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
    corvidant: (TxYRKKw)

    [personal profile] corvidant 2024-01-24 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Excuse you, he is eighteen, thank you very much! One whole Adult who can drink (in some parts of his old world) and legally respond for criminal charges! ]

    You don't exactly look like an old man set in his ways, yourself. I suppose you simply lack the courage.

    [ Said with the most Pleasant smile, like there's no passive-aggressive judgement to it whatsoever! It's okay to be a coward, Andy! ]

    As for myself, I think I will stick to a good cup of Joe. I doubt it will taste the same as my favorite, but I could use the relaxation.

    [ Yes, bitter anxiety juice makes him relaxed. One of many things wrong with Goro Akechi. ]
    hauntedking: (12)

    [personal profile] hauntedking 2024-01-24 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
    "...it can very. They're... effigies? Or deities? They can appear as objects or as nothing at all. They seem to be representations of power or of... some set of ideals, almost? They seem to want things from us in exchange for their power - whether physical sacrifice or some sort of behavior. It's hard to describe..." Dimitri sighs softly, "...I wish I could tell you more."
    damnpire: (pic#15946972)

    [personal profile] damnpire 2024-01-24 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Well, the only atrocious thing about the even more atrocious goth get-up is D's ankle-long cape. It hangs over his shoulders almost all the way around the front. The material has a funny sheen to it, as if it's been lacquered.

    It's protection from the sun and from water mostly, but also maybe a little from sneaky butterfingers trying to touch his waist. Not that Therion can't try; he is very valid to do it!! If he uses his Royce eyes, D has a belt and--

    No arm? There is definitely a bunch of space on the left where an arm should be below the elbow. My mans is one-armed, very funny.]


    It was neutral territory once. [If Therion can believe it. D watches him with the new, plain dagger. Stab him.] But things have shifted recently.

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-24 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
    I see... I can't say I believe either side, but I'm useless like this.

    [ Cautiously, Subaru draws his hand back. He regards his palm thoughtfully for a moment before letting it sink to his side, deeming it best that he doesn't test his luck with it for now.

    His bones may be in the right place, but he knows better than to think that means it's functional. ]


    I do consume blood [ he echoes D's phrasing ] but I don't need to as often as a human-turned-vampire would.

    [ Which is to say: he is not that. ]

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-24 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Hiiro just carting him off like groceries, help—

    The suggestion of picking him up isn't met with resistance so much as bewilderment, as Subaru stares up at him. ]


    My legs are fine though...

    [ Surely, he needn't trouble himself so much on Subaru's account? ]
    semicharmed: (elemental)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Matt's doing pretty well over the roots. Being barefoot helps; his toes flex on the strange, ancient bark. He comes to a brief halt when Tezcatlipoca turns to point at him, spine straightening.

    He remains in that anticipatory pose for a moment, eyebrows climbing gently as Tezcatlipoca's gaze starts to travel down. But when the question comes, he relaxes. ]


    Oh. [ A crooked smile. ] No, not at all--it's an honor. Which I could have led with. [ He pauses thoughtfully, wondering how best to explain. ] I guess, where gods and spirits are concerned, I've been exploring for a long time. And I don't have solid proof, because how would you even define solid proof with something that's supposed to be contingent on belief, but I feel like when I reach out or ask for help ... something usually answers.
    eventhandler: (Default)

    [personal profile] eventhandler 2024-01-25 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
    Get to know some of us, why...well, why, some of us might surprise you.

    [A little sigh.]

    What is your...species like, then? Are there more of you here?
    eventhandler: Made by artpaiges on tumblr! (made of precious metals)

    [personal profile] eventhandler 2024-01-25 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
    Oh, no, I have but it is not...it is not designed. Initially. Like that.

    [He can feel the judgement - he doesn't react in kind with annoyance, but still looks mildly disgruntled at the thought that, well, people wouldn't get it. Its an altogether bizarre thought. People would what, ask for flaws? Vote for them ad nauseaum? No, no. It doesn't make sense.]

