SEPTEMBER TDM + SETTING UPDATES

[beleos]

BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)

It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.

And then, it goes wrong.

The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all 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.

However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.

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.

The welcoming party is in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly fading winter -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to an abundant harvest from Alenroux. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.

The mood in Springstar as a whole is jubilant, with not just a party at the seat of the tribune, but elsewhere, including the Psychagogía district. Parties line the streets, establishments that overflow with bodies, drink, and libations of all sorts. There is a sense of excitement in capturing the latest oracle, and the people seem to treat the shard-bearers of Meridian somewhat reverently, and new ones, they will pull aside and explain with excitement about how the Shard-Bearers captured the oracle (with varying degrees of accuracy) and how it is because of them that they will be seen to victory. Cyrus’s name, however, still comes with notes of disdain. It’s clear that the Tribune has not bought much good favor by their victory, and instead, if any ask, or follow the threads, they will hear the names Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen as likely successors to the Tribune. However if one asks how that happens… details become a bit more muddy. Apparently, the role of the Tribune is for life. And apparently, the denizens of Springstar trust the Shard-Bearers to see the oracles through, and still see Cyrus as a weak link in their chain.

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. Soft tunes filter over the courtyard, and if the sounds of them sound familiar – perhaps remind one of home? That’s because they are! Yima’s musicians seem to be able to pilfer strings and strands of music, and weave it all together expertly, to give both new arrivals and old friends reminders of their home.

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. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world.

The city itself is more muted than usual. The last dregs of Highstorm’s chill summer are coming to an end, and the cold is an opportunity for Highstorm’s denizens to batter in more frequently, and the chill may have something to do with the lost oracle. Though, if asked, they’ll say nothing of the sort, of course! In opposition to Springstar’s mixed jubilation and doubt, Highstorm’s denizens seem determined that lady Yima will see them through, and that one loss is no reason to fall into despair. Though they are still disappointed, and will say so. Though blame does not seem to have a target, mere disappointment filters through the city, as they start preparing for winter. The prices seem higher, whether one is looking for potions, supplies, or even small trinkets from the The Antiques & Baubles Market. Things seem… leaner in a sense. There’s nobody starving on the streets in Highstorm, but the control of Alenroux continues to lead to tense relations, even though a compromise seems to have been recently reached between the two factions.

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 AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Since the Blight’s conclusion, both cities have undergone a fair bit of effort to reconstruct the districts and buildings that were destroyed in the Blight, though Springstar seems a touch further along than Highstorm, due to Shard-bearer efforts. The unusual weather pockets present previously have very nearly all disappeared, though there are some patches still present, lingering in the areas still somewhat ravaged by the Blight. The pockets seem to be losing their effects now, and if one finds themself within, will experience a mild slowing down or speeding up of time. Visions still appear within the small bubbles, reflections of dear ones or important events, though they seem to be only memory, though anyone within the bubble can bear witness.

FURTHER DETAILS

OOCly, characters can still stumble into small bubbles of time, though they are fewer and far between than they were 3 months ago! These time bubbles still have some time-warping energy, and will continue to allow characters to either speed up or slow down, depending on player preference! In addition, the time bubbles are no longer bringing back remnants of Kenosians past, but there is still the chance of some memory reflections to briefly manifest in the bubble. They will come from player characters as a whole, and are purely up to whatever is fun for you! Think of it as brief flickers of memory sharing, they can be as brief or as distorted as you like! Think of this as the last gasp of the Blight, as it withers away thanks to the concentrated efforts of all shard bearers!

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Alenroux continues to improve, and with the new balance between both Springstar and Highstorm, the separate island is safer than ever! The tensions between both factions seem to have reduced over the island, thanks to the efforts of several shard bearers, and the populace seems to be warming to both factions once again.

FURTHER DETAILS

After the resolution of the first Kenos Ambassador agreement, the balance of power in Alenroux is already starting to shift. The island already has a much more evenly-matched number of military forces from both Springstar and Highstorm, the number of troops in the area has reduced significantly. The number of monsters does not seem to have increased at this time, which bodes well for the area. The uptick of Highstorm locals has certainly led to more food flowing into Highstorm than had before, and the people seem pleased with the arrangement – for the moment! The small murmurs of discontent and unrest seem to have alleviated at this time. Though some still seem uncomfortable with the amount of troops, they seem less willing to say that out loud. Though nights in Alenroux will possibly never be wholly safe, the threats seem more manageable, though nobody will ever turn down Shard-Bearer assistance in a pinch!

