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beleos ([personal profile] beleos) wrote in [community profile] kenosooc2023-03-10 03:37 pm
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MARCH 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 looking down, and they spill forth as if 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.

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. 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.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. 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.


TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY
With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that 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 small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.

Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. 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.

Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's warmer climate -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, a series of meze platters and souvlaki skewers have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is light, ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings.

However, those who have attended the forum in the past or simply have a sharp eye may notice: food doesn’t flow as freely in a feast-like setting as before. It’s more subdued in presentation and portion because as you may hear, the Blight (see below) is an affliction that’s been affecting the food stores of Springstar and Highstorm both. The Meri are nervous about this and blame it on the Zenites since they had won the Oracle on the Scorching Isles (January's event) and with it, punished the Meridian, even if unintentionally. As such, those who are notable Zenites or who wear their allegiance openly may not be treated as kindly. The military also seems to be more present at the forum. These two things are related, as it turns out, because only a few days after the new Shard-Bearers arrive, an invasion will begin.

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Formality is of utmost importance here, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface.

There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies 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.

The mood of Highstorm is subdued as always, but still seems to be pleasant and joyous thanks to claiming the Oracle in the Scorching Isles. The Blight may be affecting the city and causing plants and the like to die, but there’s admittedly not much of it to be seen with Highstorm’s harsh winters. Maybe they’re not hit as badly as Springstar, or maybe they just haven’t noticed yet. Only time will tell. But regardless, notable Meri or those that wear their allegiance more openly will be treated politely, but perhaps with a little condescension. Highstorm is one step closer to winning than Springstar, after all.


para bellum (the occupation of alenroux)
A few days after new Shard-Bearers arrive, the word spreads quickly as the campaign begins: Meridian is invading Alenroux.

To those who have Harmonized with Meridian, they’ll be contacted by Cyrus through Communion 48 hours before the invasion begins. As he explains, Springstar is a city that depends on Alenroux far more than Highstorm (because of its much larger population), and with Alenroux currently under Zenite control, it’s imperative that they make sure that Zenith isn’t able to cut off access and cause a famine for Springstar. Zenith won’t be denied access to Alenroux or its bounty either, he makes that clear. This is just a matter of being proactive in their defense to protect their people. For the Meridian, their goals in supporting this effort are clear:

  • Create secure outposts. Well-built, defensible outposts are needed, so anyone who can assist with building efforts, and quickly are appreciated.
  • Defend the outposts and the Meri soldiers at large. Alenroux is still dangerous because of the monsters, and soldiers will be staying overnight. Fighting off monsters is something that will also eventually make Alenroux inhabitable.
  • Prevent Zenith interference. Highstorm surely won’t be happy about this, so make sure that the soldiers and the outposts are protected from Zenites just as much as from the monsters that roam the lands.
And indeed, the invasion and occupation does come as a surprise to Highstorm. While they had noted the increased training of Springstar’s military, it was assumed to be in preparation for the intensified tensions of losing the first Oracle, not something as bold as an open act of war like this.

It takes some time for Yima to learn more about the events herself, but Zenith will also be contacted through Communion. With the air of a disappointed mother, she’ll explain that Meridian’s choice is regrettable since she thought they would be better than this. Yima explains that there’s no need to turn Alenroux into an open warzone and cut off both cities from their breadbasket. Instead, she lays out the following direction to gently break Meridian’s spirit first before turning to open hostilities:

  • Collect information. Where are the outposts, how many soldiers are assigned to them, and what are their general movements. Scouting and spying will be valuable. Learning more about the Meri Shard-Bearers’ capabilities while they’re fighting creatures rather than Zenites is also useful.
  • Create dissent. The people that work and visit Alenroux regularly have mixed feelings about the occupation unless they’re Meridian loyalists. Making the campaign unpopular with the people can push Meridian back without needing to raise a finger.
  • Sabotage. But don’t get caught doing it, at least for now. Whether breaking defenses or leading more powerful monsters to the encampments, it’s best to break morale before needing to fight back openly.
If you’re unharmonized when all of this begins, then you’ll be finding out about it with the general populace. However, it’s a good opportunity to learn what a faction is about in a more hands-on way. Though you may not be privy to their private, factional discussions, both sides will still welcome the help of those still yet to decide.


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 the meet-and-greet has 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.

