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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
    oomfies: 𝑜𝑜𝓂𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓈 (💚 endorsement.)

    [personal profile] oomfies 2023-03-22 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Distance is a concept she's never concerned herself with — now, or ever. She feels emboldened by that fact when you can simply teleport around using rocks (because, as she failed to mention in any capacity to her new friend, they're special — this is on top of being birthed from a magic tree). Why measure miles when you can just think of where to go?

    And even if his question is entirely off topic, completely unrelated, it's welcome. It's a nice distraction from the weird amalgamation that is her mood shifting as frequently as the ground beneath her feet. There's that corner she mentioned, her pace finding some purpose at the sight of it, where the path curves. ]


    ..Communion.

    [ She already knows how he feels about being touched that way, so she lets the idea linger. ]

    It's the easiest way of getting a face [ Or idea, memories, impressions, something she figures Marc understands from her own communion with him, ] across, unless you wanna hire a painter to do it.
    vestments: (Default)

    [personal profile] vestments 2023-03-22 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
    ( it's the answer he thought she was going to give and it's the answer he'd been hoping she wasn't going to give because he hates it. in spite of her quote-unquote communion with him, he's still not — unsurprisingly — all that clear on how it works, but isn't enamored enough with the general idea to try.

    he eyes her, expression pulling together in quick distaste and he shakes his head. no, he thinks, except—? maybe? ( no. ) he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it. marlene and frenchie and gena, none of them had particularly wanted anything more to do with him, broadcasting their faces to the public would be a stellar way to ensure that sentiment continued. there'd be easier ways. quieter, more subtle ways.

    (or: marc would explore, building by building in the middle of the night, looking for any sign of any one he knows.) )


    Easy doesn't mean it's the most effective, ( he grumbles, low and almost petulant.

    and the suggestion of hiring a painter doesn't even warrant a response at all, so he ignores it, attention shifting to the corner, the curve of the path and he—

    —doesn't understand anything of why they've come to a stop. )
    oomfies: (✨ filter.)

    [personal profile] oomfies 2023-03-22 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Wow!! She's just trying to be helpful?? Lottie will ignore the fact her practical suggestions are met with distaste. Visual and verbal distaste. What's the big deal? Easy doesn't mean it's he most effective, he says, like it's somehow her fault everyone has an entry ticket to his brain whenever they want.

    Her own lips frown deep, having to physically keep her arms down so she doesn't cross them in her working irritation. ]


    They'd be able to hear you if they are here, but whatever. Go off.

    [ Be weird and stubborn, she thinks to herself, as he dutifully comes to a stop when she does. Really, the cornerstone itself isn't anything to gawk at. It's not even carved into any shape to make its presence entirely obvious. It is just a rock. A black, shimmering, magic infused rock that she gestures towards.

    She takes off a glove — the one to her right hand, the only one with nails still on it. ]


    I'm gonna take you to Highstorm and then I'm gonna come back here. You'll be on your own unless you wanna wait for me or something.. Any questions?
    vestments: (Default)

    [personal profile] vestments 2023-03-22 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    ( eventually, it might occur to marc that he's spent their entire meeting being difficult and exceptionally unappreciative, but in the meantime the atmosphere between hangs awkward and tense; and the look he gives her when she says they'd be able to hear him is wary and slightly doubtful, not because he doesn't believe her but because he doesn't know what he'd be doing — yelling into a void? broadcasting to everyone? would they get his feelings, too? his and steven's and jake's? it's discomforting to consider, so he quashes it deep down to the bottom of his chest to worry about later.

    marc has a lot of questions, but none of them are any he wants to ask someone that doesn't know him. he wants to wash his hands and clean his clothes, pull himself together a little bit more because none of this makes any sense, not really. lottie's given him answers, but they're ""answers"", things that he still needs to make heads and tails of alongside the rest of his life. he still needs to put everything together and work out how much he thinks is real and true, and how much could be anything in-between. )


    No. ( questions, he means, but also the rest of it. it's a blanket answer and he almost leaves it just at that before—.

    right. )
    I'll be fine, thank you. ( he can be capable of manners and politeness, mostly when he takes the time to think about it. ) I need to shower.
    oomfies: (✨ knew. ( 💳 ))

    [personal profile] oomfies 2023-03-22 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ ..Right. Why did she expect more out of him? She withholds the sigh that desperately wants to come out so she can, instead, reach out her other hand to him (that's right, to hold). The exposed one — the one that shows him just how unmarred her skin is, how soft it looks, untouched from the struggles of this war and labor — places itself palm down at the top of the cornerstone. Her lips twist, the rock cold beneath her palm, and her nails titter (click click click) at the surface as she waits. ]

    Find Yima's manor. You can't miss it.. You'll get set up there.

