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

[twohand]

[ Oh.

It feels pleasant, to be heard. To not be looked upon as someone looking to incite a disturbance, or second-guessed for his intentions. The man who stops him simply tells him to put the knife down ( he does, leaving it stark and shining against the plate of food, so that Amos can see he has willingly disarmed — ) and moves to handle the situation. A command in his voice, a reputation that carries him.

While he does follow, it is at a polite and watchful distance, if only to ensure that the two necking individuals go their separate ways. The vampire one way, their potential prey another — looking chagrined and thoroughly kinkshamed. Better that, Drizzt feels, than dead. Some might think that a vampire was only working in its nature, but in his experience... they oft killed, rather than spared. At the least, he could not function on "what ifs" and "could be's" when someone was in need.

The two part, and for now, it is enough. They may meet later. They may continue where they left off, but he cannot stand by and observe a threat without meeting it. Quietly, he waits for the man's attention to come back his way — to the small, violet-eyed elf with strong forearms and old, pale scars crossing his skin. His knuckles and fingers, his bare arms, the line of his throat and collarbones through the open-necked tunic. ]

Thank you, for stopping them.

[ For doing something. ]

[baltimores]

[ Amos watches as the two of them part, slinking off their separate ways, gaze unimpressed but not much more than that — he doesn't need to get violent, doesn't need to make more of a scene than he already has. For him, it really is a matter of time and place. This was a welcoming function. Somebody new felt uncomfortable for what he assumes were altruistic reasons, but even then, it's not like the reasons matter — this was not the time, nor the place.

And now it is taken care of, and Amos' posture slackens slightly before he turns back around, sees Drizzt just behind him. Quiet, and unable to quite blend his way back into the background, though he isn't sure if that's what he wants.

Probably not, if he followed after him. He blinks, and with it his gaze resets — no longer authoritative, no longer commanding. Just some guy, really, who's happy to have helped. Is happy to be thanked. ]

Sure thing. They shouldn't have been doing that here anyway. This ain't for them. [ There are clubs for that kind of shit, he knows. Or, like. The privacy of one's home. Yima's courtyard is not the place for fucking voyeurism, at any rate.

A beat. ]

You doing alright?

[ Is there anything else he can do for Drizzt... Are things okay now? Hopefully they are; Amos really hopes there isn't more stupid shit going on here, of all places, that'd upset a newcomer. ]

[twohand]

No one should ever be preyed on, no matter the location.

[ He does not correct what Amos says to him, only states his own position about it. It doesn't matter to him, if there is a club or haven where such things like that can and do happen, it is still the act of preying unfettered upon another. Hurting them. If there are rules in place to protect the 'prey', he will stand corrected, but Highstorm seems to turn their eyes from any attempt at justice that isn't meted out by its people.

And people are fallible. That is why institutions exist, why justice is not in the hand of vigilantes. ( Drizzt, himself, is a vigilante. He knows the intimacy of claiming tithe for one's pain, and the importance of a code. ) Still, his smile is quick. A flinching thing, that doesn't quite touch the exhaustion set against the dark skin below his eyes. The soft droop of his long ears. ]

I'm trying to be. [ Gentle in his honesty. ] Does Highstorm not have a standing guard or city watch?

[baltimores]

[ He sobers at that first sentiment — nobody should ever be preyed on. And yeah. Yeah, that's true; from Amos' reaction either he's a particularly empathetic kind of guy, or he's had some personal experience in that department — his demeanour becomes more serious, posture that little bit corrected, gaze more focused. He nods, because one way or another, he gets it.

Drizzt's smile does little to counter his exhaustion on display, and Amos is left hovering there, a little uncertain on how to proceed. Telling two people to break it up is easy; this is hard. ]

I... don't think so. No. [ Despite nearly a year of living here, it's never occurred to him. A lot of space was lawless because something that expansive is difficult to govern; the same cannot be said for Highstorm. ] I didn't think it was necessary. Things like that don't really... happen.

[ They don't, right? Or at least — Highstorm is largely childless, so a lot of potential flashpoints like that are never really on his radar.

His awkwardness is possibly palpable. ]

I'm sorry. [ He has the distinct feeling of being in the wrong here, now. ] You're right. People shouldn't be preyed on. It's up to all of us to stop that from happening, so for that to get as far as it did... Something fell through the cracks there. Shouldn't have.

[ Doesn't exactly make up for the fact that it did happen, though. ]

[twohand]

Oh. [ Oh. Still the smile is quiet, his expression thoughtful. ] Not seeing it happen doesn't mean that it doesn't occur.

