hadriel_logs | INTRO LOG: BLACK CATS & WALKING UNDER LADDERS

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for February.
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: February 10th-13th
Warnings: Fresh meat, creepy moving shadows, terrible luck, the screams of your loved ones.

Welcome to Hadriel, new friends. While waking up on the ground of a broken colosseum may not be the most pleasant arrival, you can at least find comfort in the fact that there's no giant monster immediately attempting to eat you. Plenty of the people already here will tell you that they weren't quite so lucky. But - wait. Is that something moving in the shadows, or is it just your imagination?

Of course it's not just your imagination. That would be way too easy. No, arriving along with everyone this time are wraiths, vengeful spirits that enjoy darkness, shadows, and misery. On the plus side, they won't try to kill you. On the minus side, their touch chills you and saps your energy, as well as inflicting a temporary curse of awful luck. Anything that can go wrong, will, including (and especially) things that might kill you. Wraiths are subtle and sneaky, so be sure to watch your back. That shadow isn't just a shadow.

Compounding the confusion the wraiths can cause, you just might wake up to the sound of chattering voices - only to be quite alone. A small flock of jabberjays has come through the Door as well. These genetically engineered birds are capable of mimicking entire human voices and conversations - as well as screams of terror and pain. Initially only in the arena and bringing only conversations from their world, they'll soon settle throughout the city and begin to learn the voices of those living in Hadriel. Your best friend screaming bloody murder just a street over? It could be them, or it could just be one of these lovely birds. Don't let it stress you out.

Once you've escaped the colosseum, hopefully without accidentally impaling yourself on your own weapon, 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 February 10th-13th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well!
► All characters now arrive with phones that have network communication.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And yet you have.

[Insulted him, that is. To take a warning of the challenges they face and call it his cowardice... Henry's demeanour grows harsh and he returns his phone to the pouch.]

You imply that I cower in fear. You consider not that I speak with any truth. I know not your world, but what know you in your scant hours here of our foe?

[He takes up the longbow again, and heads for the quivers and arrows. It will do for shooting those wretched birds stealing human voices.]

'Tis clear that you have made your judgement. Too hastily, I deem.

Nothing I've said is illogical!

[Why is he glaring at her? All she's done is lay out the facts that she knows. There is no enemy that cannot be defeated, this is fact, history says so. And if she bows now, then she'll be afraid too long and no resistance will grow. Maketh thinks back to Lothal, which she's hated and loved in turns, and will probably never see again. That home is lost, therefore she'll forget it, and focus on the present. This place.

They're ruled currently, but not forever. No. She won't allow it.

Maketh lifts her chin, proudly. Henry could kill her right now if he felt like it. She's injured and she's annoyed him. Why stop there?] I don't think you're a coward. If I did, then you'd know, Henry Percy, of that I assure you.

[No, he's just not listening to her.] But you don't intend to stand against them, and I want to know why.

[He picks out a belt quiver and fastens it on before he answers.]

Oh I intend to.

[He says, without hesitation.

For all his arguing he is not trying to deter her; his flaw is that he can only express his worries through hard criticism.]

I am trying to impress upon you how much toil is ahead. We have no foundation and face every disadvantage. To our peril, we are at their mercy and must contend with their concurrent fancies.

[He places his free hand on his hip and looks Maketh straight in the eye.]

I know well such laborious wars can be won. At great cost. Are you prepared?

[She meets his gaze straight on, face hard.] Of course. No war is without cost.

[And this will be a war, she's certain of it. Part of Maketh is relieved at that - it simplifies things, puts the whole damn world in stark terms. She spent most of her life praising the aftermath of a war and just look how that turned out. Peace, Maketh thinks, was probably the worst thing that ever happened to Lothal. And she might not be there anyone or ever again, but she's here, right now. Therefore this place will be defended to the bitter fucking end.

Henry knows about war, Maketh thinks. He'll be useful if she can convince him to help her.] You may think me naive to challenge these...gods. Fine. Do so. But even if I cannot face them with artillery, I will find a way to out-maneuver them.

Your help would be appreciated. Sir.

I think it naive without having experienced them first.

[He answers, making the distinction clear. Yet his harshness is replaced by approval, of all things. He likes that she is fierce and does not flinch.]

Your determination is real.

[He grows thoughtful for a moment, then gives her a nod.]

All right then. I shall lend you my aid.

Perhaps. But I've launched no attack yet.

[She has, perhaps. Metaphorically. It feels right, though. Maketh doesn't think she could stand having to step back and wait for things to happen. She's got to plan, to find a strategy and the means to implement it. The whole thing feels very important. She has to act nownownow, or she'll lose the advantage. ~~What advantage?~~] It is appreciated. Sir.

[Henry waves the sentiment off, then looks to the door.]

...Seen you much of this forsaken city?

[He asks her, recalling the misery of his own arrival. While not particularly charitable, he considers ensuring that one knows where to find a structurally sound roof over one's head a necessary kindness.]

[Maketh blinks. Whatever she expected him to say next, that was not it.] Not really, no.

[All he has to say on the previous matter is said, and he considers it done for now; should she have more to dicuss on that front, it is her subject to breach.

Furthermore, he has no more business in the armoury.]

If you wish to claim intact housing for yourself, I am headed that way now.

[The offer of escort is implicit.]

[Maketh inclines her head politely.] I would appreciate the company.

[And the protection as well. She's in no shape to survive another fight, after the explosion and dealing with all the madness here. Ghosts that left her feeling chilled and clumsy, birds that spoke with the voices of the dead. None of this was supposed to happen.

Maybe she's dead and this is what comes after.

That's not a pleasant thought. Maketh decides to ignore it.] Since this place doesn't appear to have invented blasters, I take it we don't have to worry about explosives on the path?

[Wait. Does he know about explosives? Maketh gives him a quizzical look.] Has your world invented gunpowder yet?

[Henry's brows draw in slightly.]

It has. 'Tis rare to see used, however.

[Which is for the best, given how primitive guns and explosives in general are at his point in time.

He walks to the door, steps out, and holds it open for Maketh to follow.]

Worry not. I assure you the path is safe.

[Maketh almost demands a status report on his understanding of gunpowder and other, more modern weaponry - what can she expect from him? what must be explained? - but refrains. She's tired all of a sudden, has been on her feet and moving for hours. The instinct that's been screaming at her to movemovemove has quieted somewhat.

There's time. Maybe. But it still needs to be done] Eventually you and I are going to sit down, and you will give me a full rundown of your knowledge of modern weaponry and tactics.

[It's said in a tone of absolute certainty. Maketh is used to giving orders and having them followed. She's also used to having all the information in one place, which is not the case here. She steps gingerly through the door, one hand against her ribs.

She's thankful, really, that he didn't ask what happened to her. She doesn't want to explain. Or think about it at all. What happened on Lothal is - insignificant. In the past. What matters is right now.] I try to consider every possible threat. But you would know better about the state of the road.

[It's not as though talking martial matters is a chore for Henry, so while he feels no obligation to heed Maketh's orders, he sees no reason to refuse that one. He will simply pick and choose what he listens to.]

Of course.

[It is a succinct reply to both of her statements. He releases the door and begins to lead the way towards the spires.]

INTRO LOG: BLACK CATS & WALKING UNDER LADDERS

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