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
    zauneyete: (Let's just play nice shall we?)

    [personal profile] zauneyete 2024-01-24 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Now see. Silco knows teenagers.

    Well. One teenager. But the most unhinged, frankly occasionally annoying sunburst of chaos that one has ever seen. Silco knows how this goes.
    ]

    You know what? You're right. At least on one front.

    You're far beneath me.

    [ He shrugged, his lips curling. ] You'll simply have to ascend higher, if you wish to compete. After all, you won't have any input if you remain either uncommitted or barely committed.

    [ He. He is goading him. To try to harmonize higher.

    God, Silco is a fucking menace.
    ]
    tresemme: (🍼27)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-24 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
    It’s not basic!

    [ it is pretty basic, but now tony’s feeling fussed. ]

    What planet are you even from?
    zauneyete: (And so then I just)

    [personal profile] zauneyete 2024-01-24 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
    [ The shorter man blinked — well, that's a touch of a misnomer, really, it's closer to winking, though it's clear that the unblinking eye simply... doesn't have the function to blink — as he stared up at Royce. His nose crinkled in confusion, as his eyes drift down to the crack in the ground, and then back up to the man, then down, then up. ]

    You've never seen a crack in the ground?

    [ He asked, and though there's the usual hint of judgment that comes from an acerbic little man like Silco, it also comes with... confusion.

    Even Piltover, a beloved shining city above where there was not a scrap of trash on the streets had cracks on the ground. Who'd ever heard of such a thing?

    Actually, more importantly:
    ]

    How can a road [ is that what a "cloudbank" is? He doesn't know, he barely has cars where he's from, let alone... gestures at transistor vaguely ] want to be anything at all?

    zauneyete: (Shifts eyes left)

    [personal profile] zauneyete 2024-01-24 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Silco's eyes roll slightly, half to indicate topside, and half to indicate an eyeroll at the sarcastic tinge to Therion's voice. Thankfully, Silco is a bitch himself, and sarcasm is certainly something he responds positively to. As opposed to the greatest crime of all: being nice. ]

    Some of us do.

    [ Well, that answers that. ]

    Not everyone who arrives, after all, feels comfortable with all of the... nonsense they drag out beneath the sun, or with the chill under the moon.

    [ Silco does not, however, choose to talk about his harmonization, though the "sun" rings with a touch more contempt than the moon does. He certainly doesn't like the sunlight, but if Therion looks closely, there's a hint of something sharp behind those thin lips. (Maybe he got bit by something. hehe) ]

    After all, you made your way down here, it stands to reason that others found their way here quickly enough.
    zauneyete: (Oh you)

    [personal profile] zauneyete 2024-01-24 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
    [ How much salience what what? Silco is reminded, in this moment, how much he disliked this boy. Mind, he'd held a touch of a grudge at him, when he'd tried to hit on him, a man who seemed to radiate hostility to most, but he had been useful, from time to time. Silco had though this loyalty wavering, but he'd sold someone who had been kind to him once.

    He was easily led, in Silco's mind. Really, his disgust with Matt was because he was...

    Well.

    Soft.
    ]

    Right.

    Well! [ His hands clapped together. ] You don't have to worry, I hate everyone equally. You just happen to either be pretending not to recognize me, or you truly don't. Only one of these are insulting.

    [ It's. It's not the lying one. ]

    So don't bother apologizing. That's meaningless here.
    zauneyete: (Haughty)

    [personal profile] zauneyete 2024-01-24 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
    Hm. You haven't been given the entire... [ he gestured with a hand. Something black peeked out from the split of cloth, like desiccated flesh peeking from the junction of his coat and glove. ]

    Spiel then by Kathova, have you?

    [ His eyes genuinely rolled, as he sighed. ]

    I suppose they would say it's my duty to inform you as one of the older and higher-ranked members of Zenith, then. [ It's not really clear if he sounds inconvenienced, or simply like he hadn't realized this would be one of the things that was expected of him, but never let it be said that Silco was not a helpful sort. Nobody. Nobody would ever say that. ]

    The Oracles are six in number, and each corresponds to the aspects, you will find that one of those is something that you feel a strong... connection to. Once every other month [ or three ooc months ] one of them arises and asks of us to battle for control of the Oracle.

