hadriel_logs | Intro Log: The Joys of Composting

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Intro Log: The Joys of Composting

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for September
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: September 10th-14th
Warnings: New folks! Bugs! Weird stuff!

It's that time again! Or, well, probably the very first time for you. It's not that often that you turn up in a different world - unless it is. You awaken on the ground of a large arena, a stone ceiling stretching high above you. Welcome to Hadriel! Don't worry, you weren't the only one who woke up here. So did a bunch of other people - and so did some monsters.

Yup, crawling around being incredibly gross are quite a few Jauchekafers, large beetles that feed off chemical and biological waste from humans. When upset or alarmed, they're perfectly happy to swarm and attack people, so hopefully you didn't wake up in the middle of them. Being about two and a half feet long, their bites can do quite a bit of damage, and that's not even counting the toxicity that might be passed on from their diet!

Speaking of their diet, those beetles aren't the only trash that's washed up in Hadriel this month. While making your escape from the arena, you might stumble over a interesting table or a possibly comfy chair, or even a piece of art. A lot of it's pretty cool, but you're not gonna find anything that isn't made out of trash. But hey, maybe that's your aesthetic?

Don't get too distracted by all this trash that has been turned into treasure. After you've find your way out of the colosseum there's plenty of other distractions! Feel free to go explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers September 10th-14th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

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Oh sweet, Pringles! [As if right on cue, there's a very familiar-looking elf reaching right over Angus' head to snatch up the last can of Pringles that he'd been eying so hungrily. She pops off the top and just rips the safety barrier off in one go.

Is there anything more satisfying than the sharp, fresh crunch of the very first chip from a newly opened can? Nope!

With chips in hand, Lup takes a step back to eye the tiny nerd in front of her, crunching nosily over his head. Angus is smart enough to know she isn't Taako, despite the close resemblance, but she doesn't have that same advantage. She doesn't have a clue who he is or his relationships to her friends.]

Sorry, kid. You snooze, you lose! Everything around here is up for grabs. So if you see something you like, you gotta take it first.

[ At first, he thinks that Taako has rolled up out of nowhere just to harass him and eat his food for the sake of a goof. Angus stares up at Lup in open, slack-jawed dismay for a moment, then actually stops to take in her appearance, her body language, her voice - the fact that she's a she.

... This isn't Taako. This is someone who looks very much like Taako, and who shares his love of trolling the shit out of people, which is super weird, but something that he can investigate properly once he has his chips back. He's hungry, dangit! Angus squares his shoulders and stands up straight, unconsciously adopting the same 'I am a serious, competent young man who should be taken seriously' body language that he used around skeptical adult coworkers (and unsuccessfully tried to use around big kids, who weren't easily fooled and had him pinned as a nerd trying to look tough from the beginning). ]

Ma'am, I'm pretty sure I had dibs, I was here first! There must be something in here you'd want more than the chips!

[Oh. Oh.

Lup crunches down on another delicious, crisp Pringle when the kid squares his tiny, weak little shoulders and tries to aim his best unimpressed look up (and up and up) her way. It isn't on purpose, Lup isn't nearly as big an asshole around kids as her brother tries to be, but her expression breaks, lips twitching around the chip, before she's laughing. Oh no, he's adorable. Look at his serious face! Shit, Ango is slaying her.

It's a completely condescending move, but Lup reaches out her free hand to ruffle Angus' hair. Normally, she'd take him up on that deal, try to make a trade so she came out for the better. But he's a child. She replaces the lid on the can and tosses it to him.]

They're kinda stale anyway. [No, they aren't.] I'll find something better.

[ ... Wait, what?

Okay, if he'd had any suspicions about this mysterious elven lookalike being Taako, that hair-ruffle would have trashed them! Angus just barely catches the pringles can when it bounces off his chest, steps back out of Lup's reach, and tries to neaten his hair back into place with his free hand (an impossible task, it's always been an unruly mess). She's laughing at him, like he's some dumb little kid, and it's been so long since he's really been patronized that he's almost forgotten how to deal with it. He can feel his ears burning!

... Okay, she isn't taking him seriously. This means that he has to double down and be even more mature and serious. He takes a deep breath, schools his expression into something a little less flustered and a little more composed, and holds out the pringles can at arm's length. ]

... I don't mind sharing. Do you know anyone named Taako, by the way?

[Oh no. He's cute.

Somehow, Angus attempting to focus his expression into something more adult just makes him look even more like the child he is, Lup still chuckling when he holds the can out to her, offering to share. It's a sweet gesture, especially from a kid his age (like five, right?), but he's a growing boy. He needs all those good Pringles nutrients himself.

Lup holds up a hand in decline before she's moving further into the shop, rummaging through the rest of the unsupervised goodies inside. Hanging up is a truly awful apron. Without even a moment's hesitation, she plucks it off of the wall and tucks it under her arm. That's Lup's now.] Nah, all for you, kid. And like I said, you're going to have to get used to taking stuff for yourself here. No one mans the shops like this. It's a free-for-all.

