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
    aurokinetic: (pic#16133614)

    [personal profile] aurokinetic 2024-01-15 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ There's so many people around that hearing someone speak isn't that strange, but frankly it's been a long time since an adult has spoken to her. Perks of helping lead a Roman demigod camp: most people are well under the age of twenty. ]

    [ She's not surprised exactly, even if her attention to him is a little more hesitant. It's funny, she can skew zombies like a kebab but she feels small. Or maybe she feels small because of the grander idea of it all? It's why she crosses her arms to keep from pulling at her sleeve and shakes her head. ]

    No. He wouldn't be around.

    [ She says this much with quiet certainty, but maybe she sounds slightly less upset about it than she might have in the past. Even more so than other demigods, her father can't really recognize her. ]

    It's more like... something? Connected to him.

    [ How do yo explain the senses you were born with are just cut off without right saying it? Who knows! ] It's weird.
    tresemme: (🍼3)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-15 01:42 pm (UTC)(link)
    Yeah, it does.

    [ there’s also the sense in tony’s words that he hasn’t really considered the repercussions of this. it’s the same tone in which a child might declare that they want all adults to go away forever, but he’s convinced that he means it—that he’s doing something righteous and helpful to suggest that all humans either die in the vacuum of space or never exist at all. ]

    You’re human, right? You’re the guys who ruined Terra, so why should you get a second chance?
    tattooism: (化け「若祓師」)

    iia.

    [personal profile] tattooism 2024-01-15 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Near the new arrival, leaning against a wall with a long smoking pipe between their fingers is a somewhat wild-looking young man... and when the commend finishes dissipating into the air, he speaks up, a bit of smoke escaping in a pale curl from the corner of his mouth.]

    Go get your gramps, then.

    [He shrugs, gesturing around with his pipe at the assembled people, not all of them taken with the celebratory mood.]

    Apparently that Tribune has a couple challengers already. What's one more.
    tresemme: (🍼4)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-15 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ tony rolls his eyes. ]

    Obviously, I can’t.

    [ he would if he could. the possibility that his grandpa is actually, truly gone with the rest of the world tony knows is the most soul-guttingly terrifying outcome he can imagine… but he’s not going to let anyone know that, because then they would use that weakness against him. ]

    But you’d know if he ever came here, because he’d fix everything in a flash.
    abye: (pic#16297348)

    [personal profile] abye 2024-01-15 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    Mm, I tried that. Adults don't really listen, though. Do they?

    [ Yuca keeps his eyes large, his brows knit in the middle; the picture of sheltered childhood, even as his fingers tighten around the glass. ( He wants to throw it in someone's face, glass and all. If only that wasn't a waste of effort and energy, of which his small form has so limited reserves. )

    The cigar ought to smell, but his nose stopped working centuries ago — his palate soon after. It's acrid enough that he feels his eyes water and nose burn, but if there is discomfort from a smell... he simply doesn't reflect that. Odd. ]


    Nobody really listens, that woman especially.

    [ He nods his head in a direction; the spark of his mind suggesting, quite easily, that he means Yima. ]
    abye: (pic#16297382)

    [personal profile] abye 2024-01-15 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ He can't feel the warmth, only the weight. He hasn't been warm for centuries, nerves shot and sensory ability numbed to the point of make it stop. His mind spirals through memories, through a rich and vibrant tapestry of horrible lives he cannot forget a single moment of. It hurts, so much. ]

    — Rain.

    [ The weather? ( A name. ) ]

    Rain, where is Rain?

    [ The words are gasped as if he is in tears, but as Yuca rolls his face to the side — his eyes are dead, emptied out of hope and sentiment. He looks up at Amos, through him and beyond. A man who is being nice to him, who might as well be dead. He should be dead, everyone should be dead. ]

    Why do I have to be alive? Why did that woman — why did she do this to me?
    tattooism: (化け「若祓師」)

    [personal profile] tattooism 2024-01-15 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
    [The "obviously" earns an equally bratty seeming raise of a single eyebrow, because obviously there is no way that you should expect a random person in the street to know whether you were able to go fetch your grandfather or not, but.]

