[WORLD ONE | OCTOBER INTRO LOG]

[spellbindmods]

Who: The new coven members and old blood
Where: In and around the hub island
When: Day 92
Open/Closed: Open to All

All characters are told briefly what their powers are by Genette -- no extemporaneous details. For instance, if your character has the ability to detect lies, they'll be told as such -- no warning about limitations, repercussions or the like. They'll also be given a variant of this letter so they aren't totally ignorant of the situation -- though of course adapt this letter to the current setting and surroundings of the game.

This setting may be familiar to you -- maybe you caught a glimpse of it when you first visited. Maybe this is your first time experiencing this weird world and the panic is setting in. If you're totally lost, a tall human woman with a long scroll of paper will stop by to give you the run down. She'll also give you a letter, which may give you more questions than answers since the information is a wee out of date. (Maybe someone else can fill in some gaps for you). What is at first painfully obvious is that you're ill-equipped. Any magic or powers you had previously are suddenly replaced with an empty hole in your being. That's not all that's gone, but perhaps that's what's most pressing. Another thing you may notice is that there are others just like you, wandering around and just as confused. If you feel so inclined, you may want to ask around and see if anyone else knows what's up. A ▢ If one of your characters isn't looking to introduce themselves to others, someone's willing to do it for them. Genette is trying to make sure all newbies are accounted for and have a buddy, so she's grabbing them when she finds them and tossing them at the first coven member she sees. "Hi, so-and-so, this is so-and-so! They're new, so show them the ropes -- be friends, okay?" You get the gist. Your character may be paired up with another newbie, a seasoned character or both! Five times, even! Timelines in RPing are weird! B ▢ Let's say that instead of milling about and doing nothing entirely productive, your character has decided to try and venture off to find a way off this huge floating rock. That's nice -- but be warned that the forest is filled with interesting things. For instance, they've happened to find a hollowed out tree that happens to be where a hoard of land crabs are living. They move fast -- run quick! C ▢ Other characters may want to establish shelter before they do anything else -- and that's their right! The problem is that if your character wants to be well-supplied, they're going to have to do things for themselves. There's something of an assembly line set up, but not a lot has been done in way of making things workable. Genette wanted all new coven members to have a little food parcel to take to their hut, but time constraints, you know? If you want any food for now -- or for later -- you may want to cook some of this (poisonous) eel, salt some boar jerky or cut into one of these rabbits. You've also got some berries to eat in the meantime, if you want something simple!

By the time afternoon sets in, everyone should be a little more adjusted -- or, they should at least be a little more aware of the situation. From there, things still need to be done and exploring is always an option! D ▢ For those characters who want to stick around the base camp, there's something worthwhile in discovering the buildings around the area. One such building is the mansion, which contains extra supplies and a renovated kitchen. The kitchen is now functional with electricity and running water, with a few raw ingredients for making whatever your character would like. It's minimal, but also not totally useless. E ▢ If you mill about too long, you'll be put to work. Run into Genette and you'll be sent to pick western part of the island to look for strawberries, wheat and deer (good luck hunting if your character doesn't have the capabilities, but maybe someone else can help?). Run into Genette and she'll offer your character an ax to chop wood with (is this a wise idea? probably not), or a request to go fishing in either a stream or the ocean attached to the island on the eastern side. Or your character can do both if they so choose...? F ▢ With all of these new people milling about, telepathy is on the fritz again. At least, it certainly is for those who are new! Your character may not realize their broadcasting frustrations to the network, or maybe a stupid secret. Their mental filter is certainly broken, but that's at least a great conversation starter. Night finally falls on the exhausting day, and it's time to rest. Thankfully the island is beautiful at night, especially the sky. The night is filled with space worms, relaxing mist and wondrous sights in the stars. G ▢ Adding to the excitement of the beautiful night, Genette has set up something of a...talent show? In an effort to get new coven members acclimated with their magic, she's asked them all to use their magic in some way -- it may take a volunteer, or maybe they can show it off all on their own. In any case, show me what you got. H ▢ Of course, some characters aren't going to be up for this fancy display and will want to go about their own business. There are plenty of places to sit and stew on this island, both private and in plain sight. The stars are spectacularly bright, and the higher up your character gets the less it seems like night time. If they're lucky, they may catch sight of a shooting star, though it's of course much larger than usual. They're directly in space, after all! I ▢ Wildcard! How will your character interact with this new and unusual world?