TO INFINITY – AND BEYOND

Rumbling about temples being erected in the Beyond, which lies outside of Highstorm’s city limits, close to another that had been erected previously. Not one shrine out there, but two it seems. It shines like the sun when the moonlight catches it just right, and it’s visible over the line of trees that marks the edge of the Beyond. The more brave and curious of Highstorm’s denizens have started making more treks into the Beyond for both shrines, and the fact that most come back unharmed seems to encourage others to follow. And for those that may not be able to make the trek safely, there's an opportunity to make a bit of money by leading the way to the shrines and offering the curious pilgrims protection from the Beyond's dangers. There’s rumbling amongst them – Quetzalcoatl – Set – the names of gods of worlds long past, and though there are not many that will stray from Highstorm’s resident deified figure – Lady Yima – there are enough that it’s easy to catch pilgrimages out to the temple, and to visit them yourselves, as well!

FURTHER DETAILS

Quetzalcoatl erected a bright and gigantic temple right next to Set's in the Beyond! Right next to Highstorm! I'm sure that's fine and will not have any diplomatic consequences in the future! Both gods have been drawing in new curious individuals – some who may be worshippers with time – and it's drawn the curiosity of many.

SMALLER CHANGES

GRAND LARCENY

An uptick in crime between both Springstar and Highstorm has both the Legion and Yima’s own private guard scrambling as they struggle to find rhyme or reason behind the latest crime spree taken up in both cities. Though there doesn’t seem to be a specific source, local chatter suggests that it might be coming from a mysterious underground, though most can’t say where... there’s vague gestures, and remarks about Below, without any concrete details. Those who are familiar with – or find out about – Kowloon, may find plenty of stolen items within Kowloon’s markets, though if asked, the keeper will simply shrug and say they retrieved it from a reputable source. Who? Well, they don’t know, they don’t remember their face. I’m sure this is fine and won’t lead to trouble later down the line!

Completely unrelated, those who are known to be or obviously affiliated with Springstar continue to encounter difficulty in Kowloon. It’s become a touch more brazen – more pickpocketing, even higher prices, or even some outright derisiveness from some businesses, although they seem to be centered more around Draumahol, and the further one gets from the business in the underground city (or as far as one can get) the more willing businesses seem to engage with those from Springstar, and the more… apologetic they are about higher prices, though they do still seem to be across the board.

FAE MISCHEIF

It’s not just the underground that seems to be reeling from a spike of theft, though this one seems more obvious – and innocuous! Faeries from the Greenwood Yard seem to still be reeling from recent Shard-Bearer intrusions, so bearers new and old may find small items of varying importance are missing. They’ll generally come with a calling card; a small note that is part threat and part invitation for a game, to come find them within the Greenwood Yards. After hearing about the issue, a certain potion shop owner sets up a small stall by the yards, and will offer to help the shard bearer with their predicament – for a price, of course! Better have a few gold coins on you!

The owner will offer bearers a round-trip to tiny town yet again, to retrieve whatever was stolen, though this time it comes with no visions, and generally the fairies will consider things to be even, if bearers come to retrieve it with politeness and a request for it to be returned. If a bearer threatens them… well. Let’s hope you brought a friend along to help with this fae threat, then!

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 kenoslogs.

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

When characters emerge from their cocoon/the ground, they may be wearing their normal clothes or nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision about which Faction they'd be drawn to.

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

Comments

Rosmontis | Arknights

[mountainmew]

I. Arrival

[There’s nothing familiar about this place. That’s not entirely alarming by itself—new places sometimes have trouble sticking in her mind at first.

Once the initial claustrophobia-fueled urgency (panic) managed to get her free from the ground, Rosmontis has a chance to take a breath and blink at the cavernous surroundings. It’s calm and quiet, nothing but dirt and large roots snaking around nearby to keep her company. She had to be here for a reason, but with no one here in immediate view to ask, her first instinct is to reach for her terminal to see if she’s noted it down. The familiar tablet, however, is nowhere to be found in the voluminous inner pockets of her cloak like it should be.

Other souls wandering these caverns or just barely digging themselves up from the earth as well might be drawn over by the sounds of increasingly frantic digging in the soil. They’ll find a young girl seemingly in her early teens kneeling in the dirt, pale hair and cat-like ears smeared with soil and sap as she pushes aside the soft, loamy earth to try to get at the cocoon from which she just emerged. She’s so focused on her task that she hasn’t seemed to notice you just yet.]

Where is it…

ii. Note-taking (Highstorm)

[As overwhelming as it might be to wander an unfamiliar place without her team—without her family—here to anchor her, it’s easy enough to get shepherded along with the other newcomers to one of the welcoming parties. She’s good at following directions. Following orders. If she just does as she’s told, she’ll start figuring things out.

