Intro Log: Don't Wake Tonberry

[hadrielmods]

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: Cute monsters, a way to pass the time, and plenty of newbies!

Waking up in Hadriel certainly has its down sides, but if this weird murdercave city is good at one thing, it's keeping people entertained. As you awaken on the hard ground of the colosseum, you might see a rectangular cardboard box lying near you. Ignore it for now, as you get your bearings, but if you get bored? Well, you'll find these exciting and unique board games will keep you entertained!

But how could you possibly get bored, when there are plenty of cute monsters around to keep you company? Sharing the colosseum with all the new arrivals are Tonberries. In addition to their natural cuteness defense, they also carry very large knives. They're slow-moving and look innocent and even friendly, but be careful - one strike from that knife and you'll be a bloody mess. They won't attack unless you get too close, but who doesn't want to hug a Tonberry? And of course, if you attack, they'll counter with extreme prejudice.

Managed to resist the urge to hug a Tonberry? Safely escaped from the clutches of the colosseum, new board game in tow? Awesome! Feel free to go explore the rest of the city! Find a house, find a new monster, 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.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

Flick | Open

[saltrock_imp]

Even before he opened his eyes, Flick was pretty sure this wasn't the guest bedroom that Seel had locked him in. For one, it wasn't comfortable at all, and his former lover was a primadonna. Opening his eyes, it was obvious that Flick wasn't anywhere in Forever. He wasn't even in Parasiel territory. And there was no sky. That was actually the part that bothered him the most. It wasn't being kidnapped in the middle of another abduction, although that was grating on him as well. Fate and Destiny kept grabbing him by his toes and Flick kept kicking to try and get away. But the sky? He wasn't normally claustrophobic, but the sky was supposed to be something that was always there.

And then there was the weird things with knifes. Looked kind of cute, but looks were very deceiving. Especially when they carried knives. Pushing himself up and dusting himself off, Flick looked around, and then picked a direction, doing his best to avoid the knives and find a way out. And maybe some answers. And figure out why he was surrounded by humans?

But first, Flick had something he had to say.

"No." He addressed no one in particular, whoever was pulling the puppet strings here. He had his own ideas of who that was. "Whatever you want, the answer is no. I will not cooperate."

Re: Flick | Open

[knifecollecting]

After running into a new arrival in one of the shops Jo had dropped her finds off at her apartment and headed straight for the colosseum. She hadn't gone last time, but she wants to help if she can.

With a sword hanging off her side and a few knives strapped around as well, her short frame looks surprisingly cluttered.

She hears someone addressing...well, she isn't sure who, but she pops into the arena and heads for the first person she sees.

"Are you okay?"

Re: Flick | Open

[saltrock_imp]

"Physically? I'm fine." Talk about whiplash. Was it too much to ask for the universe to just.....leave him alone? But the woman who approached him looked a like she knew her way around. And how to defend herself. She reminded him a little of some of the human women he knew who lived outside Saltrock, still trying to fight for survival. Was she a local?

Flick meanwhile looked downright androgynous, male and female almost perfectly blended, even his voice was a disguise. He didn't sound male or female, but somewhere in between.


"I don't suppose you can give me directions on the nearest exit?"

[knifecollecting]

Jo nods. Physically is all she can expect right now. She remembers waking up here. It's not like it was that long ago for her anyway.

She turns, gesturing over her shoulder.

"There's a way out back here. I'll get you to the streets, they should be safe."

[saltrock_imp]

That wasn't what he meant, and at the moment, Flick was inclined to be obstinate. But there was a feeling, awash amidst the sea of humans and others, a har? Flick berated himself. He really should have paid more attention, raised his magical caste level. But some things always seemed more important. Like fixing dinner. Or the plumbing. Things came up. And before you knew it, he was here, more than a decade later.

"No. I mean an exit out of here."

[knifecollecting]

Jo immediately looks a little sadder than she had a moment earlier.

"Out of the cave?" She shakes her head.

"There isn't a way out."

[saltrock_imp]

Flick panicked for a moment, thoughts of never seeing Ulaume again, or watching Lileem grow up. But no, if they got in here, there has to be a way out. It might be a door none of them could reach or get too, but it was still possible, however remote. They just had to find it.

"It doesn't matter. You're right though, let's get some place safe. Then we can talk." For once, it was nice to not be the one everyone always turned to for support.

[knifecollecting]

She nods and turns on her heel, dodging a Tonberry.

"It's this way. Don't get hit."

She wishes there were a way out of the cave, but everyone says there isn't.

[saltrock_imp]

Flick steps lightly and tries to keep his eyes open. He did not want to get hit by that thing. And he didn't want to get hit and accidentally bleed on the nice human helping him. Painful horrific death was not a nice way to thank someone for trying to save your life.

"Right. I'm Flick, by the way." Because conversation while dodging knife attacks was a thing?

[pellameno]

Pell tries to hit up the colosseum every time there are new arrivals. His hope is fading at this point that there'll be anyone he knows, but there are always people who need help. And this time when he enters, he hears a familiar voice. One he hasn't heard in years but for in dreams, but familiar still. He scans the area quickly and when his eyes settle on Flick he breaks into a run, dodging the strange creatures of this arrival -- luckily they don't seem too interested in him when they realize he's headed somewhere in particular.