    [He lets out a little rattling cough, voice hoarse as anything as he gestures.]


    The road doesn't want. The people? The people want. It's all about...whim, you see. [Maybe he has to explain this like one would to a child, he thinks.] In our grand...city, that place, Cloudbank, the populace votes. They ask for bridges. Fairways. Buildings. They switch out old for new, regularly, frequently, so very frequently. So a road doesn't exactly...stiiiick around for a while. To form cracks, you know. It's simply...switched out! Just like that.
    semicharmed: (029)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
    [ As soon as his confession was out, Matt's heart started rabbiting away. Twin dreads circled in his brain: he would disappoint the stranger, wound him, and then the stranger would leave him alone here. Matt's used to disappointing people, but this would be an all-time record--with all-time high stakes.

    But right when Matt's expecting the other man to pull back, he says it's okay. Cards fingers through Matt's hair. Even smiles. ]


    Amos. [ Part of him is like, Whoa, I was friends with this guy? Someone both very touchy and also able to roll with some truly incredible punches? Amazing. Whatever this place is, maybe it isn't all bad. ] It's nice to meet you. I'm Ma--

    [ A sheepish smile. ] I guess you know that.

    [ Matt seems fine standing here at close range. His personal feelings about nudity are neutral to highly positive, and at this point, while a piece of him is inescapably aware that he's 100% lacking clothes right now, Amos isn't worried about it, so it's easy to let the knowledge recede. Especially since he's just discovered he has a doppelganger somewhere out there?

    Matt squints curiously at Amos. ]


    Uh. If I can ask--how did we know each other? Or do you want just like, a clean slate.
    semicharmed: (nervous gesture)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
    "Other Herscherrs"?

    [ He's assuming that's her name, or possibly species, and is keenly interested by the development. Especially in the case of the former, because then he might have additional data points for people showing up here who have at some point had a doppelganger. ]

    I believe you, though. [ It's on the tip of Matt's tongue to share some of his own experiences with having spirits in his body (for want of a better term). But he holds back. This place is clearly incredibly hinky and more than a little divine, but he's built up the habit of biting back revelations about his magic. ] Again, the ... consent issue. Like, if you go to the doctor and get surgery it's fine, but if you don't, that person just stabbed you.
    alliterating: (018)

    [personal profile] alliterating 2024-01-25 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
    Well, sure. I am the Great Herrscher of Sentience! But there's also the Herrscher of the Void, Herrscher of Reason, Herrscher of Thunder, Herrscher of Truth, Herrscher of Origin, Herrscher of Finality...

    [ She could go on. Ahem. ]

    Yeah, something like that. I gave some of my power to the woman who I was created from... but another time she just took it. Incredibly rude of her. [ Hmph. ]

    But that's all in the past and the Oracles - meh. I don't like 'em.
    semicharmed: (and now some perspective)

    all times are a good time to tag in!!

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Matt was focused on a ping-ponging conversation a few chaises over. It seemed to be about philosophy, which he theoretically knew the basics of; but of all the names lobbed back and forth, not a one was familiar to him.

    He became dimly aware of a shadow in front of him. There was something about the heat and shape of another person that signaled their presence, and Matt was more than normally attuned to physical cues. It was no match for his ability to space out, however. When Byleth spoke, Matt glanced up at him in sharp surprise.

    A second later, he relaxed. ]


    Go for it. [ He picked up his own plate, which looked as if he'd tried to fit one of everything onto it, and slid to one side to make room. ] Nice to meet you. Matt.

    [ Whether this guy was a local or another Shard-Bearer, Matt was in info-gathering mode. He wasn't about to write anybody off. ]
    fursuit: (Default)

    [personal profile] fursuit 2024-01-25 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
    I'll forgive the slight.

    [ Is he joking? It's hard to tell. His smile certainly doesn't change from the easygoing smirk that he's been wearing the whole time. But Matt's answer may be vague, but it still answers what Tezcatlipoca was asking about. That, and seeing that he's lacking a particular kind of "ink" on his hands. The troubles of his world may be gone now, but, hey. He's thorough. ]

    So, more a medium than a magus.