And as helpful as it would be to pay attention to the chatter of the people mingling throughout the courtyard here in front of a very large and beautiful manor, Rosmontis has another task for herself. One that is arguably more important, at least for her.

So instead she sits at one of the few benches scattered not far from where the buffet tables have been set up, a notebook she’s obtained sitting open in her lap. By the light of a nearby lamppost, she seems to be scribbling something down every so often with a look of light concentration on her face.

Eventually a shadow is cast over her work, causing her to look up to find the cause. Perhaps you’re standing nearby with a plate in hand, waiting for a chance to get at the nearby food table or maybe you’re more the nosy type, leaning over to see what it is she is doing. Either way, you’re positioned just so to block the lamp-light she’s been relying on here.]

You’re in the way.

[Voice flat, expression nearly the same, though there’s the barely-perceptible furrowing of her brows and slight twitching of her silvery tail as she looks up at you.]

iii. Construction zone (Springstar)

[It’s weird, to be able to wander cities like this without much goal or direction. Home, as far as she was concerned, has always been the tight, well-lit halls of of a mobile facility. There were the rare occasions where they docked at one of the larger cities and Blaze or Amiya or someone else might take her along on a trip, but they were few and far between, and most of the details were lost by now.

So it remains a novel experience, something for her to hold onto to keep her worries at bay for a little while. Somehow, her wanderings bring her toward one of the districts that were still in disrepair. A handful of local Meri are poking around the rubble, working with practiced hands at clearing out debris. The sight of toppled buildings is a familiar one. There were lots of images of such things contained within snatches of memories, bundled up with complicated feelings. She stands squinting at it from a distance, lingering at the safer edges of road.

…had she done this?

No. No, she hasn’t been in this place that long. She remembers that much. But the sight of it is such a contrast to the rest of the bustling sunny city that she’s seen that it dredges up a well-spring of curiosity. She approaches the next person she finds passing by, whether they look busy or not, and gives them a nudge before pointing toward the wreckage.]

Do you know what happened here?

iv. Communion

[Rosmontis is used to… feeling people, sensing where they are. Like a low background hum, but she usually has to focus on it for it to get sharper. Having others’ voices within her head is so much more concrete that it’s almost startling. The first few times she hears it and has it explained to her, she idly wonders if this is anything like what Amiya must experience, being so open to the hearts of others.

It’s an odd feeling, but… she’s curious.

The presence coming over communion is guarded, but it almost feels vast. Larger than what one might expect from the quiet voice of a teenage girl that follows.]

Do you get tired of it? Hearing other people’s voices so clearly in your heads like this so much?

v. Wildcard

[Yet another here just for funsies at the moment/maybe getting apped one day! I’m down for whatever if there’s anything in particular you’d like to do.]

communion.

[waterflows]

Mmm, I can't say I'm used to this either.

[ being able to sense the moods and basic needs of the flora around her is one thing, but having a bunch of other voices in her head all the time? not so much. ]

But it's not so bad, don't you think? There's always someone to talk to waiting just around the corner!

[ they'll never be lonely at least, and if she knows anything it's the weight of always being the only one. ]

[mountainmew]

Mm.

[There’s a thoughtful pause as she considers that. Maybe it is a little like being on the bustling landship, with people to run into everywhere. Just… more immediate and accessible.]

I guess it means no one will get lonely. Even if some people are pretty loud.

[waterflows]

Exactly!

[ said in a cheerful tone. ]

Have you tried asking those people to quiet down though? They might listen if you ask nicely.

[mountainmew]

I hope they do listen.

[If only there was a mental volume switch…]

We’re all supposed to work together, right? It would be better to get along with everyone.

IV.

[ninanna]

Overwhelmed by just this much? I suppose it isn't normal for mortals.

[She... doesn't elaborate or even consider the big assumption she just made. Why would she? Ishtar doubts there are many who can match her divinity.]

[mountainmew]

It's just weird. More... solid than the feelings I usually sense from people.

[If she's supposed to be fazed by the casual implication of immortality, it doesn't seem like it. Mostly just a muted sense of confusion.]

What does being mortal have to do with it? Aren't we all?

[ninanna]

Unlike you, I am a goddess. Things such as prayers weren't too dissimilar for this, though it was usually one-way unless we wanted it to be.

[mountainmew]

[A goddess? Sounds fake.]

What makes you so sure you’re a goddess? You’re here like the rest of us, right?

[Despite the evident sass, her tone remains just as calm and neutral as before.]

communion

[wolof]

Thankfully, most of the time, others are rather quiet.

[ most of the time, is the key phrase. ]

When the excitement starts up, however, of course I do.