THE BLIGHT

During the events of the Scorching Isles, Shard-Bearers encountered an affliction upon the island and unintentionally brought it back to Highstorm and Springstar with them. Known simply as “the Blight,” this condition steals time from the things it infects. It most frequently infects inanimate objects and will cause them to rot or degrade rapidly (such as a piece of metal rusting within hours) but is able to infect living things as well. Most notably, the Blight is infecting plants and animals in the two cities. Plants both decorative and necessary will wither and die, and small animals grow sick and die seemingly of old age. This has been seen in small amounts throughout the past month OOC but is greatly increased in frequency in March and beyond.
FURTHER DETAILS
  • Within the NPC populace, there’s a low-grade fear of the Blight intensifying and being able to infect larger animals/the people. There’s no evidence of this yet, but Shard-Bearers that were on the Scorching Isles will know this is possible.
  • Some characters will be aware that the rare, blue flowers that grow in the barren portions of World’s End (February’s event location) seem to reduce the effects of the detrimental effects of the Oracle and the Blight. Because of some drops of characters that knew this information, you can assume that characters are able to learn this information if they’re interested enough to dig into it.
  • Dr. Julia Melnik of Springstar is openly researching cures for the Blight and will recruit anyone interested to be research assistants to test formulations of cures on afflicted plants/creatures. You can handwave these interactions and use them for prompt(s), if you’d like!
  • Finally, if curing the Blight is something your character would specifically be interested in, please note it in your Character Survey so that the Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.

THE OCCUPATION OF ALENROUX

As mentioned above, Meridian has launched a surprise invasion and occupation of Alenroux. Because Meridian was able to successfully keep their efforts a secret throughout the months (!) they’ve been planning this, Zenith will not be able to repel their advances… Immediately, at least. After roughly a week OOC from this log’s posting, the Meridian outposts in Alenroux will be stable and will change the island in the following ways:
FURTHER DETAILS
  • Outposts have been established in well-chosen, defensible locations throughout the island of Alenroux. They’re clustered more heavily closer to the Cornerstone and are non-existent in the more dangerous Northern portion of the island where little farming is done anyways.
  • Meridian soldiers will be always staying in the camps and outposts. For now, they’re a more supervisory force that are protecting the farmlands of Alenroux. During the day cycle, the military will respond with hostility to anyone that threatens the farms. If your character would antagonize or outright fight Meridian military, please contact a Loremaster, since this will have repercussions! Otherwise, the soldiers will assist workers and visitors to Alenroux in a professional manner.
  • During the night cycle, the military will defend their outposts from monsters and make occasional offensive excursions to reduce the threat of monsters. The secondary goal of the Meridian military is also to make Alenroux a place that people can live, though this is a longer term effort.
  • Meridian Shard-Bearers will be strongly encouraged to assist with the effort. “Assist” is purposefully defined broadly so that characters can help in whatever way suits them. Scouting, building, monster killing, or just morale improving are all valid ways that will gain favor with their faction and may lead to further opportunity. For now, abstaining will not have consequences, but may in the future.
  • Zenith Shard-Bearers will be treated with suspicion in Alenroux and are not allowed to approach any of the Meridian outposts, or at least not without triggering a fight. The military will not outright attack Zenites (unless provoked) and essentially encouraged to move along. However, they may wish to gather information about the outposts and Meridian forces to attempt to push back against the occupation.
  • Unharmonized Shard-Bearers are not treated with hostility, but similar to Zeniths will not be allowed to enter any of the encampments.
  • If your character has an interest in continuing or stopping the occupation, please note it in your Character Survey so that Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.
If Zenith would like to repel these advances, this is a response that will be purely in player hands (but will be assisted by Zenite NPCs, of course!). If they want to reclaim Alenroux, they can, or they can simply let Meridian continue. It’s up to you! This is something that Zenite players should discuss both IC and OOC, and if this plot develops further, Loremasters will help facilitate the ongoing conflict as a part of our changing game environment.

SMALLER CHANGES

HIGHSTORM: GREENWOOD YARDS Considering the affliction that threatens the well-being of flora and small fauna alike, the greenhouses are far more discerning with those who are permitted inside its gates, afraid of the contagion affecting the precious, invaluable greenery of long-dead worlds. After the occupation of Alenroux, Meridian will be outright turned away, and while Zenith possesses no formal military or police, the greenskeepers appear to be prepared to defend their property with physical force should it come to that. Unharmonized are still allowed inside. The rest of the Yard beyond the greenhouses are still open to all factions.