He comes up short, uncertainty in his eyes once Flick is actually right in front of him, reaching out with both hand and mind. "Flick? It'll be alright, come with me."

[saltrock_imp]

Flick's eyes found Pell as he was running head first toward him. He shouldn't have been surprised, but he was. Surprised that Pell was here, where ever this was, surprised that he wasn't dead, surprised that he looked pretty good for someone who should have been dead and surprised that he still looked so young. For all the rumors he'd heard, well, how often was it that people came back from the dead? He remembered how Cal had told them all he burned the body. That Pell had been shot int he head. There wasn't much left. Cal had told him time and time again. Like he was trying to purge the memory or pass it on and now Flick couldn't get it out of his head.

So, Pell, Flick looks downright confused. But he's been through a lot. The touch of Pell's mind was like a warm summer's day, something he'd be craving ever since he had that dream. His friend. Flick reached back, mentally conveying his own bewilderment and shock, gripping Pell's hand tight.

Was this a joke? Just minutes ago he'd been locked in a room by Seel who had been intent on deliver him to Pell. And now, Pell was here. Except they weren't anywhere he was familiar with---and then there were those things with the knives.

He pulled back for a moment, and just looked at Pell. "Alright. I'm trusting you." Flick said, uncertain he should.

[pellameno]

It is Flick, Pell can feel that it's his friend after a gentle brush against his mind, and he tries to tamp down his enthusiasm when he feels Flick's uncertainty. It's just that he's waited so long for someone, anyone from his world, and here he is.... but so hesitant. He squeezes Flick's hand and smiles until the other har pulls away.

"They told you I was dead, is that it? Not here, but if something happened Hope can bring us back. come with me, we have to get you out of the colosseum. before these creatures start acting up. There's only so much I can heal."

[saltrock_imp]

Flick just nods, looking around at the knife wielding monsters and trying not to be reminded of Orien. Dammnit Cal. Looking up at Pell, he really didn't look that much different. He didn't seem, well, stately. Like the har everyone was talking about. Thiede's puppet, Tigron of Immanion and Wraeththu. Truth be told Flick wasn't sure what he had been expecting Pell to look like.

"We need to talk. But, you're right. Let's get some place safe." And there he was throwing words like hope around and Flick wasn't sure what he meant. He gives his friend a brief smile, because, maybe it really was Pell. Maybe Cal was just crazy and he hadn't died. Maybe everyone was wrong, and there was someone else as Tigron. Who knew what Thiede had planned?

[pellameno]

"Right, I'm not explaining well. It's just so good to see you." Pell motions for Flick to follow him, a path that bears a wide berth around the knife-wielding creatures, and then into a long hallway. Then they're outside, as outside as one can ever be in the murdercave. Out of the building, at least. They pass a man, a doctor, waiting for people who are coming out injured, and spares him another smile as he takes Flick's hand again.

"We can go to my place. Axton might be home, but you can trust him."

[saltrock_imp]

Flick followed the path Pell laid out, walking behind him. He nods to the man waiting to help people who come out, when Pell grabs his hand. Why were there so many humans here?

"Axton?" He asked, wondering if this Axton was just a friend, or something more. Chesnari? And was he blonde too? Aru help him, Pell did have a type. "You have a place." He added. Wow, that meant Pellaz had been here for a while. At least long enough to start setting down roots. He wondered about the Pellaz back home. Was it a trick? Aru knows, Thiede could probably part the sea and stop time in addition to bringing Pell back to life. They definitely needed to talk. Flick's questions were running away with him.

[pellameno]

"I've been here awhile." He guides Flick through the streets, eyes sharp and wary as he watches for creatures that might have escaped the colosseum already. The city is as run down as ever but it seems their way is clear, and soon they're passing the apartment spires and crossing to the houses -- strangely built little things, rounded and curved in ways humans probably never would have built. Pell aims for one in particular, one with lights on inside emitting an oddly comforting warm glow. "I live here now, I suppose," he tells Flick enigmatically, letting go to open the door and usher him inside. The housing is usually safe.

Once they're in he turns to hug Flick, wrapping both arms around him gratefully. "It really is so good to see you. I've waited for someone I know, anyone, but for it to be you is..." Unexpected. Wonderful. Almost perfect, really, though he worries about Flick in this environment. Hell, he worries for himself.

[saltrock_imp]

Flick narrowed his eyes, watching as Pell guided him through the alien streets, eyes darting from side to side as he took in the sights, and turned back to make sure nothing was following them. When Pell ushered him inside the, well, he couldn't quite call it a house could he? Flick wrapped his arms around the other har, enjoying the feel of of Pell's warm body.

Which brought him to his next puzzle. Pell wasn't dead. He also didn't look like he had been plucked up and made Tigron, despite the rampant rumors going around. Maybe Cal had imagined it all? Maybe somewhere in his broken mind he constructed a fantasy of Pell's death. Had Pell walked out on Cal? No, that couldn't be it. He had seen Pell's spirit that night, he was sure of it. But dead people didn't just get new bodies. It didn't make sense.