    Supposedly, our faction's goals will be made manifest, if we capture all of the oracles. That is what we fight for, after all. Either bringing our worlds back from destruction [ said with snide derision ] or decimating what is left, and bringing something new to life in its place.

    [ He shouldn't sound so interested in the 'decimating what is left' part, but he is. ]
    narsinssist: (Glamor | Presentation!)

    [personal profile] narsinssist 2024-01-24 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Wait until you all hear him sing. ]

    Why, how else could one lead? They need presence, they need personality! Does your Grandfather not have a presence that drew you in?

    A leader should be able to command with a gesture, a word. He should have a presentation that leaves others in awe of them.

    [ This is, of course, how Raphael imagines himself as the Archduke Raphael.]
    wolof: (Sonnike Beauty)

    [personal profile] wolof 2024-01-24 06:45 am (UTC)(link)
    Akua paused, almost struck by the guileless way he accepts her word, and bows before her slightly. She's not used to... that, as normally Praesi hangers-on are far more...simpering, and anyone from the allies she'd worked with before arriving had been... untrusting at best.

    Her surprised smile flickers to life, and she nodded. "Don't worry, I will. I am, however, a strict taskmistress. I expect you to practice, and throw yourself into the practice."

    How odd, how these new people could bring something new out of her, and she wondered if the Warden had ever taken new Named under her wing like this? Akua was not a caring type, she did not feel kinship with people, but even so, the longer she was here, the longer this went on, she could see how it could happen.

    If felt ironic, for a villain like her.
    wolfish: (lean)

    ready to fire off nicknames, watch out matt

    [personal profile] wolfish 2024-01-24 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
    Sounds like religions from neighboring lands, where I'm from. We've got the one goddess, but others believe everything in nature has a spirit, or gods for various roles... I fancy those'd fit the bill.

    [ He speaks of them evenhandedly, with no sense of judgement. It's not for him to say what others believe, and it's one of his disagreements with the Church of Seiros. While Yuri fully believes in the goddess, why can't those other beliefs be right as well?

    But that's a rumination for another time and place. ]


    The way they tell it, there's only enough power for one wish or the other. Apparently we all fail if neither side gets their mitts on every Oracle. Saw it said that it was a four-two split once and that was considered a wash... Thing is, how would we know what these things can or can't do then?
    Edited (oop repeated a bit... ps matt's a cute) 2024-01-24 06:57 (UTC)
    salvageable: (pic#15552897)

    [personal profile] salvageable 2024-01-24 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Because... they all... died...?

    Dokja does what he does best and fills in the blanks with his own assumptions. ]


    Sorry to hear that, uh. [ A small pause because he forgot introductions. ] What's your name?
    salvageable: @isa_yfn712 ⇾ (pic#15331093)

    [personal profile] salvageable 2024-01-24 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
    [ A CHILD

    Dokja's a second away from smacking poor Chrono's back to help with the possible choking because he doesn't really know the Heimlich maneuver, but things seem fine and Chrono does not turn blue from his olive. ]


    You're telling me. [ He keeps his tone light, not really wanting to saddle this newcomer with all the baggage that comes with two years. ] I have to say, and consider it a compliment, you're taking this situation remarkably well.

    [ Dokja usually has to deal with a lot more freaking out than this. ]
    furibund: (inkonic aru nebula (78))

    [personal profile] furibund 2024-01-24 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Her brows furrow. He's not talking about where she's from anymore. At first, he almost appeared a hopeful otherworlder but now. She gives the shortest shake of her head: ]

    If you believe what they try to sell here: It's effecting all galaxies across all universes.

    [ If. ]
    furibund: (pic#16530225)

    [personal profile] furibund 2024-01-24 08:07 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Joke's on Tony: She's always angry. And from a teethy bit of smile, she doesn't mind being called not nice. ]

    Shouldn't you be whining less?


    furibund: (inkonic aru nebula (78))

    [personal profile] furibund 2024-01-24 08:09 am (UTC)(link)
    [ She resists the urge to roll her eyes. ]

    What's the difference between a monster and a human?

    [ It's a genuine question, almost. She's been to earth, but there are no monsters on Earth. At least not monsters that didn't wear human skin. ]

    Couple of weeks. After the last Oracle appearance.
    wolfish: (setback)

    [personal profile] wolfish 2024-01-24 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Yuri waited patiently while this guy seemed to...find himself at something of a stalemate. It couldn't be an illusion, yet it couldn't be real. Had Byleth not been here to greet him, to explain some of this madness as the one person he'd believe it from at the time, he may well have been the same.