[Not that anyone could possibly be cruel enough to let Angus starve, but Lup and Taako had seen some shit as children. She knows the world doesn't magically become a better place just because you're young.]

A little. [stop being a vague asshole, Lup] How do you know Taako though?

[ Congrats Lup, you have gained +1 (one) tiny nerdy shadow. Angus follows on her heels, studying her intently. It should be difficult to look so thoughtful and serious while munching down on potato chips, but he manages it somehow.

(He also knows damn well that the world isn't particularly child-friendly, but that's a conversation for another day.) ]

If nobody minds the store, then how does it keep food or aprons with fanciful wordplay in stock?

[ Sorry Lup, he's nothing if not incessantly curious. ]

We're co-workers and very good friends! At least, I'd like to think so. I'm sorry if this is a rude question, Ma'am, but are you related? It's just that you look awfully similar. Like, really, really, really, really similar.

[ Later on, Angus will remember thinking back to the moment he first saw Lup and thinking 'is she Taako's evil twin from another plane? Wait, no, she's too nice to be evil, is Taako the evil twin?' The irony of this won't be lost on him. ]

It's a mystery to me. [It absolutely isn't, but Lup's not going to be the one to get into the whole discussion of what the gods who run this place do around here. She isn't on good terms with them and would rather spend as much time ignoring their existence as possible. So add that to your list of mysteries in Hadriel, kid!

Lup peeks over her shoulder at the boy following her, smiling to herself at how weirdly contemplative this kid was. It's true that her interaction with children has always been a little limited--it had been difficult to get close to them during the cycles, know what fate would befall them if they failed getting the light--but Lup's pretty certain that most don't have expressions like that. Of course, Angus keeps talking and answers her own unasked question.

The elf turns abruptly to face the boy, her eyebrows arching upwards.] Wait, wait. Hold up. You're co-workers? [She regards him, eying Angus' height in particular before that thoughtful moment passes.] Shit, Lucretia's workforce must be really stretched thin if they had to start hiring actual children.

[The future really was a dark place.]

Yeah, that's probably because we're identical. Twins, that is. He's my brother. [She gave Kravitz enough shit when he arrived, she may as well go a little easier on the kid.]

[ Lup stops so abruptly that Angus almost walks right into her, and after he stumbles back a few steps, he crosses his arms and meets her surprised expression with a flat, unimpressed look that clearly says he's encountered this kind of skepticism a hundred times before.

... Well, maybe not a hundred, but certainly every time he's met an adult who thought he was either lying, being exploited by someone with no qualms about using child labour, or had a 'job' in the sense that he was a cute mascot for a police department. Either way, it's long since gotten old. ]

I was actually hired because I'm the the best detective in the world and I'm very good at my job, but okay.

[ ... Wait, twin sister?! ]

Oh! Ohmygosh, I thought so, but I had my doubts since Taako's never mentioned a sibling before, although he pointedly avoids talking about things like backstories and personal lives very much anyway! It's very nice to meet you, Ma'am, I-- oh, I haven't introduced myself yet, I'm Angus McDonald!

... Wait, you called the Director by her first name, she hardly lets anybody do that. Do you know her too?

[Okay, this kid is fucking adorable.

As Angus shoots her a look that perfectly conveys his exhaustion at not being taken seriously his whole (short) life, the corners of Lup's mouth twitch upwards into a crooked grin, her own amusement as his growing exasperation awful but so very obvious.]

Best detective in the world, huh? [Seems like a pretty big claim, but if he's good enough to be a part of this bureau of Lucretia's, Lup thinks it might just be true. And honestly, look at the other chucklefucks working for her bestie. Lup adores her friends, they are her dearest family and the only people she's ever come to trust and love as completely as she does. But she wouldn't trust Taako, Merle, or Magnus to be able to investigate themselves out of a paper bag. Maybe she should take Angus at his word for this one.] Hope you're paid better than my dear brother, then.

[And there he goes acting his own age! It sucks to be reminded that Taako hasn't been able to talk about her since he didn't know she existed in their future, but Lup's smile doesn't falter.] Nice to meet you, Angus the Boy Detective. [And unlike those assholes she lives with, she means it.] The name's Lup.

Oh, that's right. [her smile goes a little more sharp at that] I forgot she's the Director to all of you. That's such a fucking trip, lemme tell you. But yeah, I sure do. She's my best friend, kid. We go back a long ways.

[ We go back a long ways.

Just like that, several things click into place at once. Before arriving in Hadriel, Angus been in the Director's office with the others, learning that none of the relics had been destroyed, his friends and coworkers were from another world entirely, and their memories had been wiped by the baby voidfish (and also Davenport could talk??). The Director had mentioned someone named Lup, and Angus suddenly thinks back to a magic lesson with Taako that had ended with his umbrella scorching three letters into the wall, and the Director saying 'There was nothing I could do, I'm so sorry', and...

