beleos: (Default)
beleos ([personal profile] beleos) wrote in [community profile] kenosooc2024-01-12 02:07 pm

JANUARY TDM + SETTING UPDATES


BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)
It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.
And then, it goes wrong. The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looked down, and they spilled forth as if the sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes. Their bodies jerk, and convulse, as if controlled by puppet strings, reaching out to try to grip your hand, your shoulder, your wrist, but you know you should pull away. Something iswrong. If fingers or appendages meet your skin, there is a chill, that runs up your body, from the tips of your toes, up your spine, a full-body experience of wrongness. Would your loved ones feel like this, when they reach out?

So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. It's coming for you, it will not stop, it will not relent, and there is nothing that can be done. What a fool you were, for ever thinking you could escape. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—

You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.

I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
Your senses come to you slowly. Are you here for days? Weeks? Longer? It is difficult to say. All that you are is inert, and still. You can feel parts of you that form, but they hurt, like your body is fighting through a layer of...something. Something that keeps you from a gentle regrowth. You feel a chill, next to your heart, and while your form grows, it also fights, trying to both find a form and fight against some darkness that clings to you, like it's trying even now to consume your soul. It has a taste of it, you can tell, though not enough to take from you. Enough to know you, and while your body grows, this darkness slowly, slowly ebbs away, as if it can no longer touch you when you are whole. Something protects you, a presence. You can sense it, just like you can start to sense the presence of others. Some are close by, you can tell, winking in and out of existence just like you are. Falling in and out of consciousness like you do, as you are all collectively regrown. A groaning, creaky voice hums in your ear, with breaths that thrum and hum, like a gentle summer breeze through the leaves, and it tells you: Try to reach them. Welcome their calls. Can you hear them? Through communion. Your emotions are laid bare, in this space. Will you allow them to project? Will you try to control them? Will you reach out to your fellow new bearers, and soothe their own worries, or exacerbate their fears?

Eventually, after a long time, you wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron, an acrid scent lingers, like the edge of rot that has been swept away. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.

The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air, and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.

From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.

And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.


A LITTLE ISLAND HOPPING
With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina who approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a series of small, seemingly casual gatherings, they happen over the span of a week, so new visitors can get the chance to spend time in both cities before they make a decision.

Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events over multiple days, the knowledge-hungry can participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ.

For those established bearers of the opposite faction, however, your faces are known amongst the populations of our sister cities, especially the administrators of both Meridian and Zenith, and if you try to attend the parties of either city, you will be turned away, with varying levels of aggression, depending on your tier of harmonization. New bearers are free to notice if someone tries! It seems you've stumbled your way into an escalating war.

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such an event. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds. The higher-ups amongst Meridian have taken it upon themselves to wrap up their Year's End and New Year's festivities with a celebration of their recent victory over the Harbinger Oracle, as well as a celebration of the possibility of new shard-bearers. One does not have to attend every day, but Springstar's celebrations do tend to be multi-day affairs, and everyone from the scholars to the titled nobility seems keen on greeting new bearers. The tribune himself, Cyrus, welcomes bearers with a rousing speech at midday each day, speaking of their victories and their battle to stand for the worlds now lost. His speeches are met with polite applause, but is it a bit lacking in enthusiasm? Cyrus seems to brush it off with little offense, but perhaps you notice, that his eyes crinkle slightly, and he may look a touch... sad.

The celebrations are in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly brightening summer -- platters of hard crumbly cheeses and stuffed doulmades, roasted meats and fish, like souvlaki and psari plaki. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to the abundance of both Springstar and Alenroux, and bearer efforts there.. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.

The church, too, celebrates the victory. Now that the Year's End celebrations have passed, the head of the church, Hieropoios Natalia Theodora Vaso Helios offers proclamations daily to those who will attend. Her tone has turned in tone toward driving forward, for now, that they have two Oracles of 3, Meridian's light is in favor, and she offers blessings and venerations toward the bearers who support their efforts to restore worlds. Bearers who attend these masses will feel their discord ebb from her words alone, and their shards will feel warm to the touch for some time afterward, even if they are not harmonized. If they ask anyone within the church, they will be told that it is Meridian's light filling them.