They chatter on about such nonsense.

[mountainmew]

It seems like it would get exhausting, when everyone has something to say.

[Not like you can just walk out of the room like a conversation in person.]

How do you keep track of it all?

[wolof]

Try being woken up from time to time with... innocuous questions.

It is exhausting.

[ She does not care about Dog Pants. ]

Mostly, you begin to get a feel for whom feels like whom. We each give off a different feeling, in this odd space of course.

[ Akua, for instance, feels like a desert at the apex of twilight, the night settling in, but the chill has not begun, it is blisteringly hot, with the eyes of twin stars staring down at you. You feel as if you are at the apex of something great, like you are staring down a chasm, the call of the void thundering from all sides. ]

[mountainmew]

[Not the Dog Pants…]

Oh, I know what that’s like! The feelings people give, I mean. Even back home, I was able to sense people… what they felt like, and where they were.

[Though it was a little more dangerous, in her case. For herself—and sometimes for others.

There’s a pause as Rosmontis closes her eyes and considers focusing on the sense of the woman through the mental connection. Akua might notice the feeling of a little trepidation in her hesitance; it wasn’t always easy for her to control this sort of thing, with her own powers. But this is not the same, not exactly, and the very nature of Communion means she’s already got someone here to anchor to.]

You’re… hmm. You give such a unique feeling.

1

[planewalker]

[Fal-Il was, of course, drawn to the noise of scrabbling and digging, the hunter in him instantly perking up at the idea of nearby prey. He didn't feel any disappointment on discovering that the source of the noise was a humanoid instead of a beast; Fal-Il was always interested in novel experiences to alleviate his ever present boredom, and he could say that he'd never encountered a humanoid like this before.

The Elders were too stuck-up to splice humans with Earth animals to create catgirls, alas...

Anyways, he walked up to this odd humanoid and stood right over her, all 7'8" of him, his hands on his hips and gaze keen as he watched and... she obliviously continued to dig, intent on looking for whatever it was she'd lost. It was entertaining for like the first minute or so, but Fal-Il swiftly grew bored.]

Dig anymore and you'll hit the planet's core.

[mountainmew]

[The sense of urgency and the discomfort of her fingers scrabbling for the feeling of anything solid amidst the earth is sensation enough to keep her oblivious to the rest of her surroundings until a voice from behind her very abruptly tears her attention away from her task. She sits back on her knees, casting a glance over her shoulder and looks up… and up to find someone very large and odd-looking standing over her.

There’s a yelp of surprise as she stumbles back from her kneeling position, the fur on her tail standing on end as she swings one hand in the air vaguely in his direction. Even setting aside that she hadn’t heard this very big guy approach, she more importantly hadn’t felt him either. And the instinctive pull she had made at her telekinetic Arts yielded… nothing.

There is something that feels very lonely about that, for some reason.

But regardless, this strange blue man didn’t seem like he was intending to pose a threat. It would have been so easy to attack her when she was distracted, but he hadn’t. That has to mean something, right? And he had—he had said something, hadn’t he?]

I’m— [She blinks up at him.] I need to find something. I must have dropped it when I crawled out.

[planewalker]

[Oh, that yelp. Beautiful. Fal-Il couldn't hold back a mean little chuckle at the sound of it, tilting his head so that the shadow of his hood fell over his eyes to let the eerie glow of them stand out more.]

Well, I think if you haven't found it by now, then it likely wasn't transported with you when you'd revived. It happens. Such things tend to only be locked onto organic bodies and what may be attached to said organic bodies. Trust me, it took 'em a while to figure out the 'naked upon revival' bug...

[Ah, those were the days... leaping out of death as naked as the day of his- birth? Was he born or was he grown in a tank? Eh, whatever.]

So, just be glad you've still got your clothes on, Kit-Kat.

[mountainmew]

[There’s a moment in which Rosmontis looks quite crestfallen at the news that her terminal is gone. If she was being honest with herself, she had been beginning to suspect it the farther her digging took her, but hearing such a casual declaration of it really made it hit home. That’s bad, but… it would be fine. She could make do without it until she got back to the landship. She’d have to, right?

She pushes herself to her feet and peers up at this big blue stranger with a look of muted defiance replacing her earlier dismay. It’s a rather comical sight, this girl under five feet tall staring unflinchingly up at someone much larger than herself. It isn’t the first time, after all—though while the guerrilla shieldguards had been big, the only one who might’ve rivaled this guy would’ve been Patriot himself.

And at the very least, while this stranger didn’t exactly seem nice, he isn’t hostile or anything, so…]

You know about this, then? What I’m doing in this place?