Comments

[sopherias]

How is that fun?

[ Sophie asks, genuinely curious. When something is supposed to be fun, she expects there to be laughing and smiling and clearly there isn't any of that. She's always honest and doesn't understand why some people don't just say what they really mean.

And although she now knows Genette's intended meaning, she doesn't believe she can be of much help. She's also new to the coven, after all. ]

I just got here, so I don't know if I can show you around.

[reckoner]

Wordplay. It's a saying that...

[ something about connoting one's character and having picked up something casual, an easy-going and familiar way to instruct someone, but Gaelio considers the length of that explanation, the number of words exerted for a conclusion he isn't certain of, and he decides he

doesn't feel like it sorry only he isn't even sorry. They could puzzle over it together, but. He trails off, glancing up and away, and nearly leaves it at that. Nearly. After a much too long pause, he finishes. ]

I don't know. I haven't thought about it.

[ A...nyway. ]

That's my situation as well.

[ At least he hit the mark on thoughtless. ]

[sopherias]

[ During that long pause, she copies him, glancing up and away. This is not weird at all. ... ... ...What are we looking at?

And yet, she patiently waits for his answer. ]

Okay.

[ Fortunately, she'll leave it at that. Best to avoid a long complicated explanation, otherwise she's going to keep asking questions. There's no end to her curiosity. ]

I'm sorry about this situation. We can try to figure it out together.

[reckoner]

[ Choose your own adventure: the sky, the bleak void of space, the wavering certainty of purpose in the afterlife, a branch. Either or.

That she allows him to evade a proper explanation he notes, not with relief exactly, or appreciation, but some softer pulse in that direction. And when she apologizes, he blinks. It may be a nicety, but -- ]

It isn't your fault.

[ It would be more efficient to find someone with a little more longevity here, but something in her simple offer keeps him from observing the obvious and splitting off. Yet another kid taken here, taking undue responsibility. It's really... ]

...Yeah. Okay.

[ Strange, these days, but his hand stirs with listless energy, and he settles it against his hip. ]

Do we show ourselves around, or ask someone?

[ Together? ]



[ooc: also noted your ooc post, I'll backtag 'til I die but am also happy to assume if that ends up being easier when you return -- just lmk! ]

ty for your patience orz

[sopherias]

[ If only staring silently in the void of space could give them answers here. As distressed as she feels about the current dilemma, she needs to do something. She had always been stubborn to keep on moving, whether she was feeling sick or some other circumstance held her back. Sticking around to a single place isn't going to get them anywhere and it's not going to bring Sophie back to Asbel.

She glances side to side, searching anyone close by to ask for help. At this point, most of the other coven members had already dispersed off elsewhere to show each other the ropes or maybe they just escaped the responsibility. They're going to have to catch up. ]

Let's show ourselves around and if we find someone, we can ask them. We can't just stay here.

now it is my turn to thank you for yours!!

[reckoner]

[ Everyone else dispersing does answer his question for him. Responsibility or not, and whatever judgment might or might not attach to it. There's little point to attaching it. Standing in place won't get them anywhere, leaving the most practical route to be what she suggests.

So the blind leads the blind. At least it should be entertaining. ]

Mm. Should we start with the mansion?

[ Lifting his hand to wave toward it, ]

or look into the housing,

[ now toward the huts, unwitting that they're all inhabited, ]

or explore the wilds?

[ a more sweeping gesture toward the forest all around. ]

[sopherias]

Hmm...

[ Her eyes follow his hand gestures like a cat, taking in and considering each area. There's bound to be people that they can talk to in any of those directions. Either the mansion and housing seem to be closest. Might as well get to know the areas they'll be staying in every night. ]

Mansion, the huts, and then the forest. Can you fight?

[ Just in case she has some protecting to do. ]

[reckoner]

[ Indifferent to the order, Gaelio nods his acceptance to her selection. The question's a good one, given the boars in the forest. It would be naive to assume only boars lived there, too.

The answer's both complicated and simple. He answers while starting toward the mansion. ]

Yes and no. The experience I have mostly won't be useful here.

[ Even if he had Kimaris Vidar, that would be absurd against a boar. As would attempting rusted hand-to-hand, and he hasn't got a gun or other weapon. ]

But, the magic Qri gave me might be useful.