One would assume after a victory, that the mood elsewhere in Springstar is jubilant, but while there is still the occasional party outside in the summer sun in the Psychagogía district, there is a hushed tenseness to the city of eternal-sun. Stay too long, and you will eventually find the reason why, when scared locals speak of disappearing friends or family members, and there are whispered rumors of attacks. Some accuse the denizens of the Below, and others whisper about monsters in the dark. Though they have captured the latest oracle, the hope that normally follows such excitement is... tentative, at best.

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Eternally in opposition, Highstorm uses the manor's courtyard as the location for a series of events over the next week, inviting bearers new and old to join them in celebration. The members of the Highstorm council have set the small gathering in the court beneath Yima's tree, and next to the reflecting pools. The Lady Yima herself is in attendance and oversees the gathering from the balcony of her manor above. She will visit the grounds sparingly, generally when a new bearer is afoot, but she will direct any questions to either Kathova, or her more established Zenites, as she has many people to greet. Though she will take the moment to hold each new bearer's hand that visits and tell them each: "You have the potential to hold the key to a new, and better world. We believe in what you can do, and what strength you will find in Kenos. Let the memories of your loved ones, and your world, guide you to the right path, and know that your loss will be honored when we achieve our new world," before she glides away.

There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in bodies milling about as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world. More established Zenites are encouraged to attend to help draw in new Zenites, and both new and old inductees alike are encouraged to speak about what their vision of a new world would look like. The reflecting pool itself is at the center of the courtyard, and if one looks in, they can see their memories reflected back at them. Though... if you look for too long, something seems to try and reach out for you. Can you feel the allure of dark fingertips, ready to brush against your face? If you stare too long, an attendant will pull the bearer back, just before they land right in the pool, offering unsettling remarks of “that has been happening more lately, the last person it happened to disappear. We even drained the pool, but couldn’t find them!

Further into Highstorm, the Greenwood Yards attracts many visitors during the dead of Highstorm's winter. The doors are (proverbially, we can't let the heat out!) open, to bearers new and old alike. Attendants there will explain that this season is the best for starting some of the seeds that will grow well into early and mid-spring, but most seeds need warmth to grow. They will ask visitors to find a partner, to hold their combined hands together, and to offer shared warmth to the seed, and they will explain that seeds grow best when they come from the combined care of more than one individual. Bearers will eventually have to separate, but they will notice that the small seed in their palms has started to sprout. Visitors will also be welcome to turn fertilizer with the laborers at the yards (What's in it? Don't worry about it!) and there will be sessions held by the staff on the local flora and fauna, so consider this your primer on the native plants and animals of Kenos!

The denizens of Highstorm are putting out their bells and whistles for the new bearers, as they have less to fear in the streets (or do they...?) so feel free to stop by Benny's -- watch out for any fights, or participate, I'm not your mom -- or feel free to visit the Tomes, where a certain coffee shop has opened up a cart in the largest library in the district, offering drinks to comers and goers, which are becoming quite popular. This particular barista often offers drinks based on their shards, but as a little winter pick-me-up for the denizens of Highstorm, there are several new drinks offered for visitors! They even have a menu on display for bearers to select from!
CHEERS TO A NEW YEAR

