hadriel_logs | Intro Log: Puddle Jumpers

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Intro Log: Puddle Jumpers

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for September
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: September 10th-13th
Warnings: Fresh meat, lots of rain and angry ogres

If the rain on your face isn't enough to wake you up in the colosseum, maybe the thundering footsteps and- well, thunder- is. The first thing that you may notice is that it's incredibly wet around here, with winds that could knock you over if you aren't careful and thunder that brings with it a torrent of constant rainfall.

That's all fine though, because the gods saw fit to help you out on your way in and now everyone will be waking up wearing a rain coat! These coats are a little odd, and some of them are downright silly, but we trust that you'll make do. Of course, a few of the raincoats have additional sleeves, neck holes, and entirely too many buttons as well- but hey, it's the best we could do.

Wait, what was that about thundering footsteps? Oh right, as you're navigating your new fashion choices, there are some monsters afoot who will want nothing more than to grind you into a pulp and eat you- well, if you're organic, that is. If you're not organic, then they still want to grind you to a pulp, but maybe not so much the eating part.

Ogres are from many fantasy stories, but these in particular are from the Dragon Age series. With incredible strength and stamina and massive horns, fangs, and a bloodlust for violence, these monsters won't stop until everyone around them is a blood smear on the ground. They're also not too happy about this rainfall either, so be careful not to slip in the puddles as you run away from them!

Once you've splashed around a bit, feel free to run off into the stormy abyss of our islands. 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 September 10th-13th.
► 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ephemera closes his good eye, trying to control his breathing. Just be calm, be steady. It feels awful and wrong that this happened to Drake and Ephemera didn't even know. But there's no point in getting stuck on that. It's over, done with, and this is now. Focus on the now, Ephemera reminds himself. And breathe. Just breathe. Count on the exhale. There you go.

Breathe. ]

Okay. I can do that.

[ One thing at a time. But first...

Ephemera swallows, then reaches out to cup Drake's face in his hands. ]

Can I kiss you? Please?

[ He didn't want Ephemera to feel bad about any of this, because it really wasn't his fault, but the fact is... yeah, he's been struggling. And it's horrible to know what Ephemera went back to, that everything they were trying to prevent happened anyway. Does this count as a third chance? Maybe.

He's turning to go get them towels and dry clothes when Ephemera reaches for him, and the armored gloves are cold on his face. He goes still, remembering. Nods slightly, and realizes after a moment that he's holding his breath. ]

Yeah. You always can.

[ He should have done that already, honestly, he's just.... very overwhelmed, and still trying to hold his shit together. At least for the moment. ]

[ Ephemera feels his shoulders drop. It's okay. He can do this, at least. ]

Thank you.

[ He tips his head and kisses Drake softly, and with great care. ]

[ That'll never not strike him as weird, when Ephemera thanks him for things that he wanted anyway. Like it's some favor, when it isn't, but he doesn't have the time or even really desire to call it out. Or to lighten the mood with a wry 'you're welcome?' Because then he's being kissed, and it's not like he even really had a dry spell the past few months, but it's different. It's more.

It drags on, gentle and warm and real, and when it breaks he takes another shuddering breath, feeling himself uncoil just a little. ]

...I missed you so much.

[ I can tell, Ephemera thinks. He doesn't say it, touching Drake's face carefully. ]

I'm here now. I've got your back.

[ Apparently, that was pretty close to the perfect thing to say. The tension in Drake's shoulders eases a little more and he smiles. It's not quite as broad and easy as it used to be, but they'll get there. ]

Never doubted that. You always have. But I'm freezing, come on.

[ He can't actually duct tape the other man to his side for reassurance, they've gotta function, but he'll indulge himself a little longer and snag Ephemera's hand as he pulls away to drag him to change. Dry clothes, he wants them, let's go. ]

I'm coming, I'm coming.

[ Honestly, dry clothes sound amazing right about now. Ephemera wants out of his armor, out of the survival suit. They change quickly. No need to linger.

Ephemera hesitates before pulling the borrowed shirt on. His chest is a mess of bruises and magically healed wounds. ]

I'm okay. Really. It's sore, but I'm okay.

[ If his priority wasn't Ephemera right now, Drake would be showering both to warm up and fully wash off the ogre blood and dirt. The rain did rinse most of it off, at least -- he feels a little grimy but it can wait. And then it's hard to not focus on the injuries before Ephemera covers them back up. Shit.

He does smile a little at the fact that Ephemera reassures him before he can even ask, but it's fleeting. Drake sits on the edge of the bed, haphazardly toweling his wet hair and patting the spot beside him. ]

Are you, though? I don't mean physically. Yeah, you'll heal, but I know how that... do you remember it?

[ And is it going to set him back? He seems okay, but it could just be shock and remembering that trauma might be a problem considering Washington and Carolina are still around. ]

[ Ephemera hesitates a moment before deciding just to go with the truth. Even if it's harder. ]

I remember, yeah.

[ He sits down next to Drake, shifting to lean against him. ]

It got bad, at the end.

[ He owes Drake the truth. Ephemera closes his good eye, bumping their heads together. ]

I don't know. Maybe it'll hit me later. Mostly I'm just--tired, right now.

[ That's... valid, but not any less worrying. Drake takes a slow breath, in and out, settling his hand on Ephemera's back and rubbing there soothingly. ]

You should rest a little before we call anyone, maybe. Lup will have my balls if she doesn't know today but it doesn't have to be right this second. I just need to know one thing.

[ He's heard the other side from multiple people, but Ephemera himself could never confirm it. Not until now. And it makes all the difference, he thinks. Not just in how he thinks about it, but in predicting how Ephemera might handle it long term. If it's going to be trauma and grief he needs to support the other man through, or something more destructive. ]

Did he really not have a choice?

