catch-all open log!

[rebells]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
Where: On the beach, and various other places throughout the hub island
When: Day 80, and the next couple days after
Open/Closed: open log for hub shenanigans!

[This evening, someone has placed an old, rusted-over camp stove on the beach near the coven's row of huts--anyone examining it in detail will see that it's not operational at the moment, but that could potentially be changed, couldn't it? If someone was handy with mechanical things . . . .

Next to it is a crate (which, from the weight of it is empty) and pinned to that crate is a sheet of paper with a map on it, something like a much cruder, black-and-white version of this:



with the following key:

1 - crags. Contain snakes which may be poisonous. Watch out.
2 - ocean, going about one mile out from the coast.
3 - lagoon. Contains thick reeds (could be woven or shaped into tools) and frogs (edibility uncertain).
4 - abandoned campsite.
5 - orchard. Currently, trees are diseased and bare. Plant healer needed.
6 - abandoned house. A family used to live here, from the looks of it. Still contains some useful supplies.

And there should be a 7 north of base camp with the notation "graveyard. Graves unused." but the player forgot and is too lazy to go back and fix it right now. Observant individuals will note that the map looks like a more detailed version of one hanging on the door to a certain coven member's cabin, one that has a note on the bottom: "Have information? Ask for Jay."

Other than that, it's a quiet night on the hub island. We've been here for a couple days; maybe you're getting restless? Want to check out that ocean, or lagoon, or even those crags? Maybe just go door-to-door in the beach huts? Maybe you're sick of shrimp and looking for other things to eat . . . hopefully someone's got a fire going tonight, and thought to kill a boar . . . .

What are you doing tonight?]


((here or here for place descriptions))

Comments

B

[spaceforged]

Need a hand? [The voice is accompanied by square yellow eyes in the swirling steam. A black robotic lion the size of a horse comes closer, crouching down to peer closely at the damaged foot.

Shiro had taken to changing off and on during his explorations. It would build up endurance and make the change familiar. Or at least close to it.]

If you lean on me I can help you get out of here. It's the best I can do.

[mech_and_mutt]

[okay.

he had several questions. let's start with the big one here-- the one that's left his eyes wide, awestruck, and leaning in with a relief so intent it could have passed for enthrallment.]

You're-- you've got a mecha. You've got a mecha?

[spaceforged]

Technically, I am one. [Shiro shifts just enough to let him lean as much of his weight as he wants to against his metal side. He's noticed the relief and makes no comment on it. A pilot needs their moment and he isn't going to interrupt it.]

It seems like the Qri merged us or, thought I'd do best like this. I couldn't tell you. Ready to move?

[mech_and_mutt]

[Slowly, wordlessly, Red rises to his feet, his injured foot touching back down with a shaky wince of discomfort, though even that does nothing to abate the wide-eyed look he's giving Shiro.]

...Am I gonna be piloting you??

[spaceforged]

[He stares openly surprised but unable to show it thanks to his form. After a moment he reasons this is a pilot that was separated from their mech. Even if he trips when he runs sometimes he still has the Black Lion in some form.

He crouches low to let a hand be put on his back.]

No. I'm a pilot myself. My name is Shiro. But I think I can carry you if you climb up on my back.

[mech_and_mutt]

...oh.

[Well... maybe he's kinda short and just. Really squeezed inside there. Or maybe it had something to do with that whole 'merged' thing he was talking about before.

Let's just... go with the hand-on-back idea for now. Riding might get awkward.]

Sorry. Kinda been missin' mine lately. You new here?

[spaceforged]

Yes, I'm new. Anyway, it's alright. I'd be missing the Black Lion if I didn't turn into it.

[He rises up just enough that the hand can remain on his back as he slowly walks forward. Riding would have been awkward and probably slower. This is better.]

How long have you been with the Coven?

[mech_and_mutt]

Coupla months so far. Think I might'a been one of the first arrivals. I'd say it's great to be back at the island, but... well, look around.

[Broken-down buildings, boars, and now burns. Joy. Thankfully he doesn't seem too bothered by his burned foot in his current state.]

Sounds like you won the magic lottery, though. Doesn't get much cooler than turning into a mech.

[spaceforged]

Can't argue with that.

[Shiro leads them out of the bathhouse at a slow steady plodding pace. He's pretty sure the change will last long enough to get his fellow pilot where he needs to go.]

I don't know. Being here on this island feels better than looking up at water. One of the weirder worlds I've ever seen.

[mech_and_mutt]

Yeah, you keep thinkin' one day it just might rain down with a big splash. Glad we finally got to the bott--... top of it?

[Eh, semantics. He settles into a casual pace, trying his hardest not to admire the impressive handiwork of the mechanical lion he was resting again seriously this was kind of cool.]

Y'make it sound like you've done a lot of world-hopping.

[spaceforged]

World-hopping and space travel are not that different from each other. You still encounter a lot of worlds and races full of things and cultures you've never seen before.

[It's about the same. Minus the usually strange advice from Coran, the lack of mice and princess who has more to say than she lets on.]

Does the Coven itself have a reputation or is that a mystery?