  • Springstar Sunrise - One using the crushed vines that populate Springstar in their warm season, which makes bearers want to reach out and hold hands.
  • Scorching Slowdown - One using water from the Scorching Isles that makes bearers grow cold, and time seems to warp around them. (This one DOES contain a modified touch of the Blight that bearers once healed, but if brought up, an attendant will shake their head, and impress upon the patron a sense of calm. It will not hurt you.)
  • Xanadu Xing - that makes bearers feel warm and totally relaxed. A spa in a cup, and you’ll feel like you had a therapy session afterward!
  • Worlds Edging - A drink that makes bearers start to feel...amorous. (The Aphro Drink)
  • Highstorm Hiccup - A whimsical drink that gives the bearer hiccups! Do they float a little? Yeah, but there’s no fans over your heads, don’t worry
  • Pastoral Punch - A fruity concoction, it’s made from the crops in Alenroux (think a Sangria) and when drank, it fills bearers with warm memories, and reverie comes easy.
  • Yima Yammer - a tongue-in-cheek drink, it fills a bearer with the uncontrollable urge to talk
  • Cyrus Concussion - This drink puts bearers into a deep sleep. They have pleasant, warm dreams.

ALENROUX

The pastoral farmlands of Alenroux are seeing a resurgence of life and community, since the establishment of combined Meridian and Zenith forces, and the subsequent attempts to eliminate or displace the monsters that ravaged the island at night. With a more stable population, some of the workers have established homes, and have started opening their doors in the sunny, lush farmland, which is reachable by cornerstone, and oddly? Alenroux has taken to advertising their new interest in tourism. The small farming village has started establishing shops with wares, crafts, cooking classes, and wine tastings, pretty much an agro-tourist's dream! Drink beverages crafted by refugees from distant worlds, or dishes from other worlds! Bearers are encouraged to visit, and stay the night with a multitude of Alenroux's homes opening their doors for bearers to stay in their Bed and Breakfasts.

However, while the days are 24 hours long, so are the nights. Alenroux natives do not leave their homes, and staying in for a full day's time can feel like an eternity. You'll have time to get to know your hosts, but the night is haunted by the cries and howls of monsters in the distance, particularly on the north end of the island. Should a bearer step outdoors, they will find monsters still roaming. Take one on, if you dare, but watch out! Shadow creatures lurk until you least expect it, and may try to lure you in with a familiar voice, a soft promise, the lingering scent of a loved one. What you find in the woods might be just a run-of-the-mill big monster to fight, or it might be something deadlier, a shadow, mimicking a loved one, trying to draw you into the darkness.

KOWLOON

Though Kowloon is something of an open secret amongst those in Springstar, it was normally left to lay in the belly underneath the sunsoaked city topside, like an afterthought. Only those who already knew where it was, could make their way through the dangerous maze of tunnels and corridors that leads from the Springstar sewers, down into the Below, and then further into Kowloon. The Below is dangerous to all but the most powerful, as in the dark corridors, creatures lurk, and people make dens and nests within. Some will warn new bearers away, citing that there are Dark Things within the tunnels and that they don’t encourage anyone to stay down there for long. If you remain unharmonized, it's recommended that a guide assists you on the way down. Fellow shard-bearers who visit frequently are recommended, but particularly savvy types can find their way down on their own.

Kowloon itself is a thriving little beating heart underground, and much like its namesake, it truly is just a built-up city within a scant few blocks, the buildings are densely packed, and ascend to over 14 stories high. It’s massive, enough to occupy a large number of oddities, such as a hunting ground for monsters, and there are bars, clubs, casinos, and shops with wares from very nearly anywhere. Though if you ask where they get them, the owners of said establishments will dodge the question, or outright threaten you when pressed. Bearers will find that there are varying degrees of openness in Kowloon, after all. Don't ask too many questions, or you may not like how they answer. Kowloon is a place where you can satisfy your every vice, and that is meant truly. There are weapons dealers, drug halls, exotic liquors, and substances that could fill innumerable universes. Every world has its shadowy elements, and every world's shady types have made their way down here.

SETTING UPDATES
In both locations, information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists, and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once a day, after the meet-and-greets have concluded, twin missives from both faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond. As Shard-Bearers new and old take in their cities, they'll all see it change throughout the month...

OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters' on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "That's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider-reaching effects of various player plots and actions.