    [ She means: you can definitely take a shower. And.. Her eyes flick at his clothes. He can definitely have someone give him something to wear, too. ]

    Or head to the bathhouse. You have options.
    hauntedking: (06)

    [personal profile] hauntedking 2023-03-23 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Dimitri's eyes narrow and then he steps in to the attack, changing his grip to block with the haft of a spear like a quarter-staff and takes the attack with a grunt, absorbing the impact. Link's inside of his reach, but- ]

    Eager-

    [ He whipes the butt-end of the spear around in a blow to try and trip him up, aiming for his legs. Maybe that'll be enough to get him some more room. ]
    erbe: (075)

    [personal profile] erbe 2023-03-23 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
    What a coincidence! What were you studying?

    [Rin doesn't take "coincidences" for granted. Sure, something can be mere happenstance, but usually it's not. Especially not in the case of magecraft and she's willing to bet less so with someone who has a face she's familiar with. If she ends up wrong, well... She may be salty but at least she won't be caught missing something, right?

    Tohsaka moves in a little closer to Gray. She's not typically this friendly, but the other young woman has caught her interest. This grants her a few special privileges that Rin doesn't grant most strangers.]
    erbe: (064)

    [personal profile] erbe 2023-03-23 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
    I'm not explicitly thinking the type of poison that will kill you.

    [Finally Rin joins Mordred in standing. Helping herself up and smoothing out her clothes.]

    Maybe something to implant an artificial good opinion of them, or a suggestive thought. All the rules of this world haven't aren't readily apparent after all.

    [She is still hungry, though. So after already having possibly cursed food in her mouth, well... why not? Especially with concerns of "Blight" floating around in whispers. Tohsaka approaches the table but still seems to be internally hemming and hawing over it.]
    erbe: (131)

    [personal profile] erbe 2023-03-23 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
    [Always happy to help. Sounds like a man asking to be taken advantage of.]

    Sure, but if that curiosity gets you killed what can be said then? "You're an idiot," most likely.
    hauntedking: (07)

    [personal profile] hauntedking 2023-03-23 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
    Perhaps. But sometimes that curiosity brings answers that are worthwhile.

    [ He's an optimist. ]
    breq: (Default)

    [personal profile] breq 2023-03-23 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
    Something out of nothing...

    [ She's skeptical of it being literal magic. Sufficiently advanced technology can appear to be so. The Presger, for example, could do a great many strange things. Like their guns. ]

    That would seem to violate basic rules of the universe. But I've seen things that do that before.
    fireballer: (🔥 18)

    [personal profile] fireballer 2023-03-23 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
    [diluc's not about to expose kaeya's vulnerable state when he first arrived, but he has massive doubts that this man would have done anything for kaeya, considering kaeya was in tears upon seeing diluc. clearly no one has taken care of kaeya in a way that is up to diluc's standards!!! notwithstanding that kaeya is Kaeya and won't show anyone his vulnerabilities, even diluc. his arrival was a special sort of situation, and one that broke the tension between them.

    but still!!!

    he clicks his tongue.]
    So you say. I'll have to judge that for myself.

    [he takes a bit of an aggressive swig of his juice, setting his cup down in the same fashion.]

    I think one could easily hide in the shadows in this perpetual night. [so dramatic] I imagine there are those who take advantage of it.
    fireballer: (🔥 14)

    [personal profile] fireballer 2023-03-23 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
    Yes, he must have his motives. No one does things purely out of the goodness of their heart.

    [he brings a hand to his chin in thought. he can see why zenith would be reluctant to work with meridian, considering cyrus' unknown motives.

    but...]


