kenosooc | JANUARY TDM + SETTING UPDATES

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

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ And lead the way he does, and happily! But as Matt's thoughts (and his gaze) drift towards Tezcatlipoca's divinity, it's roughly the same thing on his mind. He takes a moment to take a long drag of his cigarette, then exhales the smoke off to the side before he speaks again. ]

Do got a question, though. Since we got some walkin' to do to get up outta the roots.

[ He points that cigarette at Matt, and though it's still casual like everything about him seems to be... There's a little part of his gaze that's sharper. It's like he's trying to read an answer from Matt's face alone. ]

You recognized my name. And you're takin' that awfully well.

[ His attention drifts down obviously, which might be a little embarrassing, considering... But he lands on looking at Matt's hands, perhaps oddly. ]

No problems with meeting a god in the flesh?

[ 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.

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.

[ 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.

But not capital-W “Witch”? Actually, nah, nevermind, if you’re thinkin’ of yourself as one, definitely different.

[ He waves his hand dismissively, since truly, he might know about the intricacies of magic and all the caveats and regimenting around them, but it’s not worth getting into. He has a better feeling now with these little clarifications that they’re not from the same world, and that’s what matters for his more vicious interests. That, and Matt doesn’t want to get sucked into a conversation about magic in the Fate/ universe. Or maybe he does. But I’m trying to save him from it, just trust me,,, ]

Well, witch or Witch, you've gotta have some interesting stories by chatting with the kinds of things that would be listening. Any particularly good ones?

[ Matt always wants to talk about magic, but frankly that doesn't mean people should indulge him. If the conversation becomes inevitable, there's no shame in FTBing on lore and coming back later.

In the meantime, Matt considers with a curious smile. The difference between witch and Witch is audible, but not immediately comprehensible; Matt stows it away to chew on later, and he tries to think if he has any exciting magical stories that are appropriate to share. ]

Well, I--

I mean most of the time, it's less chatting and more asking for the energy or insight to empower my own projects. I've talked to a few ghosts, though. I've noticed that I encounter way more spirits now than I did before I learned I could do magic, [ a pause for breath, as he makes his way up a steep patch, ] which could be because I'm attracting them, or because now I know how to listen.

Little column A, little column B, probably. Not everyone can hear ghosts, so naturally, they'd be drawn to someone that can. Being a wandering spirit like that can be hella lonely.

[ why does this god use slang so much, don't worry about it ]

Oh— Hold that thought. You're gonna have a hell of view in a second here.

[ And as they emerge from the roots, Tezcatlipoca's gentle warning is one that's well-earned. It's dizzying and beautiful at the base of this massive, ethereal tree. Many cultures have a concept of a World Tree, and envisioning it, it would have to look like this. The bough stretch out far, and it's impossible to see the top of the tree through the kaleidoscope of colorful leaves. The trunk is so big that it's hard to tell just how big around it even is. Further still, the sky surrounding them is all stars—the deep nebulas of a truly dark sky, yet the stars and the tree itself provides plenty of light to see.

Tezcatlipoca, for his part, isn't so interested. He's already been through this once, after all, and there's not much in the way of natural wonder for him. It's kind of like knowing the tricks of a magician—When you're the guy doing the tricks, the wonder kind of fades.

He clicks his tongue in a bit of annoyance to see that they're still on their own, but it turns to a thoughtful sound as he sees a neat package waiting nearby. He ambles over while Matt is doubtlessly processing the sight and he picks up the little card tucked into the top. He only gives it the briefest skim, just seeing that some guy called Sebastian is helpful and leaving stuff for new arrivals, so, sure, that works. He tucks the note into his pocket, then lifts up the small bundle. ]

Well, no dice on someone hanging around, but looks like it's still your lucky day.

Yeah, [ Matt's agreeing, right before Tezcatlipoca cuts him off, ] and I try to help with the loneliness when I c--

[ He'd've shushed when shushed in any case, but "hell of a view" works nicely as a carrot. Matt bookmarks what he'd been about to say about easing the loneliness of beings who miss having physical bodies, hustling curiously to follow Tezcatlipoca out from the close cluster of roots. He emerges from the tangle of bark, looks up--

And all thoughts abandon him.

Matt says, on a soft exhale that sounds almost like it hurts: ]

Oh.

[ He's experienced things like this when he casts spells. Not all the time, but often enough to feel like he's in a familiar place. Stars and eternal roots, up and down twining into riotous harmony. A place that's unspeakably vast, but still small enough to hold you. Matt stares up into the rainbow of leaves, trying to find the top of the tree--and can't. He breathes in, deep as he can accept the air, and lets it out very slowly.

