew-damage, wechawge wate and speed-but twead cawefuwwy, they wiww teaw you apawt. Of couwse, if you don't, I'ww just have to pway with them mysewf. That's pewfectwy acceptabwe fow us, but I'm nyot suwe you shawe the sentiment. So come, join ouw wevewwy, and embwace the Uwu ^w^[/b]” The plant horror shook its tentacle roots, causing a minor earthquake. Uwullusions became more frequent, even becoming tangible. Numerous car accidents, injuries and fatalities resulted from the two realities meshing, and many more civilians went insane. And all the while, the flower’s gaping maw awaited heroes, two by two. [spoiler]Bascially, grab a partner. If you don't have one, you're fine, but it may be harder without the doubles' buffs. Welcome to the Owoutbweak![/spoiler] Edit: practice is on with little warning. Sorry bout that, I'll be back asap! Edit 2: Aaaaand we're back!