[ More striking, the way she asked it. As though he wouldn't be remiss to assume she could. What was with these kids? Still, he should confirm it, too. ]

...You can?

[sopherias]

[ She's not satisfied by the "yes and no" answer. It makes her curious, more than anything. ]

What kind of experience do you have?

[ There is no sign of any kind of weaponry on her at the moment. Her appearance is small and perhaps misleading. Though if any kind of threat emerges, she can easily manifest a set of gauntlets on her arms. The gauntlets may not even be necessary, but it does provide even more force in her punches. Running is also an option.

She gives a simple nod to his question, confident in her ability to fight. ]

I can fight. If something dangerous comes, I will protect you.

[reckoner]

[ While he struggles to imagine a world without Mobile Suits and Workers, or Gundam for that matter, certain of the letter's contents (and common sense) suggested worlds vastly different from his own. Magic granted not by Qri.

So Gaelio considers her question, the pause maybe strange, before keeping it simple. ]

A little close combat training, but mostly piloting offensive machines.

[ It would be easy to underestimate her by her appearance. More than easy -- difficult not to. But she leaves no room for doubt in her response, leaving him to wonder, then blink at her last assertion. ]

Thanks, but don't worry about me.

[ Less because he's so confident in his own abilities against boars or whatever else, and more out of discomfort that she would so readily risk herself to that end.

Now holding open the door to the mansion. ]

[sopherias]

[ Hearing that he has some close combat training is a relief. But she's going remain alert, regardless. She can step in to support, whenever she sees that it's needed. ]

Piloting machines? ...Like a shuttle?

[ She has seen different kinds of machines. However, hearing the word "pilot" and "machine" in the same sentence brings a flying shuttle into mind before anything else. A flying shuttle that shoots lasers, maybe?

She steps through the door and glances back at him, waiting for him to follow. Also, names. She'd already given hers. ]

I didn't get your name. We're a team now, so let me know what you want me to call you.

[reckoner]

[ ooc: apologies again for delay!! life... ]

No.

[ Not like a shuttle, though he'd have been able to fly one if needed. They haven't been together long, but Gaelio suspects he wouldn't assume too much to expect further questions from her.

He debates preempting them as she moves through, following and shutting the door behind. ]

A team...?

[ Not exactly what he'd agreed to, and maybe dousing it will keep her from feeling too keen on protecting him. But how to douse, when even characterizing it as temporary wouldn't be completely accurate, if the lot of them are trapped as a coven. ]

Gaelio's fine. You shouldn't count me on your team, Sophie.

[sopherias]

[ ooc: no worries! i've been getting really slow on my end.. orz ]

No?

[ She repeats with a puzzled expression, trying to think of what other machines there could be that requires piloting. She seems to be expecting for him to detail his answer...

Also, they're working together, wandering around in a mansion and trying to figure out what's happening. It sounds like being part of a team! If they're not a team now, then what are they? ]

...I shouldn't? But why? We're working together.

[reckoner]

[ ooc: rest assured then that i've got the slow trophy (❁°͈▵°͈) ]

No.

[ Expecting as expected, and yet as he veers right, stepping through a wide door frame and into a spacious kitchen, he does not yet explain.

In part because the issue of where they stand might be more pressing, if more difficult to answer. She's right that they've agreed to explore together, and right in a larger sense, given the compulsory coven.

Gaelio considers his answer, pulling open a cupboard and peering inside. Not avoiding her eyes. No reason to do that, especially if speaking so plainly. ]

What does it mean to you, to be on a team? To protect the other person? That's why.

[sopherias]

No...

[ Parroting his answer again, looking puzzled. She follows him into the kitchen and while he doesn't avoid her view, it's her that turns away from him to investigate a different, nearby cupboard. She's attempting to help with the exploration and in a way, she might also be mimicking him.

While Sophie does have in mind to ask him for further explanation about the machines, she's caught off guard by his latter response. And suddenly she has even more questions coming at once. ]

...Do you not like protecting others? What about your friends? ...Do you have friends?

[reckoner]

[ Less vital to their overall goal to look into every cupboard, so Gaelio has no intention of doing that. Two suffice for an impression of the sorts of items held. It's all rather standard for a kitchen, which both meets and collides with expectations.

Should there be bowls and mixing spoons in a kitchen thrown out into space?

