[Open] Intro + April Catch-All

[badsunrising]

WHO: A scrunkly new arrival and YOU
WHAT: Intro and Catch-All for April
WHEN: Throughout April
WHERE: Mostly in Nightwake, with a little in Amberfall



ARRIVAL
[ His head still swims with the memory of the last few moments. The phantom scent of fresh flowers was almost intoxicating. The dazzling bursts of living color and the powerful sense of rebirth were mesmerizing. As if he had been walking through a brilliant dream.

And then it was gone, melted away. He's left only with the moving crowd around him and the feeling of confinement he always felt among walls. A frustrated growl rises silently in his throat. He'd let that vision distract him. He needs to know where he is and how he'd gotten here. He strains to listen among the faint din of confused conversation.

The eventual explanations that come from the one called Olwen do little to alleviate his irritation. He offers skeptical glances toward the bits about a troubled world and seasonal powers. But his most dismissive reaction, a sharp "tch" forced through his teeth, is saved for the line about the necessity of physical touch. What a bunch of nonsense.

As soon as this Olwen is through, he's moving again. His pace is slightly staggered, as if he hasn't moved too much recently. But it's essential to discover how much truth was in Olwen's words. Which means finding others to observe. (Instead of just talking to people like a normal person.) Something he was not especially skilled at doing with any degree of subtlety, being used to doing it in a slightly different form.

Whether he's leaning against a wall and obviously people-watching or staring from behind some restaurant table is entirely up to you!

OR maybe you catch him browsing deeply through books at the Amberfall library while muttering to himself:]

So I'm just supposed to ask a random person to hold my hand?

WINDS OF CHANGE
[ He's gathered enough basic information to learn that he's allegedly been appointed to the Spring season. Whatever that means. Apparently, there were more details to be found at the Spring Guild in Blossomcrown.

After more half-believed explanations, finds himself in the practice area, trying to visualize anything dealing with wind. So far, his focus has resulted in a faint orange-red glow from the amulet beneath his shirt but little else.]

What does spring have to do with wind anyway? Shouldn't it be rain?

[ As he mutters it, a gust smacks him directly in the face, disheveling his already messy hair even further.]

HERE KITTY KITTY
[ He hadn't actually intended on questing. Sure, he'd seen the posters talking about some sort of strange cats roaming about. But his focus had remained on gathering as much information about this place as possible. It was only when he'd noticed his amulet feeling oddly hot that he decided to track down the source of the magical disturbance.

Just when he thinks he's discovered its location, he notices the glow fading entirely from the artifact. Something that's never happened before. Alarmed, he looks around himself to find the culprit.

A light mewl startles him, followed by an inky black creature dropping down from a ledge.

A kitten. His brows furrow in concern, as the animal's fur bristles. Hardly an unfamiliar reaction.]

It's not a good time, cat.

[ He goes to nudge it away with his foot, as he continues to search the place with his gaze. Despite its lack of brightness, his amulet still feels warm against his chest. To make matters worse, any light around him seems to be slowing fading as well. The kitten hisses at the motions of his foot and takes a quick swipe at him.

Sighing in frustration, he scoops the animal from the ground to make a quick exit. Only to watch more lights flash out as he walks briskly. All while the cat yowls in protest.

Sorry if you happened to be enjoying any bright technology along the way!]

Comments

[badsunrising]

[ He returns the book to the shelf with an emphasized shove. ]

I don't have any criteria. I find the concept ridiculous. I have no intention of asking others to hold my hand as if I were some lost child.

[nilhilistic]

[ nil chuckles dryly. he feels the same way, but he's not admitting to it. plus, he has some issues regarding touch of any kind. ]

Then I hope you are prepared to turn into stone.

[badsunrising]

[ He scoffs. ]

Is that the threat they're using to encourage this farce? I admire the originality.

But I'd rather they just explain what task needs to be accomplished for us to return. The arrival speech was lacking in details.

[nilhilistic]

I doubt anyone here has the spine to be threatening.

[ his allies wouldn't lie. they lack the ability to do so. if they believe it, then there's no reason nil wouldn't. it's only practical. ]

And I doubt anyone is keeping anything from you in particular. Or do you see yourself as so important that others must hedge you in?