    In a flash? What, your gramps is some kind of big deal, then?

    [They nip on the silver tip of their pipe before taking another puff.]

    What's that make you?
    tresemme: (🍼10)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-15 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ tony senses a little disrespect for the topic of his grandpa, but he can let it slide. after all, no one here has met him—and furthermore, he can guess no one knows what the mu are, either. ]

    He’s the best. He’s our leader, and he always knows just what to do whenever there’s a problem. I’m nothing compared to him.

    [ this doesn’t seem to come from a place of self-deprecation, however—he’s just genuinely very proud of his grandpa. ]
    tattooism: (化け「南の魔女」)

    springstar wildcard

    [personal profile] tattooism 2024-01-15 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
    [When a certain newly arrived and somewhat hyperactive blonde is running around Springstar in the aftermath of a certain Tribune's speech, he might encounter a dark-haired beauty in the sort of garb favored by Springstar citizens, loose and layered with a simple tie. Her arms are full of scrolls and other paraphernalia, overflowing with them, actually, and when she tries to navigate the crowds dispersing from the courtyard, giving a little smile and nod as she tries to move around Flat-

    That is precisely when someone else bumps into her and she seems to lose her tight grip on her things, a soft "oh-" beginning to form on her lips as some of the scroll tubes go clattering to the cobblestone ground at their feet.]
    cutlery: (*singing songs from the old country*)

    iib

    [personal profile] cutlery 2024-01-15 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ ...You know, Sebastian almost has to give points for being so bold. Almost. But at the very least, it does catch his interest more than a little!

    So, this very human looking man can't help but speak up to Tony. He's wearing a playful little smile, and the fact that he doesn't take offense does tend to imply something... But he's not being straightforward about that implication to start out, naturally. ]


    You know, that is a conundrum that is rarely discussed. Naturally to create a single world, we will run into conflicts of opinion with what it should be. Yet, I have not yet heard a way that those are meant to be resolved.
    tattooism: (化け「若祓師」)

    [personal profile] tattooism 2024-01-15 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
    How old are you? Your gramps is "the best"?

    [There's something a bit off about this boy's skin, they can「see」it, but... Hmmm...

    The young man Tony is speaking to taps the bowl of their pipe to settle the fragrant tobacco (a rather feminine scent for a rather rough looking fellow) before their next puff.]


    Running a city like this takes more than being good at speeches or "knowing just what to do". You gotta keep all these people from different worlds happy, keep 'em fed, keep enough gold in their pockets, and somehow also stave off Highstorm and their Zenites going after the Oracles...

    It's a tough job, kid.
    picketship: (talk1)

    [personal profile] picketship 2024-01-15 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Who is this kid…? This is far from the first time Demeisen has fielded overly friendly humans intent on spending time with him, but usually it’s people who at least know who he is—amusingly misguided though that makes their desire to know him better. He’s never seen this young man before in his life, and it strongly appears that the fellow doesn’t know the first thing about him.]

    Or you might wish to be rid of my company long before the sun rises, [he adds reasonably.] If I don’t leave you for monster-bait before then. Still quite a looming possibility, as I’m under no obligation to save you from your own questionable decisions.

    [Like, he would if he agreed to go outside with him, but that’s why he’s not keen on committing himself to bringing him along.]
    warmare: (pic#16524843)

    weird wildcard??? idk hello!

    [personal profile] warmare 2024-01-15 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Springstar is a bustling, busy place. The streets are rarely bereft of people, and considering its essentially sunny at all hours it sometimes feels as if the city never "sleeps". But some Meri prefer to avoid the crowds when they can- and not just because they might not like people, or might even be avoiding a lot of attention in the wake of the last Oracle trial, whose broadcast had made heroes of certain shard-bearers.