When Tezcatlipoca turns back to look at him, Matt's fully slumped to the ground and is sitting cross-legged, head tipped back, jacket pooled around his legs about an inch from indecency. When he hears Tezcatlipoca's voice, Matt returns sharply to earth ... as it were. He's smiling, but his eyes are just the slightest bit wobbly. ]

Oh, hey ...

Please tell me there's soap or underwear in there.

[ Tezcatlipoca doesn’t interrupt as Matt takes in the sight. There’s no rush, as far as he’s concerned, and yeah, it’s pretty incredible. Matt might be too enraptured by the sight to catch it, but there is a moment where Tezcatlipoca’s seemingly permanent, laid-back kind of smirk softens, but it is only a moment and little more. It may not be in the sort of warm way of Quetzalcoatl, but Tezcatlipoca loves humanity too.

But by the time he does speak up again, he’s back to normal. He’s digging through the little parcel to see what the kind stranger left, but on second thought, he just tosses it to Matt with a laugh. ]

No dice on soap, but they at least left a towel and some water to help clean ya up a little bit. Looks like there’s some clothes and food too.

[ It may just be extremely shelf-stable snacks like trail mix and jerky, but it’s also delicious. Sebastian couldn’t do anything halfway if he tried… And after strong consideration of whether he would or not, there is indeed underwear. Congrats!! ]

[ Matt perks right up when he hears the word "towel." He bats down the bundle more than he catches it, but as far as he's concerned, same difference. He starts rifling through, setting the towel and water aside and examining the rest of the contents. (Underwear!) ]

This is awesome, [ Matt says, glancing back to Tezcatlipoca with a grin. It feels like when you leave a cache for people hiking a dangerous trail. Is that a real thing? He's not outdoorsy. ] Well, ah ... just a minute, then.

Turn around if you don't want to see anything.

[ He'd normally be a little more discreet, but Tezcatlipoca 1) is an immortal deity and 2) has seen him naked in the very recent past. Matt sheds the jacket, folding it neatly, and takes up the water and towel to make his best attempt at sponging himself off. Though he doesn't mind being regarded, he also doesn't look up to see whether Tezcatlipoca is actually watching him.

He spends a little while fumbling with the clothes, which seem designed to tie and cinch in a number of places to accommodate various body shapes. Very cool and thoughtful, but slightly bewildering when it comes to the ideal loops and wraparounds. Matt ends up feeling like he's got it right. Everything seems to hang in the right way. There is a keyhole in the chest, though? The edge of the Anahata is peeking out, now crystalline green instead of inked. ]

Okay. [ He pockets the snacks, keeping one stick of jerky in hand to munch on now. And he hands Tezcatlipoca his jacket back. ] I might be presentable.

[ He's largely free of visible dirt and sap, at least! His hair and skin are a bit damp, but he's sure it'll resolve with a bit of walking. ]

Ha— [ He breathes out a laugh full of smoke, then waves a hand Matt's way. ] Ain't nothin' I didn't already see, but yeah, yeah, take your time.

[ It's less politeness and more indifference, but Tezcatlipoca does turn his back to Matt. He'll take the time to finish off the cigarette he's been nursing, and his own gaze ends up turned to the starscape that fills the sky. He seems to be deep in thought as he looks out at it. He'd been a bit more concerned with his own deal the first time he'd crawled out of the soil here, but now that he has a moment to really take it in—

...Daybit would dig this, he thinks. It's easy to imagine how his eyes would light up to see the stars. Nevermind what being here would mean for him or their plans with the Lostbelt. It would just be something Tezcatlipoca is sure he would commit to his memories.

So, he's a little glad when the thoughtfulness that he's drifting to is broken up by Matt finishing up. His neutral and distant expression brightens easily as he turns back around, and he whistles out an appreciative note. ]

Oh, not bad at all. Your mysterious benefactor's at least got some sense of style.

[ mysterious like he wasn't holding the notecard... there's not even a reason for tezcatlipoca to withhold this, he's just being annoying...

He takes the jacket back and shrugs it back on, and he's quick to repocket his cigarettes and lighter. The one that he's smoking is about done too, so he tosses it to the ground and snubs out the ember underneath his boot. ]

Well, if you're good, on we go. Still got a lot of walking to do to get down to Kowloon, so, same shit. Walk and talk. And I guess you'll see Springstar along the way too, since that's where we gotta go first.