    [ At least by the rules of his world. He turns his back to Matt at this point, since the way up does become a bit steeper, and he has to watch his footing too. ]

    At least with how the way things work where I'm from, yeah, somethin' would answer. Pretty much always. There's always things out there listening. Various kinds of things, but I'm assuming you know that if you're exploring the way you say. Hell, I might even answer if I'm bored enough, but that's more the benefit of omnipotence.
    semicharmed: (it's like this)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Matt blinks at the sudden clap, but the declaration actually makes him kinda ... smile? Mainly because he doesn't know what else to do when he feels this unbalanced. So it's a fluttering, crooked kind of smile, but a pleasant expression overall. ]

    ... Great, [ he concludes. Hatred expressed universally may math out to a form of neutrality. Still, it sounds exhausting. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile, Silco!

    Matt huffs a sigh. Shakes out his fingers. ]
    Well, if we really used to know each other, you'd know lying isn't exactly my strong suit, so.

    How did we know each other, by the way?

    [ It's not the right question. But Matt hasn't figured out a better way to ask; all the phrasings his brain supplies involve way too much triangulation. ]
    semicharmed: (mite unsettling)

    🥰🥰🥰 he's ready (also yuri is gr8)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Matt's mouth quirks in a rueful moue--if it weren't some all or nothing setup, it'd be too easy. Nobody would need him to crash in here asking can't we all just get along. But his expression sharpens with interest as Yuri goes on.

    Matt had assumed that scarce records meant no information whatsoever. This tidbit opens up a whole bunch of potentialities. ]


    I think I see what you're saying, [ he says. ] You mean like, if the last time wasn't successful, how can they be so sure that any attempt would be? [ A thought comes on the heels of his own question: ] Have Cyrus or Yima indicated they've gone through a successful cycle before?
    escardos: (pic#13478919)

    [personal profile] escardos 2024-01-25 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
    Ferocity... I'll do my best!

    [ flat grins excitedly, pumping his fist in the air with enthusiasm and not a single ferocious bone in his body. he'll walk a bit closer to the door, though he'll suddenly turn around to face the other. ]

    Oh, before we go out. We should introduce ourselves, I believe. I think that a quest has a higher chance of success if we've formed a close bond. [ and with that, he extends a hand with a friendly grin. ] You can call me Flat. Flat Escardos!
    semicharmed: (welp)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
    [ It is awfully chilly. Matt's grateful to the islanders for offering him adequate clothes for the weather, but he's a California boy at heart. And not the part of California that has desert nights.

    He smiles, grateful, and moves to keep pace with Demeisen--but at the word "kid," his lips twitch in bemusement. He's not strictly insulted, but the term does make him wonder if he's done something to seem immature besides almost drown. ]


    I'm Matt. Matt Jamison. [ And I'm 25, he considers adding, for context, except he can't think how to not make it sound aggressive. Besides, who knows how aging works where this guy's from. ] How about you?
    escardos: (pic#13478910)

    1/2

    [personal profile] escardos 2024-01-25 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
    [ .........

    wait, give him a minute as he stares in dumb shock. he and this man have known each other for maybe an accumulate amount of 10 minutes. flat has asked him to go outside where it's dangerous with him, and the man has agreed. surely, flat's silence is born out of the hesitation of going outside to a dangerous place with someone he doesn't know. surely someone as old as him knows enough about stranger danger, right?

    well... ]
    semicharmed: (034)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-25 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Matt can't tell if he's serious or not, but he laughs anyway--just a soft one, more hm than ha. A bit of him wonders if he really did commit a faux pas, but Tezcatlipoca seems to be moving on, physically and conversationally.

    Matt grimaces as he trails along behind him. ]


    I know that, yeah. [ Keeping the jacket closed while keeping his balance means Matt has no free hand to scrub at his scar. The absence of the gesture needles at him vaguely, like not scratching an itch. ] Through some trial and error, but I know. For the most part, though, I think my experiences have been--well. Positive doesn't really cover it.