    - Some people have to worry about things like breaking other people's toes or accidentally trampling children who suddenly dash into the road.

    The sound of hooves in this city isn't a strange one, so perhaps there's no reason to look out or feel endangered when branching off the main road onto a side street, even if its a blind turn. Except doing so... means colliding with a very solid, very tall figure who does not budge at all despite the impact.

    Technically... a very tall, very solid centaur.]
    tresemme: (🍼5)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-15 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ thank goodness someone is listening to him. he didn’t expect to be able to swing his weight around as he could on the ship, but neither did he expect that his valid question would make other people so testy.

    he flips his hair back over his shoulder.
    ]

    You need a real leader, with a real heart.

    [ big words for someone who just suggested killing all humans, but it doesn’t conflict in his mind. ]

    Yima might sound like she has it figured out, but I don’t buy it.
    tresemme: (🍼3)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-15 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
    Blah blah blah. You have no idea what my grandpa has done.

    [ he ignores the question of how old he is; even tony realizes that “a few weeks” isn’t necessarily the most impressive answer. ]

    He’s taken care of us for decades. Our people would have been slaughtered without his leadership. [ a scoff, and he waves his hand dismissively. ] He might not know anything about gold or Oracles or whatever yet, but he would figure it out no problem.
    sheezit: (s10)

    you become an honorary fremblem

    [personal profile] sheezit 2024-01-15 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ It complements his rugged appearance! Very manly!!

    Shez gives her the time to recompose herself, all the while looking around just in case there are any more hands sprouting from the ground in search of light. Honestly, that's a memory he may never forget. ]


    Don't mention it. We've all had to go through that before in this place, so I personally know how it feels.

    [ But who is "all" and where is "this place"? He belatedly realizes he's probably offering more questions than answers, so it's time to adjust course. Let's see... Right after his rebirth, what had he seen... Ah--! ]

    So, uh... Have you been shown that dream yet? With Cyrus and Yima telling you about this place?
    corvidant: (245)

    2 alenroux

    [personal profile] corvidant 2024-01-15 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Ah, Alenroux. From what he's managed to gather so far, that will be the place to go for... a workout, once his powers have returned. The shuddering cries outside, the promise of monsters to tear up to shreds, the words of praise and gratitude from the locals as a welcome bonus... Yes, he could get used to it. But only when he can play it relatively safe.

    Which... does not seem to be the case, for his newfound companion. Wherever he goes, Goro Akechi seems to truly be surrounded by idiots... ]


    I doubt there would be anyone wanting to see me at the end of the universe. And I'd prefer not to make friends with monsters.

    [ (He would prefer to boss them around, but he's not saying that out loud. Again, someone here needs to be sensible.) ]

    So if you're looking for a bodyguard-- [ A quick scan from head to toe tells him yes, this hyperactive nuisance is definitely a new arrival like himself. ] --I'd suggest resorting to Communion. I've had better luck that way.
    cutlery: (a healthy respect but no fear)

    [personal profile] cutlery 2024-01-15 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
    Well, I can hardly disagree that she does make quite big promises and claims, even as a Zenite myself.

    [ But also, like. There's a reason he's never going to Harmonize further, so. ]

    Nor can I speak on her heart, but I would say she has at least proven her leadership. She has been the steward of Highstorm for as long as it has existed, apparently. That is no small feat, is it not?
    arrowslinger: (If I just believe it)

    flat'll wake up to reminder texts to make his bed and brush his teeth and do his chores

    [personal profile] arrowslinger 2024-01-15 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
    [As he says this is a whole new world, Yukong crosses her arms and stares at him in the same way all parents would stare at their children as they say the equivalent of, "We're in the next town over! It's full of adventure!" Sure, some people have towns which are rad as shit with all sorts of fun things to do, but for every rad town there's a few hundred more that have a vague assortment of Krogers, Walmart, and gas stations. And not much else. A Denny's, maybe?

