JANUARY TDM + SETTING UPDATES

[beleos]

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 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

Comments

flat escardos | fate/strange fake | new player

[escardos]

1. bearing fruit

[ rebirth is painful, apparently. painful, weird, and sticky. flat escardos sits on the soft ground that he pulled himself out of, staring blankly at the expanse ahead of him. he blinks once, twice, and thrice, before he stands up with a start, as if shocked by a current of electricity. ]

No way! Was this like that one scene in the Matrix? Or are we going to be the waves of zombies that try to eat the plants? [ he looks down at himself, patting some of the dirt off of himself. ] I don't feel very zombie-like, though. I don't have rotting skin or a taste for organs...but maybe that will come later?

[ but as he checks out the state of himself (clothes could be doing better, but otherwise all surprisingly healthy and its place) he realizes a couple things amiss ]

Huh. It's all so quiet. And I think my eyesight got worse? Do I need glasses...?

[ yeah, this newly-budded resident is just sitting on top of the mound of dirt he dragged himself out of, ignoring anyone else that might be sprouting or walking around. ]

2. island hopping

[ listening to the speech in springstar is a bit difficult for someone as hyperactive as flat. it's not like he understands much of the situation yet, so a lot of it is still flying way over his head. instead of focusing on the contents of the speech, though... ]

Hmm...don't you think that the guy making the speech should be a little better about controlling his expressions? Especially the muscles around his eyes and stuff-- I wonder if he has a suggestion box?

[ in alenroux, however, flat learns true hell.

and by that, it means having to stay inside for an entire day-- or, well, night. the first hour was fine, but by the fourth hour... ]

Hey, have you heard those voices? I'm pretty sure they're calling for you~.

[ he has decided to make this everyone else's problem. ]

Don't you wanna go check it out? Wouldn't it be cool to see what's outside? Maybe it's someone that's actually looking for you. Or it's a friend that we could both make. Come on, let's go outside~!

[ it's not like flat has many (or any) offensive skills. therefore, he has to goad someone else who does to go out there with him. ]

3. wildcard

( hmu through dm or odasaku if you want to plan something specific! or just throw something here, i'm usually pretty flexible! )

1

[ex_fend346]

[ Subaru had been standing a short distance away, minding his own business as he brushed dirt off of his suit, when Flat's voice cuts through the relative stillness around him. His shoulders jump in surprise before he turns, just in time for a deluge of nonsense words to spill forth.

It isn't that Subaru doesn't understand the words. He does — it's the combination that he finds perplexing, eyebrows pinching together with a given concern. Flat seems too animated for it to be delirium, and yet...

Subaru finds himself drawn nearer, if only to be sure. ]

...Are you alright?

[escardos]

Oh! Uhm...!

[ flat startles when he realizes that there's someone that's right. flat's basically talking to himself now, isn't he? he looks up at the other person that has approached him, blue eyes wide and bright. ]

Yes! I dug myself out of the ground, so I was wondering if I had become part plant or part zombie. What do you think?

2, alenroux

[kinaesthesia]

[Gavial doesn’t too often make trips to Alenroux overnight, especially since things started calming down around the pastoral island a few months back. But things are still dangerous there on occasion, and with the uptick in violence around the streets of Springstar, she’s of a mind to make a little trip there to check things out there for a bit, just for good measure. She spent the weeks following the last Oracle appearance far too relaxed for her own good. Keeping busy suits her much more.

The first few hours after night falls are spent inside with others; the nights were long here, and trouble didn’t usually spring up the moment it got dark. Better to wait it out for a bit, she figures. But clearly someone else staying at this homey little place is a lot less patient about it than she is (which is saying a lot).

She turns, crocodilian tail swishing idly behind her, to give the guy a flat look.]

If you don’t want to go out alone, you can just say so, y’know. [She rests a hand on her hip casually, her expression warming just a little with the hints of a grin.] But if you’re so eager to say ‘hi’ to the spooky things in the woods, I don’t mind heading out now.

[escardos]

I mean, of course I wouldn't want to go alone. I have no way to protect myself at the moment. But I figured that if I go with someone that's part Godzilla, then I think we would be safer.

[ it's obvious, right? who would want to put themselves in a risky situation unnecessarily? especially with his abilities weakened as they are, even if he did have them at full power, he's just not suited for offensive fights.

nevertheless, his excitement doesn't seem to be deterred in the slightest. at the tentative agreement, his eyes are practically sparkling with curiosity. ]

Aren't you excited? Or, could it be that you've already been here? If so, what kind of creatures are here? Is there any chance that we can talk to them or perhaps bring them back as a pet?

island hopping | springstar

[kaientai]

[ ryouma is listening to the speech, but he's also busy eating what's on the plate that he'd filled up earlier from one of the tables. everything is touching, and he'd clearly just tried to fit as much on as he could manage whether or not it ought to be eaten together — it's all headed for the same place. he's giving a lot of thought to the flavour of a cheese too sophisticated for his simple country palate when flat speaks up about the tribune's facial expressions. ]

Hm? What do you mean? What's wrong with his eyes?