    I do think of myself as a witch, though. That's the term people use at home for people who can use magic.
    escardos: (pic#16851439)

    2/2

    [personal profile] escardos 2024-01-25 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
    [ after they've processed it, his eyes light up wide with a mix of joy and surprise as he steps closer to amos, throwing all caution and hesitation to the wind. he's practically buzzing with energy at this point, so if there was any hope that flat would calm down, it's best to throw that in the trash.

    having completely forgotten the concept of an 'indoor voice', he's practically yelling out: ]


    You would really do that for me?! We can go together?! Really? Seriously!?
    wolfish: (look)

    points to eyes, points to matt 💖

    [personal profile] wolfish 2024-01-25 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
    The only reason we're doing this now, from what they say, is because all preceding cycles were failures.

    [ Much of what they've been told comes in bits and scraps, too vague for his liking. These little details, provided they're true, lead to more than a few questions in Yuri's mind. ]

    What no one will tell us, among so much else, is just how many times it's been.

    [ There's a name for their "generation", but the word means nothing to any of them so far as he has seen. Yuri assumes it's a number, but Aetós had declined to elaborate at the time. ]
    Edited 2024-01-25 05:55 (UTC)
    kinaesthesia: (4)

    [personal profile] kinaesthesia 2024-01-25 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
    [Nevermind what makes a handshake good or not, Gavial’s always just a sucker for a solid display of strength—and a good, friendly attitude. So of course the tiefling gets a bright grin in return from her immediately.]

    Think I can take the heat.

    [In fact she prefers it, and the warm contact of her gloved hand is a much welcome reprieve after spending some time out here already. A much better alternative to the winter weather Highstorm is fielding these days (and perhaps the crocodilian tail peeking out beneath Gavial’s long cold-weather jacket explains a lot about her preferences there).

    But the offered explanation prompts her to glance downward to the freshly sewn plot of soil there in front of them, recognition dawning on her features a moment later.]


    Ah, right! I’d heard about these. Guess I don’t mind getting roped in to help these little guys get going.
    kinaesthesia: (65)

    [personal profile] kinaesthesia 2024-01-25 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
    [Something new, something different, something ideal. Everyone who’s lingered around here long enough to harmonize with Zenith sees their shared goal through slightly different lenses. Gavial supposes that the differences make for a stronger foundation, though some recent chats she’s had have given her a little bit of a change in perspective regarding that. Some difference might be good and all, but there’s gotta be a cohesion to it.

    Did they have it? Or would they be able to do what it takes to make it so?

    An annoying sort of thought, one that doesn’t belong in a conversation with a new face just starting to get his bearings.]


    I guess that’s the best way to put it, yeah.

    [She nods, casting a quick glance toward the manor where the lady in question had returned not long ago.]

    If things are well and truly over with all the old worlds, then it makes sense, right? Put together something new, make it better.
    kinaesthesia: (79)

    [personal profile] kinaesthesia 2024-01-25 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
    [Oh, he's got the spirit at least. She's making a bit of a mental note to keep an eye on him when they get out there, steps coming to an abrupt halt when he suddenly whirls around to make introductions.]

    Ah, guess we did skip that part, huh? [Too bowled over by godzilla comments...] You can call me Gavial.

    [And she's grinning back, taking the offered hand in her own with a strong and unfaltering grip.]
    kinaesthesia: (76)

    [personal profile] kinaesthesia 2024-01-25 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
    That’s music to my ears.

    [The fact that he won’t make it difficult for her, not the, uh, not the other part. But she doesn’t bother clarifying, nor does she give a warning when it’s time to get this done. In her experience, it’s best not to let people get too tense when something painful’s about to come their way (and sometimes, well, the courtesy just doesn’t even cross her mind.)

    One hand bracing his in a sturdy grip, the moment she sees that he’s braced for it, her other gets to work straightening those crooked fingers. Quick and efficient motions punctuated with the pop of joints resetting.

    When all is said and done, she gives him an assessing glance.]


    That’s the worst part, at least. You good?