Intro Log: Fly, My Pretties!

[hadrielmods]

What: The intro log for May
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: May 10th-14th
Warnings: Flying monkeys! New friends! Prosthetic limbs!

Here in Hadriel, we do introductions right. That means dumping you on the ground of an old Roman-style Colosseum with a bunch of scary monsters and also a bunch of weird shit. Your monster of the day happens to be Winged Monkeys, more commonly known as flying monkeys, from the Wizard of Oz and affiliated stories!

As you may have been able to guess, these creatures can fly and they're rather intelligent- intelligent enough to wield spears and daggers as crude weapons and strong enough to pick someone right up off the ground and fly with them to a perch, where they'll... you know, stab them with their knives and stuff.

Why? We don't know. It's Hadriel.

Just in case you lose a couple of limbs in the process of escaping these critters, we've got you covered. Scattered around the newbies are prosthetic limbs for various body parts. These limbs are all fully functional, even if they look a bit... odd, so if you've lost an arm or two, or a leg, or even a pinkie finger, feel free to grab one and try to figure out how to use it!

Good job dealing with those monkeys! It's kind of a weird thing to be threatening, but clearly someone was afraid of them once. Once you're done, 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 May 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

[abbatis]

[Edgar keeps silent for a quick moment, palms pressing down against the hard wall behind him and lips curling up into a wider smile that reveals sight of his front teeth.

He really isn't afraid of him right now. Threat or no threat]

Or else?

[braveoff]

If that's how you want it to be. It's not my preference.

[ Look, Edgar, Drake really doesn't want to hurt you, but. But. ]

Can't just let you run around hurting people less sturdy than me. If you had a good reason, if you needed to, we can figure something out. But if this is more demon-summoning magic bullshit, I'm taking you in one way or another. You might be able to knock me out but there are people here that won't work on.

[abbatis]

[He let's out a quick, amused sneer at that, cocking his head arrogantly back.]

Worry not. I'm not the one you should be worried about when it comes to performing a black mass. [There are other people here who seem to be more interested in things like that.]

Why do you keep insisting I did anything with your blood? Unless you know a reason why someone might need it. Do you ×need it for something, perhaps?

[braveoff]

Because a wound like the one I woke up with was made on purpose. If it was a bite, I would've guessed you were a vampire but obviously you didn't drink it.

[ He doesn't comment on how he can tell, but it's a clue. ]

There's no reason one would have to, anyway, unless they just felt like killing people. We're fed here. But why else would you cut me?

[abbatis]

[So, he's familiar with the old myths and legends about vampires. That both makes this interesting and more difficult to him. Edgar doesn't believe him to be one of his kind. He has drank blood from his family members countless times and never felt sick after like he did with Drake's blood. But he must be something else that is not a human.]

Maybe. But you didn't answer my question. Is there something you'd might need blood for? Something that sets you apart from humans? [Yet another pause, but this time he leans in closer and whisper to him.] You can tell me your secret, Drake.

[braveoff]

[ Drake bristles a little when the kid knows his name, says it like that. Like he's the one in control here, because yeah. He sort of is. And Drake knows it. But he doesn't reel back, he stands his ground and lowers his voice to match. This probably looks questionable. ]

Maybe I just want to keep mine on the inside. Anyway, I asked you first.

[abbatis]

[Edgar has a upper hand and he knows it. He only needs to shout and people turn to look at them see a grown man harassing a young boy.]

Because your blood is dangerous to others? I think we both know it's not quite normal so there's no point in pretending otherwise.

[braveoff]

[ At least around here, people might be more likely to believe his story that he wasn't a creep -- rather the innocent young boy was not what he seemed. But Drake's not about to test that, honestly.

He tilts his head, wondering if that's technically an admission. It must be. The only way he'd know it wasn't normal is if he indeed took it. ]

How about we both stop pretending? You're right. Something about me is dangerous. And you know that because there's something dangerous about you, too.

[ Trust isn't something Drake comes by easily, but... ]

Can we at least lean on the common ground? Give me something, kid.

[abbatis]

I think we have 'show me yours and I'll show mine'-kind of situation.

[Edgar lets out a brief low chuckle. It's a laughter backed with a quiet echo, that makes it sound like something out of this world just like his shining blue eyes. Drake's right, though. From the very beginning to this conversation it's been painfully obvious that he isn't a human.

But he can't trust Drake completely yet, at least until he knows just what he is. One can never be too careful, especially when you're alone in middle of dangerous beings.]

Your blood almost killed me. That doesn't happen with humans so please, tell me what are you?

[braveoff]

[ Drake's eyes narrow -- he did eat it, then. Vampire? Something, anyway. The fact he finally admitted to taking the blood is enough for Drake to open up a tiny bit, though. ]

That's... you should be infected.

[ Ugh, he doesn't tell anyone this willingly, not home and not here. As open minded as people here are in general, he still thinks his brand of monster would be unwelcome. But Edgar's already on the right track, and could make some real trouble for him. Maybe if he says what he is first, he'll get dirt on Edgar and they'll be back at a stalemate. He lowers his voice further. ]

I'm a zombie.

