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
    settingup: (i ain't concerned)

    [personal profile] settingup 2024-01-28 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
    [ The thought has occurred to him too. You can't really live through two world ending events and not consider the possibility, after all. Still, he tries to look nonchalant as he shrugs at the question, like it doesn't deeply bother him when he's left alone with his thoughts for too long.

    This is why he spends all of his free time exercising and working on magic. Can't waste time with pesky things like spiraling thoughts if you're focused on other things.
    ]

    Ain't that why we're all tryin' to work quickly here? To make ourselves a world we can actually keep properly safe this time.
    semicharmed: (think about that one)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-28 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
    [ "Not an immediate threat" was a safe bet when assessing Matt. His posture was straight and easy, but it looked more like the result of walking around with books on his head than combat training of any kind. No weapons. Also, between the player's last tag and this one, another thread revealed that this was what he'd been given to wear by a mysterious benefactor.

    There was one thing Byleth might notice, in Springstar's bright afternoon. Matt had a faint, thin scar across his left cheek, like a sharp fingernail had once scraped across it. ]


    Oh--not an architect, [ Matt clarified. ] The architecture here is great--very solarpunk, tons of upzoning--

    [ matt noooo ]

    But I've mostly been trying to ... get a sense for what things are like around here. [ A rueful smile. ] When I first got the pitch, I almost thought we'd all just be on opposite sides of a giant battlefield, not someplace with ... established philosophical, artistic, and religious traditions?
    semicharmed: (work and or magic to do)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-28 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
    [ In the flow of conversation, Matt would have happily stumbled through an explanation of hooking up with noncorporeal beings (which is ... not the only tactic he has used to alleviate ghost loneliness, but probably the most interesting). But given the opportunity, he decides not to dive back in. ]

    It's beautiful, [ he agrees instead, of their surroundings. Hearing himself, he puffs out a breath: amusement, frustration. ] More than beautiful. It reminds me of things I know from back home, but ... I don't think it's exactly the same.

    Do you know what this place is?
    settingup: (how come blessings)

    [personal profile] settingup 2024-01-28 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Sure he can! The fact that it seems like he said something grander than he intended doesn't even occur to him, and Howl's follow up questions just serve to confuse him a little. ]

    Oh... I got no idea, but I'm gonna assume it's the last one, with maybe a little A and B thrown in for good measure, you know?

    [ Does he know? Atsumu barely even knows, but he figures it makes sense enough. ]
    umurice: (03)

    it's a second date, excellent

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-28 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
    Ah, is that what this is?

    [He can't help but stare, because it's definitely beautiful, regardless of their situation. Vast and wide and dark, but the stars look bright and plentiful, more so than back home. He forgot about the question now, about Tokyo, and squeezes Chrono's hand.]

    It really seems like we are nowhere near home...
    fursuit: (Default)

    [personal profile] fursuit 2024-01-28 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
    ...Only kinda. Last time I was here, I was kinda figuring out my own shit. Didn't bother too much with digging into what's what.

    [ He'd spent most of his last time here finding his own thoughts about what being here even meant. He'd committed to and end of all things, but... It was still disappointing for it to be so anti-climatic. So, what do you do when you'd been working to end the world, then suddenly find yourself in a new one?

    ...He still hadn't figured it out, actually. ]


    But I know basics. They call it the Tree of Life. Kinda boring, namewise. [ ok rude tezca ] If this place has a center, I assume this is it. If you go to the hearts of either of the cities, you'll see they've both got their own, smaller version of it. Dunno if they took a cutting or they're all connected, but just considering the vibe around this one? Probably the latter.

    [ He shrugs, since that amounts to a detail to him, and it's not an interesting one. He makes a light little sound of recognition as a carved boulder comes into view around the curve of the trunk they're walking along, and he nods towards it. ]

    Well, lesson one, that's called a Cornerstone. That's how you get around these places, since they're islands. Ain't connected at all, so they use some kinda magic to let you hop around. [ He tosses a cheeky grin over his shoulder ] You play video games? It's fast travel, man.