It isn't our responsibility alone. Those in power must be expected to care for their people, for more than just freedoms they can have — fairness, order, equality... does Highstorm have these things the way Springstar does? If you cannot answer, that is okay. I am curious.

[ He gestures to the space where the vampire and their prey ( or willing companion, maybe? ) had occupied moments before, and takes a step towards Amos. A dark hand extending, as friendly as he can make it appear. He's not used to being perceived so mildly, but will never fail to show courtesy to someone else because of that. Amos's awkwardness isn't missed, and he hopes to settle him and make him realize that Drizzt is the last person who would judge a single man for the failings and oversight of the city.

Whomever was in charge ought to be the one handling these things, really. Letting it slide is a bad sign for the future, in his eyes. ]

I am considering Zenith, you see. But, I do not value freedom that ignores injustice, or a leader who entrusts predators to be personally accountable.

[baltimores]

[ He'd really thought it had just been a case of PDA going too far, but now he's not sure. Amos follows that gesture Drizzt makes before turning back to him as he steps forward, looking down at that hand. He's not sure if he sees friendliness in it, but there's at least a sense of placation, the latter more easily recognizable by him.

Because Amos knows these kinds of things happen away from watchful eyes. And because while it's impossible to expect him to be responsible for everyone here, he knows he still has a responsibility. That more should be expected of him. That he should be better, that he needs to be better...

For lack of anything else to do, he takes Drizzt's hand in his own. Gives it a gentle squeeze. Awkwardly lets go, because he really doesn't know what he's doing, and is just maybe the slightest bit shaken by it. ]

Yima's the one who oversees the city. She's... I know she's kind, and she's good, and she does what's best for everyone here. I'd trust her with my life. [ There's a solemnity to his eyes, his voice, even as he's contending with the part where things might not be up to snuff here after all. ] It's... These kinds of things take a village, that's what she told me. It's up to all of us. I know we don't have cops like Springstar does, and I don't think it's a bad thing. [ acab ] Gives us more incentive to look after our own, to keep our people together. Just means that all of us need to be more on top of things. Like you were.

[ Because there is respect to be had for Drizzt there — he'd seen something that was wrong and was prepared to take action. Maybe a little too much action, but it's the thought that counts.

He brings a hand up to rub at the back of his neck a little awkwardly. ]

I get it if that's not for you. Isn't always for everyone. But I've seen [ lived ] worse than that, and there, the people in power were the ones paying the least attention. Maybe they put on a show, but they ain't actually doing anything. Here? I think we can.

[ he just

needs to

be better ]

[twohand]

[ For Amos to step in and accept his offered hand, Drizzt's handshake is a deft, firm thing; his fingers are calloused and worn, pale scars across his knuckles and forearms as he grips and shakes and relinquishes his hold just as quickly. As if unwilling to force the man into contact with him for longer than he's comfortable with. He listens, attentive — the faint shift of point ears in Amos's direction a dead giveaway that he is paying mind to what he says. It doesn't satisfy, but it is good to hear the voice of someone who lives here. ]

I will have to see for myself, I feel. I do not mean to assail Highstorm's structure, it is just —

[ He's rarely been able to trust women in positions of power. The Seven Sisters aside, the dark power of Lady Yima is one he instinctively questions. What Amos tells him speaks of someone who has come to trust in her, though; which means Drizzt's opinion and sharp mistrust is softened, but only in favor of ensuring Amos is not being harmed by anyone in a position of power. He thinks the same of those who dwell in Springstar. ]

I have also lived under cruelty, and the neglectfulness of leadership. I would not want to observe the spread of abuse, because those a ruler thought would police themselves fairly took her good will and abused it, in turn.

[baltimores]

[ Amos knows what it's like to be harmed by people in power — and Yima is not that. He has been hurt, he has been subjected to the control of all kinds of people — men, more often than not; there is an instinctive trust in older women for him — and people like Yima are guides. Saviours, maybe, in the right context. At this, the end of all universes, she's his last one. It's fitting.

Pay no mind to the massive blindspot he lives with. He grew up with enough darkness; he doesn't need more.

Drizzt's hands are unsurprising, considering the way he had been ready to wield a knife. Amos looks back down at them, wondering if he let go too soon; meets his eyes once again. ]

Seeing for yourself is good. [ His voice grows steadier, at least, gaining in confidence. Drizzt isn't judging him, and it's not like he can do anything right now about the state of possible crime in Highstorm, so it's easier to start putting it behind him. Get back to normal. ] I don't think there's a danger of abuse spreading here, but being proactive's one way to see to that. So I see your point there.