    It wasn't fun watching anyone struggle to reconcile with all of this... So Yuri decided the man needed a hand up out of the hole he was digging for himself. ]


    ...Let's set aside the bigger stuff for now, yeah?

    [ Taking it in pieces would be better. Easier. That was what Yuri was hoping, at least. ]

    Right now, we're here, and it's real enough to us. Has anybody given you the whole greeting routine yet?

    [ He suspected not, but... ]
    umurice: (114)

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-24 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
    No, not at all. I had thought that perhaps I went back to the forest, but it does not look familiar to me. You are the first person I have seen since I woke up.

    [Not that it was that long ago, but you know. It still counted. Andy didn't seem impressed, but Hiiro is taking the fact that he is even answering him as a good sign. Words, again, that he's using are not that familiar ('sinner', what did he mean?) but he dismisses it on his own, so Hiiro decides it wasn't that important.

    He pushes himself to stand and offers a hand to him.]


    Since that is the case, would you like to look around with me, Andy? Perhaps someone can explain what is going on to us.
    baltimores: (128)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-24 10:44 am (UTC)(link)
    [ metaphorically grabs akechi and snaps him in half over amos' knee, affectionately

    It's okay, Akechi need not worry about Amos' mound of pancakes — as they walk he uses his fork to dig into some of the whipped cream and shove that in his mouth, thoughtfully cleaning the utensil. Yeah, he can't properly dig into them when they're standing and moving, but he can help himself to some sugary goodness, bit by bit.

    He does have the decency to set the fork down (stab it into the pancakes where it will stay secure and upright) before answering him, at least. ]


    Shit, there would be a welcoming committee putting all this together, wouldn't there? [ This might be the first time he's thought about how all of the food comes together. ] I... no. I'm not on it.

    [ Busted. He's going to scoop up another mound of whipped cream regardless. ]

    I try to come out here when we hold these things because... I mean, I like it here. Want others to like it here, too. I've been living here over a year now; I figure if anyone's got any questions I'm as good as anyone to ask. So I'm out here.

    [ A moment, as he eats the new whipped cream on his fork. ]

    Be weird of me to ignore the food, anyway. Never had stuff this good where I'm from, so I'm not going to take it for granted. Besides, wouldn't have run into you if I wasn't perusing the pancakes, would I?

    [ His voice is friendly. He's glad he ran into you, Akechi! Now about that sushi... ]
    baltimores: (097)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-24 10:46 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Oh, yeah, being a god of wine or sex would make way more sense. That's where his dudebro nature kicks in — knows enough to recognize Sappho's name, is also more appreciative of acts involving bodily pleasure than creativity. It's fine; he's simple enough.

    Well, mostly simple. A thoughtful look crosses his face at her answer — that it's slow enough to be comfortable. Pleasant, even. Welcoming someone into your being like that.

    There is the smallest quirk of his lip in response, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it smile. He gives Grace a little nod, a way of expressing that he's happy for her. That it's good she doesn't have to deal with anything bad; that it's probably a good thing overall. And...

    And her question for him. Amos follows her hand with his eyes, glancing around them — the buffets, the people gathered under the moonlight in idle conversation, the... community of it all, he'd say. And his smile grows a little bigger. ]


    I like it. Feels right here, you know? I've actually been here more than a year now, and... I dunno. Kinda can't imagine calling any other place home. Not that where I'm originally from was all that bad, but it's better here. I mean, the food alone.

    [ Which, speaking of, he is maybe going to eye the prawns again. But before he does — ]

    Don't get me wrong, it isn't always like this. It's pretty quiet most of the time. Don't mind the parties when they happen, though. The whole community get-together thing's pretty nice.
    baltimores: (091)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-24 10:47 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Tony coming to Amos' house just to bite him...

    Since Amos is unaware of the possibility (would be thoroughly baffled by it), he's taking the win here and now, where he can. The fight's over. They've successfully avoided blows. It's going to be okay, however dismissive Tony is in the moment.

    Except for one rather big problem... ]


    You can't go home. There's nowhere for you to go back to. [ Somehow he has enough sense to not say this is your home now. That probably would not go over well. ] Sorry.

