[WORLD ONE | FINAL GOODBYES]

[spellbindmods]

Who: Coven members and the Palai
Where: The Palai Marketplace
When: Days 75 & 76
Open/Closed: Open to All
OOC Note: This is for any and all unresolved threads you'd like to get out of the way before the coven leaves Aimintas. Feel free to backdate specific prompts to whatever day is suitable for you.

The initial setting information found here should be utilized for threads here.

There's no official OOC account for the Palai people. You're free to roleplay their actions and reactions on your own, as in depth as you want -- asking questions, hand-waved interactions, becoming best friends. The new world is your oyster!

Since the Palai discovered that the coven is preparing to leave, they've been preparing for the moment their friends do eventually vanish. This means wrapping up large baskets of food and other supplies that will be given to the coven for their large caravan -- but they also like to give out little personal gifts to those that they recognize or have formed a bond with. Though the Palai are usually people of celebrations, this event is much more muted and personal. Gifts are given and they're certainly congregating, but there's also a dull hum of sadness in the air. The coven has done a lot for their people and helped them establish protection for themselves, so how they fare from here should be positive. With the Uvi gone, will another threat arrive? Who knows -- but the coven won't be here to witness it. A ▢ For those who have Palai children to take care of, the time for their final decision is here. Will they leave their hatchling with their people, or has it become a part of their own family? The Palai are fine with either decision. If your character wants to give up their Palai baby, this is their chance to say goodbye. If they don't want to, the time to choose has come. The Palai will tell them more about their children and how to care for them -- think a regular baby parenting class, except with lizards. B ▢ Certain Palai may have gotten to know your character over their time in Aimintas -- or maybe they barely know your character because they're newer! No matter who your character is, the Palai will give them personalized gifts. These can be based on your character's appearance, extremely insulting, just what your character needed, etc. C ▢ Finally, the Palai are grateful for what the coven's magic has done for them. Some of the Lyna have created little amulets out of the Elto bones, inserting them into glass spheres that glow and prevent some of the electrical sting. These can help your character amplify their powers, which may be fun to play with. Focusing on telepathy while using these amulets, however, will also amplify speech -- leading to some telepathic screaming that your character maybe didn't intend. D ▢ Wildcard! What unfinished business does your character have remaining in Aimintas? Now's the time to take care of it. They'll be gone come tomorrow afternoon.

Comments

[mapsio]

Mm, that's right. We would take the plants we grew into the metaverse with us and they would have new and sometimes medicinal effects. It's strange. I'm hoping to replicate it here... but I'm not sure that I can.

[It would be helpful in so many ways if they found themselves in a position where they needed to fight again.]

Challenges make everything more fun. Wouldn't you say?

just realized i used 'huh?' twice last tag, thread ruined

[talim]

[ the metaverse... should he ask? he doesn't see a reason not to. they really haven't discussed their home worlds much, and isn't the whole point getting to know each other better? ]

I would have to agree with you there. Speaking of medicinal herbs, though, that reminds me. I'm not sure whether or not you know him, but I met a guy around your age named Akira, and he asked me whether or not I sell medicine on the black market. It was a little jarring, to say the least.

[ didn't seem like a bad guy, though. just an interesting one. jude would like to get to know him better, and not just because he's curious about hibiki's boyfriend, although of course that's what triggered his burning curiosity in the first place. ]

i can't believe this!!!!

[mapsio]

Oh, Akira-kun... I really hope he was just joking with you.

[Though knowing Akira, he probably wasn't. He was probably being completely serious. Knowing that they pretty much all used black market medicine while they were in the metaverse. Advil won't really help you there.]

Forgive him he can be a little...weird.

tragic

[talim]

So you do know him.

[ jude just laughs, genuinely amused. ]

Don't worry. I wasn't bothered by it; just surprised. His boyfriend can be a little weird, too. That's how I met him in the first place. Through Hibiki.

[ not that that was ever hibiki's intention, but again: vials. potent stuff. ]

[mapsio]

Akira-kun is from my world. He's our leader.

[She wonders if she ever really explained why she was in that musketeer like outfit that time that Jude forcefully pulled her off the battlefield. That whole day was a blurr so she suspects that she didn't.

Maybe this is something she could trust Jude with if he asked her about it.]

That doesn't surprise me in the least. Hibiki-kun can be...quite strange. But he is also a really good person. Much like Akira-kun. I swear he's a good person. I can't believe he actually asked you that though.

[talim]

Your leader?

[ he puts a finger to his chin, thinking it through before deciding to just go for it. what reason does he have to hold back? ]

Does that tie into this metaverse of yours? I have to admit I'm really curious to hear more about it. It still feels like I know so little about you.

[mapsio]

Very well. I will tell you about myself specifically. Akira-kun will tell you about himself if he wishes to do so. I suppose it really isn't much of a secret here since the public we deal with at home hasn't followed us here.

[The metaverse, their rating, nothing. It didn't apply here.]

Would you believe me if I told you that besides being a student, I lead a life where I take on another identity essentially?

[talim]

Of course I would.

[ jude doesn't miss a beat. ]

I would believe anything you told me, Haru. What reason do you have to lie?

[mapsio]

In the metaverse I use the name "Noir". What I'm trying to say is that I am a Phantom Thief who steals the hearts of criminals.