She would, [ Ephemera says, fondly. He's always gotten along with Lup. Her intensity is comforting, a challenge for him to meet whenever they run into each other. But then Drake asks the question, and Ephemera's smile fades. He opens his good eye and just breathes. In and out, until he's sure that he'll keep his center. He owes Drake the truth with this, too. He'd rather just lie down and sleep, hold hands and listen to the rain, but some part of him knows the question would be hanging over them the whole time. Festering. And that isn't fair at all.

So he breathes. Presses against Drake and holds very still. Don't lie. Don't stall. Just answer the question. ]

No.

[ He exhales. It comes out harsh. ]

I knew it was over the moment she sent me flying. She won. They'd always win. And I just wanted it to be over.

[ It's not easy to hear, but it's also not a new concept so Drake takes it about as well as he can. They probably won't have to worry about conflict with the Blues, at least, that's a relief. He lets out a breath of his own, still rubbing Ephemera's back. ]

Okay. I-- I knew that. And I believed him, I just needed to hear it from you.

[ This part's a little trickier, so Drake picks his words carefully, hoping they settle right. ]

You remember being here and getting past that now, but... you were back there. Just now. Promise me that if you start thinking that way again when it does sink in, you'll tell me? Please.

[ Ephemera reaches out and takes Drake's hand. It feels better that way. Something good to focus on. ]

I will.

[ He opens his good eye. Blinks a little until the room settles. ]

Promise.

[ Drake grips Ephemera's hand, smooths his thumb over the tattoos there and lets himself just enjoy the fact that the other man is back for a moment. He's back and he's promised, so whatever winds up happening they'll ride it out. ]

Thank you.

[ That's probably enough focusing on awful shit for the time being, though. He can catch Ephemera up on the past four and a half months later. ]

Do you want to lie down for a little while before I call our favorite magical whirlwind? Or I could dig up something to eat. You're a little pale.

Can we just...?

[ Ephemera sighs, bumping their heads together again. Drake's grip on his hand is steady and careful. That helps. ]

I could use some time just to breathe. Think I missed this bed.

[ And Drake in it. ]

...yeah.

[ He breaks the contact just to tilt his chin up and kiss Ephemera's temple, then grins. Despite how heavy everything was a moment ago, he knows this is gonna go over well. ]

Hold on a second.

[ Gently, Drake pulls away and crosses to the closet, proceeding to pull another half dozen pillows out of it. He didn't keep all of them on the bed because it was an unnecessary reminder, but he kept them. They get set down on Ephemera's side of the bed for him to arrange how he wants. ]

There. Now you can lie down.

[ Ephemera leans back curiously. Is that...? ]

You kept all of them.

[ It's said with quiet surprise, and a faint smile. Ephemera loves those goddamn pillows. Drake always looks at him funny, but never once complained about the horde or how it grew.

Yeah. All right. He's home now. ]

Fuck, I love you.

I kept everything. I don't know if all your paints are still good, but they're in the cabinets. You can check later... Finally do something with the other half of the hallway. It uh. Didn't feel right to get rid of anything, or to leave. Everybody said I'd need to accept it eventually, but now I'm glad I never got there.

[ His grin softens a little, less pleased with himself and more just fond. ]

Yeah, well, I love you back. Lie down, okay? I'm staying.

[ Somehow it never occurred to Ephemera that someday he'd have people who would keep his things for him. Not just care for him, but take the time and space to actually set room aside for the various things he's collected. It leaves him with a surprisingly warm feeling. Drake kept his paints and all the goddamn pillows. ]

You better.

[ Ephemera gives him a faint smile and promptly flops into the pillows. Everything is so soft. Urg. Yes. This is everything he wants. ]

Uggggggh. You know, there is one good thing about this rain.

[ He lifts up his head a little. ]

It's great sleeping weather.

[ It's okay, he meant it. He flops down too, on his sole pillow, and scoots in to drape an arm over Ephemera, carefully avoiding the injuries as much as he can. ]

At least the spire hasn't sprung a leak yet. And we're high enough I don't think anything will blow up here to break a window.

[ He can just see the bedroom window over Ephemera, glass pounded by waves of rain. ]

I hope it winds down soon, but it kinda reminds me of where I'm from, actually.

[ Drake doesn't think of Seattle as "home" anymore, and storms aren't usually ever this bad, but still. Watching the rain from inside is soothing in a weird way. ]

I don't know much about storms, [ Ephemera admits, shifting to press closer against Drake. His squad got caught in a few during the war, but there hadn't been many concerns there except hunkering down and waiting the worst of it out. Their armor had been durable enough to take the damage. ] It rains this much in Seattle?

Nah. Not all at once, anyway? That, out there? [ He nods towards the window, the constant howl of wind and impact of water. ] That's more like... east coast storms. Or east Asia. Hurricanes, typhoons, stuff like that. Northwestern coastal places like Seattle and London get a lot of rain but in a chill way, all spread out over the year.

Does it get cold?

[ It seems like it would get cold, out of climate-controlled armor. ]

Yeah, it does. It's far north enough there are actual seasons, and cold is worse when it's damp out. Kinda seeps into your bones.

[ Then he realizes Ephemera may have disappeared before the moving poll went up. But they might still wind up in one of those locations... ]

There was an ice planet as an option for the last move, you know. And it seems like Fear's still got it on the table.

....that sounds like a terrible idea.

[ Ephemera isn't really worried about the cold, but he knows how hard it is to navigate around ice. He doesn't like the prospect of trying it without armor. ]

People actually voted for that?

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cw for mention of suicide

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