[ The whistle gets a tiny grin from Matt, crooked and pleased. A vote of confidence is at least as good as a full-length mirror, especially since Matt's used to wearing pants and this getup is more of a robe deal. ]

I'm good, [ he confirms. ] I like to walk. [ And it's not like he has anywhere else to be, except these places where the fate of the cosmos will evidently be decided. Matt takes a bite of jerky. ] And my mystery benefactor's seen fit to supply me with protein, so ... onward and downward.

[ Matt is, however, looking up every chance he gets. Gazing into the hyper-dark that makes the distant celestial bodies gleam brighter, he has the same feeling that magic and intimacy often evoke: a greedy sense of wanting to memorize each particular so it can be summoned again later. To date, he has never succeeded at this. But even the end of the world can't stop him from trying. ]

... What were we talking about before? [ he says, after a long beat. ] Ghosts?

[ Tezcatlipoca nods, and again he begins to lead the way. Their first stop isn't far, at least. Have to head to the Cornerstone first to hop off this "island" and onto the next. Granted, he's also thinking at the moment that he's sure that a slippery fuck like Silco has to have a Cornerstone already down in Kowloon, which would make this whole thing go a lot quicker, but. He also wouldn't give that up so easily, no matter how much he'd quickly gotten a liking for him. Ah, well. ]

Yeah, ghosts. Mostly that they're lonely, but y'know, I'm not going to complain if you'd rather change the topic to all of this.

[ He gestures broadly to the world around them. ]

Kind of more of a shock to the system, clearly.

[ 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?

...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.

[ 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?

[ There’s no familiar iconography on the rock, but the carvings certainly suit the location. It’s all general artistry reflecting the tree—boughs of branches, leaves, vines. It’s very pretty, at least! ]

Nah, luckily not. They make it easy. Don’t even have to pick a side to use the magic or whatever, just have to get someone to show you how to do it.

[ He walks up to the boulder and places one hand on it, then offers the other for Matt to take. If Matt hadn’t noticed before (and definitely not that I forgot to call it out—), now it’s hard to miss another small, interesting detail about the god. He has nails that are painted back and well-manicured. It’s not the domain he’s known for (at all), but he is a god of beauty as well, so. He cares a lot about his personal appearance. ]

Which, ain’t much to it. You just kinda visualize where you want to go, simple as that. Hard part is just doing the exploring to figure out those places.

[ Matt takes Tezcatlipoca's hand. He's not sure what he expects from his grip--whether he anticipates unusual heat, or obsidian smoothness, or the ghostly sensation of fur--but he's surprised and intrigued by the black nail polish.

For Matt's part, his grip is fluent and sure, though not terribly firm. As he contemplates teleporting from one place to another, however, his fingers tighten their hold slightly. ]

I like exploring, [ he says. ] I just hope I have time. [ Before the world ends again? Before he's thrown in a boxing ring with some other seedling person? He's not sure, which is itself discomfiting. ] For now, do I think about anything in particular? You ...?

[ His hand is just a hand—perfectly human in every way, because that’s the way he’d cheated to manifest at all. He’s a divine soul shoved into a human vessel. Though at least one benefit of being such a powerful god and tied to creation is that he’d been able to craft that vessel to his preferences… So, while his grip is firm and confident (or maybe just making sure he holds onto Matt tightly as they go), his skin is soft and only very lightly calloused. ]

You’ve got all the time in the world. Trust me.

[ Tezcatlipoca doesn’t exactly elaborate on that, but the way he says it feels a bit more insistent than simply a platitude. It’s not any special knowledge of his, though. It’s just his divine perspective on life and a distaste for anyone that would waste it. He’d never exactly loved how fatalistic the Aztecs were, after all. But, lest he get into any of that (which is boring, he hates sounding preachy), he moves on without skipping a beat. ]

Anyways, you don’t have to think about anything. Me? I’m thinking of the square right outside what passes for city hall, since there’s a big Cornerstone there. You just have it in mind, think about manifesting there, and—

[ The process isn’t actually anything showy at all. Unlike spells that are learned after Harmonizing, there’s no confluence of Meridian or Zenith that empowers this magic. It’s something more innate to this world than that, and it’s very quick, but akin to the feeling of wind enveloping the body, a blink of an eye, and then— ]

See? Easy.