And though it may seem an odd place for such a gathering, the indoor bathhouse at the far end of the Yards appears to be gaining popularity for mysterious reasons; if asked, none of the locals will explain the abrupt uptick in visitation. But should you investigate yourself, the reason why becomes apparent through experience: the tea served by the attendants here has changed properties. Should you be a Zenite, you will be served a cup that decreases your body's natural need for food and drink for 24 hours - an effort to test a concoction to relieve the need to deplete resources and lessen the city's reliance on Alenroux. Should you be a Meridian, the tea you're served will increase your appetite a considerable degree even if you normally do not require sustenance, and you will find yourself unfulfilled even if you are unwise and eat yourself to the point of illness; this lasts for 24 hours. The Unharmonized will find the tea might make them vaguely woozy, and either cause mild increase or decrease in appetite.
KOWLOON: DRAUMAHOL (cw: drugs)
    Those that frequent Kowloon may have heard about the sudden disappearance of the former owner and operator of the drug den Draumahol, though it was only really noted because of the business being closed for a few days. Practically unheard of, since the desperate of Highstorm and Springstar come to Draumahol for their various fixes that are a little more taboo on the surface. But, never fear. After a brief closure, Draumahol reopens.

    While it may not be obvious early in the month, it'll be increasingly so that Draumahol is under new management. Those that frequent the business enough will be able to figure out that the new owner is Silco (or, if you personally know him, it's fairly obvious). If you would like to plot anything regarding Draumahol, we encourage reaching out to Silco's player, Jill!
SPRINGSTAR: THE CHURCH After the loss of the first Oracle, the Church of Heliopolis has been busy tending to its flock as the numbers coming to seek comfort swell. The gatherings aren't formal "services" so much as they're chances for people to come together and inspire each other with their homes and dreams of home. One formal process that does stick out though is that with each "service" one member will tap into the world shown in their sunbeam and open their minds to Communion. Anyone that wishes to can also experience this member's home, see their friends, loved ones, and the sights. It's a intimate bonding activity, but seems to be very cathartic for those that partake.

Additionally, those that come by the Church frequently enough to be known faces at the "services" may also be approached by priests and priestesses and invited to join in smaller ceremonies. Always taking place during Springstar's dawn or dusk, these ceremonies have a markedly different vibe and are lead by Hieropoios Natalia herself. Attending these ceremonies is an exclusive honor that will reduce attendees' Discord and has a subtly addictive quality that will encourage them to return. Hm!
OOC NOTES
  • Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all new players need an invite to apply to the game, which are now open.
  • This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this sometimes happens since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They may return to Kenos one day, but for now, weren’t able to make the full journey.
  • As a note primarily for current players, closed toplevels/prompts are not allowed in this log. If you would like to interact with the setting changes in a way that isn't open to all characters (new and old), we ask that you instead make a log in [community profile] kenoslogs.
  • As a general reminder, any new characters that choose Zenith will receive a bonus 2 AC token reward, which is a purely OOC incentive. Our factions are a bit imbalanced at the moment, so we'd appreciate more Zenites!

  • 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.
  • 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 Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities 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 Navigation page and check out the locations!
  • 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
    erbe: (100)

    [personal profile] erbe 2023-03-14 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Oh my. Did she hit a nerve? The change in how he approaches this conversation is palpable. Tohsaka leans into the backrest of the lounging chair as she considers her options.]

    I'm not sure, actually. I find it difficult to trust both of them.

    [Or anyone, really. Rin settles in the chair in a way that there's room if he'd like to take up space next to her, but she doesn't explicitly invite him.]
    bakedapple: (Default)

    [personal profile] bakedapple 2023-03-14 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ The pressure is on, then. Link does not let up, although the more he presses, the longer he lingers in Dimitri's striking range. It's risky, this strategy — fishing for an opening means baiting him into committing to an attack. An attack that could very easily hit him.

    But Link has does this before, too many times to count. The only real unknown variable here is Dimitri himself, a human opponent instead of one of Ganon's monsters. Gripping his training sword tightly, he dashes in even faster now, choosing to take his shot, sword raising above his head in the beginning of a swift downward swipe at Dimitri's forward hand.
    ]
    vallt: (49)

    can't believe autocorrect made up a wholeass word in my last tag and i only just now caught it 😂

    [personal profile] vallt 2023-03-14 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
    [this man, though he won't stop talking, isn't the worst of people she's encountered today, and his sales pitch (because that's what this is) isn't the worst, either; at least he's appealing to something that makes sense, rather than some ideological abstract she couldn't give less of a bantha's shit about, and that's what keeps her standing here, listening as she grabs a roll and takes a bite out of it, instead of walking away.

    but, in the end, it still is what it is.

    that's what everything's been for the majority of her life: people talking at her, wanting one thing or another. nothing's ever going to change, and she's exhausted.

    too exhausted for anything but getting straight to the point.]