TRY TO JOT DOWN A FEW NOTES

As part of New Year's gifts to everybody, Yima and Cyrus gifted bearers with an enchanted notebook. They are embossed with your characters' names, and have some unusual properties. Bearers can now send each other little letters or notes, or they can address the group at large, should they wish to! This essentially serves as a network function. Please check out the AC requirements for more information about these special new gifts.

FRONT PAGE NEWS

After the last Oracle, both cities are abuzz with gossip. Normally, the oracle appearances were wrapped in secrecy, only the bearers themselves were privy to the internal happenings, and accounts tend to be scattered, as it's always relied on what the bearers can share. This time, the oracles were broadcast to the population at large, and bearer opinions have shifted wildly, based on how successful a bearer was. New bearers may hear the off-the-cuff snide comment about some bearers here and there, and they'll notice that the cities are not very welcoming to bearers of the opposite faction. The public opinion seems to be shifting as half of the oracles are captured, and their fates are being written by bearers new and old.

DON'T LOOK TOO CLOSE TO THE SHADOWS

Be wary, bearers. Whatever patches of darkness and shadow you encountered in the Harbinger's Labyrinth, seems to be making its way across Kenos. Things like patches of shadow against a building, the slightest flash of a familiar face rounding a corner, or even hearing your name called by a name long gone. Something is trying to reach you and tempt you to find it. The shadows are hungry. For something, and bearers new and old alike will be fine feasting for whatever reaches from the shadows. Step carefully, and watch your backs.

AAH! REAL MONSTERS

If the cities didn't have enough to deal with, Springstar is taking the most hits. The city of sun may not be dealing with as many patches of darkness (for truly, Meridian's light touches all) but that does not mean that there is no danger within the city of eternal sun. Attacks by people such as vampires, ghouls, and other intelligent, people-eating races are on the rise, and fearful whispers hint that they are coming from the Below, some even suggest that this is the hint that the balance is shifting. Kowloon has always existed with relatively little strife toward Springstar, but that seems to be changing. Be wary on the streets of Springstar, bearers, you may find that lurking around the corner are hungry murderers of varying levels of danger. The attacks are not... constant, but they have begun to increase in frequency. By this time in the month, they are moving to several times a day, and the legionnaires are having difficulty keeping up with the attacks. Even one of the more well-known Meridian higher-ups, Agapitos Voreen, has been seen fighting in the streets, flanked by his second, a large, emerald dragon-born woman. All of these combined efforts have not yet been able to turn the tide, and it's clear that Kowloon was always a threat, but one that until recently, had been kept well in hand.
OOC NOTES
  • Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all new players need to submit a request, and proceed through player screening to apply to the game. Apps are now open!
  • This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this sometimes happens since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They may return to Kenos one day, but for now, weren’t able to make the full journey.
  • As a note primarily for current players, closed toplevels/prompts are not allowed in this log. If you would like to interact with the setting changes in a way that isn't open to all characters (new and old), we ask that you instead make a log in [community profile] kenoslogs.

  • FOR NEW PLAYERS:

  • When characters emerge from their cocoon/the ground, they may be wearing their normal clothes or nude. Up to you!
  • At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision about which Faction they'd be drawn to.
  • Characters who arrive and harmonize to Zenith will receive a bonus token!
  • When meeting with either Cetina or Kathova, along with their shard or sunbeam, they will be given a Kenotebook! Think of this as your text-based comm. (This is also opt-out, so if you want it to not be ready/lost, go for it!) Any AC with the Kenotebook must be doubled, so make sure you are aware of that!
  • As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!
  • For the Island Hopping prompts, all locations will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are freed from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Locations section of our Wiki!
  • New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM until they Harmonize, AKA make a choice of which faction they choose to support. For some characters, this may be an easy decision, but it make take others time. We just ask you keep this in mind!

  • CODING
    wolof: (Coy)

    [personal profile] wolof 2024-01-15 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
    "You are a shard-bearer now," she explained. Her tone is patient, but it's the tone of a scholar, of someone who had long known how to examine and figure things out, but explaining in layman's terms? Well. She wasn't exactly a pro. Hell, the last person she'd truly taught had never really picked up on it.