[badsunrising]

Appearances can be deceiving.

[ Said flatly. ]

I see myself as someone who has been removed from a place where I am needed.

[ After he promised to do his best to make up for his mistakes even. ]

And ready to do whatever it takes to expedite the process that will see me back. I was told we need to learn skills that will repair this world but little else. I should think the process would be more efficient if those brought here knew what we were working toward.

[nilhilistic]

Then don't be easily deceived. That's on you.

[ so helpful, nil. ]

I too have been removed from a world that requires my assistance. But if you expect any answers given to you, you will be waiting a while. This world does not function on efficiency but feelings and community.

[badsunrising]

[ Great. Both things he is absolutely terrible at.

He raises a brow. ]

Feelings?

[ That better not be literal. ]

What do feelings have to do with functionality?

[nilhilistic]

[ welcome to the club, buddy. ]

Feelings matter to the functionality of this world. Not all worlds are the same. It is not so far from belief that emotional energy can sustain a world.

[badsunrising]

[ [His eyebrow twitches at the repetition of 'world.' He still hasn't fully managed to convince himself that this place is another world and not just some elaborate hoax. Though what for is the more difficult question. ]

Emotional energy? They really have all of you going here.

[ Magic and powers are one thing but worlds run on emotions? Nonsense. ]

[nilhilistic]

Think what you like. No one is going to stop you.

[ he understands the nature of other worlds, and thus, keeps an open mind. he may not like it and enjoy it, but he's not a fool to dismiss things out of hand.

it is entertaining to watch another fool though. ]

I will enjoy the experience of your failure, regardless.

[badsunrising]

[ Something glints in his eye. ]

I don't tolerate stalkers.

[nilhilistic]

[ nil rolls his eyes. there's nothing more bizarre than people who see themselves as important. ]

Please. Who would bother? I imagine it'll be a spectacle in itself.

[badsunrising]

[ The silent growl rumbles in his throat. He will not accept this idiocy. Not without some sliver of proof. ]

And how exactly have you managed to stave off this stone fate? Do you approach others on the street for a daily handshake?

[nilhilistic]

[ nil scoffs. ]

There was no need. My allies here are soft-hearted fools. They would offer themselves to me without any asking.

[badsunrising]

[ That makes him pause. ]

Others from your homeland are here?

[ So this place's power wasn't just grabbing one person from each area within its reach. ]

[nilhilistic]

Not quite. My world perished. I went to their world to fulfil a pact I made with their leader.

This world would mark the second one I have traveled to.

[badsunrising]

[ That... is a lot to take in. And actually manages to evoke some genuine shock, past all the standoffishness. ]

Your world perished... ?

[ Could such a thing be possible? Had they not been speaking a bit, he could dismiss it as a ruse. But from what he's seen, this person does not seem the type to make up such a thing. Especially not for the mere purpose of throwing him off-balance.

And isn't such a fate exactly what he and the others are trying to prevent with their own battle? ]

spoilers!

[nilhilistic]

[ hm. he notes the reaction quietly. ]

Yes. Everyone had died. I was the only one left.

Re: spoilers!

[badsunrising]

[ His tone is quieter now, gaze turned. ]

How did it happen?

[nilhilistic]

[ what should he say? he doesn't want to cause trouble for the divine dragon. as for his own . . . well, nil couldn't care less what others thought of him. ]

There was a war between Divine Dragons and Fell Dragons. The war wiped out the population.

[badsunrising]

[ Ah, a power struggle. He's read of such things in the history books. ]

And your allies had the means to send you somewhere else. Where the war had not touched.

[nilhilistic]

Not quite. The world I traveled to resembles my own to a great deal — including the war. But their war has yet to end.

So I offered my aid when I traveled there.

[badsunrising]

Has your insight helped?

[nilhilistic]

I'm not required to. My allies know what took place on my world and I've left nothing out.

Now, all they require of me is my power.

[badsunrising]

[ Well, he can relate to that. He's never been much for strategizing. When brute force works just as well. ]

So not too different from this place. That explains why it is so easy for you to take its extreme elements in stride.