[Ugh, that still sounds so...weird. Jumin thought she was praising her good looks when she mentioned that she "stole hearts".]

It's not as self centered as it might sound, I promise. There is an entire team of us. We just want to change the hearts of those who do wrong.

[talim]

Steals... hearts?

[ jude tilts his head. okay, so, while he absolutely believes her, he is still more than a little confused. ]

If this were a serious date, insert terrible pickup line here.

Really, though, how do you... ? I believe you, I just — don't quite understand.

[mapsio]

With the use of a Persona. A Persona is a manifestation of our soul. I suppose in past conversations I just haven't really discussed that I have powers that will be taken from me whenever we return to the island hub.

Losing that mental connection with my Persona is rather strange since I'm so used to it.

[Look, this date is totally serious...ish.]

Stealing hearts is hard to explain. But think of it this way. We steal someone's distorted desires, and without those desires they become more willing to admit their wrongs.

[talim]

I see...

[ he doesn't see, not really, but he's at a loss here. what else can he say? he's sure his world, spirits and the like, can come off as just as confusing and muddled to others. different set of cards, but same deal. ]

But if you're stealing a whole piece of them, especially something as crucial as their heart... well, is that really okay? Are they still really them when they admit their wrongs? Atone for their crimes? Are they still, fundamentally, wholly themselves?

It seems like a complicated issue, morality-wise, something I might simply fail to grasp without seeing it for myself, but...

[ jude looks her in the eyes. ]

I wouldn't doubt you. Rather, I don't doubt you.

[mapsio]

I have asked myself that question a lot. The morality of it is very touchy and something we have often spoke of.

[Haru would have done anything in the world to fix her father. To fix the mistakes that he made and to get him to see his wrongs. But, her father ended up paying the price of the game. Killed after what would have been a successful change of heart.]

We don't go after a target unless they are particularly nasty. It just isn't something that we can see ourselves doing.

[talim]

[ jude rests his hands in the middle of the table. they're there if haru wishes to grasp onto something, and if she doesn't, that's alright, too. they're there because jude wants to support her in whatever way he can. he's not going to ask, but he can tell something is eating at her, something she might not be ready to discuss. ]

So it's a whole group of you leading a double life, and Akira is the leader.

Needless to say... I never would have guessed. I suppose that explains that mask of yours back during the Uvi raid, right? Back then, I had been so concerned about your health it's not something I really thought to ask about.

[mapsio]

[Her father is a whole confidant rank away, she doesn't really want to discuss him right now. The feeling of his passing is still far too fresh for her.

She hesitates for a moment, looking at Jude's hands on the table. She wonders if he meant to put them there. She doesn't want to read into it too far.]

That is correct. We wear masks and go by code names. The code names are so that our real names don't effect the environment around us. The Metaverse is a tricky place.

Thank you again for all of that. I don't think I would have been able to see the forest through the trees at that point. I had been so focused, so angry...

[talim]

As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to thank me for. I was just doing my job. I'm only glad that I managed to grab you in time. That focus is a good thing; I can see just how driven you are to help others. It's important that you take the time to help yourself, too, though. Do your best to remember that.

... But who am I to talk?

[ a dry smile. he's doesn't exactly practice what he's preaching. ]

[mapsio]

I believe that goes for you too. We are similar in that regard. We care the world about others, but we forget to take the time for ourselves.

[It's true, and Haru is just calling it like she sees it.]

There is a lot to thank you for though. Healing me, listening to me... I appreciate it all.

[Placing her hands over his.]

[talim]

I'm always happy to help. In whatever way I can.

[ jude's smile softens, his eyes filled with warmth. his hands don't budge an inch. ]

I'll even pat your head again. Whatever it takes.

[mapsio]

I am willing to support you in any way possible too.

[They have been having a moment for so long that Haru has nearly forgotten she brought an entire thermos of tea for them to drink as well as some snacks.]

It's what friends do, okay?

[talim]

[ jude had barely noticed, either. he's reluctant to move his hands away, but it'd be rude to ignore it, so he compromises and slips just one hand outside from underneath hers to pop a snack into his mouth. it's delicious. just the right amount of sweet. ]

Right. And I'm incredibly lucky to have the privilege of calling you a friend.

[mapsio]

[One hand is good.

She's a very happy girl right now. She never thought she could find such a connection with someone outside of the Phantom Thieves. It's refreshing.]

Jude-kun, I'm very happy to hear you say that.

[She's never found herself more surprised than she has been with Jude it seems.]

[talim]

And I'm just as happy to be able to say it.

[ ♥ ]

[mapsio]

Now that we've had what seems to have been a heart to heart. Please, let me pour you some tea?

[She can't help that she might be blushing a little. A friendship as intense as this doesn't come without pink cheeks it seems. ♥]

[talim]

Well, if you insist...

[ that's a yes, please. that tea sounds perfect right about now. jude might just be a little bit flushed, himself, endeared by the rosy hue coloring haru's cheeks. ]

[mapsio]

[She's going to do just that. Pouring him a cup and then herself one. There is honey and sugar cubes available on the table.]

Is it okay if I were to ask to know a little more about your world? I know you mentioned you were a doctor... but, you're so young. I apologize if you get that a lot.