    Doing something with that. [a person who cared more than her would've kept the derision out out of her tone, but she doesn't bother to hide it.] You mean swearing my allegiance based only on someone's word, in the hope that they actually have our best interests at heart. Is that it?
    bakedapple: (Default)

    [personal profile] bakedapple 2023-03-14 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ They're even, then, as far as Link is concerned. He hadn't grabbed from Dark's place out of retribution, but in a desire for fairness. As Dark asks further about him, Link takes a huge bite from the corn and chews, slowly, as he further ponders this man and his barrage of strange statements and questions. He thinks he's a "villager" or whatever? That's fine. It's probably reasonable for a "master sorcerer" to say that. It's not like Link has given him any reason to suspect otherwise. ]

    ...No. [ finally, an answer, after swallowing down that big bite of corn. ] I've only recently come to this world, but... I think I'm going to stay here. In Springstar. What about you?
    helloween: (003🫀)

    [personal profile] helloween 2023-03-14 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
    I don't either.

    [ The words right out of his mouth actually. What's shitty about their situation is that they're forced to pick to begin with. As fluffy and warm as either of their leaders try and spin it, Dark has always defaulted to handling things by his own means. To not have magic until he harmonizes is insulting. When power is nearly everything to him, he's still struggling to admit that he has none at the moment. ]

    Could flip a coin, I guess.

    [ He looks at the space on the couch, then to her. Then back to the space again. Is he even allowed to sit? Her insults from before seem to have made him strangely obedient and cautious. Is she still mad at him?]
    erbe: (233)

    [personal profile] erbe 2023-03-14 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Heh. She takes notice of how his eyes flit about. As if asking permission. It causes a particularly devilish smile to tug at the corners of her lips.]

    Hoh? Too scared to ask for permission now?
    bakedapple: (fanart // profile)

    [personal profile] bakedapple 2023-03-14 04:22 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ It's not very often that Link finds himself taller than someone else. Not unless the person is a child... which, he discovers to in fact be the case when he glances downward at the voice. Whoever this girl is, her clothing and manner of speech suggest a high place in society. Even if she weren't leaning on a crutch, Link would feel inclined to humor her request. ]

    Sure. What would you like? [ He points to a platter of meatballs stewed in some sort of savory, dark red sauce. It's the dish he was standing directly in front of when she called out to him. ] This? The meatballs?
    helloween: (022🫀)

    😭😭😭 ............................. noooooo!!!!!

    [personal profile] helloween 2023-03-14 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ What's she sealing stuff away for, and why should people fear her? For what possible reason? Hm. Things as they are, Dark can't possibly know, but his arrogance also prevents him from exercising any caution anyway. Maybe that'll be of comfort to Veyle too. Though he's certainly withholding the dirty details of his past, he'll also never fear her should she reveal herself to be a monster, demon, angel, or god. ]

    We were lucky we just happened to be here at the same time.

    [ Is she into him yet? It's only a matter of time, he thinks! ]

    You mentioned Yima being kind earlier. Did you pick Zenith, then? Still haven't decided on my end.
    helloween: (024🫀)

    [personal profile] helloween 2023-03-14 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
    Not scared, just don't want you flipping out on me all of a sudden.

    [ He grumbles this, looking elsewhere. Tohsaka is on another level when she starts randomly cooking up insults like that. Easy lady squeezing out Dark's semen and whatever else? Information, was it? It was so weirdly specific. ]

    You're probably scared of my cooties.
    erbe: It's not cloudy, it's very honest (041)

    [personal profile] erbe 2023-03-14 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
    Hah! So that's what it is! You're sore about what I said, aren't you?

    [If he was still crouching she'd patronizingly pat him atop his head like a dog, but unfortunately he stood up and is towering over her. Instead she just laughs.]

    No, I'm not afraid of you. I just don't want you.
    fellspirit: (006)

    she's a great judge of character

    [personal profile] fellspirit 2023-03-14 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
    I think so. [She gives a small nod. She hasn't fully decided when she still feels like she has more to learn, but already she's starting to feel like her mind is being made up.] I don't know Lady Yima very well yet, but I know that even if my world is restored, it will probably just get destroyed again. It's... better that no one there has to suffer any more.

    [Sombron already hurt so many people. It would be kinder to just let it go, than to have her world, and him, revived along with it. She's not hopeful anything can change its fate now.]