    I see why you would not think too highly of Zenith. But does that distrust not extend to Cyrus as well?
    subsist: (pic#15626279)

    [personal profile] subsist 2023-03-23 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
    You should be able to find him at Yima's manor quite easily. I can take you there, if you'd like.

    [ Poor Kathova... When neither Rin nor Kaeya wants to write the manual, it falls on his overworked shoulders— but still. Kaeya is half-turned, ready to head towards the direction of the manor, but he is waiting for Rin's answer. ]
    redsoil: (pic#16333864)

    [personal profile] redsoil 2023-03-23 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
    A spaceship, he says. [ What the hell is a spaceship. ] And here I thought I left him simpering at my sister in Heliopolis.

    [ To be fair, as he recalled it — nearly all of the gods who had suddenly come back into the public eye after cowering uselessly from him for centuries were simpering at Heliopolis. The ones who would not genuflect to Isis were the ones who had not been impacted by his reign of terror and depravity, such as the ever-elusive Sekhmet. Ra, herself. Even Thoth and Ma'at, who resided far from Heliopolis in their own temples. Whatever became of any of the gods following his banishment, he could not say. Nor can he say that he thinks that this man is wrong.

    Even if the experience differs greatly, there is always the matter of syncretism. All things, no matter how conflicting, were true. ]


    So, I assume do not have to expect him to come crawling out from the roots of the Tree of Life to wheedle at me about my duties. I just have you. His, [ He gestures, with both hands, to Marc's full height. Is that disappointment on his face? ] Fanboy?
    hauntedking: (04)

    [personal profile] hauntedking 2023-03-23 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
    ...the choice is very binary.

    [ Dimitri admits. ]

    But I like more of what Cyrus offers than Yima. So I suppose that's something I simply have to admit.
    settingup: (in the galaxy)

    [personal profile] settingup 2023-03-23 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
    [ There's no way they're not getting some irritated looks at this point. ]

    What's wrong with you? Ain't you old enough to have learned to share?

    [ It's a good move honestly. When you've got a little height on a guy, you might as well use what you've got to try and keep the plate away from him.

    The problem is that Atsumu literally spends an absolutely absurd percentage of his life playing a sport that requires you to be good at jumping. Dark has a few inches on him, but Atsumu has some serious ups, and he is literally leaping up and bare-handed snatching at the food now.
    ]
    bakedapple: (fanart // chilly)

    [personal profile] bakedapple 2023-03-23 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
    [ For someone who was asking questions that, let's face it, are twinged with a bit of naivety, Link does not seem to take much offense to her answer. The woman's blunt tone does earn a cautious glance upwards, but then he looks down again. It's more important to listen than to voice his uninformed thoughts.

    And, she's right. If the two sides are at war — or, will be soon — there is only so much "courtesy" one side can expect from the other. Truthfully, Link is still a little fuzzy on how they managed to be so amicable up to this point, but... that's a history lesson he can take for himself later.

    There's something else she mentioned that caught his attention.
    ]

    They have the first Oracle. [ He repeats what she said, curious. ] But... nobody has given me a straight answer yet about what these Oracles are. Or why they're at the center of all of this.

    Edited 2023-03-23 02:52 (UTC)
    fireballer: all screenshots from <user name="vindagnyr"> (🔥 11)

    [personal profile] fireballer 2023-03-23 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
    Fair enough.

    [he supposes what must be done must be done, and currently cyrus is the only one offering any sort of solution to their destroyed worlds. sometimes you just have to accept the bad with the good.

    that ain't diluc, but he acknowledges that this is most people's inclination.]


    Yima seems to offer nothing but acceptance of our fate, while Cyrus offers hope in reviving our worlds. Though, I'm not sure what this occupation has to do with such a goal.
    subsist: (pic#15937107)

    [personal profile] subsist 2023-03-23 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
    That's alright.

    [ When she tells him that she has no idea where to go or what to do, that makes him all the more determined to stay by her side until she's feeling much better. He keeps a firm grip on her hand once she reaches out to him, guiding her to an upright position slowly before picking her up, carrying her like a princess in his arms. ]

    I've got you now, [ he'll even make sure she doesn't lose her crutch ] so I know just the place to visit.

