Intro Log: Rock This City

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for January
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: January 10th-14th
Warnings: New folks, rockin' dudes made of rock, and collectible friends!

This time, it's different.

There's no cave, no stone walls looming up around you and overhead, no stifling air or artificial light- not that you'd appreciate it, seeing as to how you've probably never been here before. And still, when you land facefirst on the dirt ground of the colosseum, you may not quite appreciate all the improvements and steps we've had to take to get here- after all, you're still surrounded by strangers in a crumbling city on an alien planet in the middle of nowhere.

Oh, and you're being attacked by Earth Elementals. These creatures are tall, between seven to ten feet, and made of solid rock, capable of punching through all the squishy bits of you- and for whatever reason, they definitely want to start punching. They're incredibly strong and, seeing as to how they're enchanted alive and have no internal organs, they're very difficult to kill.

But don't let that scare you off. For all the collectors in you, you can also find a very special array of beanie babies all scattered at the ground at your feet. Do you know that some of these things will be worth a lot of money someday? Better find the rarest one and stockpile it while you can! You might run into the rainbow crab, the platypus, or the sought-after bald eagle, or many more! Be sure to never take the tag off and never ever let anyone play with them so they don't lose value.

Once you've got your kids' college fund squared away, it's time to start exploring! You can 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 January 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!

Comments

[evocation]

I think he just likes to boss me around.

[She says it surprisingly lightly, then pulls away.]

Come sit down?

[hardwearing]

You think?

[ That's not how Wash read it, but he's also surprised that if Kyna did, she wouldn't mind it. Huh.

In any case, he nods at her request for him to sit, following her over to the couch. ]

I've got a few cuts, too, if the spell can take care of everything at once.

[evocation]

Yeah, probably.

[She runs a thumb gently over his bottom lip.]

Did this... you know, help at all?

[hardwearing]

[ What, the fighting? Wash shrugs a little, clearly not proud. ]

...in the moment. So I kept busy.

[evocation]

[She frowns, quiet for a moment.]

I don't know what I would do with myself if you left, either.

[hardwearing]

I mean... you were just home for a year, what's the difference? You held up okay, right?

[evocation]

Um...

[She hasn't dropped that bomb yet, and now that it's unavoidable, she has no idea how to. Kyna looks down, hand still resting lightly against his jaw.]

I didn't... I didn't remember Hadriel when I was at home.

[hardwearing]

[ The pit of Wash's stomach drops out at that, and he actually goes a little pale. She'd forgotten him... forgotten this whole place? On the one hand he's glad she didn't hurt for losing her friends here, but on the other it's viscerally upsetting to think that they won't remember any of this. Each other. And it kinda nixes even the concept of going to someone else's world, doesn't it? ]

Oh...

[evocation]

[Shit. There's no way to make this better, is it? She knows how upset she would be.]

Wash...

[hardwearing]

[ It's not her fault. It's awful to learn, but it's not her fault and there's nothing they can do about it. Wash shakes his head. He can't really process this right now, can't let himself think about what it means. ]

Don't. You remember now. Let me just... focus on that.

[evocation]

I'm sorry.

[She says it again because she doesn't know what else to say.]

But I didn't... I didn't want to forget. It's bullshit.

[hardwearing]

I know, it's not your fault. You don't have to apologize for it.

[ It does change things, though. His own outlook and the options for people who can't or shouldn't go home. But there's one thing he should make clear to Kyna, at least. ]

...now is still worth it.

[evocation]

["Now", he says, and there's no real way to avoid admitting to herself that this will be temporary, even if she desperately doesn't want to think about it. But that's just her luck, right? The first time a relationship feels easy and it's doomed from the start. Kyna lets her hand drop and nods, looking down again. She's not sure how to answer.]

[hardwearing]

[ Maybe he shouldn't have said that, but. It felt important. He lets out a slow breath and then reaches for Kyna, straight up scooping her up from the couch cushion beside him and settling her in his lap instead. So he can wrap both arms around her again. ]

This is the worst reunion ever. Of all time. I'm sorry.

[evocation]

[She's happy to see him, but it is definitely a pretty depressing reunion. Kyna settles against him and buries her face in his shoulder, exhaling.]

It's not your fault. This place sucks.

[hardwearing]

Yeah, but I could be a little lighter about it. You're back.

[ He kisses her forehead, squeezing her a little. That's what he should be focusing on, the fact that she's actually in his arms again. ]

[evocation]

[God, how did she forget him? Magic bullshit, probably, but it still seems impossible when he's holding her like this. Still, now she can't quite shake the nagging sense of disquiet.]

It almost sounded like you were thinking of breaking up with me. Earlier, I mean.

[And he said it was worth it, but what if he decides it's not? After that reaction to the fact that she didn't remember anything about Hadriel while she was home, it seems like a possibility.]

[hardwearing]

[ She's not gonna let that slide, huh? Fair enough, he's just not sure if he can explain it well. ]

...I thought for a second it might be better. But I don't want to.

[evocation]

[Ugh, she was afraid of that answer.]

Better how?

[hardwearing]

Safer? The closer we get the more there is to lose.

[evocation]

[She couldn't possibly hate this conversation any more if she tried. Kyna's quiet for a second, absorbing that. It's true, but she doesn't know what to do about it. It's incredibly tempting to just change the subject and pretend this issue doesn't exist, but after a moment of wrestling with herself, she forces herself on.]

Are you sure you think it's worth it? You're not going to... I don't know. I'm afraid you're going to change your mind.

[hardwearing]

[ Yeah this conversation sucks. A lot. Wash sighs heavily, his breath stirring her hair. ]

Yeah. It's just fear. I don't let that stop me anymore. [ And if he's honest with himself? He doesn't have it in him to push her away. ] I couldn't do it anyway. See you around here and not want this.

[evocation]

[Okay. Okay, that makes her feel a little better. She wraps her arms around him, fingers clutching at the back of his suit. She's officially clinging.]

I wish this could just be easy.

[hardwearing]

I know. I think we'll settle out, though?

[ He hopes, anyway. That this won't haunt them and things will get easier again. They got past his initial flailing failure, after all. ]

[evocation]

[Kyna nods against him, then pulls away just enough to kiss him on the cheek.]

Yeah. Thanks for not dumping me.