    Then, her expression softens a bit as comprehension (doesn't quite) dawn, but he's from a planet called Dirt, basically. It makes sense that a new world would be a novelty to him. He probably never got to visit his neighbors, let alone get out of his galaxy. He's from Dirt. (Basically.) Probably fucking sheltered.]


    When you get to be my age, you'll find the novelty of new worlds have long since worn off. They're all the same in many respects; similar trees, similar skies, and similar abominations waiting in the shadows to eat overly curious boys who can't hold his own in a battle.
    settingup: (running to the waves below)

    B.

    [personal profile] settingup 2024-01-15 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Living like a sponge at Yima's manor has some perks, like seeing Yima is passing more often than most of the rest of Highstorm, even if they don't tend to have long interactions on account of her busyness. It also means that Yima feels less like some kind of idol to Atsumu than she might to some of the others around Highstorm, though given how much she's given him for well over a year, it doesn't mean he's any less normal about her.

    He's standing nearby when she walks up to Howl (distinct enough looking from the Howl he once briefly knew to not register as anything more than a stranger), and bristles slightly on habit at the question. It's hard for him to read exactly what Howl's emotions are, being a Harbinger himself, but he's watching the guy carefully right now.
    ]

    Sure is. Why? There some kinda problem with that?
    settingup: (i'm running and i'm just enough)

    iib

    [personal profile] settingup 2024-01-15 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ You know, there is respecting someone's wishes, and then there's being chill with what this guy just said. Not even just wishing for a world without humans at all, but wanting them to die out.

    What a fun guy this is!

    Atsumu's hoping he goes to the Meridian side right now, though working hard to save a world presumably filled with humans. He's judging based on the fact that the guy looks pretty human to him though, and he's just assuming this is some real self-hating nonsense.

    Either way he's jerking his head around towards Tony, brows furrowed and mouth agape.
    ]

    Dude...
    diegeticmusic: (muses past lie within thee)

    [personal profile] diegeticmusic 2024-01-15 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
    A... dream? [She blinks at him, confused.] I haven't even been to sleep yet.

    [She remembers images, words, feelings, but nothing that explained much. No one named Yima or Cyrus.]

    Just... where are we? This isn't an illusion, right?

    [Some illusions feel very real, so she should check.]
    erbe: (278)

    [personal profile] erbe 2024-01-15 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    [The mention of flat immediately sours her mood. Even the relaxing coffee cannot soothe her displeasure.]

    That idiot wouldn't know his head from his ass. Besides, it's one thing to be aware of other worlds. It's a whole separate concept to be able to traverse them.
    erbe: (236)

    [personal profile] erbe 2024-01-15 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
    [With a sigh Tohsaka begins seating herself on the opposite end of Ann's table.]

    I thought so. I suppose I'll be generous.

    [Ah. Rin accepts the pie. A nice flaky crust with some cinnamon apple... slurry??? Ugh, the cheap food here really is just that: cheap. But at least it's affordable. Rin orders some tea with a splash of cream so she can have something to wash this down.]
    erbe: (177)

    [personal profile] erbe 2024-01-15 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Emiya? Impossible. It's literally impossible for him to have survived that long with her Archer's arm grafted to him. Yet... if he had pulled that off, and followed her to Clock Tower... Sakura had to be dead. Any Emiya who would abandon her sister to follow Rin to London would be dead to Rin anyway, so Sakura has to be dead.

    That means Rin killed her. Used the Zelretch sword and murdered her own flesh and blood.]


    So I give him the privilege of following me to Clock Tower, and he works for someone I have disagreements with? I suppose that doesn't sound too out of character for the idiot.

    [Though she's not familiar with the name Luvia, though. It wouldn't be for another six-ish months in their world before 'this' Rin would have met her.]