    Smart, she was. An instructor? Never.

    "Our place in this, is to locate the oracles when they arrive, and fight for them. Thus far, we have found ourselves fighting both in Springstar itself, to an island far away. We are not without tools, of course. For example, I still have my gift."

    She does not, however, explain that. She... probably should.
    siriusly: (ahahaha......what............)

    [personal profile] siriusly 2024-01-15 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
    He breathes out a dubious sound. Locate a thing, fight to...get thing? On an island. With tools.

    "I hope some of those tools involve new dragoon pistols," he admits, his hand dropping away, his mouth twitching, "because I'm okay with fighting bare-handed, but it's better to have artillery..."
    damnpire: (pic#15946976)

    [personal profile] damnpire 2024-01-15 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
    "A Sunbeam," D repeats gently as Manabu glances down at it.

    The reluctance to adhere to a forced faction makes D thinks Manabu must be new before Manabu admits as much. Not that there aren't those who have been here a while who feel the same still, including him.

    "It's a lot to take in," he says almost reassuringly. "Some people come from worlds and times which are not kind to them, or anyone else. They have chosen to never bring a world like that back, even if it means no one else has that opportunity either.

    "Where you decide to stay depends on what you want in the end."
    siriusly: (item get)

    [personal profile] siriusly 2024-01-15 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
    Manabu considers those words quietly for a minute or so, his gaze dropping down to the little amber bead in his palm.

    "Unkind worlds...might still have kind people. And...they will need kinder places to get to." He nods to himself. "That's part of why the Galaxy Railways exists - to connect people to the places they want to reach. But...they can't do that if they don't even get that chance."

    He looks up.

    "I guess if it means sticking around this place, doing what I can, then...that's what I have to do, right?"
    settingup: (running to the waves below)

    D.

    [personal profile] settingup 2024-01-15 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Atsumu isn't some great scholar of Grecian literature, but he is a (now former) high schooler who had to go through a lot of basic curriculum, which did involve some very brief touching on Greek classics. The name Sappho is familiar enough, even if it's not exactly clicking into place why that might be. It's not like he would have any reason to be familiar with the variations or the term sapphic.

    So he furrows his brows at Grace as she drops that prawn, and starts speaking what sounds like absolutely gibberish out loud.
    ]

    What're you goin' on about?
    wolof: (Kneel)

    [personal profile] wolof 2024-01-15 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
    Artillery...

    "Yes, I'm aware."

    But Manabu is new, but she is interested artillery, given her current project. She needs to know more about it, and thus, she has many, many questions. Some of which she wants to know now, but the boy was still confused, in a world where confusion was going to be the throughline for a while.

    "You may be able to find weapons you are familiar with. Either here, or perhaps down within the markets in Kowloon. More importantly, as you grow, you will find that with it comes power. You will gain some, as you evolve, and grow. If you had a gift, or abilities beforehand, they will return, once you harmonize."
    escardos: (pic#16854342)

    [personal profile] escardos 2024-01-15 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
    Even if everything you just said is absolutely true-- [ because it is ] --that doesn't mean that there isn't something to gain from going out with me.

    [ flat places a hand on his chest, a confident smile on his face as he tries to give the best pitch possible to this absolute stranger. ]

    I've heard that camping and hunting are two great ways of forming friendly bonds. Even if you find nothing interesting outside, we could still come out of it being better friends. And what's better than that?
    escardos: (pic#15664691)

    me looking at recent spoilers like "actually this is excellent keep cooking"

    [personal profile] escardos 2024-01-15 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
    Well.... technically no.