    And I don't want to fight anyone or invade anywhere. I'm scared that if I join Meridian, they'll make me do that... I just want to live in peace.
    bakedapple: (fanart // exhausted)

    [personal profile] bakedapple 2023-03-14 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Thankfully, this person doesn't need to be that strong. She just needs to act as his anchor. Feeling the stranger's fingers, he lets go of her ankle so he can affix his iron grip onto her volunteered hand instead and yank. It provides enough leverage for his head and neck to emerge from the dirt, and then his shoulders and his other arm. ]

    Th-Thank you! I think... [ He bows his head and shakes, sloughing off the dirt covering his eyes and face. Are there words to express the relief and joy he's feeling right now? Of escaping from a potential live burial? With both arms and shoulders freed, he can get himself out now, probably. So he lets go of her hand, presses his palms into the soft ground around him, and heaves himself upward, flailing his legs as he does. It isn't elegant or terribly dignified, but with effort he finally flops onto his back, gasping and tired, his eyes clenched tight with relief. ]

    ...whew... thank you...
    cutlery: (combination of Marts both Wal and K.)

    :florshed: (alenroux, b)

    [personal profile] cutlery 2023-03-14 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Lady Yima’s instructions had been clear enough for Sebastian. She hadn’t wanted bloodshed in return, so that was both easy and fair enough. Sebastian was just as well suited to subterfuge as wicked displays of violence, so he had no problem languidly watching as Meridian made their advances. Like many in Highstorm, he thought that Meridian was maybe not unwise… But short-sighted. It was perfectly mortal of them, really.

    So, as evening fell in Alenroux, he had decided to take a more innocuous form that most of the creatures tended to ignore. A crow in the eaves of the branches pretending to be asleep wasn’t out of place in the slightest. It was only the creatures that could sense that there was something far more than a crow in the branches that bothered him.

    For example, a certain, panther-like creature that had scrambled up the trees after him. With the avian equivalent of a sigh, he had simply taken flight to find a new perch to watch over the encampment, but a guard was unlucky enough to be nearby. The creature may have wanted to pursue Sebastian, but there was far easier, less mobile prey below. So, it pursued.

    Sebastian had quickly found another perch to just watch since naturally, he had no intentions of helping. Only Silco knew the extent of how Sebastian could control his form, so there was no reason to. Watching a human get murdered meant nothing to him. However… A sleek figure that steps forward gets Sebastian to cock his head lightly, and he hops further down the branch to get a better look at this odd figure. He’s quick to return to something human, though still perched nimbly and far too lightly on the branch. He simply doesn’t want to give away his disguise.

    However, he gets more than he expected. Sebastian makes a lightly impressed noise first, and though it’s light, it’s probably enough to be heard. But what makes him smile is the word itself. Possessing perfect, ancient knowledge of language, its meaning isn’t missed. ]


    Ah, we…?

    [ Sebastian speaks lightly since he wasn’t really trying to hide, but clearly, he’s been picked out. So, with a genial laugh that doesn’t fit the situation, he hops down from his perch. He looks to Bondrewd with a curiosity that he doesn’t bother to hide, then to the monster that’s still struggling with now one less limb. ]

    Well, I would offer my apologies for not intervening, but you seemed to have it quite handled on your own.
    dawnlord: (pic#16049733)

    cw brief body horror

    [personal profile] dawnlord 2023-03-14 07:24 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ The guardswoman commits herself to fleeing, a scramble of tired limbs and frightened expression — her mind slowly beginning to catch up with her near-miss with certain death, the foolishness with which she had interacted with a world that did not desire her demise, but would not regret it. Kenos's wildernesses remind him easily of the Abyss, sans the Curse that ran throughout the depths of it — there is more freedom of movement, ascending and descending, that sometimes he forgets that the simple act of cresting a low hill will not reduce other people to vomiting up their own teeth, multiplied into the hundreds.

    The Curse had no hold on him, however. Functionally, it only impacted those ripe with humanity — and Bondrewd, Sovereign of the Dawn, had shed his in the name of progress. All the same, humankind ( life itself, he would say, to be properly inclusive of all the different types of entities in Kenos ) was beloved by him, and to spend the cost of the guardswoman's life so soon was not advised. There was no theorem in place to test her death against, and so he would intervene to spare her. Another time.

    While the pantherine creature rocks and recovers, he takes the moment to turn the soft glow of his helm upon the one who has joined him. By the time it labors into motion, on three legs now instead of two, Bondrewd is speaking once more. Nonplussed, as he nimbly lurches to his left and slips below the sprawling limbs, his tone that of a man who will not wind easily. Or be perturbed. He's not even in the least bit apologetic! ]


    Perhaps so, but I fear if I continue to deal with this creature alone, I will cause more damage than I wish to.