[Because it sounds like he must know something, the way he’s talking about all of this…]

II

[alliterating]

What's your point?

[ Sentience's response is almost immediate and carelessly dismissive of the complaint. She was just passing by, pausing to rearrange her plate a little. But now she's going to make a thing out of it because that's just how she works. ]

You can always move, right? Or just let me finish.

[ Hmmph. ]

[mountainmew]

[Oh, she doesn’t like this lady already.]

I was here first.

[Might be sounding a little petulant as she lifts her new notebook from its perch on her lap and holds it close to her chest. Her tail gives an agitated twitch beside her.]

And I need the light, so you move.

[alliterating]

I was just passing through; you don't have to get so snippy! Maybe if you'd just been patient, I'd be gone already!

[mountainmew]

I’m not snippy. [Yes she was.] This is just important.

ii

[baltimores]

[ Look, Amos is predictable, if not outright simple. Of course he's at Highstorm's welcoming party; this is where he's made his home for the past year or thereabouts, and it'd be a dick move to not at least be a friendly face around the newbies. Also? There is a lone teenager sitting off to the side, and that pings his head on over and see if there's anything he can do to help instinct immediately.

Even if he is, apparently, being inadvertently disruptive. Amos glances up at the light above them as she draws his attention to it. ]

So I am. Sorry. [ And, to his credit, he's moving out of the way — but still isn't actually going anywhere, more just no longer blocking her light.

With a slight tilt of his head, voice soft and conversational, ] It cool if I join you?

[ He doesn't even have a plate of food or anything, and it's not like there aren't other seats available, so... seems his entire reason for being here is Rosmontis herself, but at least he's asking first. ]

[mountainmew]

[The apology seems to mollify her, expression softening a bit as the lamplight spills back over the notebook in her lap. Though the thanks he gets in return as he moves out of the way is a simple and silent nod. As for the prospect of him sticking around…]

Oh. [She glances for a moment at the open space at the seat alongside her, then back up at him.] If you want to.

[And it truly doesn’t seem like she minds in the least, apparently content to let him take a seat without much more of a care. She gets back to work immediately, putting pen to paper to scrawl out the remainder of whatever little notation she’d been in the middle of when he had accidentally impeded her writing.

Seemingly satisfied with that after a moment, however, she does set her pen down and turn her attention back to this stranger. There is simple and open curiosity in her gaze as she regards him.]

Do you not like the party?

[Why else step away from it to come sit over here with her?]

[baltimores]

[ Permission granted, Amos takes the seat right beside her, the exact spot where she'd just glanced. He seems contented to do so, sitting in pleasant silence as he looks out ahead of them, listens to the scritch of her pen without bothering to look over her shoulder and see what it is she's writing. He's just. sitting there, seemingly no thoughts, head empty.

Though he blinks when she speaks up again, turning to look at her again with a light smile on his face. It's entirely possible that he's a simple idiot, expression and mannerisms doing very little to convince anyone otherwise, except now that he's being addressed there is definitely a focus to his gaze. ]

Was gonna ask you the same thing. [ His voice is a casual drawl, easy and unbothered. ] Me, I've been to a couple of these already. Don't think I've seen you around before, though. Was wondering if there was anything that'd make this better... I know it can get kind of stuffy here, can't it.

[ Yes, he's an adult, and yes, he's perfectly comfortable here, but it isn't quite his scene — he's just barely passing the dress code, and he seems better suited to hang out on the edges of things than to actually properly intermingle anyway. ]

[mountainmew]

[Her gaze drifts back over the party at large, lingering for just a bit on some of the mingling party-goers, refined in their dress and engaged in quiet conversation with one another. Maybe stuffy is the right way to describe it, but it all just feels very alien to her.]

I don’t think I’ve ever been to something like this before.

[Parties, sure, probably… but they would have been much more small and intimate affairs with the other operators she worked with. And much rowdier. She can only imagine what it would be like if Blaze were here, unleashed on this quiet get-together after a few drinks. It would be funny, at least.

But she’s not, and Rosmontis is just here alone. Maybe that’s part of the problem. She’s not unused to things around her feeling strange and unfamiliar—it’s kind of unavoidable with her, considering how much she forgets—there’s just no anchor of a familiar face to embolden her here.

Well, she’s not technically alone anymore. She turns back to the easy-going stranger beside her.]

I only just got here. [That much it seems like he might’ve realized already.] I know I should probably be paying more attention to what people are saying here, but… [Well, she isn’t going to remember a lot of these conversations anyway. Her fingers unconsciously fiddle with the edge of a page.] I need to get this done first before I can think about any of that.