    [ she brings up a great point! they aren't on earth or...anything similar to that. he had mentioned to someone else that this felt something akin to an isekai, and those are usually not on earth, or at least not one that he or the main character would know of.

    and while this does seem to stop him for a few seconds, flat is nothing but creative when it comes to trying to find angles in arguments that not even socrates would have dreamed of. ]


    But aren't you curious at least! Imagine what you could find! This is a whole new world. We should be out there adventuring and gaining EXP!
    gravings: (035b)

    [personal profile] gravings 2024-01-15 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Gray nods quickly and starts away, looking over her shoulder to make sure the man is following. ]

    Please stay close — in case whatever attacked you decides to try again.

    [ She isn't as anxious about that as his pain, though. Even if... he doesn't seem to be in as much pain as she expected. Well, there are all kinds of people in Kenos.

    Gray heightens her senses, keeping their surroundings in focus as she leads the way. And then something strange occurs to her. ]


    You aren't bleeding... are you?

    [ Though gloves might obscure blood, she doesn't smell any telltale iron. She'd assumed the monster had attacked and injured the man, but if there's no blood, then maybe the man actually did the attacking...? ]
    kaientai: (238)

    2 i was looking forward to an opportunity to bother her

    [personal profile] kaientai 2024-01-15 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
    [ ryouma is making the most of the fact that he's still relatively unknown compared to all the other Shardbearers, having kept a pretty low profile over the holiday whenever he was in Highstorm. now, it's even easier to get around with the new faces in town.

    when ryouma had gotten in line to get a drink, he hadn't been paying attention to who was standing in front of him until she started speaking. now he's staring at a woman he sort of recognises from when he was in chaldea. ]


    Me?

    [ he looks over his shoulder just to make sure she isn't addressing anyone else before settling back on the woman in front of him. ]

    Well, if you're offering...

    [ he might as well. ]

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-15 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Subaru obediently falls into step behind her, his long black cape sweeping behind him. He'd sooner not trouble her further by making her worry about anything else appearing to attack him, especially when his capacity to fend off further threats is compromised.

    Never before has he felt so enfeebled. ]


    No, I don't believe so. [ He spares his hand a brief, speculative glance. ] Blood would be...obvious to me, I think.

    [ It should absolutely be, but in his present condition, he isn't entirely too confident. ]

    It seems I used more force than my body could withstand in my present condition.

    [ Had he struck too hard, had his attacker's body been too resilient? It might be both, he supposes. ]
    gravings: (102.1a)

    [personal profile] gravings 2024-01-15 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Luckily for Flat, if someone says strange things all the time, then one more strange thing won't trip any alarms. Gray's head tilts slightly but she doesn't pursue further, letting Flat steer the conversation away.

    At mention of her scar, something that most young women would probably hate to draw attention to, Gray smiles. ]


    Yes. There was a dragon... It turned, and I wasn't able to avoid its tail.

    [ She can't keep herself from sounding a little pleased. Something on her face she can call her own — how novel, and how wonderful.

    Of course, one lash of the tail only accounts for one stroke of her scar. But she moves on. ]


    It's been a year since then. And I think... almost two years since I was in London.
    damnpire: (pic#12094812)

    [personal profile] damnpire 2024-01-15 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
    [If he were a lesser man, he'd cut down Subaru where he stands (no).]

    It's a long story which I do not have any personal involvement in.

    [And for a moment, he thinks of leaving it all at that, Subaru included. But he changes his mind. Maybe because it's weird for Subaru to be wandering around out here in the middle of Springstar.]

    You can come into the bookshop. I'll reach out to a healer. [The Dokja household would judge him if he did anything less. He peers at Subaru without moving, though.] You aren't human, are you?

    If you were, it's likely you'd be dead.
    kaientai: (081)

    [personal profile] kaientai 2024-01-15 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
    I think it's more of a policy problem. He wants to lead one way, and the people have different expectations. That's how it is with politics; it's a big headache.

    [ especially kenos politics, because ryouma isn't really feeling it with the faction conflict either. everything he knows about cyrus, he knows because he's asked around. he hasn't even talked to the guy personally, so this is probably the most he's thought about cyrus since he's been here. ]

    What about you? You know why we're all here by now, right? What would you like to do?