[ they look fine to him... ]

[escardos]

Oh, it isn't obvious?

[ flat asks with genuine curiosity. he glances at the plate of food that the other has, and wonders if there's anything he could take from there. hmmm...

oh right, the question. ]

The muscles around his eyes are moving weird, like he's trying to force them into a more cheerful expression but doesn't know how. It's understandable, forcing your expression is pretty difficult if you don't really know what you're doing.

[ anyways, ]

Is there a cheese I can try?

2, true hell

[arrowslinger]

[If Yukong was a hundred years younger, she might have snapped like an overly tight bowstring and threw Flat out the door. She's not. She just stands there with a certain measure of calm, staring out the window, her hands white-knuckling at the windowsill. Staring out into the darkness. Completely calm. Nothing to see here.]

You must be mistaken. I hear nothing.

[She's absolutely. Fine. Completely and totally chill.]

he's the worst i'm sorry

[escardos]

[ she is completely calm. therefore, flat can keep up what he's doing, gleefully unaware of the fact the effect that it is causing her. ]

No, no, I'm pretty sure I hear it. "Come find me~," or "Help me~" and other stuff like that. For me, it sounds like my Professor.

[ and yet, he doesn't seem to be concerned in the least. maybe it's because he knows that, deep down, it would never be his professor. waver velvet would never be caught begging for help where others can hear him. ]

Come on, don't you wanna find the source of the noise?

2. BUSTS IN

[gravings]

[ Political speeches don't do much for Gray, but she attends them out of a sense of obligation — to feel the mood of the city, to get a vague sense of the leadership's mindset, that sort of thing. It used to be that she could lean on her mentor to give her a reader's (or listener's) digest, but by now she's become used to being without. After nearly two years, even she can manage to prop herself up in these small ways.

So Gray is dutifully paying attention to Cyrus's speech, though she isn't especially rapt... but that might be why she's able to catch a familiar voice in the crowd, one that feels so distant in her memory that it feels more dream than reality.

She turns as if whipped around on a string, mouth agape. She thinks she sees what she's looking for: a flash of blonde disarray peeking out among the heads of the audience. Poor Cyrus's very nice speech flies completely out of her head. She flows quickly through the crowd, soft touches and and careful maneuvers carrying her a short but dense distance until she comes face-to-face with Flat Escardos. ]

... Flat!

[ Just one word, breathless. Gray doesn't have the words for more yet as she stares in complete shock at him.

She'll look a bit different from the last time he saw her timeline shenanigans aside. The single blonde lock above her left eye aside, there's a faint cross-shaped scar above the bridge of her nose, along with a faint bruise in a curious shape on the back of one hand. ]

[escardos]

Gray...?

[ the moment that flat hears that voice, the rest of the world seems to come to a complete stop. whatever comments he had about cyrus are swiftly forgotten as he stares wide-eyed at the image of his classmate and his professor's loyal apprentice.

if he could see it, then confirming gray's existence would be as easy as blinking, easier than breathing. but with a sight that is no different than any other person's, that sort of thing becomes more complicated. perhaps it's an illusion. maybe it's some sort of mind control?

nonetheless he has to confirm.

gray, too, may notice a curious shape on the back of his right hand, with only one stroke left-- he has made no effort of hiding it, after all. ]

What's the nickname that I made up for the Professor!?

[ he yells it out, and it probably earns him a couple nasty looks from people who might be focused on whatever nonsense that guy is saying. none of it matters to flat. he just wants to know if his eyes aren't deceiving him. ]

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca is about halfway through the thought of "what, this shit again?" before someone just... pops out of the ground, as bright and cheerful as a daisy. He's in the process of pulling the dirt and sap out of his hair, but he ends up just kind of. Watching. As Flat goes through his considerations. ]

—Nah, it ain't the Matrix. Way too fantasy here for that shit.

[ That's the important part to address, clearly. Certainly better than the whole taste for organs things, considering his own deal there. Tezcatlipoca mutters something indistinct as he pats his jacket, but at least makes a noise of relief as he finds his cigarettes and lighters still there, which he starts to pull out. ]

You think the powers that be would use us as batteries?

AS A DAYBIT PLAYER I SPIT MY DRINK OUT

[escardos]

Not the Matrix, huh... then if we're going for fantasy...

[ he hums, thinking of something that might be more fitting. certainly enough, this is all way too fantasy, especially considering the giant tree in the distance.

oh--! ]

This is an isekai! And if that's the case, then we're meant to solve some horrible thing happening in this world because we've been chosen for reasons that are still yet unknown to us.

[ hopefully the powers that be can handle some fourth wall breaking. ]

alenroux

[picketship]

[Unlike the local residents, Demeisen is not staying indoors out of dread of what might lurk in the darkness outside—but he is staying indoors, or at least, he has been for the last few hours. The tavern in whose taproom he’s lurking falls far short of his typical standards in terms of entertainment, but there are enough people within that he’s been able to occupy himself reasonably well by eavesdropping on the various conversations being held by other patrons holed up there. Frightened people like to talk to take their mind off their fears, he’s finding.