    [ What. ]

    I would like it as whole as possible, in death. That way, I am able to sample and catalogue every inch of it. I am the one who must apologize for volunteering you for such a duty when I assume you would rather reman anon, though I am perfectly willing to keep pace with you, for equity's sake. Set it, sir, and I will follow.

    [ Even as he says it, he's emerging from the tangle of limbs, one hand reaching up to grapple the flow of the beast's tail and dig his heels in, to halt its momentum. Ah ah, there are two gentleman predators here now — ignore the guardswoman, she will soon be safe. ]
    dawnlord: (pic#16275696)

    [personal profile] dawnlord 2023-03-14 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    Wonderful!

    [ There is a brisk formality to the way he approaches, once the other gentleman ( a Meridian, or Unharmonized sympathetic to the Meridian? ) permits him to approach under his watch. The dull thump of his hands applauding as he does so might be charming, if he did not tower dubiously over most of the guards in attendance; a vast, dark void of a man-shaped entity, glowing faintly. He does politely stop, far enough away for comfort but not so far that he has to yell. Bondrewd is not the type who raises his voice. Ever. ]

    There is a location I wish to get to — a high cavern, yonder there. While I am able to haul my own self up to it, there are things within that would not be safe with me taking the same path down. Your architectural achievements — are you able to craft systems with them, or structures? A series of pulleys, perhaps? And a platform.
    eyeforaneye: (002;)

    rambles on

    [personal profile] eyeforaneye 2023-03-14 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ The Below doesn't interest him, but that doesn't mean it doesn't suit him.

    The winding passageways had presented enough of an initial challenge to force him to use those otherworldly eyes of his to extract information on their design, but even focused on his goal of simply navigating them he'd been forced to relive a few unpleasant memories. The stone walls aren't as clean and detailed as those that had made up Orochimaru's newer hideouts, instead better resembling the pits where he'd keep shinobi for experiments and fights. It doesn't endear him to the place more.

    Nor do his first encounters with the actual residents, taking on work for Silco out of his own perceived necessity but he doesn't linger longer than is required. Not until today, driven to do the unpleasant work of exploring the districts he hasn't yet visited. Besides... today has brought with it something new. Today he had another young man following him, another shard-bearer, and one who had tried to play off his tailing as lackadaisical but his apparent newness hadn't left Sasuke's mind.

    Perhaps it's fateful then that he spots him so soon into his own exploration, a blur of movement as he's dragged into an alleyway that soon rings with the familiar sound of knuckles on flesh. And just like that... he's involved. To walk away would be to discard the last lesson he learned before he was brought to this place, and even if his logical mind might allow it his varied web of occasionally contradictory principles wouldn't.

    His steps into the mouth of the alleyway are entirely silent and perhaps that's why the other teen's assailant doesn't react until he's forced to. All at once the attacker is forced away from Stiles with a blast of force that knocks him off-balance and has his feet dragging against the stone below, scrambling to stand fully upright at least two or three yards away. There's no physical evidence of a hit, no wind, nothing tangible at all, just a cloaked figure watching them both impassively before his eye fixes solely on Stiles.

    Who the hell are you, huh? ... You two... You're shard-bearers, aren't you?

    Sasuke allows the man to draw his own paranoid conclusions about whether this is some kind of hustle or teamwork without comment. His stare remains where it was, right on the teen with the punch-reddened face and the angry eyes.
    ]
    skelters: (brokiloen) (Default)

    [personal profile] skelters 2023-03-14 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ the way that bondrewd's words descend into something more clinical and detached won't immediately make themselves apparent to vash; rather, it's the realisation that most of the people present here - the 'shard-bearers', as they keep referring - have lost people dear to them, as well. that's right — he isn't the only one. the thought itself is less comforting than it is a little sickening, a little horrifying to comprehend; all of those worlds, all of those lives, destroyed in the blink of an eye, a thousand thousand voices snuffed out in a single, horrible cry.

    vash feels the cool touch of gloved fingers on his cheek, and tries to blink back the welling tears. he doesn't deserve to cry. he doesn't deserve to be here. ]


    Is there a way to - [ save them? restore things back to the way they were? to reunite father and daughter, families to each other, to people who care and cherish them? ]
    cutlery: (this is how you get a haunting.)

    me still like TEETH? (anyways cw more gore)

    [personal profile] cutlery 2023-03-14 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ It’s immediately clear that this new stranger has no problem with the situation at hand, and so Sebastian just takes an easy step out of the way. He watches and listens, but his curiosity turns a bit sharper as he does. He’s deft at navigating the monster’s blows, almost preternaturally so, and that fact combined with his appearance, well.