    [ ... Not that it's Amos' fault, not that he has anything to apologize for (every single thing he has said in this conversation has been justified. It just has), but. He's trying. ]

    ... Did you want to go to bed? Or get something to eat, or...

    [ Okay, maybe he can admit to upsetting Tony further probably not being justified, so. Now it's caretaker time. by god is he gonna try ]
    baltimores: (081)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-24 11:38 am (UTC)(link)
    [ You know, he hadn't been expecting a newcomer to sum things up so succinctly. Sure, some of Yuber's earlier sentiments are a little questionable, but... ]

    That's right. [ He nods, appreciative. No bullshit then. Good. ] I don't get what their deal is. Don't think it really matters, either. Just that they're wrong.

    [ And truth be told, he hasn't really thought about what it would do to Meris to realize it — that everything they were chasing was a falsehood, a lie, some pathetic bit of desperation that would go forever unrealized. That it would destroy them...

    Amos figures this guy's right. Ignore all of the earlier shit; it's refreshing. And so... ]


    You figure you're gonna be sticking around here, then?

    [ Is he talking to a soon-to-be fellow Zenite? ]
    baltimores: (078)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-24 11:43 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Therion ever lets any of that on, and he's going to get adopted so fast.

    But all Amos sees is a guy who's taking in a lot of new information. It's just like his initial reaction to Yima — a lot to take in, so something more muted isn't unexpected. Therion's going to have plenty to think about. He gets it.

    So Amos just nods at his first question; yup, that's exactly what harmonization is, he's got that much down. The rest should follow easily enough.

    The second one, though... ]


    Kinda did know it day one, actually. [ His good nature persists in his answer; talking Zenith is something he's wholly comfortable with, like finding oneself home after a long journey. ] Don't get me wrong; I know that's not the case for everyone. Some people, it takes 'em a while to figure it out. I just... felt it, you know? Meridian talks about bringing back what's already gone, but life doesn't work that way. I've been around more than enough death to know that. It's like...

    [ He pauses, trailing off as he dismisses his lights and looks up at the night sky, as if it holds the answers. Shit, it might.

    Back to Therion. ]


    ... A cool embrace. Like it's okay that everything's come to an end. It's natural. You don't gotta feel bad about it; you can just accept it and move on, instead of trying to get back something that's already gone. It's peaceful. That make sense?

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-24 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Worrying about himself is a high bar to set. Subaru's expression turns pensive, if only for a moment, before his attention shifts to the sign. That must be their destination. ]

    Harmonizing... I wonder.

    [ He doesn't elaborate on the thought, however. ]

    Thank you for showing me the way.

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-24 12:01 pm (UTC)(link)
    I've seen my share of fights in the past.

    [ Subaru is too polite to correct the detour in conversation, instead following Hiiro's lead in this regard as well.

    This is fine. ]
    baltimores: (078)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-24 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Amos blinks, his grin fading, but doesn't pull back. He's silent for a moment, trying to figure out how to square Matt's familiar nature with his words. He searches his eyes, finds — no, this isn't some joke or prank. Matt means what he's saying.

    He puffs out a little sigh. At least his head is tilted somewhat downwards, so it's not right in Matt's face. ]


    You don't remember.

    [ Does he sound a little disappointed? Maybe, but judging by the way Amos moves his hand upwards, letting his fingers thread themselves through Matt's hair, he isn't discouraged. ]

    It's okay. It was a long time ago. Might be better if you don't remember, anyway. There was some shit in another universe— it doesn't matter.

    [ It really doesn't. A small smile creeps back on his face; he's fine. Genuinely so. ]

    Name's Amos. We met once, a while ago. Guess we're meeting each other again now.

    [ Just probably not in the biblical sense; Amos remains fully clothed, and isn't inclined to change that when all that's around them is dirt and moss and tree. And yet — that isn't stopping him from keeping himself close to Matt regardless. Because he did know him, and he figures, well.

    This would be welcome, regardless — and here they still are, known or not. ]

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-24 12:06 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Subaru flinches, unable to help the reflex reaction. Despite the way his shoulders jump and his body tenses, he effectively suppresses all but a strained noise in his throat. It was bound to hurt, of course — that much couldn't be helped.

    He takes a few moments to collect himself before he replies. ]


    From what people say, if I had, I wouldn't have injured myself this way.

    [ To think it was even possible to be altered this way... ]