Flick pulled back from the hug, looking at his friend with a wary gaze. "Pell. You're not dead."

Re: Flick | Open

[fadeling]

It wasn't hard to avoid the things--it never was--but there were always new people who didn't know any better and he should help them. He listened--that had always been what he did best--silent, but staying, hiding on fringes of fading, helping when he needed to. He didn't like the colosseum. He never had. It hurt too much inside and hearing the hurt hurt him too. But if people were there, then that's where he needed to be too.

That man, though...he looked confused. They all did, really, but he was...different. He couldn't say how. Maybe he was more determined, or more ready or maybe he was just more. That's interesting enough to make him reveal himself, though he stayed just out of reach, in case the man was startled and tried to lash out. That had happened a time or two.

"Yes. You probably will, But not because you want to. They don't like us not listening."

Re: Flick | Open

[saltrock_imp]

"They are going to have to get used to not getting what they want." Because Flick was tired of playing. He was tired of playing in a game he didn't even know was a game. He was tired of not having any of the rules and when he did figure some out, having them all change. He was tired of the Dehar not listening, those gods he created with his own thoughts and dreams and breath.

Flick couldn't help but remember Orien's body hanging from the rafters of the temple by his intestines, or how he had pleaded with Aruhani for help, and the god hadn't listened, turning Flick into a sacred whore as he was raped, again and again and again.

He was tired of being betrayed. Flick looked up at Cole. "You're not like the others.." He asked, or stated, he wasn't sure which one.

Re: Flick | Open

[fadeling]

"They won't like that." They didn't like much, though. Not that he'd seen, anyway. They preferred the games and for those they needed the people to be less than they were, needed them to know they were the toys. And as long they were here--as long as they were less than the owners--they were toys. No matter how much they didn't like it.

Still, it was surprising that he knew Cole was something else. Most people didn't until he told them. Or until he helped. It was enough to make him listen harder, the pain singing long and loud, enough to make him pull away with a soft gasp.

And that was only the edges.

"Yes," his voice was calm and monotone again, "Other and else, Fade and faded."

Re: Flick | Open

[saltrock_imp]

"They're entitled to their own opinion." Sometimes it seemed like everyone's opinion mattered but his own. He was frustrated at always being played, grasping for that happy, content, secluded life he could see, but couldn't quite get too.

"What they're not entitled to is to push their own opinions and games on me. Although that never seems to stop anyone."

It occurred to Flick that he might be so much happier if he gave up. Let it happen. But that wasn't in his nature. He couldn't be content to let his own dreams die, and be superseded by another's. Even though, well, wasn't that what everyone around him was doing. Pellaz, if the rumors were true, Seel. They all danced to whatever tune Thiede was playing. Flick didn't doubt the puppet strings were there. He had to just do his best to dance around them.

"I knew someone like you once. A little like you. There but not quite." Unlike Cole, ancestor spirits didn't appear in the light of day, although, in this cave, that might not matter.

Re: Flick | Open

[fadeling]

"No. They don't care. They're more and greater and above. They don't listen to nothing." They might speak to them sometimes, but they didn't listen. They never did. Not really. Maybe Hope tried, but he wasn't very good at it. At least not from what he'd seen and what he'd been told.

"They don't like their toys to think. Thinking takes the game away." And he couldn't say how harsh the punishment for it would be. There are too many inconsistencies for him to keep track of. He could barely understand the works around him at the best of times, this place was a thousand times worse. It's all confusing chaos, called and culled from the unclear. The Fade was easier.

"Maybe you did. A Fade to fall and fading, flying and floating far to flit away when you think you've touched, but forgotten. There's more than just me."

Re: Flick | Open

[saltrock_imp]

Flick didn't want to hear, he wished he could just put his hands over his ears and scream like a little harling. There was no escape from those who were Greater, more. Everywhere he turned, there were puppet strings.

The har scoffed, frowning, black hair that ran from the top of his head down to his shoulders and back rustled in the wind, blowing over the shaved sides of his head. "I'm so tired. By Aru, I'm tired of the fighting and the games. If they don't listen to something so insignificant....maybe we need a megaphone."

He didn't want to try. Calling on Aruhani that time had not worked. At all. The Dehar had come down and manipulated his body, sharing his soul. But the power was there, if Flick wasn't so afraid to use it.

Re: Flick | Open

[fadeling]

He didn't understand most of what was said at the best of times--this time want any better. He didn't know half the words, but he did know one thing.

"It won't help. They hear but don't listen." Something quite a few people did, even if they weren't torturing another. It's only worse when they have the power for the pain. Apparently, it made them more children than adults, touching and tormenting to learn more in cruelty.

"They taste the torture to play the pain. Here but gone, strange but common, graveyard weddings and hopeful deaths like pictures of pictures, too odd to notice."

Re: Flick | Open

[saltrock_imp]

And then all coherent talk was apparently gone. Flick almost squinted, trying to understand the words behind the words. Itzama was more straightforward. This was like following a string that was tangled with a bunch of others, but they were all the same color. Too hard to follow.

"Are you always this pessimistic?"