    Bondrewd isn’t the only sleek and black monster here, is he? Sebastian just takes on a form that’s more agreeable to interact with. ]


    Very well. Simply hold it there for but a moment, if you would?

    [ Sebastian’s words are light and polite in return to Bondrewd’s good manners, naturally. But if there’s an efficient way to get his own kind (or something similar) to reveal themselves, it’s little displays of power. Words, wits, or in this case, brutally efficient violence.

    Bondrewd has the creature held more or less in place by its tail, so that’s good enough. With elegant ease, Sebastian surges forward to meet it without so much as a glimmer of hesitation or fear. What he does isn’t immediately obvious with the creature’s body now in between them, but Bondrewd will at least be able to see one sign of it: his tea-colored eyes now glow with an unnatural red light instead.

    Unseen, his hands shift to indeed become a sleek, black carapace because it’s much more capable of the brutal precision he needs than his human hands. The creature may not be familiar, but biology was at least consistent. He has to use his brutish strength, but there’s a sickening sound as he slips his hand into flesh and through the space in between its large ribs. It cries out in pain, but it becomes a wheezed cry as his claws delicately cut into lung on the way to his real target. He can feel the thrum of its large heart, but though it would be quicker to crush it… That’s not what this person requested. So, instead, those sharp claws clip through an artery to slice it open.

    One brutal wound turns into two fatal ones delivered with surgical precision. And as it tries to bear down and bite and claw at the demon, he slips his hand out with graceful ease. One large paw is caught in one hand, and his other grabs at the creature under its chin so that it simply can’t fight back. It’s bleeding out, rapidly, and now it’s held in place by two monsters to suffer through it. ]
    subsist: (pic#15626251)

    [personal profile] subsist 2023-03-14 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
    Can't answer that for you, I'm afraid. The only person who I think might have been able to is long gone now...

    [ Alas, if only Emet-Selch was still around. ]

    Perhaps if you ask Kathova, he might have an answer for you.
    erbe: (132)

    [personal profile] erbe 2023-03-14 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
    Care to elaborate on him?

    [For now Tohsaka decides to step away from the pool just enough so she cannot see reflections in it. Casually avoiding another bought of memories sneaking up on her.]
    mensrea: (pic#13835650)

    he's here, he's queer, and he's not going to endear

    [personal profile] mensrea 2023-03-14 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Between his “birth” at the Tree of Life and this Springstar luncheon, Stiles took an opportunity to investigate the faction cities (albeit briefly, due to time constraints). Both Springstar and Highstorm featured a fascinating melting pot of species, humanoid or otherwise. That eye-opening experience helped prepare him. Instead of gawking at the explicitly elven man standing before him, he merely meets Voryn’s crimson-colored gaze with a guarded look. There’s a moment where Stiles suffers a pang, vague and halfhearted, knowing that only a few months ago he would have been fanboying in unfettered delight. He grew up gleefully addicted to high fantasy classics across literature, movies, games, and roleplay. Somehow, those interests feel like a lifetime ago—childish and pointless.

    Of course, his evolving sense of cynicism doesn’t prevent him from being a little shit.]


    My lord, [Stiles intones, mockingly solemn. He bends at the waist in a similarly satirical bow.] To be considered worthy of your notice… I’m almost speechless.

    [Straightening, the human turns his attention to the prominent third eye seated in Voryn’s forehead. No, not a third eye, he realizes, brows hiking up with increased curiosity. His Shard. The physical location of their “souls”—if what he’s been told is actually accurate—must have some personal significance. He understands why his own Shard is branded over the left-side of his neck, given the shape it’s taken (and the less Stiles broods over that, the better). With that in mind, he can’t help but wonder what it means for Voryn’s to be so…well, obtrusive. Maybe it’s as simple as an indication of the elf’s possible prideful nature.]