[ He pauses, considering. ]

I figure you should go where you're most comfortable. I mean, I hope it's here, because this is one of the best places I've ever lived. But if you're not sure, then it's good to take the time. Figure things out. And if you figure you can make a difference here, then all the better, right?

[ Huh. He can't hold his hand out again; that'd be kinda stupid. So instead Amos gives him a small nod; his own indication of paying mind. ]

Name's Amos, if you ever want to talk further after you've seen more for yourself. I'm here. Think we ultimately want the same thing — [ for the place where they live to be the best possible version of itself, for everyone who lives there — ] so I'm always willing to listen.

[twohand]

If you think that, then abuses have been well-hidden from you. Or perhaps you do not wish to find them and be challenged.

[ Now, his voice dips. A little cold, a little familiar. A blind man will not see the harm being caused, if he is unwilling to question his surroundings and examine them with his other senses. Whatever Amos thinks, he does not trust anyone's perception of things but his own. Familiarity with an environment is good in one way, but an outsider's eyes will always find where the flaws are; growing up in Menzoberranzan had shown him such, and kept him on his toes. Judgement directed at him for his race had kept him kind, if not driven to ensure no one else suffered his experiences. ]

They exist. This is not the world idealized, this is a world with faults, like the last. I would like it to be fairer to those who need help, but I cannot disregard the lessons of my past.

[ Still, he does nod his head. Not unkindly, but affirmed to an ironclad creed that keeps him steady where others seek to belong. He knows he does not belong. He only wishes to move forward, he wants to see his friends again — but fate, may have parted them forever. This feels like a strange afterlife, after all. ]

I'm Drizzt Do'urden. I — [ He quiets now, the steel in his voice and eyes replaced once again by something deep and slow and exhausted. Like his fleeting smile. ] Well met, Amos. I hope to speak with you more, in the future. I don't believe I will not choose to live with Zenith, at this time. I just would like to rest, a little.

[baltimores]

[ Amos tilts his head at Drizzt, as though examining him with new eyes — slightly narrowed and appraising. His lips part slightly, but he's not going to interrupt the guy. He's just listening, intently and with open mind.

He could be offended by Drizzt's assessment, as if Highstorm has been anything but good to him; at the same time, he cannot argue against the possibility of it being bad for others. Can't argue against the obvious care the guy shows.

So Amos blinks, and resets. ]

You ain't wrong. This is not the world idealized. That's what we're trying to do here — build the next one. One that will be perfect. I don't know what it's going to look like, but... we're going to get there.

[ It's a noble cause, in his eyes. He softens. ]

Can't argue with resting, either. I know Yima's got space for you, but... [ if he doesn't trust her... ] should be some inns nearby that'll help you out, too. Especially since you're new here.

[ He pauses, looking to try an unfamiliar phrase on his tongue — but it feels right to reciprocate it, regardless. ]

Well met, Drizzt.

[twohand]

Mm, "perfect".

[ There is a gentle disbelief, a faint rejection in that. It is not to say that perfection is wrong, only that — he has his own counsel to keep, regarding it. Opinions that are deep-seated and would be impolite to voice further, after having tenderly offered protest to a man like Amos. Someone who listened, someone who also saw a danger to someone else, and chose to take Drizzt at his request than to ignore it.

In that, he can find something good about Amos. Something he does not mind, and feels encouraged by. ]

Do you have any idea, what you do want?

[ Maybe no one has asked Amos to think of that? ]

It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be gentle.

[baltimores]

[ He hears the skepticism in the word perfect, and he can't disagree with it. Amos has no clue what perfect is supposed to look like — just that with Yima at their helm, it should be attainable. She's already built all of this through imperfect circumstances; there's no doubt in his mind that she knows more, and when it's time, he'll follow her to it.

But it is not yet time, and so. ]

Gentle's a good word. I like that. [ Amos' voice is soft, pleasant. Compliant, and accepting. ] I want... something where there's enough space for everyone. Where they can have the kinds of homes they want, with the people they want to share them with. Where the air is fresh, the water's clean, the food bountiful and full of flavour. Where they got easy access to everything they need, and can live in comfort and without worry.

[ He blinks, interrupting his flow. Coughs. Looks back at Drizzt as if he's delivering the most important sentiment anyone ever could. ]

I want somewhere where kids can grow up safe, and warm, and happy, and loved. Where nothing's going to hurt them. Where the possibilities are endless for them... where they can be who they want to be.

[ Unspoken, underneath it all: I want somewhere where people like me don't exist.

A beat. ]

So, yeah. Guess I want something gentle too.