[abbatis]

>A zom-- [Yeah okay, that is enough to make Edgar momentarily drop his guard, causing amused disbelief to push the threatening predator on the side. For a quick moment he's more like a usual kid, facing something new and intriguing for the first time.

Because this is new. At least to Edgar. He's never heard of actual zombies being real nor has he read anyone meeting one. But he has to admit that hearing this is kind of reassuring. Zombies are supposed to be undead, aren't they? Monsters that live on by killing and eating humans.

Just like his kind.]

You can't infect something that's not alive.

[braveoff]

[ Drake shushes Edgar harshly, even as the kid cuts himself off. Out of the corner of his eye it doesn't seem like anyone's paying them attention, but glancing around would look even more suspicious than this encounter already is. He remembers his training and keeps himself still.

Not alive, huh? His next question is just a formality, really. ]

Vampire?

You know, Hope will feed you. You don't have to attack the locals.

[abbatis]

[Edgar shrugs and cocks his head to the side little.]

I suppose. That is what humans have called us.

[He and his family have been called by many different names thorough the history. But it's easiest to go with the word that is the most transcendent to different cultures and worlds.

However, what Drake says next makes him balk and frown in disbelief and confusion. As if he just said something offensive.]

What. Hope? You don't mean one of the gods?

[braveoff]

What do you prefer? And what's even your name, I don't know it yet.

[ But then the kid's expression shifts, and Drake can't say he's surprised by it. He knows some lore from his world and vampires hate the divine, right? Maybe that holds true for Edgar as well. ]

...they're not actually gods, does that help? Just another species with abilities in that tier. I don't fully trust them either but they've kept me alive this long. I've been here nearly a year and haven't had to hurt anybody.

[abbatis]

[Names and titles can wait because this is more important. Edgar parts his lips briefly as he backs down to lean against the wall again. He gives his lower lip a small and nervous bite.

Now a part of him is regretting telling Drake about himself. He should have said nothing -- in fact maybe he shouldn't have come to this place in the begin with! Admittedly, he doesn't know much about zombies aside from the few horror stories he's heard here and there. But a monster is a monster and shouldn't have anything to do with a being that is called holy.]

But they are deities in this world. It doesn't matter whether they are ones in mine or not, it's the faith and worship surrounding then that makes them dangerous.

[braveoff]

[ Drake's brow furrows a little, not sure what the kid's getting at. Worship isn't how these "gods" get their power, so he doesn't quite see the connection. But he's never been religious in any sense. ]

I guess, if we were actually worshiping them? We're not. Most of the city hates them. We only deal with them to survive.

[abbatis]

[He doesn't understand. That much Edgar can read from his expression alone, which is both frustrating yet intriguing. Maybe Drake comes from without gods or faith? No, that sounds unlikely. Humans have always believed in something, good and bad. Justice and evil, life and death.]

But we call them by name and pray for them to have our wishes come true. That is form of worship.

[braveoff]

[ Drake puzzles that through -- he disagrees, but the why of it seems to matter more than the debate itself. ]

It's not really praying for a wish to come true like how someone in my world would. Not to me, anyway. It's a business transaction. They can do something we want them to and we have to give in return. I'm not giving them shit willingly without a deal in place. I've never been religious, so maybe I'm not the best person to ask, but I know people who treat celebrities more like gods than we treat these creatures. Where do you draw the line?

Either way, if you're not willing to deal with Hope, you're going to have to find some donors. Attacking people on the street is gonna end terribly for you.

[abbatis]

I start fearing them the moment people build an altars for them and the idols prove to have a divine power that prevents me from killing them.

[The last remark is spoken with a brief lightness, as in a joke no matter how badly tasted it might be.]

You don't say?

[He grins, although there is a clear implication behind it. After all, Drake's blood had almost killed him -- whether it was unintentional or not. A zombie is not something he'd exactly count as divine but he was dangerous to him.]

There used to be someone who didn't mind acting as a donor. I could trust him with it but I believe he's gone now. [Losing Ivar turned out to be more disappointing than what Edgar had first believed. He had been strangely fascinated by the viking.] This place has a tight community but there are always ways to gather blood from others.

[braveoff]

[ Well that's. Not entirely accurate, they do know how to kill them. And there are probably godkillers still hidden in the city, but Drake moves on. He has no interest in killing the gods, not at this point. The conversation is moving past that. ]

If you trusted one human to feed you, you can trust another. I'm telling you, attacking people is a bad plan. That trance thing you did to me? Thinking I wouldn't figure it out? You're incredibly lucky that I had a secret of my own to keep -- the next person who realizes they were snacked on could make an announcement to the city and then what are you going to do?

...I'd deal with Hope for you, if you trusted me. It can't hurt to try it, right?

[abbatis]

[Edgar opens his mouth to counter. He would like to trust another human being but they both ought to know how unlikely that is. Humans can't be trusted. And that he's survived this long already and that he has his ways to survive.

However, all of that is left unsaid when Drake tosses out a sudden proposal. Edgar blinks once and twice and then closes his mouth, looking at the man with his eyes full of disbelief. His shoulders stiffen and he presses his back against the wooden wall behind him.]

You think they'd do that? Provide me a human sacrifice whenever I go hungry?