... and Lup, Taako's sister, was probably dead and erased by the baby voidfish, although that apparently hadn't stopped her from haunting Taako's umbrella like a spooky ghost this whole time? ]

Ma'am!

[ He darts forward, somehow even more wide-eyed, alert, and keyed up than before. ]

Miss Lup! How do you spell your name? Is it 'L-U-P?' Do you have an umbrella that you use as a magic wand? Do you really dislike macaroons for some reason?

[There's no hiding her surprise when Angus shoots forward, looking like he's either solved a particularly difficulty mystery or that he's seen a ghost float casually through the tiny shop they're standing in. Lup looks around the room quickly, just in case it's the second one of those, before her gaze settles back down on the kid bouncing so excitedly in front of her.

Suddenly, she's worried. Every single time someone tries to give her information from the future, it just kind of gets shittier and shittier. It's to the point where Lup can't imagine it getting even worse, but with the streak of bad luck she's on lately, who knows what's possible.]

Yep, [she shifts her weight to lean up against one of the counters in the shop, arms crossing over her chest, that 'p' popped with a particular emphasis.] Sounds like me. Well, minus the macaroon thing, that's just plain fake. Why?

[ Usually, when Angus solves a case, he's elated. There's nothing quite like that feeling when a missing puzzle piece drops into place and resolves the entire picture, that moment when all of his questions are answered and everything suddenly makes sense. Angus has solved plenty of murder mysteries before, but never one where the deceased party was present and unaware of what had happened, and instead of that brilliant lightbulb-moment feeling, Angus's stomach has turned to ice because he's just realized that Lup doesn't know.

He swallows nervously, glancing away, and inwardly berates himself for showing every single body language tic that he'd usually look for in a lying suspect. He's really stepped in it now! ]

U-um--! It's just... Lup is an unusual name, and I didn't want to spell it wrong in my notes, and I think Taako has your umbrella, and I tried making macaroons once but I forgot to put in sugar which was really silly in retrospect and I was wondering if you liked cooking as well and if you knew any good recipes?

[ Deflect! Backpedal! Deflect some more! He isn't technically lying, but he needs to pull the ripcord on this conversation and he'll feel terrible about sidestepping the truth later! ]

[Poor Angus. He's honestly fretting over nothing, Lup already having been told all of the gruesome details of her future a number of weeks ago. It's sweet of the boy to worry like that, to think he has to play the adult in this situation, but for once, he's given full permission to just be a kid. Lup's got this covered.

Though she can't help the way she smiles at how awfully obvious he's lying. Kids are pretty cute. Who knew?]

Okay, one--[and she holds up a single finger, counting her points off] Learn to take a breath, kid. You're going to make yourself pass out if you keep word vomiting like that. And two--[she repeats, ticking off another finger, though the way Lup's mouth twists in confusion proves she's already forgotten.] Well, uh, what was the question again?

[Angus spoke so fast that Lup's having trouble putting his commentary in order again.] Oh, it was Taako having my umbrella, right? Yeah, I know. We've been here for a few months now, he's already told me all about it. And since I have no use for it, he may as well keep it. As for cooking, I'll have you know that Taako learned everything he knows from me. If you want proper cooking lessons, I'm your girl.

[ That's the thing about being independent and having a career when you're eleven years old, you have to be every bit as mature and capable as your adult co-workers, or nobody will take you seriously, let alone hire you. Angus has spent most of his life trying to play the adult; it's such a deeply ingrained habit by now that he sometimes doesn't even think of himself as a kid.

... But that's a tangent for another day. Angus finally stops to catch his breath and gives Lup a long, thoughtful stare... then raises an eyebrow. ]

... You're definitely the older twin, aren't you.

[ And then, after a moment of consideration once his self-preservation instincts kick in: ]

If you aren't, please don't tell Taako I said that, Ma'am! Um. Actually, maybe don't tell him I said that period?

[Lup meets Angus' thoughtful stare, complete with raised eyebrow, but then he speaks and the woman just loses it laughing. Her laugh is loud, high and unrestrained, delight ringing clear. Before she even finishes cackling, the elf drops a hand on Angus' shoulder, patting him there.] Atta, boy, Angus! I knew I liked you! [No she didn't.] You've got a good head on your shoulders for a kid. No wonder Luce hired you. Someone's gotta keep those three in line, right?

[Don't worry, kid. Lup won't stand for you being bullied by those jerks. Some kids deserved a little asskicking, sure, but Angus is golden in this elf's book so far.] I'll try to keep it from coming up in casual conversation, but I have a feeling you'll be fine.

[But then her eyes drop down to those Pringles in his hand, flicking up to his tiny frame, the big eyes behind his glasses, and Lup's already made her mind up before she has the chance to ask.] Want something a little more filling, kiddo? Taako and I have been scavenging for ingredients the last month, I could probably whip you up something life-changing compared to those.

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Intro Log: The Joys of Composting

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