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-28 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
    [ It's a temptation to remind Hiiro that only his wrist is hurt. Something so small won't slow his strides, no matter how it may throb insistently to remind him of his miscalculation.

    But Hiiro seems determined, and his weight doesn't seem to be encumbering at all, so Subaru reluctantly accepts his circumstances. ]


    ...Please be sure you set me down if you get tired. You shouldn't push yourself either.

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-28 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
    Which is more wrong...

    [ Perhaps it would come down to that. Which option he deemed more impossible than the other, or which of them would allow him to wait for Kamui as his twin had done for him. It's something he'll have to give thought to, if he's otherwise a burden to others like this.

    Subaru steps quietly into the building, surveying it wordlessly before he advances further. After lingering on the reception desk, he turns to face Gray again. ]


    I should be alright from here... Thank you again for your help, and your guidance.

    [ Punctuated with a polite dip of his head. ]
    semicharmed: (downward facing smile)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-28 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
    [ That sounds pretty quixotic to Matt's ears. Perhaps even a little bit blasphemous. But then, who is he to say what's possible? Maybe some beings are, in fact, meant to survive everything. ]

    I'd like to see what comes next too, [ he admits. He smiles at her, faint. ] Like I said, I want a lot of things.
    wolfish: (Default)

    [personal profile] wolfish 2024-01-28 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Yuri thinks back on their conversation with a soft hum and a thoughtful glance toward the ceiling. He's got something of a mind for details relating to people, for reasons...

    So when his gaze lands on Matt, he can say with confidence: ]


    First I'm hearing it.

    [ His pronouncement comes with an easy smile. ]

    And I do believe this'll be my first time telling you to call me Yuri.
    semicharmed: (studying up)

    [personal profile] semicharmed 2024-01-28 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Matt parses "figuring out my own shit" as "pantheon family drama," wrongly or rightly, and does what he'd want someone else to do if he let something slip about his own family: doesn't pry, moves on. When Tezcatlipoca calls the tree's name boring, his lips twitch a bit around his current bite of jerky.

    So it might be kind of like what he was thinking. Yggdrasil, sacred tree. In earth's history, trees are always life and lineage. Endlessly fecund, with roots digging into the past and leaves reaching for the future. Branches to provide each thing its own space to breathe.

    It's an interesting thought, that this tree might be linked to the others. He wonders if there used to be a tree on his world that was linked to them too. He'll have to seek out the places Tezcatlipoca's talking about--later. For now, his gaze flickers to the boulder, scanning its carvings curiously for familiar symbols.

    When he catches Tezca's grin, he returns it with a small smile. ]


    Sure, I know the principles, [ he says easily, which is a less nerdy way to say I like playing puzzle games when I need inspiration for a spell diagram. ] Am I gonna be dizzy on the other side?
    umurice: (13)

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-28 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
    I understand. This much is not a problem for me, but taking too long would be bad.

    [So they need to hurry. Hope Subaru can handle being stared at while he approaches the first person he sees, asking for directions for a shaman. That just gets him an odd look.]

    Ah, hmm. You don't have a shaman? Then... where... Subaru needs help though...

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-28 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Subaru considers this new obstacle with a thoughtful frown, dutifully ignoring all the odd looks directed their way. ]

    ...The people here might be more familiar with "physician" or "healer".

    [ Humans had so many words for those who tended their wounds. ]
    umurice: (04)

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-28 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
    [That gets a reaction. Ah yes, the doctor. Also some directions, so at least that's something. He beams at Subaru, pleased at that.]

    Thank you! Fufu, so here they call them a physician. I have learned something new.

    [Off to the doctor they go.]

    It is good that you are here with me, Subaru.

    [personal profile] ex_fend346 2024-01-28 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
    I hardly did anything.

    [ It was only a simple suggestion, after all. Still, Hiiro seems happy about their progress, and Subaru hardly sounds sullen. Rather, he states the fact as casually and lightly as one might remark upon the weather.