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-15 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
    [ It wouldn't be the first time someone had gauged him as not human on sight, but it is the first time Subaru hasn't done anything to demonstrate it. Then again, overestimating his own abilities is one tell. Survival, it seems, is another. ]

    You're right, I'm a vampire. It's...for the best that they didn't draw blood.

    [ And it's for this reason that he'd brought to bear whatever force he could muster. Even if his hand is a useless, throbbing lump of pain now, it's better than finding out what such a creature might do with his blood.

    Besides, Kamui wouldn't stand for it, were he here. Not that he explains any of this, more concerned with having proven more of an encumberance than a help. ]


    I heard people were being attacked in this area.
    damnpire: (pic#12040332)

    [personal profile] damnpire 2024-01-15 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
    D is still looking at Manabu, of course, but finally the clinical surveying softens ever so slightly in the rusty eyes below the thick lashes. Another good boy for Meridian......?

    "It won't be easy." It doesn't sound like advice so much as a mutual understanding. It really isn't going to be easy. Even on the Zenith side, it wouldn't be easy. "But it doesn't sound like that will stop you."

    Manabu has a good start. He's getting Link vibes a little.

    "You worked for a space railway system?"
    damnpire: (pic#15946977)

    [personal profile] damnpire 2024-01-15 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
    [Not the vampire hunter meeting a vampire in a time of discontent... Pretending I didn't tag this specifically for the irony.

    D's hand tightens around the hilt of the sword, but he turns away to lead them both back to the front of the adjacent building, if Subaru is willing to follow.]


    Kowloon was formerly neutral territory, but recently, one of the important business owners has shifted to supporting the Zenith. The center of Kowloon was an established area where hunting and murder was allowed, and it may now be spilling up into Springstar because of allegiances. More and more attacks have been happening here.

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-15 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Hope he enjoys the softest of all vampires.

    Though Subaru's senses are not as sharp as would be natural to him, he still notices that shift in the man's grip. His eyes overtly flicker toward that weapon, and yet he only waits.

    When D turns to lead the way, Subaru trails after him, just beyond the reach of that weapon. He cannot search for Kamui, nor wait for him if he truly isn't here, if he is dead. ]


    So then...they are below?

    [ Is he taking mental notes for later? Perhaps. ]

    They shouldn't involve defenseless people this way.
    baltimores: (043)

    alenroux

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-15 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ And in return for his rambling series of questions, Flat receives a flat stare. ]

    It isn't anybody. Shit, don't you know how to relax?

    [ Because Amos likes Alenroux during the daytime, when he can help farmers with their crops and such, but staying overnight is actually a completely new experience for him, too. However, he's also perfectly content to take a breather for a full day's time.

    However however, with his bulky frame he also probably looks the type who could pretty solidly fight a monster...

    Amos sighs, dipping his head for a second before looking back up at Flat. His stare is softer now, though, like he's already en route to conceding. ]


    Do you just need fresh air or what? You don't gotta make shit up.

    [ A friend they could make... what even... ]
    tresemme: (🍼12)

    tony (terra e) • undecided iconoclast

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-15 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
    ɪ. ʙᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ғʀᴜɪᴛ
    [ he got out. he had the whole dream sequence thing. that’s not anything too unusual to him, considering where he came from, but he fully expects to be able to do all the things he was able to do just before waking up.

    not unlike a newborn deer—and just as wet, besides—he stumbles over the dirt in a heaping rush, and just as it seems he’s got his footing, he jumps. then falls. then pushes himself up from the ground in an outrage, his pretty face twisted into an expression that suggests he’s some three or so seconds away from a tantrum.
    ]

    Hel-lo?

    [ he shakes the muck out of his hair and then, made briefly modest by the mud, exposes himself again with an annoyed flick of his palm across his torso. ]

    It’s so… gross!