    [ Yima's manor is a few ways away from where he wants to take her, but at least she doesn't have to walk the entire distance. They'll pass along many streets, filled with various shops and other locations that he can go over in more detail later. For now, what's more important is taking her to the rolling hills of wildflowers near his home.

    It has always been one of his favourite places, if only because it reminds him of Mondstadt in some way. ]


    I hope you're not allergic to flowers.
    fireballer: (🔥 2)

    [personal profile] fireballer 2023-03-23 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
    [diluc has never been so tempted to roll his eyes. of course food and shelter hinges upon choosing a faction. why wouldn't it? like diluc said, they need bodies, and what better way than to gatekeep the resources so any newcomers have to choose.

    organizations never change, huh.

    diluc stops dead in his tracks, eyes narrowing.]


    Who are you?
    subsist: (pic#15626817)

    [personal profile] subsist 2023-03-23 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
    [ How do you have no time?

    Kaeya shoots Diluc a certain Look, one that makes him question whether or not the man is serious. That's what he gets out of this? This man always had the weirdest priorities, so maybe it shouldn't surprise Kaeya that he zeroes in on that here too, but still — what Kaeya does with his time is no one's business but his own. He wonders if he should bother lying, knowing full well that Diluc would call him out immediately.

    ... Maybe if he softens the blow of the truth, a little.

    (The sadness though— that can't be helped. That's a core part of who he is nowadays.) ]


    Of course not. I just have my hands in many pies, after all.

    [ It won't be until later in the month that Kaeya realizes just how little time he has for himself, but it's fine. Maybe this is why Kathova gave him the weasel... ]

    You know I've never been the type to remain idle.
    bakedapple: (screenshot // listen)

    [personal profile] bakedapple 2023-03-23 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
    [ ...well, at least he isn't being vulgar anymore. It goes a long way in helping Link's anger to dissipate on its own. Ironically, it's Zelda's absence that makes it easier for him to let it go — at the same time it gives rise to this conversation in the first place.

    Link plops the stripped corn cob onto his plate and levels a steady look at Dark. It's true, he didn't ask for advice, but... he's considered this issue before, and had no idea how he'd ever go about trying to deal with his feelings. If this guy is good with women, then maybe his advice is worth considering... but, really, it's a bit of a moot point. The circumstances back in Hyrule were...
    ]

    ...We'll have much more important things to talk about if I ever manage to see her again. She's an important person. Not just a Princess, but the descendant of a Goddess.

    [ He reaches out for more meat now, like a wine mom going for the bottle. ]
    gravings: (082.5b)

    [personal profile] gravings 2023-03-23 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
    [ As nice as Rin has been, the sudden closeness makes Gray reflexively lean slightly away, though not so far as to regain the distance they had formerly. ]

    Ah, well, my mentor taught Modern Magecraft Theory, so a lot of things related to that. Though I'm not a mage.

    [ She always feels the need to tack that disclaimer on. As if it's at all important to non-mages... but it's been well-carved into her that mages are a completely different breed of person, and one she has absolutely no interest in being mistaken for. ]
    fireballer: (🔥 17)

    [personal profile] fireballer 2023-03-23 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
    [diluc would argue his personal organizations are without corruption, but then again, his groups aren't really in charge of big things like government or overseeing the revival of worlds. so yeah, silco has a point for sure

    still, he wants to know exactly what those corruptions are. money laundering? abducting children? blackmailing? bribing? there are all kinds, and some rank higher than others in terms of shittiness and things diluc won't stand for. and how high up does the corruption go? little lackeys he can easily take out? or is it at the very top, too hard to reach for diluc to reach easily.

    unfortunately, normally, it's at the very top where it starts.

    he twitches at the thought of "making something of the remains." how disrespectful to those who were not fortunate enough to have this second chance.]


    I suppose if that's what it comes down to, then the rest doesn't matter. [he'll just extract the corruption with his own hands.] You're right, after all. No organization is without its flaws. The only question is what to do with it.

    [he's still not gonna tell silco what faction he's going with, but it's likely easy to guess.]

    Thank you, kind sir.