    At least Hiiro shouldn't feel the need to lug him around for much longer now. ]
    gravings: (101b)

    [personal profile] gravings 2024-01-28 10:08 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Her enthusiasm mellows a bit. His observation is valid, and she doesn't mind explaining, but it's an odd circumstance that still gives her mixed feelings. ]

    That doesn't surprise me. My village was very high in the mountains, and very remote. The people there were proud of never leaving and never changing, and only saw visitors from the outside world on rare occasion. It was a relic in a true sense.

    [ Though she knows she can't help it, she feels like a bit of a disappointment. ]
    clockpunk: (106)

    at least take him somewhere with food next time hiiro

    [personal profile] clockpunk 2024-01-28 10:23 am (UTC)(link)
    [ chrono's seen it before, from many angles, but most of those had been in... unfortunate circumstances, with other things to focus on. and he hadn't physically been there for the majority of times.

    it really was beautiful. like an artwork that drew the eye to every point of light. without thinking, he squeezes hiiro's hand back. ]


    What the hell is this place.
    umurice: (21)

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-28 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
    I am unfamiliar with what they call many things in the city, so it is not the first time I have experienced this sort of thing. It is much easier with someone who is knowledgeable.

    [So while it's nothing to Subaru, it is everything to Hiiro. There was a lot he would be lost on otherwise.]
    tresemme: (🍼55)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-28 12:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ there’s nobody like this where he’s from. the humans are pristine and perfect, and even among the mu, there’s no reason for them to cover up anything that ails them. silco’s cosmetics are utterly foreign.

    and, do all humans have such pointed teeth up close? he tries to recall keith anyan’s face, but nothing comes to mind.
    ]

    It’s fine. You’ll be able to see what you’re up against.
    umurice: (25)

    he'll make sure to hunt a giant boar for him

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-28 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
    The people earlier should be able to tell us.

    [He reminds, even if for now he was just appreciating the sight. It makes him almost forget what they were told earlier, about their worlds, but unfortunately it is something that comes to mind as soon as he thinks of that.

    Right.]


    I wish I could show this to my brother.
    clockpunk: (109)

    thats metal actually. he will make a katsu curry with the cutlets

    [personal profile] clockpunk 2024-01-28 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ oh yeah. the people. they should probably try and find them soon. but wow, space.

    chrono tenses. he wishes he could show this... well, a lot of his friends had seen it. he'd been standing there with two of them at the very end. but one had never - not with his own eyes, anyway, only through the acid-yellow ones of his captor.

    he bites back whatever embarrassing pining statement he was about to say and changes tactic. ]


    You have a brother?
    tresemme: (🍼54)

    [personal profile] tresemme 2024-01-28 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
    Whatever tricks you can pull, it’s still nothing compared to what I can do.

    [ lacking any real ammo at the moment, he crosses his arms and makes himself look nice and tall—atsumu is a big boy, but tony is, too. ]

    There’s a war on, right? You’d better hope we’re on the same side.
    umurice: (91)

    see they already got this

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-28 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
    Umu! I was actually looking for him, which was why I was in Tokyo.

    [He doesn't realize his embarrassment, but then Hiiro's eyes were glued to the scenery. Still, eventually he does turn to him, a wistful look on his face, maybe a bit of regret.]

    I was not able to find him though, not before this happened. I was close, but...

    [He just somehow. Never found him.]
    clockpunk: (030)

    everyone contributes to the cooking date

    [personal profile] clockpunk 2024-01-28 01:21 pm (UTC)(link)
    You'll find him.

    [ he says it as if he truly believes it, a slight frown on his brow. ]

    There has to be a way to fix this. If there's stars out there, there's futures where we can fix it.
    umurice: (21)

    isn't it great when everyone contributes to the dream

    [personal profile] umurice 2024-01-28 01:42 pm (UTC)(link)
    Umu. I agree. Besides, since we were able to wake up here, it is still possible that people we know have also been brought here.

    [Surely they didn't just tag one random person from their world and no one else when saving lives, right? There should be more than one, even if it isn't now.]

    Though I am not certain I agree with what is going on, it is best to make haste and find the ones who are responsible for bringing us here.