An easier puzzle to set his mind to, but he's not ignorant to what he does with his responses. Just about inviting inquiry.

However inadvertent, her questions cut to the point, hit bone. His expression clouds, darkens. ]

...I don't.

[ Have friends. ]

Not anymore.

[ Betrayer, betrayed, used, dead.

A pause, then Gaelio shrugs, features smoothing, hand gesturing wide to encompass the room. ]

Well. It's a kitchen.

[ Back into the entrance hall, then. ]

NOW EVEN MORE LATER...

[sopherias]

[ With her head poking into several more cupboards, she nearly lags behind. When he declares that it's obviously a kitchen, she finally takes a step back from the cupboard and bounds back over to his side.

As they head back to the entrance hall, her eyes are back on him again, studying his expression.

She often tries to distinguish how others are feeling by the look of their face and Gaelio seemed mostly indescribable to her. Though now, something about his expression seems a bit more grim. ]

Because they're all back home?

[ Maybe she doesn't quite understand what he means by "anymore". But anyone would feel sad if they were alone and without friends. There was a point in her life where she didn't have any friends, but that certainly changed when she got her first friend. ]

I'll be your friend. My friends aren't here either.

WITH OUR POWERS COMBINED... also i apologize for him.

[reckoner]

Because...

[ Steps slowing as he hesitates. In this room, he might have an excuse for it: indecision as where to go next. It would be more believable if he looked anywhere but directly ahead, or for that matter, if his eyes were less glassy.

A heavy thing, heavier than she or any but one needs hear, and for that person, his words go unheard. ]

...they're gone.

[ Vague enough to be understood as back home, or simply not here. Enough.

But not enough to prevent her offer. Another young girl, another blind offer of friendship. Was it the same for Sophie as it was for Yuna -- a friend is someone you can hold in your heart so that when you've been knocked down, you'll have a reason and a way to get back up again?

The answer must be the same. ]

I can't be your friend. I'll work with you, but that's all.

[ ... ]

You'll find others here.

[ Exploring, right. He starts for the stairs. ]

CRASHES BACK IN HERE ;; ACCEPT MY FRIENDSHIP GDIT

[sopherias]

Gone... forever?

[ She follows his lead, heading for the stairs. Each moment he hesitates with any of her questions, she's patient waiting for his answer. But it's obvious she's going to follow up with another question. ]

We can be friends and still work together.

[ His answers are definitely not enough to get her to stop trying to be his friend. She doesn't understand why this is so difficult. True, she'll be able to find others who will accept her friendship, but that doesn't mean she has to exclude him. ]

IGNORES REQUEST sets profile to private

[reckoner]

...Yeah.

[ Gone forever.

Accustomed now to the inevitability of her inquiry, but less accustomed to speaking of them. Only recently, heated charges against the one responsible. He can feel himself pulling back from the emotional miasma of them, sparing her with distance.

Himself, too. Only a few hours before he'd met him in the woods, his control over his power loose, and it took little to trigger an illusion that had caught himself as well. Nothing she needs to see or feel, and a distraction from their exploratory purpose. ]

And we can work together without being friends. It's a kindness, Sophie, but I can't accept it.

[ Now opening the first door on the left, on the second floor. A bedroom. ]

wow rude... time to namedrop Gaelio

[sopherias]

Oh... I see...

[ With that answer, Sophie finally leaves the subject at that. She's under the assumption that being gone forever might mean whoever he's talking about may be deceased.

As they stop by the bedroom, she only stares at the room from outside the doorway. She seems to be waiting to see if he'll step inside, then that's when she'll decide to continue following suit. ]

But I want to be your friend.

drag him

[reckoner]

[ Though it looks straightforward, Gaelio steps inside to confirm the single other door within the room: crossing to it, tugging it open, finding a closet. Were there no bathrooms inside the mansion?

No proper plumbing?

Gaelio stares at the inside of the closet, nose wrinkling for the dust. Folded blankets, assorted odds and ends. He does not yet divert his eyes toward her, despite that naive assertion. ]

Why?

[ These children... ]

Don't be so trusting.

[ The accusation from that man, that he remained too much that, a dull and hollow ringing in the outskirts of his mind. ]

I make a poor friend. Befriend someone your age -- Yuna Yuki.

[ Now closing the closet. ]