    ɪɪ. ɪsʟᴀɴᴅ ʜᴏᴘᴘɪɴɢ
    [ it’s really starting to get on his nerves that he can’t fly. as far as he understands it, if he chooses one of these factions, then he’ll get his powers back—but frankly, he thinks that’s stupid, since it’s not as if he’s magic. his powers are a part of him and they shouldn’t be able to be taken away from him in the first place.

    and, deep down, it’s made him profoundly anxious too. he would never voice these thoughts to anyone, not blue, not jomy, but that doesn’t stop them from haunting him as they did in the dream that brought him here.

    it’s why he’s just so, so sour as he’s jostled around the festivities of each town.
    ]

    ᴀ. sᴘʀɪɴɢsᴛᴀʀ

    [ tony has but one unhappy comment for the “rousing” speech given by cyrus, and he mutters it just loud enough that it’s obvious he’s looking for people to hear and engage him. ]

    My grandpa gives way better speeches. I can’t believe everyone’s listening to this guy.

    ʙ. ʜɪɢʜsᴛᴏʀᴍ

    [ since everyone is talking about their vision of a new world, it feels only right that tony raises his hand and gives his opinion as well. he’s figured out by now that quite a lot of people here are human, but he can’t be expected to work with them on their side if they don’t respect what he wants. ]

    So, what if I want a world where all the humans die out? It’s not like they’re worth anything.
    baltimores: (074)

    bearing fruit

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-15 12:23 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Oh, fuck.

    It's rare to see kids in Highstorm. Amos gets it; it isn't really the environment for them, especially when there's going to be a new world on the horizon far more suitable once they're able to make it. And he sure as shit is never going to procreate himself; he's known for a long time he is not, will never be fit.

    But that doesn't take away from the fact that there is a child, here, on the cold streets, a walking zombie (he has seen kids like that before) (he has been that kid before), rambling in a way that sets off alarm bells before collapsing.

    Of course Amos is there immediately. Of course he's shedding his coat immediately, draping it over the kid and oblivious to the way the chill in the air nips at him now. Of course he's kneeling down beside the kid, hand gingerly on his back, searching for his eyes. That he's still alive — and of course, he doesn't recognize the latent terror caught in his own throat, masked by the softness of his voice. ]


    Hey, kid. You okay?
    baltimores: (112)

    ii

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-15 12:59 pm (UTC)(link)
    Feel who?

    [ It isn't that Amos means to intrude. Just that, well, he's already nearby, and couldn't help but overhear. He gets that Yima is busy, that there's only so much time she can spend with everyone here... and he should be busy too, but, well.

    He's an Exalt; it's in his nature to want to look out for his people, which everyone present here has the potential to be.

    ... And she's a kid. One who sounds lost and in need of... he doesn't know what. Comfort? Guidance? He isn't sure if he can provide, but fuck, he wants to — badly enough that this takes priority over anything else he could possibly be doing.

    His voice is soft; he hopes he's doing this right. ]


    There someone you're looking for?

    [ Hopefully they're here, because if not, well... he maybe isn't the best candidate to deliver the Oblivion talk but, shit, he will if he has to. ]
    baltimores: (057)

    iib

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-15 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ ...

    ...

    ...

    Flat stare. ]


    You just say whatever shit pops into your head, don't you?

    [ already off to a great start. it's fate ]
    tresemme: (🍼9)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-15 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
    Huh?

    [ flat stare, meet annoyed glare. tony is used to people disliking him, so he’s not at all concerned about coming off as rude—in fact, he would consider it rude of this random guy to answer him like it was a dumb question. ]

    My grandpa’s life would be way easier if there were no humans. I don’t think it’s bad to want them gone.
    baltimores: (029)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-15 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
    Alright, sure.

    [ Two guys, neither of whom care if they come across as rude... Amos doesn't roll his eyes, but the annoyance is clear enough in his voice. ]

    How d'you think that's gonna work out? Lots of people here are human. [ HIM, hello. This is somehow personal right off the bat. ] Your perfect world starts with telling a bunch of people here to just fuck off and die?

    [ Seems like a questionable strategy?? ]