[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

[forgingfires]

[He doesn't look away from the information he's looking over, finger tracing over quest details.]

Don't ask questions if you don't want answers. It's your own fault if you don't like listening at that point.

[badsunrising]

I wasn't actually any addressing anyone. Who are you?

[forgingfires]

Ah, yes, ask aloud a power related question in the hall where they give out information related to that, while not wanting an answer, clearly the most sensible conclusion. What a burden it must be to have someone familiar with elemental magic give an answer. Woe is you.

I am Red Son.

[badsunrising]

[ Well... he can't exactly argue with that. Though the answer as to who this person is is lacking. Except for his obvious familiarity with magic. That could at least be useful. ]

I take it you were familiar with it before coming here.

[forgingfires]

I'm a fire demon and mother was a wind demon.

[Which helps him figuring out what to do with wind, but also makes him have a lot of mother issue feelings.]

[badsunrising]

[ His gaze immediately darkens, forcibly holding himself in check while a myriad of emotions crash within him. His posture grows tense. ]

You say that so casually. What are your intentions?

[forgingfires]

Intentions?

[This time he actually glances his way and quirks an eyebrow.]

[Then points to the pointed ears.]

I see no reason to hide myself for the comfort of mortals. I didn't at home and I won't here just because elves might be a real thing for some. They can either deal with it, or make the foolish mistake of attempting to make it my problem.

[badsunrising]

[ He looks to the ears, not immediately understanding their connection to demonhood. Lucien didn't have them, even in his other form. And he doesn't recall any fictional pieces featuring them. Those were usually elves, as the man had mentioned. Maybe that was just this one's demonic type. ]

And where is back home?

[ Where the fuck do demons come from anyway? ]

[forgingfires]

My world.

The Fiery Mountains in China if you want to be specific.

[badsunrising]

[ That... was surprisingly unhelpful. But what should he expect from a demon? ]

Interesting that this place can even prevent monsters such as you from leaving.

[forgingfires]

[Its not like he has a number address, they literally took over a bunch of mountains in the middle of nowhere.]

Demon. Monsters covers a far wider group of species. Its like calling humans animals.

I'm working on figuring that why this place interferes with my gate spells and only my gate spell as far as I've been able to find.

[badsunrising]

[ Look, you're supposed to be from the bowels of hell. Or something. He's not sure he even believes in hell. ]

Humans are animals. Just worse ones. And I have no interest in semantics. The only reason I'm even bothering with this conversation is our location.

Though it helps to know the extent of this place's power. Or that of the ones who brought us here.

[ As far as he's seen, all his powers are functioning normally. Along with the additional wind element that's been apparently gifted to him. Though it could use some serious refinement. ]

[forgingfires]

[Hell is different in Buddhism land. Also his mother is a Celestial Maiden, she just identies as demon, just for extra fun.]

Oh, speciesist against demons and humans. That's not a common twofer. So high magic species? Or is it the divine? The attitude does point more to the divine.

[badsunrising]

What are you talking about?

[ He's a wolf, okay.

He's not really a wolf. ]

I don't need to be part of some fantasy holy war to know what your kind are capable of.

[forgingfires]

Who said anything about a holy war? The closest thing to a holy war was well before I was born. [It was how his parents met, even.] Also it wouldn't be a fantasy holy war. It'd be a real war, with real death and consequences, not a pretty story.

I've just met celestials and they can get so weird about the purity of one's soul, like their actions aren't actively polluting their karma. Not all, of course, but when they were like that, it's was quite unpleasant.

You also don't know enough about me to know what I'm capable of. Do you really believe all demons are the same? Please.

[badsunrising]

[ He is tuning out so much of that, sorry. He doesn't care. ]

I suppose you're going to tell me you're not the murdering, manipulative kind.

[forgingfires]

I'm not the manipulative kind.

[Nothing about the murder though.]

[badsunrising]

What a winning endorsement of one's self.

[forgingfires]

It's almost cute you think that's insulting.

Frankly, its more insulting you're making the assumption I'm an evil villain based on my species versus my life choices.

I choose my path.

[badsunrising]

[ He makes a lot of assumptions about things. He kind of sucks that way. ]

And what is your path?

1/2

[forgingfires]

Long-term?

I shall help my father achieve the glory he deserves as ruler of the Mortal Realm, crushing his enemies underfoot, and making all the other realm and demon courts aware his will shall not be opposed!

[There is even a flare of fire around his hands and a bit of a maniacal laugh at the end.]

[forgingfires]

Short term, family bonding. [Shrugs.]

Maybe determine if it's easier to indulge the Dragon Girl for a century of friendship before we dedicate ourselves to that full time.

[badsunrising]

[ Unimpressed in every way. ]

So you choose to be an evil villain. Like I said, a monster.

[forgingfires]

Yes, but it is my choice.

I could choose to be a hero. To be good. Plenty of demons do.

I've even helped save the world because I didn't want it destroyed and I was so good at it, the Dragon Girl insists I could be a hero.

And I could.

But I decided not to.

[badsunrising]

How does that change anything? You're still a threat to everyone around you. Still a rabid beast that needs to be put down.