[ Because here they are in the center of the very warm, sunny city of Springstar just before Heliopolis. The immediate impression of the city around them is Mediterranean, from the architecture to the scent of the sea on the air, and it’s a full, bustling city. ]

[ Matt meant should I think about you, but he decides not to press the point. Tezcatlipoca's answer is interesting and informative. And regardless of what Matt should or shouldn't do, it's hard not to think about someone while you're touching them. It's hard, in fact, to think properly about anything else.

(All the time in the world, huh.

It sounds comforting coming from Tezcatlipoca. On the other hand, how much time is there left in the world?)

Matt means not to close his eyes through the process. But before he can think about it, he's blinking them open onto bright sunshine. People, all kinds of people, hurrying to and fro like they didn't just claw their way up from the earth. Like the world didn't just end, after all. The scent of the ocean swirls around him on a gentle breeze.

Matt's fingers, smooth from regular moisturizing and utterly uncalloused, are still wrapped around Tezcatlipoca's as his gaze sweeps around. The architecture looks somewhat familiar, warm-hued buildings with windows that gaze down like friendly eyes. Matt's gaze is drawn inevitably, however, to the most commanding point of skyline: an edifice of towering marble and gold, and branching from it--incredibly--a tree. ]

Whoa.

[ As soon as they arrive, Tezcatlipoca pulls his sunglasses off his head and back into place, but at least here it makes much more sense. With two suns in the sky, sunny is an understatement for Springstar, and it’s not something that’s totally comfortable for him. It’s like an itch you can’t quite scratch, not harmful, but definitely annoying. ]

Pretty cool, right? Springstar ain’t my style, but I’ll give ‘em points for flair.

[ He also doesn’t try to pull his hand away from Matt’s, at least not yet. He’s still getting his bearings, so it’s no big deal. He’s not exactly touch-averse himself, so he doesn’t mind. ]

But go ahead and take it in, since we’re going [ Tezcatlipoca taps one of his boots against the street beneath them ] down under it. Ain’t much in the way of sights down there until we get to Kowloon proper.

[ Matt sucks in a deep breath, chasing the sea air. Then he breathes again, with a little more intent this time: taking time to feel his lungs fill, to feel his feet underneath him. To feel the ground flowing away below, the soon-to-be-explored place Tezcatlipoca's promised hidden like a honeycomb.

His shoulders drop. His spine uncurls. When he realizes he's still holding onto Tezca, he gently releases him. And he thinks something like:

Hey, strange new world. Nice to meet you. ]

Okay. [ He glances back to Tezcatlipoca, meeting his now-mirrored gaze with a smile. ] I'm sure I'll want to wander around here more, but ... I can do that later.

Yeah, take your time. And I’m sure there’ll be plenty of other people—Shard-Bearers, I mean—that’d be quick to give you the tour. Maybe ‘cause they got somethin’ to sell, so to speak, but you’ll see all that.

[ Tezcatlipoca waves his hand dismissively, but after that, he starts to walk in what seems like an essentially random direction. He has to head to the specific alley that Silco had shown him, though. His mind is sharp, and he’s certain he can navigate to Kowloon no problem, but he’d have to do more exploring of his own to pick just any entrance to the area below. ]

And just imagine the total opposite, and that’s Highstorm for ya—where Zenith sets up camp. Eternal night, cold and snowy, less people. Ain’t bad either, but I prefer the warm.

[ Matt's lips twitch at "something to sell," though he doesn't comment. Just follows along after Tezcatlipoca, doing his best to memorize the route he's taking. Matt knows a spell for enhancing memory and sense of direction, but typically he'd cast with a string and a sprig of mint. For now, he sticks to mundane methods.

(Is there mint here? Matt feels a small pang of grief as the thought occurs to him. Maybe the last time he crushed one a fragrant mint leaf into his tea is the last the universe will ever see of it.) ]

Very hot and cold of them, [ he notes. Curious, but a little distant. ] I do like seeing everything in bloom, but winter has its charms too. You get rest, clarity of thought. Excuses to cuddle up to people.

[ Tezcatlipoca nods along at first, since he agrees with the first part more than the last. It makes perfect sense for him as a god, though, considering the area he oversaw. It wasn’t exactly a place that really got cold regularly, even in the depths of winter. He’s a tropical climate kind of guy, so Springstar is more his vibe in that sense.

However, weather aside, Matt’s last little comment is the one he latches onto. The trickster aspect comes out much more, because he can’t resist a chance to tease when it’s offered to him on a silver platter. He tosses a sly, cheeky grin Matt’s way. ]

Oh, yeah? You a cuddler?

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