    Bullshit aside, you can call me Stiles. Also a parasite, but in a fun way. You scratch my back, I scratch yours? Mutual symbiosis! Wow, it’s like fourth-grade science class all over again. [Brown eyes slide away. Sometimes, even Stiles is exhausted by himself.] But back to what’s actually important—I’ve been asking these jerkoffs about this dimension. You know, basic stuff that you’d think they’d be able to answer at an informational session like this. And wouldn’t you believe, they’re absolutely clueless… [A dark addendum:] Or just pretending to be. I don’t know which is worse, honestly.
    fireballer: (🔥 13)

    [personal profile] fireballer 2023-03-14 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
    [there's something in the way this man talks and behaves that gives diluc the impression that the man wants to say and do so much more than what he is currently. it is only a hunch, but diluc's hunches have never led him astray, and he instinctively readies himself for anything that may happen. maybe nothing will happen, but being careful also kept him alive until- well, apparently the end of their world.

    maybe it's just the intense gaze from that unblinking eye that seems to shake him.

    he takes a careful, measured sip of his grape juice, evaluating the man before him with seemingly deadpan and emotionless eyes.]


    You insist that I should consider myself fortunate, and I have to wonder if there's more to that statement than what you're saying. [he sets the glass down with an audible click of glass against wood.]

    Get to the point. Why did you approach me? Or is this a hobby of yours?
    fireballer: (🔥 17)

    [personal profile] fireballer 2023-03-14 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
    [venti is a good lad who looks after his children, even if he's a drunkard who steals diluc's apples and doesn't pay his ever-growing tab. and diluc doesn't plan on making him - it's the least he could do for his archon, who may be a drunkard but cares about his people and brings them hope. diluc may put on a show of barely tolerating venti, but he truly does care for him. he just can't be going around showing how much he truly appreciates him, or venti may use it to his advantage for something. he may never live down the teasing ever again.

    thinking about him makes diluc even more determined to bring back mondstadt. honestly, his mind is pretty settled on a faction - the only faction that aligns with his own goals. but he wants to make sure there's nothing else shady going on, hence why he is here, sipping on grape juice like an old man with an actually old man, not that he knows that.]


    That is my hope. I won't allow Mondstadt to lay in ruins while I live comfortably here.

    [his grip tightens on his glass at his helplessness right now.

    he's gotten too comfortable with this stranger, but something about being with another from teyvat and just his... entire calm vibe, makes diluc lower his guard just a touch.]
    Have you been here long? Do you miss Liyue?
    zauneyete: (pontificating)

    what's up i hear dark is goin zenith 👀

    [personal profile] zauneyete 2023-03-15 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
    You can't expect a pack of vampires to quite get food right.

    [ Says a voice from somewhere behind him, probably someone that is contributing to how bad the food may taste. There's something about how humans eat with their nose first, and the wafts of purely foul cigar smoke probably doesn't help Dark get a real taste for the food. Although it's fine to just blame it on Vampires anyway. They can handle the insults, being immortal and all or whatever.

    That being said, though:
    ]

    If we all made decisions with our stomachs these days, perhaps more would be so easily swayed, but I find that whatever food Meridian serves, it isn't that much better.
    mensrea: (pic#13835449)

    [personal profile] mensrea 2023-03-15 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
    [The observation, seemingly apropos of nothing, serves to bewilder Stiles; the hard, unfriendly look darkening his expression fades as clear confusion sets in. After a moment—when the stranger continues, helpfully mentioning his own arrival—the teenager connects the dots. An abrupt silence descends upon the lonesome pair as he contends with a surprisingly strong sense of embarrassment. While no one would ever mistake Stiles as a vain individual, he does make a consistent, committed effort to maintain his appearance. Judging by the opted tone of voice, this guy didn’t comment on said appearance to be an asshole. But even knowing that…

    Body stiff with shame, Stiles turns to the side so his left profile is out of view before hauling the filthy hoodie off over his head. He shakes the article out to the best of his ability, then smacks it against a knee for good measure. A haze of dust, dirt, and grit clouds the air. Soil stains still smear the fabric in places. There’s little he can do about those, so he sucks it up and drags the hoodie on again. Only after the hood has been drawn up over his ears, concealing his neck, does he face Liem.]


    Uh. Hi. [His smart, glib tongue has been severed by chagrin—an occurrence that does not happen often for Stiles Stilinski.] Actually, I… Yeah. I came straight here.

    [A small lie; he managed a cursory tour of both cities, learned about the two informational sessions, and then came straight here.]

    It’s…a lot to take in, [he admits, honesty peeking through the blinds uncertainly. Stiles doesn’t easily let down his guard around strangers; the fact that he’s displayed this much vulnerability in the short span of a few minutes is a testament to how much Liem’s remark threw him.] I’m trying to get a better idea of what’s going on in this dimension. If you’re actually willing to be legit with me, let’s chat. Otherwise, no—you probably can’t assist me.