Still, it’s boring. He’s learned a great deal of village gossip and heard a lot of talk about missing people, but there isn’t really anything to do here aside from insert himself into people’s card games or drink cheap wine that does nothing for him. He probably will ditch at some point.

But that doesn’t mean he’s about to volunteer to be someone’s babysitter. When the young man sidles up to him while he’s seated at the bar, he aims an emotionless look his way.]

You’re free to leave by yourself, kid, [he points out.] I certainly won’t stop you.

[escardos]

Oh, come on, that's no fun.

[ that's a much more subdued reaction than what flat was expecting. the young man leans back against the bar, arms crossed against his chest as he returns the man's deadpan look with with a curious glance. ]

What are you doing here that you can't be doing over there? [ a pause. ] And if it's drinking, can't you do that after?

alenroux

[baltimores]

[ And in return for his rambling series of questions, Flat receives a flat stare. ]

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

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

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

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

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

[ A friend they could make... what even... ]

[escardos]

Lot's of people say that I have too much energy or that I can never relax. [ seemingly unshaken by any of the comments, flat says this almost like as if it were a compliment. ]

But how can you sit still in such a cool place like this? This is what explorers must feel when they're deep in ruins. I could be like a magical Alan Grant, but with less dinosaurs and more magical creatures.

[ even for a mage, phantasmal beasts are no longer a common sight. therefore, for them to be so close to him now... well, it's hard for someone that's as curious as flat to not be excited. ]

You don't think so?

springstar wildcard

[tattooism]

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

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

[escardos]

Miss!

[ flat's eyes widen in surprise as he watches the scrolls around her begin falling on the ground. always the good(?) samaritan, flat wastes no time in getting down on his knees to start picking up as many of the scrolls as his arms can hold.

blue eyes lock with her, giving her a look over just to make sure that nothing's terribly wrong with her. ]

Are you okay?!

2 alenroux

[corvidant]

[ Ah, Alenroux. From what he's managed to gather so far, that will be the place to go for... a workout, once his powers have returned. The shuddering cries outside, the promise of monsters to tear up to shreds, the words of praise and gratitude from the locals as a welcome bonus... Yes, he could get used to it. But only when he can play it relatively safe.

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

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

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

So if you're looking for a bodyguard-- [ A quick scan from head to toe tells him yes, this hyperactive nuisance is definitely a new arrival like himself. ] --I'd suggest resorting to Communion. I've had better luck that way.

[escardos]

As nice as a bodyguard would be in some other occasions, that's not really what I'm looking for. [ flat shakes his head, wondering if he had said something weird to be interpreted in this manner. ] I'm hoping for something more like a friend or a partner!

[ because adventuring on your own isn't nearly as fun as adventuring together! especially when you're adventuring with someone that has better physical skills than you! ]

Besides, just because they're not human doesn't mean that they're monsters. Would you like it if I called you a monster? I don't think so! [ a pause. ] Oh, but if you were, I wouldn't mind. I think that's totally fine!

2

[hauntedking]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean.

[ He does sense the shift in tone, honestly. But he's trying not to be too direct about it himself. ]

And I'm not entirely sure it's a suggestion that would catch on, either...

[ This guy is a little strange, isn't he? ]

[escardos]

[ he tilts his head to the side, still smiling. ]

Oh, haha, I guess you don't see it, huh? [ well, it's not like flat sees it the way he used to see it before arriving here, but... ] What's a suggestion you think would catch on, though? How about an open forum?

2: alenroux!

[appeale]

[ unfortunately, it may seem fairly obvious that Flat has found someone even less suited to offensive skills than him: Rudbeckia is a delicate-looking young woman, with fine gold-spun hair and rosy cheeks, who moves with elegance and a noble bearing. someone who looks like a doll brought to life, or the illustration of a fairytale princess. she laughs in a soft, warm voice at his efforts to cajole her. ]

Um... The monsters that are left in this area don't really want to be friends so much.

[ so exhausting, honestly. why does she still have to do this? well, it's not like she can imagine how else she can behave, short of holing herself up in Set's temple for the rest of her life. she really only wanted to come out here and check on the remaining monster population, since it's been a while. now she's stuck with this guy? ]

I-I can communicate with them, so... all the ones that are friendly, I helped move to a safer place a while ago. [ a pause. ] They do eat people, too. Even the nice ones.

[ If you want to get eaten, don't drag me into it. ]

springstar. we meet again.

[lockedon]

[ It's not like he really cares one way or another how the various presenters give their speech. He's no public speaker himself, never has been and never will be, so whatever methods they choose to use are fine by him.

So he can't really complain when some kid next to him pipes up with his concerns, even if Eustace is pretty sure there are more important things to be focusing on than facial mucles? He glances over, one eyebrow raising. ]

Why don't you suggest it to him yourself after he's done?

[ Cut out the middleman (middlebox??) and all that. ]